Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health

Bench and Bedside
Discovery and Treatment
Innovation and Application

a researcher in a white coat prepares samples in the lab

About the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health

The Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health (ICMH) addresses the serious need to prevent and treat musculoskeletal disease. The center’s mission is to discover and develop new treatments, cures, preventative strategies, diagnostic tools and technologies to address the increasing burden of bone, muscle and cartilage disorders.

Diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, bones, muscle and joints result in significant health costs in terms of pain and suffering, loss of work and productivity, and accelerated death. Musculoskeletal diseases represent a huge financial burden to the United States health care system and are the leading cause of disability. A tremendous need exists for new approaches for treating musculoskeletal diseases.

The center includes outstanding, internationally known researchers in the areas of basic, translational and clinical musculoskeletal research at Indiana University, Purdue University, and other academic institutions throughout the United States. These scientists are making important discoveries in the laboratory to be used to treat patients with metabolic and genetic musculoskeletal diseases, bone and muscle cancer, and trauma and tissue regeneration and to determine how to harness the benefits of exercise.

Make a Difference

Philanthropic support is vital in our effort to conduct groundbreaking research and make a meaningful impact on patient lives. Online giving is simple and secure. Learn more about philanthropic options to advance musculoskeletal research today.

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Our Vision is Bold

At the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, we're not just about advancing science. We're about improving lives.

100+
investigators
$70M+
in research funding
5
thematic research teams
6
committees and working groups
Drs. Econs and White discuss research results in the lab

Research

Musculoskeletal center researchers are building on IU School of Medicine’s well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s most knowledgeable group of physician scientists focused on bone biology and musculoskeletal disorders. Researchers and clinicians working with the Indiana Center for the Musculoskeletal Health span four universities and continue to focus on international collaboration. Membership in the Indiana Center for the Musculoskeletal Health is growing. 

a student prepares a sample in the plotkin lab

Education

The Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health is invested in the training and education of the next generation of researchers in musculoskeletal health. Utilizing an extensive network of experts in the fields of bone, muscle, and bone and muscle interactions, the center supports a musculoskeletal health PhD program and post-doctoral training. 

members of the clinical research team stand together in the clinic space

Service Cores

Research service cores are available to support Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health investigators and collaborative medical research partners working in this area of medicine. Support for research involving animal imaging and analysis, musculoskeletal histology, musculoskeletal biobanking, and clinical care and mobility is currently available. Researchers in the center received funding of a clinical grant that focuses on developing and sustaining the Indiana Core Center for Clinical Research (in Musculoskeletal Disorders).