Research At Shriners Hospitals-Tampa

The research conducted at the center is directed towards providing an understanding of the musculoskeletal problems affecting children as well as developing new and better treatments for these problems. The pediatric orthopaedic problems treated at the Shriners Hospitals are primarily congenital orthopaedic deformities, diseases of the bones, joints and muscles and orthopaedic conditions resulting from traumatic injuries. Most of these orthopaedic problems, with the exception of those caused by injury, are due to abnormalities in the formation of cartilage and bone during fetal or neonatal development.

Current Clinical Research Studies

Efficacy and Functional Outcomes of Botulinum Toxin A to Hamstrings in Flexed Knee Gait in Cerebral Palsy: A Doubled-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial: To fully understand the efficacy of botox injections into hamstring muscles in children with spastic cerebral palsy, relative to and in combination with other treatment options.

Treatment Of Unstable Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: To assess the effectiveness of different treatment approaches in reducing avascular necrosis by employing the existing variability in individual surgeon’s treatment of unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Comparison of Functional Outcomes of Tendon Transfer Surgery, Botulinum Toxin Injections and Regular Ongoing Treatment in Hemiplegic Upper Extremity Cerebral Palsy: To determine whether tendon surgery is superior to botox injections or regular ongoing treatment for children with hemiplegic upper extremity cerebral palsy.

Registry of Amputee Patients: To establish an international registry of children with acquired and congenital limb deficiencies.

A Comparison of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy to Intensive Conventional Occupational and Physical Therapy: A quantitative review of two types of therapy.

Multicenter Study of Tibial Dysplasia in Neurofibromatosis Type I: Outcome study of tibial dysplasia in patients with neurofibromatosis Type I including an assessment of quality of life, long-term outcome of current treatment, natural history and short-term response to therapy.

To find out more information about a research study, please contact Nancy R. Pisciotto, RN, ONC at 813-972-2250, extension 7712 or by e-mail at npisciotto@shrinenet.org.