Investigating long-term 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-10665556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how knee health changes over time for people who have had ACL surgery, using special MRI scans to find early signs of arthritis, so we can better understand and help manage knee problems for these patients.
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) | $540,246 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR075422-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10665556 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 utilizing advanced quantitative MRI techniques, the study aims to identify early markers of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) that can help predict the development of this condition. The research involves a large cohort of over 3,500 participants, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of soft tissue degeneration and its relationship to patient symptoms and outcomes. This long-term study seeks to provide insights that could lead to better diagnosis and management of knee joint health in ACL reconstruction patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients at risk of developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis after ACL surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using MRI to evaluate knee joint conditions, 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.