About
This study is examining how biomechanics and osteoarthritis biomarkers differ between young women returning to sport following ACL reconstruction or conservative management (cross-bracing), relative to uninjured controls.
We're recruiting women aged 18–25 who are returning to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery.
Young Australian women have the steepest rise in ACL injury and approximately 50% will develop signs of knee osteoarthritis within 10 years post injury. This study examines how biological and biomechanical markers of early osteoarthritis differ between women after ACL reconstruction, women treated with the cross-bracing protocol, and healthy controls. Your data may help create avenues for future screening tools to identify and thus mitigate the risk of knee OA onset and/or ACL re-injury in young women.
Who can participate?
ACL Reconstriction Group
- Female, aged 18–25 years
- ACL reconstruction for acute rupture ≤ 15 months ago
- Cleared by orthopaedic surgeon to return to sport ≤ 1 month ago
- Running/cutting/pivoting sport ≥ once/week before injury
Cross Bracing Protocol Group
- Female, aged 18–25 years
- Completed cross bracing protocol for acute ACL rupture ≤ 15 months ago
- Cleared by surgeon to return to sport ≤ 1 month ago
- Running/cutting/pivoting sport ≥ once/week before injury
- Women's US shoe size 6 - 11
Uninjured Control Group
- Female, aged 18–25 years
- No history of ACL injury or major knee surgery
- Running/cutting/pivoting sport ≥ once/week
- No current or recent lower-limb injury affecting sport
- Women's US shoe size 6 - 11
Eligible volunteers will receive:
- $50 e-gift care for your time
- Free MRI scan.
Young females - examining biomarkers and biomechanics following ACL injury is designed and developred by researchers at the University of Melbourne.
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Young females - examining biomarkers and biomechanics following ACL injury
This study is examining how biomechanics and osteoarthritis biomarkers differ between young women returning to sport following ACL reconstruction or conservative management (cross-bracing), relative to uninjured controls.