Research
The Marshall Sports Medicine Institute is committed to advancing clinical research in orthopedic sports medicine related to risk factors, screening, prevention and/or treatment of sports-related injuries for athletes of all ages. Our staff of orthopedic surgeons and physicians, radiologists, physical therapists, athletic trainers and others work collaboratively, incorporating their extensive patient and clinical care experience into conducting research. Evaluating clinic- and patient-centered data enables us to continuously monitor the effectiveness of treatment techniques and refine them as needed.
Current Projects
Patient-reported surgical outcome surveys as an assessment tool for the initiation of post-surgical physical therapy
This study will analyze the results of patient-reported outcomes to determine if subjective outcome scores have an effect on the initiation of post-surgical physical therapy, and thereby possible expedition of return to play. Data collection began in Academic Year 2017. To collect the data, patients are asked to fill out surveys at their pre-operative and post-operative exam visits. In the aggregate, these surveys results will be used to determine if a patient’s subjective perception of their surgical outcome correlates with the timeline for post-surgical physical therapy referral patterns. Various patient-reported outcome measures will be analyzed after surgical procedures affecting the shoulder, knee, elbow and hip. Separate analysis will be performed on the collegiate student-athlete population and the general patient population. It is anticipated that a research publication will be produced via this project in Academic Year 2022.
Augmentation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Bone Marrow Concentrate and an Internal Brace
This study is intended to analyze the benefits of using a patient’s bone marrow to reconstruct the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (“ACL”). By adding stem cells, it is expected that patients will see a faster, more complete graft incorporation. Combined, it is expected that the stem cells and the internal brace will allow for more aggressive rehabilitation, which could lead to a faster return to play. To collect the data, the recovery and rehabilitation of patients receiving this treatment will be compared to the recovery and rehabilitation of patients receiving traditional ACL treatment. An IRB-approved clinical trial began in Academic Year 2020 and it is anticipated that a research publication will be produced via this project in Academic Year 2021 or Academic Year 2022.
Bucks for Brains
The West Virginia Research Trust Fund, also known as the Bucks for Brains program, was created by the West Virginia Legislature in 2008 to stimulate both world-class research at the state's leading research universities and the related benefits of high-tech industries. Over the past five years, Marshall University has been able to tap into the trust fund to double private gifts that support targeted research initiatives linked to economic development, health care and job growth. Gifts were matched dollar-for-dollar by the state.
Since its inception, the trust fund has had a dramatic effect at Marshall University. To date, $15 million in private gifts from 170 donors has been combined with proceeds from the trust fund to create 16 new research endowments at Marshall—for a total benefit to the university of $30 million!
So far, these endowments have increased Marshall's overall endowment by more than 15 percent, and the funds will continue to support critical, productive and economically beneficial research long into the future. The program also has helped catalyze public and private support for a number of new research facilities at Marshall, including an applied engineering complex, translational genomics research institute, sports medicine translational research center, and schools of pharmacy and physical therapy.
