Montreal Osseointegration Clinic: The Initial Experience

Description

In this presentation, Robert Turcotte discusses the topic of osseointegration at the COA, tracing its origins back to Dr. Branemark's pioneering work in the 1960s, which established the relationship between osteocytes and titanium, paving the way for the development of dental implants as well as applications in facial reconstruction and digit amputation. He highlights the progress made in the late '90s with advancements led by Branemark's successors, including Dr. Al Muderis, who popularized the technique further. After a visit to Gothenburg in 2002, Turcotte's team aimed to start a pilot project in Canada for osseointegration, which was initially met with challenges in gaining authority approval. A resurgence of interest in 2016, fueled by Al Muderis' publications, led to the establishment of the first osseointegration clinic in Canada in 2017, eventually receiving government funding for a larger pilot study to treat 50 patients annually. Turcotte's presentation details the positive outcomes of osseointegration, citing improved quality of life and functionality for amputees. However, he notes several challenges, including issues of infection, fracture, and the need for soft tissue reshaping, emphasizing the importance of careful patient selection and the limitations of existing studies in terms of long-term results and randomization. The discussion also reveals initial findings from their patient cohort, which primarily included male, middle-aged, above-knee amputees, noting that custom implants were necessary for some patients. Turcotte concludes by acknowledging the ongoing need for increased public awareness about the benefits of osseointegration technology for amputees.

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