Belfast hip replacement patients in cutting edge research work by scientists at Queen's University
HIP replacement surgery for patients in Belfast has been drastically improved - thanks to the cutting edge research work of a team at Queen's University.
In the past, many patients who had an artificial hip joint suffered from post-operative infection which sometimes resulted in the need for a second operation.
Now, the team at Queens are investigating better ways of detecting bacterial infection, and identifying which are the best antibiotics for treating these infections. The results of their research has already had a significant impact on the success of hip replacements in the city.
The team's was highlighted by leading medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign - which is providing nearly £92,000 to fund the work - during its Research Week ( June 7-13).
The awareness week focused on the enormous success of joint replacement surgery over the past few years, the charity's role in developing ever-better surgical techniques, and the resulting benefits for thousands of arthritis sufferers. It also aimed to restore public confidence in joint replacement, following public concern earlier this year over the failure of one type of hip replacement.
"Joints damaged as a result of, for example rheumatoid arthritis, are now commonly replaced surgically with artificial joints, which relieves pain and allows patients to regain normal function," explained Dr Sheila Patrick, the research group's principal investigator, based in the School of Clinical Medicine's Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology.
"Although most of these operations are highly successful, in a small number of case the patients have problems with the artificial joint. In these instances, the patient has to have a second operation, in which the artificial joint is replaced with a new one. One of the causes of artificial joint failure is bacterial infection."
The Belfast research group involves collaboration between a number of different centres in the city.
Scientists from Queen's department of microbiology and immunobiology, and the school of pharmacy, are working with orthopaedic surgeons at Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast, which has the biggest orthopaedic unit in the British Isles. Departments from the Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast City Hospital have also contributed to the work.
"We have found that many of the bacteria found in these infections are resistant to the antibiotics currently used," added Dr Patrick.
"We have identified other antibiotics which will be better for the treatment and prevention of these infections. The result will be that fewer patients experience discomfort with their artificial joints due to bacterial infection; the joints should therefore last longer, and fewer people will need a second operation."
- The ARC, which is the fifth biggest medical research charity in the UK, is the only charity dedicated solely to finding the cause of and cure for arthritis and other forms of rheumatic disease.
