Welcome to The EMBRACE Study
Get involved!
The EMBRACE Study is testing a new treatment for ACL tears called the Cross Bracing Protocol. The Cross Bracing Protocol uses a knee brace combined with rehab, with the aim of helping the ACL to heal. This treatment is being compared to ACL reconstruction surgery.
Read on to find out more about the study, and how to get involved.
I've had an ACL injury
What is this research study about?
People used to think that a torn ACL could not heal, but new research suggests that healing is possible. The Cross Bracing Protocol uses a knee brace combined with rehab, with the aim of helping the ACL to heal. It is possible that this healing can lead to better function and better quality of life compared with ACL surgery, but research is needed to understand if this is the case. To find out whether the Cross Bracing Protocol or ACL surgery is better for people who tear their ACL, we need a study to compare these two treatments.
Who can take part in this study?
You may be able to take part in this research if:
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you are 16 to 40 years old
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you have ruptured (torn right through) your ACL in the last 15 days
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you have had (or are going to have) an MRI scan of your knee to confirm this.
To take part, you need to be willing to have either of the two treatments being compared because you are not able to choose your treatment. The treatments as well as reasons this research might not be suitable for you are explained in detail in the Participant Information Sheet (adults) or the Participant Information Sheet (16-17 years).
What is involved in taking part?
After expressing interest in the study, you will be contacted by the researchers by phone to see if you are eligible to participate. If you decide to take part you will be allocated to one of the two treatment groups: the Cross Bracing Protocol treatment group or the ACL surgery treatment group (see summary below).
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Full details of what each treatment group involves are included in the Participant Information Sheet (adults)
CBP Group
Undertakes the Cross Bracing Protocol (CBP) and an exercise-based rehabilitation program
1 funded consult with study sports and exercise medicine (SEM) physician. Consult will involve:
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discussion of medical history and medication use
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discussion and prescription of anticoagulant medication to reduce risk of DVT while braced
Receives up to 23 funded consults with a study physiotherapist over 12 months:
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1 60-min initial brace-fitting consult (with a brace-fitting physiotherapist)
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22 30-min follow-up consults
Participants will receive:
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A Bauerfeind knee brace with custom CBP blocks
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Education and guidance on the CBP
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Education about DVT risk and how to self-monitor for DVT symptoms
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Education about the anticoagulant medication
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Education regarding safe use of crutches
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Physiotherapist-supervised goal-oriented exercise-based rehabilitation (while braced and unbraced)
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Ongoing education along with review and progression of exercise-based rehabilitation program
ACLR Group
Undergoes early ACL reconstruction surgery and a post-operative exercise-based rehabilitation program
1 consult with study orthopaedic surgeon and undergoes early ACL surgery within 8 weeks of enrolling into the study. Participants will be reimbursed $2000 towards surgical costs.
Receives up to 15 funded consults with a study physiotherapist over 12 months (post-surgery)
Participants will receive:
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Education and information that reflects usual care provided by the surgeons
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Routine pre-operative and post-operative care
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Physiotherapist-supervised goal-oriented exercise-based rehabilitation
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Ongoing education along with review and progression of exercise-based rehabilitation program
How can I get involved?
To express interest in volunteering for this study, please complete this secure online form:
I'm a clinician who treats people with ACL injury
Is my patient eligible to take part?
If you have a patient or client with a primary and acute ACL tear, and who is aged 16 to 40 years, they might be eligible to take part in the study.
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But we need to contact them quickly - people need to be enrolled into the study and complete their first survey within 16 days of their ACL tear so the bracing treatment can start within 3 weeks of injury.
Am I then this patient's treating clinician for the study?
The study has a team of sports doctors and physiotherapists around Australia who have received specialised training in the Cross Bracing Protocol and rehab after ACLR. Study participants all need to attend consultations with these clinicians so that we can keep the treatment as consistent as possible.
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The study team is planning to make physiotherapist training materials including Cross Bracing Protocol training freely available after the study recruitment period is complete. To register your interest in receiving this training please email the study team at embrace-study@unimelb.edu.au.
How can I help get people involved?
This research has the potential to improve outcomes for people with ACL injury. We'd love your help in getting the word out there!
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Please pass this website onto anyone who may be interested in taking part.
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If you would like to be sent study information flyers for your clinic, please email the research team at embrace-study@unimelb.edu.au.
Who is organising and funding this research?
This research project is being led by Associate Professor Stephanie Filbay at the University of Melbourne. It is funded by a grant from the Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund (grant number 2029933).
The University of Melbourne will receive grant funds from the Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund to undertake this research project. No member of the research team will receive a personal financial benefit from your involvement in this research project (other than their ordinary wages).
Medibank Australia, the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the McKnight Family Foundation have also donated towards the cost of this project.
