Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) has announced the start of research into some of the most disabling and costly afflictions suffered by Americans. Musculoskeletal disorders, such as acute joint pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, sports trauma, and other ailments accounted for 18% of all health care visits. Using new technology developed by medAppraise, Inc. of Sarasota Florida, LECOM researchers will be able to track and rate joint movement in injured and non-injured test subjects. This will set a baseline before the research team begins therapeutic treatment using physical therapy and osteopathic manipulation. Eventually, the research will determine the effectiveness of these treatments.

The researchers will investigate better treatment options for musculoskeletal disorders starting with a study of shoulder injuries. The study will take place at LECOM’s John M. & Silvia Ferretti Medical Fitness & Wellness Center in Erie, PA, under the direction of the study’s principal investigator Joshua Tuck, D.O. The study seeks to enroll 100 people with no shoulder injuries to create a baseline and 100 with impaired shoulder function and mobility related to arthritis, trauma, and sports injuries to be included in the treatment group. Those in the treatment group will receive either hands-on treatment with Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) or Physical Therapy shoulder treatments. The evaluation and treatment will start in January 2019.

LECOM