In 2017, we established the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Outcomes Center. Led by Cliff Willimon, MD, and Crystal Perkins, MD, in collaboration with Emory University orthopedic researchers, this center collects and analyzes data that will further enhance quality and outcomes.
We participate in several multicenter prospective study groups with other leading pediatric centers around the country, including:
Hip
International Perthes Study Group
- The International Perthes Study Group is a group of specialists and researchers with a common goal of advancing knowledge and care of patients with Perthes disease. Tim Schrader, MD, was a founding member of this group and is actively involved in collaborative studies with researchers across the world.
Spine
The Children's Spine Foundation and Study Group
- The Children's Spine Foundation is a community dedicated to improving the quality of care and outcomes for patients and families dealing with chest wall and spine deformities. Our team works with the Spine Study Group on research projects to help improve patient outcomes. Michael Schmitz, MD, Nicholas Fletcher, MD, and Joshua Murphy, MD, are actively involved in this collaboration on behalf of Children's.
Harms Study Group
- We are one of only 25 centers that participate in this invitation-only research group. In an effort to standardize postoperative spinal fusion care, our team has provided research and data collection from the Children's spinal fusion postoperative pathway. Our research helps to guide best practices nationwide with the goal of improving spinal fusion patient outcomes. Nicolas Fletcher, MD, provides leadership on behalf of Children's in this collaboration with the Harms Study Group.
Sports
Research in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee (ROCK)
- The Osteochondritis Dissecans Group of North America is committed to developing improved methods for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans. Our team works closely with other members of this group to identify better treatment plans for patients. Michael Busch, MD, Crystal Perkins, MD, and Cliff Willimon, MD, represent Children’s through research efforts in this group.
Function After Adolescent Clavicle Trauma and Surgery (FACTS) Multicenter Study Group
- Children's is one of eight centers nationwide that participate in the FACTS study group. These centers represent the highest volume pediatric hospitals in the country that are combining their clinical experience to determine treatment outcomes for teenagers who have displaced clavicle fractures. Michael Busch, MD, Cliff Willimon, MD, and Crystal Perkins, MD, contribute to this group.
Pediatric ACL: Understanding Treatment Options (PLUTO)
- PLUTO is a national study group investigating the safety and effectiveness of treatment of pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, specifically in children with open growth plates. The Children’s sports medicine surgeons, including Michael Busch, MD, Cliff Willimon, MD, and Crystal Perkins, MD, are all active members of this group.
Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM)
- PRiSM is devoted to the care of pediatric and adolescent athletes. Many pediatric sports injuries and conditions are unique to young athletes and do not occur in other age groups. By combining research across multiple centers and different practitioners, the group aims to increase the impact of research. Michael Busch, MD, Cliff Willimon, MD, and Crystal Perkins, MD, participate in this study group and lead research interest groups studying complex knee injuries and shoulder instability.
Limb Deformity
Multicentre Pin Site Infection Study
- Jill Flanagan, MD, of Children’s, is actively involved in the Multicentre Pin Site Infection Study led by British Columbia Children’s Hospital. It aims to measure and document pin site infection rate and pin site care across Canada, the U.S. and United Kingdom through a multicenter pin site infection database. By identifying the factors contributing to pin site infections, this study will take another step toward improving clinical care for children in external fixation devices.
Multicenter Study Group for Pediatric Limb Deformity
- This study group led by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is committed to establishing a multicenter prospective study group to define the appropriate indications and expected outcomes in children treated for pediatric limb deformity. The establishment of this large collection, including Jill Flanagan, MD, of Children’s, will offer substantial improvements to the current literature and ultimately make a significant impact in our care of children with these conditions.
Trauma
CORTICES Trauma and Infection Study Group
- CORTICES is a collaboration of pediatric orthopedic surgeons dedicated to improving the quality, safety and value in the management of emergent orthopedic conditions through education, research and development of optimal care guidelines. Nicholas Fletcher, MD, and Joshua Murphy, MD, help lead research efforts on behalf of Children's in this group.