Learning to Replace Human Joints
Suppose you had to figure out how to replace your own hip joint! Joint Ventures shows the problems you’d have to solve and how researchers have struggled to find the solutions that now make joint replacement commonplace.
This exhibit opens with a look at the reasons for replacement, and then presents five key questions: what materials? what shape and size? how to implant? how to affix? and will it last?
Each section includes a look at the past, including a chance to see some of the bizarre materials tried by the doctors who first experimented with joint replacement back in the 1800s. Each section also features a local contribution to the development of joint replacement.
Joint Ventures also offers a chance to hear the first-hand stories of people who have had their own joint venture by getting a replacement, and to hear from some of the researchers who are currently engaged in trying to make joint replacements better - or even unnecessary.
Why Replace Joints? While there are many causes of joint damage, arthritis is the main culprit.
What Materials? Find out why the first attempts at making replacement joints failed, and try your hand at identifying the materials used today.
What Shape and Size? Follow the development of hip and knee implants, as researchers experimented to find the best design. You can also see the evolution of an elbow replacement designed in Kingston, the first in the world that replicated the true motion of the elbow.
How to Implant? Learn about one of the latest developments in joint replacement, computer enhanced surgery, and watch a short film about the cutting edge knee surgery techniques developed at Queen’s.
How to Affix? Check out some ways doctors tried to keep implants in place in the 1800s, and learn about the two methods commonly in use today.
Will it Last? Understanding how a joint really moves and wears is essential in designing a replacement that will last. This section introduces gait analysis and the study of joint motion, and tells how it has contributed to the success of joint replacement.
Getting A Joint Replacement. Hear the stories of six local residents who have had joints replaced.
Into the Future. Meet some of the Kingstonians who are improving joint replacements or trying to reduce the need for them. Find out where they think the next medical breakthroughs will be.
Projects Consultants
Dr. Tassos Anastassiades
Dr. Gavin Shanks
Dr. Charles Sorbie
Prof. Jenk Wevers
Program Sponsors
The Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, Johnson & Johnson,
Orthopaedic Division, Department of Surgery - Queen's University
Stryker Howmedica Osteonics
Special Acknowledgements
The Arthritis Society and Human Mobility Research Centre.
