The ‘RELIEF’ project addresses the cause of back pain in order to reduce the need for operations as a result of herniated discs. Prof. Dr Joachim Grifka, Head of the new Research Centre for Orthopaedics and Ergonomics at OTH Regensburg, is working on the project in cooperation with AOK Bayern, clinics and the Technical University of Munich. ‘In Germany today, significantly more herniated discs are operated on than 20 years ago,’ says Prof. Grifka. Together with orthopaedic surgeons and general practitioners, around 100 patients will take part in the study over a period of three years. The therapy consists of one week of intensive treatment in hospital, during which special injections, physiotherapy and targeted muscle training to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles are carried out on a daily basis.
The study concept is innovative: in addition to inpatient treatment, the programme includes precise exercise instructions for patients to continue the training independently at home. The aim of the researchers is to achieve the greatest possible relief for the back and thus avoid having to go to the operating theatre. ‘Initial preliminary studies have already shown that more than 80 per cent of participants experience long-term improvement or freedom from pain as a result of this conservative therapy,’ explains Prof. Grifka.
Biomechanical analysis and targeted training programmes
The second ‘Hüftfit’ project aims to reduce the number of hip prostheses implanted in Germany each year - a figure that currently stands at around 200,000. This makes Germany one of the world leaders in the number of hip prosthesis implantations. The interdisciplinary team led by Prof. Dr Joachim Grifka and Prof. Dr Sebastian Dendorfer, Professor of Biomechanics at OTH Regensburg, investigates and promotes hip health by means of targeted training programmes, the effects of which are also evaluated using biomechanical analyses. Together with a master's student in medical technology and a doctoral student in human medicine, a special training programme is being developed to increase the mobility, muscle strength and stretching ability of the hip.
‘Our aim is to get patients fit before surgery is necessary,’ says Prof Dendorfer. ‘Hip problems often start with minor complaints that can be alleviated with active and targeted training.’ Participants are given access to a digital exercise programme that they complete independently at home. Before and after the eight-week training programme, a detailed examination is carried out at Biopark and OTH Regensburg using the latest 3D movement analyses and biomechanical measurements. This allows the effect of the training programme to be objectively recorded and presented.
‘We are specifically focussing on gamification elements’
One innovative aspect of the project is the app-based implementation: the majority of the exercises and feedback are conveyed in a playful and user-friendly way via apps. ‘We are specifically focussing on gamification elements to make the exercises fun and motivating. This allows each participant to track their own progress,’ explains Dendorfer.
The significance of these research approaches is far-reaching for society. In view of an ageing population and increasing inactivity due to working from home and sedentary lifestyles, back and hip problems have increased massively in recent years. ‘Modern medicine needs to focus more on prevention,’ says Grifka. ‘We need to start early and use practical guides, training tools and better access to conservative therapies to find ways to avoid surgery.’
These projects open up new perspectives in orthopaedic care and could help to significantly reduce back and hip operations in the long term.
Test subjects are still being sought for the hip study. Registration is possible by contacting Daniela Maier by e-mail: hueftstudie.regensburg(at)web.de or by telephone: 0151/64396556.
