Achievements during the bone and joint decade 2000-2010

Abstract

Musculoskeletal diseases continue to produce major disability around the world. Advances in therapy - particularly for the inflammatory diseases - have the potential to eradicate the inflammation and thus prevent joint destruction. Surgical advances include minimally invasive and computer-assisted robotic surgery, and advances in arthroscopic surgery. The development of new musculoskeletal tissues - tendons, cartilage and bone using nanotechnology and stem cells - has the potential to revolutionise the way we approach these chronic destructive diseases as well as major trauma. With the rapid increase in these conditions with an ageing population, new models of care will need to be developed ..