KNALL study
Background:
An important part of the patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture will develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis at a relatively young age (OA). OA is a degenerative, progressive, debilitating, and until now, irreversible disease. It is generally accepted that OA should be targeted as early as possible, in a potentially reversible stage.
Objectives
In line with the 2019 recommendations by the international expert working group on the prevention of post-traumatic OA, we will:
1. Evaluate the natural course of the development of radiographic knee OA, symptomatic knee OA and structural features of knee OA on MRI 10 years after ACL rupture.
2. Evaluate risk factors from the time of injury for the development of radiographic knee OA, symptomatic knee OA and structural features of knee OA on MRI 10 years after ACL rupture.
3. Validate changes in knee symptoms and knee function one and two years post-injury against the development of radiographic and symptomatic knee OA 10 years after ACL rupture.
4. Validate early changes in structural changes (on MRI, DEXA and radiography) one and two years post-injury against the development of radiographic and symptomatic knee OA 10 years after ACL rupture.