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NCT Number: NCT07671235

Differences in Outcomes and Failure Rates Between Allografts and Autografts in Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most common knee injuries, particularly in young and physically active individuals. Despite advances in reconstruction techniques, graft failure and rerupture remain clinically relevant. Revision ACL surgery is more complex than primary reconstruction and is associated with inferior outcomes, with rerupture rates of approximately 13%, reaching up to 25% when both subjective and objective failure criteria are considered.

The main goal of ACL reconstruction is to restore anteroposterior and rotational knee stability, prevent secondary meniscal and cartilage damage, and enable return to sport. Surgical outcomes depend on several intraoperative factors, including graft choice and tunnel geometry, which are particularly relevant in revision settings.

Diagnosis of ACL rerupture is primarily clinical, based on instability tests (Lachman, anterior drawer, pivot shift), and supported by instrumental assessment such as the KT-1000 arthrometer, which provides an objective measure of joint laxity.

Revision ACL reconstruction can be performed using different surgical techniques (single-bundle, double-bundle, or combined extra-articular procedures) and graft types (autograft or allograft). Surgical strategy depends on multiple factors such as meniscal and cartilage status, previous surgery characteristics, tunnel positioning/enlargement, and fixation devices. However, no consensus exists regarding the optimal approach in terms of mid- to long-term outcomes.

A major long-term complication is the development of osteoarthritis, particularly in this typically young and active patient population. Identification of modifiable factors, such as surgical technique and graft type, may help reduce failure risk and joint degeneration.

This study aims to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes over a follow-up period exceeding two years in patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction with different surgical techniques and graft types. The study also integrates objective knee laxity assessment using KT-1000 and markerless motion analysis based on artificial intelligence. Functional movements are recorded via video and analyzed using Sports2D software, enabling 2D kinematic analysis without markers or sensors, providing quantitative functional data to complement clinical and radiographic evaluation.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute

Bologna, 40136, Italy

Location contact

stefano zaffagnini

CONTACT

[email protected]

051636 ext. 6075

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-50 years at the time of surgery Male and female patients Patients undergoing revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with possible associated procedures, with at least 2 years of follow-up Written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Patients lost to follow-up Refusal to provide informed consent Advanced knee osteoarthritis (Outerbridge grade III-IV) at the time of surgery Severe obesity (BMI > 35) Lower limb conditions preventing full weight-bearing standing during evaluation Active infection, hematologic disease, or rheumatologic disease at the time of assessment

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Survival rate

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    Failures will be recorded and documented in the case report form (CRF), during telephone questionnaires, and through the patient's clinical records (Electronic Health Record, SIR 2020, and hospital databases). The survival rate at follow-up will then be estimated using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve

Secondary outcomes

  1. Lysholm Knee Score

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    It is a validated measurement scale that assesses knee function through 8 items, allowing evaluation of knee condition in relation to the functional demands of activities of daily living. This assessment form is used to evaluate surgical outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for ligamentous or meniscal knee injuries.

    The final score is obtained by summing the scores of the individual items and ranges from 0 to 100. Scores are categorized into subgroups as follows: Excellent (95-100); Good (84-94); Fair (65-83); Poor (<64)

  2. International Knee Documentation Committee - Objective Knee Evaluation Form

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    The objective IKDC is a clinical assessment form completed by the investigator, which allows standardized classification of knee status through objective parameters. The evaluation is based on four main domains: joint effusion, range of motion, ligament stability (in particular Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and anterior/posterior drawer tests), and joint compartments (meniscal and ligament examination).

    The final outcome is not expressed as a continuous numerical score, but rather as a classification into four categories:

    A (Normal) B (Nearly normal) C (Abnormal) D (Severely abnormal)

    The final classification corresponds to the worst score obtained among the evaluated domains.

  3. Anterior drawer test

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    It allows assessment of anterior tibial translation relative to the femur with the knee flexed at 90 degrees. An increased translation suggests a lesion of the reconstructed ACL (neo-ACL). It is graded on a scale from 0 to 3

  4. Lachman test

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    It allows assessment of anterior tibial translation relative to the femur with the knee flexed at 30 degrees. Increased translation suggests a lesion of the reconstructed ACL (neo-ACL). It is graded on a scale from 0 to 3

  5. Pivot shift test

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    This is a clinical examination maneuver used to assess rotational instability of the knee. The test is performed by applying a valgus and internal rotation stress during knee flexion; the occurrence of a tibial "shift" or "clunk" suggests a lesion of the reconstructed ACL (neo-ACL) associated with rotational instability. It is graded on a scale from 0 to 3.

  6. Tegner Activity Scale

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    The Tegner Score is a physical activity rating scale that measures the level of participation in occupational and sports activities. The score ranges from 0 to 10, where:

    0 indicates inability to work or severe disability due to knee problems;

    10 indicates participation in competitive sports at national or international level (e.g., professional football).

    Intermediate levels describe progressively more demanding physical activities, distinguishing between activities of daily living, light or heavy work, and recreational or competitive sports.

    The Tegner Score is frequently used in combination with other instruments (such as the IKDC or Lysholm scores) to define the patient's functional level before injury and after treatment. In the context of this study, the score is collected through a direct patient interview conducted by the investigator.

  7. WOMAC

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    The WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) is a self-administered questionnaire specifically developed to assess patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. The instrument evaluates the impact of the disease on pain, stiffness, and physical function.

    The questionnaire consists of 24 items divided into three main domains:

    • Pain (5 items)
    • Joint stiffness (2 items)
    • Physical function (17 items)

    The total score is normalized on a 0-100 scale.

  8. KT-1000

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    The KT-1000 is an objective assessment device that measures anterior tibial translation relative to the femur by applying a predefined force to translate the tibia anteriorly. Its use is part of routine clinical practice in the outpatient setting of the Second Orthopaedic and Trauma Clinic of the IOR and aims to quantitatively assess static anteroposterior knee laxity following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The unit of measurement is millimetres

  9. Post-operative movement analysis

    Time frame: At least 24 months after surgery

    Knee function will be assessed during functional tasks (walking, lunges, squat) using a markerless AI-based video analysis system (Sports2D). The software estimates 2D joint kinematics (hip, knee, ankle, trunk) from videos recorded in frontal and sagittal planes without the use of sensors or markers. The system is non-invasive, already used in clinical practice, and installed locally to ensure data protection.

    Videos are processed through an internal MATLAB script that extracts kinematic outputs (.mot and .trc files) using automated AI-based analysis. Data are anonymized via alphanumeric IDs, and videos are deleted after processing to minimize data retention.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

stefano zaffagnini

CONTACT

[email protected]

0516366075

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Stefano Zaffagnini

Other

Registry information

Acronym: ACLREV_GRAFT

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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