Molecular Traumatology
The Molecular Traumatology Group investigates the molecular and cellular bases of clinically relevant questions in musculoskeletal surgery, focusing on pharmacologically exploitable signaling events.
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Endoprosthetics and infection
Arne Kienzle, Lara Biedermann, Evgeniya Babeyko, Marta Marquez-Aguilar, Yi Ren, Serafeim Tsitsilonis, Michael Müller
Approximately 200,000 total knee arthroplasties (TKA) are performed in Germany annually. Despite increased usage of antibiotics and improved surgical techniques, periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) still occur in 1-3% of all primary and 3-15% of all revision arthroplasties. PJI is one of the most challenging complications of endoprosthetic orthopedic surgery, for doctors and patients alike. In addition to the necessary surgical revision procedures, patients suffer from a significantly increased TKA complication- and failure-rates after PJI.
Our research focuses on the underlying pathomechanisms responsible. In particular, we analyze the impact of the infection on the bone metabolism, the local immune system, and the vascularization of the affected bones. Long-term goal of our work is to develop new treatment strategies to improve prosthesis survival of affected patients through a better understanding of the responsible pathomechanisms.