Current Research

Current research interests for Dr. Franko focus on the intersection of medicine, business, and technology for hand surgeons.  This includes study the utility and benefits of online physician ratings, integrating automated patient outcomes tools in practice, and developing a low-cost national hand surgery registry database.  The registry has been further evaluated to measure the recovery trajectory and help improve outcomes after common surgical procedures.

Recent Presentations:
Recovery Time After Surgery – ASSH 2018
Active vs Passive Review Requests – ASSH 2018
Surgeon Dependent vs Independent Review Factors – ASSH 2018
Efficacy of Automated Outcomes – ASSH 2018
Predicting 1-Year Surgical Satisfaction at 6 Weeks – ASSH 2018


Previously published work here:

Franko OI., Stern, PJ. Use and Effectiveness of Ethyl Chloride for Hand Injections. J Hand Surg. 2017 Mar;42(3):175-181. PMID: 28259274

Andrawis JP, Muzykewicz DA, Franko OI. Mobile Device Trends in Orthopaedic Surgery:  Rapid Change and Future Implications. Orthopedics. 2016 Jan 6:1-6. PMID: 26730684

Franko OI, Okike K. Open access and online journals in orthopaedics: What does the future hold? JBJS Reviews, 2014 Jul; 2 (7): e7.

Franko OI, Abrams RA. Hand Infections. Orthop Clin N Am. 2013 Oct;44(4):625-34. PMID: 24095077

Tirrell TF, Franko OI, Bhola S, Hentzen ER, Abrams RA, Lieber RL. Functional Significance of Distal Brachioradialis Tendon Release: A Biomechanical Study. J Hand Surg Am. 2013 Mar 22. PMID: 23528425

Sclafani JA, Tirrell TF, Franko OI. Mobile Tablet Use Among Academic Physicians and Trainees. J Med Syst. 2013 Feb;37(1):9903. PMID: 23321961

Kupperman, Franko OI, Indresano, Girard. Cannulated Screw Unraveling: Case Report and Literature Review of an Under-Recognized Complication. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2012 Oct 27. PMID: 23104015

Franko OI, Bray C, Newton PO. Validation of a Scoliometer Smartphone App to Assess Scoliosis. J Pediatr Orthop. 2012 Dec;32(8):e72-5. PMID: 23147635

Franko OIMobile Software Applications for Hand Surgeons. J Hand Surg Am. 2012 Jun;37(6):1273-5. Epub 2012 Apr 14.  PMID: 22507390.

Franko OI, Bhola S. iPad Apps for Orthopaedic Surgeons. Orthopedics. 2011 Dec 1;34(12):978-81. PMID: 22147214

Franko OI, Tirrell TF. Smartphone App Use Among Medical Providers in ACGME Training Programs. J Med Syst. Volume 36, Issue 5 (2012), Page 3135-3139.  PMID: 22052129

Franko OI. Twitter as a communication tool for orthopedic surgery. Orthopedics. 2011 Nov;34(11):873-6. PMID: 22050252

Franko OISmartphone Apps for Orthopaedic Surgeons. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011 Jul;469(7):2042-8. Epub 2011 May 6. PMID: #21547414

Franko OI, Tirrell TF, Winters TM, Hentzen E, Lieber RL. Moment Arms of the Human Digital Flexors. J Biomechanics. J Biomech. 2011 May 9. PMID: #21561624

Franko OI, Abrams RA. Ulnar angular deformity leading to distal radioulnar joint instability: a case report. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2011 Feb 28. PMID: #21357671

Franko OI, Lee NM, Finneran JJ, Shillito MC, Meunier MJ, Abrams RA, Lieber RL. Quantification of Partial or Complete A4 Pulley Release with FDP Repair in Cadaveric Tendons. J Hand Surg Am. 2011 Mar;36(3):439-45. PMID: #21306835

Rozental TD, Blazar PE, Franko OI, Chacko AT, Earp BE, Day CS.  Functional outcomes for unstable distal radial fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation or closed reduction and percutaneous fixation. A prospective randomized trial.  J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009 Aug;91(8):1837-46. PMID: #19651939

Alexander M, Franko OI, Makhni E, Zurakowski D, Day CS. Validation of a modern activity hand survey with respect to reliability, construct and criterion validity. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2008 Oct;33(5):653-60. PMID: #18977836

Franko OI, Lal S, Pauyo T, Alexander M, Zurakowski D, Day CS. Validation of an Objective Device for Assessing Circumductive Wrist Motion. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2008 Oct;33(8):1293-300. PMID: #18929191

Franko OI, Zurakowski D, Day CS.  Functional Disability of the Wrist: Direct Correlation with Decreased Wrist Motion. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2008 Apr;33(4):485-92. PMID: #18406951

Yeh A, Franko OI, Day CS. The Impact of Clinical Electives and Residency Interest on Medical Students’ Education in Musculoskeletal Medicine. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Feb;90(2):307-15. PMID: #18245590

Day CS, Franko OI.  Low-Profile Dorsal Plating for Dorsally Angulated Distal Radius Fractures.  Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery 11(2):1-7, 2007. PMID: #17549020

Day CS, Yeh A, Franko OI, Ramirez M, Krupat E. Musculoskeletal Medicine: An Assessment of the Attitudes and Knowledge of Medical Students at Harvard Medical School.  Acad Med. 2007 May;82(5):452-457. PMID: #17457065