Research in Sports Medicine

The division has several clinical projects currently underway in multiple subject areas. This includes evaluation of new NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scores for patients undergoing sports medicine surgery, along with evaluation of opioid-sparing pain protocols following common sports medicine surgeries. Additionally, there are numerous studies focusing on patients following rotator cuff repair and total shoulder arthroplasty with respect to clinical outcomes.

Translational research areas include assessment of stress and other parameters in the throwing elbows of youth and adult baseball pitchers, with particular emphasis on risk factors for developing overuse injury. There are also numerous projects underway examining tendon integrity following surgical repair (Achilles tendon, rotator cuff, and distal biceps).

The division is fortunate to be a partner with the Wayne State University Bone and Joint Center. This center has earned numerous NIH grants, including R01 multi-year awards, and focuses research on kinematic of injured and repaired shoulders in patients. In particular, there are NIH grants underway focusing on properties of repaired rotator cuff tendons in medium- and long-term follow-up periods as they relate to shoulder motion and patient reported outcome scores.