The Stop Osteoarthritis (SOAR) Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Type 1 Randomized Controlled Trial for Young People At-High-Risk of Early Onset Knee Osteoarthritis
By 2040, 25% of Canadians will have osteoarthritis, a disabling joint condition. Most people think osteoarthritis only affects older adults, but 50% of the 700,000 Canadian youth who hurt their knee playing sports annually will develop osteoarthritis by 40 years of age. These young people with old knees face knee pain and disability for much of their adult lives, interfering with parenting, work, and recreation. Yet, most do not know about osteoarthritis or how to reduce their risk. In this clinical trial, people who have torn the Anterior Cruciate ligament in their knee and had reconstruction surgery 9-36 months previously will be randomized to receive either a 6-month virtual education and exercise therapy program called Stop OsteoARthritis (SOAR) or a minimal intervention control program. Researchers will test if those who received the SOAR program have larger gains in knee health, including pain, symptoms, function, and quality of life at 6, 12, and 24 months. Researchers will also use MRIs (baseline and 24 months) to assess how the SOAR program influences knee cartilage degeneration and its cost-effectiveness.
• Currently live in British Columbia, Canada
• 16-35 years of age (inclusive)
• 9-36-months past a first-time ACLR performed ≤12-months of first-time ACL tear
• Currently not receiving knee care from a health or fitness provider and have no scheduled surgical procedures (any part of the body) that would interfere with exercise during the study.
• Score below a KOOS4 PASS (\<79 points)
• Have daily access to an email address and a computer with internet
• Are willing to wear an activity tracker during the study