Download Centre for Musculoskeletal Research

Centre for Musculoskeletal Research
The Centre for Musculoskeletal Research (CMR) specialises in the prevention, treatment
and management of musculoskeletal disease and injury through cross-disciplinary, multiscale research.
The latest experimental and computational methods developed by CMR are used to explore
the neural control and function of musculoskeletal tissue in injury and the development
of disease of bone, cartilage, ligament, muscle and tendon. CMR researchers are translating
this knowledge into injury prevention programs, tissue regenerative therapies and
physical rehabilitation.
Spectrum of research
Develop innovative technologies
Neural System/Control
Musculoskeletal Tissues
Basic science of neural control and
musculoskeletal tissue
(Bone, Cartilage, Ligament, Muscle,
and Tendon)
Identify causes of musculoskeletal conditions
Musculoskeletal Conditions
(Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis,
Bone Allografts, Cerebral Palsy,
Cancer, Stroke, Ligament Injury,
Tendon Repair, Replacements of joints,
tendons and ligaments)
Develop and trial innovative treatments
that target causes
Translation to clinical practice
Osteoarthritis
This research is studying the development, progression and treatment
of osteoarthritis (OA) and is underpinned by the latest imaging and
computational methods.
Orthopaedic implants – Studies include patients fitted with specially designed
total knee replacements that enable the loads inside the knee articular surfaces to
be measured. This is being used to develop better patient-specific computational
models, enabling researchers and clinicians to accurately estimate the loading of
various musculoskeletal tissues, only possible through computational modelling.
The research is being translated into new treatments for OA, but also for other
musculoskeletal conditions, such as stroke, cerebral palsy, and paraplegia,
ultimately improving the quality of life for patients suffering these disorders.
Hip & knee osteoarthritis – Prevention of hip and knee OA is the main focus of
research in this arena. One latest study hones in on young people who have had
arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and are therefore
highly susceptible to OA. Researchers are gaining a more thorough understanding
of the effects of architectural, mechanical and biochemical factors on hip and
knee OA progression in terms of clinical symptoms and hip joint structure to
establish treatments to help slow disease progression.
Tendinopathy
Research in this area looks at the degeneration of tendons,
tendinopathy, the factors that impact tendon function or
dysfunction, and how we can best treat tendinopathy to
minimise further injury and improve repair post injury.
Tissue engineered tendon - With colleagues CMR Researchers
are engineering tendon tissue from autologous stem
cells to improve outcomes by special surgical treatment
of Achilles tendinopathy. The research is generating new
understanding of normal tendon behaviour, developing tendons
from stem-cell-seeded bioscaffolds in a bioreactor.
Exercise rehabilitation - Researchers are using threedimensional ultrasound, developed in CMR, to examine the
complex shape of the Achilles tendon and the potential changes
in its elasticity during different activities. This technology allows
researchers to assess the effectiveness of current and new
treatments (e.g. rehabilitation training, manual therapy and stem
cells), for translation into training programs to prevent tendon
injuries (e.g. concentric vs eccentric training).
Regenerative medicine and exercise therapies –
Current research is comparing the effectiveness and costs
of 1. regenerative medicine based injections and 2. exercise
treatments. Researchers are looking at each used singularly
and in combination, addressing the underlying cause of tennis
elbow, painful tendinopathy of the elbow. Similar studies have
been completed for Achilles tendinopathy showing that the
combination therapy is more effective than each program
used alone.
Neural systems
Neural basis of movement - This research area focuses
on how the central nervous system controls voluntary and
involuntary movement. Researchers in the human neuroscience
laboratory use novel techniques to examine how common
medications affect motor control, how physiological tremor is
generated, and how pathological tremor affects motor control of
the arms and hands.
Using the latest neurophysiology experimental and computational
methods to explore muscle function and movement control.
Bone conditions
The Bone Densitometry Research Laboratory (BDRL) – This laboratory
houses the latest technology, including a dual energy x-ray absorptiometer, a
peripheral quantitative computed tomographer and a quantitative ultrasonometer
to determine the composition, strength and quality of bone, muscle and fat of the
whole body and body segments.
Research projects focus on the influence of mechanical loading (largely exercise)
on bone across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on the maximisation of peak
bone mass during childhood, and the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporotic
fracture. Other bone studies have included electric field stimulation of stress
fractures, seasonal change in elite rugby league player body composition, body
composition of women with metabolic syndrome and spinal cord injured hand
cyclists, effect of exercise on breast cancer patients, and bone and muscle
morphology of patients with hip osteoarthritis.
Cell biology of skeletal remodeling and repair – Researchers are developing
in-depth knowledge of the chemical signals that attract and maintain bone cells. This
knowledge is key to developing strategies against diseases like osteoporosis, and to
facilitate healing of skeletal fractures and fatigue injuries. The research encompasses
cell and molecular biology of bone cells, skeletal adaptation, mechanotransduction
and understanding bone tissue quality.
Bone fracture from falls in older adults – Ageing is associated with declines
in neuro-mechanical (NM) function and a high incidence of falls. However, little is
known about the link between the two. Research is underway to determine the
effect of falls status (fallers vs non-fallers), the gait related factors that influence
probability and severity of falls and mechanics of balance recovery from an induced
fall. This research involves a combination of biomechanical experiments, subjectspecific neuro-musculo-skeletal modelling and prospective falls evaluation.
It aims to identify individuals at risk of falling and establish effective interventions to
prevent trip-related falls. The research will also result in new computational tools
that will be made available to the international biomechanics research community.
Translation to practice
Sports Injury Prevention Program - With the aim of
preventing injury at community level, researchers are
developing and delivering a sports injury prevention
program as well as evaluating the resources needed for its
effective uptake in community sport. With colleagues CMR
researchers have also developed FootyFirst (evidenceinformed guidelines for preventing lower limb injuries) and
identified the necessary support structures and resources
to ensure its sustainability and subsequent national roll-out.
Obesity & musculoskeletal conditions - This research
encompasses the role of exercise and physical activity in
the management of chronic conditions including obesity,
type 2 diabetes and liver disease. The latest research is
also contributing to a better understanding of ethnic and
racial differences in body composition and consequent
predisposition to disease.
eHealth cloud and convergence technologies for
improving health outcomes - Researchers are developing
and testing new technologies for influencing health outcomes
and educating consumers and practitioners in the field of
chronic disease management and prevention.
Collaborative research partners
Research within CMR is supported by both national and international competitive grants. The centre has
also developed strong collaborative links with a number of renowned universities and research institutes including:
National
International
Industry
Monash University, Melbourne
Stanford University, USA
Queensland Bone Bank
University of Melbourne, Melbourne
University of Florida, USA
AFL
University of Western Australia, Perth
University of Auckland, NZ
Orthocell
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
University of Leeds, UK
Vicon
University of Queensland
INSERM U831, University of Lyon, France
Royal Brisbane &
Women’s Hospital
James Cook University, Brisbane
University of Padua, Italy
Mater Hospital
Getting involved
If you are interested in contributing, there are
many opportunities to get involved with CMR:
Become an industry partner
Undertake a research fellowship
Become a collaborative research partner
Participate in research programs
Make a donation or sponsor specific research
Contact details
Professor David Lloyd
Director, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research
Griffith Health Institute
Gold Coast campus, Griffith University,
Queensland 4222 Australia
Phone: +61 7 5552 8593
Email: [email protected]
Web: griffith.edu.au/health/musculoskeletal-research
CRICOS Provider 00233E
•
•
•
•
•