Optimized rehabilitation program for ACL recovery before returning to sports
Official title: Optimized Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at the First Step of Return to Sport
Run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne · NCT05323474 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 432 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne Academic / other |
| Locations | 8 sites (Challes-les-Eaux and 7 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 14, 2022 |
| Main results expected | March 2028 |
| Study ends | December 2029 |
| Registry record updated | April 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05323474 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are athletes who have undergone ACL reconstruction and wish to return to competitive sports.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with contralateral or bilateral ACL injuries or those with medical contraindications will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: Other studies have shown promising results with individualized rehabilitation approaches, suggesting potential for success in this trial.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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Medipole de Savoie
Challes-les-Eaux, France Recruiting -
Clinique de La Sauvegarde
Lyon, France Recruiting -
CHU de Saint-Etienne
Saint-Etienne, France Recruiting -
Clinique de Domont Ortholab
Domont, France Not yet recruiting -
Centre Hospitalier de Firminy
Firminy, France Not yet recruiting -
Hopital de La Croix Rousse
Lyon, France Not yet recruiting
Show 2 more locations
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Hôpital Lyon Sud
Lyon, France Not yet recruiting -
Hôpital de la Tour
Geneva, Switzerland Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Grégory MOREL, Physio — Chu de Saint-Etienne
- Study coordinator: GREGORY MOREL, physio
- Email: gregory.morel@chu-st-etienne.fr
- Phone: (0)4 77 12 94 55
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Comparing two methods of ACL reconstruction
This study tests if adding a specific ligament repair during ACL surgery can help young people avoid re-injury better than the usual surgery.
-
Quadriceps tendon vs peroneus longus tendon grafts for ACL reconstruction
This randomized trial tests whether using a quadriceps tendon autograft works as well as a peroneus longus tendon autograft for ACL reconstruction in adults, looking at knee function and donor-site effects.
-
Proprioceptive exercises to aid recovery after ACL surgery
This trial will see if adding proprioceptive exercises to standard balance training helps people aged 20–40 during the early rehab period after ACL surgery.
-
All-inside versus complete tibial tunnel ACL reconstruction using hamstring grafts
This trial will test whether the all-inside or the complete tibial tunnel surgical technique leads to better recovery in adults (18–65) having ACL reconstruction with hamstring grafts.
-
Cross bracing versus early ACL reconstruction for recent ACL rupture
This will try whether a 12-week cross bracing program plus supervised physiotherapy helps people aged 16–40 with a recent complete ACL tear more than early ACL reconstruction surgery.
-
Hockey slideboard training with blood flow restriction for ACL rehabilitation
This study is testing if combining hockey slideboard training with blood flow restriction can help people recover better and safer after ACL surgery.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.