Pre-surgery exercise to improve tendon, bone, and cartilage recovery after ACL rupture or patellar dislocation

A Study on the Effect of Exercise Rehabilitation on Bone Mineral Density, Reconstruction Ligament Tendon Bone Healing and Cartilage After ACL Rupture and Patellar Dislocation

Not applicable Interventional Peking University Third Hospital · NCT05924178

This program will try pre-surgery exercise rehab to see if it improves tendon healing, bone density, cartilage health, and walking in people aged 18–40 with an ACL tear or patellar dislocation.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 45 Years
SexAll
SponsorPeking University Third Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Beijing)
Trial IDNCT05924178 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers at Peking University Third Hospital will provide a course of preoperative exercise rehabilitation to young adults with ACL rupture or patellar dislocation who are scheduled for first-time unilateral ACL reconstruction. Participants will receive exercise rehabilitation or routine preoperative care, and outcomes will be measured before and after reconstruction. The protocol tracks knee bone mineral density, tendon–bone healing, bone tunnel changes, muscle strength, proprioception, gait characteristics, and cartilage changes using imaging and functional testing. Results will compare structural and functional recovery between the rehabilitation and routine-care groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–40 with a first-time unilateral ACL rupture or patellar dislocation confirmed by MRI who are scheduled for ACL reconstruction at the participating hospital.

Not a fit: Patients younger than 18 or older than 40, those with severe additional knee ligament injuries, or those with prior knee trauma are unlikely to be appropriate candidates for the interventions tested here.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, preoperative exercise rehabilitation could improve tendon–bone healing, help preserve knee bone density and cartilage, and speed functional recovery after ACL reconstruction.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior preoperative rehabilitation programs have shown functional improvements before and after ACL reconstruction, but effects specifically on tendon–bone healing, bone density, and cartilage remain less well established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18\~40 years old, diagnosed ACL rupture or Patellar Dislocation by MRI;
2. The first unilateral ligamenta reconstruction at our hospital;

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Be older than 40 years, or less than 18 years old
2. Severe injury to other knee ligaments
3. History of knee trauma

Where this trial is running

Beijing

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 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.