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Gary Bledsoe, Ph.D.

Professor; Department Chair

Education

Ph.D. in Engineering, The University of Memphis
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, The University of Memphis
B.S. in Electrical Engineering Tech, University of Tennessee

Research Interests

  • Orthopaedic biomechanics
  • Trauma biomechanics
  • Orthopaedic tissue engineering
  • Biomechanical modeling
  • Biomaterials
  • Orthopedic surgery

Labs and Facilities

The Interfacial Biomaterials/Biomechanics Lab focuses on those healing phenomena that typically occur at a tissue material interface. While we must consider the biocompatibility of the material, we must also consider device function which is often dependent on the mechanics of the interface. For example, a simple fracture of the humerus is not difficult to treat non-operatively, but if the patient must be on crutches the mechanics are much different and the clinician may choose to plate the fracture. How big should the plate be? How stiff? Fractures of the pelvis are interesting because the loads on the pelvis are large, pelvis fractures can often be unstable, and fractures are often adjacent to nerves. How much hardware is needed to stabilize the fracture site to allow it to heal without affecting the spinal nerves? Similarly, a degenerated vertebral disc can be very painful, and treatment options are limited. What are some options for providing mechanical support without generating a response to the material that causes other maladies? These ideas are representative of our lab’s focus.

Publications and Media Placements

Printed Archival Peer-Reviewed Journals
Tabaie, Sean A., Bledsoe, J. Gary and Berton R. Moed, “Biomechanical Comparison of Standard Iliosacral Screw Fixation to Transsacral Locked Screw Fixation in a Type C Zone II Pelvic Fracture Model.” Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, 27(9):521-526, September 2013. DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0b013e318278110

Ahmed, M, Young, BT, Bledsoe, G, Cutuk, A and SG Kaar, “Biomechanical Comparison of long head of biceps tenodesis with interference screw and biceps sling soft tissue techniques.” Arthroscopy, 29(7):1157-63, July 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2013.04.001

Davis, Adrian T., Israel, Heidi, Cannada, Lisa K. and J. Gary Bledsoe, “A biomechanical Comparison of One-third Tubular Plates Versus Periarticular Plates for fixation of Osteoporotic Distal Fibula Fractures.” Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, 27(9), e201-e207, September 2013. DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0b013e318281a565

Cui, S., Bledsoe, J.G., Israel, H., Watson, J.T. and L.K. Cannada, “Locked plating of comminuted distal femur fractures: Does unlocked screw placement affect stability and failure?” Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, 28(2):90-96, February 2014. DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0b013e31829f9504

Moed, B.R., O’Boynick, C.P. and J.G. Bledsoe, “Locked versus standard unlocked plating of the symphysis pubis in a Type-C pelvic injury: A cadaver biomechanical study.” Injury, 45(4):748-751, April 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2013.11.017

Growney Kalaf, E.A., Sell, S.A. and J.G. Bledsoe, “Developing a mechanical and chemical model of degeneration in young bovine lumbar intervertebral discs and reversing loss in mechanical function.” Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, 27(5): e168-e175, July 2014. DOI:10.1097/BSD.0000000000000085

Sinatra, P.M., Jernick, M.L., Bledsoe, G. and S.G. Kaar, “No contribution of tension-reducing rotator cuff sutures on locking plate fixation in a 2-part proximal humerus fracture model.” Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, 28(8): 458-463, August 2014. DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000000051

Salari, Pooria, Moed, Berton R., and Bledsoe, J. Gary, “Supplemental S1 fixation for type C pelvic ring injuries: biomechanical study of a long iliosacral versus a transsacral screw.” Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 16(4) :293-300, December 2015, DOI: 10.1007/s10195-015-0357-8

Ebersol, G.M., Eckerle, P., Farrow, L.D., Cutuk, A., Bledsoe, J.G. and S.G. Kaar., “Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Isometry Is Affected by the Orientation of the Femoral Tunnel.” Journal of Knee Surgery, 2015, DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1554926

