The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of vibration on factors related to the risks of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis and secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in individuals who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery (ACLR). The main objectives are to compare the effects of Standard rehabilitation vs. rehabilitation that includes whole body vibration (WBV) or local muscle vibration (LMV) on:
* Quadriceps muscle function * Gait biomechanics linked to post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis development * Patient self-report outcomes * MRI indicators of knee joint health and muscle quality * Landing biomechanics linked to secondary ACL injury risk * Evidence-based return-to-physical-activity criteria
Participants will be assigned to 1 of 3 groups (standard rehabilitation, standard rehabilitation + WBV, or standard rehabilitation + LMV) and will complete assessments of quadriceps function, gait biomechanics, landing biomechanics, functional ability, patient-report outcomes, and MRI 1, 6, and 12 months after ACLR. Researchers will compare the groups to see if vibration embedded in ACLR rehabilitation improves joint health outcomes.
Age 16 to 35 years
Unilateral, primary ACLR with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft
History of prior ACL injury or revision ACLR
History of prior knee surgery
Requirement of multiple ligament surgery at time of ACLR
Concomitant injuries or surgical procedures at the time of ACLR that would delay early post-operative weight bearing based on surgeon recommendations (e.g. lower extremity fracture, intra-articular fracture, microfracture procedure)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lead sponsor
Womack Army Medical Center
Collaborator