Rush Foot & Ankle Research Laboratory

Recent Studies

 

Background

Daniel Bohl, MD Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH

Daniel Bohl, MD
Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon
Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH

The Rush Foot and Ankle Research Laboratory develops and evaluates new surgical techniques and characterizes the utility of new implants and procedures. The laboratory conducts randomized controlled trials to answer some of the field’s toughest questions.

Dr. Bohl has received funding from the NIH, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, Yale University, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Northwestern University, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, UC Berkeley, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Cervical Spine Research Society, several industry sponsors, and key private donors. His work has received more than 15 awards from societies, institutions, and journals. Current areas of emphasis include:

  • Ankle fracture

  • Achilles rupture

  • Ankle arthritis

  • Professional athletics

  • Bunions / hallux valgus

  • Foot arthritis / hallux rigidus

  • Workers injured on the job

A list of Dr. Bohl’s research publications and presentations is available here.

 

Past Research Fellows

 

Nasima Mehraban, MD

Nasima Mehraban, MD

Nasima Mehraban, MD

Nasima Mehraban, MD, is a graduate of Caribbean Medical School and Saint James School of Medicine. She has pushed forward the field of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery in the areas of bunion correction, skin preparation, orthotics, 3D imaging, work-related injuries, opioid use, ankle fracture fixation, postoperative immobilization, and the use of CBD oil to manage pain.

Selected peer-reviewed publications from the lab are as follows:

  • Foran IM, Mehraban N, Jacobsen SK, Bohl DD, Lin J, Lee S, Holmes GB, Hamid KS. Radiographic Impact of Lapidus, Proximal Lateral Closing Wedge Osteotomy, and Suture Button Procedures on First Ray Length and Dorsiflexion for Hallux Valgus. Foot Ankle Int. 2020 Aug;41(8):964-971. PubMed ID: 32517537.

  • Mehraban N, Holmes GB Jr, Lin J, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Skin Preparation Techniques for Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Current Concepts Review. Foot Ankle Int. 2020 Aug;41(8):1007-1016. PubMed ID: 32517493.

  • Mehraban N, Idarraga AJ, Wu KJ, Patel MS, Vora AM, Kadakia AR, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Effect of Leg Length–Evening Device on Perceived Balance in Patients Wearing a Controlled Ankle Motion Boot. Foot Ankle Orthop. 2020 Jul;5(3):1-6. DOI: 2473011420930236.

  • Foran IM, Mehraban N, Jacobsen SK, Bohl DD, Lin J, Hamid KS, Lee S. Impact of Coleman Block Test on Adult Hindfoot Alignment Assessed by Clinical Examination, Radiography, and Weight-Bearing Computed Tomography. Foot Ankle Orthop. 2020 Jul;5(3): 1-8. DOI: 2473011420933264.

Selected presentations from the lab are as follows:

  • Mehraban N, Rossi DM, Wakefield C, Lin J, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Randomized Trial of Dilute Betadine Soak and Scrub for Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. San Diego, CA. 2021 Aug 31 - Sept 1. (Podium presented by Mehraban N).

  • Mehraban N, Idarraga AJ, Wright-Chisem A, Patel D, Lee S, Hamid KS, Singh K, Bohl DD. Functional Capacity Evaluation Following Workplace-related Orthopaedic Injuries. 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. San Diego, CA. 2021 Aug 31 - Sept 1. (Podium presented by Mehraban N).

  • Foran IM, Mehraban N, Jacobsen SK, Bohl DD, Hamid KS, Lin J, Lee S. Comparison of Change in Hindfoot Alignment with Coleman Block Testing Using Clinical Exam, X-ray, and Weight-bearing CT. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. San Antonio, TX. 2020 Sep 9-12. (Podium presented by Mehraban N).

  • Foran IM, Bohl DD, Vora AM, Mehraban N, Hamid KS, Lee S. Talar osteonecrosis after subchondroplasty for acute lateral ligament injuries: a small case series. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. San Antonio, TX. 2020 Sep 9-12. (Podium presented by Foran IM).

