ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT03311997PHACTUpdated Apr 11, 2024

The Proximal Hamstring Avulsion Clinical Trial - Operative or Nonoperative Treatment

An interventional study of Surgical reattachment of hamstring tendons in Hamstring Tendon Injury, sponsored by Uppsala University. Completed at 10 sites in 2 countries. Open to participants aged 30 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-04-11.

Sponsored by Uppsala University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
216
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
30 Years to 70 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to provide reliable evidence on how to best treat proximal hamstrings avulsions, and our primary aim is to compare the reported outcome of patients treated non-operatively with patients treated with suture anchor reattachment of the tendons using the Perth Hamstrings Assessment Tool (PHAT) at 24 months.

Read the detailed description

The treatment of proximal hamstrings avulsions is controversial and patients with this injury will get treatment recommendations based not on scientific evidence but on personal preferences of their surgeon. The literature is totally devoid of studies comparing the two treatment options; non-operative and operative treatment. In Sweden, it is probably more common to treat these injuries nonoperatively. This is in contrast to existing literature that suggests that better outcomes are expected with operative treatment. However, there is a very clear publication bias in the literature. In fact, of the more than 40 published clinical studies, only a handful mentions the results of non-operatively treated injuries.

In a systematic review examining 13 original studies, patient satisfaction ranged from 88% to 100% after surgical treatment. In nine of the studies strength of hamstrings were reported and ranged from 78% to 101% of the uninjured side. However, residual pain is common, ranging from 8 to 61% in a group of 203 patients and in a recent unpublished study the lower extremity functional score were similar in patients treated by either modality. Additionally, serious nerve injuries after surgery have been reported and infection, anchor failure and re-rupture occur. The reoperation rate in a study by Sarimo et al. was 12%.

This study is a prospective, multicentre, preference-tolerant, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial comparing operative to non-operative treatment of proximal hamstrings avulsions. The study will include a concurrent prospective observational cohort.

The eligible study population will consist of patients with an acute, avulsion of hamstrings tendons diagnosed in a hospital in Sweden, or Norway and subsequently referred to one of the study sites. All patients fulfilling the inclusion and not meeting the exclusion criteria will be asked to participate in the study. After the patient´s enrolment has been confirmed and informed consent is obtained a set of questionnaires is provided for background data on medical history, activity levels and a recall assessment of the pre-injury functional status. When these questionnaires are completed, the patient is randomized.

If the patient is randomized to non-operative treatment an appointment with a physiotherapist follows and the study rehabilitation protocol is explained. If the patient is randomized to surgery, the procedure is scheduled at the earliest convenient time but no later than 2 weeks from inclusion. The surgical procedure and rehabilitation protocol is standardized among sites. The same rehabilitation protocol is used for both treatment groups.

Participation in this study will last 24 months. In-person participant follow-up visits will occur at enrollment (baseline), at-surgery, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months post-surgery. Data for outcomes will be collected at follow-up visit and a MRI will be performed at 24 months.

02

Conditions studied

  • Hamstring Tendon Injury

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Keywords

  • RCT
  • Hamstring
  • Suture
03

In context

Tendon Injuries

100 studies on the registry are indexed under Tendon Injuries; 27 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 216 is above the median of 44 across 70 interventional studies indexed under Tendon Injuries.

Browse Tendon Injuries studies →

Lead sponsor

Uppsala University is the lead sponsor of 390 studies on the registry; 86 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
30 Years to 70 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • age of the patient at injury between 30 and 70
  • MRI shows a complete avulsion of at least two of three tendons from the insertion at the ischial tubercule
  • physical examination supports the diagnosis; e.g. a positive hip extension test, palpable defect and/or local tenderness and hematoma
  • patient has a moderate to high activity level
  • patient has linguistic and mental ability to understands study program explained in Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian or English
  • time from injury to inclusion in study is less than 4 weeks

A patient with moderate to high activity level is defined as any patient that is ambulatory in the community and participates in some type of strenuous activity at work or in spare time on a regular basis. Any patient that skis, goes for an occasional run, takes long walks in the woods, climbs ladders or physically manages a large garden have an activity level that is at least moderate.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

  • diabetes with secondary complications
  • previous major lower extremity injury or disease with sequelae
  • moderate or severe liver, pulmonary, kidney, psychiatric or heart disease that significantly increases the risk for complications after operative treatment
  • severe obesity (>35)
  • alcohol or drug abuse
  • high energy injury or combinations of injuries affecting the lower extremity
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

BMI (body mass index)

Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.

What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
216 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • No intervention
    Non-operative treatment

    Active rehabilitation program

  • Active comparator
    Operative treatment

    Surgical reattachment of hamstring tendons using suture anchors followed by active rehabilitation program

    Procedure: Surgical reattachment of hamstring tendons

Interventions

  • ProcedureSurgical reattachment of hamstring tendons

    operatively reattachment of the tendons using suture anchor

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Perth Hamstrings Assessment Tool (PHAT)

    The PHAT is a 8-item instrument that measures pain, function and discomfort of the hamstrings. Primary endpoint at 24 months (measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months). The maximum score is 100 indicating no symptoms and high function.