Growney Kalaf, E.A., Flores, R., Bledsoe, J.G. and S.A. Sell, “Characterization of Slow-Gelling Alginate Hydrogels for Intervertebral Disc Tissue-Engineering Applications.” Macromolecular Bioscience, 2016, DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.02.067

Arvesen, J.E., Gill, S.W., Sinatra, P.M., Eng, M., Bledsoe, J.G. and S.G. Kaar, “Contribution of tension-reducing rotator cuff sutures in 3 part proximal humerus fractures.” Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, 2016, DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000000575

Okoroafor, U.C., Saint-Preux, F., Gill, S.W., Bledsoe, G. and S.G. Kaar, “Nonanatomic Tibial Tunnel Placement for Single-Bundle Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Leads to Greater Posterior Tibial Translation in a Biomechanical Model.” Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery, 2016, DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2016.01.019

Conference Abstracts
Growney Kalaf, E.A.; Bledsoe, J.G.; Sell, S.A. “Intervertebral disc cellular response to platelet-rich plasma for alginate-based nucleus pulposus regeneration.” Poster presentation at the Regenerative Medicine Workshop at Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC, March 26-29, 2014.

Solari, P, Moed, BR and JG Bledsoe, “Supplemental S1 Fixation for Type-C Pelvic Fracture: Biomechanical Study of Long Iliosacral vs. Trans-sacral Screw.” Podium presentation at the Mid America Orthopaedic Association, San Antonio, TX, April 26, 2014.

Ebersole, Gregg M., Eckerle, Paul, Farrow, Lutul D., Cutuk, Adnan, Bledsoe, J. Gary and Scott G. Kaar, “Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Isometry is Affected by the Orientation of the Femoral Tunnel.” Podium presentation at the Mid America Orthopaedic Association, San Antonio, TX, April 26, 2014.

McNamara, Andrew R., Bledsoe, J. Gary, and Dirk H. Alander, “Biomechanical Stability of Uniplanar, Monoaxial, and Polyaxial Pedicle Screw Configurations in a Porcine Single-Level Lumbar Burst Fracture Model.” Podium presentation at the Mid America Orthopaedic Association, San Antonio, TX, April 26, 2014.

Growney Kalaf, E.A., Bledsoe, J.G. and S.A. Sell, “The effect of platelet-rich plasma on intervertebral disc cells.” Podium presentation at the SLU Graduate Student Association Research Symposium, April 11, 2014.

Growney Kalaf, Emily, Feltz, Kevin*, Temofeew, Niko*, Bledsoe, J. Gary and Scott Sell, “Incorporation of Intervertebral Disc Cells into Candidate Materials for Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration.” Poster Presentation at the Biomedical Engineering Society, San Antonio, TX, October 22-25, 2014.

Growney Kalaf, E.A., Flores, R., Feltz, K.P.*, Bledsoe, J.G. and S.A. Sell, “Design and Characterization of an Injectable Scaffold with Controlled Gelation for Nucleus Pulposus Therapy.” Poster presentation at 2015 4th TERMIS World Congress, Boston, MA, September 8-11, 2015.

Zustiak, S. and J.G. Bledsoe, “Encouraging Curiosity, Connections and the Creation of Value in a Materials/Biomaterials Sequence: Part II Biomaterials.” Poster presentation at the Biomedical Engineering Society 2015 Annual Meeting, Tampa, Florida, October 7-10, 2015.

Bledsoe, J.G. and S. Zustiak, “Encouraging Curiosity, Connections and the Creation of Value in a Materials/Biomaterials Sequence: Part I Materials Science.” Poster presentation at the Biomedical Engineering Society 2015 Annual Meeting, Tampa, Florida, October 7-10, 2015.

Patents
Bledsoe, G., Moed, B.R., and Li, D., “Method for controlling phase transformation temperature in metal alloy of a device.” US patent 8,216,398 B2. Filed May 17, 2010, and issued July 10, 2012.

Bledsoe, G., Moed, B.R., Condoor, S., Shields, K.A., Alford, T.P., Miller, R.J. “Intramedullary nail device for repairing long bone.” European patent EP 1 804 698 B1. Filed April, 04, 2004, and issued April 07, 2012.