Knee surgery showdown: stitch or rebuild for torn ACL?
NCT ID NCT02310854
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested if stitching a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) back together and adding a special support is as good as the standard reconstruction using a hamstring tendon. 48 active adults aged 18-30 with a first-time ACL tear took part. The main goal was to see how well their knee worked for daily life and sports one year after surgery.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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48 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2014
- Finished
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Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 30 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Sportive, active patient (Tegner score =/\>5) * Age above 18 untill 30 years at time of inclusion * Primary rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, evidence by history (acute trauma, clicking sensation, swelling within a few hours, instability) and physical examination (positive Lachman, anterior drawer test and/or Pivot shift) * Primary rupture indicated by MRI * No associated ligamentuous disorde of the knee, evidenced by history, physical examination, x-ray or MRI) * Time span between anterior cruciate ligament rupture and operation no longer than 21 days * Willingness to comply to advised rehabilitation protocol supervised by (NFVS registrated) sports physiotherapist Exclusion Criteria: * Infection * Known hypersensitive response for materials used (Cobalt, chroom, nickel) * Serieus pre-existing malaligment of leg indicated for surgery * Tendency for excessive scar tisseu formation, such as arthrofibrosis * History of previous surgery on leg indicated for surgery * History of removal of tendon on leg indicated for surgery * Muscular, neurological or vascular disorders negatively affecting healing or rehabilitation * Cartilage injury requiring (some kind of) cartilage repair surgery (such as microfracture or cell therapy) * Arthrosis more dan ICRS grade 2 evidenced by x-ray * Long(er) term use of relevant medication, such as prednisolon or cytostatica * Pregnancy * Know osteoporosis
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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
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Orthopedisch Centrum Oost Nederland /ZGT
Hengelo, 7555, Netherlands
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Mind over knee: can psychological readiness predict a safe return to sport after ACL surgery?
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