Superior Surgical Fixation Using A Novel Orthopaedic Expandable Fastener
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,076.00
Summary
Surgeons repair bone fractures using metal plates and screws. Sometimes the screws loosen and the surgery needs to be repeated. Expandable screws are stronger, but more difficult and sometimes impossible to remove. The research team will test a new type of screw that holds the bones together with greater strength (our current work shows 40% stronger) but can be removed easily if necessary. This grant will allow extensive mechanical testing in preparation for a first-in-human clinical trial.
Combined Randomised And Observational Study Of Type B Ankle Fracture Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,331.00
Summary
Ankle fractures are frequently seen in emergency departments, and isolated AO type B fibula fractures are the most common type of ankle fracture. Current treatment is equally divided between surgical, and non-surgical, as per surgeon preference. When managed surgically, these fractures consume considerable healthcare resources and expose patients to risks. This study will determine if surgery improves outcomes for patients with type B ankle fractures when compared with non-surgical management.
I am a clinical biomechanical engineer investigating the causes of locomotor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy and the effects of surgical and neurological interventions for these.
Molecular Mechanisms That Mediate The Anti-osteosarcoma Properties Of Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor (PEDF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,453.00
Summary
Cancer results from a sequence of alterations to genes which lead to abnormal cells dividing without control. Osteosarcoma is a cancer involving bone and can rapidly spread to surrounding and distant tissues. A number of mediators have been identified as being able to provide some regulation of this abnormal cell division. Pigment epithelium-derived factor is one such protein and further understanding of how it achieves this could be used for the development of targeted osteosarcoma treatment.
Regulation Of Key Pathways Causing Peri-implant Bone Loss.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,639.00
Summary
The failure of bone prostheses is becoming a major health problem in our aging population. Despite the impressive success of joint replacement surgery, a significant number of arthroplasties fail. It is now apparent that most implants fail due to bone loss around them which leads to loosening. This project aims to obtain a better understanding of the causes of implant failure and find ways to extend the life of these implants .
Novel Biocompatible Nickel-free Shape Memory Alloy Scaffolds For Biomedical Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,789.00
Summary
The current project is aimed at the development of a new class of novel biocompatible nickel-free shape memory alloy (SMA) scaffolds for metallic implant applications. The new scaffolds possess the ability to exert a mechanical force on the surrounding bones, and stimulate new bone tissue ingrowth, due to their shape memory effect, superelasticity and bone-mimicking porous structure. The outcomes from this project will provide innovative implant materials.
Relationship Of The Anabolic And Catabolic Responses In Healing A Critical Sized Defect In Rats
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,750.00
Summary
Delayed bone healing after trauma is a large clinical problem. Figures suggest up to 60,000 fractures result in a delay in healing in Australia per year. Bone healing can also fail to occur in other circumstances, such as after an operation. Research effort into new approaches to solving these problems is clearly justified. We believe that in some situations, bone healing fails due to the body's healing response, the anabolic response, being insufficient. In some other situations, the body's bon ....Delayed bone healing after trauma is a large clinical problem. Figures suggest up to 60,000 fractures result in a delay in healing in Australia per year. Bone healing can also fail to occur in other circumstances, such as after an operation. Research effort into new approaches to solving these problems is clearly justified. We believe that in some situations, bone healing fails due to the body's healing response, the anabolic response, being insufficient. In some other situations, the body's bone resorbing response, the catabolic response, may be too high and prevent healing from occurring. In normal bone healing, there is a balance between the anabolic and catabolic response. In disordered bone healing, these responses are out of balance. Several reasonably new treatments are available which can increase the anabolic response or decrease the catabolic response. We have preliminary results showing that with these agents we can bring these elements into better control, and thus drive bone healing. We have optimised an animal model where both the anabolic and catabolic responses can be controlled. In this project, we explore the optimisation of the timing and magnitude of anabolic and catabolic responses in bone healing.Read moreRead less
Troponin Rise After Emergency Orthopaedic-geriatric Surgery Randomised To Standard Care Versus Cardiology Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,193.00
Summary
This project will determine whether older patients who undergo emergency orthopaedic surgery who sustain cardiac injury (detected by means of a blood test called Troponin I) benefit from cardiology care as opposed to standard care. Troponin I is used to detect heart injury and can be elevated after surgery even if the patient is asymptomatic. Patients with a troponin elevation have a higher risk of death at 1 year. It is proposed that cardiology care and follow up might improve outcomes.
Epidemiology, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Orthopaedic Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,655.00
Summary
Orthopaedic surgery has led to significant improvements in patient's quality of life. With an ageing population, the number of patients requiring joint replacement and other bone and joint surgery will increase exponentially. Infection of the joint replacement is a devastating complication of this surgery. Research into these infections is still evolving. This research proposal aims to examine the clinical features of bone and joint infections, to explore ways to optimise diagnosis and improve t ....Orthopaedic surgery has led to significant improvements in patient's quality of life. With an ageing population, the number of patients requiring joint replacement and other bone and joint surgery will increase exponentially. Infection of the joint replacement is a devastating complication of this surgery. Research into these infections is still evolving. This research proposal aims to examine the clinical features of bone and joint infections, to explore ways to optimise diagnosis and improve treatment and outcomes for patients.Read moreRead less