Jack Tu, a Biomechanics researcher in the Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Centre, has been awarded an Orthopaedic Research UK Early Career Research Fellowship for a project focused on re-characterising ‘non-specific’ anterior knee pain after total knee replacements with a more precise definition using a novel ultrasound method in the clinic.
Jack said: “I am thrilled to be awarded an Early Career Research Fellowship from ORUK and incredibly grateful to my supervisors, mentors and NDORMS colleagues for their help with my application. I have always been passionate about applying new technology to improve medical practices and this 2-year fellowship offers an excellent opportunity to test a new ultrasound-based approach to knee examination after total knee replacement, which can potentially become a game-changer to the current clinical pathway. I am more than excited to undertake this Fellowship at NDORMS. The department offers superb support for allied health professionals and a great working environment. It is an ideal place to develop my academic career.”
Up to one-in-five patients report persistent non-specific anterior knee pain following total knee replacement (TKR). The cause is often said to be unexplained, but some think the pain is due to abnormal knee cap movement over the surface of the implant. Jack will use a novel ultrasound method to compile a library of patellar motions from which he will define the distribution of ‘normal’ patellar tracking in TKR patients. He also aims to define thresholds for abnormal patellar tracking associated with pain.
“Our ultimate goal is to set up a new service at the primary care musculoskeletal hub to assess patients with painful TKR,” said Jack. “The assessment result would help clinicians and patients with painful joint replacement to choose a better way to manage their condition.”