Daniel R. Cooperman, MD, Professor

Research Interest: Hamann-Todd osteological collection

Dr. Cooperman’s lab is based at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. At the museum, he uses the Hamann-Todd osteological collection to investigate the natural history of orthopaedic conditions and the impact of naturally occurring anatomic variation on orthopaedic implants.

The Hamann-Todd collection is the largest osteological collection in the Western World. It was created between 1893 and 1938 when over 3,200 cadavers were photographed, autopsied, prepared and stored. The cadavers were prepared for the collection by removing all soft tissue. Then the bones were placed in cases. The skeletons are crossed-referenced on the museum’s computer by age, height, race, cause of death, age at death, etc. The collection has been used to create over 500 scientific publications in anatomy, orthopaedic surgery and physical anthropology.

Most recently, we have used it to investigate the natural history of arthritis in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis, the relationship between hip joint impingement and arthritis and the precise 3-D configuration of tarsal coalitions. At present, we have ongoing projects in the 3-D configuration of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis and the anatomy of the immature shoulder as well as the distal femoral and proximal femoral physes.

Additionally, the lab investigates the fit of orthopaedic implants on bones in an effort to make more perfect implants. The unrivaled number of bones available for analysis creates an invaluable resource that can be used to test and perfect implant shapes against the natural variation of humans.