Novel Roles For IL-33 In The Maintenance Of Bone Mass And As A Locally Derived Anabolic Factor For Bone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,574.00
Summary
Over 10% of the population have thin, brittle bones that fracture easily, and is often seen in elderly people. When diagnosed, a fracture has usually already occurred and the bone is already thin. Drugs are available to stop further bone weakening, but building new bone would be best. We have found a protein in bone that reduces bone loss and stimulates bone formation processes. This project seeks to determine how this protein works and how to exploit it to design new bone building therapies.
An Abnormal Inflammatory Response Following Wrist Fracture Causes The Development Of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,073.00
Summary
This project will contribute essential knowledge about what causes some people to develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). CRPS affects approximately 5% of people following a fracture but can also occur with minimal injury. Sufferers experience gradually worsening levels of pain, skin discolouration, poor quality of life, and often severe depression. We will investigate the most likely cause of CRPS, which is thought to be an abnormal inflammatory reaction following injury.
The Role Of Endogenous Glucocorticoids In Autoimmune Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$693,185.00
Summary
Inflammatory joint diseases affect millions of people worldwide and in most patients these often chronic conditions can not be cured. In an experimental model of arthritis we have found that bone cells can modify the severity of inflammation when certain hormonal signals are blocked. This study will identify the mechanisms underlying these hormonal effects with the aim to find new targets for efficient treatments for arthritis.
Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells And Intervertebral Disc Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,223.00
Summary
Low back pain affects 80% of the general population and is a major social and economic burden thus there is a clear need for effective treatment. Annual direct and indirect costs for low back pain exceeded $100 billion in the USA in 2006. We will use bone marrow derived multipotent progenitor cells in a regenerative strategy to undertake repair of the intervertebral disc in an ovine mechanical destabilisation model which reproduces early degenerative changes similar to those evident in man.
The Role Of Perlecan In Tensional Connective Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,037.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal diseases affect tension and weight bearing connective tissues which have notoriously poor repair capabilities. These conditions are difficult to treat clinically and surgical repair in many cases does not provide a return to optimal joint function impinging on the quality of life of afflicted individuals and their carers. Our project aims to better understand the structure and function of these tissues in health and disease with a view to improving repair strategies.
The Arthroplasty And Bariatric Surgery (ABS) Study: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Prior To Total Knee Arthroplasty
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,149.00
Summary
Knee replacement is a common surgical procedure in Australia (40,000 per year). More than 60% of this group are obese and this is associated with higher early (clinical) and long term (implant) survival complications. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective and safe means of achieving sustained weight loss. This study compares the outcomes of total knee replacement in groups of obese patients who have and have not undergone pre-knee replacement LAGB.
In Vivo Patellofemoral Joint Measurement Using Kinematic Radiostereometric Analysis (RSA)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$141,000.00
Summary
Complications following total knee joint replacement continue to be a major cause for revision surgery and leads to a significant financial burden in terms of health care expenditure. Recent studies suggest that many of these complications are associated with post-surgical pain from the patella knee cap joint, commonly termed anterior knee pain (AKP). Post-surgery AKP may be influenced by the motion of the patella. Recent prospective, randomised trials have compared clinical outcomes between peo ....Complications following total knee joint replacement continue to be a major cause for revision surgery and leads to a significant financial burden in terms of health care expenditure. Recent studies suggest that many of these complications are associated with post-surgical pain from the patella knee cap joint, commonly termed anterior knee pain (AKP). Post-surgery AKP may be influenced by the motion of the patella. Recent prospective, randomised trials have compared clinical outcomes between people with TKA in which the patellar surface is replaced (patellar resurfacing) or retained, but have been unable to accurately account for differences in patellar movement in those people with post-surgery complications. To date, studies of patellar motion after total knee replacement have been limited to two-dimensional analyses. This study addresses the technological limitations of previous trials by utilising accurate techniques for directly measuring skeletal motion using kinematic radiostereometric analysis (RSA). These data will measure patellar kinematics in three-dimensions for the first time. This information will allow optimisation of the design of TKA and the surgical techniques required for their implantation. Furthermore, the results will assist in the identification of surgical indications for patellar resurfacing, and the kinematic factors associated with anterior knee pain following total knee replacement surgery.Read moreRead less
INVESTIGATIONS ON THE REGULATION OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC CELL MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,320.00
Summary
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is a painful disabling condition with major socioeconomic consequences. Medical problems associated with disc degeneration and back-pain, of sufficient severity to warrant consultation with a physician, are experienced by 90% of the population some time during their lives. In man, back pain increases in incidence in the third and fourth decades of life, peaks in the fifties and declines thereafter. Changes in population demographics indicate this problem w ....Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is a painful disabling condition with major socioeconomic consequences. Medical problems associated with disc degeneration and back-pain, of sufficient severity to warrant consultation with a physician, are experienced by 90% of the population some time during their lives. In man, back pain increases in incidence in the third and fourth decades of life, peaks in the fifties and declines thereafter. Changes in population demographics indicate this problem will increase in severity over the next few decades. American Bureau of Census data indicate that between 1990 to 2010 the number of people >45 years will increase from 82 to 124 million, the number of elderly in emerging countries will also increase between 200 to 400% in the next 30 years. In the United States, back-pain is the second most common reason that people visit a physician and medical conditions related to back-pain account for more hospitalisations than any other musculoskeletal disorder. Despite its high incidence, associated problems of incapacity and economic implications, costed at $100 million per annum in Australia in 1992, and US$100 billion globally in 1999-2000 (Dorland Data Networks, PA, USA) the causes of low back-pain are still poorly understood. Disc disease is responsible for 23-40% of all cases of low back-pain. The management of discogenic low back-pain is currently empirical, directed either toward life-style changes to minimise symptomatology or to surgical resection or spinal arthrodesis to restrict articulation. Based on our recent findings and those of colleagues over the last 16 years, it is our strong conviction that it should be possible with a better understanding of disease mechanisms and with the use of modern technologies to inhibit, reverse or ideally prevent disc degeneration. Without such basic research there will be no scientific foundation upon which prospective therapies may be based.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Association Between Low Back Pain And Risk Factors For Chronic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Being overweight or obese and smoking are believed to be significant contributors to the development of long term back pain. However we know little about the relationship between low back pain and these risks for chronic disease. This research aims to understand these relationships by testing if weight and smoking programs reduce low back pain disability in overweight or smoking patients, and secondly if back pain also influences risk factors for chronic disease.