Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis with Jamon Couch
At Arthritis Research Canada, we believe that helping new scientists develop their careers is the best way to ensure we continue to find solutions for millions of Canadians living with arthritis.
“We want to connect trainees with each other and with scientists and develop programming to support them in their training,” said Dr. Mary De Vera, Senior Scientist and Associate Director of Training.
Arthritis Research Canada is home to over 40 research trainees. These trainees conduct research under the mentorship of leading experts in a variety of disciplines – from rheumatology to physiotherapy, pharmacy, health economics and more.
Over the next year, we will profile these amazing, up-and-coming arthritis scientists and the projects they lead. Next up is Jamon Couch, completing a PhD at Melbourne’s La Trobe University.
Jamon, tell us about your background.
I’m an Australian-trained physiotherapist currently completing a PhD at La Trobe University. My thesis is centred within a large-scale OA prevention trial based out of Melbourne, Australia. This clinical trial is specifically looking at the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction. My work is centred around imaging and structural outcomes in this population. I’ve spent a considerable amount of my PhD candidacy at the University of British Columbia working with Arthritis Research Canada Senior Scientist, Dr. Jackie Whittaker.
How did you get involved in arthritis research?
As a physiotherapist, I was treating a lot of individuals with knee osteoarthritis. People living in Melbourne are very active. We were seeing a lot of individuals with knee injuries, and then later down the road, signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. I’ve also held several teaching and research roles at La Trobe University, which as a leader in the sport-related injuries/osteoarthritis space, introduced me to this field of research. I found that the more I learned, the more I wanted to know.
What is your current research focus? What are you working on?
I’m investigating the development of structural osteoarthritis features on MRI following traumatic knee injury.
What do you hope this research achieves?
I hope my research contributes to an understanding of the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis following ACL injury, and the relationship between structure and symptoms in this population. I also hope my research contributes to the development of early-stage osteoarthritis diagnostic criteria, which is a priority internationally.
What do you hope this research achieves?
I think that understanding this topic, and this demographic, will lead me to be a better clinician and help a population that typically experiences considerable disability at a rather young age. It impacts their occupational capacity and ability to enjoy sport and physical activity. It’s a vital population to explore given the burden of developing arthritis at such a young age.
What does it mean to you to be part of Arthritis Research Canada?
I think it’s a really supportive network with brilliant clinician scientists and researchers. That knowledge base is important and beneficial for me as a researcher. The capacity to network with colleagues and peers and gain the input of others is also useful.
What does it mean to you to be part of Arthritis Research Canada?
I’d like to continue investigating the burden and trajectory of osteoarthritis in this young, active adult population, and further develop myself as an independent researcher.
