Investigating how patellar stabilization surgery affects cartilage health over time
Official title: Evaluating Over Constraint of the Patella following MPFL Reconstruction as a Contributing Factor to Progressive Cartilage Degradation
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11158903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at young, active people who have had surgery for a knee issue called lateral patellar dislocation, to see how that surgery affects the health of their knee cartilage over time compared to healthy individuals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,213 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR084758-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158903 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young, active individuals who have had a lateral patellar dislocation and subsequently undergone MPFL reconstruction at least five years ago.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a patellar dislocation or those who have not undergone MPFL reconstruction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on young, active individuals who have experienced lateral patellar dislocation and undergone medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. The study aims to evaluate the long-term effects of this surgical procedure on cartilage health by comparing MRI scans of patients who had the surgery at least five years prior to healthy individuals. Researchers will assess cartilage degradation using advanced MRI techniques over a two-year period to understand how the surgery impacts cartilage properties. The goal is to determine if over-constraining the patella during surgery contributes to ongoing cartilage damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical techniques that better preserve cartilage health and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis in patients with patellar dislocation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that surgical interventions for patellar stabilization can have varying impacts on cartilage health, but this specific approach to evaluating long-term outcomes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elias, John J — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Elias, John J
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.