Osteoarthritis will be the focus of the inaugural David Van Sickle Musculoskeletal Days, which will be hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine November 9 – 10. Osteoarthritis is the most common orthopedic disease in man and animals. Named in memory of Purdue Veterinary Medicine Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Anatomy David Van Sickle, the conference will feature a traditional research day on Friday and a special educational day on Saturday that is open to the public.
Dr. Van Sickle was known as a gifted teacher and musculoskeletal researcher and a pioneer in collaborative research with orthopedic device companies. During his Purdue tenure, he served on the faculty of both the College of Veterinary Medicine and the IU School of Medicine – West Lafayette. He also was the head of the College’s Department of Anatomy before a departmental merger formed the Department of Basic Medical Sciences. Dr. Van Sickle retired in 2004.
The keynote speaker for the conference is Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, a world-renowned regenerative medicine and osteoarthritis researcher and an internationally acclaimed equine orthopedic surgeon who obtained his training as an equine surgeon and researcher at Purdue, and completed his PhD under the guidance of Dr. Van Sickle. Dr. McIlwraith went on to a distinguished career as a faculty member at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CSU). He holds the title of University Distinguished Professor, the highest honor given to CSU faculty, and is the founding director of the Orthopaedic Research Center. A past-president of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Dr. McIlwraith is a recognized leader in the field of equine orthopedic research and surgery and consults worldwide as a specialist in equine surgery.
Osteoarthritis, in the U.S. alone, affects more than 30 million adults and is the major indication for joint replacements. In 2013, osteoarthritis was the second most costly health condition treated at U.S. hospitals. In dogs, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis affecting roughly a quarter of the canine population.
The David Van Sickle Musculoskeletal Days will begin Friday, November 9, with a research day for musculoskeletal academia, researchers, industry professionals, and students interested in the science of osteoarthritis. The program for the following day, Saturday, November 10, is open to the public and will focus on orthopedic health and how people, horses and pets with osteoarthritis can have a good quality of life. Experts will show the anatomy and function of joints, compare osteoarthritis in man and animals, and talk about the role of stem cells, nutrition, and physical therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The afternoon agenda will feature three tracks with presentations by canine/feline, equine, and human orthopedists on the management of the early, middle, and late stages of osteoarthritis. The Saturday program will be held in Lynn Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
General registration for the conference is $35 and student/military registration is $20 before October 26. A $10 late fee applies after October 26 and online registration closes on November 7. Click here for more information. Click here to register.