Arthritis Foundation and AOFAS Award $1 Million to Advance Ankle Arthritis Research
Four grants will support innovative clinical research aimed at treatments to stop or slow ankle osteoarthritis.
Schaumburg, Illinois (November 4, 2026) – The Arthritis Foundation and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society® (AOFAS) announced the recipients of the AF/AOFAS Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grants Program, awarding $1 million to support innovative clinical research to advance treatments to stop or slow the development of ankle osteoarthritis (OA).
Now in its second award cycle, the program supports AOFAS members pursuing research to deepen understanding of ankle OA and advance potential approaches to treatment. Four grants will provide a total of $1 million over two years. One grant is supported in part by the Sigvard T. Hansen Pillar Research Grant, named in honor of Sigvard T. Hansen, MD, a world-renowned pioneer in orthopaedic traumatology and reconstructive surgery.
“Continued investment in ankle arthritis research is essential to improving outcomes for patients,” said Jonathon D. Backus, MD, President-Elect of the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation. “We’re proud to continue collaborating with the Arthritis Foundation to support innovative work that has the potential to shape the future of treatment and care.”
The 2026 AF/AOFAS Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grant recipients are:
“Through our partnership with AOFAS, we’re investing in innovative research to deepen understanding of ankle osteoarthritis and accelerate progress toward treatments that can slow or stop disease progression,” said Paul Larkin, vice president of science at the Arthritis Foundation. “We’re proud to support these researchers as they work toward meaningful advances for patients.”
The Arthritis Foundation and AOFAS launched the Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grants Program in 2023, awarding nearly $600,000 to support innovative clinical research. The organizations also partnered on the Foot and Ankle Arthritis Development Program, which provides medical students and residents with valuable training and mentoring in ankle arthritis research and treatment.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against arthritis — the nation's #1 cause of disability. Through groundbreaking scientific research, patient-centered programs, advocacy at all levels of government and robust community engagement, the Foundation is relentlessly pursuing a cure while empowering people to live their best lives. With a presence in communities nationwide, we amplify the voices of those affected and work to drive lasting change. Learn more at arthritis.org.
About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consist of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma.
About the AOFAS
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes. For more information, visit aofas.org.
Now in its second award cycle, the program supports AOFAS members pursuing research to deepen understanding of ankle OA and advance potential approaches to treatment. Four grants will provide a total of $1 million over two years. One grant is supported in part by the Sigvard T. Hansen Pillar Research Grant, named in honor of Sigvard T. Hansen, MD, a world-renowned pioneer in orthopaedic traumatology and reconstructive surgery.
“Continued investment in ankle arthritis research is essential to improving outcomes for patients,” said Jonathon D. Backus, MD, President-Elect of the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation. “We’re proud to continue collaborating with the Arthritis Foundation to support innovative work that has the potential to shape the future of treatment and care.”
The 2026 AF/AOFAS Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grant recipients are:
- A Paradigm Shift in Ankle Osteoarthritis: Synovial Fibrosis and Aberrant Innervation as Core Drivers of Pain — Lew Schon, MD, and Zijun Zhang, PhD, MD, Mercy Medical Center
- The Advancing Mitochondrial Interventions for Ankle Arthritis — Bopha Chrea, MD, and Mitchell Coleman, PhD, University of Iowa
- Investigating Synovial Immune Cell Dynamics in Response to Ankle Joint Injuries and Their Clinical Implications — Natalia Harasymowicz, PhD, Justin Haller, MD, and Megan Campbell, MD, University of Utah
- Ankle-Specific Clinical Validation and Therapeutic Targeting of the 15-PGDH/CD200 Axis to Enable Disease-Modifying Treatment for Ankle OA* — Jason Bariteau, MD, Emory University
“Through our partnership with AOFAS, we’re investing in innovative research to deepen understanding of ankle osteoarthritis and accelerate progress toward treatments that can slow or stop disease progression,” said Paul Larkin, vice president of science at the Arthritis Foundation. “We’re proud to support these researchers as they work toward meaningful advances for patients.”
The Arthritis Foundation and AOFAS launched the Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grants Program in 2023, awarding nearly $600,000 to support innovative clinical research. The organizations also partnered on the Foot and Ankle Arthritis Development Program, which provides medical students and residents with valuable training and mentoring in ankle arthritis research and treatment.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against arthritis — the nation's #1 cause of disability. Through groundbreaking scientific research, patient-centered programs, advocacy at all levels of government and robust community engagement, the Foundation is relentlessly pursuing a cure while empowering people to live their best lives. With a presence in communities nationwide, we amplify the voices of those affected and work to drive lasting change. Learn more at arthritis.org.
About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consist of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma.
About the AOFAS
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes. For more information, visit aofas.org.
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