Biodegradable Materials: Bioglass to Mend Bones

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[03/04/2013] Researchers in the materials engineering department of the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country, have been studying new materials or implants that are of interest in medicine and in helping to mend bones, in particular.Biodegradable Materials: Bioglass to Mend Bones - Read more

Prosthetic Joints: Guidelines to Fight Infections after Surgery

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[13/12/2012] Multispecialty physician teams need to work together to reduce disability, death and costs associated with the ever-growing number of prosthetic joint infections, note the first guidelines on the topic being released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).Prosthetic Joints: Guidelines to Fight Infections after Surgery - Read more

Bone Density: New Method Shows Risk of Hip Fracture

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[20/11/2012] A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that a technique for measuring bone density called digital X-ray radio- grammetry used on standard hand radiographs can help to identify patients with a higher risk of hip fracture.Bone Density: New Method Shows Risk of Hip Fracture - Read more

Auxiliary Means: Until the Prosthesis Fits

After accidents and amputations, prosthetics help in replacing missing body parts. However, for the devices to function optimally, they have to be fitted well to the wearer. A comprehensive process – from manufacturing to walking training. Auxiliary Means: Until the Prosthesis Fits - Read more

Rett Syndrome: Bone Marrow Transplant Arrests Symptoms

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[20/03/2012] The Organisation Rett Syndrome Research Trust describes the results of using bone marrow transplant (BMT) to replace faulty immune system cells in models of Rett Syndrome. The procedure arrested many severe symptoms of the childhood disorder, including abnormal breathing and movement, and significantly extended the lifespan of Rett mouse models.Rett Syndrome: Bone Marrow Transplant Arrests Symptoms - Read more

Osteoporosis Drug Use: Lower Risk for Additional Atypical Femur Fracture

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[09/02/2012] While the risk for suffering an atypical femur fracture while taking bisphosphonates is still very small – just 1 in 1,000 patients after six years of treatment – research of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) found that discontinuing bisphosphonate use following an atypical femur fracture can significantly lower the risk for a subsequent atypical fracture.Osteoporosis Drug Use: Lower Risk for Additional Atypical Femur Fracture - Read more

Orthopaedic: New Procedure Bests Standard of Care for Fixing Damaged Cartilage

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[08/02/2012] A new study has demonstrated that a procedure wherein healthy cartilage is transplanted to fix an area of damaged cartilage (osteoarticular cartilage transplantation or OATS procedure) is superior to the standard of care for repairing cartilage defects.Orthopaedic: New Procedure Bests Standard of Care for Fixing Damaged Cartilage - Read more

Sensor Mat: Lying and Sitting More Comfortably

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[13/12/2011] People who have to sit at work often have back pain. People permanently confined to bed are even worse off – they frequently develop bed sores. New smart cushioning is intended to eliminate the discomforts of lying and sitting. An integrated sensor system equalises pressure selectively.Sensor Mat: Lying and Sitting More Comfortably - Read more

Orthopaedics: 3-D Printer to Make Bone-Like Material

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[02/12/2011] Washington State University researchers have used a 3D printer to create a bone-like material and structure that can be used in orthopaedic procedures, dental work, and to deliver medicine for treating osteoporosis. Paired with actual bone, it acts as a scaffold for new bone to grow on and ultimately dissolves with no apparent ill effects.Orthopaedics: 3-D Printer to Make Bone-Like Material - Read more

Kinematic Imbalances in Babies: “Back to sleep, tummy to play“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[02/11/2011] Starting at the third month after birth, babies should be able to lie straight on their backs, grab with both hands, prop themselves up on their elbows and be able to freely move their head to both sides. If more one-sided use of the body is detected instead, it could be a case of kinematic imbalance.Kinematic Imbalances in Babies: “Back to sleep, tummy to play“ - Read more

Research: Citrate Key in Bone's Nanostructure

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[10/06/2011] Bone is one of nature's surprising "building materials." Pound-for-pound it's stronger than steel, tough yet resilient. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory have identified the composition that gives bone its outstanding properties and the important role citrate plays, work that may help science better understand and treat or prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis.Research: Citrate Key in Bone's Nanostructure - Read more

