Diagnostic performance of self-reported knee crepitus using a Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score item.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic performance of a single Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) item in evaluating the presence of knee crepitus.

Design: All 184 participants aged 18-40 years with a symptomatic knee, 9-36 months following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) who were prospectively enrolled in a post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis trial (ACTRN12620001164987) were included. Participants completed the KOOS and underwent physical examination for knee crepitus at baseline.

Relationship Between Hip and Groin Pain and Hip Range of Motion in Amateur Soccer and Australian Rules Football Players.

Background: The relationship between hip/groin pain and hip range of motion (ROM) is unclear.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between hip/groin pain and hip joint ROM and examine the influence of sex and cam morphology on this relationship.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Walking biomechanics in women with patellofemoral osteoarthritis differ compared to men with and women without patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

Background: Differences in walking biomechanics between women and men with patellofemoral joint (PF) osteoarthritis (OA) may contribute to the development or progression of persistent symptoms in people with PF OA.

Objective: Evaluate how walking biomechanics of women with PF OA differ from: (i) men with PFJ OA; and (ii) women without PF OA. Second, explore the relationship between knee-related symptoms/function and walking biomechanics in individuals with PF OA, and whether these are modified by sex.

Noisy knees - knee crepitus prevalence and association with structural pathology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Knee crepitus, the audible crackling or grinding noise during knee movement, can be experienced across the lifespan and create concern for underlying pathology. Our systematic review aims to provide a summary estimate of knee crepitus prevalence and its association with structural pathology among the general population and across knee conditions.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Muscle Fat and Volume Differences in People With Hip-Related Pain Compared With Controls: A Machine Learning Approach.

Background: Hip-related pain (HRP) affects young to middle-aged active adults and impacts physical activity, finances and quality of life. HRP includes conditions like femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and labral tears. Lateral hip muscle dysfunction and atrophy in HRP are more pronounced in advanced hip pathology, with limited evidence in younger populations.

Patient and Staff Insights on Digital Care Pathways for Patients With Low Back Pain in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Back pain is a huge global problem. For some people, the pain is so severe that they feel the need to present to an emergency department (ED). Our aim was to explore patient and staff perspectives for the development of a digital care pathway (DCP) for people with back pain who have presented to ED, including acceptability, barriers and facilitators.

Prefabricated contoured foot orthoses to reduce pain and increase physical activity in people with hip osteoarthritis: A randomised feasibility trial.

Background: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and burdensome condition that leads to impaired quality of life and a substantial economic burden. Encouraging physical activity, particularly walking, is crucial for OA management, but many individuals with hip OA fail to meet recommended activity levels. Prefabricated contoured foot orthoses have shown promise in improving hip muscle efficiency during walking in laboratory settings, but their real-world feasibility and efficacy remain uncertain.

BackTrAC: A Digital Care Pathway for People Presenting to Emergency with Lower Back Pain. A Development and Feasibility Study Protocol.

Objectives: Back pain is a prevalent condition that affects 1 in 6 Australians at any time, with high associated health care costs. To date, there is limited information relating to symptom severity and recovery trajectory in people with back pain who present to the emergency department for care. A digital care pathway (DCP) can track patient outcomes following presentation with back pain.

The association between lateral hip muscle size/intramuscular fat infiltration and hip strength in active young adults with long standing hip/groin pain.

Objectives: To investigate associations between lateral hip muscle size/intramuscular fat infiltration (MFI) and hip strength in active young adults with longstanding hip/groin pain.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University/Clinical.

Co-development and evaluation of the Musculoskeletal Telehealth Toolkit for physiotherapists.

Introduction: In-person physiotherapy services are not readily available to all individuals with musculoskeletal conditions, especially those in rural regions or with time-intensive responsibilities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that telehealth may facilitate access to, and continuity of care, yet many physiotherapists lack telehealth confidence and training. This project co-developed and evaluated a web-based professional development toolkit supporting physiotherapists to provide telehealth services for musculoskeletal conditions.

How effective are exercises delivered digitally (requiring internet), amongst patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to describe the effect of digitally delivered exercise on pain, physical function and quality of life (QoL) for people with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Articles were eligible for inclusion if they were of a randomized control trial that evaluated the prescription of digitally delivered exercise (requiring the internet) in people with symptomatic primary hip and/or knee OA. Risk of bias was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and levels of evidence were assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Sex-related differences in gait characteristics and their associations with symptoms in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

Background: Patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) is an important subgroup of knee OA. However, the influence of sex on gait characteristics in patients with patellofemoral OA is unknown.

Research Question: Compare gait characteristics in females and males with patellofemoral OA and investigate their associations with patellofemoral joint-related symptoms and limitations.

