Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a’r Fro Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cardiff University Biomechanics Research Facility hosts ‘first in Wales’ NHS service
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Cwm Taf University Health Board
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda University Health Board
The Cardiff University integrated research The Musculoskeletal Biomechanics facility offers human motion analysis, vector and Bioengineering facility (MSKBRF) analysis, and is one of the few locations based in Cardiff University School Bwrdd Iechyd of Engineering is a world class, Iechyd Cyhoeddus globally to offer bi-plane fluoroscopy (3D Addysgu Powys Cymru X-ray) services. This is complemented by integrated, state of the art human Powys Teaching Public Health other related equipment including surface Health Boardmovement research centre opened Wales in electromyography to measure muscle September 2018. Funded by a joint activity, muscle measurement equipment, £5m Welsh Government and Cardiff bone density scanning and ultrasound Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Ymddiriedolaeth University grant, the facility in Gwasanaethau the Ambiwlans Cymru equipment. The suite of laboratories also GIG Felindre Services of Cardiff was establishedWelsh to Ambulance has Velindre NHSheart Tust patient changing and clinical facilities to NHS Trust expand research into osteoarthritis enable tissue sampling. and other musculoskeletal diseases. The Facility has been successful in attracting Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as research grants from a wide variety of arthritis and back pain affected an estimated funding partners investigating disease 18.8 million people across the UK in 2017, and clinical interventions, including Versus according to data collated by leading charity Arthritis, the Engineering and Physical Versus Arthritis. MSK conditions accounted Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and for more than 22 per cent of the total burden the Wellcome Trust. Research is also being of ill health in the UK, with an estimated 18.8 conducted into rehabilitation monitoring, and million people, or 3 in 10 of the population the facility provides a resource for clinicians suffering from a musculoskeletal disease. and other partners.
Following a successful pilot phase, the Facility is delighted to host Wales first Clinical Gait Analysis Service, led by clinicians from the Rehabilitation Engineering Unit at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Gait Analysis measures and assesses a patients’ walking pattern using a variety of technologies, and the results and accompanying analysis provide detailed insight for their referring clinician.
Among the most commonly referred patients for gait analysis are children and adults with cerebral palsy and other complex neurological and orthopaedic conditions. Using gait analysis, the rehabilitation team can plan the treatment of these patients and evaluate the outcomes. The resulting treatment plan aims to improve mobility, reduce pain, and deliver improvements in the patient’s day to day quality of life. This may involve orthopaedic surgery to correct bony deformities, balance muscles and improve joint function. Other treatments include physiotherapy and orthotic interventions. Prior to the partnership, Welsh patients were travelling to Shropshire, Oxford or London as there was no suitable facility within Wales. Professor Cathy Holt, Facility Director, has been leading the partnership with Professor Colin Gibson Consultant, Clinical Engineer and Head of Rehabilitation Engineering at CAVUHB. Both parties are keen to expand the service and build on its success to explore the potential to additional services which will have direct benefits for Welsh patients. The resources at the MSKBRF are available to clinicians, sports teams and businesses requiring biomechanical, clinical or physiological data.
www.cardiff.ac.uk/engineering/research/facilities/musculoskeletal-biomechanics-research-facility
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