Preventing Synovial Joint Organ Failure: Multidisciplinary Tools, Mechanisms & Translation

This project leverages a unique randomized clinical trial of surgical correction of abnormal knee loading that improved pain and cartilage health to define the biological basis of synovial joint organ failure. By linking molecular (synovial fluid proteomics), imaging (advanced MRI), and clinical outcome data, we will identify signatures that predict and track joint recovery at the tissue level.

Findings from this foundational dataset will seed a broader research program spanning the full spectrum of joint disease, from juvenile-onset to adult osteoarthritis, establishing which molecular and imaging signatures best align with outcomes and treatment response. This funding will build the evidence base and team capacity needed to drive future high-impact applications, with the ultimate goal of enabling earlier detection of joint failure, rigorous biomarker validation, and the development of non-surgical therapies to slow or prevent osteoarthritis progression.