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Initial Graft Tension and ACL Surgery
Sponsor: Rhode Island Hospital
Summary
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint. If overstretched, the ACL can tear. Reconstruction of a torn ACL is now a common surgical procedure. The amount of tension applied to the ACL during reconstruction may indirectly affect the possible onset of arthritis over time. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of initial graft tension set during ACL reconstruction surgery on the progression of knee arthritis over at least a 15-year period.
Official title: Effects of Initial Graft Tension on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
15 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
168
Start Date
2004-02
Completion Date
2024-02-29
Last Updated
2026-08-25
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Initial graft tension during ACL reconstruction surgery
The amount of tension that is applied to the graft at the time of fixation is being performed with the knee in two different positions. When the knee is at 30 degrees of flexion, the resulting laxity is approximately 2 mm less than the contralateral leg (the "High Tension" treatment). When the tension is performed with the knee in extension (0 degrees of flexion), the the laxity is equal to that of the contralateral leg (the "Low Tension" treatment). Both methods are commonly used in clinical practice. The effect it may have on articular cartilage remains unknown.
Locations (2)
Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Miriam Hospital/Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island, United States