Plantar fasciitis: Stretching Seems to do the Trick

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[05/11/2010] According to a new study patients with acute plantar fasciitis who perform manual plantar fasciitis stretching exercises, as opposed to shockwave therapy, had superior results and higher patient satisfaction. Plantar fasciitis: Stretching Seems to do the Trick - Read more

Breast Cancer: Study Offers Hope for Women with ER-Negative

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[12/10/2010] Women who have estrogen (ER)-negative breast cancer may have more drug-treatment options than previously thought, a Creighton University study suggests. Breast Cancer: Study Offers Hope for Women with ER-Negative - Read more

Study: Video Games Can Cause Injuries

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[08/10/2010] Interactive gaming devices can cause a broad range of injuries, from abrasions and sprains to shoulder, ankle and foot injuries, according to research. Study: Video Games Can Cause Injuries - Read more

Disk Herniation: Better Results from Surgery After a Short Period of Sick Leave

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[15/06/2010] It has been calculated that approximately 1-2 percent of Sweden's population suffer from disk herniation, and surgery is the best solution for approximately 10 percent of these. Disk Herniation: Better Results from Surgery After a Short Period of Sick Leave - Read more

Legs: Unequal Length Tied to Osteoarthritis

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[04/05/2010] A new study shows that arthritis in the knee is linked to the common trait of having one leg that is longer than the other.Legs: Unequal Length Tied to Osteoarthritis - Read more

Protheses: May Last for More than 150 Years

[25/03/2010] Current body protheses do not last more than ten to 15 years. After this time, the operation has to be repeated in order to change prothesis. Researchers have now found a way of producing a prosthesis that could last more than 150 years. Protheses: May Last for More than 150 Years - Read more

Elderly: Knee Replacement Improves Balance

[19/03/2010] Total knee replacement (TKR) relieves pain and improves function in patients with advanced knee arthritis, according to a study. The surgery also significantly improves dynamic balance among elderly patients.Elderly: Knee Replacement Improves Balance - Read more

Ageing: Estrogen not Cause of Osteoporosis

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[04/03/2010] Marking a shift in decades of thought on the cause of osteoporosis, researchers have identified an age-related mechanism – not a decrease of the hormone estrogen – as the primary culprit.Ageing: Estrogen not Cause of Osteoporosis - Read more

Surgery: Screws of Bone-Hard Biomaterial

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[03/03/2010] Screws used in surgical operations are often made of titanium. They usually have to be removed after a while or replaced by new ones. A new biomaterial makes this unnecessary. It promotes bone growth and is biodegradable.Surgery: Screws of Bone-Hard Biomaterial - Read more

Pain Relief: Miniature Ultrasound Device Tested

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[18/02/2010] It looks more like an iPod than a medical tool. But the latest miniature ultrasound device might one day introduce a new level of home therapy for arthritis, injury and other painful ailments.Pain Relief: Miniature Ultrasound Device Tested - Read more

Arthritis: Special Gloves Help Understand Arthritis

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[10/02/2010] A pair of arthritis simulation gloves, which reproduce the reduction in functional capacity experienced by persons with arthritis, helps better understand how arthritis affects a person's ability to grasp, pinch, turn, lift and twist objects.Arthritis: Special Gloves Help Understand Arthritis - Read more

Knee Replacement: Most Patients Gain Weight

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[02/02/2010] People who have had knee replacement surgery - finally able to walk and exercise without pain – do not lose weight but put on pounds, according to a new study.Knee Replacement: Most Patients Gain Weight - Read more

Rheumatism: New 'Suicide' Molecule Halts Arthritis

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[29/01/2010] A researcher has invented a novel way to halt and even reverse rheumatoid arthritis in mice. He developed an imitation of a suicide molecule that floats undetected into overactive immune cells responsible for the disease.Rheumatism: New 'Suicide' Molecule Halts Arthritis - Read more

