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Samuel Bruce Adams Jr.

Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Box 2887 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
5601 Arringdon Park Dr, Suite 300, Morrisville, NC 27560

Research Interests


My research focuses on understanding the progression of post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis from injury to end-stage disease and alternative pathways to improve patient outcomes. This includes stem cells and other biological treatments. I am also studying limb salvage, severe arthritis, and deformity correction options using 3-D printed titanium cages. I have also started a 3-D bioprinting lab devoted to biological printing of tissues which I think will be the future for limb salvage.

Selected Grants


Clinical Evaluation of the Integra Cadence Total Ankle System in Primary Ankle Joint Replacement

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Integra LifeSciences · 2017 - 2027

Exactech Vantage Total Ankle System

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Exactech, Inc · 2016 - 2026

4WEB Medical Custom Talar Replacement Device Retrospective Review: A Non-Significant Risk Study

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by 4WEB Medical · 2023 - 2026

3D Printing Osteochondral Scaffolds for Critical Glenoid and Humeral Bone Defects

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Piedmont Orthopedic Foundation · 2022 - 2025

Histology and biomechanical strength of osteochondral lesions of the talus following microfracture

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Piedmont Orthopedic Foundation · 2022 - 2025

Effect of Saline Lavage on Synovial Fluid Composition after Ankle Fracture

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation · 2023 - 2024

Phantom® Hindfoot TTC/TC Nail System Post-Market Clinical Follow-Up Study

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Paragon28, Inc. · 2022 - 2024

4WEB Medical Custom Ankle Device Retrospective Review: A Non-Significant Risk Study

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by 4WEB Medical · 2022 - 2024

3D Bioprinting is the Answer for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by On Foundation · 2021 - 2023

Does the Synovial Fluid Fracture Hematoma after Intra-articular Ankle Fracture Cause Cartilage Damage?

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society · 2021 - 2023

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Trimed, Inc. · 2023 - 2023

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Procore Medical, LLC · 2023 - 2023

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Smith & Nephew, Inc · 2023 - 2023

Fresh Tissue Lab

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by DePuy Synthes Companies · 2022 - 2023

From Bedside to Bench and Back: Developing the Future of 3D Bioprinted Musculoskeletal Tissues at Duke

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Piedmont Orthopedic Foundation · 2021 - 2022

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Zimmer, Inc. · 2022 - 2022

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Exactech, Inc · 2022 - 2022

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Avitus Orthopaedics · 2022 - 2022

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by SouthTech Orthopedics, Inc. · 2022 - 2022

Cadence Total Ankle Anthroplasty Retrospective Study

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Integra LifeSciences · 2020 - 2022

Nerve Cap

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by AxoGen, Inc. · 2020 - 2022

Cadence total ankle arthroplasty study

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Integra LifeSciences · 2019 - 2021

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Skeletal Dynamics · 2021 - 2021

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by In2Bones US · 2021 - 2021

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Geistlich Pharma North America · 2021 - 2021

Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Wright Medical Technology, Inc. · 2021 - 2021

Optimizing Collagen-Alginate Bioink for Cartilage 3D Printing Applications

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Piedmont Orthopedic Foundation · 2019 - 2020

Assessment of Physical Performance, Walking Mechanics, and the Cost-effectiveness of Revision Total Ankle Replacement

Clinical TrialCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation · 2014 - 2016

External Relationships


  • DJO
  • Exactech
  • Flower Orthopaedic Corporation
  • In2bones
  • OsteoCure Therapeutics
  • Restor3d
  • Stryker Orthopaedics
  • VimaCept

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.