Preclinical studies have shown promising results for the use of a “bioenhanced repair” technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears as an alternative to ligament reconstruction.

The research, under the direction of Martha M. Murray, MD, and Braden C. Fleming, PhD, received the 2013 Ann Doner Vaughn Kappa Delta Award.

After a series of laboratory studies examining the biology of ACL injury and repair, Dr. Murray, of Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Fleming, of Brown University, developed a technique involving application of an extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffold loaded with autologous platelets to a complete ACL rupture. The treatment encouraged both biologic and mechanical healing in large-animal studies.

The next step, reports Dr. Murray, is to conduct preclinical testing required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enable the technology to proceed to clinical trials.