Patients who are being seen for ACL tears will be approached in the UAB Orthopedic Clinic. Included patients will be those aged 14-65 undergoing ACL Reconstruction. Excluded patients will be those with contraindications to corticosteroids. If the patient meets the criteria and agrees to participate, then the consent form will be signed, and the patient will be enrolled. Enrolled patients will be randomized to one of two groups. Patients in the treatment group will receive a 4 mg oral 6-day methylprednisolone taper in addition to standard post-operative pain control. Patients in the control group will receive standard post-operative pain control. All patients will receive the surgeon's standard ACL postoperative multimodal pain regimen. Endpoints will include narcotic consumption assessed daily and at one week post-op through a patient self-reported diary. The VAS pain score will be collected each day for the first week. Secondary endpoints will include range of motion and patient-reported outcomes, including IKDC, KOOS Jr, Tegner Activity Scale, ACL-RSI, and PROMIS Global collected at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months. All outcomes will be collected through PatientIQ.
Age range
14 Years – 65 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.
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.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
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.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Average Narcotic Consumption Post Surgery
Timeframe: Daily up to 6 days and 1 week post op
Percentage of overall Pain Post Operatively
Timeframe: Daily for 7 days post op