  • Hejna E, Mehraban N, Holmes GB, Lin J, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. New Persistent Opioid Use Following Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Study of 318 Patients. 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. San Diego, CA. 2021 Aug 31 - Sept 1. (Podium presented by Mehraban N).

  • Mehraban N, Idarraga AJ, Wu KJ, Patel MS, Vora AM, Kadakia AR, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Leg-length-evening device improves balance in patients wearing a controlled ankle motion boot: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. San Antonio, TX. 2020 Sep 9-12. (Poster).

  • Mehraban N, Foran IM, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Routine fixation of Weber B fibula fractures with a lateral locking plate and no lag screw. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. San Antonio, TX. 2020 Sep 9-12. (ePoster).

  • Mehraban N, Rossi DM, Wakefield C, Lin J, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Randomized trial of dilute betadine soak and scrub for orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. San Antonio, TX. 2020 Sep 9-12. (Poster).

  • Hejna E, Mehraban N, Holmes GB, Lin J, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Postoperative opioid dependence following orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery: A cohort study of 448 patients. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. San Antonio, TX. 2020 Sep 9-12. (Poster).

  • Foran IM, Mehraban N, Jacobsen SK, Bohl DD, Lin J, Lee S, Holmes GJ, Hamid KS. A Comparison of First Ray Length and Dorsiflexion after Arthrodesis, Osteotomy and Suture Button Procedures for Hallux Valgus Deformity. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. San Antonio, TX. 2020 Sep 9-12. (ePoster).

Dr. Mehraban was also instrumental in obtaining two society grants to fund our research (read more about grants):

  • Bohl DD, Mehraban N, Hamid KS. Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Resident Research Grant for the project “Randomized Controlled Trial of Dilute Betadine Soak and Scrub for Foot and Ankle Surgery.”

  • Terhune EB, Mehraban N, Bohl DD, Hamid KS. Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Multipurpose Resident Grant for the project “Effect of Topical Chylobinoid Cream for Degenerative Hallux Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial.”

 

Alexander Idárraga, BA

Alexander Idárraga, BA

Alexander Idárraga, BA

Alexander Idárraga is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. He has been instrumental in the lab’s work on minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair, total ankle arthroplasty, workplace-related injuries, ankle fracture fixation, patient satisfaction, ankle-spine interaction, the opioid epidemic, x-ray imaging, foot arthritis, and orthotics.

Selected peer-reviewed publications from the lab are as follows:

  • Idarraga AJ, Wright-Chisem A, Bohl DD, Lee S, Lin J, Holmes GB, Hamid KS. Functional Capacity Evaluation for Injuries to the Foot and Ankle. Foot Ankle Int. 2019 Nov;40(11):1282-1287. PubMed ID: 31319712.

  • Bohl DD, Idarraga AJ, Holmes GB Jr, Hamid KS, Lin J, Lee S. Validated Risk-Stratification System for Prediction of Early Adverse Events Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Closed Ankle Fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2019 Oct 2;101(19):1768-1774. PubMed ID: 31577682.

  • Idarraga AJ, Bohl DD, Barnard E, Movassaghi K, Hamid KS, Schiff AP. Adverse Events Following Minimally Invasive Achilles Tendon Repair. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Aug 25. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed ID: 32840128.

  • Bohl DD, Idarraga AJ, Hamid KS, Holmes GB, Lin J, Lee S. Total Ankle Arthroplasty Is Safer Than Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in the Early Postoperative Period. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2020 Aug 15;28(16):671-677. PubMed ID: 32769722.

  • Benko S, Idarraga AJ, Bohl DD, Hamid KS. Virtual Scribe Services Decrease Documentation Burden Without Affecting Patient Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Aug. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed ID: 32844674.

  • Bohl DD, Idarraga AJ, Lee S, Hamid KS, Lin J, Holmes GB. Timing of Early Complications Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Closed Ankle Fractures. Foot Ankle Spec. 2021 Apr;14(2):140-147. PubMed ID: 32114794.

  • Manning BT, Bohl DD, Idarraga AJ, Holmes GB, Lee S, Lin JL, Hamid KS. Patient Knowledge Regarding Radiation Exposure From Foot and Ankle Imaging. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Aug;13(4):324-329. PubMed ID: 31347397.

