American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
For Immediate Release Mar 09, 2020

AMSSM Awards $150,000 Stephen I. Katz Bridge to R34 Research Grant

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and its Collaborative Research Network (CRN) are pleased to announce the recipients of a $150,000 research grant, with the goal of preparing a team of investigators for a competitive submission of an NIH R34 Clinical Trial Planning Grant and then to an NIH U01 Clinical Trial Implementation Grant via the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

Mederic Hall, MD and Ruth L. Chimenti DPT, PhD will serve as co-principal investigators for their research project titled “Safety of ultrasound-guided tenotomy for Achilles tendinopathy and feasibility of a standardized ultrasound imaging protocol, a multi-site study.”

The primary objective of the study is to determine the safety of ultrasound-guided tenotomy by describing the rate and types of USGT-related complications at the Achilles via a prospective multi-site observational study and retrospective chart review.  They additionally propose to demonstrate feasibility of a multisite randomized controlled trial by quantifying patient volume per year and estimating the capture rate using a standardized ultrasound imaging protocol. 

Dr. Mederic Hall, study co-principal investigator said, “Our research team could not be more excited to partner with the CRN on this Bridge to R34 grant and subsequent pursuit of an NIH-funded clinical trial. We hope to answer questions that will directly inform clinical decisions by our members treating the very common and challenging diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy.”

Additional sites and study team members include Adam Pourcho, DO and Troy Henning, DO at Swedish Health (Seattle, WA), Jacob Sellon, MD at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), Douglas Hoffman, MD at Essentia Health (Duluth, MN), Kenneth Mautner, MD, FAMSSM at Emory University (Atlanta, GA) and Kentaro Onishi, DO at University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA).

The team of investigators will work closely with the CRN Leadership Committee on this project over the next two years, and the CRN looks forward to sharing results with the membership once they become available.

“The CRN strives to help AMSSM researchers obtain NIH-level funding for pertinent research in sports medicine,” said Anthony Beutler, MD, the CRN Leadership Committee Chair. “We are impressed by the quality and breadth of research already conducted by this research team on ultrasound-guided tenotomy for Achilles tendinopathy, and we look forward to partnering with them in their pursuit of NIH funding.”

About the CRN: The mission of the CRN is to foster collaborative multi-site research among AMSSM members with a goal of advancing the practice of sports medicine.

About the AMSSM: AMSSM is a multi-disciplinary organization of 4,000 sports medicine physicians dedicated to education, research, advocacy and the care of athletes of all ages. www.amssm.org