Research

The strength and fixation of orthopaedic implant designs presents a variety of biomechanical and clinical challenges. By blending mechanical, computational, and basic science techniques, we continue to explore the clinical problems associated with orthopaedic implant form and function. Our work has focused on thoroughly investigating and challenging the existing paradigms used to fixate bone, in an effort to reduce the incidence of malunion, minimize the time required before return to activity, and improve the overall standard of care. Specifically, we are interested in optimizing the stiffness of repair constructs by isolating and testing design elements that may directly influence stabilization. We have found that current implant designs may be overly rigid for the elderly population, and we are currently seeking new ways to tailor implant designs to adapt to pathologic bone stock.

Additive manufacturing (AM) processes are changing the way the world thinks about the design and manufacture of physical objects. Orthopaedic implants are no exception. Although this technology is still in its nascency, there are plenty of clinical applications for 3-D printed implants. Our work in this area has explored the biomechanics of AM implants in comparison to those made with traditional subtractive processes. We have found that AM implants not only provide similar mechanical strength and fixation, which allows for the creation of a variety of design goals.  Examples include patient-specific design geometries, introduction of porous surfaces to improve bone ingrowth, and adaptation of mechanical strength without changing exterior geometry. Based on the work we have done in this area, we believe additive manufacturing has tremendous potential to substantially shift paradigms of clinical care in a very short period of time.

The role of computational simulations in orthopaedics continues to gain importance and utility as we progress through the second decade of the 21st century. These simulations can provide insight into mechanisms within orthopaedics, such as joint loads, which are impossible to measure in vivo. Our work has been dedicated to the development and use of musculoskeletal models to predict performance characteristics of orthopaedic implants. These projects have proven to be capable of quickly and accurately predicting the kinematics and kinetics associated with activities of daily living in patients that have had surgical reconstruction of a joint or bone. By providing a non-invasive, cheap, and quick method to predict patient-specific implant performance, this research has added to the critical mass that improves the speed and accuracy in which implant performance can be fully characterized and better understood. Additionally, this approach can has improved efficiency of the ever-evolving design cycle of implants.

Tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue all play an important role in the efficient transfer of forces from muscle onto the skeletal frame of the body. To date, the fundamental mechanisms that drive tendon growth, maintenance, and repair are still not clearly understood. We conduct experiments that explore the fundamental aspects tendon and ligament structure, function, injury, healing, repair, and regeneration. This basic understanding of soft tissue biomechanics provides valuable information to develop and evaluate potential treatment modalities. These research questions are typically investigated with cadaveric or animal models, which permits the investigation of basic science questions that remain unanswered about such tissues, and open the door to future clinical trials.