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A welcome message from the Chair of the Consortium

The focus and the work product of this Consortium is dedicated to all members of the Armed Forces, especially our Wounded Warriors. Read more...

The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium is funded through cooperative agreements with the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) Orthopaedic Extremity Trauma Research Program (OETRP) (Award # W81XWH-09-2-0108) and the DOD Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program (PRORP) of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) (Award # W81XWH-10-2-0090).

Welcome to the METRC Website

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The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) was established in September of 2009 with funding from the Department of Defense (DOD). It consists of a network of clinical centers and one data-coordinating center that works together with the DOD to conduct multi-center clinical research studies relevant to the treatment and outcomes of orthopaedic trauma sustained in the military. The overall goal of the Consortium is to produce the evidence needed to establish treatment guidelines for the optimal care of the wounded warrior and ultimately improve the clinical, functional and quality of life outcomes of both service members and civilians who sustain high energy trauma to the extremities.

METRC Annual Report

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METRC Annual Report
 

The METRC Consortium

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METRC Studies

CORE AREAS OF RESEARCH

METRC will initially focus its efforts on research relevant to the early, acute treatment of major limb trauma. Over time, the Consortium will leverage its infrastructure to address other priority topics of relevance to both the acute care and rehabilitation of the wounded warrior and civilian trauma patient.

Priorities for investigation will be established in six core areas:

  • Bone Defect Reconstruction and Fracture Healing
  • Prevention and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Infections
  • Diagnosis and Treatment of Compartment Syndrome
  • Outcomes of Limb Salvage and Amputation
  • Post Acute Care and Rehabilitation Outcomes
  • Wound Care and Closure
FIXIT Study

This study will compare two standard options for treating severe open tibia fractures: internal fixation with a nail or plate and external ring fixation.

Read more about the FIXIT study here.

pTOG Study

The purpose of this study is to determine if rhBMP-2, a bone graft substitute, is as effective as using bone from the hip (iliac crest autograft) to help promote healing of open, tibia fractures with a bone defect.

Read more about the pTOG study here.

BIOBURDEN Study

The primary objective of this study is to characterize the contemporary extremity wound “bioburden” at the time of definitive wound coverage or closure of severe extremity wounds employing new polymerase chain reaction PCR technology. We will also determine the relationship of subsequent infections to the initial bioburden screen as defined by both PCR technology and standard microbiology techniques.

Read more about the BIOBURDEN study here.

POvIV Study

The goal of this study is to investigate the efficacy of oral (par oris - PO) antibiotic therapy versus intravenous (IV) systemic antibiotics in the treatment of acute infection after plate fixation of fractures.

Read more about the POvIV study here.

PACS Study

The long-term objective of this research is to develop a tool that can aid clinicians in making a timely and accurate diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) so that early fasciotomy can be done and unnecessary fasciotomy avoided.

Read more about the PACS study here.

OUTLET Study

The purpose of this study is to compare 18 month functional outcomes and health related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients undergoing salvage versus amputation following severe distal tibia, ankle and/or foot injuries with major soft tissue, bone and/ or ankle articular surface loss.

Read more about the OUTLET study here.

TCCI Study

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the Trauma Collaborative Care Intervention (TCCI) in improving long-term functional and quality of life outcomes for service members and civilians with severe, lower extremity trauma.

Read more about the TCCI study here.

PAIN Study

The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of standard pain management vs. standard pain management combined with use of perioperative pregabalin (Lyrica) or ketorolac (Toradol) in the treatment of severe lower limb fractures.

Read more about the PAIN study here.

APS Study

The principal aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of Antibacterial Plate Sleeves (APS) in treating fractures at-risk of infection.

Read more about the APS study here.

      
METRC Clinical Sites

METRC is a collaboration of 23 Core Civilian Trauma Centers, 4 Military Treatment Facilities, and 27 Satellite Centers throughout the United States, unified to identify and address critical issues challenging the recovery of combat and civilian trauma patients. 

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METRC Investigators

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