One of two dozen major trauma centers named to be a part of the Department of Defense-funded Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC), Saint Louis University will work to improve treatment for wounded service members and civilians. The partnership aims to conduct research to improve the care of major orthopaedic injuries sustained on the battlefield.
The consortium recently received a grant of $38.6 million, building on an initial allotment of $18.4 million to improve the care of service members.
Lisa Cannada, M.D., associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at Saint Louis University, says the studies conducted by consortium members will shed new light on the effectiveness of current treatment methods.
"The results of the research that comes out of the consortium will change the way we treat orthopaedic trauma cases," said Cannada. "We'll be able to better understand what works and what doesn't in treating both service members and civilians."
SLU is one of a network of core civilian trauma centers that will work together with major military medical centers. The consortium aims to improve evidence-based treatment guidelines for orthopaedic injuries, improving the clinical, functional and quality of life outcomes for both service members and civilians who suffer orthopaedic injuries.
Cannada, who is principle investigator for the consortium at SLU, is leading a study examining bone grafts.
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