Stopping OsteoARthritis After an ACL Tear

What this study is about

By 2040, 25% of Canadians will have osteoarthritis, a disabling joint condition. Most people think osteoarthritis only affects older adults, but 50% of the 700,000 Canadian youth who hurt their knee playing sports annually will develop osteoarthritis by 40 years of age. These young people with old knees face knee pain and disability for much of their adult lives, interfering with parenting, work, and recreation. Yet, most do not know about osteoarthritis or how to reduce their risk. In this clinical trial, people who have torn the Anterior Cruciate ligament in their knee and had reconstruction surgery 9-36 months previously will be randomized to receive either a 6-month virtual education and exercise therapy program called Stop OsteoARthritis (SOAR) or a minimal intervention control program. Researchers will test if those who received the SOAR program have larger gains in knee health, including pain, symptoms, function, and quality of life at 6, 12, and 24 months. Researchers will also use MRIs (baseline and 24 months) to assess how the SOAR program influences knee cartilage degeneration and its cost-effectiveness.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Currently live in British Columbia, Canada
• 16-35 years of age (inclusive)
• 9-36-months past a first-time ACLR performed ≤12-months of first-time ACL tear
• Currently not receiving knee care from a health or fitness provider and have no scheduled surgical procedures (any part of the body) that would interfere with exercise during the study.
• Score below a KOOS4 PASS (<79 points)
• Have daily access to an email address and a computer with internet
• Are willing to wear an activity tracker during the study

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Inability to communicate in English
• No medical attention (healthcare provider) time-loss (missed physical activity, sport or work ≥2 occasions) injury to the ACLR knee before the ACL tear
• Previous physician diagnosis of index knee osteoarthritis
• Inflammatory arthritis or other systemic condition
• Lower limb injury, surgery, or intra-articular injection in the past 6-months
• Current pregnancy
• MRI contraindications (i.e., Weight over 400 lbs (MRI machine limit); Pacemaker or any other implanted medical device (i.e., wires, defibrillator, artificial heart valve, an electronic device like a drug infusion pump, electrical stimulator for nerves or bones, coil, catheter, or filter in any blood vessel, ear or eye implant, or stainless steel intrauterine device (IUD); Brain or ferromagnetic aneurysm clip; any other metallic prostheses or shrapnel, bullets, or other metal fragments; injury where a piece of metal lodged in the eye or orbit, or; surgery, medical procedure or tattoos (including tattooed eyeliner) in the last 6 weeks).

Where this trial is running

• Arthritis Research Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Sea to Sky Orthopaedics, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Who to contact

Jackie L Whittaker, BScPT, PhD · 604-202-1362 · jackie.whittaker@ubc.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT06195423.