Orthopedic Surgery

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. 4DCT Imaging for Improved Diagnosis and Treatment of Wrist Ligament Injuries

   Rochester, Minn.

   The study seeks to determine whether the 4DCT imaging technique can be used to replace current invasive diagnostic tests for ligament injuries of the wrist.

2. A Study of Screening High School, Collegiate, and Olympic/Professional-level Athletes for Characteristics that May Lead to Injury

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to perform comprehensive clinical and biomechanical screening of high school, collegiate-level, and Olympic/professional-level athletes to identify individual functional and performance deficits that can lead to non-contact lower extremity injury.

3. Direct Anterior vs. Anterolateral Approach for Hip Arthroplasty After Femoral Neck Fracture in the Senior Population

   Rochester, Minn.

   Displaced femoral neck fractures are one group of hip fracture patients that are commonly treated with cemented hemiarthroplasty (HA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). In the elective hip arthroplasty population, the direct anterior approach (DAA) has shown to be effective in helping patients to quickly obtain high postoperative function. This approach has also been shown to be effective in arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures in a few studies. However, the only studies that directly compare two approaches for hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures utilize the anterolateral approach (ALA) versus posterior approach (PA) or DAA versus PA. No studies of which we are aware directly compare the DAA to the ALA. The DAA and ALA are the two most popular approaches for bipolar hemiarthroplasty at our institution, so we are setting out to determine the differences between them.

4. Preservation of Joint Function Using Postoperative Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) A Pilot Study

   Rochester, Minn.

   This pilot study is designed to determine if the rehabilitative benefits of continuous passive motion (CPM) will help preserve/restore the joint function and significantly improve the rate of recovery of patients after the surgical release of elbow contractures better than standard physiotherapy and static splinting.

5. A Study of Clinical Outcomes of Ultrasound-guided Carpal Tunnel Release Performed in a Procedural Room Setting

   Albert Lea, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to document the primary investigator’s clinical experience performing Ultrasound Guided Carpal Tunnel Release (USCTR) in the clinic procedure room setting through retrospective and prospective analysis of these now routinely collected clinical outcomes. 

6. A Study to Evaluate Operative versus Non-operative Intervention of Posterior Malleolar Fractures Involving Less than 25% of the Articular Surface

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is determine if posterior malleolar fractures involving less than 25% of the articular surface should undergo operative intervention to improve clinical outcomes.

7. A Study to Evaluate Preventative Saphenous Nerve Neurectomy in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of chronic knee pain at 6 months following primary total knee arthroplasty. Secondary outcomes include incidence of knee numbness, postoperative sensory loss or change at the knee, range of motion (ROM), resting pain with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), quality of life measurement assessed by SF-36.

8. Outcomes of Meniscus Root Repair Using a Transtibial Pullout Technique

   Rochester, Minn.

   The results of this study will optimize the care for patients with a meniscus root tear. Surgeons will be able to determine if MRR (meniscus root repair) with transtibial pullout technique is an effective treatment and will identify potential risk factors for poor clinical outcomes. In addition, investigators will determine if MRR is successful in delaying the radiographic progression of arthritis in the involved compartment.

9. A Study to Implement a Patient-Centered Pain Plan and Standardized Preoperative Pain Education for Patients Undergoing Lumbar Procedures

   Mankato, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to develop a patient-centered pain plan and standardized preoperative pain education for patients undergoing lumbar procedures to increase postoperative pain control and patient satisfaction.

10. A Study to Compare a New Body Worn Heart Rate, Temperature, and Activity Measurement Sensor to Existing Devices

    Rochester, Minn.

    The purpose of this study is to measure body temperature, heart rate, and activity with the newly developed disposable sensor and compare data to that collected by existing gold standard devices in order to quantify accuracy of the new device.  The comfort and durability of the adhesive used in the new sensor will also be evaluated.