"Anemia is nearly ubiquitous in orthopaedic trauma patients. However, little is known about the impact of anemia and the associated iron deficiency on endochondral bone healing. We hypothesize that patients who receive IV iron infusions after orthopaedic trauma may have a different quantitative endochondral bone healing response compared to those who do not receive IV iron rescue. This research combines a current prospective randomized controlled trial examining the impact of IV iron infusions in orthopaedic trauma patients with ongoing research on collagen type X breakdown as a biomarker for endochondral bone healing. By quantifying the impact of IV iron rescue on bone healing, we hope to impact clinical practice and identify patients that may benefit from iron infusions following orthopaedic injuries. Additionally, this study will allow us to further characterize the systemic immune response after orthopaedic trauma and the impact of iron deficiency on that response.
The OTA Resident Research Grant has provided an ideal opportunity to pursue clinical research grounded in basic science on a scale that can be accomplished while in residency. This project will allow me to contribute to orthopaedic knowledge as well as continue to grow my own skills as a researcher in ways that it would be difficult to do without this financial support. I'm very appreciative of the grant and look forward to using this opportunity to improve our understanding of the biologic processes underlying bone healing in trauma patients."
Title: Does Anemia Impact Endochondral Ossification During Clinical Fracture Healing and Can Iron Therapy Provide Rescue? Blending of a Novel Serum Fracture Biomarker in Conjunction With an Established Randomized Controlled Trial
Principal Investigator: Catherine Hutchison, MD
Co-Investigator: Zachary Working, MD