A team of researchers from the Sydney Musculoskeletal Health – a partnership between the University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District and Northern Sydney Local Health District - recently attended the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty’s (ISTA) annual congress in Hawaii.

As well as meeting up and sharing ideas with professionals from across the globe, team members gave several presentations detailing their research in the area of technologies in arthroplasty.

Bill Walter, Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatic Surgery at the University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital, led the team at the congress and said it had been an amazing experience.

“You have the world’s greatest concentration of expert knowledge in this area,” he said. “It’s a bit of a mind-explosion being involved in it.

“It’s very exciting meeting people trying to resolve some of the problems facing hip and knee replacement patients.”

Presentations at the event included the exploration of developing technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, how wearable devices can assist with patient monitoring and advancements in robotics and smart instruments. 
 

Presentations by the team included their work investigating ceramic hip resurfacing and examining the bio-mechanics of hip and knee replacements and spinopelvic issues. 

The Sydney Musculoskeletal Health Team, whose Kolling researchers are based at RNSH, works with leaders in health on research, clinical services and training.

About 1.7 billion people worldwide have musculoskeletal conditions. Lower back pain, osteoarthritis, neck pain, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are some of the major musculoskeletal disorders and are one of the leading contributors to disability worldwide.

The annual ISTA, which was established in 1988, is attended by hundreds of surgeons, scientists, engineers and industry representatives from across the world to advance the technology in arthroplasty.

“It’s great to be part of this event because it’s a place where you find and meet like-minded people from across the world who ultimately are trying to improve the quality of life for patients in this area,” Professor Walter, a former ISTA President, said. 

“It’s a privilege to be involved.”