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Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesBRACENCT06942754

Bracing and Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament for Efficacy Trial

A study testing post-surgical functional bracing in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries, run by Wake Forest University Health Sciences at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Several attempts have been made to reduce these failure rates and improve return to sports rates in high-risk populations, and one of these approaches has been postoperative bracing. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 14 to 39 years
Conditions the study is for
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
What is being tested?
post-surgical functional bracing
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
96 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
11 Sep 2025to Dec 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 14 to 39 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • patients with unilateral complete ACL injury
  • patients involved in sports and the desire to return to sports
  • patients undergoing quadriceps autograft ACL reconstruction
  • must be 14 to 39 years old

Who cannot join

  • multiligamentous knee injuries defined as two ligaments requiring surgical stabilization
  • concomitant suture tape augmentation, extra-articular tenodesis or anterolateral ligament reconstruction
  • concomitant femoral, tibial, or patellar fracture(s)
  • patients with significant osteoarthritis
  • concomitant ipsilateral knee dislocation or patellar dislocation
  • significant lower leg malalignment requiring correcting osteotomies
Show all 11Show fewer
  • prior ACL surgery, including contralateral knee
  • pregnancy during injury or surgery
  • unable to provide consent
  • prolonged use of prednisolone or cytostatics
  • comorbidities (e.g., muscular, neurological, vascular) that influence rehabilitation

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Wake Forest University Health Sciences

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157

    Katherine Leonard, 336-716-3952, kmleonar@wakehealth.edu

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Bracing and Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament for Efficacy Trial (BRACE-trial)

Several attempts have been made to reduce these failure rates and improve return to sports rates in high-risk populations, and one of these approaches has been postoperative bracing. A recent survey of the Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Study Group has shown that 53% of surgeons prefers functional bracing following ACL reconstruction. Currently, however, there is no clear consensus on whether functional bracing following ACL reconstruction leads to lower failure rates, improved stability or better patient-reported outcomes when compared to ACL reconstruction without bracing.

Read the detailed description

Given the increased popularity in quadriceps tendon graft, the biomechanical advantages of postoperative functional bracing, and the graft elongation that occurs predominantly with soft tissue grafts, there might be a role for functional bracing following quadriceps ACL reconstruction. Additionally, no studies to date have assessed the role of psychological readiness of return to sport, kinesiophobia and return to sport rates with and without functional bracing following ACL reconstruction (ACLR).

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the 2-year outcomes of psychological readiness, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), clinical stability, return to sport and failure rates following quadriceps autograft ACL reconstruction with and without functional bracing in the postoperative phase in younger athletic patients and military patients with a higher risk of failure or not returning to sports or duty, respectively, in a randomized study: the Bracing and Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament for Efficacy trial (BRACE-trial).

Being tested
post-surgical functional bracing
Keywords
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction, postoperative bracing, functional bracing
Medical subject headings
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • post-surgical functional bracingDevice

    Also called DonJoy Defiance Pro brace

    Quadriceps Autograft ACL Reconstruction with the use of post-surgical functional bracing, using the DonJoy Defiance Pro brace

Study groups in NCT06942754
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
With postoperative brace (DonJoy Defiance Pro)ExperimentalQuadriceps Autograft ACL Reconstruction with the use of post-surgical functional bracing, using the DonJoy Defiance Pro brace
Receives: Device: post-surgical functional bracing
Without post-surgical functional bracingNo interventionQuadriceps Autograft ACL Reconstruction without the use of post-surgical functional bracing

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in ACL-return to sport index (ACL-RSI) Scores

    The ACL-Return to Sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI) is a 12-item survey that measures psychological readiness to return to sport after an ACL injury or surgery. It uses a visual analog scale from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate greater psychological readiness. The total score is calculated as a percentage of the 12-item total score.

    A higher ACL-RSI score indicates a greater level of psychological readiness for returning to sport.

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

Secondary outcomes (20)
  1. Tampa Scale Kinesiophobia 11 (TSK-11) Score

    The TSK-11 (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) is a 11-item questionnaire assessing fear of movement/re-injury, scored on a 4-point Likert scale (1-4) with a total score range of 11-44, where higher scores indicate greater fear of pain and movement.

    Lower scores (closer to 11): Indicate minimal or no kinesiophobia (fear of movement/re-injury).

    Higher scores (closer to 44): Suggest a greater degree of kinesiophobia.

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  2. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Score

    The IKDC is a patient-completed tool, which contains sections on knee symptoms (7 items), function (2 items), and sports activities (2 items). Scores range from 0 points (lowest level of function or highest level of symptoms) to 100 points (highest level of function and lowest level of symptoms)

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  3. Lysholm score

    The Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale is a 100-point questionnaire used to assess knee function and is often used to evaluate knee injuries and surgeries, with higher scores indicating better function and fewer symptoms.

