Ongoing Research Projects

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common sports-related knee injuries and primarily affects young people (ages 12–35). The consequences can be substantial, including knee instability, reduced physical function, lower psychological readiness to return to sport, and overall decreased quality of life. Many individuals never return to their previous activity level. The risk of re-injury is also high: up to 30% sustain a second ACL injury within two years of the first, which further increases the likelihood of developing early-onset knee osteoarthritis.

Despite the prevalence of ACL injuries, there is limited knowledge about how pubertal development influences rehabilitation outcomes in adolescents. There is also a lack of individualised return-to-sport protocols that can ensure a safe transition back to sport for both youth and adults.

In this project, we aim to investigate:

• how pubertal development affects physical function, aerobic fitness, biomechanics, and movement patterns in adolescents with severe knee injuries;
• which factors distinguish individuals with ACL injuries from those without; and
• which risk factors are associated with knee injuries in both youth and adults.

The results of this project may lead to more effective and personalised rehabilitation following knee injury, improved criteria for safe return to sport, and a deeper understanding of the risk factors linked to knee injuries across different age groups.

Nicholas Ryan - nicholas [dot] ryan [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (nicholas[dot]ryan[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

Jens Offerman - jens [dot] offerman [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (jens[dot]offerman[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se) 

Daniel Benoit, PI - daniel [dot] benoit [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (daniel[dot]benoit[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)