Localized delivery to boost tendon-to-bone healing after ACL reconstruction
Official title: Localized small molecule delivery to improve tendon-to-bone integration following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11361627 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study testing a targeted small-molecule treatment to improve how the tendon graft heals at the bone after ACL reconstruction, with the goal of reducing graft failure and helping patients get back to activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $539,906 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR082810-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361627 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with ACL injuries undergoing reconstruction who are eligible for the study.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing ACL reconstruction or with contraindications to the study treatment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on the healing process after ACL reconstruction, aiming to strengthen the tendon-bone attachment. It will use a small-molecule approach to influence the hedgehog signaling pathway, which guides the formation of the fibrocartilage zones essential for a strong enthesis. The team will evaluate how this treatment affects healing in a clinical-relevant setting and monitor functional outcomes relevant to patients’ recovery and activity levels. The goal is to shorten recovery time, reduce re-injury risk, and improve long-term knee stability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience stronger graft integration, fewer reinjuries, and quicker return to sports.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests hedgehog signaling influences fibrocartilage formation; this study applies that concept to human ACL reconstruction, showing potential but needing confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dyment, Nathaniel a. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Dyment, Nathaniel a.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Split-belt treadmill training to restore knee loading after ACL surgery
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-
Local zinc delivery plus controlled loading to help bone and tendon-to-bone healing after fractures or ACL surgery
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-
Improving healing after ACL surgery with targeted medicine
This work explores how a special medicine delivered directly to the knee might help tendons heal better to bone after ACL reconstruction surgery.
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Improving knee function after ACL surgery using a special treadmill technique
This study is looking at how walking on a special treadmill, where each leg moves at different speeds, can help people recover better after ACL surgery by improving knee strength and movement, and it’s designed for those who have had this surgery.
-
Improving tendon-to-bone healing after ACL surgery
This study is looking at a new way to help your knee heal better after ACL surgery by using special treatments right where the tendon connects to the bone, which could make recovery faster and reduce the chances of problems later on.
-
Analgesic effects of adding BiFeS block to adductor canal block after ACL reconstruction
This study tests whether adding a BiFeS block to the standard adductor canal block provides better pain relief after ACL reconstruction.
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.