More about us
The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) is a unique collaboration of more than 80 trauma centers working to improve care and recovery outcomes for patients with severe extremity trauma. Since 2009, METRC has brought together nearly 400 investigators from leading research institutions and medical centers to address pressing clinical questions that impact trauma care for both military and civilian populations. Our mission is to generate high-quality, real-world evidence that strengthens care standards and enhances long-term outcomes for trauma patients.
Supported by over $150 million in funding from the Department of Defense, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and National Institutes of Health (NIH), METRC has conducted more than 35 studies to date. Many studies are now complete, and their findings have led to changes in standards of care. Others are in the analysis phase, while some are ongoing. Each year, METRC submits numerous competitive grant applications to support new research and address the evolving needs in trauma care.
METRC’s research addresses seven key areas:
- Infection Prevention and Management: Developing approaches to prevent and manage infections, a significant complication following trauma.
- Acute Injury Management: Optimizing initial surgical and medical interventions to improve short-term outcomes.
- Reconstruction and Bone Healing: Enhancing methods to support bone healing and recovery for severe fractures and injuries.
- Long-Term Health and Secondary Conditions: Investigating long-term physical and health outcomes related to trauma.
- Pain and Psychosocial Recovery: Advancing understanding and treatment of trauma-related pain and psychological effects.
- Rehabilitation and Functional Improvement: Focusing on rehabilitation strategies that improve function and quality of life post-trauma.
- Limb Salvage and Prosthetics: Exploring effective strategies for limb salvage and enhancing prosthetic options for those who undergo amputation.
By prioritizing these areas, METRC is at the forefront of generating evidence to shape the future of orthopaedic trauma care worldwide.
METRC Organization
The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) is structured to foster seamless collaboration across an extensive network of trauma centers, academic institutions, and research experts. This organizational structure is designed to facilitate high-quality multicenter research, supporting coordination across clinical sites, data management, and decision-making.
Coordinating Center
The METRC Coordinating Center, based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, provides centralized oversight and coordination for all research activities. It manages protocol development, data collection, compliance, and quality control across METRC’s studies, ensuring each project adheres to the highest standards. The Coordinating Center also promotes communication across the Consortium’s network, allowing METRC sites to operate with consistency and efficiency.
Clinical Sites
METRC’s network comprises more than 80 trauma centers across the United States and Canada, each bringing unique expertise and patient populations to the Consortium’s studies. Hundreds of investigators—principal investigators, associate investigators, and junior investigators—are involved in METRC’s research. Each site is supported by dedicated research professionals and staff who work on implementing METRC protocols, gathering and managing data, and maintaining quality standards. Together, these sites form a collaborative foundation that allows METRC to conduct impactful multicenter research across diverse settings.
Governance
METRC’s governance structure is designed to support effective decision-making and strategic direction, with a streamlined approach that encourages active involvement across the Consortium. The Executive Committee, METRC’s primary decision-making body, oversees research priorities, strategic planning, and Consortium-wide initiatives. Additional committees are established as needed to provide specific expertise and insights on particular projects, ensuring that METRC’s research aligns with its mission while maintaining an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Funding and Partnerships
Funding from the Department of Defense, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other sources has supported METRC’s growth and research achievements. Partnerships with military and civilian institutions further enable METRC to address critical research questions that benefit a broad spectrum of trauma patients, enhancing the relevance and impact of our work.
METRC Wins the 2023 Kappa Delta Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award
In 2023, the Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) was honored with the prestigious Kappa Delta Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons—a significant achievement as the award is typically given to an individual rather than a consortium. This distinction underscores METRC’s collaborative model and its transformative impact on orthopaedic trauma care through multicenter research.
Since its establishment, METRC has focused on addressing critical challenges in trauma care, from infection prevention to enhancing rehabilitation outcomes. Through coordinated efforts across more than 80 trauma centers, METRC has conducted impactful studies that have elevated standards of care and shaped clinical practice nationwide. The Kappa Delta Award recognizes METRC’s commitment to advancing rigorous, patient-centered research, laying a foundation for improved practices and better outcomes for trauma patients.