Research

Our goal in pediatric orthopedics research is to find the best methods for treating orthopedic injuries and conditions in children.

We conduct research as part of the Children's Foundation Research Institute (CFRI), which is a partnership between Le Bonheur, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and the Children's Foundation of Memphis. We are committed to discovering the best ways to care for kids.

All of our physician researchers and fellows are members of Campbell Clinic Orthopedics, which has been committed to orthopedics research and clinical care for more than 60 years.

Our research work

• Spine research: Le Bonheur is a core member of the Pediatric Spine Study Group, an organization that supports research on current and emerging growth-friendly treatments for scoliosis and chest wall deformities - VEPTR, MAGEC Rods, Vertebral Body Tethering and ApiFix. The group has published more than 50 articles related to severe spinal deformity in growing children. Additional spine research includes studies on scoliosis and spinal tumors in children.
• Trauma research: Le Bonheur is an ACS Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. Our research supports ACS trauma certification and has led to multiple publications on orthopedic trauma including ATV safety.
• Hip research: As members of the International Perthes Study Group, we are collaborating with physicians and researchers from all over the world to advance the knowledge and treatment of the disease. We are also members of the SCFE Longitudinal International Prospective Registry (SLIP).
• General orthopedics research: We have a variety of other active studies including upper and lower extremity, musculoskeletal conditions and general orthopedics areas. 
• CORTICES Research Group: Our pediatric orthopedic surgeons participate in this collaboration with the goals of improving quality, safety and value for emergent orthopedic conditions. Le Bonheur and Campbell Clinic Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon David Spence, MD, serves as an investigator in this collaboration.
• PediFoRG (Pediatric Foot Research Group): This research group strives to provide education and research on pediatric foot deformities. Le Bonheur and Campbell Clinic Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Derek Kelly, MD, serves as representative to this research group.

Our accomplishments

• More than 30 active pediatric orthopedics studies
• Hundreds of published prospective and retrospective studies, case reports, technique papers and presentations
• Active collaboration with other children’s hospitals and organizations around the country to add to the knowledge base for pediatric orthopedics

Recent publications

Our latest published research from 2020 to present includes:

