Research and Education

 

The Center for Joint Preservation is committed to performing cutting-edge research in orthopedics and to keeping the medical community well-informed of the most current joint preservation technologies available. We take great pride in educating our patients as well as providing innovative instructional programs for local medical professionals highlighting such emerging technologies.

 

Current Research Interests

 

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)

 

This two-phase surgical procedure consists of an arthroscopic biopsy of a patient’s existing cartilage in the knee. This biopsy is sent to Genzyme Biosurgery where the cartilage cells are grown in a lab. Approximately 6 weeks after the initial biopsy, the patient’s cultured cartilage cells (Carticel ®) are implanted into the knee to repair chondral defects. While this treatment has been FDA-approved since 1995, it can only be performed by surgeons with specialized training and certification. Both surgeons at CJP have had extensive training and experience with this procedure and their patients have had excellent outcomes.

 

We are currently collecting data to quantify the clinical outcomes of patients treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation. This data may be pivotal in promoting the wider applicability of autologous chondrocyte implantation procedures.

 

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery)

 

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears are common among high-level throwing athletes, especially in baseball. Reconstruction of a torn UCL is accomplished by replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon usually taken from the forearm or hamstring. We are currently evaluating the ability of athletes to return to play at or above their pre-injury level after undergoing UCL reconstruction.

 

SLAP Repair in Overhead Athletes

 

Superior Labral Anterior-Posterior (SLAP) lesions are a common cause of pain and disability in athletes. There is conflicting data in the literature regarding outcomes following SLAP repair procedures in overhead athletes and their ability to return to prior level of competition. We are currently assessing the ability of athletes to return to play at or above their previous level of competition after undergoing SLAP repair.

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If you have any questions regarding our current research, please feel free to contact us at research.cjp@gmail.com

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Previous Research

 

Review of Head Concussions in Baseball Players, Major League Baseball Winter Meeting, 2006.

 

MRI Studies on Elbows and Shoulders in Asymptomatic Professional Baseball Players, Major League Baseball  Winter Meeting, 2006.

 

Epidemiological Study on Incident of Injury in Minor League Baseball System of San Francisco Giants, 2006.

 

Incidence and Treatment Course for Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury in the San Francisco Giants Minor League System, 2006.

 

 

Publications

 

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Schmalzried, T., Szusczewicz, E., Akizuki, K., Peteren, T., Amstutz, H.  “Factors correlating with long term survival of McKee-Farrar total hip prosetheses,” Number 329S, August 1996, pp. S48-S59.

 

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Schmalzried, T., Akizuki, K., Fedenko, A., Mirra, J. “The role of access of joint fluid to bone in periarticular osteolysi,” Vol. 79-A, No. 3, March 1997, pp. 447-452.

 

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Amstutz, H., Northfield, M., Akizuki, K., Schmalzried, T., “Quantitative assessment of activity of patients with total hip arthroplasty,” Vol. 80-A, No. 1, January 1998, pp. 54-59.

 

British Journal of Sports Medicine, Akizuki, K., Gartmen, E., Nisonson, B., Ben-Ave, S., McHugh, M., “The relative stress on the Achilles tendon during ambulation in an ankle immobilizer: implications for rehabilitation after Achilles tendon repair.” Vol. 35, June 2001, pp. 329-333.