We study the basic question: “Why does joint injury lead to arthritis.”

In this work, we use multiple techniques that range from physical testing to fracture creation to applying techniques of histology, flow cytometry, and applying immunology to understand the effects of the injury.

As an Orthopedic Surgeon, his primary focus of research is joint preservation. 

In Orthopaedic Trauma, his research interests are
1) Basic science investigations of articular fractures with two current animal models in use.
2) Clinical research includes evaluation of techniques to reduce and stabilize articular fractures, as well as management of open fractures.

In the area of Hip Reconstruction, his research areas are
1) Hip Arthroscopy treatment of hip disorders, and treatment of labral tears in the treatment of hip pain.
2) Periacetabular osteotomy for the treatment of hip dysplasia.

Current Lab Team

• Steven A. Olson, MD, Principal Investigator
   
• Bridgette D. Furman, BS, Research Analyst II
   
• Libby Reams, Undergraduate Student
   
• Hansel Heres, Undergrad Student
   
• Hui Zhang, MD, PhD, Visiting Scholar

Alumni (Students, Staff, and Visiting Scholars)

• Jens Strand, 2004
• W. Chad Hembree, 2004-2005
• Benjamin Ward, 2005-2006
• Troy Swimmer, 2006-2008
• Dennis Cattel, 2006-2007
• John S. Lewis, 2008-2009
• Jonathon Backus, 2008-2009
• Collin Kent, 2009-2011
• Evan Zeitler, 2009-2010
• Josef Stolberg-Stolberg, 2010-2011, 2012
• Daniel Mangiapani, 2010-2011
• Craig Louer, 2010-2011
• Philip Horne, 2011
• Minna Zhang, 2011
• Michael Moverman, 2011-2014
• Karsyn Bailey, 2010-2014
• Tyler Vovos, 2013-2014
• Kelly Kimmerling, 2011-2016 
• Daniel Cunningham, 2014-2016
• Jacob Zeitlin, 2017-2020
• Michael Buchanan, 2018-2021
• Megan Libke, 2019-2021
• Ryan Galloway, 2021-2023

Selected Publications

• Managing Borderline Dysplasia: It Can Take More Than Just a Periacetabular Osteotomy: Commentary on an article by Jeffrey J. Nepple, MD, et al.: "Outcomes of Periacetabular Osteotomy for Borderline Acetabular Dysplasia". Journal Article J Bone Joint Surg Am · January 18, 2023Full textLink to itemCite
   
• Critical Risk Factors for Opioid Demand after Pelvic and Acetabular Fracture Surgery. Journal Article J Surg Orthop Adv · 2023 The characteristics that contribute to opioid demand in pelvic and acetabular fracture surgery are not well understood. We hypothesize that fracture patterns and psychiatric comorbidities will be associated with increased opioid demand. This study evaluated ...Link to item
   
• Who, if anyone, may benefit from a total hip arthroplasty after a displaced femoral neck fracture? Journal Article Bone & Joint Open · August 1, 2022Aims this study aimed to explore the functional results in a fitter subgroup of participants in the Hip Fracture Evaluation with Alternatives of Total Hip Arthroplasty versus Hemiarthroplasty (HEALTH) tri ...Full text
   
• Combination of Lidocaine and IL-1Ra Is Effective at Reducing Degradation of Porcine Cartilage Explants. Journal Article Am J Sports Med · June 2022BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic inflammation after joint injury, ranging from sprains to articular fracture, contributes to the development of arthritis, and the administration of interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is a potential intervention to m ...Full text
   
• High Prevalence of Sleep Disturbance Is Associated with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome. Journal Article Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil · April 2022PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify an association between Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) sleep scores and other PROMIS domains in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). METHODS: Patien ...Full text
   
• Intra-Articular Synovial Fluid With Hematoma After Ankle Fracture Promotes Cartilage Damage In Vitro Partially Attenuated by Anti-Inflammatory Agents. Journal Article Foot Ankle Int · March 2022
  BACKGROUND: Intra-articular ankle fracture (IAF) causes posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), but the exact mechanism is unknown. Proinflammatory mediators are present in the synovial fluid fracture hematoma (SFFH) but have not been linked ...Full text
• Outcomes and Their State-level Variation in Patients Undergoing Surgery With Perioperative SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the USA Journal Article Annals of Surgery · February 2022 Full tex
   
• Surgical Technique: Post-less, Single-Table Combined Periacetabular Osteotomy and Arthroscopy Chapter · January 1, 2022
  The young adult hip has garnered much attention over the past decade, as evidenced by this text’s formative second edition. That focus has been divided among open and arthroscopic surgical techniques. The Ganz periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) has been the go ...Full text
   