Original Publications

• Baskar D, Hosseinzadeh P, Mosca V, Bouchard M, Aroojis A, Arkader A, Cidambi E, Denning J,
  Eastwood D, Gantsoudes G, Kelly DM, Kishta W, Masquijo J, May C, Milbrandt T, Nichols LR, Frick
  S. Dynamic Supination in Congenital Clubfoot : A Modified Delphi Panel Approach to
  Standardizing Definitions and Indications for Treatment. J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 May-Jun
  01;42(5):e459-e465. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002119. PMID: 35180725
• Glotzbecker M, Du J, Dumaine A, Kelly DM, Sturm P, Ramo B, PSSG. Can Traction Films Predict
  Cast Correction? Spine Deform (2022) 10:201-237
• Glotzbecker MP, Du JY, Dumaine AM, Ramo BA, Kelly DM, Birch CM, Sturm PF, PSSG. When Will
  You Succeed Casting Patients With Early-onset Scoliosis? Prospective Evaluation of Predictive
  Radiographic Parameters Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics: July 2022 42(6) - p 293-299 doi:
  10.1097/BPO.0000000000002163
• Hardesty C, Ren B, Murphy RF, Sawyer JR, Flynn J, Emans J, Smith J, Sponseller P, Ramirez. Leave
  It Alone: The Natural History of Growth Friendly Graduates Without a Final Fusion. Spine Deform
  (2022) 10:201-237
• Holbrook HS, Bowers AF, Mahmoud K, Kelly DM. Weight-Bearing Computed Tomography of the
  Foot and Ankle in the Pediatric Population. J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Jul 1;42(6):321-326. doi:
  10.1097/BPO.0000000000002168. Epub 2022 Apr 27. PMID: 35475942
• Kelly DM, Sheffer BW, Elrod R, Piana L, Pattisapu N, Nola V, Spence DD, Sawyer JR. Infections
  After Open Fractures in Pediatric Patients: A Review of 288 Open Fractures. J of So Orthop Adv.
  Summer 2022, Volume 31-2. Online
• Kumar P, Hillesheim RA, Sawyer JR, Beaty JH, Spence DD, Warner WC, Sheffer BW, Kelly DM.
  Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fracture Classification: An Intraobserver and Interobserver Reliability
  Study. Journal of the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America. Vol 4(2). May 1, 2022. DOI:
  10.55275/JPOSNA-2022-0036
• Patel NM, Schmitz MR, Bastrom TP, Ghag R, Janicki JA, Kushare IV, Lewis R, Mistovich RJ, Nelson
  SE, Sawyer JR, Vanderhave KL, Wallace MJ, McKay SD. Interobserver and Intraobserver
  Agreement are Unsatisfactory When Determining Abstract Study Design and Level of Evidence. J
  Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Jul 1;42(6):e696-e700. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002136. Epub 2022
  Mar 10.PMID: 35667059
• Rambo A, Rhodes L, Lomax JL, Cao X, Steele J, Romer KR, Spence DD, Sheffer BW, Warner WC,
  Sawyer JR, Kelly DM. Factors That Influence Acquisition of Lower Extremity Braces in the
  Pediatric Orthopaedic Population. J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Jan 1;42(1):40-46. doi.:
  10.1097/BPO.0000000000001998. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34723893
• Spence DD, Wiskerchen S, Makarewich CA, Mansour AA, Selber CM, Oleas-Santillan GF, Schiller
  JR, Hogue GD. Coding Challenges in Common Pediatric and Adolescent Hip Preservation
  Procedures. Journal of Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America. May 2022. Vol 4(2):1-5.
• White M, Montgomery C, Romer KR, Kelly DM. Virtual Orthopaedic surgery Away Rotation
  Benefits Both the Program and Applicant: A Survey of Participants. COP. May/June 2022;
  33(3):264-270
• Brown DW, Iorio TJ, Mosher ZA, Beaty, JH, Warner WC, Sawyer JR, Spence DD, Sheffer BW, Kelly DM. Intra-observer and Inter-observer Reliability of the Peritubercle Lucency Sign in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis. 2021 Mar 1;41(3):159-163. doi: 10.1097/BPO .0000000000001733. PMID: 33332871
• Kelly DM. A Foot to Last a Lifetime-Is Hindfoot Fusion Ever Appropriate for Pediatric Orthopaedic Conditions? J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 July1;41(Supp1):S39-S46.doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000001777. PMID: 34096536
• Laine JC, Novotny SA, Tis JE, Sankar WN, Martin BD, Kelly DM, Gilbert SR, Shah H, Joseph B, Kim HKW; International Perthes Study Group. Demographics and Clinical Presentation of Early-Stage Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: A Prospective, Multicenter, International Study. J Am Acad Ortho Surg. 2021 Jan15;29(2):e85-e91. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-19-00379. PMID: 32868700
• Lomax JL, Romer KR, Rhodes L, Sheffer BW, Cao X, Spence DD, Steele J, Warner WC, Kelly DM. Factors That Influence Acquisition of Lower Extremity Braces in the Pediatric Orthopaedic Population. In Press with J Pediatr Orthop
• McDonald TC, Heffernan MJ, Ramo B, Haber L, Sheffer B, Murphy J, Murphy R, Fletcher N, Coyne K, Lubicky J, Bumpass DB, Crawford C 3rd, Carreon L, Toner S, Stafford WH, Poppino K, Adams T, Song BM, Gidwani S, Taillac H, Cornaghie M, Sukkarieh H, Wright PB, Conklin M, Gilbert S, Thimothee J, Bhanat E, Brooks JT; Pediatric Orthopaedic Obesity Research Consortium. Surgical Outcomes of Obese Patients From Endemic Areas of Obesity in the United States. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Aug 31. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000001958. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34469396
• Pattisapu N, Elrod R, Piana L, Sheffer BS, Sawyer JR, Spence DD, Beaty JH, Warner WC, Kelly DM. Infection Trends After Open Fractures in Pediatric Patients: A Study of Data Over 11 Years. Accepted to JSOA around 3/21/21
• Rambo A, McGee TS, Spence DD, Sheffer BW, Kelly DM, Beaty JH. "RAMBO" Lesions: Radiographic Anomalies Missed By Orthopaedists. JPOSNA. Vol 3, No 1: pp. 1-8.(2021):February 2021
• Sheffer BW, Kelly DM, Spence DD, Walker KL, Westbrooks TJ, Palm PH, Nolan VG, Sawyer JR. Can Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Be Done Safety In a Freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Center? Review of 3780 Cases. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Jan;41(1):385-e89. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000001670. PMID: 32852367
• Shore B, Mulpuri K, Spence DD, Shrader W. Radiographic Hip Screening in Cerebral Palsy: Developing POSNA Wide Consensus. JPOSNA. Vol 3/ No1; pp. 1-13. (2021):February 2021
• Spence DD (FACTS). Changes in Superior Displacement, Angulation, and Shortening in the Early Phase of Healing for Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter Study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2021 Jun 2:S1058-2746(21)00473-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2021.05.006. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34089880
• Stewart RJ, Strickland CD, Sawyer JR, Kumar P, Gungor B, Longjohn M, Kelly DM, Kink RJ. Hunger Games: Impact of Fasting Guidelines for Orthopaedic Procedural Sedation in the Pediatric Emergency Department. j of Emerg Med. 2021 Apr;60(4):436-443. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.10.038. PMID: 33323292

