New hope for spinal injuries

Engineers at the University of Portsmouth are investigating new strategies for the treatment of patients affected by vertebral fractures. The team are using state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities to investigate the performance of a new bioactive material which has the potential to promote the formation of new bone in the treated area. In particular, they are simulating post-operative scenarios to understand how vertebrae treated with this new biomaterial behave when a patient walks or undertakes other activities. “We are investigating how vertebrae in the spine behave following surgery and how their mechanical performance can be influenced by the injection of different biomaterials,” said Dr Gianluca Tozzi. “The materials we’re testing are the latest bioactive formulations which have the ability to enhance new bone formation.” This means, he added, that the progressive integration of these biomaterials with the surrounding bone may promote the growth of new bone and lead to complete recovery of the use of the spine. The work will lead to a better understanding of the mechanical factors at play in the augmented vertebrae and will help to inform how well patients are likely to recover after being treated with the new material. The research will examine how these biomaterials can provide sufficient initial support to the treated vertebrae when compared with traditional products, while allowing bone formation to occur over time. Results will illustrate how these new materials might be beneficial for patients, improve surgical outcomes and overall wellbeing.