Understanding how ankle surgery affects lower limb movement
Official title: Integrating Musculoskeletal and Data-Driven Modeling to Understand the Biomechanical Sequelae of Syndesmotic Repair
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10897788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fixing a specific ankle injury affects the way your whole leg moves and feels, especially for people who have had surgery to stabilize their ankle compared to those with healthy ankles, to help find better ways to treat and understand these injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2023 |
| Project end | October 8, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $42,568 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AR083286-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have recently undergone surgical repair of the ankle syndesmosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had ankle syndesmosis injuries or surgeries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of surgical repair of the ankle syndesmosis on the biomechanics of the entire lower limb. By comparing individuals with healthy, mobile fibulae to those with surgically immobilized fibulae, the study aims to identify how these repairs may lead to complications such as pain and osteoarthritis. The research employs advanced motion capture, force measurement, and electromyography techniques to gather data during various physical activities. The ultimate goal is to improve diagnostic and treatment strategies for syndesmotic injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatment options and improved outcomes for patients undergoing syndesmotic repair.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of integrating biomechanical modeling with syndesmotic repair is novel, similar studies have shown success in understanding the biomechanics of other orthopedic injuries.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baratta, Chloe — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Baratta, Chloe
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mitochondrial pores and muscle loss in cancer cachexia
A small US-based study will explore how changes in mitochondria contribute to muscle wasting in people with cancer cachexia and how this may be slowed.
-
Photobiomodulation for jaw pain from TMD
A clinician-scientist at the University of Florida is testing a light-based therapy to help adults with temporomandibular disorder pain feel better and jaw function improve.
-
How the brain controls swallowing and airway protection
A research team at the University of Florida is studying how brain networks control swallowing to reduce risk of choking and lung infections in people with neuromuscular diseases.
-
Donor-driven 3D organoid platform to study pancreatic cancer drug response
A pilot project to create patient-derived, 3D organoid models of pancreatic cancer to measure how tumors from different people respond to chemotherapy.
-
RAAS inhibitors and pancreatic cancer risk in diverse adults
A Florida-based study will look at whether commonly used blood pressure medicines (RAAS inhibitors) are linked to new cases of pancreatic cancer, especially among Black and Hispanic adults.
-
Pilot project exploring new cancer drugs for pancreatic cancer in African American patients
A small, early-stage project tests new drug-derived compounds to treat pancreatic cancer, focusing on African American patients who are disproportionately affected.
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.