Understanding Post-Natal Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Growth in the Porcine Model
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a primary soft tissue stabilizer of the knee. ACL injuries are rising in children and adolescents, with many undergoing surgical treatment. Yet, changes within the ACL during growth, including biomechanical properties, are less understood. Our work over the past decade has attempted to fill this knowledge gap. We have studied how age and sex impact the size and function of the ACL and its distinct sub-regions using a large animal model. We have also explored the impact of complete and partial injuries on resulting joint remodeling. More recent work has focused on the role of hormones on region-specific changes in the ACL during growth. As we continue to translate our findings to the human condition, we hope to inform clinical treatment strategies in the pediatric population.
Funding Sources: National Institutes of Health, UNC North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute, UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center, NC State University Comparative Medicine Institute
Advanced Scaffold Fabrication for FIBROUS SOFT TISSUE ENGINEERING
This research area focuses on applying engineering principles to study the use of 3D scaffold fabrication to create fibrous soft tissue replacements. Techniques include 3D printing, near-field, direct-write electrospinning, and melt blowing. Projects include tendon-on-chip and muscle-tendon junction model systems, scalable production of fibrous scaffolds for meniscus tissue engineering, and translational animal model systems for in-vivo evaluation.
Funding Sources: National Institutes of Health, NC State University Game-Changing Research Incentive Program, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, National Stem Cell Foundation
Graft Remodeling and Joint Degeneration after ACL Reconstruction in the Growing Knee Joint
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries impact more than 250,000 people in the U.S. annually. The fastest rising injury rates are in children and adolescents, who still have significant growth remaining. Reconstruction of a partially or completely torn ACL is becoming increasingly popular to treat these injuries in children of all ages to restore knee stability and permit the return to sports while also limiting additional injuries to other structures. However, failure rates after ACL reconstruction are higher for pediatric patients than for adults and the risk of long-term joint degeneration is comparable. Several different surgical techniques are commonly used, but comparisons of long-term joint health following these different surgeries have not been studied. We aim to explore how several different surgical approaches impact long-term healing and joint degeneration in pediatric populations, which will be useful to provide guidance for pediatric patients dealing with complete or partial ACL injuries.
Funding Sources: National Institutes of Health, UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center, UNC North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute, and the NC State Office of Research and Innovation