The Impact of Functional Exercise Training on Postoperative Knee Joint Recovery in Patients with Meniscal Injury

Lanzhou Anning District People's Hospital

AIM: To investigate the impact of functional exercise training on postoperative functional recovery in patients with knee meniscus injuries.

METHODS:A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from April 2023 to September 2024, involving 96 patients with knee meniscus injuries who underwent meniscus repair interventions. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Control （CON） group (n=48) or the functional exercise training (FET) group (n=48) using a computer-generated random number table. The CON group received standard rehabilitation, while the FET group underwent functional exercise training. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months post-intervention, including the Lysholm score, IKDC score, VAS pain score, range of motion (ROM), serum levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and serotonin (5-HT), as well as passive 60° position sense and 60° motion sense. Postoperative complications occurring within 1 month were also recorded.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Functional Exercise Training; Knee Meniscus Injury; Knee Joint Function
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Control （CON） group; Behavioral: Functional exercise training (FET) group

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 96
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Lanzhou, China
    • Lanzhou Anning District People's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• meniscus injury was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging; meniscoplasty was performed; No shedding occurred during follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with joint dislocation and fracture; poor compliance; severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis; Combined with metabolic diseases, coagulation disorders and serious organic diseases.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Control （CON） group; Both groups were given arthroscopy and meniscoplasty. After operation, the control group received active knee flexion and extension exercise, ankle pump training, quadriceps muscle training and other routine rehabilitation training.	Behavioral: Control （CON） group; Both groups were given arthroscopy and meniscoplasty. After operation, the control group received active knee flexion and extension exercise, ankle pump training, quadriceps muscle training and other routine rehabilitation training.
Other: Functional exercise training (FET) group; Patients in the observation group were supplemented with neuromuscular training on the basis of routine rehabilitation training, and received rehabilitation education before training. The patients were informed of the specific content, frequency, expected effect and importance of training in various forms such as on-site demonstration combined with publicity brochures and playing videos, so as to improve patient cooperation.	Behavioral: Functional exercise training (FET) group; Patients in the observation group were supplemented with neuromuscular training on the basis of routine rehabilitation training, and received rehabilitation education before training. The patients were informed of the specific content, frequency, expected effect and importance of training in various forms such as on-site demonstration combined with publicity brochures and playing videos, so as to improve patient cooperation.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Demographic data comparison	baseline, pre-intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale scores	The Lysholm Knee Scale (Lysholm Knee Scale) is a widely used assessment tool to measure the functional status and quality of life of the knee joint, especially in the assessment of recovery after knee injury and surgery. The scale quantifies knee function through eight items (such as claudication, pain, stability, etc.), with a total score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better knee function. The Lysholm Scale is designed to provide clinicians with an effective assessment tool to help them judge the impact of knee disease and injury. The MCID is 10 points.	up to 24 weeks
International Society of Knee Injuries and Arthroscopy Score	IKDC (International Knee Injury and Arthroscopy Score) is a tool used to assess knee function and symptoms and is widely used in rehabilitation assessment of knee injuries, especially in recovery monitoring after anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries. The rating scale includes four main items: symptoms (pain, swelling, etc.), activity (functional limitations in daily activities), motor capacity (performance in physical activities), and function (knee stability and load-bearing capacity). The IKDC score is scored on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 indicating complete loss of knee function and 100 indicating complete recovery and normal function of the knee. The higher the score, the better, indicating better knee function and less severe symptoms. The MCID (minimum clinically significant difference) of IKDC is usually 10 points.	up to 24 weeks
Range of Motion		up to 24 weeks
Visual Analog Scale	Visual analog scale (VAS) is a commonly used subjective pain assessment tool, which is widely used in clinical practice and research. It is usually scored on a scale of 0 to 10, which is explained as follows: 0: completely painless. 1 to 3 points: mild pain, does not affect daily life. Scores 4 to 6: Moderate pain that interferes with daily activities and sleep. Score 7 to 10: Severe pain that severely affects quality of life and daily functioning. MCID is usually 2 points.	up to 24 weeks
Passive position sense	The sensory threshold measurement method was used to measure passive position perception, motion perception and isotonic power. During the passive 60° position perception test, subjects were asked to sit and stop when they felt reaching the target Angle with an eye mask and headset. Each Angle was repeated three times. Record the error between the target Angle and the measured Angle; 10% of the maximum contraction force of the quadriceps isometric resistance was selected, and the activity Angle of the knee joint was set as the activity degree of the knee joint in the seated position. 60 was measured on a CPM machine using a motion test sensor. The subjects passively completed 60° knee flexion and extension at a constant angular speed of 1° / s. The subjects stopped the movement when they felt the joint movement or the joint position change. Three tests were conducted and the Angle of each perceived movement was recorded.	up to 24 weeks
Kinesthesia test		up to 24 weeks
Prostaglandin E2		up to 24 weeks
5-hydroxytryptamine		up to 24 weeks
complications	The incidence of complications in the first month after operation was measured	up to 24 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Biao Yang

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 10, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Functional exercise training; knee meniscus injury; knee joint function
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries
• Other Study ID Numbers: No. 20240927

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No