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Engineers developing new cements to heal spinal fractures
October 29, 2007
New research could offer hope for victims of the most devastating spinal injuries - typically those caused in car crashes. Biological cements to repair 'burst fractures' of the spine are being developed and tested in a major new collaborative project between the University of Leeds and Queen's University Belfast. The team has been awarded just under £500,000 by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop and examine the effects of novel cement materials for the treatment of burst fractures.
Bone cements, similar to those used in joint replacement surgery, are already being used to strengthen damaged vertebrae of patients with diseases such as osteoporosis, in a procedure known as vertebroplasty, but 'burst fractures' to the spine, injuries often sustained in major impact accidents and falls, are much more difficult to treat. They account for over 1,000 emergency NHS admissions each year and often require highly complex, invasive surgery and a long stay in hospital.
"This type of fracture causes the vertebra to burst apart and in severe cases fragments of bone can be pushed into the spinal cord," says Dr Ruth Wilcox of Leeds' Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. "Surgeons may be able to join bone fragments together and stabilize the spine with the use of metal screws and rods, but patients with these injuries are often in a really bad way, so the less invasive the treatment, the better."
The project team at Queen's has expertise in developing and testing synthetic biomaterials for the repair of bone defects. "These materials can be delivered to the fracture site by injection and mimic the chemical composition of bone itself," says Dr Fraser Buchanan, from the University's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
At Leeds the team has expertise in computational modelling of the spine and will be able to provide Queen's with data to assist in the development of novel biomaterials and to simulate how they will perform in patients.
Statistically, burst fractures are seen more in younger people, and not enough is currently known about the long term consequences of using existing cements for the treatment of this type of injury. There is evidence to show that some patients with osteoporosis, who tend to be older, can develop fractures in the vertebrae adjacent to those treated with vertebroplasty.
"We think this may be because current cements are stiffer than the bone itself causing an imbalance in the way the spine bears weight. This may increase loading on the neighbouring vertebrae, which can lead to further damage" says Dr Wilcox.
"Clearly we need to develop biomaterials that more closely match the properties of real bone. This project offers the perfect opportunity to use the range of complimentary skills of this grouping to predict the effects of newly developed cements and even incorporate biological agents to assist the body's own healing process," added Dr Buchanan.
To be able to use bone cements for burst fractures would be a major leap forward. It would be simpler, quicker and much less invasive for the patient, reducing both recovery times and NHS costs.
University of Leeds
Science News and Science Current Events Tag Cloud This tag cloud is a visual representation of term frequencies of random science news topics with common terms grouped together and emphasized by their display size.
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Teriparatide cut spinal fracture risk at all ages. (Postmenopausal Women).(Forteo from Eli Lilly and Co.): An article from: Family Practice News
by Norra MacReady (Author)
This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on March 1, 2003. The length of the article is 429 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details Title: Teriparatide cut spinal fracture risk at all ages. (Postmenopausal Women).(Forteo from Eli Lilly and Co.) Author: Norra MacReady Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal) Date: March 1, 2003 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 33 Issue: 5 Page: 46(1)
Article Type: Product/Service Evaluation
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Teriparatide cuts spinal fracture risk at all ages. (Postmenopausal Women).(Brief Article): An article from: Internal Medicine News
by Norra MacReady (Author)
This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by International Medical News Group on March 1, 2003. The length of the article is 448 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details Title: Teriparatide cuts spinal fracture risk at all ages. (Postmenopausal Women).(Brief Article) Author: Norra MacReady Publication: Internal Medicine News (Magazine/Journal) Date: March 1, 2003 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 36 Issue: 5 Page: 13(1)
Article Type: Brief Article
Distributed by Thomson...
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Fractures of the Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Spine
by Informa HealthCare
Thomas Jefferson Univ. Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Comprehensive reference presents an overview of various operative treatment procedures in spinal injuries. Emphasizes pathomechanics of spinal cord injuries, contemporary management practices, potential complications associated with treatment, and individual fracture subtype principles to improve neurological function in patients.
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The missing nutrient that cuts your risk of spinal fractures in half.(strontium supplements)(Column): An article from: Women's Health Letter
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This digital document is an article from Women's Health Letter, published by Thomson Gale on June 1, 2005. The length of the article is 910 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details Title: The missing nutrient that cuts your risk of spinal fractures in half.(strontium supplements)(Column) Publication: Women's Health Letter (Newsletter) Date: June 1, 2005 Publisher: Thomson Gale Volume: 11 Issue: 6 Page: 1(3)
Article Type: Column
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Spinal Fractures: Treatment Options & Development of a Vertebral Replacement Implant (Acta Biomedica Lovaniensia, 278)
by Paul Vanderschot (Author)
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Age, frailty shouldn't deter bisphosphonate Tx: an analysis showed a reduced risk of new vertebral fractures among elderly women with osteoporosis.(Geriatric ... An article from: Family Practice News
by Diana Mahoney (Author)
This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on January 15, 2005. The length of the article is 657 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details Title: Age, frailty shouldn't deter bisphosphonate Tx: an analysis showed a reduced risk of new vertebral fractures among elderly women with osteoporosis.(Geriatric Medicine) Author: Diana Mahoney Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal) Date: January 15, 2005 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 35 Issue: 2 Page:...
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Kyphoplasty offers advantages over vertebroplasty: reduces angle of deformity. (Clinical Rounds).(osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture treatment): An article from: Family Practice News
by Patrice G.W. Norton (Author)
This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on June 1, 2003. The length of the article is 897 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details Title: Kyphoplasty offers advantages over vertebroplasty: reduces angle of deformity. (Clinical Rounds).(osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture treatment) Author: Patrice G.W. Norton Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal) Date: June 1, 2003 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 33 Issue: 11 Page: 13(1)
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Spinal Stabilization, Tape 4: Exercise Tracks [VHS]
Starring: Craig Liebenson
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Spinal Mechanics and Bony Locking
Starring: John Bayliss, Peter O'Toole
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New Technique for Painful Vertebral Fractures.(kyphoplasty)(Brief Article): An article from: Family Practice News
by Barbara Baker (Author)
This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on August 15, 2000. The length of the article is 581 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details Title: New Technique for Painful Vertebral Fractures.(kyphoplasty)(Brief Article) Author: Barbara Baker Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal) Date: August 15, 2000 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 30 Issue: 16 Page: 12
Article Type: Brief Article
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