RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Movement Dynamics of Knee Osteoarthritis and Total Knee Replacement

This research aims to understand how people with knee arthritis move and walk, and how this changes after they've had a knee replacement. We'll also compare them to healthy individuals. Many people with knee arthritis are less active due to pain and stiffness. While knee replacement can reduce pain, it doesn't always lead to people becoming more active again. This might be because old walking habits or fitness levels aren't fully addressed. By studying these differences, we hope to find new ways to help people regain their activity and improve their quality of life, whether they have arthritis or have had surgery.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Portsmouth

Enrolment target

Start

07 May 2024

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2026

Knee Osteoarthritis Total Knee Replacement

What is this study about?

This study is looking into how people with knee arthritis move and walk, and what happens to their movement patterns after they have a knee replacement operation. We know that if you have knee arthritis, pain and stiffness can make you less active. Being less active can then lead to other health problems over time. Sometimes, when arthritis gets very bad, a knee replacement operation is suggested to reduce pain and improve your everyday life.

However, even after a successful knee replacement that eases the pain, it's not always clear that people become as active as they were before, or as active as healthy people. We think this might be because of walking patterns that haven't changed, or because fitness levels weren't fully improved after the surgery.

Our goal with this research is to understand these differences better. By learning more about how people move and respond to exercise, we hope to discover new ways to help people with knee arthritis, and those who have had knee replacements, to be more active and improve their overall well-being. The findings from this study could help doctors and therapists develop better care plans in the future.

Key takeaways

This study focuses on understanding movement in knee arthritis and after knee replacement.
It aims to improve future care for people with knee problems.
No new treatments or medications are involved.
Participation involves movement assessments, not medical interventions.
Open to adults aged 40-85, both men and women.
Your contribution could lead to better outcomes for others.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part if you are between 40 and 85 years old. The study is open to both men and women.

To join, you need to have been diagnosed with knee arthritis in one or both knees and be experiencing symptoms. You should be able to walk without a walking stick or frame for at least 10 minutes and comfortably go up and down stairs. It's also important that you don't have any other long-term health conditions that affect your walking, like nerve problems or other limb injuries that are bothering you.

Unfortunately, you wouldn't be able to join if you can't walk at a speed of about 0.8 metres per second (which is a fairly normal walking pace). Also, if you can't speak English or are unable to give your consent to take part, you wouldn't be eligible. There will also be a screening process to check for anything else that might prevent you from taking part safely.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 40 and 85 years old?
Have you been diagnosed with knee arthritis?
Can you walk without a stick or frame for at least 10 minutes?
Can you comfortably go up and down stairs?
Do you feel comfortable communicating in English?
Do you not have any other major health issues that affect your walking?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study doesn't involve any new treatments or medications. Your participation would mainly involve attending study appointments where we would measure your walking and movement patterns. This might include using special equipment to track your body's movements and possibly asking you to do some exercises to see how your body responds. We would also assess your general physical activity levels. We expect a few visits to the study centre, and the total duration of your participation would be explained to you in detail if you are interested.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't involve any new medical treatments, so the risks are generally low. We will ask you to walk and perform some movements, which might be tiring, but you can stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable. The main benefit is that you would be contributing valuable information that could help improve care for many people with knee arthritis in the future. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

School of Psychology, Health and Sport Sciences, University of Portsmouth
Verified postcode
Portsmouth, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

To understand how people with knee arthritis move and walk, and how this changes after knee replacement surgery, to find better ways to help them.

Will I receive any new medicine or treatment?

No, this study does not involve any new medicines or treatments. We are just observing and measuring.

Who can take part in this study?

Adults aged 40-85 with knee arthritis who can walk without help and go up and down stairs. Both men and women can join.

What will I have to do if I join?

You will attend a few appointments for us to measure your walking, how you move, and how you respond to some exercises. No special preparation is needed from you.

Will I get results about my own health?

The study focuses on collecting data for research, not providing individual health assessments. However, your participation helps advance knowledge for everyone.

How to find out more

Josie Morris, BSc

josie.morris@port.ac.uk 02392 846395 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.