Effects of Contralateral Strength Training on Postoperative Strength Deficits in the Immobilized Lower Extremity

This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial that will enroll patients undergoing unilateral meniscal root repair or meniscus transplant. The objective of this study is to determine if immediate postoperative strength training of the contralateral (non-surgical) lower extremity reduces postoperative loss of strength in an immobilized lower extremity.

After the completion of surgery, patients will be randomized to either the experimental treatment (Group 1) or control group (Group II)for postoperative rehabilitation.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Meniscus; Detachment, Current Injury
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Standard of Care Rehabilitation; Other: Experimental Strength Training

Detailed Description

Group I will receive knee flexion and extension strength training exercises for the contralateral (non-operative) lower extremity in addition to standard of care postoperative rehabilitation. The experimental strength training will be performed with moderate resistance and will require moderate effort. Exercises will include unilateral leg presses, lunges, step ups, and step downs. These exercises are performed as standard of care but are not typically introduced into the physical therapy regimen until 10-12 weeks postoperatively. In the experimental group, these exercises will be introduced starting with the first postoperative physical therapy session, but only for the contralateral (non-operative) leg.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10016
      • New York University School of Medicine

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 90 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient is indicated for meniscal root repair
• Patient is indicated for meniscus transplant
• Patient is at least 18 years of age
• Patient is expected to survive at least 1 year beyond surgery
• Patient has intact lower extremities bilaterally
• Patient is willing to participate by complying with pre-and post-operative visit requirements
• Patient is willing and able to review and sign a study informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lower extremity musculoskeletal defects
• Systemic neuromuscular disorders
• Failure to complete pre-operative BIDOEX strength assessment
• Failure to complete pre-operative self-assessment score intake forms

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Group 1; standard of care postoperative rehabilitation.	Other: Standard of Care Rehabilitation; Knee flexion and extension strength training exercises for the contralateral (non-operative) lower extremity in addition to standard of care postoperative rehabilitation.
Experimental: Group 2; experimental strength training	Other: Experimental Strength Training; Will be performed with moderate resistance and will require moderate effort. Exercises will include unilateral leg presses, lunges, step ups, and step downs. These exercises are performed as standard of care but are not typically introduced into the physical therapy regimen until 10-12 weeks postoperatively. In the experimental group, these exercises will be introduced starting with the first postoperative physical therapy session, but only for the contralateral (non-operative) leg.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
KOOS	A patient-reported outcome measurement instrument, developed to assess the patient's opinion about their knee and associated problems.	6 Weeks, 3 Months, 6 Months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: NYU Langone Health
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Guillem Gonzalez-Lomas, MD, NYU Langone Health

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 1, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 27, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 27, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): August 28, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 30, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 24, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Meniscus root tear
• Other Study ID Numbers: 18-01100

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: PI (Dr. Lomas) will be the only individual viewing and handling IPD

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No