    Time frame: 24 months post inclusion

Secondary outcomes

  1. Lower extremity functional scale (LEFS)

    LEFS is a 30-item instrument that measure patient perceived function of the lower extremities. Primary endpoint at 24 months (measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months). The maximum possible score is 80 points, indicating very high function.

    Time frame: 24 months post inclusion

  2. Maximal isokinetic strength of hamstrings

    The difference between the two treatment groups in the mean ratio between the injured and uninjured side of the maximum isokinetic force during knee flexion and hip extension measured by a dynamometer. Primary endpoint at 24 months (measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months).

    Time frame: 24 months post inclusion

  3. Timed step test

    The difference between the two treatment groups in the mean ratio between the injured and uninjured side of the functional timed step test. Primary endpoint at 24 months (measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months).

    Time frame: 24 months post inclusion

  4. Single hop test

    The difference between the two treatment groups in the mean ratio between the injured and uninjured side of the single leg hop test. Primary endpoint at 24 months (measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months).

    Time frame: 24 months post inclusion

  5. Hamstrings muscle volume and density

    Volume and density measured by DIXON MRI at 24 months

    Time frame: 24 months post inclusion

Other outcomes

  1. Adverse events

    Peripheral neurological injury and symptoms, infection, wound complications, thromboembolic disease and any serious adverse events

    Time frame: up until last follow-up at 24 months

07

Study locations

10 sites
  • Bergen University Hospital
    Bergen, Norway
  • Oslo University Hospital
    Oslo, Norway
  • Linköping University Hospital
    Linköping, 581 85, Sweden
  • Malmö University Hospital
    Malmö, Sweden
  • Södersjukhuset
    Stockholm, 118 83, Sweden
  • Danderyd hospital
    Stockholm, 182 88, Sweden
  • Norrlands University Hospital
    Umeå, 581 85, Sweden
  • Uppsala University Hospital
    Uppsala, 75185, Sweden
  • Örebro University Hospital
    Örebro, 701 85, Sweden
  • Östersund Hospital
    Östersund, 831 83, Sweden
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Iyer VG. Iatrogenic injury to the sciatic nerve during surgical repair of proximal hamstring avulsion. Muscle Nerve. 2015 Sep;52(3):465-6. doi: 10.1002/mus.24678. Epub 2015 May 14. No abstract available. PubMed 25847226 ↗
  • Blakeney WG, Zilko SR, Edmonston SJ, Schupp NE, Annear PT. Proximal hamstring tendon avulsion surgery: evaluation of the Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2017 Jun;25(6):1936-1942. doi: 10.1007/s00167-016-4214-y. Epub 2016 Jun 25. PubMed 27344550 ↗
  • Harris JD, Griesser MJ, Best TM, Ellis TJ. Treatment of proximal hamstring ruptures - a systematic review. Int J Sports Med. 2011 Jul;32(7):490-5. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1273753. Epub 2011 May 11. PubMed 21563032 ↗
  • Barry MJ, Palmer WE, Petruska AJ. A Proximal Hamstring Injury--Getting Off a Slippery Slope. JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Jan;176(1):15-6. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.6795. No abstract available. PubMed 26618607 ↗
  • Mehta SP, Fulton A, Quach C, Thistle M, Toledo C, Evans NA. Measurement Properties of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale: A Systematic Review. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2016 Mar;46(3):200-16. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2016.6165. Epub 2016 Jan 26. PubMed 26813750 ↗
  • Sarimo J, Lempainen L, Mattila K, Orava S. Complete proximal hamstring avulsions: a series of 41 patients with operative treatment. Am J Sports Med. 2008 Jun;36(6):1110-5. doi: 10.1177/0363546508314427. Epub 2008 Mar 4. PubMed 18319349 ↗
  • van der Made AD, Reurink G, Gouttebarge V, Tol JL, Kerkhoffs GM. Outcome After Surgical Repair of Proximal Hamstring Avulsions: A Systematic Review. Am J Sports Med. 2015 Nov;43(11):2841-51. doi: 10.1177/0363546514555327. Epub 2014 Nov 10. PubMed 25384502 ↗
  • Pihl E, Kristoffersen MH, Rosenlund AM, Laszlo S, Berglof M, Ribom E, Eriksson K, Frihagen F, Mattila VM, Schilcher J, Eklund M, Snellman G, Skorpil M, Skoldenberg O, Hedbeck CJ, Jonsson K. The proximal hamstring avulsion clinical trial (PHACT)-a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial of operative versus non-operative treatment of proximal hamstrings avulsions: study protocol. BMJ Open. 2019 Sep 13;9(9):e031607. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031607. PubMed 31519683 ↗

Study documents

PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — De-identified individual participant data for all primary and secondary outcome measures will be made available

Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form

Time frame: Within 6 months of study completion

Access criteria: Data access request will be reviewed by independent University leaders. Requestors will be required to sign DAA

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 11, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03311997
Lead sponsor
Uppsala University
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 17, 2017
Start date
Oct 24, 2017
Primary completion
Sep 22, 2022
Completion
Sep 22, 2022
Last update
Apr 11, 2024

Study contacts

Kenneth Jonsson, MD., Ph.D
principal investigator · Uppsala University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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