NMES approach to protect and restore thigh muscles after ACL injury
Official title: Mechanistic Assessment of NMES to Rescue Localized Neuromuscular Disruption after ACL Injury
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11382049 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher team at the University of Kentucky is testing how nerve-stimulating electrical therapy might prevent and reverse muscle weakness and shrinking after an ACL tear and reconstruction, with patients who have or will have ACL injuries in mind.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | August 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $473,121 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083375-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382049 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are individuals with ACL injury undergoing or having undergone reconstruction, who are at risk for quadriceps weakness and atrophy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose ACL injury does not lead to quadriceps weakness or who cannot receive NMES as part of their care may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
After an ACL injury and reconstruction, patients often have lasting weakness and muscle loss in the quadriceps. This project explores the body’s signaling pathways that lead to this muscle change and examines how NMES (nerve-stimulating electrical therapy) can influence those signals. The study builds on pilot data showing a molecular signature of quadriceps dysfunction that NMES may modify, aiming to clarify why some people recover better than others. The investigators plan to use mechanistic experiments to connect ACL injury to nerve and muscle changes and to test NMES as a targeted intervention. The ultimate goal is to inform rehabilitation strategies that reduce proximal muscle deficits and improve return-to-activity outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, NMES could become a targeted part of rehabilitation to prevent or lessen quadriceps weakness after ACL injury, potentially shortening recovery time and improving function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests NMES can affect nerve-muscle signaling, but robust mechanistic studies in humans are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fry, Christopher — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Fry, Christopher
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Therapeutic approach to reduce cellular aging and improve thigh muscle recovery after ACL injury
A research project tests a drug (metformin) to help the thigh muscle heal better after ACL injury and reconstruction.
-
From Knee Focus to Whole-Body Movement for ACL Injury Prevention in Teens
A study in teens with ACL injury explores how ankle, knee, and hip movements during sports affect injury risk and lifelong joint health.
-
Electrical stimulation to restore quadriceps after ACL tear
This will use neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to help people with ACL tears or reconstruction avoid quadriceps weakness and muscle loss.
-
Understanding Second ACL Injury Risk with a Smart Sensor
This project aims to find out which factors, measured with a new wearable sensor, put adolescent athletes at risk for tearing their ACL again after surgery.
-
Improving recovery after ACL injuries
This study is looking to help people recover better from ACL injuries by figuring out the best ways to use electrical stimulation to strengthen muscles after the injury, so you can get back to your activities faster and with less risk of future problems.
-
Understanding how electrical stimulation can help recover muscle function after ACL injuries
This study is looking at how a special treatment called neuromuscular electrical stimulation can help your muscles recover better after an ACL injury, so you can get back to your normal activities faster and stronger.
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.