Description
In a recent academic presentation, Professor Hemant Pandit shared insights from two significant studies related to hip and knee surgeries, particularly focused on knee arthroplasty versus distraction surgery for osteoarthritis. He thanked Amir Qureshi for the introduction and acknowledged the presence of old colleagues, emphasizing collaboration in clinical research.
The first study, titled KARDS (Knee Arthroplasty vs. Distraction Surgery for Osteoarthritis), is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded study aimed at comparing traditional knee replacement surgery with a distraction method intended to regenerate knee cartilage. Professor Pandit highlighted that distraction surgery, while less invasive, presents a promising alternative for younger, more active patients who typically face a higher risk of dissatisfaction and revision surgery following knee replacement.
He explained the principles of distraction surgery, wherein mechanical forces are applied to the knee joint to promote cartilage regeneration, by stabilizing and offloading the damaged area. The results from existing Dutch data suggest that this method may lead to meaningful improvements in pain and joint function over time. The professor also detailed the study's recruitment goals, challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of collaborative participation across multiple hospitals.
The second study discussed involves the use of a novel biopolymer wafer developed by Allay Therapeutics, designed to release a local anesthetic, Bupivacaine, over an extended period, aiming to improve patient pain management post-knee surgery. Prof. Pandit is the principal investigator for this study, which intends to reduce the need for opioids and improve recovery experiences for knee replacement patients.
Throughout his talk, Professor Pandit emphasized the value of patient involvement in both studies, soliciting support from fellow researchers and clinicians to enhance the robustness of these pioneering approaches in osteoarthritis treatment. The presentation ended with a Q&A session where he addressed various inquiries regarding the subtleties of his studies and the implications for future knee surgery practices.