Join Our New Clinical Trial!

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Learn about an exciting new clinical trial being run by New York Bone and Joint Specialists’ own Dr. Leon Popovitz!

Dr. Leon Popovitz of New York Bone and Joint Specialists is seeking participants for a new clinical study combining standard physical therapy treatments with the use of an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) device to help treat knee pain. This exciting opportunity is available to patients with patellofemoral pain, more commonly known as anterior knee pain, a condition that is particularly common in the young athletic population. 

While physical therapy has been a standard and effective treatment method for anterior knee pain for some time, this trial aims to see whether the addition of an EMS device will make recovery faster and improve outcomes in patients suffering from the condition. 

To do this, the clinical study will treat participants using an electrical muscle stimulation device called “Flex MT Plus” (made by Electrostim Medical Services Inc. Tampa, FL). It is an FDA approved device that has been used to treat multiple knee conditions, including weakness following knee injuries or knee surgeries, improving patient outcomes. While the device’s efficacy has also already been tested in patellofemoral pain syndrome, this original study used a smaller sample size than the population that will be used in this new clinical trial. 

Basics of the Study

Participants in the study will be randomly placed in one of two groups. Both will receive standard physical therapy, but one group will also receive electrical muscle stimulation device treatment from the Flex MT Plus device. Assessments and follow-ups will be performed several times both during and after the course of treatment to determine the both short- and long-term effects of the addition of an EMS device to standard physical therapy treatment for patellofemoral pain. 

How to Join the Clinical Trial

To participate in the clinical study, you meet the following criteria: 

  • You must have had bilateral/unilateral anterior knee pain for more than 3 months
  • Be between 18 to 40 years old
  • Have at least 3 of the 4 following criteria present: pain associated with prolonged sitting when knees are bent, pain when going downstairs, pain when kneeling and squatting, or pain during athletic activities
  • No Heterotopic ossification (HO) injury
  • No previous Heterotopic ossification (HO) surgery to the knee

If you fit this criteria and are interested in participating in the clinical trial — or if you simply want to learn more about the study — send an email to [email protected]. We will reach out as soon as possible with additional information and next steps. 


We look forward to your help in this important study!

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