WiP Seminar: Dr. Alastair Younger

Alastair Younger, MB, CHB, MSC, CHM, FRCSC
Scientist, CHÉOS
Head, Division of Distal Extremities, University of British Columbia
Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia
President, British Columbia Orthopaedic Association

Opportunities for the future in musculoskeletal research; understanding arthritis and bone healing

These are exciting times in musculoskeletal care. Growth factors and stem cell research is beginning to shed light on the progression of degenerative joint disease, and the ability for bone and skin to heal. Bone healing (the ability of fractures to heal, joint prosthetics to heal to bone, and surgical fusion of bone) is driven by growth factors and stem cells. From the perspectives of patient-reported outcomes and revision surgery (system cost), the failure of bone healing and failure of skin healing account for the majority of adverse events. Progression of arthritis drives the need for surgery in the first place.

In this presentation, we will discuss the current knowledge of growth factors and stem cells in the progression of arthritis, and stimulation of bone and skin healing. We will also discuss the potential of the new St. Paul’s Hospital, where we have the opportunity to design a multidisciplinary team to address these issues by combining basic science, outcomes research, recording of adverse events, and imaging (MR and CT) to further our knowledge of musculoskeletal disease and healing.

To date, research by the foot and ankle team at St. Paul’s has resulted in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in bone healing, researching screw design. Future studies being discussed include an RCT of graft and no graft in midfoot fusions, looking at healing rates. Prior RCTs have looked at two growth factors (beta 2 peptide and recombinant platelet derived growth factor or PDGF), showing early promising results.

Click here to register (required): https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5UscOChqzkvHdyichy65qPC71YzrEcyHEC0