Arthur Long, DPT, OCS is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapy specialist and faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He teaches orthopedics in the UCSF Doctor of Physical Therapy program and treats patients at the UCSF Adult Hemophilia Treatment Center. He also volunteers with community programs such as Camp Hemotion, where he supports youth living with bleeding disorders.
His NBDF-funded project, Strength in Numbers, examines whether hand grip strength testing can serve as a useful clinical measure to include during routine joint health testing for people with bleeding disorders. While grip strength is well studied as a measure of overall health in other groups, it has not been evaluated for people with bleeding disorders. This study explores how grip strength relates to daily function and grip strength may differ in people with bleeding disorders compared to the general population. The findings may help clinics better track joint health, guide treatment decisions, and identify problems earlier. This supports NBDF’s mission to reduce complications and improve care for the bleeding disorders community.