Reducing delays and unequal access to arthroscopic knee surgery for teenage athletes

RED KARD: Reducing Disparities in Knee Arthroscopy for Adolescents

Observational Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NCT07580625

This project will try to identify barriers and develop ways to help Hispanic adolescents get faster surgical care after acute knee injuries.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages14 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorAnn & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT07580625 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project will combine clinical record review, patient and family interviews, and care-pathway mapping to identify why Hispanic adolescents experience delays in arthroscopic knee care after acute injuries. Investigators will enroll Hispanic athletes aged 14–18 who have had arthroscopic knee surgery and collect data on time from injury to care, insurance and language barriers, and difficulties navigating the health system. Results will be used to design and pilot a targeted intervention to shorten time to appropriate treatment and improve follow-up. The work is based at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and aims to develop approaches that can be adapted elsewhere.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Hispanic athletes aged 14–18 with a history of arthroscopic surgery for an acute knee injury.

Not a fit: Non-Hispanic patients, those outside the 14–18 age range, or those without an acute knee injury requiring arthroscopy are unlikely to benefit from the findings directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the project could shorten time to appropriate knee surgery for Hispanic teens and reduce their long-term risk of arthritis, persistent instability, and repeat operations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has documented disparities and worse outcomes from delayed pediatric knee surgery, but interventions specifically aimed at reducing disparities in pediatric sports medicine are largely novel and untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Hispanic athlete
* Between 14-18 years of age
* History of arthroscopic knee surgery for an acute injury

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-Hispanic patient
* Younger than 14 or older than 18 years of age
* No history of arthroscopic knee surgery
* No acute knee injury

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

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 Knee InjuryACL InjuryMeniscus TearHispanic or LatinoAdolescent
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.