Orthopaedic Policy, Outcomes and Disparities (OrthoPOD) Lab

Advancing orthopaedic care through policy, outcomes and disparities research

Orthopaedic surgeries restore function, relieve pain and improve quality of life. Yet they're costly, and access, outcomes and costs vary significantly. At the OrthoPOD Lab, our mission is to ensure that all patients who need surgical care can access it and experience meaningful health improvements.

We study how healthcare delivery and payment reforms shape the value, quality and accessibility of orthopaedic care, generating evidence to inform clinical practice and policy. Review our recent publications →

Theory & Evidence

Conceptual frameworks grounded in theory and prior evidence to guide our investigations.

Rigorous Methods

We integrate quantitative econometric and statistical models with qualitative clinical insights to ensure results are both precise and relevant.

Large-Scale Datasets

Large-scale national, state and institutional datasets derived from administrative and clinical records of patients seeking orthopaedic care.

Meet Our Team

Principal Investigator

Caroline P. Thirukumaran, MBBS, MHA, PhD
Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Social Sciences

View Thirukumaran's Profile

View our Members

Thank you for your interest in our work. We invite you to explore our research and connect with us at caroline.thirukumaran@northwestern.edu.