Research
Faculty members and residents in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery conduct basic science and translational research across two main areas of study.
Musculoskeletal Infections
Under the leadership of Professor and Department Chair Dr. Stephen Kates, researchers within the orthopaedic infection research program study factors influencing human immune response to infections of bones and joints, and the complex interactions of the immune system with the organism. The studies also examine patient factors that influence clinical outcomes.
With innovative new technologies, we’re able to study bone infection and work on new methods to prevent infection from occurring after surgical treatment.
This research is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the AOTrauma Clinical Priority Program aimed at understanding and providing solutions for bone infection. Dr. Kates and rehabilitation engineer John Owen are the primary operators of this lab.
For more information about musculoskeletal research, contact Dr. Kates.
Nerve Repair
Professor and Division of Hand Surgery Chair Dr. Jonathan Isaacs leads the Orthopaedic Microsurgery Lab. Supported by the U.S. Department of Defense and private industry grants, the lab is currently engaged in several investigative research efforts.
One of the most exciting projects is the ongoing development and optimization of Nerve Tape™, in partnership with BioCircuit Technologies (Atlanta, GA). Nerve Tape is a microhook and biomaterials-based device that quickly aligns, entubulates and secures severed nerve ends accurately and without the need for microsutures or specialized microsurgical training.
The lab is also exploring cellular, anabolic and electric stimulation-based modalities to blunt or reverse the degenerative changes in denervated muscles after a severe injury.
For more information about the Orthopaedic Microsurgery Lab, contact Dr. Isaacs.