Ultrasonic ligament strain monitoring

REC REF: 23/WM/0162

Active and recruiting.

This study is looking at the use of ultrasonic techniques for in vivo measurement of Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) strain pre and post knee arthroplasty. In the UK, around 20% of patients are dissatisfied with their total knee replacement and experience 30% worse knee function during activities of daily living. Ultrasound strain imaging could provide a safe, quick, non-invasive, and more widely available tool to monitor the strain behaviour of the collateral ligaments after surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to use ultrasonic imaging to measure MCL strain directly pre and post knee arthroplasty, as well as at 6 weeks and 6 months post-operatively, and compare the pre-operative and post-operative MCL strains of knee replacement patients to an existing database of healthy MCL strains.

OVERVIEW

Knee instability and stiffness are some of the main complications following knee arthroplasty and will often significantly reduce the quality of life of affected patients. Falls or fear of falling due to implant instability reduce the confidence of patients and lead to increased immobility.
Currently, the only non-invasive way to monitor post-operative collateral ligament function is by measuring strain within the ligament using a video-fluoroscopy system; however, the fluoroscopy research method exposes patients to radiation. Ultrasound strain imaging could provide a safe, quick, non-invasive, and more widely available tool to monitor the strain behaviour of the collateral ligaments after surgery.
In this research, we would like to find out whether ultrasonic imaging can be used to measure how MCL strain changes in knee replacement patients from before to after knee replacement surgery and throughout the recovery period.