Saphenous nerve release for patellofemoral (anterior knee) pain

EFFECT OF SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE ON PAIN,BALANCE AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME

This trial will try a manual saphenous nerve release to reduce pain and improve knee function and balance in adults 18–35 with patellofemoral pain who have a positive saphenous neurodynamic test.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 35 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Cairo)
• Trial ID: NCT07318987 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Patellofemoral pain syndrome commonly causes anterior knee pain in young active adults and is usually treated with quadriceps and hip exercise programs. This interventional study targets a possible neural contributor by applying a manual saphenous nerve release to participants with a positive saphenous neurodynamic test. Eligible participants (age 18–35, BMI 18–25, anterior knee pain ≥6 weeks) will receive the nerve-focused manual therapy and be measured for changes in pain, knee function, and balance before and after the intervention. The work is conducted at the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, as a supplement to conventional PFPS rehabilitation approaches.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–35 with BMI 18–25 who have had anterior knee pain for at least six weeks and a positive saphenous neurodynamic test are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with prior knee surgery, recent intraarticular injections, other defined knee pathologies, systemic neuropathic conditions like diabetic neuropathy or fibromyalgia, or significant joint disease are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If effective, adding saphenous nerve release could reduce anterior knee pain and improve functional performance and balance beyond exercise-only rehabilitation.

How similar studies have performed: Direct evidence for saphenous nerve release in PFPS is limited and this approach is relatively novel, though peripheral nerve mobilization techniques have shown some benefit in related musculoskeletal conditions.

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:

1. Knee replacement
2. An intraarticular injection within the past 3 months
3. Previous operative treatment or arthroscopy, other secondary knee-related problems (bursitis, tendinopathy, osteochondritis, neuromas, intraarticular pathology (such as osteoarthritis), tumor, and rheumatologic diseases
4. Diabetic neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia

Where this trial is running

Cairo

• Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University — Cairo, Egypt (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Markos Boshra, bachelor's

Conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME, Balance, pain, knee function, saphenous nerve