Clinical Trial Finder

Inclusion Criteria:

• - Underwent primary hip arthroscopy.

• - Underwent baseline quantitative MRI at The Steadman Clinic (TSC) - Single, localized, grade 3 or 4 cartilage lesion of the acetabulum or femoral head treated with Bone Marrow Stimulation (BMS; i.e. microfracture) - Aged 18-60 at time of surgery.

• - Tonnis grade 1 or less.

Exclusion Criteria:

• - Two or more cartilage lesions of grade 3 or 4.

• - Less than 2 mm of minimal hip joint space.

• - Osteoarthritis or diffuse change of cartilage.

• - Non-English speaking.

• - Prior hip surgery on operative hip.

• - Pre-existing bony deformity caused by previous fracture(s) - Synovial chondromatosis.

• - Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) - Dysplasia (center edge angle <20 degrees) - History of Avascular Necrosis (AVN), Perthes disease, or slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) - Inflammatory arthritis or other arthritis caused by autoimmune disease.

• - Patients allergic to any active or inactive ingredient of losartan.

• - Patients taking medication with known losartan interaction, including phenobarbital, rifampin, and fluconazole.

- Subjects that are currently taking losartan

This is a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial that will be conducted at The Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute. Articular cartilage defects that extend full thickness to subchondral bone rarely heal without intervention. Some patients may not develop clinically significant problems from acute full-thickness chondral defects, but many eventually suffer from debilitating degenerative changes. Microfracture is the most commonly used first-line treatment technique for chondral lesions in the hip, however, this procedure's effectiveness is limited by the repair tissue being a hybrid of hyaline and fibrocartilage. We hypothesize that administration of a transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) blocker, losartan (an approved hypertension drug, angiotensin II receptor antagonist) with microfracture will enhance articular cartilage repair as assessed on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. We will also measure patient benefit through the recording of patient reported outcomes in the 18 months following surgery. The Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Rheumatology Products within the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration has granted an investigational new drug (IND) exemption to pursue this trial in accordance with 21 CFR 312.2(b).

Arms

Experimental: Losartan

12.5mg Losartan capsules, oral administration, twice daily (25mg total per day), taken for 30 consecutive days starting on the evening of the second post-surgery day.

Placebo Comparator: Placebo

Appearance-matched placebo capsules, oral administration, twice daily, taken for 30 consecutive days starting on the evening of the second post-surgery day.

Interventions

Drug: - Losartan

Losartan will be administered to improve the quality of hip cartilage repair following arthroscopic microfracture. Losartan is a known anti-fibrotic agent via blocking of TGF-B1.

Other: - Placebo

Appearance-matched microcrystalline cellulose placebo