Research summary
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions can range from carpal tunnel syndrome to tendonitis, sprains and various bone, muscle and joint problems. Dr. Joy MacDermid, Canada Research Chair in MSK Health Outcomes and Knowledge Translation, is developing new approaches to orthopedic surgery and musculoskeletal rehabilitation that combine technology advances with patient-centred approaches.
People with musculoskeletal conditions (or injured workers) will give MacDermid and her research team input into their needs, the design of the proposed interventions and the usability analyses. Interventions that show promise during the development phase will be tested in rigorous clinical trials. Ultimately, this research may lead to better access to rehabilitation, less reliance on opioids, better targeting of patients who need surgery, and shorter wait times for treatment.