Research & Innovations

There’s an old medical adage we like at OFAC: Patients want their health care from people who write the books, not just those who read them. To our practice, that means not just perfecting current-generation practices, but looking ahead to where we want to be in five to ten years. We're happy to say that, in nearly every case, by the time a procedure becomes routine, we’ve already been doing it for a decade. And that’s largely due to our extensive work in medical research.

The research performed at OFAC not only results in progress in the field, but ultimately improves the level of care that our patients receive. Our surgeons are always at the leading edge and frequently pioneer new medical procedures. Their work has been featured in national publications and has earned accolades from the top institutions in the field.

Featured Projects

Amniotic Membrane in Surgical Repairs

Will the use of human amniotic tissue help decrease the amount of inflammation, scarring, and recovery time of surgically repaired peroneal tendon tears?

Total Ankle Replacement

The virtual ankle replacement technology allows the surgeon to perform the total ankle replacement operation on his computer before the patient ever enters the operating room. This technology will insure a better placement of the implant resulting in a better outcome for the patient.

Achilles E-Stim Study

The immobilization period after an Achilles tendon repair surgery can cause the calf muscle to atrophy. We are investigating whether electrical stimulation applied to the calf in the 6 weeks following surgery could reduce this atrophy and improve patient recovery.

Awards & Recognition

Research is the cornerstone of our practice because its findings have allowed us to improve patient care and outcomes. We are honored to have received over 15 different awards for our research presentations, manuscripts, and findings. In 2011 we received the Pioneers in Medicine Award from the Arthritis Foundation of Central Ohio, and were the recipients of a Manuscript Award at the 2014 annual conference for American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons for research into degenerative joint disease following Total Ankle Replacements.

Recent Publications(by Physicians)

Gregory Berlet, MD

Pollizzi AA, Herman DC, Berlet GC, Reb CW. Reliability of the "Clinical Tibiofibular Line" Technique for Open Syndesmosis Reduction Assessment. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Aug 12:1938640020948667.

Rushing CJ, Kibbler K, Hyer CF, Berlet GC. The INFINITY Total Ankle Prosthesis: Outcomes at Short-Term Follow-up. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Aug 8:1938640020946199.

So E, Rushing CJ, Simon JE, Goss DA Jr, Prissel MA, Berlet GC. Association Between Bone Mineral Density and Elderly Ankle Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2020 Sep-Oct;59(5):1049-1057. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2020.03.012. Epub 2020 May 6.

Berlet GC, Brandão RA, Consul D, Ebaugh P, Hyer CF. Short- to Midterm Follow-up of Cemented Total Ankle Replacement Using the INBONE II: A Retrospective Chart Review. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Apr 21:1938640020913126.

Berlet GC, Langan TM, Jamieson MD, Ferrucci AM. Analysis of the Effect of Tibial Stem Length on Coronal Plane Deformity of the Tibial Component in Total Ankle Arthroplasty. Foot Ankle Int. 2019 Oct;40(10):1166-1174. doi: 10.1177/1071100719862744. Epub 2019 Aug 2.

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Terry Philbin, DO

Goss DA Jr, Halverson A, Philbin TM, Bull PE. New Fixation Methods for the Treatment of the Diabetic Foot: Beaming, External Fixation, and Beyond Foot Ankle Int. 2019 Oct;40(10):1214-1218.

Prissel MA, Daigre JL, Brandão RA, Philbin TM, Hyer CF, Berlet GC. Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Distal Fibular Intramedullary Canal: A Cadaveric Evaluation. Foot Ankle Spec. 2018 Jan 1:1938640017751190.

Van Dyke B, Berlet GC, Daigre JL, Hyer CF, Philbin TM. First Metatarsal Head Osteochondral Defect Treatment With Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allograft Transplantation: A Case Series. Foot Ankle Int. 2018 Feb;39(2):236-241.

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Christopher Hyer, DPM

Law RW, Langan TM, Consul DW, Steriovski J, Prissel MA, Hyer CF. Safety Profile Associated With Calcaneal Autograft Harvesting Using a Reaming Graft Harvester

Rushing CJ, Kibbler K, Hyer CF, Berlet GC. The INFINITY Total Ankle Prosthesis: Outcomes at Short-Term Follow-up. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Aug 8:1938640020946199.

Chu AK, Law RW, Greschner JM, Hyer CF. Effectiveness of the Cadaver Lab in Podiatric Surgery Residency Programs. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2020 Mar-Apr;59(2):246-252.

Brandão RA, So E, Steriovski J, Hyer CF, Prissel MA. Outcomes and Incidence of Complications Following Endoscopic Gastrocnemius Recession: A Systematic Review Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Jan 12.

Langan TM, Greschner JM, Brandão RA, Goss DA Jr, Smith CN, Hyer CF. Maintenance of Correction of the Modified Lapidus Procedure With a First Metatarsal to Intermediate Cuneiform Cross-Screw Technique. Foot Ankle Int. 2020 Apr;41(4):428-436. doi: 10.1177/1071100719895268. Epub 2019 Dec 26.

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Patrick Bull, DO

Goss DA Jr, Halverson A, Philbin TM, Bull PE. Minimally Invasive Retrograde Method of Harvesting the Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon: A Cadaveric Study Foot Ankle Int. 2019 Oct;40(10):1214-1218.

So E, Brandão RA, Bull PE. A Comparison of Talar Surface Area Occupied by 2- Versus 3-Screw Fixation for Ankle Arthrodesis. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Feb;13(1):50-53.

Brandão RA, Weber JS, Larson D, Prissel MA, Bull PE, Berlet GC, Hyer CF. New Fixation Methods for the Treatment of the Diabetic Foot: Beaming, External Fixation, and BeyondClin Podiatr Med Surg. 2018 Jan;35(1):63-76.

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Mark Prissel, DPM

Law RW, Langan TM, Consul DW, Steriovski J, Prissel MA, Hyer CF. Safety Profile Associated With Calcaneal Autograft Harvesting Using a Reaming Graft Harvester Foot Ankle Int. 2020 Sep 3; online ahead of print.

Shibuya N, McAlister JE, Prissel MA, Piraino JA, Joseph RM, Theodoulou MH, Jupiter DC. Consensus Statement of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons: Diagnosis and Treatment of Ankle Arthritis . J Foot Ankle Surg. Sep-Oct 2020;59(5):1019-1031.

Eric So 1, Calvin J Rushing 2, Janet E Simon 3, David A Goss Jr 4, Mark A Prissel 5, Gregory C Berlet 5 Association Between Bone Mineral Density and Elderly Ankle Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Foot Ankle Surg. Sep-Oct 2020;59(5):1049-1057.

Brandão RA, So E, Steriovski J, Hyer CF, Prissel MA. Outcomes and Incidence of Complications Following Endoscopic Gastrocnemius Recession: A Systematic Review Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Jan 12.

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