Enhancement of Osseointegraion

Mentor

Mathias P. Bostrom, MD

Scope

Enhancing implant fixation remains a key challenge for orthopaedic surgeons and the treatment of surgical patients will be transformed if better approaches can be identified. The potential anabolic effect of mechanical stimulation and pharmacological intervention on osseointegration in cancellous bone has not been investigated, but is a logical approach for enhancing osseointegration in orthopaedic patients. Our project, Enhancement of Osseointegration, which has been submitted for an NIH RO1 grant, will study cancellous bone osseointegration in the rabbit distal femur in response to applied mechanical loading in combination with either intermittent PTH or a combination of PTH and OPG treatment. A unique in vivo model has been developed that allows controlled mechanical stimuli to be examined in vivo. This study will provide insight into the mechanism(s) of action of these agents, as an understanding of the signaling mechanisms associated with the individual and potential synergistic anabolic effects of mechanical loading and pharmacologic treatment on bone cell function would likely lead to improved treatment of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and related diseases. The accepted student will assist in animal surgery and outcome measures including histology, immunohistochemistry, rtPCR and microCT.

Contact

Xu Yang, MD
yangx@hss.edu