Could a needle boost knee recovery in young athletes?

NCT ID NCT07657195

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study looks at whether dry needling — a technique where thin needles are placed into muscle trigger points — can help children and teens regain quadriceps strength after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a quadriceps tendon graft. Half of the 40 participants will receive dry needling plus standard physical therapy; the other half will receive physical therapy alone. Researchers will measure leg strength at several points between weeks 6 and 9 after surgery to see if dry needling makes a difference.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: dry needling
What this could lead to: If it works, this could give young athletes a faster, stronger recovery after ACL surgery and lower their risk of re-injury.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 40 participants. Dry needling may not provide significant strength gains over physical therapy alone, and some children may find the needles uncomfortable.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION REHABILITATION DRY NEEDLING STRENGTH

Contacts and locations

Locations

Children's Mercy - Blue Valley

Overland Park, Kansas, 66223, United States
Children's Mercy Hospital- Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, United States
Children's Mercy Sports Medicine Center- Village West

Kansas City, Kansas, 66111, United States

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