Outcomes and return-to-sport after surgical repair of distal "Stener-like" MCL tears

Clinical-instrumental Evaluation and Assessment of Return to Sports Activity in Patients Surgically Treated for Isolated "Stener-like" Lesions of the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) or in the Context of Multiligament Injuries and Articular Fractures

See how well people ages 12–65 recover and return to sports after surgical re-insertion of a distal "Stener-like" medial collateral ligament tear, whether isolated or with other knee injuries.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 43 (estimated)
• Ages: 12 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Bologna, Bologna)
• Trial ID: NCT07174219 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational cohort follows patients who underwent surgical re-insertion of the distal medial collateral ligament (a "Stener-like" lesion) between 01/01/2020 and 12/31/2027 at a single orthopedic center. Eligibility requires imaging confirmation (MRI for ligament injury, X-ray/CT for fractures) and consent, and includes both isolated lesions and those occurring with multiligament or articular fractures. Participants receive standardized clinical and instrumented follow-up including functional scores and return-to-sport measures to document recovery trajectories. Data will be used to characterize healing, complications, and timelines for safe return to activity.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are men and women aged 12–65 who had surgical re-insertion of a distal MCL (Stener-like) lesion between 2020 and 2027, with preoperative imaging confirmation and consent to follow-up, including those with isolated injuries or combined multiligament/fracture injuries.

Not a fit: Patients unlikely to benefit include those who do not meet the imaging or consent requirements, or who have excluded prior conditions such as significant prior fractures of the same limb (per the trial's exclusion criteria).

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the project could give clearer, evidence-based timelines and expectations for recovery and return to sport after distal MCL reinsertion and inform surgical and rehabilitation planning.

How similar studies have performed: Published evidence on distal "Stener-like" MCL lesions is scarce and limited to small case series and reports, so standardized outcome data are relatively novel rather than well established.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients of both male and female sex.
* Patients who underwent surgical re-insertion of the distal insertion of the medial collateral ligament starting from 01/01/2020 and all patients scheduled for this type of surgical intervention until 12/31/2027;
* Patients aged between 12 and 65 years at the time of surgery;
* Patients who underwent isolated distal medial collateral ligament re-insertion surgery, as well as those who underwent the same procedure combined with other interventions on the same knee (e.g., multiligament injuries, reduction and osteosynthesis of bone fractures);
* Patients who have given consent to participate in the study;
* Patients who have undergone preoperative radiological investigations of the affected knee confirming the diagnosis of distal medial collateral ligament injury (MRI in the case of ligament injuries; X-ray and/or CT scan in the case of articular fractures).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous fractures of the same limb treated surgically.
* Patient age under 12 years at the time of surgery or patients over 65 years of age.
* Patients who have not provided informed consent.
* Patients who are no longer contactable.
* Patients who have not engaged in sports activity in the 2 years prior to the surgical intervention.

Where this trial is running

Bologna, Bologna

• IRCCS Rizzoli Ortopedic Institute — Bologna, Bologna, Italy (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: stefano zaffagnini

Conditions Ligament Injury; Knee Injuries