The study shows a small molecule that can be used to identify patients who are at risk for failure and potentially administer drugs to stop the failure process. The technique can be used to visualize inflammation around the implant. When a failing implant is recognized, the physician can use the system to deliver a drug that blocks any inflammation responsible for prosthesis loosening, or osteolysis.
Osteolysis is a common long term complication associated with joint replacement surgery, and revision surgeries to correct the problem are expensive. The investigators in this study have filed a joint patent application on the system for detecting prosthesis loosening.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease and the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation.
Read the report on the research about orthopedic prosthetic loosening.
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