The Science Behind Sports Medicine

The “Science Behind” series at Walking Mountains Science Center continues on Wednesday, April 25th at 6:30pm with the “Science Behind Sports Medicine: Tears, Repairs and Reconstructions”. 

Dr. Coen Wijdicks, Director and Senior Staff Scientist of the Department of BioMedical Engineering at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), will be on campus to provide an introduction to the field of BioMedical Engineering and to discuss the latest technology and orthopedic research in sports medicine. 

Dr. Wijdicks will introduce some of the advanced technology currently being used at SPRI as well as specific research principles designed to keep people active.  Much of the ongoing research within the Department of BioMedical Engineering at SPRI is focused on optimizing surgical procedures – scientifically evaluating and refining them for better outcomes – as they pertain to individual joints.  Dr. Wijdicks and his colleagues are focused on what is referred to in the scientific community as "translational research," or more simply, creating a scientific foundation that can be integrated at the clinical level for treatments that improve patient outcomes.  During the presentation, emphasis will be on research that pertains to the development of new ligament repairs and reconstructions that aim to optimize the surgical repair of common sports medicine injuries.

The Science Behind series offers classes which are practical, timely, and teach enjoyable skills that have underlying scientific principles.  Each class provides a hands-on, interactive component with instruction from a local subject matter expert and a Walking Mountains educator.  Classes are held once a month at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon. 

Next up in the series…
May 16th, 6:30 pm at Walking Mountains Science Center
The Science Behind Rafting & River Dynamics with Lakota River Guides

If You Go…

When:  Wednesday, April 25th, 6:30pm
Where:  Walking Mountains Science Center
What:  The Science Behind Sports Medicine: Tears, Repairs and Reconstructions
Cost:  FREE
Space is limited, please call (970) 827-9725 to register

Orthopaedic research scientists and surgeons from The Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado recently met with leaders in the field to discuss the latest advancements regarding the use of platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), growth factors and stem cells to heal sports-related injuries. The "Biologic Treatments for Sports Injuries Symposium", which was the first ever of its kind among orthopaedic surgeons, took place March 3-4 at the Four Seasons Resort in Vail.

Dr. Robert F. LaPrade, orthopaedic knee surgeon with The Steadman Clinic and the chief medical research officer for the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, served as the co-chair and local host to more than 30 orthopaedic and sports medicine professionals from Cornell, Colorado State University, Harvard, Pittsburgh, Duke and Stanford, as well as abroad from Canada, the U.K., and Norway.

Throughout the Symposium, researchers presented topics on a variety of issues relating to stem cell research and PRP growth factors and concluded that while the orthopaedic industry believes the use of these growth factors can improve the repair process and possibly shorten the healing and recovery period, there is still an overall lack of research that has been concluded to offer this treatment on a higher, more mainstream level.

According to Dr. Robert LaPrade, “While science has progressed greatly in the past decade offering significant promise in the area of PRP, future studies are needed so that we can take what we are learning at the scientific level and turn these into realistic, credible treatment recommendations for patients.”  Dr. Lars Engebretsen, PhD from the University of Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center in Norway and the Medical Director for the International Olympic Committee, discussed his vision of how PRP could impact injured athletes through new research initiatives. He particularly highlighted the area of overuse injuries and offered a clinical perspective of where PRP belongs in relation to the surgical treatment, prevention and reduction of certain sports-related injuries such as ACL tears. Dozens of other presentations were offered from orthopedic surgeons and scientists who were present at the meeting.

The meeting sheds new light on PRP and ended with a new agenda for future studies.

See the full story: Medical Gathering Focuses on Tissue Healing

Dr. Marc Philippon, orthopaedic hip surgeon and Managing Partner at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, was recently recognized by Arthroscopy Journal for his research study on Femoroacetabular Impingement. According to Arthroscopy, Dr. Philippon's orthopaedic research study, "Relationship Between Offset Angla Alpha and Hip Chondral Injury in Femoroacetabular Impingement", was one of the top ten most cited articles for 2008-2011. 

Arthroscopy Journal is the journal for arthroscopic and related surgery. The full orthopaedic research study "Relationship Between Offset Angla Alpha and Hip Chondral Injury in Femoroacetabular Impingement," along with images and references, can be found on Arthroscopy’s website along with the abstract below that details the purpose of the study, methods used, and the results that were concluded:

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the size of cam lesions and the presence of cartilage damage, labral damage, or changes in range of motion in the hips with signs and symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

METHODS:

Cross-table lateral radiographs were available for 102 consecutive patients presenting with signs and symptoms of FAI. Radiographs with excessive external rotation, dysplasia, severe arthritis, avascular necrosis, or Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome were excluded, leaving 82 patients available for analysis.  This study included 47 men and 35 women with an average age of 25 years (12 to 55). Offset angle alpha was measured from the films with a digital goniometer. Patients subsequently underwent hip arthroscopy and thesurgical findings and hip range of motion were prospectively recorded.

RESULTS:

Higher offset angle alpha was associated with the presence of acetabular rim chondral defects (P = .044) and full-thickness delamination of the acetabular cartilage (P = .034). Patients with detachment of the base of the labrum had a higher offset angle alpha (P = .016). Higher offset angle alpha was related to male sex (P = .001) and decreased range of motion (P < .05), but not to age.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cam-type FAI, as measured by an increased offset angle alpha, was correlated with increased chondral damage, labral injury, and decreased range of motion.

Download the full study, Relationship Between Offset Angla Alpha and Hip ChondralInjury in Femoroacetabular Impingement.

Dr. Philippon

The Steadman Philippon Research Institute recently appeared in the Vail Daily with an article summarizing some of the most recent orthopedic research studies to take place in the laboratories on their campus. Ranging from ACL reconstruction surgery rehabilitation, to the recommended size of goalie pads worn during ice hockey in order to help reduce the risk of hip injuries, these orthopedic research studies are in motion to improve the prevention, treatment, and patient outcomes for specific injuries. The Steadman Philippon Research Institute has many laboratories where these studies continue to impact the medical world.  Their labs range from biomechanical and surgical, to rehabiliation and clinical research. The results of various studies appear in prestigious medical journals and medical conferences, and into the offices of orthopedic surgeons around the globe. According to Coen Wijdicks, Director of Biomechanics Research and Senior Staff Scientist at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, “That's our primary focus here — to present the research.” 

See the full story, Local Research Has International Impacts