RxPG News : Orthopedics

Drink tea for stronger bones, suggests study

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:01:04 PST

Sydney, Oct 9 - Drinking tea regularly, known to have several health benefits, may be good for the bones too, say researchers in Australia.

Second SPORT Study Shows Surgery Advantage for Spinal Stenosis and Slipped Vertebra

Thu, 31 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

In one of the three most common back conditions for which patients seek treatment, surgery proved to have substantially better results than non-surgical remedies, according to Dartmouth-led research published in the May 31 New England Journal of Medicine. The paper is the second in a series detailing the findings of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT), a seven-year, $21 million national study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Molecule that destroys bone also protects it, new research shows

Sun, 20 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

An immune system component that is a primary cause of bone destruction and inflammation in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis actually protects bone in the oral cavity from infectious pathogens that play a major role in periodontal disease in humans, research at the University at Buffalo has shown.

Annual treatment with Zoledronic acid significantly reduces bone fractures

Thu, 03 May 2007 04:09:45 PST

Data published in this weekâs issue of The New England Journal of Medicine show that a once-yearly treatment significantly reduced the incidence of all types of osteoporotic bone fractures over three years in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The publication marks the first time that an osteoporosis treatment significantly reduced all types of fractures in a single study.

NIST measuring device aims to up hip operation success

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:28:09 PST

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are developing state-of-the-art measuring techniques, similar to those used in making aerospace components fit together precisely, that soon could improve success rates for hip replacement surgery. At the request of a group of prominent orthopaedic surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the NIST researchers are working to improve calibrations and operating room testing of the Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS) tracking instruments surgeons use to plan the delicate, highly complex operation.

Mayo Clinic solves painful puzzle of UT ligament split tear in wrist

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:59:24 PST

A Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon has discovered a common cause of debilitating wrist pain - a split tear of the UT ligament - that can be reliably detected through a simple physical examination and can be fully repaired through an arthroscopically guided surgical procedure. The findings are published in the April issue of the American Journal of Hand Surgery.

Benzodiazepine use not associated with hip fractures

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:18:24 PST

Benzodiazepine use was not shown to be associated with hip fractures after all, according to a new study from the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention (of Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care). Previous epidemiological studies suggesting an association have been used to support legislation and policy decisions that limit access to these drugs among the elderly. These policies may need to be reexamined based on these new findings, which are being published in the Jan. 16 Annals of Internal Medicine.

Genes may determine success of hip replacement surgery

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 06:01:12 PST

The success of long term hip replacement surgery may lie in the genes, suggests research published ahead of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Obesity associated with a higher risk of complications in women undergoing total hip replacement

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:18:18 PST

Obese patients tend to have a higher prevalence of total hip replacements due to a higher incidence of hip osteoarthritis. This is of particular concern in light of the trend in rising rates of obesity in developed countries. A new study published in the March 2007 issue of Arthritis Care & Research evaluated the effects of obesity on complications and outcomes following total hip replacements and investigated whether the results differed in obese women and men.

Vitamin D supplements may reduce falls in elderly

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:54:00 PST

New research suggests that reducing the number of falls suffered by seniors in nursing homes may be helped by taking a vitamin, along with other measures known to decrease falls. According to a study in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, seniors taking a high daily dose of vitamin D experienced 72 percent fewer falls compared to those taking a placebo.

A novel scaffold could improve cartilage repair

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:21:19 PST

Using a unique weaving machine of their design, Duke University Medical Center researchers have created a three-dimensional fabric "scaffold" that could greatly improve the ability of physicians to repair damaged joints with the patient's own stem cells.

How reliable is "probe to bone" test ?

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 12:42:49 PST

An often-used tool to diagnose very common and sometimes limb-threatening bone infections in persons with diabetes may not be as reliable as many once believed, based on a recent study by a transatlantic team of researchers.

MR imaging can make a dramatic difference in the management of patients with ankle pain

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 06:24:01 PST

MR imaging can make a dramatic difference in the management of patients with ankle pain, changing treatment in about one-third of the patients, a new study finds.

Stomach drugs may weaken bones

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:34:38 PST

New York, Dec 27 - Long-term use of certain stomach drugs may weaken the bones and increase the risk of hip fracture, warns a new study that advises doctors to consider the risk when prescribing such drugs.

