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Current Research and Clinical Trials

The Sports Medicine Physicians are actively engaged in both basic and clinical research related to sports medicine. This includes participation in the Multi Center Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Group which Washington University was one of the founding sites. This group is a multi-center, multi-surgeon affiliation investigating knee problems including the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. The MOON Shoulder group is currently investigating rotator cuff tears and superior labral tears (SLAP tears). The Washington University Sports Division serves as the coordinating center for the Multicenter ACL Revision Study (MARS) and Rick Wright, MD, serves as the principal investigator for the 87 surgeon, 52 site nationwide study evaluating the results of revision ACL reconstructions. In addition, Washington University is a site along with Brigham & Women’s, Harvard, Vanderbilt, Rush, Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic in the MeTeOR (Partial meniscectomy vs. Nonoperative Management in Meniscal Tear with QA: A randomized control Trial) that is conducting a study evaluating the results of arthroscopy versus physical therapy for meniscus tears in the setting of osteoarthritis of the knee. Members of the division are involved in additional clinical research evaluating cartilage repair. In addition, basic science studies of cartilage defects and ligament injuries are currently being performed in the basic science research laboratories.

Basic Science Research Initiatives Include:

• Studies of knee ligament healing
• Biomechanical evaluation of meniscus repair techniques
• Osteochondral plug transplantation
• Articular cartilage injury and repair
• Kinematics and biomechanics of elbow MCL injuries
• Biomechanics of various techniques for repair of ruptured large tendons, such as the Achilles tendon.

CLinical Science Research Initiatives Include:

For information on current clinical trials related to orthopedics, or to make an appointment with a specialist with Washington University Orthopedics, please call 314-514-3500 or toll free (866) 867-3627.