Reha-Zentrum Saalfelden

Applied rehabilitation research is also carried out at our facility within the Saalfelden Rehabilitation Center, in collaboration with the Austrian Pension Insurance (PV). The center specializes in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular, metabolic, and musculoskeletal disorders. As part of the ongoing AKAPP study (Austrian Knee Arthritis Profiling Program), data on knee osteoarthritis are systematically collected and analysed to improve our understanding of its pathophysiology, disease progression, and treatment outcomes. The study focuses on this multifactorial joint disease, which is characterized by cartilage degradation and bone-related damage, and is commonly associated with load-dependent pain, stiffness, and functional impairment. A key aspect of the study is the identification of parameters that enables early detection of osteoarthritis. Patients with early-stage OA treated at the rehabilitation center will be matched with patients suffering from end-stage OA from the BLOAR study, to identify relevant parameters for early diagnosis. In addition, in collaboration with the Tauernklinikum Zell am See (TK), another joint project is being initiated between LBIAR and TK. This project aims to investigate osteoarthritis as a secondary condition following joint trauma, using biomarker and MRI analyses. It is led by LBIAR, with Wolfgang Wirth and Felix Eckstein contributing their expertise in the analysis of specialized MRI images. Our well-equipped laboratory at this site also allow us to perform various blood tests to determine and analyse biomarkers relevant to the research objectives