The cement resembles toothpaste but quickly and effectively strengthens weak bones at specific points, ensuring the success of the original repair process and sparing patients a second surgery. The vast amount of computer technology developed in the last decade holds particular promise for biomechanics, said Tencer. Not only can researchers create three-dimensional images of complex joints, such as those of the foot and wrist, but they also can attach sensors directly to bones, manipulate those bones, and see the results instantly on the computer screen. Tencer says belongs in the operating room for the surgeons' use, and exemplifies the Biomechanics Section's dedication to increasing the precision of trauma prevention and treatment. We can put the sensors on patients, manipulate the shoulder or foot to show what's wrong, then do the surgery and manipulate it again to show the effect of the procedure in real time.
Surgeons now can really only guess at the results.