  • Bohl DD, Idarraga AJ, Hur ES, Lee S, Hamid KS, Lin J. Second Metatarsophalangeal Joint Interpositional Arthroplasty Using Decellularized Human Dermal Allograft: Operative Technique. Foot Ankle Orthop. 2020 Apr;5(2):1-4. DOI: 2473011420920856.

  • Mehraban N, Idarraga AJ, Wu KJ, Patel MS, Vora AM, Kadakia AR, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Effect of Leg Length–Evening Device on Perceived Balance in Patients Wearing a Controlled Ankle Motion Boot. Foot Ankle Orthop. 2020 Jul;5(3):1-6. DOI: 2473011420930236.

Selected presentations from the lab are as follows:

  • Heiman EM, Wu K, Idarraga AJ, Bohl DD, Lin J, Holmes GB, Lee S, Hamid KS. Opioid Consumption Following Outpatient Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Prospective Analysis. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Orlando, FL. 2020 Mar 24-28. (Podium presented by Heiman EM).

  • Benko S, Idarraga AJ, Bohl DD, Hamid KS. Virtual Scribe Services Decrease Documentation Burden Without Affecting Patient Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Orlando, FL. 2020 Mar 24-28. (Podium presented by Bohl DD).

  • Mehraban N, Idarraga AJ, Wright-Chisem A, Patel D, Lee S, Hamid KS, Singh K, Bohl DD. Functional Capacity Evaluation Following Workplace-related Orthopaedic Injuries. 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. San Diego, CA.  2021 Aug 31 - Sept 1. (Podium presented by Mehraban N).

  • Heiman EM, Wu K, Idarraga AJ, Bohl DD, Lin J, Holmes GB, Lee S, Hamid KS. Opioid Consumption Following Outpatient Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Prospective Analysis. 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Chicago, IL. 2019 Sep 12-15. (Podium).

  • Idarraga AJ, Wright-Chisem A, Bohl DD, Lee S, Lin J, Holmes GB, Hamid KS. Functional Capacity Evaluation for Injuries to the Foot and Ankle. 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Chicago, IL. 2019 Sep 12-15. (ePoster).

  • Mehraban N, Idarraga AJ, Wu KJ, Patel MS, Vora AM, Kadakia AR, Lee S, Hamid KS, Bohl DD. Leg-length-evening device improves balance in patients wearing a controlled ankle motion boot: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. San Antonio, TX. 2020 Sep 9-12. (Poster).

  • Bohl DD, Idarraga AJ, Lee S, Hamid KS, Lin J. Second metatarsophalangeal joint interpositional arthroplasty using decellularized human dermal allograft. 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Chicago, IL. 2019 Sep 12-15. (ePoster).

  • Benko S, Idarraga AJ, Bohl DD, Hamid KS. Virtual Scribe Services Decrease Documentation Burden Without Affecting Patient Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial. 2020 American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Specialty Day. Orlando, FL. 2020 Mar 28. (Podium presented by Hamid KS).

  • Khan JM, Idarraga AJ, Skipor J, Kalish C, Berkowitz M, Louie PK, Bohl DD, Lee S, An HS, Hamid KS. Associations in the Sagittal Plane: No Evidence that Foot Radiographs Predict Sagittal Alignment or Degeneration of the Spine. 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Chicago, IL. 2019 Sep 12-15. (ePoster).

  • Benko S, Idarraga AJ, Bohl DD, Hamid KS. Virtual Scribe Services Decrease Documentation Burden Without Affecting Patient Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial. 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Chicago, IL. 2019 Sep 12-15. (ePoster).

 

 How You Can Help

The Rush Foot and Ankle research laboratory subsists entirely on grants and donations from people like you. It is through these grants and donations that we are able to fund the fellowship positions and material purchases that make our research possible.

If you had a great experience as a patient, are inspired by medical research, or would like to support medical education, your donation would mean a tremendous amount to us. Donations are tax deductible and we will provide you with the appropriate paperwork.

Please call us at (312) 432-2563 or simply fill out the online form designating “Foot & Ankle Research Fund” as the recipient. If you would like, Dr. Bohl would be more than happy to give you a call to discuss your donation. Thank you!