Faculty and Staff

Amos Race, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery 3217 Institute For Human Performance Upstate Medical University 750 East Adams Street Syracuse, NY 13210 Lab/Professional Web Site

Education and Clinical Training

Research Program and Department Affiliations

Research Interests

• Understanding mechanical loosening of orthopaedic implants.
• Knee biomechanics.
• Shoulder biomechanics.
• Human powered vehicle design.

Research Abstract

CURRENT:
Effect of Femoral Stem Design on Cement Mantle Failure
National Institutes of Health; 1R03-AR050553-01 (9/13/04-6/30/08), PI: A Race
A modified, fatigue susceptible, bone-cement (Sub-cement) has been developed in order to physically model the long-term fatigue response of the cement mantle around femoral stems. This model will allow the mechanisms of cement failure to be studied in an accelerated timeframe and provide a new avenue for pre-clinical testing of novel designs of cemented implant.

COMPLETED:
Comparison of Bone/Implant Micromotion: Surface Roughness Analysis using Modified Accolade TMZF Implants
Stryker Howmedica Osteonics (12/01/05-12/01/06), PI: A Race The goal of this project was to determine the effect of stem surface finish on bone-implant micro-motions in a non-cemented implant.

Fluid Film Adhesion of MOM Bearings: Optimisation of Head Diameter and Clearance for Total Hip Arthroplasty
Zimmer (10/17/05 - 10/26/06), PI: MT Clarke This study quantified the effects of bearing diameter and clearance on the maximum tensile force sustainable by hard-on-hard bearings. In addition, it quantified the relationship between micro-separation of such bearings and tensile loads applied during gait. These data will facilitate the design of more accurate wear-tests and better hard-on-hard bearings for THA.

Cement mantle failure: In vitro simulation of long-term damage accumulation in cemented femoral stems.
Dean’s Fund for Research Enhancement: Bridge Funding (06/16/03-06/15/04), PI: A Race
A modified bone-cement is being developed in order to physically model the long-term fatigue response of the cement mantle around femoral stems. This model will allow the mechanisms of cement failure to be studied and provide a much-needed pre-clinical test for novel designs of cemented implant.

Mechanics of bone/bone-cement structures
Kyphon Inc.(08/01/03-07/31/04) Co-PIs A Race and KA Mann
The mechanical properties of the cement/bone composite resulting from vertebroplasty are being quantified. Current models of the repaired spine assume perfect load-transfer between cement and bone; our previous work on the cement/bone interface in THR suggested that load-transfer is substantially affected by interface gaps due to cement shrinkage and fluid inclusions.

Fatigue Crack Morphology in Cemented Hips
National Institutes of Health; 1R03-AR47927-01 (7/15/01-4/30/03), PI: A Race
An automated high-resolution serial grinding and imaging technique was developed. A three dimensional map of cement crack surfaces can be generated along with associated stem and endosteal bone morphology. This technique has the potential to be a powerful research tool, providing an entirely new body of information that, in combination with micro-motion data and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), will greatly enhance understanding of cement mantle function and failure. Successful implementation of this technique has led to further studies, including the analysis of recovered stem/cement/femur complexes.

  3D Crack Analysis           Fatigue Loading Femur

Biomechanics of Cemented Total Hip Replacements
Howmedica-Osteonics Corporation (12/15/99-12/30/00) PI: KA Mann:
An in vitro investigation of the efficacy of a novel bone cement. Dr Race was responsible for the fatigue testing of stem/cement/femur constructs.

Interface Failure in Total Joint Replacements
National Institutes of Health; R29-AR 42017 (7/1/96-6/30/01) PI: KA Mann:
An in vitro investigation into the mechanical aspects of the aseptic loosening of cemented components. Stem/cement and cement/bone interfaces have been mechanically tested in isolation and as part of stem/cement/femur constructs. Dr Race was responsible for the fatigue testing of stem/cement/femur constructs.

Intervertebral disc prolapse
New Zealand Lottery Health (3/1/98-2/31/99) Co-PI’s: ND Broom, PA Robertson and A Race
An in vitro investigation into the mechanical factors leading to prolapse. Dr Race was responsible for mechanical testing of bovine disc specimens.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Arthritis and Rheumatism Council; AO515 (UK) (12/1/94-11/30/96) PI: AA Amis.
A biomechanical comparison of conventional posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction techniques with a novel two bundled technique I had developed during my doctoral research.

Publications - link to PubMed

This profile was last updated on 03/27/2008

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