Mansfield Orthopaedics Research Project Targeting Bone StrengthFor Immediate Release12/19/2008
Mansfield Orthopaedics in conjunction with Copley Hospital is conducting a clinical research project targeted at improving bone strength to prevent fractures due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a major health issue, affecting roughly 10 million Americans over the age of 50. An additional 34 million have low bone mass of the hip, which puts them at risk for osteoporosis and fractures. The direct care costs alone for osteoporotic fractures in 2005 were $16.9 billion. Hip fractures are by far the most devastating type of fracture, accounting for 300,000 hospitalizations each year and account for 72% of the direct medical expenditures made on fracture care.
Dr. Bryan Huber of Mansfield Orthopaedics is conducting the research in collaboration with Dr. Jim Howe of Fletcher Allen Healthcare, who originated the study. In the study, patients with low bone mass in their hips will be injected with a bone graft substitute. Dr. Huber will then monitor to see if the substitute bonds with existing bone to spur new bone growth, which in turn will improve bone strength. “This bone graft substitute is already successfully used to fill bone voids and defects due to fractures and anecdotally seems to help build bone,” says Dr. Huber. “Our goal is to provide data that supports this in a controlled clinical trial.” Mansfield Orthopaedics Physician Assistants Nella Wennberg and Norm Dupuis will assist with the study.
The study is being sponsored by Wright Medical Technology, Inc. with clinical oversight provided by the Western Institutional Review Board.
Females over the age of 55 with low bone mass (specifically dexa scan results less than T<3.0) may be a candidate for the study. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Huber at 802-888-8689.
About Mansfield Orthopaedics
Mansfield Orthopaedics creates a compassionate and efficient system of care in coordination with one’s primary care physician, providing comprehensive orthopedic evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation. The practice features three board certified orthopedic surgeons: S. Glen Neale, MD; Bryan Huber, MD and Eric Mullins, MD; with sports medicine specialist Richard James, MD. The practice focuses on Joint Replacement; Arthritis Care; Arthroscopic Surgery; Hand, Ankle and Foot Surgery; Sports Medicine and Fracture and Trauma Care. In addition to providing surgical consultation and post-surgical care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, aquatic therapy and athletic training care are offered in collaboration with Copley Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services. Mansfield Orthopaedics has clinics in Morrisville and Newport, with rehabilitation also offered in Stowe.
About Copley Hosptial
Copley Hospital is Lamoille County’s non-profit community hospital. The hospital is an essential health care resource in this rural region, providing emergency services, diagnostic services, general surgery, and orthopedics along with extensive Outpatient Services that includes a state-of-the-art Cancer Care program, Pain Management and access to a variety of medical specialists on its campus in Morrisville. Committed to fostering wellness, Copley sponsors extensive community education opportunities, focusing primarily on diabetes, obesity, heart health, and personal safety. Copley provides more than one million dollars annually in charity care. It was named EMS Hospital of the Year in 2008.
Contact Information
Leah Hollenberger
Senior Director Development, Marketing & Public Relations
Copley Hospital
802-888-8301
lhollenberger@chsi.org
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