Concentrated Bone Marrow Aspirate in Revision ACL Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery is considered a relatively safe and effective procedure, however, up to 18% of grafts will fail and require revision surgery. Some studies have shown that these patients may be at increased risk of worse clinical outcomes, including fast progression toward post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). This is likely in part due to the inflammatory environment created within the joint. Concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) is a regenerative medicine therapy that contains soluble factors and connective tissue progenitor cells which may have immunomodulatory and pro-regenerative potential. The use of this therapy in conjunction with standard of care surgical treatment may help reduce the inflammatory microenvironment inside the joint, therefore modifying the conditions that might lead to developing long term complications such as PTOA.

The investigators hypothesize that cBMA treatment at the time of revision ACLR may improve clinical outcomes at 1 year after surgery and reduce the risk of developing PTOA-associated symptoms.

Participants will be randomized to either get a cBMA injection (investigational arm) at the time of surgery or a placebo incision (control arm). Biological specimens (blood, urine, synovial fluid), imaging data, functional tests and patient reported clinical outcomes will be measured at different time points during the study, for up to two years after the surgery. This will allow the investigators to evaluate the effect of cBMA in clinical outcomes. Biological specimens will be analyzed using molecular biology techniques to determine their composition, including the concentration of cells and other inflammatory markers.

Inclusion criteria

• Males and Females
• Age 18 to 55
• Previous unilateral ACLR (Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction) within the last 5 years, and identified as having experienced failure of the primary ACLR
• Scheduled to have a revision ACLR surgery, with any graft type (including patellar tendon, hamstring, quad or allograft)
• Able to complete all study procedures and participate in a standardized physical therapy program

Exclusion criteria

• History of inflammatory arthritis or joint sepsis
• Prior or concurrent total or sub-total meniscectomy
• Prior or present avascular necrosis of the index knee
• Oral or intra-articular corticosteroid injection within 3 months
• Hyaluronic acid or PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injection within 6 months
• Use of duloxetine, doxycycline, indomethacin, glucosamine and/or chondroitin (ongoing or within 2 months)
• Any clinical or laboratory abnormality greater than grade 3 CTCAE, which in the view of the investigator, will compromise the participant's safety.
• Planned arthroplasty in the index knee