Research article co-authored by UNE COM student, alums, and former professor published in monthly medical journal

A research article co-authored by Delaney Norris, D.O. ’23, Chris Rashidifard D.O. ’13, Alex Goncalves D.O. ’19, and former UNE COM professor Mark Brezinski, M.D., Ph.D., was recently published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal covering research in orthopedics and rheumatology. It is an official journal of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International.

The article, “Minimally Invasive Polarization Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) for assessing Pre-OA, a pilot study on technical feasibility,” looks at the need for Osteoarthritis (OA) to be diagnosed at earlier, reversible stages.

According to the researchers, efforts to develop chondroprotective approaches to halt OA progression have recently increased. Current imaging techniques are critical in managing advanced OA, they say, but greater resolution is needed to identify reversible stages (pre-OA).

This feasibility study discussed in the article examined intraarticular PS-OCT using a flexible endocatheter introduced through a stiff 18-gauge spinal needle.

The study produced at least two outcomes critical for future larger trial designs: medial meniscectomy patients are well-suited for studying PS-OCT's ability to predict future OA and substantial endocatheter redesign is needed.