    A higher score indicates better knee function and fewer symptoms. Scores are often categorized as excellent (95-100), good (84-94), fair (65-83), and poor (<65).

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  4. Forgotten Joint Score (FJS-12)

    The Forgotten Joint Score (FJS-12) is a patient-reported outcome measure designed to assess how much a patient is aware of their artificial join in everyday life, with higher scores indicating less awareness and better surgical outcomes.

    Each response is assigned a score (0-4), and the scores are summed and transformed to a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating less awareness of the joint.

    Interpretation:

    A higher score suggests that the patient is less aware of their joint, indicating a better outcome and higher satisfaction with the surgery.

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  5. SANE Score

    The SANE score asks the patient to rate the shoulder on a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 being the patient's normal. Although singular in nature, the SANE score incorporates broad intangible differences in patient-perceived function, quality of life, and goals.

    SANE scores range from 40% to 60% at baseline for most patients before treatment and range from 75% to 85% at 1 year after therapy depending on the condition

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  6. 5-point Likert Scale for Surgery Satisfaction Score

    A 5-point Likert scale for surgery satisfaction typically uses a range from "Very Unsatisfied" to "Very Satisfied" with options like "Very Dissatisfied," "Dissatisfied," "Neutral," "Satisfied," and "Very Satisfied". This scale allows patients to express their level of satisfaction with various aspects of their surgical experience.

    Very Dissatisfied/Very Unsatisfied (1): Indicates a very negative experience. Dissatisfied/Unsatisfied (2): Indicates a negative experience. Neutral (3): Indicates neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction. Satisfied (4): Indicates a positive experience. Very Satisfied (5): Indicates a very positive experience.

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  7. Pain Visual Analog Scale (Pain - VAS) Score

    a measurement tool used to gauge subjective experiences, especially pain, by having individuals mark a spot on a continuous line between two defined extremes, representing, for example, "no pain" and "worst pain".

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  8. Lachmeter

    A Lachmeter is a device that is attached above and below your knee, that will measure the laxity (looseness) of your knee.

    Measured: Baseline and Months 3, 6, 12, and 24

  9. Lachman pivot shift

    The Lachman, pivot shift tests are all physical examination techniques used to assess the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee.

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  10. Lachman anterior drawer

    The Lachman anterior drawer tests are all physical examination techniques used to assess the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee.

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  11. Tegner Activity Score

    The Tegner Activity Scale (TAS) is a simple, self-administered questionnaire that assesses a patient's level of activity, both at work and in sports, on a scale of 0 to 10The TAS is a 1-item questionnaire scored on a scale of 0 to 10.

    0: represents maximum disability due to knee problems, such as being on sick leave or disability.

    10: represents participation in competitive sports at a national or international elite level, like soccer.

    Measured: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months

  12. Time to Return to Sport/Previous Activity Level

    Time to Return to Sport/Previous Activity Level

    Measured: Months 3, 6, 12, and 24

  13. Y-Balance Distance

    asked to reach a maximum distance in 3 different directions (shape of a "Y") - do this while standing on 1 leg and staying balanced. Both legs will be tested

    Measured: Months 6, 12, and 24

  14. Number of Single Hop

    asked to perform a maximum single leg broad jump - 2 reps on each leg

    Measured: Months 6, 12, and 24

  15. Number of Triple Hops

    asked to perform a single leg triple hop (hop forward 3 times in a row) - 2 reps on each leg

    Measured: Months 6, 12, and 24

  16. Biodex Strength Testing

    measure the strength of your thigh muscles (quadriceps and hamstrings) - kick leg forward and pull leg backward as hard as possible - perform this assessment at 1 to 2 different speeds (the machine controls the speed). Both legs will be tested.

    Measured: Months 6, 12, and 24

  17. Reoperation Rate

    Reoperation Rate

    Measured: Months 3, 6, 12, and 24

  18. Failure Rate

    Failure Rate

    Measured: Months 3, 6, 12, and 24

  19. Brace Compliance Rate

    While wearing the brace, the sensor will track how many hours the brace is in use. The goal of the sensor is to track compliance of wearing the brace during rehabilitative and sport (or military) specific activity.

    Measured: Months 6, 12, and 24

  20. Number of Brace Complications

    Number of Brace Complications

    Measured: Months 6, 12, and 24

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Apr 2025
  2. Study start11 Sep 2025
  3. Primary completionJun 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
A total of 96 patients will be randomized, which means 48 patients will be in the bracing group and 48 in the non-bracing group, based on a sample size calculation. Patients will be randomized during their 2-week post-op visit.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
96 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06942754
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB00123098
Acronym
BRACE
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
16 Apr 2025
Last updated
1 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing post-surgical functional bracing in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries, run by Wake Forest University Health Sciences at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Katherine Leonard (336-716-3952, Katherine.Leonard@Advocatehealth.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in ACL-return to sport index (ACL-RSI) Scores (time frame: Baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Apr 2026.

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