Knee Extension Deficit Following an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (Extension Loss)

NCT ID: NCT06863610

Last Updated: 2025-09-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-03-15
• Study Completion Date: 2026-07-15

Brief Summary

Knee extension loss following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is believed to play an important role in quadriceps strength recovery. One of the main goals of the rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction is to restore knee extensor muscle strength. Deficits of more than a five-degree extension range of motion (ROM) could lead to delayed knee functionality and anterior knee pain. However, the effect of knee extension deficits in the early postoperative phase of the ACL reconstruction on knee extensor muscle strength recovery and knee functionality is not yet known.

This study aimed to investigate the difference between knee extensor muscle strength recovery and knee functionality in patients with ACL repair who had a knee extension ROM deficit (>5°) in the early postoperative period and those who did not.

Detailed Description

Knee range of motion deficits are significant surgical complications following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and despite current advances in surgical techniques, knee range of motion cannot always be regained. Previous studies reported that knee range of motion (ROM) deficits play an important role in knee extensor muscle weakness and knee osteoarthritis. Thus, deficits in knee extension joint motion are more difficult to tolerate than flexion deficits. It has been reported that a five-degree decrease in the extension ROM of the affected knee compared to the healthy side can lead to secondary complications such as difficulty walking and anterior knee pain. However, the effect of knee extension deficits in the early postoperative phase of the ACL reconstruction on knee extensor muscle strength recovery and knee functionality is not yet known.

This study aimed to investigate the difference between knee extensor muscle strength recovery and knee functionality in patients with ACL repair who had a knee extension ROM deficit (>5°) in the early postoperative period and those who did not.

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Extension Deficit (>5 degrees)

Patients who had a knee extension ROM deficit of more than 5 degrees in the fourth week will be subject to the rehabilitation program under the supervision of the same physiotherapist 3 days a week for a period of 12 weeks. The rehabilitation program will include cold therapy, electrotherapy, and exercises focusing on improving knee functioning and restoring muscle strength. From 12 weeks to 6 months, a home exercise program will be advised to all patients equally.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Extension Deficit (>5 degrees)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Patients who had a knee extension ROM deficit of more than 5 degrees will included

Extension Deficit (<5 degrees)

Patients who had a knee extension ROM deficit of less than 5 degrees in the fourth week will be subject to the rehabilitation program under the supervision of the same physiotherapist 3 days a week for a period of 12 weeks. The rehabilitation program will include cold therapy, electrotherapy, and exercises focusing on improving knee functioning and restoring muscle strength. From 12 weeks to 6 months, a home exercise program will be advised to all patients equally.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Extension Deficit (<5 degrees)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Patients who had a knee extension ROM deficit of less than 5 degrees will included

Interventions

Extension Deficit (>5 degrees)

Patients who had a knee extension ROM deficit of more than 5 degrees will included

Intervention Type: OTHER

Extension Deficit (<5 degrees)

Patients who had a knee extension ROM deficit of less than 5 degrees will included

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients who underwent ACL repair using hamstring tendon autograft
• volunteered to participate in the study between the ages of 18-45
• a non-contact injury mechanism
• a Tegner Activity Score >5 before the injury
• regularly attended the rehabilitation program after surgery (not missing more than three sessions)

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients who underwent ACL repair with patellar tendon autograft or allograft, revision surgery
• underwent meniscus and or cartilage repair in addition to ACL repair
• a history of previous knee, ankle, or groin injuries
• concomitant systemic and/or neurological pathologies
• a history of injury to the contralateral lower extremity
• do not want to participate in the evaluations that should be done before the study.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Hacettepe University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Leyla Eraslan

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Leyla Eraslan, Ph. D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hacettepe University

Locations

Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Ankara, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Leyla Eraslan, Ph. D.

Role: CONTACT

leylaseraslan@gmail.com

+905348488373

Facility Contacts

Leyla ERASLAN, Prof

Role: primary

leylaseraslan@gmail.com

Volga Bayrakcı Tunay, Prof

Role: backup

Other Identifiers

2024/140

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id