Research projects at the Divison of Orthopaedics and Biotechnology
A new joint implant for cartilage resurfacing after knee injury or degeneration
Hans Berg, MD, Associate Professor
Effective treatment methods for small (focal) cartilage defects are lacking. Young individuals may develop chronic disability following focal joint lesions during sport, in the workplace or traffic accidents. A new Swedish implant for focal resurfacing has been developed. This project monitors bone ingrowth and cartilage wear in a sheep model.
Advanced medical simulation
Li Felländer-Tsai, Professor in orthopedics
The vision is to form a new standard for training of technical and non-technical skills in advanced medical simulators following the pinciples of human factors for the benefit of patient safety.
Associations of genetics and bone metabolism to scoliosis, osteoporosis, and fractures
Paul Gerdhem, Adj. Professor, Senior Consultant
The overall aim of this project is to improve diagnosis and treatment for persons suffering from two disorders affecting the skeleton, osteoporosis and scoliosis.
Idiopathic scoliosis, a deformity of the spine is a condition that occurs during growth and is seen in 3% of all children. Most will not require treatment, but a large number require follow-up, including x-rays, to identify the 0.3% of all children with a progressive scoliosis that requires treatment with brace or surgery. The ethiology of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown. Hereditary studies indicate a familial aggregation. Linkage analyses have indicated that several genes may be involved. Low bone mass has been suggested as a possible ethiology for scoliosis. Since low bone mass (osteoporosis), osteoporotic fractures and scoliosis both affect the skeleton and there are indications of common pathophysiologic pathways, this project studies both scoliosis and osteoporosis.
Kinematics and loading in the foot and lower extremities
Toni Arndt, associate professor in biomechanics
Empirical studies are performed in the biomechanical laboratory and also at other collaborating institutions with the aim of describing biomechanical function in the foot and lower extremities. Innovative biomechanical methods have been developed for describing dynamics within the Achilles tendon in terms of strain characteristics during defined movements and walking. Relative motion between the intrinsic segments is being studies together with an international network using a unique method with intracortical pins inserted in vivo in the segments of interest. The purpose of the research is to assist in the understanding of podiatric biomechanics to prevent injury mechanisms, optimise clinical treatment and improve training and sports performance.
Muscle morphology and physical performance in response to ortopaedic surgery
Hans Berg, MD, Associate Professor
Patients with degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) develop muscular weakness and painful limp. Not only pain alleviation but also restored limb function are nowadays requested after joint replacement surgery. Current studies map muscular weakness, gait disturbance and morphological changes, including muscular fat infiltration, using CT scanning before and after joint replacement.
Optimal treatment of joint injuries
Li Felländer-Tsai, Professor in orthopedics
To optimize treatment of joint injuries in order to avoid osteoarthritis and to establish pain relief and reduction of inflammation based on evidence-grade 1 through active multi-disciplinary collaboration in orthopedics, anestesthesia as well as metabolic- and inflammatort research.