Quantification of bone microstructure in patients with osteoarthritis: the key towards improving treatment?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent chronic joint disease. There is no cure to OA. Surgical treatment is performed in severe cases to reduce pain and to improve mobility; yet, with varying success rates, and controversy exists on optimal procedures. We hypothesize that patient-specific differences in bone microstructure play are a crucial role, such that optimal treatment in one patient may mean overcorrection in others. The aim of this project is to obtain an improved understanding on (i) the alterations in bone microstructure following surgery and on (ii) how these structural alterations are related to alterations in joint loading. Specifically, we will measure bone microstructure in OA patients (at knee and wrist) using a novel medical imaging tool and will monitor the alterations occurring within two years following treatment. Reverse engineering will be used to quantify the alterations in mechanical load following treatment . These data are highly needed to improve treatment of OA.

Keywords:Osteoarthritis, wrist, knee, joint loading, bone microstructure, medical imaging, orthopedics, mechanics

Disciplines:Biomechanics