Dr. Lewis L. Shi is leading an active shoulder research program, with multiple clinical and translational projects. In collaboration with Dr. T.-C. He, he is investigating biological factors that may improve the healing of rotator cuff injuries. He has an on-going IRB approved study examining patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy, correlating the growth factors of the subacromial milieu to the condition and chronicity of cuff tears. The ultimate goal is to identify potential pharmacologic treatment to augment rotator cuff repairs in human patients.
Dr. Shi is leading several multi-centered shoulder clinical outcome studies. These are prospective randomized control trials studying the optimal methods of treatment for rotator cuff tears, biceps tendonitis, and labrum tears. He is also conducting several studies using the Marketscan, a national insurance claims database, to examine the patterns, complications, and the cost of shoulder surgery in the last decade.
Dr. Shi continues his collaborations with the several prestigious orthopaedic hospitals in China. In this past year he has co-authored several papers in PLoS One and Genet Test Mol Biomarkers on ankylosing spondylitis with investigators in 301 Military Hospital in Beijing. Additionally his work on vascularized fibula graft with the Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital has generated multiple podium presentations at international conferences and will be published soon.
Dr. Nicholas Maassen is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in elbow and shoulder injuries, with extensive research in treating soft tissue injuries, shoulder and elbow arthritis, and fractures in the upper extremity. Dr. Maassen's significant contributions to orthopedic and sports medicine research are evident in his studies on rotator cuff repair, shoulder arthroplasty, and postoperative complications. His work includes exploring muscle force restoration in rotator cuff tears, the impact of medications on adhesive capsulitis, and the effectiveness of bone marrow aspirate concentrate in rotator cuff repair. Additionally, he has investigated the utility of radiographs for asymptomatic patients post-shoulder arthroplasty, and shoulder outcomes following mastectomy with breast reconstruction. Dr. Maassen's research has been published in several esteemed journals, such as the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Arthroscopy, Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, and Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.