Sitting in an upright position places unnecessary strain on your back

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:32:20 PST

Researchers are using a new form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to show that sitting in an upright position places unnecessary strain on your back, leading to potentially chronic pain problems if you spend long hours sitting. The study, conducted at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, was presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Modifying NFATc1 Triggers Bone Production

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 16:48:00 PST

Scientists in the US have found a way to trigger bone production, raising hopes of treatment for osteoporosis in humans.

'Magic formula' accurately predicts fracture risk in osteoporotic women

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 16:40:00 PST

Researchers have developed a mathematic formula to predict a woman's risk of osteoporotic fracture. The equation has proved 75 percent accurate and will allow physicians to tailor their treatment strategies to help women prevent fractures of fragile bones. The study appears in the October issue of Radiology.

Calcium supplements fail to prevent bone fractures in children

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 18:02:00 PST

Calcium supplements have very little benefit for preventing fractures in childhood and later adulthood, concludes a study in the BMJ.

Estrens might not be the answer for osteoporosis

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 15:41:00 PST

A new study appearing in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation indicates that caution might be needed if a new group of drugs known as estrens are to be developed for the treatment of osteoporosis. The researchers found that although estrens improved bone strength in mice with osteoporosis, they also had adverse effects on reproductive organs and human breast cancer cells.

Increasing NFATc1 activity causes massive bone accumulation

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:53:00 PST

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers at Stanford University have found that they can increase bone mass in mice by tweaking the shape of a regulatory protein.

Second-Hand Smoke, First-Hand Problem

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:50:00 PST

Young or old, man or woman, smoker or non-smoker no matter what category you fit into, cigarette smoke can weaken your bones and increase your risk for fractures, according to new research presented this week at the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis in Toronto.

Using gene therapy to accelerate damaged muscle regeneration

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 16:44:00 PST

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers have successfully used gene therapy to accelerate muscle regeneration in experimental animals with muscle damage, suggesting this technique may be a novel and effective approach for improving skeletal muscle healing, particularly for serious sports-related injuries.

Low carbohydrate diet did not increase bone loss

Thu, 25 May 2006 13:16:00 PST

A strict low-carbohydrate diet had no effect on bone loss for adults following an Adkins-type diet for weight loss, a three-month study by rheumatologists at the University of South Florida found. The clinical study was published this week in the online issue of the journal Osteoporosis International.

Teriparatide to be tested for osteogenesis imperfecta

Fri, 19 May 2006 19:36:00 PST

Jimmy Fox isn't typical of a person with the genetic, "brittle bone" disorder osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). He lifts weights almost daily, participates in grueling wheelchair races, chops wood and enjoys hunting in rough backcountry.

A novel vertebroplasty technique strengthens vertebrae after removing spinal tumors

Sat, 06 May 2006 19:00:00 PST

A radiologist at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine has developed a new procedure to treat fractured vertebrae caused by spinal tumors, a procedure that may decrease the risk of complications, which are experienced by 5 to 10% of patients with malignant tumors of the spine.

ACVR1 Gene Responsible for Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 20:35:00 PST

Scientists have identified a gene that turns muscle into bone - one of the rarest disorders that affects about one in two million individuals.

Calcium fortified food may not produce stronger bones

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:53:00 PST

Calcium fortified foods may not help build stronger bones in children, says a new study. Calcium is a mineral important to maintaining bone health. Calcium-rich foods include milk, cheese, yoghurt, greens, broccoli, sardines, beans and peas. The mineral is added to many breakfast cereals, snack bars and drinks as manufacturers try to woo the parental market.

Growing body of research links lead to osteoporosis

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:20:00 PST

Bolstered by recent laboratory findings, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are embarking on a National Institutes of Health-funded clinical study to better understand the deceptive role environmental lead exposure plays in bone maturation and loss. The clinical trial is the latest in a growing body of research that is putting yet one more notch in the belt of diseases attributed to lead, and this time, researchers say, its target is older adults at risk for osteoporosis.

GENOMOS: Weak Links found between COL1A1 Polymorphism, BMD, and Fracture Risk

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 08:47:00 PST

One out of every two women and one in eight men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, and often progresses without overt symptoms or pain until a bone breaks. Fractures occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist. Currently, there is no accurate measure of overall bone strength. Bone mineral density (BMD) is frequently used as a proxy measure, but it can explain only a modest proportion of fracture risk.

