August 8, 2019

Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study Receives $3 Million Grant From the NIH

The longitudinal study will examine long-term risk factors for osteoarthritis after ACL injury

19-ORT-1188-Musculoskeletal-CQD

A multicenter team of researchers led by Xiaojuan Li, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, and Kurt Spindler, MD, Orthopaedic & Rheumatology Institute, has received a five-year, $3.1 million grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (part of the National Institutes of Health) to help identify long-term risk factors for osteoarthritis after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and reconstruction.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

ACL injuries are one of the most common, and severe, knee injuries, and are usually reconstructed with surgery. Even after surgery, however, patients are at greater risk for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). At this time, it is difficult to accurately predict which patients will develop PTOA several years after the surgery. While earlier studies have focused on short- and mid-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up, long-term soft tissue degeneration of the knee following ACL surgery has not been evaluated.

Advanced Imaging to Understand and Prevent PTOA

This multicenter study will add on to the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network Study, which followed for 10 years patients who had an ACL reconstruction to determine their risk for PTOA. The new study will utilize an advanced type of MRI known as quantitative MRI, or qMRI, to see damage to the knee earlier than a regular MRI, while it can still be prevented. Nancy Obuchowski, PhDDepartment of Quantitative Health Sciences, helped design this new study.

The qMRI studies will evaluate the cartilage, bone, muscle and other lesions in the surgically reconstructed knees that may be related to osteoarthritis. The goal of the study is to illustrate long-term structural damage and degeneration of the cartilage after the ACL reconstruction to help identify the risk factors for PTOA, as well as ways to prevent them.

Advertisement

The study will take place at three sites, including Cleveland Clinic, Vanderbilt University and Ohio State University. “Our ultimate goal is to use quantitative radiology to provide guidance for personalized, optimized interventions to reduce the prevalence of PTOA after anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction,” says Dr. Li. “This study has the potential to improve patient management of this young and active population with an evidence-based approach.”

Story adapted from LRI News

Related Articles

ORI_Lucko_2609609_Pediatric Self Scheduling Fracture program
January 4, 2022
Innovations in Musculoskeletal Appointment Scheduling: Orthopaedic Informatics Team Improves Access to Care

New digital tool allows parents to self-schedule fracture care for their children

21-ORI-2342108 CQD 650×450
November 30, 2021
Why More Women Should Consider Careers in Orthopaedic Surgery

Diversifying the specialty starts with earlier exposure for female students

Molloy-1763820
March 11, 2021
A Look Back: 100 Years of Innovation in Orthopaedic Surgery

Improvements in patient care, research and education set the stage for a promising future

19-ORT-1449-Orthopaedic-Informatics-CQD
January 24, 2020
Orthopaedic Informatics Plays Key Role in a New Era of Patient Experience

Orthopaedic team launches the MATTER program

18-ORT-1421-Patterson-Hero-Image-650x450pxl
December 14, 2018
Meet the New Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic

Introducing Brendan M. Patterson, MD

17-ORT-1250-Calabrese-Hero-Image-650x450pxl
January 16, 2018
The Impact of Neuromuscular Quadriceps Stimulation on Total Knee Replacement Outcomes

Study examines pre- and postoperative benefits

16-ort-1787-mont-consult-qd-hero-image-650x450pxl
October 20, 2017
How is Orthopaedic Surgery Improving Access for its Patients?

The short answer from Orthopaedic Surgery Chairman Michael A. Mont, MD

17-ORT-1269-Higuera-Hero-Image-650x450pxl
October 16, 2017
Aspirin Dose and Venous Thromboembolism Prevention after Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Review of nearly 10,000 patients yields data on ideal effective dose for lowest risk of complications

Ad