University of Calgary (Dr. Carolyn Emery) – Prevention of Patellar and Achilles Tendinopathies in Youth Basketball. Dr. Emery and her team of experts aim to identify risk factors for patella and other tendon-related injuries in young players, explore self-monitoring and reporting programs, and assess the impact of a basketball-specific neuromuscular training program, all of which could have a long-term impact on young athletes and help them avoid premature exit from sport participation.
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Dr. Kenneth Lee) – Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Patellar Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial Correlating Clinical, Biomechanical and Novel Imaging Biomarkers. Dr. Lee and his team of researchers aim to work with college basketball players to evaluate the effectiveness of a non-surgical intervention for treating patellar tendinopathy (also known as “jumper’s knee”) by comparing the use of concentrated platelets containing healing growth factors in a controlled study. They will also track the healing changes of the patellar tendon using new MRI and ultrasound imaging techniques.
Hospital for Special Surgery (Dr. O. Kenechi Nwawka) – Prospective Longitudinal Assessment of Patellar Tendinopathy in Elite Basketball Players Using Quantitative Imaging with Correlation to Symptoms and Functional Analysis. Leveraging advanced medical imaging technology including ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery aim to characterize the changes in the patellar tendon over the course of a basketball season, thus providing predictive information to identify players at an increased risk of developing tendinopathy.
Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam (Dr. Edwin H.G. Oei) – Progressive Tendon-loading Exercise Therapy for Patellar Tendinopathy in Jumping Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluated with Advanced 3D Ultrashort Echo Time MRI. Researchers from Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with support from the Netherlands Basketball Federation, will use a novel MRI technique called ‘ultrashort echo time MRI’ to evaluate a new graduated, non-invasive exercise therapy for “jumper’s knee” that requires no specific equipment. Such an approach could result in increased tendon and muscle strength and pain relief.
“NBA players are among the best in the world, and the NBA is committed to their health and well-being, which is why we’re excited to team up with GE Healthcare and leading researchers for the benefit of the players and our game,” said David Weiss, NBA Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. “The projects we’re announcing today include important areas of focus for the NBA including injury prevention and youth health, as well as advanced technologies and methods such as new approaches to imaging, wearable technology and biomechanics.”

Association Viewpoints Homepage