Denosumab may show promise in the treatment of osteoporosis

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 15:11:00 PST

Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN), the world's largest biotechnology company, announced today the publication of Phase 2 data demonstrating twice-yearly injections of denosumab (previously referred to as AMG 162), a RANK Ligand inhibitor, significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD) in the total hip, lumbar spine, distal 1/3 radius and total body compared to placebo. The results of this one-year study appeared in the Feb. 23, 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Data results also included an open-label FOSAMAX® (alendronate)* arm of the same clinical trial.

Acupressure Relieves Low Back Pain

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 19:05:00 PST

Acupressure (applying pressure with the thumbs or fingertips to the same points on the body stimulated in acupuncture) seems to be more effective in reducing low back pain than physical therapy, finds a study published online by the BMJ today.

Warfarin increases risk of bone fracture

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 17:58:00 PST

Elderly patients taking the commonly prescribed blood thinner warfarin experience an increased risk for osteoporosis-linked bone fractures, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The results suggest physicians should carefully monitor the bone health of patients placed on the medication and that their patients should take steps to decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

An X-ray robot to scan orthopaedic patients

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 15:33:00 PST

A US scientist has developed a robot which can take X-ray pictures of sufferers of orthopaedic injuries as they move around. Complaints of orthopaedic injuries are among the most common reasons people visit the doctor.

Mental therapy could help chronic back pain suffers

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 15:22:00 PST

Mental therapy could be as effective as physical exercise in reducing back pain, signalling relief for thousands of chronic back pain sufferers.

New insights into anti-osteoclastogenic action of vitamin D

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:42:00 PST

The risk of bone fracture resulting from falls increases as we age due to bone loss and osteoporosis. Physicians have routinely prescribed vitamin D and vitamin Drelated drugs to retard bone loss, but until now, little was known about the specific targets of vitamin D in bone.

Vertebroplasty improves back pain

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:02:00 PST

A Mayo Clinic study has found patients report less back pain at rest and while active following vertebroplasty, a procedure in which medical cement is injected into painful compression fractures in the spinal vertebrae due to osteoporosis. Patients also reported improved function in their daily activities, such as walking, housework and getting dressed.

Prevent bone loss and periodontal disease

Sat, 19 Nov 2005 02:12:00 PST

Drugs that reverse and prevent bone loss due to osteoporosis also significantly ward off periodontal disease, according to a graduate of the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine who reports in the current Menopause journal article, "Periodontal Assessments of Postmenopausal Women Receiving Risedronate

Adequate Vitamin D Maintains Calcium Metabolism

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 20:36:00 PST

Calcium intake levels of more than 800 mg/day may be unnecessary for maintaining calcium metabolism if vitamin D status is adequate, according to a study in the November 9 issue of JAMA. The importance of adequate vitamin D status for optimum bone health has received increased recognition in recent years, with higher recommended intake levels being proposed by some investigators, according to background information in the article. The ideal intake is not known, and different criteria have been proposed for estimating population requirements. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D has been the generally accepted indicator of vitamin D status, but no universal consensus has been reached regarding which serum values constitute sufficiency. An inverse relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) is well established. Parathyroid hormone is a major hormone maintaining normal serum concentrations of calcium and phosphate and is itself regulated through levels of calcitriol and serum calcium. An insufficiency of vitamin D or calcium is generally associated with an increase in PTH.

Developing stable, bacteria-resistant implants

Sat, 24 Sep 2005 15:31:00 PST

Infections associated with inserting a medical device can be devastating, painful, and cause prolonged disability, costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Genetic Factors Influence Propensity To Bone Fractures In Elderly

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 13:51:00 PST

The importance of genetic factors in an elderly individual's propensity to bone fractures depends on the individual's age and the type of fracture, according to a study in the September 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Consumption Of Soy May Reduce Risk Of Fracture In Postmenopausal Women

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 13:51:00 PST

Postmenopausal women who consumed high daily levels of soy protein had reduced risk of bone fracture, according to a study in the September 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Identifying Previously Undectable Spinal Injuries

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 16:12:00 PST

A new national study indicates that patients with a cervical spinal injury may harbor additional spinal damage not visible on regular x-rays. In fact, more than a third of patients who were thought to have low-risk injuries actually have additional damage that may include significant fractures with the potential to produce serious spinal problems if not detected and treated properly.

