Coro West, Suite 404
1 Hoppin Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Voice: (401) 444-5444
Fax: (401) 444-4418
e-mail: Braden_Fleming@brown.edu
Education / Experience
Dr. Fleming joined the Department of Orthopaedics in June 2003. He received his doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Vermont in 1996 and then served on the faculty of the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation at the University of Vermont. His primary research interests focus on the lower extremity and spine with a particular interest in knee and soft tissue biomechanics, and biomedical instrumentation. Recent projects include the in vivo strain measurements of the human anterior cruciate ligament, the development of an experimental model to investigate graft healing and the progression of osteoarthritis following ACL injury and reconstruction, and the in vivo measurement of the forces and motion of spinal implants. He has received several awards for research including the GOTS-Beiersdorf Research Award (2000), the American Society of Biomechanics Post-doctoral Young Scientist Award (1999), and the Albert Trillat Young Investigator Award (1997). He is currently the PI on two grants from the National Institutes of Health, and a grant from the National Football League.
Current Projects:
1. National Institutes of Health (RO1): “Osteoarthritis following ACL reconstruction”. 08/2003 – 07/2008. Co-investigators: Michael Hulstyn, M.D. & Paul Fadale, M.D.
One of the goals of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is to prevent the progression of arthritis commonly seen in the ACL-deficient knee. However, there is some clinical evidence to suggest that post-traumatic arthritis will persist following surgery. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the progression of osteoarthritis following ACL reconstruction using an experimental model. The status of the articular cartilage of the knee will be assessed in control, sham, ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed knees. Articular cartilage damage will be quantified by assessing the mechanical properties of the tissue.
2. National Institutes of Health (RO1): “Effects of initial graft tension following ACL reconstruction”. 08/2003 – 07/2008. Co-investigators: Paul Fadale, M.D. & Michael Hulstyn, M.D.
The initial tension applied to the graft at the time of surgery affects the knee motion and the distribution of contact stress, factors thought to promote osteoarthritis in the ACL-injured knee. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of initial graft tension on the articular cartilage following ACL reconstruction in a prospective, double-blinded, randomized, and controlled study. Articular cartilage status is being assessed by measuring changes in the joint spaces of the tibiofemoral joint. Secondary outcomes include changes in joint kinematics, strength and patient-oriented outcomes.
a. Fleming BC, Brattbakk B, Peura GD, Badger GJ, Beynnon BD: Measurement of anterior-posterior knee laxity: A comparison of three techniques. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 20: 421-426, 2002.
b. Fleming BC, Beynnon BD, Johnson RJ, Renstrom PA, Uh B: The effects of initial graft tension on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Submitted to the Orthopaedic Research Society, San Francisco 7-11 March 2004.
3. National Football League Charities (Medical Research Grant): “Initial graft tension and ACL reconstruction”. 03/2003 – 02/2005.
Biomarkers of articular cartilage metabolism (biochemical markers of collagen and aggrecan synthesis and degradation) may serve as surrogates for articular cartilage damage. However, longitudinal studies are needed to relate the changes in concentrations the biochemical markers, which are obtained from serum, synovial fluid, and/or cartilage samples, to the status of articular cartilage. Using the experimental model described above, the relationship between the biomarkers and the material properties of the articular cartilage following ACL injury and treatment are being ascertained.
Recent projects:
1. National Football League Charities (Medical Research Grant): “In vivo measurement of anterior cruciate ligament strain during rehabilitation exercises”. 10/2001 – 02/2002.
The objective of this study is to measure the ACL strain response during rehabilitation exercises and other muscle-induced loading conditions in human subjects.
a. Fleming BC, Ohlen G, Renstrom PA, Peura GD, Beynnon BD, Badger GJ: The effects of compressive load and knee joint torque on peak anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) strains. American Journal of Sports Medicine, In Press.
b. Fleming BC, Renstrom PA, Ohlen G, Johnson RJ, Peura GD, Beynnon BD, Badger GJ: The Gastrocnemius Muscle is an Antagonist of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 19: 1178-1184, 2001.
c. Fleming BC, Renstrom P, Beynnon BD, Engstrom B, Peura GD, Badger GJ: The Effect of Weightbearing and External Loading on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Strain. Journal of Biomechanics 34: 163-170, 2001.
d. Fleming BC, Renstrom PA, Peura GD, Abate JA, Ohlen G, Beynnon BD, Johnson RJ: Strain Response of the ACL during the leg press exercise. Orthopaedic Research Society, San Francisco 25-28 February 2001. Trans Orthop Res Soc 26: 803, 2001.
e. Fleming BC, Beynnon BD, Renstrom PA, Johnson RJ, Peura GD, Nichols CE: In vivo measurement of ACL strain: Applications to Rehabilitation. The GOTS-Beiersdorf Research Award 2000. Sportorthopadie Sporttraumatologie 16: 133-142, 2000.
f. Fleming BC, Renstrom PA, Beynnon BD, Engstrom B, Peura GD: The Influence of Functional Knee Bracing on the ACL Strain Biomechanics in Weightbearing and Non-weightbearing Knees. American Journal of Sports Medicine 28: 815-824, 2000.
2. National Institutes of Health (RO3): “An experimental model to evaluate ACL graft healing”. 09/1997 – 08/2000.
The objective of this investigation was to develop an experimental model to evaluate different parameters of ACL reconstruction.
a. Fleming BC, Brattbakk B, Peura GD, Badger GJ, Beynnon BD: Measurement of anterior-posterior knee laxity: A comparison of three techniques. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 20: 421-426, 2002
b. Fleming BC, Abate JA, Peura GD, Beynnon BD: The relationship between initial graft tension and anterior-posterior laxity in the reconstructed goat knee. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 19: 841-844, 2001.
c. Fleming BC, Peura GD, Abate JA, Beynnon BD: Precision and accuracy of roentgen Stereophotogrammetry Analysis (RSA): Potential application for measuring knee laxity in longitudinal studies. Journal of Biomechanics 34: 1355-1359, 2001.