Letter to the Editor: Gendered Innovations in Orthopaedic Science: Standing on the Shoulders of iGIANTs

To the Editor,

We appreciate the interest and attention that Dr. Page has directed towards the iGIANT®, an acronym for the “impact of Gender/Sex on Innovation and Novel Technologies” [3]. In August 2016, iGIANT became a nonprofit with the mission to accelerate the translation of research into gender/sex-specific design elements such as products, programs, policies, and protocols for the health, IT, transportation, and retail sectors by engaging stakeholders in government, industry, academia, and advocacy. Through roundtables, summits, challenges, scholarships, and an iGIANT Seal of Approval for design elements, the iGIANT aspires to improve the safety and quality of life, including work performance, for men and women [1].

On February 1, 2018, the iGIANT held its 40th roundtable. Since its inception, more than 1000 participants have participated in these interactive events. The purpose of a roundtable is to foster a dialogue about best practices for gender/sex-specific design elements and to encourage participants to serve as ambassadors for innovation. The iGIANT posts minutes on our website from a cross section of roundtables, as well as a sampling of outcomes generated by these events [1].

During several roundtables, musculoskeletal issues have been discussed such as the impact of sex and gender on the development and management of osteoarthritis and arthroplasty outcomes including those related to the “sex/gender-specific” knee. At the end of each roundtable, there is a call to action, in which ambassadors state what they plan to do to encourage innovation in their respective sectors. These interactive sessions have enabled ambassadors to share, through a gender/sex lens, their issues, challenges, and solutions related to their personal experiences, from workplace gender equity to design elements.

Although the blueprint for the iGIANT was designed in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Obama administration, it was launched at a roundtable hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in July 2015. It is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit and is not impacted by the political environment. Additionally, during this transformational time, as evident by the #MeToo movement, when issues surrounding sexual harassment and gender discrimination are finally acknowledged, the iGIANT provides the tools, resources, and opportunities for both men and women to do their jobs safely and to live well [1].

It is imperative that during the development of design elements such as apparel, surgical tools and instruments, sports and office equipment, and even medical devices, sex and gender be considered to determine if separate elements should be developed and branded for use by men or women in order to improve function and safety and not just for appearance. Dr. Page highlighted my personal story in which I purchased hiking boots that were supposedly designed for women’s feet despite my reservations that they looked just like boots branded for men. I subsequently sustained a foot injury, which was most likely related to boots that were not designed for the shape of my feet and gait [2].

It is important that physicians and their patients critically assess the products they are using to ensure that are truly designed to meet their gender/sex-specific needs. By peering through a sex/gender lens, innovative solutions to improve our lives can be envisioned.