The MAP-Knee Trial: The Effectiveness of Using a Clinical Support Tool in Managing Adolescents with Non-Traumatic Knee Pain - a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial

The MAP-Knee Trial addresses the substantial issue of non-traumatic knee pain in Danish adolescents, a condition that often disrupts daily activities, physical engagement, and overall quality of life. In Denmark, knee pain is a leading reason for healthcare visits among adolescents, with many experiencing persistent symptoms that lack a clear underlying cause. Given these challenges, the MAP-Knee Tool was developed to support healthcare professionals (HCPs) in diagnosing and managing knee pain more effectively. Preliminary studies indicate that the tool improves diagnostic accuracy from 20% to 80% without increasing consultation time, enabling clinicians to provide a clearer understanding of the condition.

The MAP-Knee Trial is a stepped-wedge cluster randomized study across various Danish hospitals involving adolescents aged 10–19 with non-traumatic knee pain. The trial will compare usual care with the MAP-Knee Tool, which aids diagnosis, provides prognostic insights, and presents treatment options, all while supporting shared decision-making between clinicians, patients, and families. The tool is grounded in evidence-based practice, incorporating patient values, clinical expertise, and research evidence.

A key component of the trial is a realist evaluation to understand how HCPs accept and integrate the MAP-Knee Tool into their routine practice. By exploring factors such as ease of use, perceived value, and patient outcomes, the evaluation aims to uncover facilitators and barriers to adoption. This insight will inform further refinement of the tool and help identify conditions in which it is most beneficial, ultimately guiding its potential wider implementation in adolescent knee pain management.

The MAP-Knee Trial is a study focused on helping young people in Denmark who experience knee pain that doesn’t come from any obvious injury. Knee pain is a common issue among adolescents, affecting their ability to stay active and engage in daily activities like school or sports. Unfortunately, many teens with knee pain don't have a clear reason for it, making it hard to treat.

To address this, the MAP-Knee Tool was created to help doctors and other healthcare providers better understand and manage knee pain in teens. This tool helps doctors figure out the right diagnosis, provides information on what might happen in the future, and shows different treatment options, all while involving the teen and their family in making decisions about care. In early tests, the tool improved doctors' ability to make the right diagnosis from 20% to 80%, without taking extra time during visits.

The MAP-Knee Trial will test the tool with young people aged 10 to 19 in hospitals across Denmark. Some will receive the usual treatment, while others will use the MAP-Knee Tool. The study will also look at how healthcare providers feel about using the tool—whether it’s easy to use, how helpful they think it is, and how well it works in real-world situations. This will help improve the tool and make sure it’s as useful as possible for young people suffering from knee pain.