Overview

The Tucson Orthopaedic Research Foundation was created in 1995 so that the physicians could participate in clinical research, develop projects and assess outcomes. Research has been undertaken in clinical studies related to orthopedics, including pain management, blood problems, soft tissue injuries and postoperative care. In 2001, the foundation’s mission was expanded and renamed the Tucson Orthopaedic Research Center.

The new Tucson Orthopaedic Research Center (TORC) is a multispecialty, investigative research facility dedicated to conducting clinical research trials efficiently and at the highest level of quality.

Tucson Orthopaedic Research Center is a division of the Tucson Orthopaedic Institute (TucsonOrtho), which includes 54 practicing orthopedic providers. Tucson Orthopaedic Institute operates four Tucson clinics: east office, northwest office, Oro Valley and Saint Mary’s.

Orthopedic clinical trials are completed in two hospitals, Tucson Medical Center and Northwest Medical Center, and at the four Tucson Orthopaedic Institute clinics.  Please visit our website at www.tucsonortho.com for more info.

Research Experience

Since 2002, TORC has conducted more than 75 osteoarthritis (OA) studies and in all of them met enrollment goals and in some studies doubled and tripled goals. TORC was a top enroller in the country in more than 20 OA studies. Dr. Skrepnik is a consultant for major pharma and device companies and was the main PI for the U.S. in multiple OA studies, developing new protocols and helping with data analysis. Clinical trial experience and therapeutic interest include:

• Orthopedic devices

• TKA
• THA
• Spine
• F/A
• Shoulder
• Sports medicine

• Acute pain (postsurgical and trauma)
• Chronic pain

• OA knee
• OA hip
• OA shoulder
• OA hand
• Low back
• Lateral and medial epicondylitis

•  More than 20 studies with IV or SC injection of MoAb
• Acute and chronic

• Back
• Neck
• Shoulder pain

• Osteoarthritis
  • Knee
  • Hip
  • Hand
  • Shoulder
  • IA injections and MoAb infusions/injections

• Sports Medicine

• Microfracture
• PRP injections
• Plasma injections

• Bursitis
• Epicondylitis
• Tendonitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Trauma
• Hip and knee disorders
• Soft tissue injuries
• Erythropoiesis stimulants
• DVT prevention
• Anti-inflammatory medications (COX-2 and other NSAID’s)
• Orthopedic pediatrics

TORC has worked with many pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies and CROs including:

Treatment Areas

• Osteoarthritis (knee, hip, shoulder, hands)
• Low-back pain
• Acute pain (postsurgical)
• Chronic pain (osteoarthritis of any joint)
• Sports medicine (surgical and conservative)
• Soft tissue pain/trauma
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Epicondylitis
• Orthopedic devices
  • Total hip arthroplasty
  • Total knee arthroplasty
  • Spinal devices
  • Shoulder and foot/ankle devices
• Orthopedic procedures/surgeries

Facility Description

Our Research Center is located inside the Tucson Medical Center branch of Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, which is one of the largest full-service orthopedic practices in the Southwest, with four locations serving east, northwest and south Tucson and Oro Valley. The Tucson East facility is housed on the first floor of the 200,000-plus-square-foot TMC Orthopaedic and Surgical Tower. It accommodates our 22 orthopedic physicians and includes casting and x-ray rooms, more than 70 exam rooms, a pain management suite, spacious waiting areas and ten operating rooms on the third floor. There is a podiatrist, an occupational medicine specialist, a physiatrist and 15 mid-level providers employed by TucsonOrtho.

TucsonOrtho’s Northwest facility is housed in 17,500 square feet, with 11 orthopedic surgeons on staff, offering two nonsurgical physicians, 35 exam rooms, four cast rooms and a conference room. The TucsonOrtho Oro Valley location has six orthopedic surgeons on staff to assist patients with their needs. In addition to TucsonOrtho’s world-class orthopedic-specialty physicians, the practice also features two physical therapy centers with state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained therapists linked to the orthopedic offices to provide coordinated rehabilitation and personalized treatment plans.

The Research Headquarters (TORC) is located on the first floor. Within our facility, there are:

• Two patient rooms
• Conference room
• Work area for CRAs and monitors
• Secure record and medication storage
• Freezer (-20° F)
• Dedicated refrigerator
• Fax, a copier and numerous telephone lines
• Internet access
• State-of-the-art computer system
• Centrifuge
• Phlebotomy equipment

TORC is conveniently located inside TOI, adjacent to TMC and is a less than a half hour’s drive from Tucson International Airport.

Staff Expertise

Tucson Orthopaedic Clinical Research staff members are trained in multidisciplinary areas to provide the best services in Southwest Arizona

Investigator Expertise

Tucson Orthopaedic Clinical Research staff members are trained in multidisciplinary areas to provide the best services in southwest Arizona.

Patient Demographics

Metropolitan Tucson is home to more than 1 million permanent residents. During the winter months, the estimated population increases to more than 1.2 million because of the deep, southwest pocket location and superb climate. Tucson is a highly diverse community with an extensive population of seniors, college students and minority groups. Our comprehensive, in-house patient database is continually expanding with more than 30,000 active charts.

Demographic Breakdown

Female: 51 percent    Male: 48.9 percent