Orthopaedic Hospital Research Team Wins Another Coveted Charnley Award

A team of researchers and physicians at Orthopaedic Hospital’s Joint Replacement Institute (JRI) and J. Vernon Luck, Sr., M.D. Orthopaedic Research Center (JVL) in Los Angeles has again won the John Charnley Award for 2006 in recognition of excellence in hip resurfacing research. This is the third Charnley award to be presented to researchers at Orthopaedic Hospital for their groundbreaking research on all aspects of hip joint replacement by the Hip Society.

Recognized as one of the most prestigious distinctions in the field of orthopaedic research, the award is named after Sir John Charnley, the father of modern total hip replacement, who was knighted by the British Royal Family for his contributions to orthopaedic medical technology. Orthopaedic Hospital’s award winning research focused on the analysis of retrieved metal-on-metal hip surface arthroplasty components, and is particularly important because hip resurfacing is the fastest growing orthopaedic surgical procedure worldwide. The results of the research will help surgeons optimize techniques for implanting hip resurfacing components.

This year’s multi-center research team led by Harlan C. Amstutz, M.D., founding director of the Joint Replacement Institute at Orthopaedic Hospital and lead author Patricia Campbell, Ph.D., will be presented with this third Charnley Award at the March annual meeting of the Hip Society. Co-authors include Paul Beaulé, M.D., Edward Ebramzadeh, Ph.D., Michel LeDuff, M.S., Koen De Smet, M.D. (a collaborating Belgian surgeon) and Zhen Lu, Ph.D. This latest Charnley Award will be Dr. Amstutz’ sixth in his 40-year career as an orthopaedic surgeon and researcher.

“What a distinction it is for our team to receive this prestigious award for such critical research on hip resurfacing,” said Dr. Amstutz. “A tremendous achievement in the field of orthopaedic surgery, this research is especially valuable for people suffering from severe disabling arthritic conditions of the hip, who can truly benefit from these advancements,” he added.

“We found the JRI-JVL research on metal-on-metal surface arthroplasties to be exciting and innovative, and we feel that it encompasses one important advance for the management of hip disorders in the future,” said Karen Andersen, executive director of The Hip Society. "This is the type of innovative research that this award exemplifies," she added.

According to James V. Luck, Jr., M.D., president, CEO and medical director for Orthopaedic Hospital, this award winning study conducted by JRI-JVL researchers will provide significant benefits for millions of adults and children who suffer from disabling conditions, enabling them to lead healthier, more active and fulfilling lives.

Orthopaedic Hospital researchers received their first Charnley award in 1994 for a paper entitled “The Origin of Sub-Micron Polyethylene Wear Debris in Total Hip Arthroplasty” (lead author: Harry McKellop, Ph.D.). In 2000, the second Charnley award was presented for the study “Wear is a Function of Use, not Time,” which focused on the relationship between the amount of use of an artificial hip joint and how long it will last (lead author: Thomas P. Schmalzried, M.D.). This year’s Charnley award is being received for “A Study of Implant Failure in Metal-on -Metal Surface Arthroplasties,” which investigated some causes of early failure of hip surface replacements and identified methods to make the current versions more durable.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the Joint Replacement Institute at Orthopaedic Hospital is a recognized world leader in hip and knee joint replacement and offers hip resurfacing, a minimally invasive hip replacement procedure for active adults that conserves maximum bone. Since 1991, the JRI has been committed to providing patients with joint preserving surgical options developed through its cutting edge research. For additional information on the Joint Replacement Institute and its services, please visit its Web site at www.jri-oh.com.

Also see; medical treatment for hip replacement.

About The Author:

Ágnes Huff is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.hip-replacement-care.com. Information on hip replacement; the cause, diagnosis, symptoms, surgery and treatment for recovery and rebuilding your body.