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 repair's long-term success. The study aims to provide detailed follow-up information to better understand outcomes after proximal ACL repair surgery.

This research aims to compare two surgical methods for treating hip labral tears, a condition affecting the cartilage around the hip joint. The study focuses on patients with femoroacetabular impingement and traumatic labral tears to evaluate which treatment may lead to better hip function and pain relief. The trial is a randomized, double-blind comparison conducted by Ain Shams University. Participants will undergo hip arthroscopy under general anesthesia, where surgeons will use two portals to access the hip joint under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either arthroscopic labral repair, which uses suture anchors to fix the tear, or arthroscopic labral debridement, which involves removing damaged tissue using electrocautery. Both procedures address any labral, cartilage, or bony issues present during surgery. Participants' hip function and pain levels will be assessed before surgery and at 1, 3, and 6 months, as well as at 1 year after the procedure, using the Hip Outcome Score, Harris Hip Score, and Visual Analog Scale. These evaluations will help measure changes in hip function and pain over time. The study follows patients for a total of one year after surgery to monitor recovery and outcomes.

The purpose of the research study is to determine the overall clinical and radiographic outcome differences between internal brace technique and the gold standard Kirschner wires (K-wire) technique for treatment of perilunate dislocations (e.g. nonunion, reoperation, infection, fixation failure, etc.). A secondary purpose is to determine the specific types of complications and their incidence rates with respect to internal brace technique and the gold standard Kirschner wires (K-wire) technique (e.g. range of motion losses, pain, numbness, weakness, etc).

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 intervention's 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 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 patient's 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 investigating a new approach to improve rehabilitation outcomes for patients with ankle instability, particularly among those who have experienced ankle sprains. This trial compares standard physical therapy alone to physical therapy combined with training on a rocky, uneven terrain treadmill, aiming to better prepare patients for real-world challenges and reduce the risk of future ankle injuries. The study will include adults aged 18 to 49 who have chronic ankle instability or recent ankle sprains. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving up to twelve sessions of progressive proprioceptive training on an uneven treadmill over about six weeks plus standard physical therapy, and the other receiving only standard physical therapy for the same period. The uneven treadmill activities may include varied walking speeds, inclines, head turning, vision challenges, multitasking, and load carrying, all adjusted by therapists based on individual tolerance and benefit. Both groups will be followed for 18 months to monitor progress and reinjury. Throughout the study, participants will undergo multiple assessments, including patient-reported outcome tools like the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, as well as performance tests and biomechanical evaluations such as muscle activation and plantar pressure measurements. These evaluations will occur at baseline, during treatment, at discharge around six weeks, and at several follow-up points up to 18 months. Researchers will track ankle function, physical activity levels, pain, fear of movement, and reinjury rates to understand the effects of the interventions.