Movement Disorders - Pick your avatar.

Movement Disorders - Pick your avatar.

Arthritis Injury Innovation Musculoskeletal system Videorecordings

Software that generates animated characters with strikingly realistic movement have been part of the entertainment world for some time. But now scientists have taken this one step further to create models that can help kids with cerebral palsy walk better or delay the onset of osteoarthritis.
The researchers behind this video—an entrant in the NIH Common Fund’s recent video competition—have developed OpenSim: a free software tool that combines state-of-the-art musculoskeletal modeling and dynamic computer simulations to produce highly accurate representations of the underlying biomechanics of motion. OpenSim was designed at the NIH-supported center for physics-based Simulation of Biological Structures (Simbios) at Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. And now, researchers around the world are using OpenSim to find more effective interventions for a variety of movement disorders.
We can link you to the page, however you may need to use your home computer to further access OpenSim as the videos are on YouTube.  

Rheumatoid arthritis statistics updated

Rheumatoid arthritis statistics updated

Arthritis Statistics

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has just updated its Rheumatoid Arthritis web pages These are part of the AIHW's new web-based musculoskeletal conditions compendium and provide the latest statistics on the condition from a wide variety of sources, as well as fact sheets and powerpoint presentations on who gets rheumatoid arthritis, how many people are hospitalised, the use of medications and quality of life of sufferers.

In 2011-12, around 2% of the population (more than 445,000 Australians), reported having rheumatoid arthritis, with 5 out of every 8 being women. In the past 10 years, the rate of hospitalisation has increased 55%.

A Problem Worth Solving: the Rising Cost of Musculoskeletal Conditions in Australia

A Problem Worth Solving: the Rising Cost of Musculoskeletal Conditions in Australia

Arthritis Health policy Osteoporosis

This report details the rising cost of musculoskeletal conditions in Australia and makes a case for why there needs to be a proactive, strategic response.
Key findings include:

• $55.1 billion cost to the Australian economy, including direct health costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life
• 6.1 million Australians already affected, of which 58% are of working age in peak income earning years (25-64 years)
• 43% growth in musculoskeletal cases projected over the next two decades, including a surge in older Australians living with the conditions

This report was produced by Arthritis Victoria and Osteoporosis Victoria based on analysis by Deloitte Access Economics (APO 17 October 2013)

The rising cost of musculoskeletal conditions in Australia

The rising cost of musculoskeletal conditions in Australia

Arthritis Osteoporosis

A new report from Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria, A problem worth solving: the rising cost of musculoskeletal conditions in Australia,  makes a case for why there needs to be a proactive, strategic response.  In 2012 the study found that there had been 6.1 million Australians affected (26.9% of the population), including 2.9 million people with back problems, 1.9 million people with osteoarthritis, 0.8 million people with osteoporosis and 0.5 million people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The cost to the Australian economy of these conditions in 2012 was estimated at $55.1 billion, including direct health costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life.  A 43% growth in cases was projected over the next 20 years, especially in people over 75.