Patellofemoral Pain SyndromePFPSNCT07698704
Popliteus Muscle Release Versus Patellofemoral Mobilization in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
A study testing Popliteus Muscle Release, Patellofemoral Mobilization and traditional therapy in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, run by Cairo University.
Trial summary
This study will be conducted to compare the effect of popliteus muscle release and patellofemoral mobilization on pain intensity, function, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome? Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Popliteus Muscle Release, Patellofemoral Mobilization and traditional therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 15 Jul 2026to 1 Nov 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male and female participants aged 18-30 years.
- minimum history of 3 months of unilateral PFP.
- pain intensity score of ≥3 on a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for worst pain experienced during the previous week.
- Pain reproduced during at least two of the following functional activities: stair ascent or descent, running, hopping, prolonged sitting, squatting, or kneeling.
- Presence of pain on at least one of the following clinical tests: patellar compression test or palpation of the patellar facets.
Who cannot join
- Clinical, x-ray, or MRI findings indicative of other specific pathology including osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament or cartilage injury, apophysitis.
- Recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation.
- Cortisone use over an extended period of time.
- Previous surgery to the knee joint; trauma to the knee joint affecting the presenting clinical condition.
- Lower limb deformities.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
This study will be conducted to compare the effect of popliteus muscle release and patellofemoral mobilization on pain intensity, function, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome?
Read the detailed description
The gradual development of diffuse anterior knee pain is characteristic of patellofemoral pain (PFP), which is made worse by activities that put stress on the patellofemoral joint, such as running, stair climbing, and squatting. While 23% of the overall population has PFP, athletes can have a prevalence of 35%.Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a widespread disease with a significant impact on society, with a 22.7% prevalence in the general population.The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and acts as a fulcrum to improve the mechanical advantage of the quadriceps. In full knee extension the patella does not articulate with the femoral condyles, and related to the lack of articular congruency, is able to glide more freely. The inferior patellar facet first contacts the femoral condyle around 20-30o of knee flexion.The popliteus tendon is a primary stabilizer of external knee rotation and has been described as the "fifth ligament of the knee." Injuries involving the posterolateral corner of the knee commonly involve the popliteus tendon; isolated injury to the popliteus tendon is relatively rare and usually involves a rotatory injury mechanism and symptoms of instability and pain.Myofascial release has been shown to improve pain, range of motion, and functional outcomes in individuals with knee disorders. By targeting fascial restrictions around the quadriceps, hamstrings, iliotibial band, and peri-patellar tissues, myofascial techniques help reduce tissue stiffness and abnormal tension that may contribute to altered patellar tracking and joint loading.Patellofemoral mobilization is considered an important intervention in the management of PFPS, particularly in patients presenting with pain, stiffness, or altered patellar tracking.Although both techniques are used to reduce anterior knee pain and improve function, current evidence is insufficient to determine which intervention is more effective. Therefore, further randomized controlled trials are needed to compare their effects on pain and functional outcomes in individuals with PFPS.
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Being tested
- Popliteus Muscle Release, Patellofemoral Mobilization, traditional therapy
- Keywords
- Popliteus Muscle Release, Patellofemoral Mobilization, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Medical subject headings
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Popliteus Muscle ReleaseOther
the participant will lie supine and relaxed on a treatment bench. The therapist will begin the treatment by flexing the participant's knee to approximately 15-25 degrees. Then, the therapist will apply pressure to the popliteus muscle while simultaneously extending the knee to approximately 5 degrees of flexion. When the knee is extended, the pressure will be released. The therapist will repeat this procedure for up to 2 minutes plus tradional therapy
Patellofemoral MobilizationOther
Following the clinical guidelines established by Brukner and Khan, the mobilization will be performed with the patient in a supine position to ensure complete relaxation of the quadriceps musculature, thereby minimizing joint compressive forces. The intervention will include multidirectional glides tailored to specific functional deficits:Superior glides,Inferior glides,Medial-lateral excursions and tilt mobilization.Each mobilization will be applied as a gentle sustained glide for duration of 30 to 60 seconds per repetition
traditional therapyOther
patients will receive quadriceps muscle strength, hip extension strength, hamstring stretch.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Popliteus Muscle Release | Experimental | Sixteen patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome will receive popliteus muscle release. plus traditional physical therapy three times a week for 4 weeks. Receives: Other: Popliteus Muscle Release; Other: traditional therapy |
| Patellofemoral Mobilization | Experimental | Sixteen patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome will receive patellofemoral mobilization plus traditional physical therapy three times a week for 4 weeks. Receives: Other: Patellofemoral Mobilization; Other: traditional therapy |
| traditional therapy | Active comparator | Sixteen patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome will receive traditional physical therapy three times a week for 4 weeks. Receives: Other: traditional therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
pain intensity
The scale used will be the visual analogue scale (VAS), which consists of a line, usually 10 cm long, the patient will be instructed to place a vertical mark on to indicate his/ her pain, ranging from no pain or discomfort (0), to the worst pain that could possibly feel
Measured: up to four weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
knee disability
The Kujala Arabic version will be used to assess knee disability. it is 13 items on the scale are used to assess subjective symptoms and functional restrictions. A score can have a minimum of 0 points or a maximum of 100 points.Lower scores reflect greater pain and disability
Measured: up to four weeks
quadriceps muscle strength
A handheld dynamometer will be used to assess quadrecips muscle strength
Measured: up to four weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Jul 2026
- Study start15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Patellofemoral Pain SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Popliteus Muscle Release and Patellofemoral Mobilization
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mohamed Abdelalim Bahig, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07698704
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006557
- Acronym
- PFPS
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Popliteus Muscle Release Versus Patellofemoral Mobilization in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07698704
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PFPS / P.T.REC/012/006557
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Keywords
- Popliteus Muscle Release, Patellofemoral Mobilization, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will be conducted to compare the effect of popliteus muscle release and patellofemoral mobilization on pain intensity, function, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome?
