How walking and physical activity affect knee health after ACL surgery
Official title: Walk this Way: Physical Activity and Walking Biomechanics Lead to Early Knee OA Symptoms and Ultrasound-Detected Structural Pathology after ACL Reconstruction
Funded at Michigan State University · NIH-11091593 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $127,224 |
| NIH project number | 5K01AR081389-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091593 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults who have recently undergone ACL reconstruction surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had ACL reconstruction 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 impact of walking biomechanics and physical activity levels on knee health in young adults who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. It focuses on identifying risk factors during the critical first year post-surgery that may lead to chronic pain and osteoarthritis. By using accelerometers to monitor activity and biomechanical assessments, the study aims to uncover insights that could help prevent long-term complications. The goal is to develop strategies to identify individuals at risk and improve their recovery outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies for chronic knee pain and osteoarthritis in patients recovering from ACL reconstruction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that monitoring physical activity and biomechanics can provide valuable insights into recovery outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan State University
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harkey, Matthew — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Harkey, Matthew
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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.