Qld: New hope for taking pain out of joint replacements

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2003
Qld: New hope for taking pain out of joint replacements

Research by Australian scientists has offered new hope for beating the pain of arthritis
and other joint problems.

Queensland University of Technology researcher and orthopaedic surgeon, PROFESSOR ROSS
CRAWFORD, says new bone and cartilage could one day replace damaged joints.

Professor CRAWFORD says around 50,000 Australians underwent painful joint replacement
or spinal operations each year.

But most joint replacements with metal implants only lasted around only 10 years when
the mechanical devices had to be renewed.

But he says the new process would aim to preserve the joint and and replace the damaged
portion of it.

AAP RTV rad/jhm/rh/wz

KEYWORD: JOINTS (BRISBANE)

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