Detailed description
The gradual development of diffuse anterior knee pain is characteristic of patellofemoral pain (PFP), which is made worse by activities that put stress on the patellofemoral joint, such as running, stair climbing, and squatting. While 23% of the overall population has PFP, athletes can have a prevalence of 35%.Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a widespread disease with a significant impact on society, with a 22.7% prevalence in the general population.The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and acts as a fulcrum to improve the mechanical advantage of the quadriceps. In full knee extension the patella does not articulate with the femoral condyles, and related to the lack of articular congruency, is able to glide more freely. The inferior patellar facet first contacts the femoral condyle around 20-30o of knee flexion.The popliteus tendon is a primary stabilizer of external knee rotation and has been described as the "fifth ligament of the knee." Injuries involving the posterolateral corner of the knee commonly involve the popliteus tendon; isolated injury to the popliteus tendon is relatively rare and usually involves a rotatory injury mechanism and symptoms of instability and pain.Myofascial release has been shown to improve pain, range of motion, and functional outcomes in individuals with knee disorders. By targeting fascial restrictions around the quadriceps, hamstrings, iliotibial band, and peri-patellar tissues, myofascial techniques help reduce tissue stiffness and abnormal tension that may contribute to altered patellar tracking and joint loading.Patellofemoral mobilization is considered an important intervention in the management of PFPS, particularly in patients presenting with pain, stiffness, or altered patellar tracking.Although both techniques are used to reduce anterior knee pain and improve function, current evidence is insufficient to determine which intervention is more effective. Therefore, further randomized controlled trials are needed to compare their effects on pain and functional outcomes in individuals with PFPS.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Popliteus Muscle Release and Patellofemoral Mobilization
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Popliteus Muscle Release | Experimental | Other: Popliteus Muscle Release, Other: traditional therapySixteen patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome will receive popliteus muscle release. plus traditional physical therapy three times a week for 4 weeks. |
| Patellofemoral Mobilization | Experimental | Other: Patellofemoral Mobilization, Other: traditional therapySixteen patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome will receive patellofemoral mobilization plus traditional physical therapy three times a week for 4 weeks. |
| traditional therapy | Active comparator | Other: traditional therapySixteen patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome will receive traditional physical therapy three times a week for 4 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Male and female participants aged 18-30 years.
- minimum history of 3 months of unilateral PFP.
- pain intensity score of ≥3 on a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for worst pain experienced during the previous week.
- Pain reproduced during at least two of the following functional activities: stair ascent or descent, running, hopping, prolonged sitting, squatting, or kneeling.
- Presence of pain on at least one of the following clinical tests: patellar compression test or palpation of the patellar facets.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Clinical, x-ray, or MRI findings indicative of other specific pathology including osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament or cartilage injury, apophysitis.
- Recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation.
- Cortisone use over an extended period of time.
- Previous surgery to the knee joint; trauma to the knee joint affecting the presenting clinical condition.
- Lower limb deformities.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Popliteus Muscle Releasethe participant will lie supine and relaxed on a treatment bench. The therapist will begin the treatment by flexing the participant's knee to approximately 15-25 degrees. Then, the therapist will apply pressure to the popliteus muscle while simultaneously extending the knee to approximately 5 degrees of flexion. When the knee is extended, the pressure will be released. The therapist will repeat this procedure for up to 2 minutes plus tradional therapy | Other | Popliteus Muscle Release |
| Patellofemoral MobilizationFollowing the clinical guidelines established by Brukner and Khan, the mobilization will be performed with the patient in a supine position to ensure complete relaxation of the quadriceps musculature, thereby minimizing joint compressive forces. The intervention will include multidirectional glides tailored to specific functional deficits:Superior glides,Inferior glides,Medial-lateral excursions and tilt mobilization.Each mobilization will be applied as a gentle sustained glide for duration of 30 to 60 seconds per repetition | Other | Patellofemoral Mobilization |
| traditional therapypatients will receive quadriceps muscle strength, hip extension strength, hamstring stretch. | Other | Patellofemoral Mobilization, Popliteus Muscle Release, traditional therapy |
Primary outcome
pain intensity
Time frame: up to four weeks
The scale used will be the visual analogue scale (VAS), which consists of a line, usually 10 cm long, the patient will be instructed to place a vertical mark on to indicate his/ her pain, ranging from no pain or discomfort (0), to the worst pain that could possibly feel
2 secondary outcomes
knee disability
Time frame: up to four weeks
quadriceps muscle strength
Time frame: up to four weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Jul 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Popliteus Muscle Release, Patellofemoral Mobilization and traditional therapy in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, run by Cairo University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact mohamed Bahig, master (0 11 41644884, mohamed.bahig@the.suezuni.edu.eg), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
pain intensity (time frame: up to four weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Jul 2026.