Investigating knee joint health after ACL surgery using advanced imaging techniques

Imaging post-traumatic osteoarthritis 10-years after ACL reconstruction: a multicenter cohort study with quantitative MRI

['FUNDING_R01'] · CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU · NIH-10878519

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

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10878519 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone ACL reconstruction and are at least 10 years post-surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who have not had ACL reconstruction or those with other knee conditions unrelated to ACL injuries may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Disease, Disorder, Infection

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.