The use of ultrasound in the measurement of knee effusion
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of ultrasound in the measurement of knee effusion
IRAS ID
168146
Contact name
Kevin Dunn
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Research summary
Assessment of joint fluid volume on ultrasound during knee arthroscopy: a clinical measurement study
Background: The volume of fluid in the knee is a key indicator of the health of the joint. However, joints vary in size and currently no simple non-invasive method exists to measuring the volume of fluid in the knee. Therefore it is important to find ways to quantify joint fluid and cavity volumes.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test whether the amount of fluid within the knee can be measured using ultrasound during a routine knee arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery, used to examine or treat problems inside a knee joint.
Methods: During knee arthroscopy (keyhole surgery), the knee is normally filled with saline (sterile fluid) in order to improve visualisation and allow surgery to take place. Ten patients undergoing knee arthroscopy will have the amount of fluid required to fully inflate the knee, performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) in Birmingham. Half of the fluid will then be removed, and ultrasound will be used in an attempt to measure the amount of fluid remaining inside the joint cavity. The total volume of the knee and the remaining volume of fluid will help to refine a methodology of using ultrasound to measure the fluid within the knee and present it as a percentage of the total potential volume.
Outcomes: If successful, the method will be used in a separate study to investigate the effect of increased joint fluid on the knee and muscle function. In the long term, the findings can be used to improve the care of patients with knee problems that cause swelling.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1512
Date of REC Opinion
16 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion