How quadriceps muscle quality affects knee function after ACL injury
Official title: Quadriceps Muscle Quality: A Post-Injury Determinant of Knee Function and Health
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10894266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the quality of your thigh muscles affects how well your knee works after an ACL injury and surgery, so we can find better ways to help you recover and keep your knee healthy in the long run.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 26, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $265,470 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AR083163-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894266 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently suffered an ACL injury and are undergoing or have undergone reconstruction surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced an ACL injury or those with pre-existing knee conditions unrelated to ACL injuries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between quadriceps muscle quality and knee function following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and its reconstruction. The study aims to understand how changes in muscle composition, particularly the increase of non-contractile tissue, can lead to poorer clinical outcomes. Using advanced imaging techniques like ultrasonography and MRI, researchers will assess muscle quality and its impact on strength and physical performance in patients recovering from ACL injuries. By identifying these mechanisms, the research seeks to improve rehabilitation strategies and long-term joint health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved rehabilitation protocols that enhance recovery and knee function for patients with ACL injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of assessing quadriceps muscle quality post-ACL injury is novel, similar studies have shown that muscle quality significantly impacts recovery outcomes in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pietrosimone, Brian — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Pietrosimone, Brian
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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.