Could a simple injection after a broken ankle prevent arthritis?
NCT ID NCT03652753
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether injecting N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, into the ankle right after a severe pilon fracture can keep cartilage cells alive and reduce the chance of developing post-traumatic arthritis. Thirty adults with closed high-energy pilon fractures will receive either NAC or a saline placebo during their initial surgery. The researchers will then check cartilage cell health during the follow-up surgery about two weeks later.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- N-acetylcysteine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple injection to prevent arthritis after severe ankle fractures.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small early-phase trial with only 30 people, and it is testing a lab-measured outcome (cell viability) rather than long-term arthritis prevention. The effect seen in animals may not translate to humans.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for PILON FRACTURE are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Missouri Health System
RECRUITINGColumbia, Missouri, 65212, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.