Actively Recruiting
Steps Towards Osteoarthritis Prevention
Led by University of Georgia · Updated on 2026-04-29
56
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
174 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Georgia
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Optimal knee joint loading, which refers to the forces acting on the knee caused by daily activities such as daily steps, plays an essential role in maintaining knee articular cartilage health and reducing the risk of osteoarthritis (OA). After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), individuals take fewer daily steps as compared to uninjured controls resulting in insufficient knee joint loading to joint tissues, but it is unclear how changes in daily steps impact knee joint cartilage health in OA development. Therefore, the overall single arm, longitudinal pre-test post-test study objective is to determine the mechanistic links between knee joint loading as measured by daily steps and comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of knee joint cartilage health post-ACLR. The central hypothesis is that individuals post-ACLR who take low daily steps will demonstrate deconditioned, less resilient cartilage characterized by poor tibiofemoral cartilage composition and greater cartilage strain.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Steps Towards Osteoarthritis Prevention
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Signed and dated informed consent form (and assent plus parental permission for children)
- Underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) 6 to 60 months before enrollment
- Willing to comply with all study procedures and lifestyle requirements
- Completed all formal physical therapy and therapeutic exercises for ACLR and will not engage in other formal therapy during study
- Received physician clearance for unrestricted activity
- Owns a smartphone
- Demonstrates fewer than 8,000 steps per day during screening phase as measured by Actigraph Link monitor
You will not qualify if you...
- Had ACLR revision surgery due to previous ACL graft injury
- Required multiple ligament surgery with ACL injury
- Had a lower extremity fracture during ACL injury
- Diagnosed with any joint-affecting diseases in either knee, including knee osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis
- Pregnant or plans pregnancy in next 4 months
- Body mass index (BMI) of 36 kg/m2 or higher
- Unable to speak English
- Has a cochlear implant
- Has metal in body that cannot be removed (fragments, shrapnel, permanent makeup, body piercings)
- Experiences claustrophobia
- Has history of seizures
- Has a pacemaker
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia, United States, 30602
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Caroline Lisee, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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