OrthoCor Advanced Trial for Knee Osteoarthritis

NCT ID: NCT06475677

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

23 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-06-18

Study Completion Date

2025-10-06

Brief Summary

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The objective of this clinical trial is to show that PEMF therapy, heat, recovery metrics, and compliance data provided by the OrthoCor Advanced System improves pain and quality of life for patients with osteoarthritis. The main question it aims to answer is:

Does therapy from the OrthoCor Advanced System improve symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Researchers will compare range of motion measurements, sit to stand test results, and functional survey answers to see if there are any changes after 4 weeks of therapy with the OrthoCor Advanced System.

Participants will use the OrthoCor Active System for 30 minutes twice daily and complete recovery measurements daily using an application.

Detailed Description

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Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by degeneration of the joints, affecting up to 240 million people worldwide.1 Its disabling effects are frequently associated with persistent joint pain, loss of mobility and function, and decreased quality of life that often lead to surgical procedures such as partial or total joint arthroplasty.1 Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a safe, clinically proven, nonpharmacological therapy that has previously been shown to have beneficial effects on pain and physical function in patients with osteoarthritis.1,2 The OrthoCor Advanced System's novel combination of PEMF with the ability to monitor mobility metrics may have additional beneficial effects on pain, function, and quality of life for individuals affected by osteoarthritis.

PEMF is a low-level, time-varying electromagnetic field that passes through and affects superficial soft tissue, helping to accelerate the body's natural anti-inflammatory and recovery responses. PEMF has been shown to stimulate tissue repair pathways that result in pain and inflammation reduction, such as the binding of calcium (Ca2+) to calmodulin (CaM) which triggers an anti-inflammatory nitric oxide (NO) cascade.2-4 NO is a key element in the body's natural healing process. It is also a vasodilator, increasing blood and lymphatic flow.3 Additionally, NO down-regulates interleukin-1 beta (IL1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which leads to reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activation and fewer prostaglandins - molecules responsible for causing inflammation and pain.5 Unlike other systemic COX-2 inhibitors such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), OrthoCor's targeted PEMF signals locally modify these pathways, thereby reducing pain and inflammation without the risks and side effects associated with systemic medication.5

In addition to applying PEMF therapy, the OrthoCor Advanced System features a consumer facing smart device application as well as prescriber portal, allowing direct visibility of therapy compliance, reported pain levels, and functional performance metrics by both patient and physician. Daily recovery measurements may additionally supplement range of motion and joint strengthening and may encourage daily adherence to prescribed physical therapy and exercise. Strengthening exercises are considered a core standard of care treatment for managing knee osteoarthritis.5 Thus, the combined effects of PEMF and recovery insights may provide enhanced benefits to affected patients.

The OrthoCor Advanced System is a portable (battery operated) non-invasive device that delivers Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy plus chemical heat from OrthoPods for pain relief in the ankle, back, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, or neck, while also providing the user with functional and mobility metrics. The microprocessor delivers the pulsed RF signal to the tissue target via inductive coupling with an applicator coil, while a 9-axis motion sensor tracks joint mobility during therapy.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the OrthoCor Advanced System device for relieving symptoms and improving physical function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. It is hypothesized that the OrthoCor Advanced System device will improve knee range of motion and reported quality of life, as well as decrease reported pain levels associated with the knee.

Conditions

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Osteoarthritis, Knee Osteo Arthritis Knee

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

As osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, outcomes will be compared to baseline measurements for the same participant.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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OrthoCor Advanced System

The OrthoCor Advanced System's novel combination of PEMF with the ability to monitor mobility metrics may have additional beneficial effects on pain, function, and quality of life for individuals affected by osteoarthritis.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

OrthoCor Advanced System

Intervention Type DEVICE

The OrthoCor Advanced System is a portable battery-operated non-invasive device that delivers Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) plus heat therapy for general use pain relief. It utilizes a wrap that positions the device over painful areas and joint motion tracking recorded by a smart device application to monitor recovery metrics and therapy compliance.

Interventions

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OrthoCor Advanced System

The OrthoCor Advanced System is a portable battery-operated non-invasive device that delivers Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) plus heat therapy for general use pain relief. It utilizes a wrap that positions the device over painful areas and joint motion tracking recorded by a smart device application to monitor recovery metrics and therapy compliance.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Presenting to the study site with knee pain for at least 3 months, with articular cartilage loss confirmed by imaging study
2. An initial pain VAS score \>4
3. At least 2 hours of daily standing and/or walking activity
4. Prescribed use of the OrthoCor Advanced System
5. Daily access to a smartphone or tablet compatible with the OrthoCor Medical application
6. Able to download and install app to smart phone
7. Willing and able to provide written consent
8. ≥18 years of age

Exclusion Criteria

1. Previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis or gout
2. Cortisone injection, knee surgery, or viscosupplementation in the previous 6 months
3. Prior knee replacement
4. Have a cardiac pacemaker, cardioverter defibrillator, neurostimulator, infusion pump or any active medical implant
5. Have an implanted metallic lead or any type of wire coil implant, or any implanted system that may contain a lead
6. Known or expected pregnancy
7. Have an open wound at the area of application
8. Are not able to sense or not fully aware of the sensation of heat
9. Have poor circulation or heart disease
10. Have uncontrolled diabetes
11. Under the age of 18 or individuals with open bone growth plates
12. Unwilling or unable to provide written consent
13. Unwilling or unable to use the OrthoCor Advanced System
14. Unwilling or unable to complete the pain assessment survey
15. Enrolled in a study to evaluate an investigational drug
16. Prisoner or under incarceration
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Caerus Corporation

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Joshua G Hackel, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The Andrews Research & Education Foundation

Locations

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Andrews Research & Education Foundation

Gulf Breeze, Florida, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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REP-152

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id