The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Awards 3-year Grant to OC Physician

The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) announced today it has awarded a $500,000 research grant to Dr. Thomas Fehring of the OrthoCarolina Hip and Knee Center and OrthoCarolina Research Institute, Charlotte, NC. The OREF Clinical Research Grant in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Infection provides funding for clinical research on the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of infection in total joint arthroplasty of the hip and knee. “This is a highly innovative project and one of the first to conduct a prospective, randomized, and controlled study to compare one-stage to two-stage approaches for treating chronic periprosthetic infection,” stated Farshid Guilak, PhD, chair of OREF’s Research Grants Committee.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, approximately 1 in 100 patients will develop an infection after joint replacement surgery. Severe infections may require surgical interventions including debridement, during which contaminated tissues are removed, and staged surgery, which includes removal of the prosthesis, debridement of the joint and soft tissues, placement of a spacer that will maintain mobility and deliver antibiotics to fight the infection, and revision surgery to implant a new prosthesis.

The OREF Clinical Research Grant in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Infection grant is the first grant awarded under OREF's unique collaborative research agenda (CRA) program and was designed and funded in collaboration with the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), Hip Society, Knee Society, Zimmer Inc., DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction and Biomet. The CRA program leverages OREF's ability to convene major orthopaedic stakeholders including industry, orthopaedic specialty societies, orthopaedic surgeons and investigators to identify and fund the research that is most critical to improving clinical practice and patient care.

About the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, founded in 1955, is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving lives by supporting excellence in orthopaedic research. OREF is dedicated to being the leader in supporting research that improves function, eliminates pain and restores mobility, and is the premiere orthopaedic organization funding research across all specialties. Access current funding opportunities and a list of awarded grants at https://www.oref.org/grants.