Joint Injury

Researchers are studying ankle and hindfoot conditions caused by biomechanical changes in this area. The trial focuses on how surgical treatments aimed at improving these biomechanical problems may relate to clinical improvements. A special 3D Multisegment Foot Model has been developed and validated to assess these biomechanical changes more precisely, and it is now used routinely at the gaitlab of UZ Leuven. The study evaluates patients who have undergone ankle or hindfoot reconstruction surgery. It uses advanced biomechanical assessments combining plantar pressure measurements and detailed 3D gait analysis with the Multisegment Foot Model. This integrated approach allows researchers to examine many biomechanical parameters within the foot and ankle region before surgery and one year after surgery. Participants will have assessments before their surgery and at multiple follow-up points including 6 months and 1 year after surgery. These assessments include gaitlab measurements, foot function questionnaires, health surveys, and pain scales. The study aims to link clinical outcomes with detailed biomechanical data, helping to better understand the effects of reconstructive surgery on foot and ankle function over time.

Researchers are evaluating the quality of 3D hand modelization using the EOS imaging system compared to the standard computed tomography CT scans. The study focuses on patients who require CT imaging of the hand or wrist to assess the accuracy and potential benefits of the EOS imaging device. Participants will undergo EOS hand imaging, and these images will be compared directly with their standard CT images. The primary goal is to collect and analyze data from both imaging methods at 60 days to determine how well the EOS system performs in creating 3D models of the hand. During the study, participants will have imaging procedures and data collection focused on the hand or wrist area. Researchers will monitor and compare the imaging outcomes from both EOS and CT methods. The total participation duration includes data evaluation at day 60, with no additional treatment or long-term follow-up specified.

Researchers are studying patients with isolated anterior cruciate ligament ACL ruptures, specifically proximal tears, to understand the long-term outcomes of surgical repair. This observational study focuses on the relapse rate over five years following surgery for proximal ACL tears. The study highlights that treatment decisions depend on factors such as patient symptoms, activity level, and injury severity, with functional treatment often reserved for low-demand patients and surgery considered for others, especially athletes. Surgical repair involves fixing the torn ACL, an approach that has regained interest due to new fixation devices. This method differs from the more common ligament replacement using knee tendons. The study includes patients who had surgical repair of a proximal ACL tear between January 2019 and July 2021. Functional treatment approaches, including splints and rehabilitation, are also described but are not the focus of this study. Participants will be monitored to track the rate of ACL rupture relapse over a five-year period. Assessments include evaluations of knee stability and function, and researchers will collect data related to the surgical repairs long-term success. The study aims to provide detailed follow-up information to better understand outcomes after proximal ACL repair surgery.

Researchers are studying the outcomes of two surgical methods for treating perilunate dislocations, a serious wrist injury. This research aims to compare the clinical and X-ray results between a new internal brace technique using a 4-anchor construct and the traditional Kirschner wire K-wire method. The study also seeks to identify the types and rates of complications associated with each technique, such as pain, numbness, weakness, and range of motion loss. Participants in this observational study have already undergone surgery for perilunate dislocations using either the standard K-wire fixation or the new internal bracing method. Researchers will follow these patients from enrollment through two years after their surgery, monitoring recovery and complications. The study does not involve additional treatments but focuses on collecting data about the surgical outcomes of the two fixation techniques. During the study, participants will undergo clinical functional assessments and complete the Quick DASH questionnaire to measure arm disability. Researchers will track specific complications and their frequency over the two-year follow-up period. The study is led by Bryan D Brown, MD, and aims to improve understanding of surgical options for perilunate dislocation recovery and long-term wrist function.

This research aims to evaluate interventions to support family members who act as surrogate decision makers for critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units ICUs. These surrogates often face intense grief and stress that can affect their mental health and the quality of decisions made for their loved ones near end-of-life. The study focuses on reducing symptoms of prolonged grief disorder PGD, post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD, and related emotional challenges through a psychological intervention called EMPOWER. The study compares two approaches the EMPOWER intervention, which is a brief, cognitive-behavioral and acceptance-based treatment delivered by trained mental health professionals, and a Supportive Conversation SC that provides empathetic support without specific skill-building. EMPOWER includes six 15-minute modules and two booster phone sessions, totaling about 90 minutes plus follow-ups, while the Supportive Conversation matches this time with supportive interaction and follow-up calls. Participants are assessed up to four times before and after the intervention within three months. Participants, who are surrogate decision makers of ICU patients near end-of-life, will complete assessments on grief, PTSD, depression, regret, anxiety, and distress before the intervention, immediately after, and at 3 and 12 months follow-up. The study also includes interviews with some participants to better understand the interventions effects and contextual factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary outcomes focus on changes in grief and PTSD symptoms over twelve months, with safety and mental health monitored throughout the study period.

