Do you have pain at the front of your knee while running?
The knee is the most frequently injured joint in the lower limb in mobile individuals, and anterior knee pain (pain on the front of the knee) is the primary symptom of these injuries. While many different factors can lead to this type of pain, the end result is similar: increased pain with ambulation and activity. This pain often becomes severe with any activities involving significant bending and loading of the knee.
Conservative treatment is often prescribed to manage the symptoms and improve strength in the muscles surrounding the knee. One other conservative option to increase stability and reduce joint loading is to wear a knee brace.
Purpose:
To investigate the effectiveness of tri-axial knee braces on reducing pain and providing support while walking and running.
WHAT WILL I DO?
This study has two visits:
- One lasting about 45 minutes, which is used as a screening session to confirm study eligibility
- The second lasts about 2 hours and is for data collection.
This study consists of light walking and running while we collect movement data, forces, and muscle activity from your affected leg.
How do I get involved?
If interested, please contact the MOBL study team at boyerbiomech@kin.umass.edu or by phone at 413-545-4421.
Prospective participants must meet the following criteria:
• Age 18-35 years of age
• Have moderate knee pain under your knee cap during activity
• Knee pain must not be caused by trauma or an acute event (e.g.ACL tear)
• Be in good general health
• Be moderately active
• No history of lower extremity surgery or injury