Investigating knee joint health after ACL surgery using advanced imaging techniques
Official title: Imaging post-traumatic osteoarthritis 10-years after ACL reconstruction: a multicenter cohort study with quantitative MRI
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10878519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the health of your knee changes over time after ACL surgery, with the goal of finding early signs of arthritis that might develop later, and it involves over 3,500 people who will be followed for up to 10 years to help us understand their knee health better.
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 | July 16, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $683,752 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AR075422-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10878519 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone ACL reconstruction and are at least 10 years post-surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had ACL reconstruction or those with other knee conditions unrelated to ACL injuries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how knee joint health changes over time in patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. By using advanced quantitative MRI techniques, the study aims to identify early markers of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) that may develop years after surgery. The research involves a large cohort of over 3,500 participants, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between soft tissue degeneration and patient outcomes. Participants will be monitored for up to 10 years to gather valuable data on their knee health and symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management strategies for patients at risk of developing osteoarthritis after ACL surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using MRI for assessing joint health, but this specific long-term approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Xiaojuan — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Li, Xiaojuan
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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.