Improving recovery after ACL injuries
Official title: Translational strategies for optimizing musculoskeletal recovery after ACL injury
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11101406 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people recover better from ACL injuries by figuring out the best ways to use electrical stimulation to strengthen muscles after the injury, so you can get back to your activities faster and with less risk of future problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $414,893 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081235-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101406 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently sustained an ACL injury and are undergoing rehabilitation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced an ACL injury or those who are not currently in a rehabilitation program may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing recovery for patients who have suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, a common orthopedic issue that often leads to long-term muscle weakness and increased risk of osteoarthritis. The study aims to optimize neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) techniques by determining the best timing and intensity for treatment after injury. By understanding the relationship between neural activation and muscle health, the research seeks to improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies for ACL injury recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better recovery outcomes and reduced risk of long-term complications for patients with ACL injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown varying success with NMES in muscle recovery, indicating that optimizing treatment parameters could lead to significant improvements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lepley, Lindsey K — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Lepley, Lindsey K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Therapeutic approach to reduce cellular aging and improve thigh muscle recovery after ACL injury
A research project tests a drug (metformin) to help the thigh muscle heal better after ACL injury and reconstruction.
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From Knee Focus to Whole-Body Movement for ACL Injury Prevention in Teens
A study in teens with ACL injury explores how ankle, knee, and hip movements during sports affect injury risk and lifelong joint health.
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NMES approach to protect and restore thigh muscles after ACL injury
A researcher team at the University of Kentucky is testing how nerve-stimulating electrical therapy might prevent and reverse muscle weakness and shrinking after an ACL tear and reconstruction, with patients who have or will have ACL injuries in mind.
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Electrical stimulation to restore quadriceps after ACL tear
This will use neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to help people with ACL tears or reconstruction avoid quadriceps weakness and muscle loss.
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Understanding Second ACL Injury Risk with a Smart Sensor
This project aims to find out which factors, measured with a new wearable sensor, put adolescent athletes at risk for tearing their ACL again after surgery.
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Understanding how electrical stimulation can help recover muscle function after ACL injuries
This study is looking at how a special treatment called neuromuscular electrical stimulation can help your muscles recover better after an ACL injury, so you can get back to your normal activities faster and stronger.
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.