UBC orthopaedic surgeon–engineer research team awarded Arthritis Society Ignite Innovation Grant for pioneering knee health research

We are delighted to share that Dr. David Wilson, Professor and Head, Division of Orthopaedic Research; Dr. Parth Lodhia, Clinical Assistant Professor; and Dr. Jordan Broberg, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UBC Orthopaedics, were awarded an Arthritis Society Canada Ignite Innovation Grant to develop advanced MRI scanning techniques to protect knees from osteoarthritis.

The Ignite Innovation Grant supports transformative research and novel approaches to tackling barriers in arthritis research and care. Funded Ignite Innovation projects embrace high-risk ideas with a strong potential for high rewards.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting millions worldwide. The menisci are crucial for maintaining knee health. These soft tissues distribute weight and provide stability to the joint. However, when a meniscus tears or sustains damage, the knee becomes vulnerable, significantly increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis.

A major issue is the lack of a reliable method to assess how well the menisci distribute weight in the knee. This is crucial because the menisci are key to protecting the joint and preventing osteoarthritis, which often follows meniscal injuries. This gap in knowledge leaves surgeons uncertain about the long-term success of their procedures in preventing osteoarthritis. Understanding this connection is essential as we seek ways to improve joint health and prevent arthritis.

“Although surgeons can repair some menisci tears, without a way to measure weight distribution, they do not know whether those repairs will protect the joint from osteoarthritis later in life.”
— Dr. David Wilson

Thanks to the Ignite Innovation Grant, an exciting research partnership at UBC is set to revolutionize knee osteoarthritis prevention. The project, titled Upright MR Imaging of Meniscal Mechanics to Improve Knee Osteoarthritis Prevention, brings together the expertise of engineer Dr. David Wilson, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Parth Lodhia, and the innovative vision of biophysicist Dr. Jordan Broberg. Dr. Broberg is leading this groundbreaking collaboration aiming to develop advanced methods for measuring the meniscus with a specialized MRI machine.

UBC’s Upright Open MRI—North America’s only scanner of its kind dedicated to research use—can capture images of patients while they are standing. This innovative approach provides a more accurate representation of knee function in real-world conditions. This advanced technology allows researchers to measure the meniscus’s effectiveness at distributing weight.

“We will use results from the Upright MR imaging to investigate how meniscal tears and repairs affect weight distribution and whether improved surgical procedures are needed to treat these tears and reduce future cases of knee osteoarthritis.”
— Dr. Parth Lodhia

This groundbreaking work is poised to enhance the quality of life for many individuals, ensuring healthier knees for years to come. Join us in celebrating Dr. David Wilson, Dr. Parth Lodhia, and Dr. Jordan Broberg’s innovative contributions to medical science and engineering and their pursuit of mobility for all.