Research interests
- Analysis of factors contributing to post-traumatic osteoarthritis using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with a particular focus on patellofemoral disorders and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
- Biomechanical characterization of the influence of pathology, rehabilitation and surgical treatment on joint kinematics and pressure applied to cartilage for musculoskeletal joints.
- Characterization of the mechanical properties of intact and reconstructed bones, tendons and ligaments.
- Clinical outcomes analysis following orthopaedic surgery.
Education
- 1989 – University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
BS, Mechanical Engineering - 1991 – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
MS, Biomedical Engineering - 1997 – Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Teaching appointments
- 2005 – present: Assistant Professor, Part Time, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- 2008 – present: Assistant, Associate, Full Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH
Contact information
Phone: 330.344.6176
Email: EliasJ@ccf.org
The focus of the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Biomechanics Laboratory is collaboration between clinicians and engineers to improve treatment methods for patients with a variety of medical conditions. It also provides opportunities for practicing physicians, residents, engineering students and medical students to participate in research.
The Biomechanics Laboratory utilizes engineering concepts to expand clinical knowledge of normal human function, alterations in function from a disease or injury, and responses to clinical treatment. Some engineering concepts include mechanical evaluation of hard and soft tissues, advanced diagnostic imaging and analysis, and simulation of joint function from in vitro and computational methods. For example, the strength and stiffness of various rotator cuff repairs were evaluated with mechanical testing. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to characterize cartilage degradation following patellar dislocations. Surgical treatment options for patellar dislocations were assessed using computational and in vitro simulation of knee function.
The key resources within the laboratory include two material testing machines, video-based and electromagnetic 3D tracking systems, a thin film pressure measurement system, device fabrication facilities including a 3D printer, and facilities for anatomical dissection. Several workstations are available with software for computer-aided design, construction of graphical models from MRI and computed tomography (CT), 3D manipulation of the models, technical computing, multibody dynamics analysis, and statistical analysis of data. Access to additional resources is available through ongoing collaborations with the Program for Advanced Musculoskeletal Imaging (PAMI, https://www.lerner.ccf.org/musculoskeletal-imaging/). Funding for projects within the laboratory is obtained from a wide variety of grants and contracts from federal agencies, foundations and industry partners.
You can view Dr. Elias’s research at ResearchGate.
