Therapeutic joint aspiration for knee pain relief in osteoarthritis patients

Effect of Therapeutic Joint Arthrocentesis on Pain and Quadriceps Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

This study tests if draining fluid from the knee can help people with osteoarthritis feel less pain and move better.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 66 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Colorado Joint Replacement (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT04146649 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective study evaluates the effects of therapeutic joint arthrocentesis on pain and quadriceps function in patients suffering from knee effusion due to osteoarthritis or following total knee arthroplasty. Participants will undergo a thorough clinical evaluation, including knee radiographs and assessments of pain, self-reported function, range of motion, and quadriceps strength. The study aims to determine the efficacy of joint aspiration in alleviating symptoms and improving physical function in these patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with mild to severe knee effusion related to osteoarthritis or those with symptomatic primary total knee arthroplasty.

Not a fit: Patients with knee effusion due to trauma, inflammatory arthritis, or septic conditions are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce pain and improve mobility for patients with knee osteoarthritis or those post knee arthroplasty.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with similar therapeutic approaches, suggesting potential for success in this trial.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients aged 18 years or older with mild (1+) to severe (3+) knee effusion associated with underlying osteoarthritis (Kellgren and Lawrence grade II or higher) that undergo therapeutic aspiration
2. Patients with symptomatic primary total knee arthroplasty without infection (as verified by prior aspiration) with moderate to severe effusion electing for therapeutic arthrocentesis. Must be minimum of 3 months from index surgery to be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with effusion related to trauma or another underlying condition (ie. fracture, ligamentous injury, hemarthrosis)
2. Patients with known history of gout or with synovial fluid samples testing positive for urate of calcium pyrophosphate crystals
3. Patients with knee effusion associated with septic arthritis or periprosthetic knee infection as determined from knee arthrocentesis.
4. Patients with inflammatory arthritis (ie. JIA, RA, psoriatic arthritis, etc).
5. Patients with revision knee arthroplasty, unicompartmental arthroplasty or other repair/reconstruction surgery
6. Patients with underlying muscular disorder (ie. Stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, polymyalgia, fibromyalgia, muscular dystrophy, etc.)
7. Patients with symptomatic hip pain
8. Patients with active cancer in the area
9. Patients with pacemakers
10. Patients who are pregnant
11. Invasive or injectable therapy within the last 6 months in the involved knee, to include, but not limited to, arthrocentesis, corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy, stem cell therapy, or genicular nerve block.
12. Blood clotting disorders, sickle cell disease or trait, or chronic anticoagulation.

Where this trial is running

Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations

• University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)
• Colorado Joint Replacement — Denver, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jason Jennings, MD — Colorado Joint Replacement
• Study coordinator: Rose Johnson, BS, CCRP

Conditions Effusion Joint