LIVing Donor Allograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Study

Launched by MAIDSTONE & TUNBRIDGE WELLS NHS TRUST · May 24, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The LIVing Donor Allograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Study is exploring a new way to help children aged 8 to 17 who have injured their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a key ligament that stabilizes the knee. In this study, doctors will use hamstring tendons from a living donor, typically a parent, to replace the damaged ACL in the child. This approach aims to provide a suitable option for younger patients who need surgery but face challenges in selecting the best type of graft.

To participate in this study, children must have a confirmed ACL tear that requires surgery, and they should not have had previous ACL surgery on the same knee. Additionally, both the child and the adult donor must agree to the procedure. Participants can expect regular follow-up appointments to track their progress and provide feedback through questionnaires about their knee function. It’s important to note that donors will undergo health screenings to ensure they are fit for the procedure. This study is currently recruiting participants, so if you or someone you know might be interested, it could be a valuable opportunity to explore.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients aged 8 to 17 years inclusive and have a clinically and radiologically confirmed ACL rupture that requires reconstruction.
• • Patients who have had previous surgery for meniscal pathology .
• • Patients with current meniscal pathology
• • The child and their responsible adult are in agreement with the choice to undergo anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using living donor allograft.
• • Donors has not previously undergone tendon harvest on the chosen donor limb
• • Patients are willing to attend follow up appointments and agree to fill in knee questionnaires and allow instrumented knee ligament testing.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who have previously undergone ACL surgery on the same limb (and therefore require revision surgery)
• • Patients who are immunosuppressed, or receiving immunosuppressive therapy
• • Patients who are unable to attend follow-up appointments for continued research purposes.
• • Donors who have previously undergone hamstring tendon surgery on the donor limb
• • Patients and donors who have a positive screening blood test for any of the transmissible infections tested
• • Donors whose answers to the 'Donor Documentation Questionnaire' indicate that there could be a risk of transmissible infection, may not included
• • Donors who are not considered healthy enough to undergo a tenotomy under General anaesthetic