The Ankle Arthritis Think Tank will award $1 million in merit-based grants over a two-year period

Schaumburg, Ill. (October 21, 2026) – The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society^® (AOFAS) and the Arthritis Foundation (AF) announced $1 million in funding for the recipients of the AF/AOFAS Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grants Program. Now in its second award cycle, the grant program provides substantial funding to support innovative clinical research that advances knowledge toward treatments to stop or slow ankle osteoarthritis.

AF and AOFAS awarded four grants, totaling $1 million over a two-year period, to AOFAS members dedicated to furthering their ankle osteoarthritis research projects. One of the grants 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.” 

Congratulations to the 2026 AF/AOFAS Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Grant Recipients!

• 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 
  * Funded in part by the Sigvard T. Hansen Pillar Research Grant  

“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. We’re proud to support these researchers as they work toward meaningful advances for patients,” said Paul Larkin, VP Science at the Arthritis Foundation.

The inaugural cycle of the AF/AOFAS Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grants Program in 2023 awarded nearly $600,000 in grant funding for innovative clinical research. Last year, AOFAS and AF also partnered on the Foot and Ankle Arthritis Development Program, which provided medical students and residents with valuable training and mentoring in ankle arthritis research and treatment. 

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 the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society online at aofas.org.

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 empowers people to live their best lives while relentlessly pursuing a cure. With a presence in communities nationwide, we amplify the voices of those affected and work to drive lasting change. Learn more at arthritis.org.

Contact:

Elizabeth Edwards
[email protected]