Osteoarthritis Paid Clinical Trials in Iowa

There is an urgent public health need to reduce reliance on opioids for effective long-term pain management, particularly in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This effectiveness trial will compare commonly recommended treatments to reduce pain and functional limitations in KOA.These results will lead to improved patient selection for treatment and inform evidence based guidelines by offering well-tested, effective, non-surgical alternatives. Read Less

The immediate goal of the proposed research is to test the value of a new low-cost, low-dose standing CT system for efficient early detection of both joint degeneration and elevated contact stress. The standing CT scanner holds promise for detecting arthritic changes earlier than other imaging modalities because of the combination of its 3D nature and ability to image joints in a weight-bearing pose. A secondary goal of the proposed research is to enable predictive models for osteoarthritis risk based on measures of post treatment contact stress, both to inform treatment and so that new interventions can be tested in a manner incorporating risk stratification. Read Less

The proposed study evaluates the effect of carbon fiber brace design on forces across the ankle joint. Research suggests that ankle arthritis develops after ankle fracture, in part, due to elevated forces on the cartilage. It is expected that carbon fiber braces can be designed to reduce forces in the ankle joint and thereby reduce the risk of developing arthritis following traumatic injury. In this study, brace geometry will be varied to determine how these changes influence the forces experienced by ankle cartilage. The proposed study will provide evidence that can be used by clinicians and researchers to design braces that most effectively reduce forces on ankle cartilage. Read Less

Carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs) consist of a proximal cuff that wraps around the leg just below the knee, a posterior carbon fiber strut that stores and returns energy during gait, and a carbon fiber foot plate that supports the foot and allows bending of the posterior strut. The proximal cuff is a primary interface between the patient and the CDO and may influence comfort, preference, limb mechanics and loading, and effective stiffness of the CDO. The important role of the proximal cuff has not been examined. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of CDO proximal cuff design on patient reported outcomes, limb mechanics and loading, and CDO mechanical characteristics. Read Less