The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium

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Investigator: Theodore Miclau, MD
Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

Location(s): United States

Description

The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) was initially established in September of 2009 with funding from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Orthopaedic Extremity Trauma Research Program (OETRP) (Award # W81XWH-09-2-0108). The Consortium was expanded in both size and scope one year later through a cooperative agreement with the DOD Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program (PRORP) of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) (Award # W81XWH-10-2-0090). It consists of a network of clinical centers and one data-coordinating center that will work together with the DOD to conduct multi-center clinical research studies relevant to the treatment and outcomes of orthopaedic trauma sustained in the military.

 The overall goal of the Consortium is to produce the evidence needed to establish treatment guidelines for the optimal care of the wounded warrior and ultimately improve the clinical, functional and quality of life outcomes of both service members and civilians who sustain high energy trauma to the extremities. Anchored by a Data Coordinating and Research Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Consortium includes 22 core Level I civilian trauma centers and 4 of the Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) – with the ability to expand patient recruitment into more than 30 additional satellite trauma centers.

The objectives of the Consortium are to work collaboratively with the USAISR to: 
  • Identify and prioritize the most critical issues challenging recovery from severe extremity trauma;
  • Maintain an efficient research infrastructure to support the conduct of  multi-center research studies aimed at the rigorous evaluation of current standards of orthopaedic care;
  • Partner with basic scientists to facilitate translation of new & emerging technologies into clinical practice;
  • Mentor young orthopaedic trauma surgeons and rehabilitation specialists in the design and conduct of clinical trials;
  • Contribute to the science of fracture and soft tissue repair;
  • Contribute to the science of conducting clinical trials in a challenging patient population and treatment environment.