Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) And Neuromuscular Training
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,248.00
Summary
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructive (ACLR) following ACL rupture is a successful surgery that improves stability of the knee joint. However, evidence is emerging that despite undergoing reconstructive surgery, osteoarthritis of the knee joint is prevalent in the proceeding years. The proposed research aims to improve biomechanical abnormalities by providing a neuromuscular intervention. This could lead to a more optimal biomechanical pattern which could reduce the degenerative changes occu ....Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructive (ACLR) following ACL rupture is a successful surgery that improves stability of the knee joint. However, evidence is emerging that despite undergoing reconstructive surgery, osteoarthritis of the knee joint is prevalent in the proceeding years. The proposed research aims to improve biomechanical abnormalities by providing a neuromuscular intervention. This could lead to a more optimal biomechanical pattern which could reduce the degenerative changes occurring within the knee of ACLR patients.Read moreRead less
Identifying Strategies To Reduce The Risk Of Kneecap Arthritis After Serious Knee Ligament Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Early-onset kneecap arthritis, and associated pain and disability, affects younger adults at an alarming rate after serious knee ligament injury – “young people, old knees”. This research aims to identify modifiable risk factors for early-onset kneecap arthritis (reconstruction surgery, knee biomechanics and functional deficits) which will aid the development of interventions to minimise onset and progression of kneecap arthritis, and reduce the burden of this important public health problem.
Making Football Safe For Women: Implementing An Injury Prevention Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$842,951.00
Summary
The risk of serious knee injury in female football is high, and injuries are continuing to increase. In partnership with the AFL, Medibank, Aust. Physiotherapy Association, Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians and Sports Medicine Australia we will aim to increase the use of a knee injury prevention program (Prep-to-Play) in ~4200 female community football players in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Young Adults With Old Knees: Prevalence Of Early-onset Knee Osteoarthritis Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction And Exploration Of Clinical Risk Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,204.00
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Little is known about OA development and progression in the early stages of disease, less than five years post-ACLR. This study aims to evaluate the development and presence of OA from at five years post-ACLR and to explore factors that can determine who is likely to have worsening of early-onset OA. This information can be used to develop treatments that may be used to slow OA progression.
Young People With Old Knees: Knee Ligament Reconstruction And Early Joint Changes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$782,727.00
Summary
Individuals who have undergone a knee reconstruction are at increased risk of knee osteoarthritis - 'younger people with older knees'. This may be partly due to increased knee load. This study aims to investigate whether muscle strength and activation as well as walking patterns influence changes in the knee joint structure as measured on magnetic resonance imaging. This may lead to rehabilitation strategies to address these factors so as to prevent the premature onset of knee osteoarthritis.
Knee Osteoarthritis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: The Relationship Between Function And Neuromechanics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$76,252.00
Summary
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction allows most people to return to their previous level of function, but does not prevent the onset of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The development of OA in young people after ACL reconstruction may be caused by the initial injury, altered movement patterns, or changes in muscle control. This study will investigate the relationship between these factors. The findings will help to improve understanding of the causes of OA following ACL reconstruction.
Neuromuscular Exercise : A Novel Treatment To Reduce Symptoms And Joint Load In Medial Knee Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$719,199.00
Summary
There is currently no cure for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Thus treatments are needed that not only reduce symptoms but also slow disease progression. Exercise is recommended for knee OA but traditional thigh muscle strengthening exercises do not appear to be effective in all cases and may not slow the disease. This project will compare novel 'neuromuscular exercise' and compare it to traditional strengthening exercise. The results have the potential to alter current exercise prescription
A Randomised Trial Of Zoledronic Acid For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$989,238.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is increasing markedly due to an ageing population. Despite its large disease burden, there are currently no approved disease-modifying drugs available which modify structural progression of OA. The aim of this study is to compare zoledronic acid treatment to placebo on knee structural change and knee pain over two years. It is hypothesised that zoledronic acid will reduce cartilage loss, knee pain, and bone marrow lesion size.