Science News

Engineers Developing New Cements To Heal Spinal Fractures

ScienceDaily (Oct. 30, 2007) — New research could offer hope for victims of the most devastating spinal injuries - typically those caused in car crashes.
See also:
Health & Medicine

* Bone and Spine
* Osteoporosis
* Leukemia

Matter & Energy

* Civil Engineering
* Materials Science
* Engineering

Reference

* Bone fracture
* Orthopedic surgery
* Human skeleton
* Scoliosis

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 will be working 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.

Funding is being provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Adapted from materials provided by University of Leeds.
Need to cite this story in your essay, paper, or report? Use one of the following formats:
APA

MLA
University of Leeds (2007, October 30). Engineers Developing New Cements To Heal Spinal Fractures. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 6, 2007, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2007/10/071029081517.htm

Engineer Dr. Ruth Wilcox, University of Leeds. (Credit: Simon & Simon photography)
Ads by Google
Advertise here
Osteoporosis
Get Symptoms & Treatment Options. Find the Dangers of Osteoporosis.
GreatHealthResource.info/Osteoporos
Prepare to be Shocked
Millions have already taken this amazing test. What's your RealAge?
www.RealAge.com
Reverse Bone Loss
Megadoses of calcium are NOT the answer - Special Report
www.hsibaltimore.com/Osteoporosis
Bone Substitutes
Innovative Bone Substitutes and Combined Technologies.
www.graftys.com
Spine Surgery
Find Info & Facts On Spine Surgery. Info- Spine Surgery Here.
www.YourSpineSurgery.net
Related Stories
Liquid Cement Can Stop The Pain And Prevent Deformity From Osteoporosis Of The Spine (Apr. 4, 2000) — The pain and disfigurement of osteoporosis of the spine may be prevented with the help of a liquid bone cement, according to new findings being presented by University of Maryland Medical Center ... > read more
Seat Belt Injuries Could Signal More Serious Trauma In Children (Aug. 10, 2007) — Ill-fitting seatbelts raise the risk of serious injury to children involved in car accidents. And seat belt injuries should alert physicians to look for signs of more serious consequences, ... > read more
New Pain Relief Treatment For Spinal Compression Fractures Related To Osteoporosis Available At Mayo Clinic (Aug. 12, 1999) — People who have prolonged and debilitating pain associated with compression fractures in their spinal vertebrae may be able to find relief with a procedure now being offered at Mayo Clinic. ... > read more
Vertebroplasty Improves Back Pain, Activity Level, Mayo Clinic Study Reports (Dec. 30, 2005) — 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 ... > read more
Study Shows Calcitonin-Salmon Nasal Spray Helps Prevent New Spinal Fractures In Women With Existing Osteoporosis (Sep. 16, 1998) — A recently completed study shows that calcitonin-salmon nasal spray reduced by 36 percent the incidence of new spinal fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. ... > read more
Search ScienceDaily
Number of stories in archives: 44,032
Find with keyword(s):

Enter a keyword or phrase to search ScienceDaily's archives for related news topics,
the latest news stories, reference articles, science videos, images, and books.
Ads by Google
Advertise here
Osteoporosis Treatment
Ancient Chinese Bone Formula Helps Restore Healthy Bones
osteoking.com
Bone Density Osteoporosis
Breaking News, Expert Tips, Member Support, Treatment Options & More
www.EverydayHealth.com
Osteoporosis Spine
Learn About Osteoporosis Treatments Find Osteoporosis Spine.
www.OsteoporosisTreatment.biz

Just In:
Smell You Later
Reprogrammed Adult Cells Treat Sickle-cell Anemia
Hinode Mission Delves Into Solar Mysteries
New Plant-derived Cancer Medicines
Hinode Mission Delves Into Solar Mysteries
Science Video News
Spinal Cord Injuries: Back on Your Feet
Paraplegic patients who still have some active nerve endings in their legs can find major improvements with a new therapy. During rehabilitation on a. ... > full story

* EMG Helps Physiatrists Find Causes of Pain
* Pediatric Neurologists Use MRI to Understand How Strokes Impair Verbal Abilities
* Orthotics and Prosthetics Experts Use New Materials to Let Injured Athletes Play
* more science videos

Breaking News
... from NewsDaily.com

* Transfusion-free medicine an option
* Breast cancer MRI may alter treatment plan
* UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News
* U.S. child cancer rates down significantly
* $200 million given to telescope project
* more science news

In Other News ...

* U.S. Senate passes AMT patch
* Man convicted in fatal synagogue shooting
* Arizona to offer 'enhanced' licenses
* Poll: Dems OK with presidential choices
* Sex offender charged in boy's killing
* Senate panel postpones contempt votes
* Defense bill loses gay hate-crime language
* AMT patch stalled in U.S. Senate
* more world news

Free Subscriptions
... from ScienceDaily
Get the latest science news with our free email newsletters, updated daily and weekly. Or view hourly updated newsfeeds in your RSS reader:

* Email Newsletters
* RSS Newsfeeds

Feedback
... we want to hear from you!
Tell us what you think of the new ScienceDaily -- we welcome both positive and negative comments. Have any problems using the site? Questions?

* Your Name:
* Your Email:
* Comments:
* Click button to submit feedback: