PROJECT PARTNERS
None
FUNDING
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Amsterdam UMC
Foundation Friends of ACES
BACKGROUND
Ankle sprains and fractures are highly prevalent and result in damage to the cartilage and bone in over 70% of patients. Aforementioned damage is also referred to as an osteochondral lesion (OCL). Patients suffering from an OCL of the ankle will develop osteo-arthritis over time. and during the different stages of the disease are known to suffer from impairment of the mental and physical quality of life, thereby involving a significant societal health- and economic burden. Presently there is a clear scarcity on the evidence of the treatment of these painful OCLs in the different stages of the disease, consequently as no superior treatment exists.
OBJECTIVES
The core aim of the PhD-Thesis from Dr. Jari Dahmen, within the Amsterdam Ankle Cartilage Team, is therefore to identify an evidence-based personalized treatment of OCLs in the ankle by means of cadaveric biomechanical and radiological research, a prognostic systematic review, two RCTs and an international prospective registry with a consequent development of a comprehensive web-based clinical decision support for the national and international community.
Another focus of the research team is to investigate the rare but impactful OCLs of the distal tibia, led by MD/PhD student Quinten Rikken. These lesions prove difficult to treat and lack evidence, thus warranting further research. The aim is to strengthen the evidence-based personalized-treatment of these lesions by providing insights in clinical, radiological, and sport outcomes of these patients as well as to explore novel treatment techniques and applications.
The goal of the research carried out by the Amsterdam Ankle Cartilage team is to provide answers to important clinical questions so that in the near future the treating physician and the patient with the OCL together can collectively decide what the best treatment option would be in order to facilitate an active and pain-free life.