Graft Remodeling and Joint Degeneration after ACL Reconstruction in the Growing Knee Joint
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11416619 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant focuses on how ACL reconstruction in growing kids and teens affects knee grafts and long-term joint health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $563,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR085239-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416619 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pediatric and adolescent patients with ACL injuries or those undergoing ACL reconstruction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the pediatric/adolescent age range or those not undergoing ACL reconstruction may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you or your child has an ACL injury, this project looks at how different reconstruction techniques influence how the knee heals over time and the risk of future joint problems. The researchers will use a pig model that mirrors age-related knee mechanics to compare grafts and growth plate considerations in skeletally immature patients. The goal is to identify surgical approaches that support stable knees during growth and reduce later joint degeneration. Findings could guide surgeons in choosing techniques that better protect growing knees while helping young athletes return to sport.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better-informed surgical choices could lead to fewer long-term knee problems for children and teens after ACL injury.
How similar studies have gone: There is a need for long-term, age-specific data; animal and cadaver studies have advanced understanding, but this work seeks age-appropriate insights.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fisher, Matthew B — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Fisher, Matthew B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using clinic videos to spot risk of a second ACL injury after reconstruction
This project uses easy-to-take clinic videos and wearable sensors to find movement patterns that may predict a second ACL injury in people who've had ACL reconstruction.
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Options for a second (revision) ACL surgery
This work looks at how different surgical approaches and patient factors relate to long-term outcomes for people having a second ACL reconstruction.
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Improving quadriceps muscle function after ACL surgery using brain stimulation
This study is looking at how a gentle brain stimulation technique can help improve the strength and function of your thigh muscles as you recover from ACL surgery, making your rehabilitation process easier and more effective.
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How walking and physical activity affect knee health after ACL surgery
This study is looking at how walking and activity levels affect knee health in young adults who have had ACL surgery, aiming to find ways to prevent long-term pain and joint issues during their first year of recovery.
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Predicting second injuries after ACL surgery using video technology
This study is looking at how to help people who have had ACL surgery avoid getting hurt again by tracking their movements and activities for 18 months, so we can learn more about what might lead to a second injury.
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Improving walking patterns after ACL surgery
This study is testing a new walking program to help people recover better after ACL surgery by teaching them a special way to walk that could make their knees feel better and prevent future problems.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.