Actively Recruiting
Effectiveness of Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on the Sciatic Nerve in Patients Undergoing Surgical Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Led by Universidad de Murcia · Updated on 2026-05-06
62
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
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AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the sciatic nerve in people undergoing rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The study compares conventional physiotherapy alone with two experimental groups: one receiving electrical stimulation and the other receiving a placebo stimulation. The goal is to improve muscle strength, activation, joint motion, thigh size, and reduce pain and fluid buildup in the knee. Participants are divided into three groups after randomization. The control group receives conventional physiotherapy including manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. The first experimental group undergoes a nerve stimulation protocol involving needle insertion into the sciatic nerve's epineurium and surface electrodes on the hamstrings, with electrical current cycles adjusted to tolerance. The second experimental group follows the same procedure but with placebo stimulation. These interventions last through the rehabilitation period. During the study, researchers will assess maximal isometric strength, muscle activity using surface electromyography, pain levels, thigh circumference, knee joint range of motion, and intra-articular effusion, all measured five weeks after surgery. Participants will be monitored closely with these evaluations to understand how the different treatments affect recovery. The study runs until December 2026, enrolling adults aged 18 to 60 years.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effectiveness of Stimulation on the Sciatic Nerve in ACLR
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Use of the Semitendinous and Gracilis tendons for ACL Reconstruction
- Joint Range of Motion greater than or equal to 90 degrees
- Primary ACL injury in the leg to be treated
- Age between 18 and 60 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Chronic or rheumatic joint disease
- Central nervous system disorder
- Heart disease such as having a pacemaker
- Neoplasms
- Epilepsy
- Coagulopathies or use of anticoagulants
- History of spinal surgery or lumbar disease
- History of neurological disorders
- Prosthesis or osteosynthesis in the operated leg
- Structural discrepancy in lower-limb length
- Overwhelming fear of needles (belonephobia)
- Neuropathic pain or bilateral symptoms
- Use of analgesics
- Quadriceps tendon graft harvest
- Body mass index less than 20 or greater than 30 kg/m²
- Acute muscle injuries
- Knee joint instability
- Acute joint inflammation
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - Up to 5 weeks after surgery
Participants undergo surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament and receive either conventional physiotherapy alone or physiotherapy combined with percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or placebo stimulation on the sciatic nerve to improve muscle strength and reduce pain.
Weekly visits for up to 5 weeks
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Clinica CEMTRO, Montecarmelo, Madrid
Madrid, Madrid, Spain, 28049
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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