2 minute read
Cardiff University Biomechanics Research Facility hosts ‘first in Wales’ NHS service
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a’r Fro Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Cardiff University Biomechanics Research Aneurin Bevan Cwm Taf University Health Board University Health Board Facility hosts ‘first in Wales’ NHS service Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr Hywel Dda University Health Board University Health Board The Musculoskeletal Biomechanics The Cardiff University integrated research and Bioengineering facility (MSKBRF) facility offers human motion analysis, vector based in Cardiff University School analysis, and is one of the few locations Bwrdd Iechyd Iechyd Cyhoeddusof Engineering is a world class, globally to offer bi-plane fluoroscopy (3D Addysgu Powys Powys Teaching Health Board Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Felindre Velindre NHS Trust Cymru Public Health Wales Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust integrated, state of the art human movement research centre opened in September 2018. Funded by a joint £5m Welsh Government and Cardiff University grant, the facility in the heart of Cardiff was established to expand research into osteoarthritis X-ray) services. This is complemented by other related equipment including surface electromyography to measure muscle activity, muscle measurement equipment, bone density scanning and ultrasound equipment. The suite of laboratories also has patient changing and clinical facilities to 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.
