The orthopaedic surgeons at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are researching and developing new techniques and therapies to better care for our young patients.

Current research projects include:

Extramural Funded Studies

Bracing in Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis (BrAIST)
Principal Investigator (PI): Michael Schmitz, M.D., National Institutes of Health
The BrAIST study is a Phase III, multicenter, prospective partially-randomized, partially blinded clinical trial, designed to determine whether the use of the thoracolumbosacral orthoses (brace) lowers the risk of curve progression in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) relative to observation (watchful waiting).

AIS treated by posterior instrumentation using the PASS LP System. Evaluation of the 3-D correction, aesthetic outcomes and quality of life
PI: Dennis Devito, M.D., Medicrea Corp.
A prospective multicenter, double-arm clinical study that will measure tridimensional correction in patients with AIS and aesthetic outcomes based on questionnaires.

Nonfunded Studies

Factors Influencing Immediate Postoperative Pain in Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
PI: Michael Busch, M.D.
This study is to compare postoperative pain and amount of pain medication taken for patients who receive allograft or autograft ACL reconstruction. 

Use of Ribosomal RNA-based Polymerase Chain Reaction to Diagnose Musculoskeletal Infections in Children
PI: Jill Flanagan, M.D.
This is a study designed to use a new laboratory testing method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with use of ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) primers, to determine if it can improve the diagnostic accuracy of septic arthritis in children.

Young Adults and Adolescents With Hip Dysplasia and/or Femoracetabular Impingement: Prospective Evaluation of the Use of Periacetabular Osteotomy, Surgical Dislocations, Hip Arthroscopy and Femoral Osteotomy
PI: Tim Schrader, M.D.
The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate short- and long-term outcomes, including quality of life, pain, function and joint congruency in patients with hip dysplasia and femoracetabular impingement treated with surgical intervention.

Other Research Studies

Long-term Follow-up of Tibial Spine Fracture in Children: A Clinical Evaluation of Arthroscopic Suture Fixation
PI: Michael Busch, M.D.

VEPTR: Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib
PIs: Timothy Oswald M.D., Dennis Devito, M.D. and Michael Schmitz, M.D.

Retrospective Evaluation—Spine Assists Robotics for Pediatric Screws: An Anatomic Accuracy Study
PI: Dennis Devito, M.D.

A Postmarket Surveillance Validation to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Polaris Deformity Spinal System
PI: Dennis Devito, M.D.

Clinical and Economical Impact of Early Discharge Following Posterior Spinal Fusion for Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis
PI: Nicholas Fletcher, M.D.

Does Payor Status Correlate with Curve Magnitude and Number of Levels Fused in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
PI: Nicholas Fletcher, M.D.

Review of the Use of Titanium Elastic Nails in the Treatment of Femur Fracture
PI: Michael Schmitz, M.D.

Surgeon Bias in the Measurement of Postoperative Scoliosis Radiographs
PI: Michael Schmitz, M.D.

Natural Progression of Nonsynostoic Plagiocephaly
PI: Michael Schmitz, M.D.

Radiation Dosimetry for Fluoroscopy and Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning in Patients Undergoing Spinal Fusion
PI: Michael Schmitz, M.D.

Effect of Spinal Fusion on Pulmonary Function Testing in Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
PI: Tim Schrader, M.D.

Intraoperative Monitoring of Epiphyseal Perfusion in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
PI: Tim Schrader, M.D.

Completed Studies

Bier Block Regional Anesthesia and Casting for Forearm Fractures: Safety in the Pediatric Emergency Department Setting
PI: Jill Flanagan, M.D.

Unicameral Bone Cysts
PI: Jorge Fabregas, M.D.

Analysis of the Cost and Outcomes of Different Construct Types Used for AIS
PI: Michael Schmitz, M.D.