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Arthroscopic Labral Repair Versus Physical Therapy for Tears of the Acetabular Labrum
NCT03909178 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Tears of the acetabular labrum appear to be common with the prevalence of asymptomatic tears in the general population approaching 66% and 70% based on cadaveric dissection and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Despite this prevalence, there is no currently accepted justification for performing labral repair in an asymptomatic patient despite the many postulated biomechanical benefits that an intact labrum imparts to the hip joint. Representing a smaller proportion of all tears, symptomatic tears of the acetabular labrum present a therapeutic challenge. Current treatment modalities range from conservative measures to open surgical intervention. Conservative measures have typically included: activity modification, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy (PT), core strengthening and improvement of sensory motor control. In the past two decades, technological advances in the form of surgical instrumentation and traction devices have facilitated less invasive arthroscopic techniques to diagnose and treat hip problems and as such is now the preferred treatment modality for many orthopedic surgeons treating patients with hip pathology. Determining which patients, using age and arthritic burden as predictors, can benefit from labral repair is paramount for several reasons. Showing arthroscopic repair is of little or no benefit to a specific cohort can reduce the number of unnecessary surgeries performed, increase the use of conservative therapy (if validated) and reduce the interval between diagnosis and total hip replacement.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- PROCEDURE Hip Arthroscopy Surgery with Acetabular Labral Repair (SPT group)
- PROCEDURE Physical Therapy Focused on the Hip and Hemi-pelvis (PT group)
Study Locations (1)
Massachusetts
- MGH, Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 110 participants |
| Start Date | 2013-10-21 |
| Est. Completion | 2030-06 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03909178
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03909178 describes a study currently listed as active not recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 110 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Massachusetts General Hospital, which has 1,948 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 5 conditions, with Osteoarthritis, Hip appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Hip Arthroscopy Surgery with Acetabular Labral Repair (SPT group) is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03909178 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Massachusetts. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03909178 about?
NCT03909178 is a clinical study titled "Arthroscopic Labral Repair Versus Physical Therapy for Tears of the Acetabular Labrum". Tears of the acetabular labrum appear to be common with the prevalence of asymptomatic tears in the general population approaching 66% and 70% based on cadaveric dissection and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Despite this prevalence, there is no currently accepted justification for perform...
What is the current status of trial NCT03909178?
This trial is currently active not recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 110 participants. The study started on 2013-10-21. Estimated completion is 2030-06.
What conditions does trial NCT03909178 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Osteoarthritis, Hip, Hip Arthroscopy, Physical Therapy, Femoro Acetabular Impingement, Acetabular Labrum Tear. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03909178?
The interventions under investigation include: Hip Arthroscopy Surgery with Acetabular Labral Repair (SPT group) (PROCEDURE), Physical Therapy Focused on the Hip and Hemi-pelvis (PT group) (PROCEDURE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03909178?
This trial is sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital, which has 1,948 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03909178 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Massachusetts. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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