NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Genetics of Osteoarthritis and Recovery After Joint Replacement

Official title: Genetics of Osteoarthritis and Joint Replacement Recovery: Key to Precision Rehabilitation

Funded at Birmingham VA Medical Center · NIH-11418232 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A study looking at how genes affect osteoarthritis and recovery after hip or knee replacement to help tailor rehabilitation for veterans.

More Osteoarthritis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBirmingham VA Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Birmingham, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2027
NIH project number5I01RX002745-09
Project IDNIH-11418232 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Veterans with osteoarthritis who have undergone or are considering total hip or total knee replacement, and participants in the Million Veteran Program or UK Biobank with relevant genetic and health data.

Less likely to help

Patients without OA or who are not undergoing joint replacement may not directly benefit from this study.

What this research studies

This project focuses on understanding how genetic differences influence osteoarthritis and how patients recover after joint replacement, with a special emphasis on veterans. Researchers will use large veteran and UK biobank data to identify genetic factors that affect OA risk and post-surgery recovery. The goal is to inform personalized rehabilitation strategies that improve quality of life after hip or knee replacement. The work builds on prior findings about ancestry-specific genetics and aims to translate those insights into better, individualized care.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to personalized rehab plans that improve recovery and reduce pain after joint replacement.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown genetic factors influence OA and recovery, but this project seeks to translate those findings into precision rehabilitation.

Where this research is happening

  • Birmingham VA Medical Center
    Birmingham, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mcdonald Donnelly, Merry-Lynn Noelle — Birmingham VA Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Mcdonald Donnelly, Merry-Lynn Noelle

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.