Ongoing Clinical Trials

Education in the fields of sports medicine and arthroscopy is a principal focus at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. Dr. Jorge Chahla and his team of clinical researchers from around the world work diligently to accelerate the development of novel therapeutics and surgical techniques to elevate patient care.  Using innovative, state-of-the art laboratories located at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, including a biomotion lab, biomechanics lab, sports performance center, histology lab, and 3D printers, as well as collaborating with numerous other academic healthcare institutions to complete global multi-center studies, Dr. Chahla and his team conduct more than 90 studies per year and have published over 520 papers.

Dr. Chahla continues to lead the orthopedic research industry by combining the best practice of academia and patient care to pioneer groundbreaking research that enhances your recovery.

If you are interested in being a part of the forefront of sports medicine or need help deciding which of Dr. Chahla’s ongoing clinical trials is the right fit for you, please contact us at chahla.research@rushortho.com

Our Stats to include:

• 600+ Peer-Reviewed Scientific Manuscripts
• 90+ ongoing clinical trials each year
• 15K+ Citations
• 200+ Professional Presentations
• 8 Published Books
• 60+ Edited Scientific Textbook Chapters

Non-Surgical Clinical Trials

Knee

Meniscus Root Tear Multi-Center Trial Study

The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of the natural history of meniscal root tears. This study will also identify any patient specific or intrinsic injury characteristics that are predictive of surgical success or continued progression with non-operative management. This study is a pragmatic design, parallel group, randomized clinical trial in which 140 subjects with a diagnosed medial meniscus root tear based on MRI and confirmed intra-operatively will be randomized to one of two treatment arms.

The efficacy of BMAC vs Cortisone Intra-articular Knee Injection for Treatment of Osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of BMAC on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis and compare that to patients receiving corticosteroid injections with six-month follow-up.

Surgical Clinical Trials

Hip

Post Hip-Arthroscopy Opioid-Sparing Clinical Trial

Opioid use and abuse have become a national crisis in the United States and it is now recognized as an important healthcare issue, with a 200 percent increase in overdose deaths from opioid and heroin use between 2000 and 2014. Up to 70% of opioid abusers become addicted through an initial course of legal, physician-prescribed medications. Opioid prescription recommendations uniformly suggest using the lowest effective dose, for the shortest possible duration. However, limited data exists in the literature defining what is the “lowest dose” and “shortest possible duration” for orthopaedic sports medicine, with no randomized controlled trial data establishing these minimally effective doses for specific procedures.

The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled trial is to determine if the quantity of opioid pills prescribed at discharge is associated with the number of opioid pills consumed or unused by patients after primary hip arthroscopy. The anticipated result of this study is that patients receiving a prescription for 5 opioid pills (Norco) at discharge will consume significantly fewer Norco pills and report significantly fewer unused Norco pills in the first 30 days postoperatively than patients who receive 30 pills. Additionally, we hypothesize there will be no difference in patient reported functional outcome scores.

Use of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) in Rehabilitation following a Hip Arthroscopy

The purpose of this study is to determine if a type of physical therapy, called blood flow restriction therapy, can help reduce the loss of muscle mass and improve strength, outcomes, and rates of return to sport after hip arthroscopy.

The Role of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) intra-operatively during a Hip Arthroscopy

Previous studies have reported tranexamic acid (TXA) to improve early functional recovery, while preventing postoperative intra-articular bleeding and reducing subjective pain following shoulder and knee arthroscopy. The use of TXA in hip arthroscopy has not been extensively studied. The primary objective of this study is to determine the role of TXA in hip arthroscopy based on assessment of postoperative pain and function.

Knee

Effects of Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear and Repair on in vivo Knee Biomechanics

The primary aim of this study is to identify knee kinematics and kinetics parameters in patients with medial meniscal posterior root tears, patients who underwent medial meniscal posterior root repair, and compare these parameters with those obtained from patients with no history of meniscus root injury.

Postoperative ERIS Knee Splinting Following ACLR: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study is to examine the outcomes of two braces given to patients who undergo isolated ACL reconstruction. The study is oriented around determining if a postoperative knee splint (ERIS brace) reduces postoperative stiffness and decreases the time required to achieve maximum extension.