• Machine learning risk prediction of mortality for patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2: the COVIDSurg mortality score. Journal Article Br J Surg · November 11, 2021To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort study of 8492 patients (69 countries) was analyzed using artificial intelligence (machine learning techniques) to develop a predictive score for mortality in s ...Full text
   
• Impact of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination on postoperative mortality in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Journal Article Bjs Open · November 9, 2021 There is little evidence around the potentially protective role of previous Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination on postoperative mortality in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Prior BCG vaccination did not protect SARS-CoV-2 infect ...Full text
   
• Initial displacement of the intra-articular surface after articular fracture correlates with PTA in C57BL/6 mice but not "superhealer" MRL/MpJ mice. Journal Article J Orthop Res · September 2021Posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) occurs commonly after articular fracture and may arise, in part, from joint surface incongruity after injury. MRL/MpJ (MRL) "super-healer" mice are protected from PTA compared to C57BL/6 (B6) mice following articular fracture. ...Full text
   
• Degenerative joint changes following intra-articular fracture are more severe in mice with T cell deficiency. Journal Article J Orthop Res · August 2021The inflammatory response to joint injury, specifically intra-articular fracture, has been implicated in posttraumatic arthritis development. However, the role of T cells in regulating the development of posttraumatic arthritis is unclear. We hypothesized ...Full text
   
• Early outcomes and complications following cardiac surgery in patients testing positive for coronavirus disease 2019: An international cohort study. Journal Article J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · August 2021Full text 
   
• Can PROMIS measures be used to create subgroups for patients seeking orthopaedic care? Journal Article Bone Jt Open · July 2021AIMS: Patient-reported outcome measures have become an important part of routine care. This study aimed to determine if Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures can be used to create patient subgroups for individu ...Full text
   
• Immune cell profiling in the joint following human and murine articular fracture. Journal Article Osteoarthritis Cartilage · June 2021OBJECTIVE: Human and in vivo animal research implicates inflammation following articular fracture as contributing to post-traumatic arthritis. However, relevant immune cell subsets present following injury are currently undefined. Immunophenotyping human a ...Full text
   
• Arthrodesis of the Pubic Symphysis with Compression Plating and Femoral Strut Allograft for Pubic Instability and Osteitis Pubis: A Novel Surgical Technique Journal Article Techniques in Orthopaedics · January 1, 2021Introduction: Osteitis pubis and pubic instability represent an uncommon, yet a potentially debilitating problem for patients. While many cases are amendable to conservative measures, the few recalcitrant cases present a difficult challenge for surgical ma ...Full text
   
• Risk Factors Associated With Infection in Open Fractures of the Upper and Lower Extremities. Journal Article J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev · December 8, 2020INTRODUCTION: Open fractures are associated with a high risk of infection. The prevention of infection is the most critical goal, influencing the perioperative care of patients with open fractures. Using data from 2,500 participants with open fracture ...Full text
   
• The Impact of Early Epidural Discontinuation on Pain, Opioid Usage, and Length of Stay After Periacetabular Osteotomy. Journal Article J Bone Joint Surg Am · November 4, 2020BACKGROUND: Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is the standard of care for treating symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Patients undergoing PAO for acetabular dysplasia have postoperative pain that can be managed with epidural analgesia. The purpose of this ...Full text
   
• The Association of Prescriber Awareness of Opioid Consumption Trends with Postoperative Opioid Prescription Volume in Hip Arthroscopy: Prescriber Awareness of Opioid Consumption. Journal Article Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil · October 2020
  PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of prescriber knowledge of 6-week postoperative opioid usage trends on postoperative opioid prescribing in hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. METHODS: Two groups of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy ...Full text
   
• Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study. Journal Article Lancet · July 4, 2020
  BACKGROUND: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision-making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmo ...Full text

We are always looking for qualified individuals interested in orthopaedic research. Applications for undergraduate and medical students, post-doctoral fellows, and research staff positions will be considered.

Contact Steven A. Olson, MD, to learn more about the available opportunities. 

Dr. Olson received the 2015 Kappa Delta Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in recognition of his paper entitled, “Therapeutic Opportunities to Prevent Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Lessons from the Natural History of Arthritis after Articular Fracture.” The 2015 Ann Doner Vaughn Award was presented to Dr. Steven A. Olson and his colleagues, Bridgette Furman, Virginia Kraus, Janet Huebner, and Farshid Guilak. This Kappa Delta award recognizes innovative basic science orthopaedic research. Read more about this prestigious award here.