New insights for spinal injuries

A research partnership between Flinders University and the US University of Delaware is currently looking at how function is lost in people’s spinal discs while bearing weight in order to develop better artificial discs and tissue engineering repair treatments.

The strategic research alliance is part of a global push for better treatments for debilitating spinal conditions to help improve musculoskeletal function.

In Australia, 90% of all workers compensation claims during 2012–13 were for injury and musculoskeletal disorders with the back being the body part most often injured.^[1]

According to international biomechanics expert Professor Dawn Elliott, from the University of Delaware, ageing, growth and injury are common causes for loss of spinal function, putting a heavy burden on health services and human suffering that costs tens of billions of dollars each year.

She has been part of a collaboration with Flinders University and is currently working with Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI) Biomechanics and Implants Laboratory at Tonsley. Her research applies magnetic resonance imaging and mechanical loading and mathematical modelling to study the spine and how it breaks down with ageing.

“I am certain that the strong research collaborations my laboratory is building with Flinders will develop into new breakthroughs in developing and testing therapies for the spine,” Professor Elliott said.

She recently outlined her research at a public seminar at Flinders and is a keynote speaker at an Adelaide Centre for Spine Research event this week.

Source

[1] Safeworkaustralia.gov.au, ‘Australian Workers’ Compensation Statistics, 2012–13’, viewed on 10 August 2015, p.5, <http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/897/australian-workers-compensation-statistics-2012-13.pdf>.