Research to protect limbs from inflammatory damage after injury receives Kuo Memorial Award Research Grant

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A pre-clinical study at Children’s National Health System that investigates the use of nicotine-like, anti-inflammatory medications to reduce limb damage caused by the body’s inflammatory mechanisms has earned the Angela S.M. Kuo Memorial Award Research Grant.

Matthew Oetgen, M.D., M.B.A., chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National will receive the $30,000 award on May 15, 2019, during the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America’s (POSNA) Annual Meeting. Dr. Oetgen and Children’s pediatric urologist Daniel Casella, M.D., will jointly lead the study entitled, “Modulation of the Injury Associated with Acute Compartment Syndrome".

“We are honored that this important research was selected by POSNA,” says Dr. Oetgen. “An arm or leg injury can trigger the body’s natural inflammatory response, causing severe swelling that restricts blood flow. Even after blood flow is restored, the inflammatory response can lead to permanent muscle or nerve damage or even loss of limb. This grant will give us the opportunity to truly explore the application of anti-inflammatories after injury, and see if this approach can modulate the immune response to protect the limbs.” 

The study builds on existing research from Dr. Casella’s laboratory that tested the effectiveness of varenicline and cytisine, which are similar to nicotine, at preventing the body’s natural inflammatory response from causing further damage to the testicles after an injury restricts blood flow. If successful in the laboratory, the team hopes to expand this work to human clinical trials. 

The Angela S.M. Kuo Memorial Award Research Grant is given each year to an outstanding investigator aged 45 or younger based on criteria including the study’s potential significance, impact, originality/innovation, the investigator’s track record and study feasibility. 

in addition to receiving the award, Dr. Oetgen and Children’s pediatric orthopaedic surgeon colleagues will participate in podium presentations and poster sessions during POSNA 2019, including:

• Achieving Consensus on the Treatment of Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures,” Matthew Oetgen, M.D.
• A Prospective, Multi-centered Comparative Study of Non-operative and Operative Containment Treatments in Children Presenting with Late-stage Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease,” Benjamin Martin, M.D.

Media Contact: Jennifer Stinebiser | 703-568-8825 | 202-476-4500

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About the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America is an organization of 1,400 surgeons, physicians, and allied health members dedicated to advancing musculoskeletal care for children and adolescents. The annual meeting presents the latest research and expert clinical opinion in pediatric orthopaedics through presentations, posters, and symposia. The 2019 Annual Meeting will be held May 15-18, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina.