Focused shock wave therapy to help recovery after ACL surgery
Effectiveness of Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Applied as an Addition to Conventional Physiotherapy Program After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
This program will test whether adding a weekly low‑intensity focused shock wave treatment to standard physiotherapy helps adults aged 18–45 regain strength, motion, balance, and reduce pain after ACL reconstruction with a hamstring graft.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 32 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Biruni University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT06688344 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with a unilateral, isolated ACL rupture repaired with a hamstring graft receive a conventional physiotherapy program twice weekly. Participants are assigned to receive either conventional physiotherapy alone, conventional physiotherapy plus low‑intensity focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy once weekly, or a sham procedure alongside physiotherapy. Outcomes measured include muscle strength, postural balance, range of motion, pain scores, and functional status. The protocol tests whether adding fESWT provides measurable recovery benefits over physiotherapy alone.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–45 with a unilateral, isolated ACL rupture reconstructed using a hamstring graft and no major comorbidities are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with previous knee injuries or ACL revision, systemic inflammatory or metabolic bone diseases, recent intra‑articular injections, vascular problems in the leg, cognitive impairment, or outside the age range are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding focused shock wave therapy could speed functional recovery and reduce pain after ACL reconstruction when combined with standard physiotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: ESWT has shown benefits for various tendon and soft‑tissue problems, but focused ESWT specifically for recovery after ACL reconstruction has limited direct evidence and remains relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 45 years * Unilateral ACL rupture * Isolated ACL injury * Hamstring graft Exclusion Criteria: * Previous knee injury and anterior cruciate ligament revision * Synovitis, stiffness, tension * History of systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis * Presence of tumor * Deep vein thrombosis or vascular pathology in the lower extremity * RA or accompanying comorbidities * Having had intra-articular injection within 6 months * Cognitive impairment
Where this trial is running
Istanbul
- Istanbul Faculy of Medicine-Department of Sports Medicine — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Berivan Beril Kılıç, Asst. Prof.
- Email: berilk@biruni.edu.tr
- Phone: +905069496158
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.