Review Articles

• Kelly DM, Mahmoud K, Mauck BM. Polydactyly of the Foot: A Review. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2021 May1;39(9):361-369. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33443388

Editorials

• Roye B, Marciano G, Matsumoto H, Fields MW, Campbell M, White KK, Sawyer J, Smith JT, Luhmann S, Sturm P, Sponseller P, Vitale MG; Growing Spine Study Group, Children’s Spine Study Group. Author's Response to Letter to the Editor Regarding "Is Rod Diameter Associated with the Rate of Rod Fracture in Patients Treated with Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods?" Spine Deform. 2021 May 31. doi: 10.1007/s43390-021-00355-x. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34057702
• Sawyer JR. Radiation Reduction Strategies in Pediatric Orthopaedics. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Jul 1;41(Supp1):S75-S79. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000001822. PMID: 34096542
• Chen AF, Dulai SK, Grewal R, Kelly DM, Lee M, Leucht P, Mir H. The 2019 American-British-Canadian (ABC) Traveling Fellowship. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 Jan2;102(1):e1. doi:10.2106/JBJS.19,01000. No abstract available. PMID: 31596817
• Kelly DM, Sawyer JR, Lane JC, Gilber Sr, Frick S. From the Ground Up: Building a Pediatric Orthopedic Clinical Research Program. J of the Ped Orthop Soc of N Am. Nov 2020;2(3)