Researchers are evaluating whether giving children intravenous lidocaine during surgery can reduce the amount of opioid pain medicine needed and improve pain control after surgery. This randomized, double-blind trial involves children aged 3 to 18 years undergoing surgery to fix upper arm bone fractures under general anesthesia. The study aims to find safer ways to manage pain using fewer opioids during pediatric orthopedic procedures. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a lidocaine infusion or a placebo normal saline during their surgery. All children will receive standard anesthesia and pain care afterward. The study will compare total opioid use within 60 minutes after arrival in the recovery room between the two groups. Additional measures include pain scores at various times, length of recovery room stay, use of anti-nausea medication, and how infusion duration relates to outcomes. During the study, children will be closely watched for any side effects or signs of lidocaine toxicity. Researchers will collect data on opioid consumption and pain levels during and after surgery. The primary focus is on opioid use in the first hour after surgery. The study will continue through the recovery period, monitoring safety and effectiveness, with participation lasting from surgery through early recovery.

Researchers are evaluating different arthroscopic meniscus repair methods for young patients with traumatic meniscal tears. This study compares the outcomes of a standard meniscus suturing technique with a technique that includes an additional fibrin clot approach, aiming to understand how these tools affect meniscus recovery after repair. The trial involves patients under 19 years old with traumatic isolated full-thickness meniscal tears. The study randomly assigns participants into two groups one undergoes the conventional arthroscopic meniscus repair, and the other receives meniscus repair with fibrin clot augmentation. The fibrin clot is prepared from the patients blood and placed carefully into the meniscus during surgery to potentially enhance healing. Both groups are monitored over a long term to compare their recovery. Participants are assessed before treatment and then at 12 and 24 months after surgery using knee function questionnaires like the Pediatric International Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form, Lysholm knee scale, and pediatric quality of life surveys. Clinical evaluations focus on pain, swelling, knee motion, and MRI imaging to track healing. Revision surgery rates are also recorded to measure treatment success during follow-up.

Researchers are evaluating the effect of semiconductor fabric sleeves on recovery after Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACL or ACL plus Meniscus arthroscopic surgery. The study aims to determine whether semiconductor sleeves improve functional outcomes and if they help patients recover faster compared to placebo sleeves that look similar but contain no semiconductor material. The trial is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled prospective clinical study led by the Illinois Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups a control group receiving standard care, a group wearing semiconductor fabric sleeves, or a group wearing placebo sleeves without semiconductor material. The sleeves are worn post-operatively, with a leg sleeve worn for 4 weeks followed by a knee sleeve for 12 weeks, totaling 4 months of use. The intervention is delivered through these wearable devices, and the study compares their effects on recovery after surgery. During the study, participants will complete patient-reported outcome surveys and undergo clinical assessments including range of motion and effusion measurements up to one year after surgery. Researchers will monitor the functional progress and measure outcomes using validated tools to assess improvements. The total follow-up includes evaluations at one year to understand the longer-term effects of the sleeves on knee function after surgery.

Ankle sprains are a common injury, especially among children and adolescents, leading to prolonged pain and delayed return to normal activities. This trial investigates whether using a smartphone app for children and young adults with acute ankle inversion injuries improves functional outcomes such as pain, mobility, and return to activity compared to standard paper handouts. The study focuses on guidance tailored to pain management and recovery, aiming to overcome the limitations of current one-size-fits-all care approaches. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will use a smartphone app that provides education, daily reminders on pain management including medication and exercises, and collects pain and functional scores at several timepoints up to 14 days. The other group will receive standard care through paper-based discharge instructions and will use a data collection app only for recording outcomes. The app-based group receives interactive support, while the standard care group receives the same information in printed form. During the study, participants will record pain levels and functional abilities using standardized scales on days 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 14 after discharge. Researchers will monitor pain management methods, range of motion exercises, and time to return to pre-injury function. The primary outcome is the Activities Scale for Kids-performance version score on day 7 post-discharge. The study includes children and young adults aged 12 to 30 years and involves assessments focused on recovery progress and safety over the two-week period.

Researchers are studying the safety and performance of the LEGION Medial Stabilized insert used in total knee arthroplasty TKA for patients with degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or inflammatory arthritis. This observational study includes both prospective and retro-prospective participants and aims to provide long-term evidence to support product registration worldwide. The study involves three groups receiving different LEGION MS insert combinations with tibia and femoral components Cemented CoCr, Cemented Oxinium, and Cementless options. Participants will be followed for 10 years after their primary knee replacement surgery to monitor outcomes related to the implant. During the study, participants will undergo regular assessments including the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement KOOS JR, Oxford Knee Score, Forgotten Joint Score, and EuroQol Five-Dimensional EQ-5D-5L questionnaires at multiple timepoints from 6 weeks up to 10 years post-surgery. Implant survivorship will be tracked at intervals up to 10 years, with all participants consenting to follow-up visits and outcome reporting to evaluate long-term device safety and effectiveness.