Bone Abstracts

Risk factors for osteoporosis are often present among patients referred for diagnostic CT scans. Recent UK Clinical Guidelines (NICE-CG146) promote the initial use of FRAX in the majority of patients at risk of osteoporotic fracture, in any health setting. We gained approval and NHS Innovation funding for a pilot service whereby patients undergoing a routine clinical CT scan of the abdomen or pelvis could be screened by estimating their 10-year fracture risk. Patient and radio...

Focal cortical thinning and loss of trabecular structure in the proximal femur is associated with hip fracture. We analysed clinical computed tomography (CT) scans in cases and controls to explore their contributions to hip fracture in women.We used cortical bone mapping (CBM) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) after combining women with hip fracture from FEMCO and Prague Hip Joint in Trauma studies (n=138, 52 Trochanteric and 86 Femoral N...

Despite its importance, the resorptive surface of osteoclasts has not been directly visualised. We exploited a novel approach that enables us to inspect the substrate-apposed surface of cells. To achieve this, we incubated osteoclasts on vitronectin-coated nail varnish and, afterwards, we dissolved the substrate and visualised the cells resorbing-side up in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). We then employed confocal microscopy to correlate the SEM appearances with the di...

Children with cerebral palsy who are unable to walk independently are prone to lower limb muscle weakness which contributes to pain, deformity and functional loss. As a result of these motor difficulties the children are less physically active than their unimpaired peers and subsequently at greater risk of reduced bone density. This pilot study introduced a novel mobility device, running bikes, to a group of non-ambulant children with cerebral palsy to investigate if it was a ...

Background: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is most commonly caused by a defect in the genes which produce type 1 collagen. Features of OI include fractures, hypermobility and weakness. Severely affected children can present with deformities such as bowing of long bones and spinal curves. Mobility may be significantly impaired. The medical management of children with severe OI includes orthopaedic surgery and bisphosphonate treatment. Physiotherapy to promote function and partici...

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is most commonly caused by a defect in the gene that produces type I collagen. Features include fractures and ligamentous laxity. Reduced muscle tone is often seen, which can result in gross motor delay in younger children.Dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs or lycra garments) are widely used in children with low truncal muscle tone, have been shown to improve posture, and increase stability. There is no research in th...

Objective: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is most commonly caused by a defect in the genes that produce type I collagen. Clinical features include low bone mass, fractures and spinal abnormalities. Pars defects are abnormalities in the pars interarticularis of vertebrae. There is a higher incidence of pars defects in the lumbar spine in children with OI compared to the normal population. Abdominal muscle weakness and altered spinal postures are common presentations in the childr...

Since the identification of LRP5 as the causative gene for the osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG) as well as the high bone mass (HBM) phenotype, LRP5 and the Wnt/β-catenin signalling have been extensively studied for their role in the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts, in the apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes and in the response of bone to mechanical loading. However, more recently the direct effect of LRP5 on osteoblasts and bone formation has...

Polynesians have higher bone mineral density and lower rate of hip fracture compared to age-matched Caucasian in New Zealand, and anecdotal evidence suggests that bones of Polynesian patients heal much faster than those of Caucasians. We compared gene expression in osteoblasts cultured form bone samples taken from patients of Polynesian and Caucasian origin, in order to identify genes and pathways that contribute to the greater density and accelerated healing of Polynesian bon...

The musculoskeletal system experiences severe mechanical strain, with repetitive or extreme strains causing significant trauma; the result being an increase in mechanobiological studies evaluating mechanical strain on musculoskeletal cells. Currently, most stretching studies utilise fibronectin-coated cultures, as these enhance cell attachment. However, recent studies suggest that fibronectin increases cell turnover and DNA damage and affects cell differentiation. Furthermore,...