OTH Regensburg established the ‘Orthopaedics and Ergonomics’ research centre in April 2024. A practice-relevant result is already available in the first year: A jointly developed training concept to improve hip function has been successfully scientifically tested.The Orthopaedics and Ergonomics research centre at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, headed by Prof. Dr Joachim Grifka, aims to combine medical issues with engineering methods - with a focus on musculoskeletal health, mobility and prevention. A key cooperation partner is Prof Dr Sebastian Dendorfer with the Laboratory for Biomechanics. Other important collaborations exist with Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Medical Technology with Prof. Dr Thomas Schratzenstaller and Prof. Dr Lars Krenkel.
For the first time at OTH Regensburg, medical and technical theses are being supervised on an interdisciplinary basis as part of an institutionalised structure - a novelty that takes interdisciplinary cooperation to a new level. The aim is to make medical training successes objectively measurable using engineering methods.
Grifka, an advocate of conservative treatment of joint problems, has been warning against unnecessary prosthesis operations for many years. The results of a combined scientific study on an exercise concept for the hip joint are now available - a concept that was developed together with sports scientist Silvia Dullien.
Doctoral student and Master's student worked together on study
As part of a medical doctoral thesis at the Regensburg Center of Biomedical Engineering (RCBE), medical student Daniela Maier and master's student Nova Sassin tested the programme in a prospective randomised study for their master's thesis and were able to confirm the improvement in strength and mobility. The biomechanical measurements were carried out in the Biomechanics Laboratory under the direction of Prof Dr Sebastian Dendorfer.
The study combines medical and technical methods and shows that targeted training can significantly improve strength and mobility in people with hip problems.
Master's student Nova Sassin reports: "The closely coordinated collaboration with the orthopaedics department to review the training therapy was a great experience for me. I was able to objectify the training results together with the medical doctoral student."
The objective measurement of progress in movement, e.g. through precise strength and mobility analyses, represents a clear advantage over purely subjective assessments. Prof. Dr Dendorfer emphasises: "We can make changes visible with facts and figures. This is a major step forward for the medical evaluation of therapy concepts."
Stimuli for research, teaching and prospective students
The new research centre not only strengthens research at OTH Regensburg, but also offers students the opportunity to work on practical and socially relevant topics. Prof. Dr Ulrich Briem, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, draws a positive conclusion: "The research centre will further develop a long-standing interdisciplinary collaboration between technology and medicine. It expands our research profile and offers young people attractive insights into modern health research."
The project shows how theory, technology and practical application come together in the degree programme at OTH Regensburg - and can make a real contribution to healthcare.
Next step: training concept for the knee joint
Building on the successful hip programme, a scientific continuation is already planned: The development and evaluation of an analogue training concept for the knee joint is to follow.
