News • Nanorobots travelling through synovial fluid
Fighting arthritis with “OrthoBots”
Enzyme-driven nanorobots could be used in the treatment of joint diseases such as arthritis. A new research project explores the potential of this technology.
Orthopaedics
News • Guidance for instrumentation
Robot assistance shows its mettle in spine surgery
Surgeons in Hong Kong have successfully introduced robotic assistance into their spinal surgery portfolio. After the first 20 procedures with the new technique, they report on the benefits.
News • Posture assessment technology
Wearables to spare surgeons from back pain
Surgeons often suffer from back and neck pain, due to inadequate posture during surgery. A new study uses wearable technology to prevent muscoloskeletal conditions from cutting short medical careers.
News • Researchers explore new treatment method
Using plasma irradiation to speed up bone healing
Aiming to shorten recovery times after a bone fracture, an Osaka Metropolitan University-led research group is focusing on plasma irradiation as a treatment method to speed up bone healing.
News • Potential fix for intertrochanteric fractures
Bionic nail to reduce femur fracture complications
Traditional fixation techniques often fall short in addressing the mechanical challenges of unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures. A new nail aims to fix this issue.
Sponsored • Hip arthroplasty
Endoprostheses for elderly and frail patients: Preparation is half the battle
An ageing population and modern lifestyle conditions have greatly increased the case numbers for hip arthroplasty. To prevent complications, it is important for orthopaedic surgeons to identify high-risk patients and take proper precautions. At the Heraeus symposium at DKOU, two experts explored the special measures that should be taken to ensure better outcomes for elderly and frail patients.
News • Chronic inflammatory disease
"Frozen shoulder" holds key to understanding fibrosis resolution
Researchers have identified how cells work to resolve "frozen shoulder", a painful and disabling condition affecting the ligaments that form the shoulder joint capsule.
Article • Women's health
Osteoporosis and menopause: New measures to assess fracture risk
Bone fractures caused by osteoporosis are a common major global health risk. The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) reports that one in three women over the age of 50 will sustain a potentially life-threatening fragility fracture in their remaining lifetimes. Early diagnosis and proactive treatment to keep bones healthy, including prescription medication and lifestyle changes, has the…
News • Broken bones, multiple treatment options
Cast or surgery: Which is better for older adults with arm fractures?
A recent study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research found that cast immobilization is as effective as surgery for treating older patients with bone fractures near the wrist.
News • Surgical options for young patients
Torn meniscus: new suture technique holds promise
For young athletes with lateral disc meniscus injuries, a new treatment approach yields promising results, according to researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University.
Article • RESTORE hospital programme
Facilitate recovery from hip fracture surgery by geriatric patients
Caregivers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, have developed a programme designed to facilitate recovery by geriatric patients following hip fracture surgery. The Returning Seniors to Orthopedic Excellence (RESTORE) programme is designed to provide stellar comprehensive collaborative co-managed care for older adults with orthopaedic injuries.
Sponsored • Orthopaedics
Hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures – but without the complications
Arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures has seen enormous progress in recent years, but complications due to infections are still a major problem. With good preparation and the right technique, however, orthopaedic surgeons can take away much of the horror of this scenario.
News • Evaluation of high- and low dose therapy regimens
Knee osteoarthritis: Every bit of exercise helps, but...
Both high and low dose exercise therapy have beneficial effects in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. However, a new Swedish study shows that, sometime, more can indeed be more.
News • Orthopaedic surgery
2D and 3D MRIs add value for ACL surgery
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reliably establish measurements for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) “footprints” that are critical to the placement of grafts for reconstruction surgery.
Sponsored • Periprosthetic protection
Bone cements containing antibiotics for infection prophylaxis – quo vadis?
Periprosthetic infections and revisions are on the rise in Germany and worldwide, with significant consequences for affected patients as well as for the healthcare systems. Precisely because the number of patients at higher risk of infection in arthroplasty continues to rise, attention is increasingly focused on how this dreaded complication can be avoided.
News • Bone health in the EU
Osteoporosis: New online map shows burden across Europe
To put a spotlight on the growing issue of osteoporosis in Europe, a new interactive online map presents key data from each of the EU member states, Switzerland and the UK.
Sponsored • Orthopaedics
The fragile patient in arthroplasty: Sustainably lower risk of infection in hip fractures
Arthroplasty treatment of fragile patients is a major challenge faced by orthopaedic surgeons. The patients, often geriatric, come with a variety of risk factors and comorbidities that can negatively impact the success of an arthroplasty procedure.
News • Osteoarthritis help
Lab-made cartilage gel outperforms real thing in knees
A research team has created the first gel-based cartilage substitute that is even stronger and more durable than the real thing, offering a promising solution for patient suffering from knee pain.
Sponsored • PJI risk mitigation
Arthroplasty: Avoiding infection and revisions in high-risk patients
The main goal of arthroplasty is to relieve pain, improve and restore joint function and recover quality of life. Periprosthetic joint infection remains a complication that has to be taken seriously.
News • New bone implants
Superhero substance used to combat infection
A new kind of bone implant reduces the chance of infection, and therefore significantly decreases implant failure rates.
Article • Safe navigation
Enhanced precision with semi-automatic milling systems
Professor Dr Henning Windhagen is a great fan of semi-automatic systems that help with implants but leave the surgeon in the driver’s seat.
Sponsored • Orthopaedics
Periprosthetic joint infection: a complex issue
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be an enormous challenge for orthopaedists and trauma surgeons. Antibiotic-loaded bone cement is an important element in a prevention strategy.
Article • Augmented reality in the OR
AR helps surgeons to see, feel and understand
X-ray vision, context-sensitive guidance, coordinator, training assistant and more: augmented reality (AR) has hit the OR. While still in its infancy AR does grow rapidly and has already shown enormous potential. University Professor Dr Rüdiger von Eisenhart-Rothe, Chair of Orthopaedics and Sports Orthopaedics at the Technical University Munich, explains the advantages of different AR…
News • Scaffold-free approach
Researchers create cartilage tissue out of stem cells
Researchers at the University of Southampton have invented a new way to generate human cartilage tissue from stem cells. The technique could pave the way for the development of a much-needed new treatment for people with cartilage damage. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber in joints, but it is susceptible to damage through daily wear-and-tear, or trauma from sports injuries and falls.
Sponsored • Modern cementing technology
Cemented hips help preventing infections
For decades, hip arthroplasty has been a routine procedure. In Europe, both total and partial hip replacements are the most frequent surgical interventions for patients with hip fracture or osteoarthritis. The treatment relieves pain and has good long-term outcomes. In cemented hip replacement, the artificial acetabulum and/or the femoral stem are fixed with bone cement and implant and bone bond…
