Orthopaedic Research

The physicians and scientists in the Division of Orthopaedics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are internationally recognized leaders in pediatric orthopaedic research and musculoskeletal research.

Our researchers combine biomedical research in the laboratory with clinical research at the bedside to uncover the mechanisms of disease, envision new treatments, and ultimately create novel therapies that combine surgical and biologic tools.

CHOP’s Division of Orthopaedics works hand-in-hand with CHOP’s Research Institute to accelerate research progress and therapeutic discoveries from bench to bedside to benefit children worldwide.

Orthopaedic Biomedical Research Program

Researchers in the Biomedical Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics at CHOP are investigating the mechanisms that control skeletal development and growth throughout life and how aberrations in those mechanisms cause disease.

Our researchers focus on:

  • How the different bones and joints form and acquire their distinct shapes and structures
  • How the bones and joints connect and function with muscles, tendons and ligaments
  • How pediatric musculoskeletal disorders such as heterotopic ossification, hereditary multiple exostoses and muscular dystrophy could be treated more effectively

Data and insights gained from basic fundamental studies help us to envision what may be the pathogenic mechanisms of musculoskeletal diseases including: hereditary multiple exostoses (HME), heterotopic ossification (HO), muscular dystrophies, joint disease, and tendon-ligaments defects and trauma.

These predictions are then tested in experimental models of disease. The goal of biomedical research is to convert basic scientific knowledge into novel therapies to treat diseases, enhance recovery, and restore well-being and function for individuals.

Our team includes faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, research technicians, a laboratory assistant, graduate student and program manager.

Orthopaedic Clinical Research

Clinicians in CHOP’s Division of Orthopaedics are actively involved in nearly 100 current research projects and clinical trials. Our clinical research focuses on evaluating operative and non-operative treatment in orthopaedic medicine including spine deformities, bone tumors, trauma, sports medicine and a full range of orthopaedic abnormalities from head to toe.

Our clinicians collaborate with researchers at CHOP's Research Institute, the Center for Applied Genomics at CHOP, and multiple other hospitals and institutions across the country. The Center for Applied Genomics is one of the world's largest genetics research programs and the only center at a pediatric hospital to have large-scale access to state-of-the-art throughput genotyping technology.

With research we hope to gain a better understanding of what causes specific orthopaedic conditions and how best to treat each.


Next Steps
Appointments, Referrals and Video Visits
Teenage girls on crutches

Why Choose Us

Children's Hospital's Division of Orthopaedics is one of the largest and most active pediatric orthopaedic centers in the world.

mother hugging son

Would you like a second surgical opinion from a CHOP expert?

Our referral nurse navigator can give your family timely access to world-renowned pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in every specialty.