The POP-ACLR Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The PreOperative management of Patients awaiting Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (POP-ACLR) Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
333180
Contact name
Hayley Carter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee. The median annual incidence of ACL rupture in the general population is 0.03%, equating to approximately 20,200 ruptures each year in the UK. Once diagnosed, treatment may follow a non-surgical or surgical approach. Surgery rates for ACL injuries increased 12-fold in the UK between 1997 and 2017, with a rate of 24.2 ACL reconstructions (ACLR) per 100,000 of the population. However, surgical treatment isn’t necessary for all patients. 3–5 At present, the evidence is uncertain, and it is not clear who is most appropriate for surgical or non-surgical treatment.
A nominal group consensus study was conducted to develop an intervention for ACL patients post-injury/pre-surgery. This intervention was co-designed with patients and key stakeholders including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, a surgeon and therapy manager. The developed intervention is a shared decision making (SDM) tool to support patients to make decisions about the treatment of their ACL tear.
Patient-centred care is a core ethos of the National Health Service, outlined in the Long Term Plan as a key deliverable. Involving patients in their healthcare decisions is an important part of patient centred care. As the evidence is unclear to determine what treatment is most appropriate for patients following an ACL rupture, SDM practices are important.
ACL injuries, surgery and rehabilitation are costly to the NHS, costing upwards of £63 million each year. With a lack of clinical guidelines or standard treatment pathway to inform clinicians, the effectiveness of care provided by the NHS is questionable. Ensuring the patient journey is successful is therefore hugely important. Ensuring treatment decisions are shared between healthcare professions and clinicians will ensure patients are on appropriate treatment pathways which could improve service and patient outcomes and ensure greater value for money.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0263
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion