Can physiotherapy assessment help predict knee injury in runners?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can Physiotherapy Assessment Help Predict Running Techniques That Cause Knee Pain? The Role Of The Single Leg Squat
IRAS ID
173061
Contact name
Ahmed Younis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St. Georges, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 17 days
Research summary
This study aims to discover if physiotherapy assessment can predict running techniques that cause knee pain. The study will involve both patients who have knee pain whilst running and individuals who can run pain-free.
Patients who have knee pain whilst running despite no known knee injury are commonly diagnosed with a condition known as ‘patellofemoral pain syndrome’ (PFPS). It is the most common injury amongst runners and is thought to be due to poor running technique. Research suggests that people who suffer with PFPS adopt a more ‘knock-kneed’ position whilst running compared to runners who can run pain-free. This 'knock-kneed' position of the knee is termed ‘knee valgus’. Knee valgus places strain on the kneecap and causes pain.
During physiotherapy assessment it is common to test for knee valgus. As running assessments are time-consuming and require equipment they are not always performed however. Instead, other tests are used to predict the way the knee moves during running and rehabilitation is based on the outcome of these tests. The most commonly used test is the Single Leg Squat (SLS).
The SLS is a small squat performed whilst standing on one leg and uses similar muscle groups to running. It is presumed to predict the way the knee moves when running (i.e. if you are in knee valgus during a SLS you will also be so when running). It is not known if this relationship exists however.
This study will investigate if any relationship exists between knee valgus when performing a SLS and when running. Consenting volunteers will be videoed performing both tests and knee movement will be assessed with specialist computer programmes. Nothing additional to a standard physiotherapy assessment will be undertaken.
The study will take place within the physiotherapy department of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0333
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion