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. 2024 Mar 1;106-B(3):232-239.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.106B3.BJJ-2023-0946.R1.

Future research priorities for soft-tissue knee injuries

Humza T Osmani  1 , Nicolas Nicolaou  2 , Sanjeev Anand  3 , Jonathan Gower  4 ; Steering Group; Andrew Metcalfe  5 , Stephen McDonnell  1 , Faraz Siddiqui, Hayley Carter, Jonathan Room, Helen Kirbyshire, Liz Hay, Sarah Iqbal, Sushilla Gerleman
Affiliations

Future research priorities for soft-tissue knee injuries

Humza T Osmani et al. Bone Joint J. .

Abstract

Aims: To identify unanswered questions about the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation and delivery of care of first-time soft-tissue knee injuries (ligament injuries, patella dislocations, meniscal injuries, and articular cartilage) in children (aged 12 years and older) and adults.

Methods: The James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology for Priority Setting Partnerships was followed. An initial survey invited patients and healthcare professionals from the UK to submit any uncertainties regarding soft-tissue knee injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation and delivery of care. Over 1,000 questions were received. From these, 74 questions (identifying common concerns) were formulated and checked against the best available evidence. An interim survey was then conducted and 27 questions were taken forward to the final workshop, held in January 2023, where they were discussed, ranked, and scored in multiple rounds of prioritization. This was conducted by healthcare professionals, patients, and carers.

Results: The top ten included questions regarding prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The number one question was, 'How urgently do soft-tissue knee injuries need to be treated for the best outcome?'. This reflects the concerns of patients, carers, and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Conclusion: This validated process has generated ten important priorities for future soft-tissue knee injury research. These have been submitted to the National Institute for Health and Care Research. All 27 questions in the final workshop have been published on the JLA website.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors disclose receipt of the following financial or material support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Financial support from the British Orthopaedic Association, British Association for Surgery of the Knee, British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma and Arthroscopy Association and Day 1 Trauma Charity.

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