Vincent Eggerding

Background

About Vincent Eggerding

COMPARE study Conservative vs. Operative Methods for Patients with ACL Rupture Evaluation Introduction A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a common sports related injury. Significant controversy exists regarding the management of the ACL insufficient knee. Usual care in the Netherlands varies between two widely used strategies, namely; early surgical intervention or a more conservative strategy. Both strategies are financially compensated by the health insurance in the Netherlands. Till date there are no studies investigating the cost-effectiveness of different management strategies of ACL ruptures. Objectives The aim of a clinician treating patients with an ACL rupture is to restore function, and to permit the patient to return to a desired level of activity without experiencing giving way. So far there is insufficient evidence to inform current practice about the most cost-effective management strategy for patients with an ACL rupture. The aim of the COMPARE study is to evaluate which management is the most cost-effective strategy for patients with an ACL rupture. STUDY DESIGN The design of the study is an open-labelled randomized clinical trial. A total of 188 patients is to be included. The study will take place in the departments of orthopedics surgery and the department of sports medicine of five hospitals, namely the Erasmus Medical Centre, the Medical Centre Haaglanden, the Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis Delft, the St.Elisabeth hospital Tilburg and the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Dordrecht.