Optimizing musculoskeletal health outcomes through high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT)
Abstract
The Department of Defense has made a strong research commitment to address the keyelements posing a direct threat to readiness of s ervice members in all branches of the UnitedStates Armed Forces. Musculoskeletal injuries have been cited by the Armed ForcesEpide miological Board as a key factor that directly threatens the tactical readiness of ourmilitary. The University of Kentucky is curre ntly conducting several trials sponsored by theDepartment of Defense to investigate solutions to improve outcomes after commonmusc uloskeletal injuries that directly affect the overall lost duty days and tactical readiness of theUnited States Armed Forces such a s patellar instability and ankle sprain. Additionally, ourUniversity of Kentucky research group has exciting emerging work on strat egies to promotebetter outcomes after tibial fracture and mild traumatic brain injury. The wide spectrum ofmusculoskeletal injurie s that are being investigated at the University of Kentucky are all linkedtogether by examining underlying factors that affect long -term bone health. There is an urgentneed to begin examining bone health after musculoskeletal injuries as evidence indicates that bone may be one of the first tissues to have negative changes following trauma to lowerextremity musculoskeletal structures, but al so demonstrates degradation following a mildtraumatic brain injury. Subsequently, a vital addition to the Department of Defense fun ded workat the University of Kentucky will be increased capacity to document alterations in bone tissue.Therefore, the objective o f this proposal is to acquire high resolution peripheral quantitativecomputed tomography (HRpQCT) technology and supporting softwar e. The proposedacquisition is the necessary imaging technology to allow our research team to investigate howmusculoskeletal injuri es affect bone health and test the ability of our novel interventions to retardthis negative sequalae. Thus, incorporation of HRpQC T hardware and software is the next stepforward to enable our research team to further meet the needs of the Department of Defense todevelop post-injury and post-operative programs that increase the number of warfighters toreturn to duty without profile restri ction and improve long-term health after serving. HRpQCTtechnology will also expand the research experience and create new educatio nal mechanismsbeyond our intensive academic programs for the next generation of scientists and cliniciansresponsible for treating musculoskeletal injuries. Our proposal will demonstrate how theacquisition of HRpQCT technology will impact our institutions abil ity to educate students andtrainees through research in disciplines important to the mission of the Department of Defense.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 22, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112962
Entities
People
- Nicholas Heebner
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Kentucky