York scientists at the cutting edge in the search for new and better hip replacements
RESEARCH at York University is helping to improve the quality of life for the 50,000 people in the UK who have had hip replacements every year, by reducing the likelihood of loosening of artificial joints.
The work, carried out by Professor Tim Skerry in the Bone and Joint Research Unit, was highlighted by leading medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign – which is funding the £63,000 research project – during its Research Week (June 7-13).
At York, Professor Skerry is examining ways in which bone loss near the artificial joint – one of the main reasons why hip replacements fail and patients need a second, revision operation – can be prevented.
"When a joint is replaced, the artificial implant is usually held in place with bone cement, or by growth of bone into mesh on the surface of the metal and plastic part," explained Professor Skerry.
"If artificial joints are to have a long, trouble-free life, it is important that bone ingrowth is rapid, and bone loss near the joint is prevented. Problems with one particular kind artificial hip – the Capital 3M) were connected with bone loss around an artificial hip joint, which then loosens and moves when it is used, causing pain."
While the design and testing of implants is clearly important to minimise these problems, in addition, scientists' ability to influence bone cells to maximise bone formation and minimise loss near an artificial joint depends on understanding the way those cells are controlled.
"Studies in York are following up on our discovery which suggest that bone cells use chemicals normally found in the brain to communicate," added Professor Skerry. "This particular chemical seems to be involved in the way that bone cells are instructed to form and remove bone by other ways. The current studies are designed to find out more about the way this occurs, so that we wil be able to feed in signals to make or remove bone as we want."
This would stimulate the rapid integration of the artificial hip joint, and reduce or get rid of the loosening process, which makes revision surgery necessary.
