Research & Innovation | Overview
As experts in sports medicine, we are constantly working to expand the field’s understanding of athletes’ health, sports injuries, and the best ways to prevent and treat them. This relentless pursuit has produced several innovations that benefit athletes here in Boston and around the world.
For instance, bridge-enhanced ACL repair (BEAR) is an innovative, FDA-approved surgical procedure that was developed at Boston Children’s by our Orthopedic Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Martha Murray. Rather than replace a torn ACL with a graft, the BEAR procedure promotes a patient’s own ACL to heal.
Now our team is leading a national effort to compare outcomes of four different surgical techniques used to repair ACL tears in athletes 16 and under.
Those are just two examples of how our ongoing research is expanding options in sports injury treatment and prevention. In fact, the Sports Medicine Division conducts more research and publishes more studies than any other pediatric sports medicine program in the country.
Research focus: Sports injury treatment
From injury to backflips: A path to recovery for gymnasts
Step-by-step protocols to help gymnasts recover stronger after wrist, elbow, or shoulder injury.
Uncertainty surrounds ACL treatment decisions. It shouldn’t.
Do age and gender affect patient outcomes after surgery? A national study aims to find answers.
Rethinking surgical treatment of adolescent clavicle fracture
Unlike adults, teens with clavicle fractures often don’t need surgery.
Healthy behaviors may counteract the long-term effects of concussion
The encouraging role of the role of sleep, diet, and exercise in concussion recovery.
Research focus: Sports injury prevention
Fuel to be faster: The effects of low energy availability at the Boston Marathon
A study of more than 1,000 runners demonstrates the importance of nutrition in athletic performance.
Hip pain is different in female dancers: New insights from dynamic ultrasound
Dynamic ultrasound shown to be a useful tool in identifying instability in dancers’ hips.
The key to preventing shin splints may be underfoot
A study of core foot muscle exercises finds a reduction of shin splints.
Female athletes and sports injuries: Psychology matters
Stressors, such as lower salaries and sexualized images, may delay injury recovery for female athletes.