Nutritional Intervention to Enhance Recovery After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery in Adults

Launched by DR. CHRIS MCGLORY, PHD · Jan 29, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how certain nutritional supplements might help people recover better after knee surgery, specifically for those needing reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). After such surgery, patients often experience a loss of muscle mass and strength in their legs, especially in the first two weeks of recovery. The study will examine whether taking a combination of essential amino acids (which are building blocks of protein) and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce this muscle loss compared to a placebo (a non-active treatment).

To participate in the trial, you need to be scheduled for ACL reconstruction surgery in Kingston, Ontario, and have a specific type of graft (patellar or quadriceps tendon). You're not eligible if you have certain health conditions, are allergic to fish, or have been taking fish oil recently. Participants will consume the supplements for four weeks before surgery and two weeks after. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor muscle health and how well participants follow the treatment plan. This trial aims to find out if the nutritional approach is feasible and to gather important information for future studies.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosed anterior cruciate ligament injury requiring reconstruction surgery
• • Surgery in Kingston, ON
• • Patellar tendon graft, quadriceps tendon graft, or hamstring tendon graft reconstruction procedure
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any muscular, neurological, respiratory, or metabolic disease, subject to investigators' discernment, would negatively affect the subject's ability to comply with the study requirements
• • Any form of cancer currently or in the last 5 years
• • Bleeding disorders or antiplatelet / anticoagulation therapy
• • Currently taking fish oils or within the last 6 months
• • Regular consumption (≥ 2x week) of fish oil or oily fish in the last 6 months
• • Allergy or sensitivity to fish, shellfish or safflower oils
• • Currently taking any form of steroid or within the last 6 months
• • Medical inability to attain magnetic resonance imaging scans
• • Known irregular responses to physical activity (e.g., shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, etc.)
• • Surgery scheduled outside of research centre
• • Scheduled surgery date \< 5 weeks away
• • Pregnant or plans to become pregnant within the next 6 months
• • Any current illness that impacts ability to participate in protocols