Our researchers making an impact on the world stage Internationally respected investigator
are really a reflection of the extraordinary members of the Raymond Purves Research Lab team that I’ve have the privilege of leading over the past 20 years. “Ultimately, it’s the work that they do to increase knowledge of the mechanisms of musculoskeletal disease to help develop new treatments, that is the most important thing. “Societies like the Orthopaedic Research Society enable us to both disseminate what we learn in our research and learn from others around the world, so that together we can hopefully change the lives of patients.”
Professor Chris Little has been recognised for his remarkable contribution to orthopaedic research at an event in Long Beach California. In front of a large international audience, Chris was elected as a Fellow of the Orthopaedic Research Society for his exemplary service and leadership. The accolade acknowledges Chris’ achievement, expert knowledge and contribution to the society and the field of musculoskeletal research over more than 20 years.
Fellows are recognised as thought leaders and serve as role models for those beginning their research journey. Chris has welcomed the honour. “Since its inception 70 years ago, the US Orthopaedic pre-eminent international scientific society dedicated to musculoskeletal research,” he said. “I am therefore very honoured and humbled to have been nominated as an Orthopaedic Research Society Fellow. “Such personal accolades Research Society has arguably become the
Professor Chris Little
New research challenges link between weather and joint pain Many people believe there is a connection
“The only exception was gout where we found hot and dry weather can increase the risk of a flare in people with gout.” Manuela said the study highlighted a wider issue that even though more than a quarter of Australians are affected by a chronic musculoskeletal condition, there are still widespread misconceptions and limited treatment options. “Patients are often left to navigate and understand their medical condition without access to reliable information,” she said. “Our research has debunked a common myth, and we hope shifted attention to evidenced based care. “When seeking pain prevention and relief, both patients and clinicians should focus on how to best manage the condition, including weight management and exercises, and not let the weather influence any treatment.” The study has been published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism Journal.
between the weather and joint or muscle pain, but a team of researchers from the Kolling Institute say their latest study has found there is no link between the two. Lead author Professor Manuela Ferreira said there is a longstanding belief that changes in weather conditions, such as rain or temperature variations, can trigger or worsen muscle and joint pain, but based on their analyses, they have found the weather has no direct influence on the most common musculoskeletal conditions. “We looked at data from over 15,000 people from seven different countries,” she said. “Together, these people reported over 28,000 episodes of pain, mostly back pain, knee or hip osteoarthritis. We also included people with rheumatoid arthritis and gout. “We then looked at the frequency of those pain reports in different types of weather, hot, cold, humid, dry, rainy and found no difference.
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 4| 08 MARCH 2024
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