The Australian Government has awarded $2.7 million to a La Trobe University researcher through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
The grant will support ground-breaking work to improve the diagnosis, treatment and care for youth with hip dysplasia.
A La Trobe University project, led by Associate Professor Joanne Kemp from the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, has been awarded $2,714,343 for research into improving outcomes for children and adolescents with hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia means the hip joint socket is shallow, which in severe cases means it can dislocate or be prone to dislocation. Globally, one in 100 infants are treated for hip dysplasia.
“Hip dysplasia can have a devastating impact on the lives of children, teenagers and young adults, causing severe pain and limitations to their school, sporting and social lives. It can also lead to arthritis in the future,” Dr Kemp said.
“This funding will allow us to test the two most common treatments – surgery and exercise – to determine which is the most effective at reducing pain, improving quality of life and reducing the future potential burden of arthritis.”
In March this year, fellow La Trobe researcher Adam Bourne also received MRFF grant funding.
Professor Bourne, Director of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), was awarded $1,998,842 for work optimising the role and impact of mental health and alcohol or drug services and programs delivered by LGBTIQ+ community-controlled organisations in Australia.
In 2023, La Trobe University was ranked in the world’s top 50 Universities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Sports-Related Subjects.
