Improving muscle repair after knee surgery

Regulation of Protein Turnover in Connective Tissue From Muscle and Tendon Following Muscle Tissue Injury

Not applicable Interventional Bispebjerg Hospital · NCT05746650

This study is testing if giving growth hormone or a placebo, along with electrical stimulation of the hamstring muscles, can help patients recover better after knee surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 35 Years
SexAll
SponsorBispebjerg Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Copenhagen)
Trial IDNCT05746650 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study involves 40 patients scheduled for reconstructive knee surgery who will be randomized to receive either growth hormone or a placebo, with or without neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the hamstring muscles. The primary goal is to assess the impact of these interventions on muscle connective tissue protein synthesis and its role in muscle injury and repair. The study will last for two weeks and aims to provide insights into enhancing recovery following muscle injuries.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy men and women with a BMI between 18 and 35 who are scheduled for reconstructive knee surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of growth hormone or anabolic steroid use, chronic diseases, or those taking medications affecting muscle turnover may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved recovery outcomes for patients undergoing knee surgery by enhancing muscle repair processes.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research in muscle repair, this specific approach combining growth hormone and electrical stimulation is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy men and women scheduled to undergo reconstructive knee surgery
* BMI 18-35

Exclusion Criteria:

* Former or current use of growth hormone or anabolic steroids
* Use of corticosteroids in the past 3 months
* Use of any medication known to affect muscle or tendon turnover
* Former participation in a study using deuterated water
* Chronic diseases

Where this trial is running

Copenhagen

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Muscle Injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.