"Skeletal Repair" for students

Hands-on training is an essential part in the education of students pursuing Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering tracks. On April 5 and 6, 2024, around 40 students from ETH Zurich (ETHZ) and 15 students from the University of Applied Sciences Winterthur (ZHAW) joined a practical course in “Skeletal Repair” at the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI).

Osteosynthesis exercises with artificial bone models were guided by a team of clinicians from Kantonsspital Graubünden in Chur who provided expert insight into surgical treatment of long bone fractures. ARI scientists and faculty from ZHAW and Chur furthermore organized a broad range of practical workshops. Workshop themes included laboratory experiments such as rheological measurements, infection studies, joint and spine bioreactors. Rationale and limitations of in vivo studies, biomechanical aspects of osteosynthesis, and clinical imaging were other topics covered by the workshop instructors.

This course is an excellent opportunity for trainees to strengthen their understanding of the interdisciplinary approaches to patient care and fosters the long-lasting collaboration between ARI, ETHZ, ZHAW, and Kantonsspital Graubünden.