According to data from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, it is estimated that 50% of women over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture of the hip, wrist or vertebrae caused by osteoporosis. This disorder is becoming very significant socio-economically due to the number of people affected.
Because of this, advances in biotechnology, both in drugs and cell therapies and the use of biomaterials, are being closely looked at to improve the quality of life of patients.
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Cell therapy and the use of biomaterials may help to combat osteoporosis.
Loss of bone mass associated with osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over the age of 50. The aim of current drugs is to alleviate bone disappearance and promote formation, as well as increasing calcium intake. Research is being carried out into how biotechnology can provide more specific solutions to stimulate cell repopulation and tissue creation.
For example, new generation drugs capable of strengthening the bones and reducing the chances of fracture. These drugs work by inhibiting sclerostin. This increases bone formation and bone density, thereby reducing the chances of a fracture.
Other fields in which work is being carried out are:
- Cell therapy. Stem cells injected into bone tissue. Here, differentiation would be induced towards osteoblasts and biological drugs could be developed.
- The use of resorbable biomaterials in patients with osteoporosis which provide efficacy and safety.
- The best materials to use (ceramics, scaffolds, titanium, bioactive materials). Use of these would vary depending on the area. In addition, these materials must support cells and cell growth.
This research is making slow progress because of various difficulties: cell viability, knowing the mechanical resistance of materials and their biological adaptation and selection of experiments for each type of bone, combining biomaterials with a suitable cell therapy. It is also difficult to reproduce the conditions of a bone with osteoporosis in a laboratory. And knowing the field in which these advances will be applied is essential for success.
Research is focused on finding ways of strengthening bones and reducing fractures caused by osteoporosis.
In the meantime, osteoporosis sufferers will have to follow treatment that combines medication (both that aimed at prevention and that designed to increase bone density) with calcium and vitamin D supplements and a change in lifestyle.
New orthoses for osteoporosis
New orthoses are being developed to help patients recover faster from a fracture. Such as Orliman’s Hip stabilising orthosis . This orthosis limits or blocks the flexion/extension movement of the hip. It also controls abduction and thigh rotation. It is designed for patient comfort and a snug fit to the body. It also features an inner lining to protect against chafing.
Although advances to curb osteoporosis are coming to light slowly. In addition, this ailment is now beginning to be considered as an epidemic. This has set the alarm bells ringing to make quicker progress in the development of new treatments. Especially those that are aimed at improving the surgical reconstruction of bones and achieving consolidation in less time. This, together with new, more functional and adaptable orthoses, improves the prospects of a better quality of life for these patients in the coming years.