Clinical Research Directory

Post Operative Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Device for ACLR Patients

This study is being conducted to learn about how neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in addition to standard of care aids in the recovery of muscle strength in patients undergoing ACLR procedure.

Efficacy of Methylprednisolone for Pain Control After ACL Repair

Opioids are commonly used after orthopedic surgery for pain control but have been shown to increase complications, surgeries, readmissions, and risk for opioid use disorder. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of adding a methylprednisolone taper to the pain regimen after ACL repair surgery to determine if this results in decreased postoperative pain and opioid use without increasing complications.

Developing and Validating the Risk-taking Intention and Sport Engagement After ACL Reconstruction (RISE-ACL) Scale

Psychological factors play a critical role in recovery following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. While tools such as the ACL - Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) focus on psychological readiness, emphasizing fear, hesitation, and apprehension, the opposite spectrum-overconfidence and risk-taking behaviors-remains underexplored. These behaviors can lead to premature return to high-risk activities and an increased likelihood of re-injury. To address this gap, we propose the development and validation of the RISE-ACL scale for assessing Risk-taking Intention and Sport Engagement after ACL reconstruction. This scale will assess key factors such as patients' willingness to engage in high-impact activities, their adherence to medical guidance, and their perceived readiness to resume sports despite potential physical or psychological limitations. The RISE-ACL Scale will complement existing tools like the ACL-RSI by focusing on overconfidence and risk-taking, offering clinicians a more balanced perspective on psychological recovery. Validation of the scale will involve testing its validity, reliability and clinical utility to ensure accurate identification of at-risk individuals. By providing actionable insights, the RISE-ACL Scale will help enhance post-operative care, promote safer return-to-play decisions, and optimize long-term outcomes through a comprehensive assessment of psychological and behavioral factors.

KEA vs Towel for Early Quad Activation Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a novel Knee Extensors Activation (KEA) device can improve quadriceps muscle activation in adults after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. The study focuses on adults aged 18-45 years undergoing primary unilateral ACL reconstruction, a population commonly affected by this injury. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does using the KEA device lead to greater quadriceps muscle activation (measured via EMG) by postoperative Day 5 compared to standard care using a rolled towel? Does the KEA device improve early knee function, reduce pain, and decrease fear of movement compared to the towel method? Researchers will compare participants using the KEA device versus a control group using the conventional rolled towel during early postoperative rehabilitation to see if the KEA device provides better outcomes. Participants will: Begin quadriceps strengthening exercises on the first day after ACL surgery. Be randomly assigned to use either the KEA device or a rolled towel for isometric quadriceps exercises. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions of knee extension exercises, twice daily for 5 consecutive days. Undergo assessment of quadriceps EMG activation and complete questionnaires (KOOS, IKDC, TSK, and VAS) on Day 5.