Mark Buckley receives grant from AOFAS
Biomedical Engineering Professor Mark Buckley received a grant from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) for his research project entitled, "In Vitro Assessment of the Role of Mechanical Strain in the Pathogenesis and Reversal of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy." Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a common and painful disorder that responds poorly to conservative (i.e., nonoperative) care. Improved outcomes for IAT patients require interventions that target the fundamental causes of the disease. Thus, this study seeks to elucidate 1) how mechanical deformations occurring in the Achilles tendon insertion can lead to IAT pathogenesis (using an in vitro model); and 2) whether the IAT-associated changes can be reversed in vitro by specific mechanical loading regimens. The findings of this study will motivate effective, targeted non-surgical therapies for IAT.