The ACHILLS Trial; Application of Cerament in Heel Infection for Lower Limb Salvage (NCT07057817) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
The ACHILLS Trial; Application of Cerament in Heel Infection for Lower Limb Salvage
Ireland30 participantsStarted 2026-01-01
Plain-language summary
The ACHILLS Trial is a multicentre randomised controlled feasibility study comparing partial calcanectomy with and without the use of an antibiotic-impregnated bone graft substitute (Cerament G) for treating calcaneal osteomyelitis, specifically on wound healing rates, re-infection, and overall efficacy in a sample of 30 patients over a one-year period.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 18 and over
* Undergoing partial calcanectomy
* Patients with Type1 or Type 2 Diabetes
* Patients will be stratified by Pulse status and eGFR
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients unfit for surgery
* Patients unable to provide informed consent
* Patients with overwhelming sepsis that require major amputation
* Patients with hypersensitivity to aminoglycosides
* Pre-existing calcium metabolism disorder
* Severe renal impairment
* Patients in whom major limb amputation is deemed inevitable by the treating physician
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting' — do you know when it's expected to open, and is it worth waiting to see if I'd be a candidate, or should we move forward with a different treatment plan now?
2The trial involves using a bone void filler called Cerament after calcanectomy for heel bone infection — can you explain what a calcanectomy means for my long-term mobility, and how this approach compares to what you'd normally recommend for my situation?
3Since this trial doesn't have a standard phase listed, what does that tell us about how much safety and effectiveness data already exists for using Cerament in heel osteomyelitis, and are there any known risks I should be aware of?
4The trial is specifically focused on wound healing rates — can you help me understand what 'successful wound healing' would look like in practice for a diabetic patient like me, and what happens if the wound doesn't heal as hoped?
5Are there standard-of-care treatments for diabetic heel osteomyelitis that I should consider first, or would participating in this trial, once it opens, be a reasonable alternative to discuss with my surgical team?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.