James Ashton-Miller, Ph.D.,
Injury prevention is a key — but under-emphasized — component for maintaining quality of life and reducing the burden of disability and pain in society.
Musculoskeletal conditions cost our society more than $250 billion per year. One out of every seven Americans has a musculoskeletal impairment, and more than 50 percent of all injuries are to the musculoskeletal system. Currently, 46 million Americans have arthritis and that number is expected to increase to more than 60 million by 2020.
The University of Michigan Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center has the opportunity to address these major public health issues and impact the functional mobility and quality of life of many.
The Bone & Joint Center was launched (late in 2006) with the goal of leveraging the University’s world-class strengths in sports medicine, orthopaedic surgery, kinesiology, biomedical engineering, epidemiology, and clinical/translational research and education. The Bone & Joint Center is supported by researchers and senior leaders from the School of Medicine (especially the departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation), School of Kinesiology, School of Engineering, School of Public Health, University of Michigan Health System, and by the generous contribution and support of the Judy and Fred Wilpon Family Foundation.
Together, this interdisciplinary team is taking on the challenge of generating and disseminating new knowledge about the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. The vision of the Bone & Joint Center is to create lifelong musculoskeletal health, emphasizing physical activity and exercise across the lifespan.
I welcome you to our website and invite you to learn about the Bone & Joint Center. Please contact me or anyone at the Center with questions or suggestions. Your interest and support are vital to the continuing development and success of the Center and its programs.
James Ashton-Miller, Ph.D.,
Director
Jenna Craft is a member of the Class of 2009 at Pinckney Community High School. She first tore her ACL at the age of 12 playing basketball for a community league team. Following 15 months of surgery and rehabilitation, she went back to sports, this time girls' soccer, only to tear the ACL in her other knee. Yet another round of surgery and rehabilitation ensued. Today, she devotes her time to studies and soccer as a forward on the Lady Pirates.