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Joseph A. Buckwalter IV, MD, MS

Professor of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation

Introduction

Dr. Buckwalter's research interests over the last 40 years have focused on cell and matrix biology, aging changes in articular cartilage and their relationship to osteoarthritis, the mechanisms for transmitting mechanical signals to chondrocytes and the biologic pathways responsible for articular cartilage loss following joint injury. In addition to cell and matrix biology he has been involved in research based on the biomechanics of synovial joints and in particular how mechanical loads applied to articular cartilage lead to degradation of the tissue. He is also pursuing a number of approaches to maintaining and restoring synovial joints following joint injuries.

Current Positions

  • Professor of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
  • Arthur Steindler Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery Service Chief Iowa City Veterans Administration Hospital

Education

  • BA in Psychology, University of Iowa
  • MS in Pathology, University of Iowa
  • MD, University of Iowa
  • Internship in Internal Medicine, University of Iowa
  • Fellow in National Research Service Award Research Fellowship, University of Iowa
  • Resident in Orthopaedic Residency, University of Iowa
  • Resident in Orthopaedic, University of Iowa

Research Interests

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Musculoskeletal Malignancies
  • Joint Injury
  • Cell Matrix Interactions
  • Chondrocyte Biology

Licenses & Certifications

  • Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Selected Publications

  • Anderson, D.D., Martin, J.A., Marsh, J.L., Goetz, J.E., Coleman, M.C., McKinley, T.O., Buckwalter, J.A. (2022) Early OA Following Synovial Joint Fracture. In Latterman, C., Madry, H., Nakamura, N., Kon, E., (Eds.) Early Osteoarthritis, (pp.103-119). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG. ISBN 978-3-030-79484-2. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-79485-9.
  • Buckwalter, J.A., Charabaty, A., Davis, M., Houtrow, A., De Jong, J., Groah, S., Lewin, J.S., Lewis, R.J., Sietsema, K., Taqueti, V.R., Williams, K.A. (2023) Advances in Diagnosis and Evaluation of Disabling Physical Health Conditions. A Consensus Study Report of the National Academies of Sciences-Engineering-Medicine. National Academies Press (USO; 2023 May 1
  • Green-McKenzie, J., Bernstein, A., Bombardier, C.H., Buckwalter, J.A., Cheville, A.L., Fitzpatrick, A., Gradius, J.L., Grubbs, S.S., Krebs, E.E., Morales, K.H., Owens, P.M., Sayer, N.A., Sherry, T., Stubblefield, M. (2020) Selected Health Conditions and Likelihood of Improvement with Treatment. A Consensus Study Report of the National Academies of Sciences-Engineering-Medicine National Academies Press (US); 2020 Apr 21
  • Buckwalter, J.A., Marsh, J.L., Wynn, M., Nichols, K. (2022) Dedication of the Iowa Orthopaedic Journal: Professor Jose A. Morcuende. Iowa Orthop J. 2022 June:42(1):v. PMID: 35821923.
  • Yang, L., Martin, J.A., Brouillette, M.J., Buckwalter, J.A., Goetz, J.E. (2022) Objective Evaluation of Chondrocyte Density & Cloning After Joint Injury Using Convolutional Neural Networks. J Orthop Res. 2022 Nov;40(11):2609-2619. Epub 2022 Feb 16. PMID: 35171527
  • Ding, L., Zhou, C., Zheng, H., Wang, Q., Sung, H., Buckwalter, J.A., Martin, J.A. (2021) Migrating Progenitor Cells From Injured Cartilage Surface Respond to Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns. Cartilage 13: 755S-765S, 2021. PMCID8804768, doi: 10.1177/19476035211049559, PMID: 34636628.
  • Roddy, M. K., Boykin, D. M., Hadlandsmyth, K., Marchman, J. N., Green, D. M., Buckwalter, 4th, J. A., Garvin, L., Zimmerman, B., Bae, J., Cortesi, J., Rodrigues, M., Embree, J., Rakel, B. A. & Dindo, L. (2020). One-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshop for preventing persistent post-surgical pain and dysfunction in at-risk veterans: A randomized controlled trial protocol. Journal of psychosomatic research 138 110250. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110250. PMID: 32961500. PMCID: PMC7554120.
  • Buckwalter, J. A. (2020). 2020 Dedication of the Iowa Orthopedic Journal - Professor John Albright. Iowa Orthopedic Journal 40 (1) IV-VII. PMID: 32742232.
  • Martin, J. A., Coleman, M. C., Buckwalter, IV, J. A. & Buckwalter, V, J. A. (2020). Articular Cartilage Injury. In Atala, A., Vacanti, J., Langer, R. & Lanza, R. (Eds.) Principles of Tissue Engineering. (Chapter 52), pp. 967-978. Academic Press.
  • Gholson, J. J., Shah, A. S., Buckwalter, IV, J. A. & Buckwalter, V, J. A. (2019). Long-Term Clinical and Radiographic Follow-Up of Preaxial Polydactyly Reconstruction. J Hand Surg Am 44 (3) 244e1-244e6. PMID: 30853062.