Podium Presentations

Original Research

• Holbrook HS, Bowers AF, Mahmoud K, Kelly DM, Sheffer BW. Weight-Bearing Computed
  Tomography of the Foot and Ankle in the Pediatric Population. EPOS. April 6-9, 2022.
  Copenhagen
• Kelly DM, Strickland C, Neel R, Porter E, Sheffer BW, Spence DD, Sawyer JR. Closed Reduction of
  Pediatric Wrist, Forearm, and Elbow Fractures in a Free-Standing Ambulatory Surgery Center is a
  Safe and Cost-Effective Alternative to the Emergency Department. POSNA, May 11-14, 2022,
  Vancouver, BC
• Miller K, Kelly DM, Sawyer JR. What Does Adulthood Look Like for Early Onset Scoliosis Patients?
  Long-term Follow-Up on Patient Reported Outcome Measures. POSNA Subspecialty Day, May
  11-14, 2022, Vancouver BC
• Rhodes L, Romer K, Spence DD, Warner WC. Let's Get Everyone Moving and Keep Them Moving
  Throughout the Lifespan. AACPDM. Sept. 21-24, 2022, Las Vegas
• Sawyer JR, Pediatric Spine Study Group. Complications of MCGRs and TGRs in the Management
  of EOS: A Multicenter Database Study of 800 Patients. POSNA. May 11-14, 2022, Vancouver, BC
• Spence DD (FACTS Study Group). Operative Versus Non-operative Treatment of Z-type, Comminuted Fractures in Adolescents: A Sub-stratified Cohort Analysis. AAOS, Aug. 31- Sept. 3, 2021, San Diego
• Spence DD (FACTS Study Group). Operative Versus Non-operative Treatment of Z-type, Comminuted Fractures in Adolescents: A Sub-stratified Cohort Analysis. OTA, Oct. 20-23, 2021, Fort Worth
• Spence DD (FACTS Study Group). Operative Versus Non-operative Treatment of Z-type, Comminuted Fractures in Adolescents: A Sub-stratified Cohort Analysis. POSNA, May 12-15, 2021, Dallas, TX
• Spence DD, CORTICES Group. Who Will Need a Second Surgery? A Study of Cases of Isolated Septic Arthritis from the CORTICES Database. AAOS, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2021, San Diego
• Spence DD, FACTS Group Operative versus Non-operative Treatment of Severely Shortened or Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Older Adolescent Athletes: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter, Level 2 Cohort Study. OTA, May 12-15, 2021, Dallas
• Spence DD, FACTS Group, Operative versus Non-operative Treatment of Severely Shortened or Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Older Adolescent Athletes: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter, Level 2 Cohort Study. POSNA, Oct. 20-23, 2021, Fort Worth
• Spence DD, FACTS Group. Changes in Superior Displacement, Angulation, and Shortening in the Early Phase of Healing for Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter Study, OTA, May 12-15, 2021, Dallas
• Spence DD, FACTS Group. Changes in Superior Displacement, Angulation, and Shortening in the Early Phase of Healing for Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter Study, POSNA, May 12-15, 2021, Dallas
• Spence DD, FACTS Group. Operative Versus Non-operative Treatment of Severely Shortened or Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Older Adolescent Athletes: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter, Level 2 Cohort Study, AAOS, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2021, San Diego
• Spence DD, FACTS Group. Operative versus Non-operative Treatment of Severely Shortened or Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Older Adolescent Athletes: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter, Level 2 Cohort Study, AOSSM, July 8-11, 2021, Nashville
• Spence DD, FACTS Group. Variation in Treatment Approaches to Adolescent Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Pediatric versus Adult Hospitals. AAOS, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2021, San Diego
• Spence DD, FACTS Study Group. Operative vs. Nonoperative of Z-Type Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: A Substratified Cohort Analysis. AAOS, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2021, San Diego
• Spence DD, Wilson P, Bea D, Busch M, Edmonds E, Ellis H, Hergott K, Kocher M, Li Y, Loitta E, Nepple J, Pandya N, Pennock A, Perkins C, Sabatini C, Williams D, Willimon S.. Operative Versus Non-operative Treatment of Severely Shortened or Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Older Adolescent Athletes: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter, Level 2 Cohort Study. PRiSM 8th Annual Virtual Meeting, Jan. 27-30, 2021

Instructional Course Lecture

• Kelly DM (Moderator). Managing Pediatric Emergencies: A Case-Based Discussion. AAOS, Aug. 31- Sept. 3, 2021, San Diego

Expert Opinion

• Kelly DM (Moderator), Sheffer BW (Panelist). Managing Pediatric Emergencies: Case Based
  Discussion. AAOS. March 22-26, 2022, Chicago (DMK, BWS) (2022)
• Schenker M, Archdeacon M, Sanders J, Kelly DM. Adult Type Trauma (pelvic fractures, Lisfranc,
  tibial plateau, distal humerus, calcaneus fracture). Trauma Symposium, POSNA, May 11-14,
  2022, Vancouver BC (DMK) (2022)
• Kelly DM (Moderator). Foot Subspecialty Day. POSNA, May 12-15, 2021, Dallas, TX

