Dynamic ACL Brace: In Vivo Kinematics

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the Össur Rebound dynamic ACL brace on knee kinematics evaluated using dynamic stereo X-ray (DSX) imaging during functional activities. Brace performance will be evaluated before and after ACL reconstruction.

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: N/A
    • Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
    • Masking: None (Open Label)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: April 2019

Interventions

  • Device: Ossur Rebound ACL Brace
    • ACL-reconstruction patients will be issued an Ossur Rebound ACL Brace at the time of enrollment in the study, prior to surgery. They will use this brace throughout their rehab and physical therapy. The intervention (brace) will be applied only to the surgical limb.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Knee Brace
    • ACL-reconstruction patients will be issued an Ossur Rebound ACL Brace at the time of enrollment in the study, prior to surgery. They will use this brace throughout their rehab and physical therapy. Dynamic X-ray imaging of the knee will take place prior to surgery, and again upon clearance from physical therapy 7-9 months after surgery. The injured knee will be imaged with and without the brace, and the contralateral limb will be imaged for use as a control.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Dynamic tibiofemoral kinematics during activities of daily living in ACL-deficient knees
    • Time Frame: <1wk (pre-operative)
    • This study will use dynamic stereo x-ray (pulsed bi-plane fluoroscopy) to measure the dynamic movements of the tibiofemoral joint during walking and stair-climbing, focusing on differences in anterior-posterior sliding and internal/external rotation of the tibia relative to femur, between the braced ACL-deficient knee, unbraced ACL-deficient knee, and the contralateral/uninjured knee.
  • Dynamic tibiofemoral kinematics during sports activities in ACL-reconstructed-knees
    • Time Frame: 7-9 months (post-operative)
    • This study will use dynamic stereo x-ray (pulsed bi-plane fluoroscopy) to measure the dynamic movements of the tibiofemoral joint during dynamic movements and sports activities, focusing on differences in anterior-posterior sliding and internal/external rotation of the tibia relative to femur, between the braced ACL-reconstructed knee, unbraced ACL-reconstructed knee, and contralateral/uninjured knee.

Secondary Measures

  • Percent symmetry in 3D motion capture kinematics and kinetics
    • Time Frame: <1wk; 7-9months
    • Whole-body kinematics and ground reaction forces will be calculated to assess joint angle and ground reaction force symmetry between braced and unbraced conditions during activities of daily living (<1wk) and dynamic/sports activities(7-9months post-operatively).
  • Muscle contribution levels in braced vs unbraced knee
    • Time Frame: <1wk; 7-9 months
    • Electromyography sensors will detect differences in muscle contributions (in major muscles of the lower extremity) between the braced ipsilateral leg, unbraced ipsilateral leg, and contralateral leg during activities of daily living and dynamic sports activities.
  • Subject Satisfaction
    • Time Frame: 2 months; 4 months; 7-9 months
    • An overall satisfaction score for brace comfort will be obtained from the ‘Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology.’

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Unilateral, complete ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) ruptures (must be documented by prior MRI) – No other concomitant lower extremity injuries and an uninjured contralateral limb – Acute ACL tears that will be scheduled for ACL reconstruction with Dr. Robert F. LaPrade – Minimal swelling and pain – Able and willing to perform the required study activities Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous surgery or significant injury to either knee – Relevant surgery, procedure, injury, or condition in the past two years which may affect knee pain or general movement patterns on either side – Diagnosis of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid conditions, cancers, or other conditions which may affect musculoskeletal health – Women who are pregnant, or trying/planning to become pregnant during the next 10 months – Known balance or vestibular disorders – Persons with a history of significant radiation exposure, whether occupational or medical in nature (Anyone with a history of medical radiation therapy, for cancer or other conditions, is excluded from the study. Those who have an annual occupational radiation exposure greater than 25mSv may not enroll.) – Persons with a pacemaker, hearing aid, aneurysm clip or artificial heart valve, or other forms of loose metal implants – Initial MRI exclusion criteria (assessed by clinical MRI obtained as standard of care at time of ACL injury diagnosis): concomitant injury, multi-ligamentous injury, significant meniscal damage – Allergy or sensitivity to silver or latex – Adults lacking capacity to consent for themselves Post-Op Visit Exclusion Criteria – Participants who do not pass their return-to-sport test within 7-9 months of ACL-Reconstruction surgery will be excluded from the second phase of testing. – Participants who no longer pass the MRI screening at the time of Phase 2 testing (for example, who have a new loose metal implant), will be excluded from the MRI portion of the testing only.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 60 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Steadman Philippon Research Institute
  • Collaborator
    • Össur Ehf
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor

References

Butler DL, Noyes FR, Grood ES. Ligamentous restraints to anterior-posterior drawer in the human knee. A biomechanical study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1980 Mar;62(2):259-70. No abstract available.

Kiapour AM, Murray MM. Basic science of anterior cruciate ligament injury and repair. Bone Joint Res. 2014 Feb 4;3(2):20-31. doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.32.2000241. Print 2014.

Marshall, T., Gelber, J., & Spindler, K. (2016). Postoperative Knee Bracing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine, 24(1), 55-58. DOI: 10.1053/j.otsm.2015.10.001

Cook FF, Tibone JE, Redfern FC. A dynamic analysis of a functional brace for anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. Am J Sports Med. 1989 Jul-Aug;17(4):519-24. doi: 10.1177/036354658901700412.

Smith SD, Laprade RF, Jansson KS, Aroen A, Wijdicks CA. Functional bracing of ACL injuries: current state and future directions. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014 May;22(5):1131-41. doi: 10.1007/s00167-013-2514-z. Epub 2013 Apr 27.

Mayr HO, Stueken P, Munch EO, Wolter M, Bernstein A, Suedkamp NP, Stoehr A. Brace or no-brace after ACL graft? Four-year results of a prospective clinical trial. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014 May;22(5):1156-62. doi: 10.1007/s00167-013-2564-2. Epub 2013 Jun 27.

LaPrade RF, Venderley MB, Dahl KD, Dornan GJ, Turnbull TL. Functional Brace in ACL Surgery: Force Quantification in an In Vivo Study. Orthop J Sports Med. 2017 Jul 6;5(7):2325967117714242. doi: 10.1177/2325967117714242. eCollection 2017 Jul.

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