Since its inception in 1970, the Department of Orthopedic surgery at Boston Medical Center has been a leader in musculoskeletal research and innovation. The Center for Hip and Knee Replacement at BMC is a center of excellence. Our clinical and basic science research is aimed at improving outcomes for patients suffering from degenerative conditions of the hip and knee. Our areas of research include:
- Optimizing joint replacement access and results in underserved, diverse and vulnerable patient populations
- Improvement of functional outcomes following hip and knee replacement surgery
- Biomechanics
- Skeletal biology and bone health
- Prevention of venous thromboembolism hip and knee prosthetic implant design
- Enhanced recovery after surgery in total joint replacement of the hip and knee
Research Collaborations
PEPPER (Pulmonary Embolism Prevention after Hip and Knee Replacement)
The Center for Hip and Knee Replacement at BMC is one of 26 centers participating in a national randomized control trial (RCT) seeking to determine which of three blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin, rivaroxaban) is most effective in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. It has been known for many years that hip and knee replacement surgery is associated with a low but serious risk of developing blood clots in the legs and/or lung. However, the best blood thinner for blood clot prevention after joint replacement surgery has never been established. This study will provide information to surgeons to help balance the risk of blood clots after surgery against the risk of bleeding associated with administration of a blood thinner. The PEPPER trial is aiming to recruit 19,500 patients from 26 joint replacement centers in the United States and Canada, and has enrolled over 15,500 patients through 2022. This work will provide background information to help both patients and their surgeons in deciding which blood thinner would be best to use after hip and knee replacement.
Shared Decision Making in Hip and Knee Arthritis
The department of Orthopedic Surgery at BMC is collaborating with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and other sites across the country in a learning collaborative to offer shared decision making (SDM) Decision Aids (DA) to our patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. SDM is a patient-centered approach in which clinicians and patients work together to make healthcare decisions that align with what matters most to patients in the context of each patient’s specific circumstance. Prior studies have shown that SDM results in patients being more satisfied and engaged in their care and are also likely to have better health outcomes. SDM decision aids are a source of patient education where you can find information on both non-operative and operative treatments for the treatment of hip and knee arthritis. Our decision aids are available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Faculty
Surgeons
- Dr. Ayesha Abdeen
- Dr. David Freccero
- Dr. Michael Kain
Research Team
- Catherine Lafferty, Research Project Manager
- Brian Gibbs, Research Assistant