Association between knee crepitus and altered quality of movement in the step down test in healthy men and women

• Grant number: 20/12834-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2021
• End date: January 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Mícolis de Azevedo
• Grantee: Lucas Puro Caminhoto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Knee crepitus is characterized by audible noise, grinding or palpable vibrations in the patellofemoral joint during flexion and extension movements, whether pathological or not. It is a frequent reason for visits to orthopedics clinics due to a concern that the noise is pathological. However, it is not understood whether there is a relationship between knee crepitus and changes in the movement patterns of healthy individuals. Aim: Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to analyze the relationship of the knee crepitus with the presence of altered quality of movement during the forward step down test in healthy men and women. Methods: Type of Study: Cross-sectional. Participants and instruments: 31 men and 31 women, healthy, aged between 18 and 30 years, will be recruited. The knee crepitus will be tested by an appraiser with the Waldron Test and the participants who test positive will be allocated to the Crepitus Group and participants who test negative will be allocated to the Control Group. Posteriorly the participants will be oriented to perform a functional clinical test (forward step down test) and then answer 3 questionnaires (Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score - KOOS, Hospital Anxiety and depression scale - HADS and the Anterior knee pain scale - AKPS). Statistical analyzes: The association between knee crepitus and gender will be assessed using the Chi-square test and point-biserial correlations will be used to measure the strength and direction of the relationship between knee crepitus and the performance of functional clinical tests and questionnaire scores. (AU)