Partnering to Eradicate Arthritis
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is closely allied with the UArizona Arthritis Center, a Center of Excellence in Health Sciences.
Pictured left to right: Zong-Ming Li, PhD, Vice Chair for Orthopaedic Research and Arthritis Center Assistant Director; John Ruth, MD, Immediate Past Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery; Robert G. Volz, MD, Professor Emeritus; Kent Kwoh, MD, Arthritis Center Director.
Shared Research
Our understanding of arthritis has changed significantly and continues to evolve. Today we recognize more than a hundred types of arthritis and related conditions.
The most common forms of arthritis involve chronic inflammation that damages joints, tendons and nerves over time. Many of the conditions treated in orthopedic care are complications from arthritis. Orthopedic injuries can also be the cause of some arthritis issues, such as osteoarthritis that develops after a bone fracture.
For these reasons, much of our research is done in partnership with faculty and scholars at the UArizona Arthritis Center. Current shared projects are aimed at better understanding of risk factors, prevention, disease progression and interventions for osteoarthritis, non-surgical and surgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, and cartilage regeneration and bone regeneration using 3D-printed scaffolding and adult stem cells.
Combined Expertise
Many faculty at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery have also served as faculty and researchers at the Arthritis Center since its founding in 1985.
In 2019, Zong-Ming Li, PhD, was appointed to Arthritis Center's William and Sylvia Rubin Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Research. Previously, emeritus UArizona Orthopedics faculty member John Szivek, PhD, held the position as the initial Rubin's Chair at its establishment in 2003.
Department Faculty Working with the Arthritis Center
- Gens Goodman, DO
- Daniel Latt, MD, PhD
- Zong-Ming Li, PhD
- David Margolis, MD, PhD
- Kristen Renner, PhD
- John Szivek, PhD