UCSF Researcher Earns Top Honors at Orthopaedic Surgery Conference

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has awarded the 2026 New Emerging eXperts in Translational Science (NEXT) Award to Kelsey H. Collins, PhD, for her research on the role that fat tissue plays as a key contributor to osteoarthritis (OA).

Osteoarthritis has long been considered condition associated the “wear and tear” of aging, yet Collins’ translational studies demonstrate that OA may be a systemic condition influenced by metabolic and immune factors. By focusing on osteoarthritis as a whole-body disease with fat tissue outside the joints being a driver of OA development and pain, her work provides a new area of research which could potentially lead to the discovery of new drivers, therapeutic candidates, and treatment strategies.

Collins, who is UCSF assistant professor and principal investigator at the UCSF Laboratory for Musculoskeletal Crosstalk, studies how systemic signals influence musculoskeletal health, particularly in aging, obesity, and chronic disease. Her laboratory uses CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering, stem cell models, and multi-omic spatial analyses to identify molecular mechanisms that drive OA, pain, and other musculoskeletal disorders, with the goal of developing new regenerative medicine therapies.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Collins and the transformative work being conducted in her lab,” said C. Benjamin Ma, MD, chair of the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “This recognition reflects her scientific leadership and the impact her research is having on the future of orthopedic care.”

Collins received the award on March 4, during the AAOS Orthopaedic Research Excellence Awards ceremony at 2026 AAOS Annual Meeting. The annual award recognizes early-career investigators making outstanding contributions to translational orthopedic research.

In addition to Collins’ award, orthopedic surgery experts from UCSF Health presented research findings and cutting-edge surgical techniques at the AAOS meeting. This year’s program featured presentations by orthopedic surgeons and researchers from the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Here are some highlights:

Symposia:

Nicholas Colyvas, MD, FAAOS, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and UCSF professor of Orthopaedic Surgery served as moderator and a presenter during the symposium “Meniscus 2026: An All Case-Based Deep Dive into Meniscus Treatment.” Through case-based expert panel evaluation and discussion, this session explored a variety of treatment options for meniscus problems. Controversies in meniscus treatment were applied to real-world situations. Colyvas also appeared at the Orthopaedic Video Theater to present “Quick Technique Guide for Fibrin Clot Augmentation of Meniscal Repair.” This session was designed as a technique guide to show the key pearls of fibrin clot augmentation in meniscal repair, highlighting the steps that can be employed to make this a straightforward and reproducible procedure and experience.

Erik Hansen, MD, FAAOS, the William R. Murray, MD, Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery at UCSF, presented “Beyond the Hospital Walls: Revolutionizing Orthopaedic Surgery in the ASC” during the symposium"Joint Ventures: Mastering Primary Arthroplasty in the Ambulatory Setting.” This symposium explored expanding the complexity and scope of orthopedic procedures in ambulatory surgery center (ASC) settings and examined safety protocols, outcomes, and implementation strategies across subspecialties. Hansen also led the session “Lunch and Learn: Integrating Real-Time Planning and Personalized Alignment Techniques: The CORI Approach to Knee Reconstruction.”

Paper Presentations:

Alicia Asturias, MD, UCSF chief Orthopaedic Surgery resident, presented “Dega, Pemberton and Salter: A Deeper Comparison of Pelvic Osteotomies for Residual Acetabular Dysplasia” during “Case Chats: Pediatrics II – Hip.” Asturias looked at Dega, Pemberton, and Salter osteotomies to improve hip dysplasia. Salter offers strong correction but often needs reoperation, while Dega allows faster recovery with potential for remodeling.

Sara L. Edwards, MD, FAAOS, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, was the case presenter for “Shoulder Surgery Disasters: How to Manage Complications and Failures after Arthroscopic and Open Shoulder Surgery.” This session involved a roundtable discussion about the management of complications after arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery (arthroplasty).

Edwards and first author Alan Zhang, MD, FAAOS, medical director of the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute, presented the ePoster “The Use of Motorized Cold Therapy Unit in the Postoperative Period Influences Pain and Narcotic Use following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair” (e0626). In this prospective cohort study, Edwards and Zhang showed that the addition of a regimented cold therapy unit program decreases postoperative pain and opioid use after primary rotator cuff repair.

