Patellofemoral Pain SyndromeNCT07318987
EFFECT OF SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE ON PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME
A study testing Saphenous nerve release in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain in young, physically active individuals, especially females, and is commonly managed with quadriceps and hip-focused exercises. However, the role of neural factors has been largely overlooked. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Saphenous nerve release
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 10 Oct 2025to 27 Jan 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 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 1 - Age from 18 to 35 and BMI 18 to 25 kg/m2. 2. Both gender (male and female) 3. Patients who had anterior knee pain for at least six weeks 4. Patients with positive saphenous neurodynamic test (SAPHNT)
Who cannot join
- Knee replacement
- An intraarticular injection within the past 3 months
- Previous operative treatment or arthroscopy, other secondary knee-related problems (bursitis, tendinopathy, osteochondritis, neuromas, intraarticular pathology (such as osteoarthritis), tumor, and rheumatologic diseases
- Diabetic neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University
Cairo
About this study
Official title: EFFECT OF SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE ON PAIN,BALANCE AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain in young, physically active individuals, especially females, and is commonly managed with quadriceps and hip-focused exercises. However, the role of neural factors has been largely overlooked. The saphenous nerve, which supplies sensation to the anteromedial knee, may become irritated or entrapped and contribute to pain and neuromuscular dysfunction in PFPS. This study suggests that manual therapy targeting the saphenous nerve could improve pain, function, and balance, providing a more holistic approach to PFPS rehabilitation.
Read the detailed description
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, particularly affecting adolescents and young adults, with a higher prevalence among females. It accounts for a significant proportion of knee complaints seen in sports medicine and is especially common in physically active individuals. Traditional rehabilitation for PFPS has mainly focused on quadriceps strengthening and knee mechanics, with more recent attention given to hip-focused exercises.
However, the neural contribution to PFPS, particularly involving the saphenous nerve and its infrapatellar branch, has been relatively under-explored. The saphenous nerve is a purely sensory branch of the femoral nerve that supplies the anteromedial knee and lower leg and plays an important role in proprioception. Anatomical variations and its course near the sartorius muscle may predispose it to irritation or entrapment, potentially contributing to chronic anteromedial knee pain.
This study proposes that irritation or mechanosensitivity of the saphenous nerve may be a contributing factor in PFPS, leading to pain and impaired neuromuscular control. By incorporating manual therapy targeting the saphenous nerve, the research aims to fill a gap in current PFPS management. Addressing neural factors may enhance pain reduction, functional performance, and balance, offering a more comprehensive and holistic physiotherapy approach for individuals with PFPS. (summarize in short)
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Being tested
- Saphenous nerve release
- Keywords
- PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME, Balance, pain, knee function, saphenous nerve
- Medical subject headings
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Saphenous nerve releaseOther
With the patient lying supine and the leg extended, a tender area is identified on the medial side of the thigh, approximately four to five fingerbreadths above the knee. This area corresponds to a longitudinal fascial strip located behind the sartorius muscle. The therapist places the fingers on either side of this strip and applies a gentle separating force in proximal and distal directions to mobilize the tissue and reduce sensitivity.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE | Experimental | The patient is in a supine position with the leg extended. Look for a sensitive area four to five fingerbreadths above the knee on the medial side. This will be a long strip of fascia that is several inches in length. The fingers are then placed on either side of this strip on the medial side of the leg behind the sartorius muscle. The fingers are pulled apart in distal and proximal directions, as if to separate the strip as far as possible Receives: Other: Saphenous nerve release |
| traditional treatment | Active comparator | The intervention program lasted six weeks and was performed three times per week. It included strengthening, manual therapy, and stretching exercises. Strengthening focused on both the hip and knee. Hip exercises consisted of side-lying hip abduction, clamshells, and prone hip extension, while knee exercises included straight leg raises, terminal knee extensions, and wall-supported mini-squats. Exercises progressed from 3 sets of 10 to 3 sets of 20 repetitions, with gradual resistance added, dynamic execution, brief pauses between repetitions, and short rest periods between sets.
Manual therapy involved patellofemoral joint mobilization performed in a supine position with the knee slightly flexed, using superior, inferior, medial, and lateral patellar glides.
Stretching exercises were performed in sitting or standing, targeting the posterior structures with the knee extended and ankle dorsiflexed. Static stretches were held for 15 seconds and repeated for three sets. Receives: Other: Saphenous nerve release |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
knee pain
Visual analogue scale to measure pain intensity
Measured: up to 6 weeks
Balance
Using the Biodex Stability System (Biodex balance system), static balance was measured
Measured: up to 6 weeks
Function
Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) for knee pain and function, The Kujala score is composed of 13 multiple choice questions: the presence of a limp, the need for support, the ability to walk, the ability to climb stairs, the ability to squat, the ability to run, the ability to jump, prolonged sitting with knees in the flexed position, the presence of knee pain, the presence of knee swelling, the presence of abnormal painful patellar movement, atrophy of the thigh muscles, and deficiency of knee flexion.
Measured: up to 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Q angle
The Q-angle is the angle formed between a line from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the center of the patella and a line from the center of the patella to the tibial tuberosity. It reflects the alignment of the quadriceps muscle and the patellofemoral joint and is commonly assessed in patients with PFPS.
Kinovea can be used to measure the Q-angle accurately by placing visual markers on the ASIS, patellar center, and tibial tuberosity, then capturing a frontal-plane image or video. Using Kinovea's angle measurement tool, the two lines are drawn and the angle is calculated. This provides a valid, reliable, and non-invasive method for assessing Q-angle in clinical and research settings, particularly for evaluating lower-limb alignment in PFPS.
