Current research initiatives in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery span all orthopaedic subspecialties, from orthopeadic oncology to trauma and sports medicine. Highlights from our research programs—as well as core researchers—are listed below.
Orthopaedic Surgery Research Initiatives
Clinical faculty: Koman, Li, Tuohy, Wiesler
Basic science faculty: TL Smith, Danelson
Residents:
Outside collaborators: J Foxworth, Molnar
- peripheral nerve
- repair
- peripheral nervous system response to injury
- schwann cell activation
- macrophage recruitment
- biological augmentation with growth factor supplementation
- physiology and aging
- nerve regeneration: keratin, biomaterials, acellual nerve allografts plus aniotic stem cells
- nerve-muscle interactions and the neuromuscular junction
- rotator cuff
- rodent model
- mathematical modeling
- biology of aging
- human upper-extremity movement biomechanics
- botulinum neurotoxin biology, spasticity and myoneural physiology
- therapeutic applications of botulinum neurotoxin in orthopaedic surgery
- mathematical modeling of muscle function
- microangiology
- thermoregulatory mechanisms
- novel therapies for Raynaud's phenomena, lupus and vascular insufficiency of the upper extremity
- multicenter trial of keratin biomaterials for peripheral nerve regeneration (United States Department of Defense-funded)
- rat model for studying brachial plexus birth palsy
- clinical trial for the surgical treatment of distal radius fractures in the elderly (National Institutes of Health multicenter trial; University of Michigan Medical School, coordinating center)
Clinical faculty: Ferguson, Hubbard, Martin, Poehling, Stubbs
Basic science faculty: TL Smith
Residents:
Outside collaborators: J Foxworth (WSSU), Kate Saul (NC State)
- meniscus repair/tissue engineering
- meniscus and osteoarthritis
- human
- rodent
- tendon/ligament repair
- tissue engineering
- ACL repair and biology
- rotator cuff regenerative medicine
- rotator cuff
- rodent model
- mathematical modeling
- biology of aging
- human upper-extremity movement biomechanics
- VCAM-1 molecular marker for tracking and profiling premature human hip osteoarthritis
- effect of hip orthroses on balance in post-operative hip arthroscopy patients
- painful hip joint in younger patients
- outcomes of hip arthroscopy
- uniportal versus two-portal techniques for knee arthroscopy
Clinical faculty: Carroll, Halvorson, Miller, Scott, Teasdall
Basic science faculty: TL Smith, Danelson
Outside collaborators: JD Stitzel, D Carroll, N Levi, W Wagner, M Morykwas
- outcomes of pelvic and acetabular fractures
- topical negative pressure and tissue viability
- compartment syndrome
- nanotechnology pressure monitoring
- bone biology
- healing
- regenerative medicine
- biomechanics of foot and ankle
- Achilles tendon fixation
- ORIF of foot fractures
- advanced radiological imaging modalities for improved diagnosis, treatment and education
- Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC); Core Center (Department of Defense-funded)
Clinical faculty: Lang, Langfitt, Shields, Stubbs, Poehling, Bullock
Basic science faculty: Danelson
Residents:
Outside collaborator: J Foxworth
- knee kinematics and biomechanics
- patellar tracking
- cadaveric studies and implant design
- gait analysis and movement biomechanics following total joint replacement
- hip preservation
- arthroscopy and biology of degenerative changes
- early detection and surveillance of arthritic changes
- proprioceptive changes after hip arthroscopy
- hip surgery
- finite element analysis of the femur
- outcomes of total joint replacement
- unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Clinical faculty: Ferguson, Koman, Li, Tuohy
Basic science faculty: TL Smith
Residents: Bracey, Marquez-Lara
Outside collaborators: D Carroll, L Burnett
- stem cell applications and growth factor/biological augmentation in orthopaedic surgery
- adipose derived stem cells
- bone marrow derived stem cells
- platelet enriched plasma
- decellularization/oxidation/sterilization of tissues for scaffolds
- tendons/ligaments
- meniscus
- bone
- keratin biomaterials
- resuscitation fluids for treatment of trauma patients
- management of burn injury
- homeostasis
- nerve regeneration
- effect of NSAIDs on fracture healing
Clinical faculty: Gyr, Frino, Kolaski, Koman
Basic science faculty:
Outside collaborator: J Foxworth
- effects of obesity on functional levels
- effect of nutritional status on fracture healing
- outcomes of spasticity management with botulinum toxin in children with cerebral palsy
- intraoperative navigation for treatment of Blount’s disease
- gait analysis for management of spasticity
Clinical faculty: Emory, Wilson
Basic science faculty:T Smith
Outside collaborators: E Gallagher, A Tallant, J Willey
- inhibition of muscle fibrosis associated with osteosarcoma with angiotensin 1-7
- evaluation of photodynamic bone stabilization systems for pathological fractures
Clinical faculty: Birkedal, O'Gara
Basic science faculty: Danelson
- autograft versus allograft for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- outcomes of conservative and surgical management of spine pathology
- postural monitoring to reduce low back pain
- effect of diabetes status and glycemic control as a risk factor in predicting complications following elective spine surgery
- traumatic spinal cord injury: demographics and prevalence
- Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin Project (Department of Defense)