Clinical Trial Of Rehabilitation After Ankle Fracture
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,348.00
Summary
Over 20,500 Australians fracture their ankle each year. Initially the fracture is managed with cast immobilisation, sometimes after surgery. Pain, stiffness, weakness and swelling are disabling consequences of fracture and cast immobilisation, and can prevent return to work and sport. This trial will determine the effects and cost of rehabilitation (a physiotherapy exercise program) implemented after cast removal, and enable provision of evidence-based treatment for this very common problem.
Randomised Controlled Trials Of Acupuncture Vs. Pharmacotherapy For Acute Pain Relief In Emergency Departments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,300.00
Summary
The proposed study involves three separate randomised controlled trials comparing acupuncture alone and acupuncture along with drug therapy, to drug therapy alone in providing pain relief for patients presenting to the Northern Hospital and Epworth Hospital Emergency Departments with acute back pain, migraine and ankle sprain. The research will help determine if acupuncture is safe, effective and acceptable to patients.
Falls and broken bones are costly health problems among the elderly, even more so when there is a growing older population aged over 65 years. In Australia about 1 million older people have at least one fall each year and about 40-60% will sustain major injuries including broken bones. Therefore there is a need to identify effective ways to reduce falls and improve outcomes of those who break a bone, especially of the hip.
Orthopaedic medicine utilises precise control of critical aspects of the bone healing response. This proposal looks at a novel, and powerful neural-based method for controlling these processes. This will be done by modulating the activity of the neuropeptide Y1 receptor, recently identified on osteoblastic cells and capable of powerful, inverse regulation of bone formation activity. Harnessing these effects will provide a critical tool for existing surgical practice.
Gene Variants Related To Bone Density And Fracture.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,375.00
Summary
Bone density and osteoporosis have a genetic component. Identifying genes that are involved in determining bone density may permit advances in controlling osteoporosis. We have identified a variant that is related to bone density high enough to protect individuals four fold against Colle's fracture, the common wrist fracture seen in women. In addition, some people with bone fracture at the hip, or low bone density, have mutations in this gene. The gene is a master regulator of the cells that mak ....Bone density and osteoporosis have a genetic component. Identifying genes that are involved in determining bone density may permit advances in controlling osteoporosis. We have identified a variant that is related to bone density high enough to protect individuals four fold against Colle's fracture, the common wrist fracture seen in women. In addition, some people with bone fracture at the hip, or low bone density, have mutations in this gene. The gene is a master regulator of the cells that make bone: this gives hope that it may be possible to alter bone formation through this master regulator.Read moreRead less
Bone Fragility: The Neglected Role Of Cortical Porosity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,381.00
Summary
Cortical (outer shell) or compact bone constitutes 80% of the skeleton. It is not solid as implied by its name but made of inter-connected canals resembling a network of roads. We recently discovered that most of the bone loss with age occurs from these canals, not from t rabecular bone as currently believed. This suggests to know why and how bone breaks requires the study of the morphology of these canals and how they change with age. This is what we propose to do. It has never been done.
Development And Validation Of A Finite Element Model For Orthopaedic Screw Insertion Into Trabecular Bone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,454.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that results in reduced bone strength and susceptibility to fragility fractures. Due to the spongy nature of osteoporotic bone, surgeons face major difficulties in obtaining secure fixation of bone screws. Our aim is to develop and validate a computer model of orthopaedic screw insertion into trabecular bone based on micro-computed tomography image data. This will allow an assessment of the most appropriate screw designs for stable fixation of implants.