Advanced Clinical Research Leads to Improvements in Foot and Ankle Treatments and Outcomes Worldwide

The Foot and Ankle Division is proud to have conducted some of the most groundbreaking clinical research in our field. Our researchers performed much of the seminal work in ankle fusions and the biologic restoration of cartilage. We continue our tradition of pioneering research today.

In addition to the world-renowned clinical research taking place in the Department of Orthopaedics at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, the Foot and Ankle Division is developing future foot and ankle prevention therapies, surgeries and treatments that will enable us to more effectively treat patients and allow them to return to a normal life as quickly as possible.

The Foot and Ankle Division also takes a strong interest in sports-related injuries, a common source of foot and ankle problems. We work to improve the safety of athletes in all sports, with a special focus on figure skaters, whose feet and ankles often suffer at the expense of inflexible skates and forceful landings.

Our research is backed by exceptional funding. The Department of Orthopaedics is consistently ranked at the top in funding across all orthopedic departments nationwide by the National Institutes of Health.

Surgical Options for Ankle Arthritis

The foot contains a relatively large number of joints. When arthritis develops, stability issues can make walking difficult and may require surgery. The Foot and Ankle Division is researching ways to minimize recovery time and build strength faster so patients can walk again sooner. Our methods include advanced arthroscopic surgery, fusion and joint replacement.

Healing After Bone or Cartilage Injury

Expert researchers in the Department of Orthopaedics are searching for ways to improve healing of the bones, tendons and cartilage of the foot and ankle. Our endeavors include functional electrical stimulation, or the use of electrical currents to help wounds heal faster, and the advancement of musculoskeletal mechanics and materials, such as bone grafting and artificial joints and tendons.

Surgery of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Our leading surgeons have conducted and now apply advanced research on the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus, or cracks forming in the cartilage that lead to a cyst in the talus bone, via mosaicplasty, an innovative grafting procedure, and microfracture.

Figure Skating Boot Design and Injury Prevention

Figure skaters frequently experience problems with their Achilles tendons, which take the brunt of the impact each time a skater lands on the ice after a jump. Our researchers are working to design boots to prevent injuries and to make skating more comfortable by adjusting the shape of the skate for greater flexibility and weight distribution.