How muscle and bone healing is affected by lack of movement
Official title: Mechanobiology of fracture healing during skeletal disuse
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10907021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how not moving enough can slow down healing from fractures and tests different ways to help bones heal better, which could lead to new treatments for people recovering from broken bones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $112,126 |
| NIH project number | 5K99AR082989-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10907021 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced fractures and are at risk of impaired healing due to muscle loss from inactivity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable bone health and no history of fractures or mobility issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how decreased muscle and bone strength from lack of movement impacts fracture healing. It uses a mouse model to simulate the effects of disuse on bone repair and explores how different mechanical loading strategies can enhance healing. By understanding the cellular and molecular changes that occur during this process, the study aims to identify effective interventions that could improve recovery outcomes for patients with fractures. The findings could lead to new therapies that address both muscle and bone health during recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for fracture healing, particularly in patients with reduced mobility.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the role of mechanical loading in bone healing, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buettmann, Evan G — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Buettmann, Evan G
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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.