Brian Feeley, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and the Ron Conway Family Endowed Professor in Sports Medicine Research at UCSF, presented “Surgeon Subspecialty Training Influences the Type of Surgery for Proximal Humerus Fractures in Elderly” during “Case Chats: Shoulder and Elbow I - Proximal Humeral Fractures.” Shoulder-trained surgeons are significantly more likely to recommend arthroplasty compared to dual-trained and trauma-trained surgeons. These results have implications for the surgery patients receive.

Feeley also presented the sports medicine ePoster “Short Socket ACL Reconstruction Reduces Tunnel Widening While Preserving Graft Maturation and Achieving Comparable Clinical Outcomes Compared to Conventional Technique: A 2-Year Prospective Quantitative MRI Study” (e0843). Short socket ACL reconstruction achieved equivalent clinical outcomes with significantly reduced tunnel widening while maintaining comparable graft maturation versus conventional technique.

Akash Vasanthan, MBA, MS, a data scientist in the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, presented “ACL Reconstruction with Hamstring Autograft Utilizing Independent Femoral Tunnel Drilling Yields Low Failure Rates: Analysis of 2,711 Cases from Over 10 Years” during the sports medicine poster tour oral session. Vasanthan discussed how hamstring grafts show similar short-term failure rates as bone-tendon-bone and quadriceps tendon grafts when femoral tunnels are drilled independently. He also discussed how revision surgery risk rises with allografts, younger age, and male sex.

Ishaan Swarup, MD, FAAOS, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and UCSF associate professor of Pediatric Orthopaedics, offered a case presentation during “Challenging Pediatric Hip Disorders: A Continuity of Care from Osteotomy to Arthroplasty or What Are the Limits of Hip Preservation?” This session addressed challenging pediatric hip disorders from osteotomy to arthroplasty and explored the limits of hip preservation.  

Swarup was also a presenter for the paper presentation “Quantifying Solid Waste Production and Sustainability Barriers in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery: A Mixed-Methods Study” during “Case Chats: Pediatrics VI - Spine and Practice. Swarup discussed how pediatric orthopaedic surgeries generate substantial waste, with posterior spinal fusion producing the most (29.5 kg). Limited recycling and education hinder sustainability despite staff interest to improve waste reduction.

Coleen S. Sabatini, MD, MPH, FAAOS, UCSF professor and vice chair of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, was the case presenter for “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Approaches to Complex Pediatric Trauma in Older Children.” Her session provided a comprehensive exploration of the intricate nuances surrounding complex pediatric fractures.

Saam Morshed, MD, PhD, MPH, an orthopedic surgeon and section chief of the UCSF Division of Orthopaedic Trauma, served as tibia plateau fractures table instructor during case presentation session on trauma “How to Avoid Pitfalls and Improve Outcomes in Tibia Plateau Fractures?” While tibia plateau fractures are one the most common fractures treated surgically, they can be challenging to achieve good/excellent results. This session focused on the pitfalls and problems of trying to improve functional outcomes.

Utku Kandemir, MD, FAAOS, FACS, an orthopedic surgeon, trauma injury specialist and UCSF professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, was one of two presenters for the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Specialty Society Program. He presented “Proximal Humerus Fracture Techniques - ORIF Locking Plate” and participated in the case discussion following the presentation.

Instructional Course Lectures

Lauren Shapiro, MD, MS, FAAOS, an orthopedic surgeon and UCSF associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, was the moderator for “PROMs Are Here to Stay: Utilizing PROMs to Benefit Patients and Minimize Financial Risk.” This session reviewed the benefits of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), examined new PROM and accountable care policies, and how to integrate PROM programs into health systems.

Sigurd H. Berven, MD, FAAOS, a spine specialist and UCSF professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, presented “Spine Biologics Update” during “NASS Spine Biologics Update.” The use of biologic technologies for complex spinal disorders is rapidly growing. This course covered current research regarding the utilization of biologics in the treatment of degenerative disc disease and fusion enhancement. Various categories of genetic, molecular, cell therapy, surface technologies, and use of scaffolds will be discussed. Current best practices and indications will be reviewed along with combination therapy.

Sara L. Edwards, MD, FAAOS, presented “Reverse TSA – It’s Dislocated! Why Did This Happen and What Do I Do?” during “Complications in Shoulder Arthroplasty: Why Did This Happen and How Do I Get Out of It?” Complications happen in shoulder arthroplasty, and they can be daunting. This session reviewed the most common arthroplasty-related complications and why these complications may have occurred. She discussed if whether these complications could have been avoided and reviewed how to successfully obtain a good patient outcome.

Please visit AAOS abstracts for complete meeting abstract information.

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