Posters

• Diaz-Thomas A, Rhodes LN, Romer KR, Spence DD, Warner WC. Hypogonadism and Low Bone
  Mineral Density in Adolescent Males with Cerebral Palsy. 10th International Conference on
  Children's Bone Health, July 2-5, 2022, Dublin
• Hardesty, Murphy RF, Sawyer JR, Pediatric Spine Study Group. Leave it Alone: The Natural
  History of Growth Friendly Graduates Without a Final Fusion. POSNA, May 11-14, 2022,
  Vancouver, BC
• Patel NM, Schmitz MR, Bastrom TP, Ghag R, Janicki JA, Kushare IV, Lewis R, Mistovich RJ, Nelson
  SE, Sawyer JR, Vanderhave KL, Wallace MJ, McKay SD. Inter- and Intra-Observer Agreement are
  Unsatisfactory When Determining Study Design and Level of Evidence. AOSSM, July 2022,
  Colorado Springs, CO
• Rhodes L, Romer R, Diaz Thomas AM, Spence DD, Warner WC. Using a Telephone Screening Tool
  to Identify Bone Health Risk in Children with Cerebral Palsy. AACPDM. Sept. 21-24, 2022. Las
  Vegas
• Sawyer JR, Pediatric Spine Study Group. Which Levels Should You Instrument in Lenke 1ARvs 1AL
  VBT Cases? POSNA. May 11-14, 2022, Vancouver, BC
• Long H, Rhodes L, Romer KR, Spence DD, Warner WC. Vocal Development in at Risk Patients with Cerebral Palsy. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Nov. 18-20, 2021, Washington DC
• Rhodes L, Romer KR, Friener L, Warner WC, Spence DD. Augmentative and Alterative Communication (AAC) Clinic. AACPDM, Oct. 6-9, 2021, Quebec City
• Rhodes L, Romer KR, Peacock E. Warner WC, Spence DD. The Implementation of an Equipment Closet. AACPDM, Oct. 6-9, 2021, Quebec City
• Spence DD, FACTS Group. Changes in Superior Displacement, Angulation, and Shortening in the Early Phase of Healing for Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter Study, PRiSM, Jan. 28-30, 2021, Virtual
• Spence DD, FACTS Group. Variation in Treatment Approaches to Adolescent Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Pediatric versus Adult Hospitals, PRiSM, Jan. 28-30, 2021, Virtual

Research Grants

• Long Term Outcomes and Quality of Life Measures of EOS Patients. From Depuy Synthes Spine. $47,500 (JRS) (2019‐2021)
• Long Term (> 10 year) Assessment of Outcomes from Surgical Treatment of Early Onset Scoliosis: Development of Methodology and Outcomes Assessment Tools. From Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Mircrogrant. $3,000 (JRS) (2018‐2019)
• The Treatment of Pediatric Diaphyseal Femur Fractures: A Clinical Trial Planning Grant. From Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of American. $30,000 (JRS) (2017‐2019)

Textbooks

• Kelly DM. Congenital and Developmental Abnormalities of the Hip and Pelvis. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Kelly DM. Congenital Anomalies of the Lower Extremity. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Sawyer JR, Spence DD. Fractures and Dislocation in Children. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Sheffer BW. Osteochondrosis or Epiphysitis and Other Miscellaneous Affections. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Spence DD, Sheffer BW. Cerebral Palsy. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Warner WC Jr, Beaty JH. Paralytic Disorders. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Warner WC Jr, Sawyer JR. Neuromuscular Disorders. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Warner WC Jr, Sawyer JR. Scoliosis and Kyphosis. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Warner WC Jr. Pediatric Cervical Spine. In Campbell's Orthopaedic Operative 14th edition, 2021. Beaty JH, Azar FM (eds.)
• Kelly DM, Kramer D. Chest, Shoulder, and Upper Arm. In Noonan K, Kocher M, Eds. Pediatric Musculoskeletal Physical Diagnosis: A Video-Enhanced Guide 1st Edition. Wolters Kluwer Publishers. 2021
• Kramer D, Kelly DM. Orthopaedic Examination of the Pediatric Patient: Chest, Shoulder, and Upper Arm. In Ken Noonan, Min Kocher, eds. Physical Examination for Pediatric and Adolescent Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Media-enhanced Guide for Diagnosis and Next Steps. Wolters Kluwer, 2020

*updated October 2021