Optimized rehabilitation program for ACL recovery before returning to sports

Optimized Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at the First Step of Return to Sport

NA · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne · NCT05323474

This study tests if a personalized rehab program with regular check-ins can help people recover better from ACL surgery and safely get back to sports.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment432 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 25 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne (other)
Locations8 sites (Challes-les-Eaux and 7 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05323474 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicentre randomized control trial evaluates the effectiveness of an individualized rehabilitation program for patients recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The study compares standard rehabilitation practices with an optimized approach that includes monthly assessments by physiotherapists from the third to the sixth month post-surgery. The goal is to reduce the risk of re-injury and facilitate a safe return to sports activities. Participants will be monitored closely to ensure their rehabilitation aligns with their specific athletic goals.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are athletes who have undergone ACL reconstruction and wish to return to competitive sports.

Not a fit: Patients with contralateral or bilateral ACL injuries or those with medical contraindications will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly lower the risk of re-injury for athletes recovering from ACL surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with individualized rehabilitation approaches, suggesting potential for success in this trial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Affiliation to the French Social Security system
* Patient who has had an ACL reconstruction regardless of the standard surgical technique used
* Patient with a sports activity, pivot and/or contact (e.g. soccer, basketball, handball, rugby, judo...) and practiced in competition (Tegner sports activity scores \>7 and Marx scores \>11 before the accident.
* Patient wishing to return to competitive sport
* Consent signed by the patient

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contralateral or bilateral involvement or operated on for a re-injury of the ACL
* Patients with a medical contraindication to the performance of one of the tests
* Patients suffering from a neurological (motor and/or sensitive), vestibular or rheumatic pathology
* Patient performing rehabilitation with a physiotherapist who does not wish to participate in the study.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
* Patient under guardianship or curators

Where this trial is running

Challes-les-Eaux and 7 other locations

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Ligament Knee Injury, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Orthopedic surgery, Knee joint, Ligament, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.