How a research trial will support people living with knee pain and osteoarthritis though advice, exercise and knee braces
Knee pain affects one in four people over 45 years in the UK. The most common cause is osteoarthritis, but many people will suffer without getting the diagnosis.
Osteoarthritis and its symptoms vary a lot and negatively affect people’s daily lives. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but with treatment, symptoms can be improved and allow people to stay active.
Wearing a knee brace is one of the options that could help by reducing the load going through the joint and improving its stability. However, the brace effectiveness for knee osteoarthritis remains unclear and international guidelines offer conflicting recommendations.
Researchers from two UK universities – The University of Manchester alongside sponsor Keele University – united to test braces and improve the life of people living with knee pain. The trial is called PROP-OA and through the help of primary care physicians, physiotherapists and involved patients, it is already the biggest brace trial of its kind in the world.
The trial will show whether wearing a knee brace provides more relief for people with painful knee osteoarthritis than having education, advice and exercise instruction alone, and whether this is good value for money for the NHS.
For this goal, participants will be divided into two groups. One group will receive educational materials, advice on pain management, and an exercise programme they will follow at home. The other group will receive educational materials, advice on pain management, and an exercise programme plus a knee brace.
The study is still recruiting and needs the help of people aged 45 and over, who suffer from knee pain. To take part you can telephone the research team on a free telephone number 0800 130 3419 to undergo an initial eligibility screening. Further screenings and appointments take place at a ‘PROP OA Clinic’ in one of the local clinics where the trial is running (Leighton Hospital, Cheshire, Victoria Infirmary Northwich, Cheshire, Haywood Hospital, Stoke on Trent, NIHR/Wellcome Trust Adult’s Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields). More information is available on the study website.
Joining this trial could help improve the treatment and care provided to people with knee pain and knee osteoarthritis.