Todd A. Milbrandt, M.D.

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SUMMARY

Todd A. Milbrandt, M.D., investigates pediatric muscle, tendon and bone dysfunction. Specifically, he is interested in re-creating naturally found tissue when that tissue is damaged. By using tissue-engineering techniques, Dr. Milbrandt looks to reform cartilage in growth arrest from childhood trauma, to prevent hip collapse in Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and to eradicate bone infections.

Focus areas

• Cartilage. Dr. Milbrandt is working to re-establish growth plate cartilage that has been destroyed by using polymers laden with growth factors that are pro-cartilage.
• Bone. Blood loss to the femoral head in Legg-Calve-Perthes disease creates bone loss and ultimately a malformed and dysfunctional hip. Dr. Milbrandt is investigating a mixture of time-released pharmacologics suspended in polymer to create a more spherical hip. These drugs, when time-released, prevent bone loss and stimulate new bone formation.
• Infection. Dr. Milbrandt has employed polymer release of antibiotic in a time-released manner to address post-surgical infections in spine wounds.

Significance to patient care

Muscle, tendon and bone problems are compounded in children because of their growth rate. Each of Dr. Milbrandt's areas of research addresses current gaps in pediatric clinical care. With the potential to directly transfer these technologies to the bedside, he is working toward improved outcomes for debilitating orthopaedic diseases.

Professional highlights

• Recipient, James H. Beaty Clinical Paper Award for Best Clinical Paper, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, 2012
• Recipient, T. Boone Pickens Spinal Research Award for Down's syndrome and scoliosis research, 2004