New orthopaedic society launched to promote research, use of biologic ...( LAS VEGAS February 25 2009 The fir...)

LAS VEGAS February 25, 2009 The first international society dedicated to the evaluation and use of new biologic treatments for orthopaedic conditions has been formed.

The Biologic Orthopaedic Society (BOS; www.BiologicOrtho.com) held its inaugural meeting Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nev., immediately preceding the 76th annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. BOS Presiding Founders Allan Mishra, MD, from Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, Calif., and Pietro S. Randelli, MD, of the Universit degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy, co-chaired the meeting of 12 internationally-renowned orthopaedic researchers.

"Regenerative medicine and biologics are pushing orthopaedics into new and exciting directions," Dr. Mishra said. "But until we formed the BOS, no one group represented a vibrant research community that is hard at work developing these applications for orthopaedic use."

"BOS is a collaborative effort of several eminent scientists who recognize the immense potential of biologics to improve orthopaedic care," added Dr. Randelli. "We want to share what we have learned in our own labs, to compare results, collaborate on promising treatments, and disseminate this important information to the orthopaedic community at large."

Members' research interests include stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions; platelet-rich plasma injections for chronic tendonitis, disc regeneration, and accelerated healing; molecular and cell biology and biomaterials for tendon-to-bone healing; and recombinant bone morphogenic proteins to repair fresh fractures. Current research suggests that these biologic treatments may be used alone or in combination for optimal effect.

Membership in the society is by invitation only and will in future be extended to researchers who have considerable expertise i
'/>"/>