PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - D I Clark AU - N Downing AU - J Mitchell AU - L Coulson AU - E P Syzpryt AU - M Doherty TI - Physiotherapy for anterior knee pain: a randomised controlled trial AID - 10.1136/ard.59.9.700 DP - 2000 Sep 01 TA - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases PG - 700--704 VI - 59 IP - 9 4099 - http://ard.bmj.com/content/59/9/700.short 4100 - http://ard.bmj.com/content/59/9/700.full SO - Ann Rheum Dis2000 Sep 01; 59 AB - OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of the individual components of physiotherapy in subjects with anterior knee pain.METHODS An observer blind, prospective, factorial design randomised controlled trial. 81 young adults with anterior knee pain were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: (1) exercise, taping, and education; (2) exercise and education; (3) taping and education; and (4) education alone. Each group received six physiotherapist-led treatments over three months. Follow up took place at three months using the following outcome measures: patient satisfaction (discharge/refer for further treatment); a visual analogue pain score; the WOMAC lower limb function score; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD); and quadriceps strength. At 12 months the WOMAC and HAD were assessed by postal questionnaire.RESULTS All groups showed significant improvements in WOMAC, visual analogue, and HAD scores; these improvements did not vary significantly between the four groups or between exercising/non-exercising and taped/non-taped patients at three and 12 months. However, patients who exercised were significantly more likely to be discharged at three months than non-exercising patients (χ2, p<0.001). Taping was not significantly associated with discharge. Significantly greater improvements in WOMAC, visual analogue, and the anxiety score (but not the depression score) were seen in patients who were discharged than in those who were referred.CONCLUSIONS The proprioceptive muscle stretching and strengthening aspects of physiotherapy have a beneficial effect at three months sufficient to permit discharge from physiotherapy. These benefits are maintained at one year. Taping does not influence the outcome.