Cross-Education Strength Training for Post-Meniscus Surgery Recovery

Overseen By Zachary Li

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: NYU Langone Health

Disqualifiers: Musculoskeletal defects, Neuromuscular disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new method to help people regain strength after certain knee surgeries, such as meniscus repair or transplant. Researchers aim to determine if strength exercises with the non-surgical leg can prevent muscle weakness in the surgical leg. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will perform these special exercises (experimental strength training), and the other will follow standard rehab steps. This trial suits individuals who have undergone meniscus surgery on one knee, have generally healthy legs, and are willing to adhere to the rehab plan. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative rehabilitation methods that could benefit future patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this strength training protocol is safe for post-meniscus surgery recovery?

Research shows that rehabilitation after surgery, such as the special strength training in this trial, can accelerate recovery and reduce pain. Studies have found that personalized rehab programs can expedite healing and help individuals return to usual activities sooner.

Regarding safety, these rehab exercises are generally manageable for most people. They aim to enhance strength and movement without causing harm. Most research supports early movement and light weight-bearing as safe practices. However, it is crucial to follow healthcare provider advice to ensure exercises are performed correctly. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the experimental strength training for post-meniscus surgery recovery because it leverages a concept known as "cross-education." Unlike standard postoperative care, which typically focuses on rehabilitating the injured leg, cross-education involves training the non-injured leg to promote recovery in the injured one. This unique approach could speed up recovery times and improve overall strength and function in the affected leg. By potentially reducing rehabilitation time and enhancing recovery outcomes, this method offers a promising alternative to conventional rehabilitation strategies.

What evidence suggests that this experimental strength training is effective for post-meniscus surgery recovery?

Research shows that exercise therapy can aid recovery from meniscus problems by strengthening muscles, reducing pain, and improving movement. In this trial, participants in Group 1 will receive standard postoperative rehabilitation, while those in Group 2 will undergo experimental strength training. One study found that physical therapy after surgery, combined with home exercises, improved knee function and flexibility. Another study found that starting strength exercises immediately after surgery might prevent muscle weakness in the immobilized leg. These findings suggest that strengthening the unoperated leg could support recovery by maintaining overall leg strength. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Guillem Gonzalez-Lomas, MD

Principal Investigator

NYU Langone Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who are undergoing meniscal root repair or meniscus transplant, can follow the study's visit schedule, and have signed an informed consent form. It excludes those with lower limb defects, neuromuscular disorders, or incomplete pre-op assessments.

Inclusion Criteria

Patient has intact lower extremities bilaterally

Patient is expected to survive at least 1 year beyond surgery

Patient is willing to participate by complying with pre-and post-operative visit requirements

Exclusion Criteria

You have problems with your legs or feet that make it difficult to move or walk.

Failure to complete pre-operative BIDOEX strength assessment

Failure to complete pre-operative self-assessment score intake forms

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Surgery and Initial Recovery

Participants undergo unilateral meniscal root repair or meniscus transplant and begin initial recovery

1-2 weeks

Postoperative Rehabilitation

Participants receive either standard of care rehabilitation or experimental contralateral strength training

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Experimental Strength Training

Trial Overview The study tests if strength training the non-surgical leg right after surgery helps maintain muscle strength in the immobilized leg. Participants will be randomly placed into either experimental strength training or standard rehab groups.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group 2 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

experimental strength training

Group II: Group 1 Active Control 1 Intervention

standard of care postoperative rehabilitation.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

NYU Langone Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,431

Recruited

838,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11025434/

Current Practices for Rehabilitation After Meniscus Repair With regard to time to FWB, 6 weeks was the most popular (42.6%), followed by immediately (25.9%), and 4 weeks after surgery (17.6%) (median, 4 ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11514702/

Clinical Outcomes of Exercise Rehabilitation for Degenerative ... Exercise therapy has shown potential in alleviating pain, enhancing lower limb muscle strength, and improving mobility in patients with degenerative meniscal ...

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2794027

Effect of Physical Therapy vs Arthroscopic Partial ... Results of this 5-year follow-up of the ESCAPE trial showed that exercise-based physical therapy is not inferior to arthroscopic partial ...

4. jospt.org jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2013.4255

The Effectiveness of Postoperative Physical Therapy ... This review found that outpatient physical therapy associated with a home exercise program improved patient-reported knee function and ROM and ...

5. aoj.amegroups.org aoj.amegroups.org/article/view/7599/html

High quality rehabilitation to optimize return to sport following ... MRI examination six months after surgery revealed a continuous healing process and menisci were classified as 55.9% healed, 35.3% partially healed and 8.8% non- ...

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2673-4095/6/4/79

Postoperative Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery After ... Postoperative rehabilitation can accelerate functional recovery, alleviate pain, and prevent complications [14]. Early, individualised programmes centred on ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1466853X20304703

Postoperative rehabilitation and outcomes following ... Fourteen (78%) studies suggested that return to sports should occur between 3 and 6 months post-surgery. Early range of motion and immediate weight-bearing had ...