Football Players With Hip Dysplasia: The Relationship Between Muscle Strength, Functional Performance, Self-reported Sport and Recreation, Cartilage Defects, and Sex. A Cross-sectional Study.

In symptomatic football players with hip dysplasia, we aimed to explore the relationships between self-reported sport and recreation ability and (1) hip muscle strength, (2) functional performance, and investigate if these relationships were modified by sex or cartilage defects. In this cross-sectional study, football players (n = 50) with longstanding (>6 months) hip and/or groin pain, a positive flexion/adduction/internal rotation test, and a lateral-center-edge angle <25° were included. Hip muscle strength and functional performance were assessed.

Does hip muscle strength and functional performance differ between football players with and without hip dysplasia?

Objective: To compare hip muscle strength and functional performance in football players with and without hip dysplasia and investigate if the relationships were modified by sex.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: This study compared football players with hip dysplasia (HD group) and without hip dysplasia (control group).

Are hip biomechanics during running associated with symptom severity or cam morphology size in male football players with FAI syndrome?

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome is considered a motion-related condition. Little is known about the influence of symptom severity and cam morphology on hip biomechanics for individuals with FAI syndrome.

Research Question: Are hip biomechanics during running associated with symptom severity or cam morphology size in male football players with FAI syndrome?

Methods: Forty-nine male, sub-elite football (soccer or Australian football) players (mean age= 26 years) with FAI syndrome completed the International Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33) and Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) and underwent radiographic evaluation.

Hip muscle activity in people with hip-related pain compared to asymptomatic controls: A systematic review.

Background: Altered hip and thigh muscle activity have been observed across a spectrum of articular hip pathologies, including hip osteoarthritis, femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, and labral pathology. No systematic reviews have examined muscle activity associated with hip pathology and hip-related pain across the life span. A greater understanding of impairments in hip and thigh muscle activity during functional tasks may assist in the development of targeted treatment strategies.

Let's talk about sex (and gender) after ACL injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of self-reported activity and knee-related outcomes.

Objective: Investigate sex/gender differences in self-reported activity and knee-related outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Seven databases were searched in December 2021.

Trajectory of knee health in runners with and without heightened osteoarthritis risk: the TRAIL prospective cohort study protocol.

Introduction: Running is one of the most popular recreational activities worldwide, due to its low cost and accessibility. However, little is known about the impact of running on knee joint health in runners with and without a history of knee surgery. The primary aim of this longitudinal cohort study is to compare knee joint structural features on MRI and knee symptoms at baseline and 4-year follow-up in runners with and without a history of knee surgery.

Prefabricated contoured foot orthoses to reduce pain and increase physical activity in people with hip osteoarthritis: protocol for a randomised feasibility trial.

Introduction: The aim of this randomised feasibility trial is to determine the feasibility of conducting an adequately powered randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the efficacy of prefabricated contoured foot orthoses in people with hip osteoarthritis (OA). The secondary aims of the trial are to compare the effect of prefabricated contoured foot orthoses to a flat shoe insert comparator on outcomes of hip-related pain, physical activity and quality of life. We hypothesise that the demand, implementation, acceptability and practicality of foot orthoses as a treatment option for people with hip OA will be deemed feasible, informing the development of an adequately powered RCT to evaluate the efficacy and long term outcomes.

Does Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome Affect Self-Reported Burden in Football Players With Hip and Groin Pain?

Background: It is unknown if football players with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome report worse burden than those with other causes of hip/groin pain, and to what extent this is mediated by cartilage defects and labral tears.

Hypothesis: Football players with FAI syndrome would report worse burden than other symptomatic players, with the effect partially mediated by cartilage defects and/or labral tears.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Football players with long standing hip and groin pain display deficits in functional task performance.

Objectives: i) Compare functional task performance between football players with and without hip/groin pain. ii) Explore the relationship, and sex-specific effects, between functional tasks and the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) in players with hip/groin pain.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Relationship between hip muscle strength and hip biomechanics during running in people with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.

Background: Hip muscle weakness and altered hip biomechanics during walking are often observed in people with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, although little is known about biomechanics during higher impact tasks. The aim of our study was to explore relationships between hip muscle strength and hip biomechanics during running in people with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, including exploring sex as an effect-modifier of this relationship.

Methods: Forty-two adults with unilateral femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (20 females; age 18-50 years; alpha angle ≥60°) completed assessments of hip muscle strength and hip biomechanics during running.

May the force be with you: understanding how patellofemoral joint reaction force compares across different activities and physical interventions-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review and synthesise patellofemoral joint reaction force (PFJRF) in healthy individuals and those with patellofemoral pain and osteoarthritis (OA), during everyday activities, therapeutic exercises and with physical interventions (eg, foot orthotics, footwear, taping, bracing).

Design: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, SportDiscus and Cochrane Library databases were searched.