Serial bone mineral density (BMD) measurements can improve fracture risk accuracy

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 21:59:00 PST

Scientists from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia, are suggesting a new approach to determining the risk of fracture in individuals with the brittle bone disease, osteoporosis, which could have treatment implications. Their finding, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, is based on data from a fifteen-year epidemiology study and shows that calculating bone loss, by having at least two bone mineral density (BMD) measurements taken a minimum of 1-2 years apart, can improve the accuracy of fracture risk assessment.

Brain plays an important role in the bone density maintenance

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 03:53:00 PST

The brain plays an important role in the maintenance of proper bone density, researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have revealed.

Dietary calcium can counteract low bone density in oral contraceptive users

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 16:31:00 PST

Women who take oral contraceptives can counteract bone loss by making sure they have enough calcium in their daily diet, especially early in life, according to Purdue University research.

Diabetics have more complications after ankle fracture surgery

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 17:18:00 PST

In the largest analysis of its kind, Duke University Medical Center researchers have found that patients with diabetes who require surgery for ankle fractures have significantly higher rates of complications and higher hospital costs compared to non-diabetic patients.

Vitamin D supplements not helpful in black women

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 15:37:00 PST

The researchers found that there was no significant difference in BMD in women receiving vitamin D and women receiving placebo. There was also no relationship found between 25-OHD blood levels and bone density change in either group.

TOPAZ(TM) Brings New Hope for Tennis Elbow

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 13:54:00 PST

New study data published this month in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery showed the use of a Coblation-based technology known as TOPAZ -- developed by ArthroCare(R) Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTC) -- to be effective when used in the treatment of common tendon disorders such as lateral epicondylitis, the condition commonly known as tennis elbow.

Carbon nanotubes make an ideal scaffold for the growth of bone tissue

Sun, 10 Jul 2005 15:07:00 PST

Scientists have shown for the first time that carbon nanotubes make an ideal scaffold for the growth of bone tissue. The new technique could change the way doctors treat broken bones, allowing them to simply inject a solution of nanotubes into a fracture to promote healing.

Early infection intervention can prevent amputation in diabetics

Thu, 16 Jun 2005 17:51:00 PST

A small sore on a toe may not seem like a major medical threat. But for the millions of people who have diabetes and other conditions, it can be the first step on a road that leads to the amputation of a foot -- or even a leg.
Now, a new study from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center may help more people save their limbs. Published in the June issue of the Annals of Surgery, it's the first-ever large study of how foot-bone infection, called osteomyelitis, is typically treated and how well the different approaches work.

EXOGEN(TM) Bone Healing System Receives Expanded Medicare Coverage

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 09:01:00 PST

Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics (NYSE: SNN - News; LSE: SN - News) today announced that the United States Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded existing Medicare coverage of its EXOGEN(TM) Bone Healing System for the treatment of all nonunion bone fractures, regardless of whether the fracture has had prior surgical intervention.

Vitamin D, Calcium Ineffective in Preventing Fractures

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 14:29:00 PST

A study in this week's BMJ finds no evidence that calcium and vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of fractures in older women living in the community.

Calcium Supplements Unable to Prevent Fractures

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 18:17:00 PST

The findings are reported today in The Lancet and follow a major 5½ year trial involving almost 5,300 people aged 70 and over who had suffered a fracture in the last 10 years. Participants were recruited through fracture clinics and in-patient wards at 21 hospitals across the UK.

A Natural Molecule will Help Fractures Heal Fast and Generate New Bone Growth

Sun, 24 Apr 2005 16:19:00 PST

By studying diseases in which the human body generates too much bone, UCLA researchers have discovered and isolated a natural molecule that can be used to heal fractures and generate new bone growth in patients who lack it.

IRAK-M - Key regulator of bone cells linked to osteoporosis

Wed, 06 Apr 2005 19:00:00 PST

Scientists at the Yale School of Medicine identified a molecule in osteoclasts, IRAK-M, that is a key regulator of the loss of bone mass.