Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Talar Cartilage Thickness in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

January 30, 2026 updated by: Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Talar Cartilage Thickness in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study

Spinal cord injury patients often present with musculoskeletal comorbidities, including osteoarthritis. Early detection of cartilage damage is important for preventing osteoarthritis progression. This study aims to compare the talar cartilage thicknesses of spinal cord injury patients with healthy subjects. The secondary aim is to investigate a correlation between the talar cartilage thickness and disease-related parameters. The patient group is to be assessed for talar cartilage thickness (via ultrasound), functional status, spasticity, and ambulation levels.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

76

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Thirty-eight SCI patients who apply to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient and inpatient clinic between November 2025-January 2026 will be included in the study.

Thirty-eight age, gender, and BMI-matched healthy participants who are literate, give oral and written consent without any additional disease will be formed as the control group.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged between 18 to 60 years,
  • Cervical, thoracal or lumber level of spinal cord injury
  • AIS (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale) Level A, B, C, or D
  • Assisted ambulation of any kind
  • Literacy
  • Giving oral and written consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with sacral level injury
  • AIS E
  • MAS 4 level of spasticity
  • History of any lower extremity operation
  • History of fracture
  • Botulinum toxin injection in the last 6 months
  • Existing diagnosis of any rheumatologic or endocrine diseases

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Patient group
Spinal cord injury patients
Control group
Age, sex, and BMI matched healthy controls

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Talar cartilage thickness
Time Frame: Baseline
The talar cartilage of both lower extremities are to be assessed with ultrasound
Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score
Time Frame: Baseline
Functional Independence Measure scores will be held for the patient group in order to assess functional independence. This 18-item scale ranges between 18-126, higher scores indicating better outcomes.
Baseline
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
Time Frame: Baseline
The spasticity level of patients are to be recorded for both ankle flexor and extensors via Modified Ashworth Scale. This scale ranges from 0 to 4; 0 indicating no spasticity, and 4 indicating severe increase in muscle tone with rigid joint.
Baseline
Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II)
Time Frame: Baseline
Ambulatory status of the patients will be recorded with this measuring scale, ranging between 0 (non ambulatory) to 20 (able to walk 10 meters with no devices/orthosis/assistance).
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

December 20, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

February 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 22, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 7, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

December 19, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 30, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 172

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

The datasets of the study (patient and volunteer demographics, clinical data, and statistical data) will be shared after completion of the study with third parties upon reasonable request.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Beginning 3 months and ending 3 years after the publication of results

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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