Physical Activity, Knee Joint Loading and Joint Health

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Investigating Physical Activity, Knee Joint Loading and Joint Health Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

  • IRAS ID

    304181

  • Contact name

    Karl Morgan

  • Contact email

    kdm40@bath.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Bath

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 5 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Approximately 50% of people will develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) 10-17 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). PTOA is a subtype of osteoarthritis (OA) affecting the joint following injury. Alarmingly, most reconstruction surgeries conducted are on people aged under 40 years old, which may lead to a greater burden than typical osteoarthritis in years lived with the disease. In congruence, there are indications people with history of ACL injury undergo knee replacement surgery approximately 14 years earlier than those without in the United Kingdom (UK).

    As rates of ACLR are increasing in various countries, including the UK, understanding the factors contributing to joint degeneration after injury are essential to help address the already increasing knee OA prevalence. Furthermore, a comprehensive characterisation of the reconstructed leg form and structure after ACLR is lacking. The proposed research seeks to establish if there is an association between physical activity, joint loading and joint health following ACLR, and to compare the leg form and structure between the reconstructed leg and the uninjured opposite leg.

    To achieve this, men and women aged 18-39 (i.e., ≥18 and ≤39) who have had ACLR in the last one to seven (≥1 to ≤7) years will be recruited to undertake a cross-sectional study. All laboratory sessions will take place at a physiology laboratory (e.g., DisAbility Sport and Health Laboratory) and the Applied Biomechanics Suite located at the University of Bath.

  • REC name

    South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/SW/0004

  • Date of REC Opinion

    15 Feb 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion