While the average life expectancy in Japan is increasing and people are living longer, the human and financial burden of nursing care has become a social problem.
There is a gap of about 10 years between the average life expectancy and the healthy life expectancy which allows people to lead an independent living. Increasing healthy life expectancy will contribute not only to solving social problems but also to living a happy life.
The primary diseases that cause people to be required assistance are joint diseases, and how to overcome them is one of the missions of orthopaedic surgery.
Using plain X-ray and CT images, we have developed the programs to analyze 3D morphology and joint kinematics and the technology for detailed analysis for change in composition around the joint. We have been working to reveal the pathophysiology of malunited fracture and osteoarthritis and to develop new treatment methods for those diseases. We have been also developing a patient-matched implant and prosthesis.
We have studied the effects of alignment change of malunited bone on adjacent joints by quantitatively analyzing stress distribution and in vivo bone mineral density changes using CT data, and we have discovered the possibility of constructing a new diagnostic system that can predict the onset of osteoarthritis.
Furthermore, we have also improved the efficiency of diagnosis by AI technology.
Through the clinical introduction of these technologies, we are conducting research activities to improve treatments for joint diseases and to extend healthy life expectancy.