My interest in Research

As a medical student, my research journey has been an exhilarating exploration of the intersections between psychiatry, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and health disparities. These fields may seem disparate at first glance, but for me, they represent interconnected aspects of healthcare that profoundly impact patient well-being.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) have emerged as a pivotal component of my research interests, offering a holistic approach to patient care that focuses on restoring function and improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities or musculoskeletal impairments. Through my research in PM&R, I've had the opportunity to explore innovative rehabilitation strategies, such as adaptive sports programs, assistive technologies, and interdisciplinary rehabilitation interventions, aimed at optimizing outcomes and promoting independence for patients with diverse needs.

My interest in psychiatry dovetails seamlessly with PM&R, as both specialties recognize the integral connection between physical health and mental well-being. Through collaborative research initiatives, I've investigated the role of psychosocial factors in rehabilitation outcomes, explored the impact of mental health interventions on functional recovery, and advocated for integrated care models that address the complex needs of patients with co-occurring physical and psychiatric conditions.

Simultaneously, my research in orthopedic surgery continues to inform my understanding of musculoskeletal health and the surgical management of orthopedic conditions. By examining the efficacy of surgical interventions, rehabilitation protocols, and perioperative care pathways, I aim to identify evidence-based strategies that optimize patient outcomes and minimize disparities in access to surgical care.

But perhaps most importantly, my research interests are underpinned by a passionate commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting health equity for all. Whether I'm investigating barriers to rehabilitation services among underserved populations, examining disparities in access to orthopedic surgery based on socioeconomic factors, or advocating for policies that prioritize equitable healthcare delivery, my research serves as a catalyst for positive change in the healthcare system.

As I continue to explore the intersections between psychiatry, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and health disparities, I'm driven by a shared vision of a healthcare system that values inclusivity, diversity, and patient-centered care. Together, we can work towards a future where every individual has access to comprehensive, equitable healthcare that recognizes and addresses their unique physical, mental, and rehabilitation needs.

A glance of some of my research

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Dharnipragada R, Ahiarakwe U, Gupta R, Abdilahi A, Butterfield J, Naik A, Parr A, Morse LR. Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SCI - Proposal for Combined Approach. J Clin Densitom. 2023 Apr-Jun;26(2):101359. doi: 10.1016/j.jocd.2023.01.003. Epub 2023 Feb 1. PMID: 36931948.

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Pearson ZC, Ahiarakwe U, Bahoravitch TJ, Schmerler J, Harris AB, Thakkar SC, Best MJ, Srikumaran U. Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complications After Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2023 Dec;38(12):2531-2536.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.08.077. Epub 2023 Aug 31. PMID: 37659681.

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

Pearson ZC, Harris AB, Agarwal AR, Kreulen RT, Martin J, Ahiarakwe U, Golladay GJ, Thakkar SC. Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes planovalgus deformity following total knee arthroplasty. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2023 Nov;31(11):4920-4926. doi: 10.1007/s00167-023-07520-x. Epub 2023 Aug 18. PMID: 37596366.

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Ahiarakwe U, Agarwal AR, Chi-Ya Y, Pearson ZC, Weisberg M, Srikumaran U, Best MJ. The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case Volume Following the COVID-19 Pandemic. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2023;11(12):738-751. doi: 10.22038/ABJS.2023.71724.3348. PMID: 38146523; PMCID: PMC10748816.

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Schmerler J, Chiu AK, Ahiarakwe U, Kreulen RT, Srikumaran U, Best MJ. Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic Surgeries in Patients with Eating Disorders. Iowa Orthop J. 2023;43(1):101-110. PMID: 37383874; PMCID: PMC10296453.

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

Ahiarakwe U, Zachary Pearson, Ochuba A, Kim W, Pressman Z, Haft M, Srikumaran U, Best MJ. Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy based on payer status. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2023 Oct;32(10):2132-2139. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2023.05.020. Epub 2023 Jun 20. PMID: 37348781.

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

Pelham WE, Tapert SF, Gonzalez MR, Ahiarakwe U, Patel H, Davis IS, Meruelo A, Van Rinsveld AM, Marshall AT, Dick AS, Guillaume M, Dowling GJ, Baskin-Sommers A, Brown SA. How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary Tests of Two Potential Mechanisms. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2024 Jan 16. doi: 10.15288/jsad.23-00297. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38227391.

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

Pearson ZC, Haft M, Agarwal AR, Rupp MC, Mikula JD, Ahiarakwe U, Best MJ, Srikumaran U. The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After Primary Rotator Cuff Repair. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2024 Mar 20;8(3):e24.00046. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00046. PMID: 38506707; PMCID: PMC10956974.

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

Kishan A, Pearson ZC, Li SS, Pressman Z, Ahiarakwe U, Pathiravasan CH, Srikumaran U. How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial opioid prescriptions for shoulder surgery. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2024 Mar 8:S1058-2746(24)00163-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.01.044. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38461934.

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Agarwal AR, Kinnard MJ, Murdock C, Zhao AY, Ahiarakwe U, Cohen JS, Moseley KF, Golladay GJ, Thakkar SC. The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprosthetic fractures following femoral neck fracture indicated hip arthroplasty: a break-even analysis. Osteoporos Int. 2024 Apr 15. doi: 10.1007/s00198-024-07085-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38619605.

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

Haft M, Pearson ZC, Ahiarakwe U, Nelson SY, Srikumaran U. Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant Subacromial Decompression on 2, 4, and 6 Year Reoperation Rates. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2024 Apr 18. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00636. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38657174.

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

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My interest in Research

A glance of some of my research

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SC

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Increase the Rate of Complication

Higher revision rates in patients with preoperative contralateral pes plano

The Persistent Backlog of Knee and Shoulder Orthopedic Sport Surgery Case V

Increased Incidence of Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Injuries and Orthopaedic

Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis re

How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary T

The Effect of Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis on Revision Surgery Rates After

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial op

The cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis medications for preventing periprost

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant

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