EFFECT OF SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE ON PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Saphenous nerve release.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Basic parameters: 18 years — 35 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Egypt
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
EFFECT OF SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE ON PAIN,BALANCE AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME
Overview
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain in young, physically active individuals, especially females, and is commonly managed with quadriceps and hip-focused exercises. However, the role of neural factors has been largely overlooked. The saphenous nerve, which supplies sensation to the anteromedial knee, may become irritated or entrapped and contribute to pain and neuromuscular dysfunction in PFPS. This study suggests that manual therapy targeting the saphenous nerve could improve pain, function, and balance, providing a more holistic approach to PFPS rehabilitation.
Detailed description
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, particularly affecting adolescents and young adults, with a higher prevalence among females. It accounts for a significant proportion of knee complaints seen in sports medicine and is especially common in physically active individuals. Traditional rehabilitation for PFPS has mainly focused on quadriceps strengthening and knee mechanics, with more recent attention given to hip-focused exercises.
However, the neural contribution to PFPS, particularly involving the saphenous nerve and its infrapatellar branch, has been relatively under-explored. The saphenous nerve is a purely sensory branch of the femoral nerve that supplies the anteromedial knee and lower leg and plays an important role in proprioception. Anatomical variations and its course near the sartorius muscle may predispose it to irritation or entrapment, potentially contributing to chronic anteromedial knee pain.
This study proposes that irritation or mechanosensitivity of the saphenous nerve may be a contributing factor in PFPS, leading to pain and impaired neuromuscular control. By incorporating manual therapy targeting the saphenous nerve, the research aims to fill a gap in current PFPS management. Addressing neural factors may enhance pain reduction, functional performance, and balance, offering a more comprehensive and holistic physiotherapy approach for individuals with PFPS. (summarize in short)
Interventions
- Other Saphenous nerve release
With the patient lying supine and the leg extended, a tender area is identified on the medial side of the thigh, approximately four to five fingerbreadths above the knee. This area corresponds to a longitudinal fascial strip located behind the sartorius muscle. The therapist places the fingers on either side of this strip and applies a gentle separating force in proximal and distal directions to mobilize the tissue and reduce sensitivity.
Primary outcome measures
- knee pain [Time frame: up to 6 weeks]
- Balance [Time frame: up to 6 weeks]
- Function [Time frame: up to 6 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Q angle [Time frame: up to 6 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
1 - Age from 18 to 35 and BMI 18 to 25 kg/m2. 2. Both gender (male and female) 3. Patients who had anterior knee pain for at least six weeks 4. Patients with positive saphenous neurodynamic test (SAPHNT)
Exclusion criteria
- Knee replacement
- An intraarticular injection within the past 3 months
- Previous operative treatment or arthroscopy, other secondary knee-related problems (bursitis, tendinopathy, osteochondritis, neuromas, intraarticular pathology (such as osteoarthritis), tumor, and rheumatologic diseases
- Diabetic neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Egypt · 1 center
- Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University — Cairo
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07318987 · P.T.REC/012/006114