Members of the Washington University Orthopedics spine service are actively involved in both basic and clinical research focusing on spinal conditions. They are internationally respected and have presented more papers at the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) during the past 10 years than any other center in North America. Active members of the SRS, our physicians also are members of the North American Spine Society and Cervical Spine Research Society.
Among ongoing research:

• Assessments of types of surgery for patients with idiopathic and paralytic scoliosis
• Use of intravenous nutrition prior to and after surgery in patients undergoing complex surgeries
• Use of drugs to reduce the amount of blood loss that occurs during operative procedures
• Use of bone morphogenetic protein as a substitute for bone graft, and ways to “program” cells into producing these proteins (*If researchers can reduce the need to harvest rib or iliac bone during an operative procedure for use as bone graft material, surgeons could perform such surgeries less invasively)
• Review of our patients’ radiographic and clinical outcomes to further improve surgical outcomes and treatment of pediatric and adult complex spinal conditions.

Along with research activities, our physicians lead several multicenter study groups in the United States. These study groups enable physicians to enter data about their patients for prospective clinical research that could enhance the understanding of how to treat patients with spinal conditions. Collaborative efforts from these study groups have led to several publications in peer-reviewed journals and have aided in research applications to the National Institutes for Health (NIH).

For information on current clinical trials related to orthopedics, or to make an appointment with a specialist with Washington University Orthopedics, please call (314) 757-2500 or toll free (866) 867-3627.