Better partial joint replacements for wrist and foot bones
Advancing Hemiarthroplasty: Predicting in vivo performance of cartilage bearing systems through benchtop and ex vivo testing.
Developing lab and tissue tests to find bearing materials that protect cartilage for people getting partial joint replacements in the wrist or foot.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144384 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project builds lab (benchtop) and ex vivo (removed tissue) tests that mimic how a partial joint implant rubs against natural cartilage. Investigators will compare different bearing materials and coatings — including metals, ceramics, polymers, and specialty coatings — to see which cause the least cartilage wear. They will standardize and validate testing methods so that lab results better predict how cartilage will respond in the body. The work focuses on implants used for diseased individual carpal (wrist) and tarsal (foot) bones to help preserve healthy joint tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with localized cartilage damage in a single carpal or tarsal bone who are considering hemiarthroplasty instead of a total joint replacement.
Not a fit: Patients with widespread joint damage, inflammatory arthritis involving the whole joint, or those who require total joint replacement are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive partial joint implants with materials proven to be gentler on cartilage, helping implants last longer and preserving future treatment options.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior implant materials and coatings have shown promise but results have been mixed, and standardized predictive benchtop/ex vivo testing is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crisco, Joseph J — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Crisco, Joseph J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.