Could a needle boost knee recovery in young athletes?
NCT ID NCT07657195
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
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.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Children's Mercy - Blue Valley
Overland Park, Kansas, 66223, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Children's Mercy Hospital- Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Children's Mercy Sports Medicine Center- Village West
Kansas City, Kansas, 66111, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••