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IRB No. 03-008-1 (Dr. Ernst Reichenberger, PI): Genetic Analysis of Human Disorders: Skeletal Disorders

The purpose of this study is the investigation of rare bone disorders such as craniometaphyseal dysplasia, cherubism, aplasia cutis congenita, gnathodiaphyseal dysplasia.

IRB No. 14-136-6 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.

IRB No. 17-155-3 (Dr. Adam Lindsay, PI): Fundamentals of Orthopaedic Surgery (FORS) & Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Techniques (FAST) Surgical Simulators

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate two surgical simulators as a way of assessing and improving surgical skills. The simulators are composed of materials founds at hardware stores such as PVC pipes, pipe insulation, foam bricks and wood blocks. Participants will be asked to perform different surgical skills such as suturing, drilling and/or arthroscopy using one or both of the simulators while being observed. Participation involves multiple 20-30 minute testing sessions to evaluate surgical skills over time. The following individuals are invited to participate in this study: • All UConn Medical Students • All UConn Medical Residents • All UConn Medical Fellows • Attending Physicians that perform more than 5 orthopaedic surgery/arthroscopic operations per month

IRB No. 19-036-1 (Dr. Jun Lu, PI): Rheumatology-Dermatology Combined Clinic Patient Registry

The Rheumatology-Dermatology Combined Clinic Patient Registry is a prospective registry that collects patient data within the UConn Department of Dermatology combined clinic for patients being treated for both rheumatologic and dermatologic conditions. Both dermatologists and rheumatologists participate in care for patients suffering from connective tissue disease with both cutaneous and rheumatological manifestations. By establishing combined rheumatology-dermatology clinic, patients will receive collaborative care from both specialties in the same visit. The combined multidisciplinary clinic offers the opportunity for improving care quality, patient satisfaction, and continued education and professional development for physicians. The protocol includes patients over the age of 18 that are being treated in the UConn combined rheumatology-dermatology clinic. This registry will gather data over a 10 year period for future research regarding improving patient care, diagnosis, treatment and long term outcomes for this subspecialty clinic.

IRB No. 14-136CS-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.

IRB No. 20-210S-1: The Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Opioid Package Prototype (OPP) to Impact Opioid Prescribing, Dispensing, and Patient Use Outcomes

This study is looking at how the packaging of opioid medication affects the use of opioids following surgery. The study is comparing opioid use when provided in a standard amber vial (normal orange bottle) versus a blister pack called the Opioid Package Prototype, or “OPP” for short. Study participants will receive their post-surgery opioid medication from Arrow Pharmacy (located in the Outpatient Pavillion) in one of the two packages, which are pre-assigned. Participants will also complete surveys and/or interviews before surgery and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. Basic criteria to participate include being an adult having one of 17 common surgical procedures by a participating orthopaedic surgeon and using opioid medication for post-operative pain.

IRB No. 22-110-1 (Dr. Isaac Moss, PI): Properties of the Intervertebral Disc Tissue.

Surgical procedures in the realm of orthopaedic medicine often require the removal of the intervertebral disc. While there have been considerable advances in technology, there's a premium on understanding the properties of the intervertebral disc on a cellular and molecular level. Considering spine surgical procedures often result in disc material designated as discard, there's opportunity to bring these samples to the laboratory for exploration as they are otherwise not used or necessary for ongoing patient care.

IRB No. 22-327-1 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Bone Loss, Physical Function and Frailty in Older Women with Sickle Cell Trait

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning in older women. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait, and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. Having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to investigate whether women with SCT have reduced decreased muscle function, decreased muscle mass, and increased frailty compared to women without SCT. Frailty is a common clinical syndrome in older adults that carries an increased risk for poor health outcomes, including falls, incident disability, hospitalization, and death. This study will try to fill a knowledge gap in the scientific literature. It may potentially reveal a previously unrecognized risk factor for disability and address potential health disparity in African descent women.

IRB No. 23-079-1 (Dr. Scott Mallozzi, PI): Advanced Techniques in Intraoperative Monitoring for the Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Procedure: A Utility Study

This study is designed to evaluate the clinical utility of a known intraoperative neuromonitoring modality (SSEP) using a nontraditional stimulation site (saphenous nerve versus more traditional posterior tibial nerve) to try to better identify nerve health changes to the lumbar plexus, which is at risk during the LLIF procedure. To quantify the clinical utility of saphenous nerve SSEP monitoring in predicting and/or mitigating new postoperative neural deficits following LLIF surgery.

IRB No. 24-125-1 (Dr. Archana Sanjay, PI): Analyzing the impact of aging on skeletal stem and progenitor cells in human bone marrow

This study will examine tissue biospecimens normally discarded from orthopaedic procedures to determine how aging impacts tissue on the cellular level. We plan to collect those discarded biospecimens and transfer them to the Musculoskeletal Institute Research Lab of Dr. Sanjay for preparation and analysis. Using these tissue biospecimens, we will attempt to understand and characterize the effects of aging on a cell's regenerative potential.

IRB No. 25-160-2 (Dr. Hardeep Singh, PI): Recovery Kinetics Following Surgical Treatment for Degenerative L4-5 Spondylolisthesis: A pilot and Feasibility Study

Specific Aim(s) Evaluate recovery kinetics in patients undergoing lateral lumbar interbody fusion via prone approach + minimally invasive posterior spinal fusion (LLIF + PSF), minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion via tubular based retractor (MIS TLIF + PSF), and open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Open TLIF + PSF) through monitoring step count during hospital stay and post operatively using a wearable fitness tracker. Compare length of stay, narcotic consumption, radiographic parameters, and fusion between groups outlined above.