Physical Activity: Effective Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[07/01/2010] Researchers determined that physically inactive, middle-aged people with symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) benefitted equally from strength training regimens, self-management programs, or a combination of the two. Physical Activity: Effective Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis - Read more

Women Office Workers: Five Exercises Reduce Neck Pain

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[25/11/2009] Strength training exercises using dumbbells can reduce pain in the trapezius muscle, the large muscle which extends from the back of the head, down the neck and into the upper back. Women Office Workers: Five Exercises Reduce Neck Pain - Read more

CT Imaging: Better Visualization of Joint Cartilage

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[16/09/2009] A Boston University-led research team has found a new computer tomography contrast agent for visualizing the special distributions of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) – the anionic sugars that account for the strength of joint cartilage. CT Imaging: Better Visualization of Joint Cartilage - Read more

Osteoporosis: Crumbling in Secrecy

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[01/08/2009] Osteoporosis – that is an elderly women’s problem, they think. Far from it! Even though more women suffer from porous bones, every fifth osteoporosis patient is male. A lot of physicians still do not know that. Osteoporosis: Crumbling in Secrecy - Read more

Circulating Cells: Forming Bone from Blood

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[01/08/2009] New research shows that specialized cells in the blood share a common origin with white blood cells derived from the bone marrow and that these bloodstream cells are capable of forming bone at sites distant from the original skeleton. Circulating Cells: Forming Bone from Blood - Read more

Health Management: „I Take no Stock in Conventional Back Exercise Programmes”

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[01/08/2009] Slipped discs, lumbagos and other reasons for pain in the back cause economic costs in the amount of about 10 billion euros in Germany each year. The lack of work due to illness could be reduced with the help of a strategic health management. However, studies show that most of the employers are not aware of the enormous potential of workplace health promotion. Health Management: „I Take no Stock in Conventional Back Exercise Programmes” - Read more

Implants: Giving Your Joints an Electrochemical Bath

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/07/2009] A Tel Aviv University (TAU) researcher has developed an electrochemical process for coating metal implants which improves their functionality, longevity and integration into the body. Implants: Giving Your Joints an Electrochemical Bath - Read more

Physical Activity: 30 Minutes Daily Reduce Arthritis Pain

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[10/03/2009] Arthritis affects more than half of adults with heart disease and appears to be a substantial barrier to utilising physical activity to help manage their condition, according to a new study. Physical Activity: 30 Minutes Daily Reduce Arthritis Pain - Read more

Fracture of the Femoral Neck: Muscle Training Prevents Falls

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[01/12/2008] One out of three people over 65 fall down at least once a year, over 80 year old ones even more often. These falls often result in a fracture of the bone between thigh and femoral head. However, it is possible to reduce the risk of falls and subsequently the fracture of the femoral neck. Fracture of the Femoral Neck: Muscle Training Prevents Falls - Read more

Replacement: New Knee for Obese Beneficial

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[21/08/2008] New research has shown that there is no justification for denying obese patients knee replacement surgery. The research shows that obese people can benefit almost as much as anyone else from the procedure. Replacement: New Knee for Obese Beneficial - Read more

Osteoporosis: Heel Ultrasound May Predict Risk

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[24/06/2008] An ultrasound exam of the heel may be able to predict if a woman is at heightened risk for osteoporosis. Along with certain risk factors, radiation-free ultrasound of the heel may be used to better select women who need further bone density testing. Osteoporosis: Heel Ultrasound May Predict Risk - Read more

Hip Replacement: Genes May Determine Success

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[16/03/2007] The success of long term hip replacement surgery may lie in the genes, suggests new research.Hip Replacement: Genes May Determine Success - Read more

Knee: Exercise has no Effect on Risk of Osteoarthritis

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[07/02/2007] A study shows that there is no relationship between physical activity such as recreational walking or jogging and the development of knee osteoarthritis.Knee: Exercise has no Effect on Risk of Osteoarthritis - Read more

Topic of the Month June: Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics

Topic of the Month June: Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics - Read more