Silk and cellulose biologically effective for use in stem cell cartilage repair

Over 20 million people in Europe suffer from osteoarthritis which can lead to extensive damage to the knee and hip cartilage. Stem cells offer a promising way forward but a key challenge has been to design a 'smart material' that is biologically effective for cartilage tissue regeneration. Now researchers have identified a blend of naturally occurring fibres such as cellulose and silk that makes progress towards affordable and effective cell-based therapy for cartilage repair a step closer. 8 May 2013 14:39

Bizcommunity.com

Bizcommunity April 1 price freeze is no joke

[Issued by Bizcommunity.com] Believe it or not, we've made the decision to freeze most of our rates for 2013! This is not an April Fool's prank but a strategic decision in line with our core objectives to assist businesses to grow and thrive via our portfolio of publishing platforms. 26 Mar 2013 10:37

Bizcommunity.com

If you're content, we're content

[Issued by Bizcommunity.com] "Content" is currently on everybody's lips, with everyone from the existing media to brand owners and individuals being encouraged to become content providers. Bizcommunity has been ahead of the content curve for over a decade. 18 Mar 2013 09:03

Endoscopic surgery can help low back and leg pain

A Yale orthopedic spine surgeon has a minimally invasive solution for patients with moderate to severe low back pain and sciatica caused by disk herniation. Specifically, he is targeting people whose pain doesn't improve with physical therapy or painkillers, but may not be severe enough to warrant open-spine surgery. 15 Mar 2013 14:58

Medical first allows Blount's disease patient to walk upright

In what is described as a medical first, an orthopaedic team at the Netcare Unitas Hospital in Centurion, Pretoria has undertaken four hours of reconstructive surgery on a 25-year old Blount's disease patient, enabling him to walk upright. 22 Jan 2013 09:59

Creams, patches can ease painful knees

For those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knees or hands, applying topical non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - in the form of creams, gels and patches - can bring weeks of pain relief, say UK scientists. 17 Oct 2012 00:30

Study reveals "unacceptably high" hip resurfacing failure rates

Hip resurfacing - an alternative to hip replacement often recommended to younger patients - is prone to early failure in many instances, and should not be used in women, according to a study led by the University of Bristol and published online first in The Lancet. 2 Oct 2012 10:51

Glucosamine sulphate supplement can delay osteoarthritis

The breakdown and eventual disappearance of cartilage in the joints - better known as osteoarthritis - is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 135 million people worldwide. As it becomes worse, it can stimulate bone outgrowths, known as spurs or osteophytes, which distort the joint, and can lead to muscle weakness, joint deformity and even disability. 12 Jul 2012 15:47

Major orthopaedic surgeon training centre secures sponsor

Global medical technology business, Smith & Nephew has announced that it will sponsor the KwaZulu-Natal Orthopaedic Training Centre based at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban. 15 Jun 2012 14:44

First step towards treatment for painful flat feet

New research has made an advance in understanding the causes of adult-acquired flat feet - a painful condition particularly affecting middle-aged women. The findings could eventually lead to new drug therapy for this and other common conditions affecting tendons, such as Achilles tendonitis. 17 Jan 2012 12:46

Bilateral oophorectomy associated with low bone mineral density and arthritis

SAN ANTONIO, USA: Women who underwent surgery to remove their ovaries before the age of 45 years were more likely to have arthritis and low bone mineral density compared with women with intact ovaries, researchers found. 13 Dec 2011 11:00

US baby boomers feed need for joint replacements

WASHINGTON, USA: US baby boomers are fueling a wave of joint replacement surgeries, hoping to use new artificial knees and hips to stay active as they get older. 6 Dec 2011 16:42

Polio vaccine paralyses child

A Gauteng child has been paralysed as a result of a rare complication from polio vaccination, said the Department of Health. 25 Oct 2011 16:03

Are you sitting comfortably?

Let's face it, you spend much of your time sitting - we all do - but many of us either adopt the wrong posture, which puts various muscles under tension, and/or we don't have a well-designed chair on which to sit. Hence, there are... 9 Sep 2011 12:41