Measured: up to 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Jan 2026
- Study start10 Oct 2025
- Primary completion10 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion27 Jan 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
- Saphenous nerve release
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Markos Boshra Agaiby Amin, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07318987
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006114
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 21 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 6 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- EFFECT OF SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE ON PAIN,BALANCE AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07318987
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/006114
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Keywords
- PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME, Balance, pain, knee function, saphenous nerve
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 27 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 Jan 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.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain in young, physically active individuals, especially females, and is commonly managed with quadriceps and hip-focused exercises. However, the role of neural factors has been largely overlooked. The saphenous nerve, which supplies sensation to the anteromedial knee, may become irritated or entrapped and contribute to pain and neuromuscular dysfunction in PFPS. This study suggests that manual therapy targeting the saphenous nerve could improve pain, function, and balance, providing a more holistic approach to PFPS rehabilitation.
Detailed description
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, particularly affecting adolescents and young adults, with a higher prevalence among females. It accounts for a significant proportion of knee complaints seen in sports medicine and is especially common in physically active individuals. Traditional rehabilitation for PFPS has mainly focused on quadriceps strengthening and knee mechanics, with more recent attention given to hip-focused exercises.
However, the neural contribution to PFPS, particularly involving the saphenous nerve and its infrapatellar branch, has been relatively under-explored. The saphenous nerve is a purely sensory branch of the femoral nerve that supplies the anteromedial knee and lower leg and plays an important role in proprioception. Anatomical variations and its course near the sartorius muscle may predispose it to irritation or entrapment, potentially contributing to chronic anteromedial knee pain.
This study proposes that irritation or mechanosensitivity of the saphenous nerve may be a contributing factor in PFPS, leading to pain and impaired neuromuscular control. By incorporating manual therapy targeting the saphenous nerve, the research aims to fill a gap in current PFPS management. Addressing neural factors may enhance pain reduction, functional performance, and balance, offering a more comprehensive and holistic physiotherapy approach for individuals with PFPS. (summarize in short)
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Saphenous nerve release
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE | Experimental | Other: Saphenous nerve releaseThe patient is in a supine position with the leg extended. Look for a sensitive area four to five fingerbreadths above the knee on the medial side. This will be a long strip of fascia that is several inches in length. The fingers are then placed on either side of this strip on the medial side of the leg behind the sartorius muscle. The fingers are pulled apart in distal and proximal directions, as if to separate the strip as far as possible |
| traditional treatment | Active comparator | Other: Saphenous nerve releaseThe intervention program lasted six weeks and was performed three times per week. It included strengthening, manual therapy, and stretching exercises. Strengthening focused on both the hip and knee. Hip exercises consisted of side-lying hip abduction, clamshells, and prone hip extension, while knee exercises included straight leg raises, terminal knee extensions, and wall-supported mini-squats. Exercises progressed from 3 sets of 10 to 3 sets of 20 repetitions, with gradual resistance added, dynamic execution, brief pauses between repetitions, and short rest periods between sets. Manual therapy involved patellofemoral joint mobilization performed in a supine position with the knee slightly flexed, using superior, inferior, medial, and lateral patellar glides. Stretching exercises were performed in sitting or standing, targeting the posterior structures with the knee extended and ankle dorsiflexed. Static stretches were held for 15 seconds and repeated for three sets. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- 1 - Age from 18 to 35 and BMI 18 to 25 kg/m2. 2. Both gender (male and female) 3. Patients who had anterior knee pain for at least six weeks 4. Patients with positive saphenous neurodynamic test (SAPHNT)
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Knee replacement
- An intraarticular injection within the past 3 months
- Previous operative treatment or arthroscopy, other secondary knee-related problems (bursitis, tendinopathy, osteochondritis, neuromas, intraarticular pathology (such as osteoarthritis), tumor, and rheumatologic diseases
- Diabetic neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Saphenous nerve releaseWith the patient lying supine and the leg extended, a tender area is identified on the medial side of the thigh, approximately four to five fingerbreadths above the knee. This area corresponds to a longitudinal fascial strip located behind the sartorius muscle. The therapist places the fingers on either side of this strip and applies a gentle separating force in proximal and distal directions to mobilize the tissue and reduce sensitivity. | Other | SAPHENOUS NERVE RELEASE, traditional treatment |
Primary outcome
knee pain
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Visual analogue scale to measure pain intensity
Balance
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Using the Biodex Stability System (Biodex balance system), static balance was measured
Function
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) for knee pain and function, The Kujala score is composed of 13 multiple choice questions: the presence of a limp, the need for support, the ability to walk, the ability to climb stairs, the ability to squat, the ability to run, the ability to jump, prolonged sitting with knees in the flexed position, the presence of knee pain, the presence of knee swelling, the presence of abnormal painful patellar movement, atrophy of the thigh muscles, and deficiency of knee flexion.
1 secondary outcome
Q angle
Time frame: up to 6 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 6 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Recruiting
Effects of Telerehabilitation Versus Supervised Rehabilitation Protocol on Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Recovery in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.
Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome
RecruitingObservational study
MRI Study of Musculoskeletal Function
Abnormalities, Imaging
Not yet recruiting
Comparison of High-Intensity and Conventional Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Low Back Pain, Radicular Syndrome
Active, not recruiting
Stabilization vs Corrective Exercise in PFP
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Not yet recruiting
Effectiveness of Selected Traditional Chinese Medicine Topical Agents on Long Distance Runner Versus Exercise Therapy as Control for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellar Femoral Syndrome, TCMO (Ng's Prescription)
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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Saphenous nerve release in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 1 inclusion and 4 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
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 Markos Boshra, bachelor's (01201365245, markosboshra3@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
knee pain (time frame: up to 6 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. 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 6 Jan 2026.