Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:07:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Pryscilla Vanesa Rodrigues Goncalves.pdf: 875893 bytes, checksum: bbb773b536fd9ef053f64073f5420e44 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-27 / The clinical manifestations of diseases of the locomotor system generates discomfort and pain, which can trigger lesions, the severity of which provides an abnormal distribution of weight, resulting in overloading joints, tendon and ligaments. Imaging studies are presented as a valuable tool to evaluate the degree of impairment of digital anatomical structures. The objectives of this study were carrying out a literature review on the applications of ultrasound in the distal ends of the locomotor limbs cattle and describe the sonographic anatomy of the structures that make up the metacarpo/ metarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, measuring the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep (DDFT) of young cattle during three stages of growth. Were employed nine Nelore calves and seven Girolando. During 120 days, the animals were managed intensively, they were weighed and subjected to clinical, radiographic and ultrasound with eight, ten and twelve months. In the clinical evaluation of the 64 distal ends, it was found that 37 (57%) showed horizontal lines of stress. Radiography of the three moments revealed no bone lesions. The measures taken by ultrasonography cross-sectional thickness of the SDFT and thickness and width of DDFT were similar (p ≥ 0.05) between the breeds, and SDFT for the minimum and maximum values observed for Nelore (lateral: M0 = 1.98 ± 0.24 mm, M2 = 2.83 ± 0.27 mm and medial M0 = 1.98 ± 0.20 mm, M2 = 2.66 ± 0.13 mm) and for Girolando (lateral: M0 = 1 , 97 ± 0.20 mm, M2 = 2.54 ± 0.14 mm and medial M0 = 1.90 ± 0.13 mm, M2 = 2.57 ± 0.12 mm). For DDFT the following minimum and maximum values observed for Nelore (lateral thickness: M0 = 5.53 ± 0.76 mm, M2 = 7.07 ± 0.36 mm/lateral width: M0 = 12.98 ± 1.18 mm; M2 = 15.33 ± 0.40 mm/medial thickness: M0 = 5.38 ± 0.68 mm, M2 = 7.21 ± 0.31 mm medial/width: M0 = 13.49 ± 1.10 mm, M2 = 15, 52 ± 0.50) and for Girolando (lateral thickness: M0 = 5.23 ± 0.78 mm, M2 = 6.93 ± 0.18 mm/lateral width: M0 = 12.57 ± 0.93 mm, M2 = 15 , 46 ± 0.46 mm/medial thickness: M0 = 4.70 ± 0.43 mm, M2 = 7.00 ± 0.37 mm medial/ width: M0 = 12.84 ± 0.98 mm, M2 = 15.28 ± 0 56). The structures visualized by ultrasound examination of the dorsum of the distal epiphysis of the metacarpus/ tarsus, were longitudinal growth plate, the condyles of the metacarpal/tarsal bones, joint capsule, common extensor tendon of the third finger and the joint space. In the interphalangeal region was observed the extensor tendon of the third finger and medial extensor, proximal, middle and distal phalanges and the joint space. In the palmar/plantar portion of metacarpal/ tarsophalangeana joint were observed the median and metatarsal plantar arteries, SDFT, DDFT, digital tendon sheaths, joint recesses and interosseous muscle. Distal to the dorsal region of dew claw was observed the annular digital distal ligament and in reversal of the positioning between the SDFT and DDFT. The sonographic characteristics observed on examination of the distal end of bovine Nelores and Girolandos aged between eight months and one year are indicated for satisfactory identification of these structures for cattle with similar characteristics, as well as measurements of thickness and width of the SDFT and DDFT values are reference to cattle of these ages. / As manifestações clínicas das doenças do sistema locomotor geram desconforto e dor, podendo desencadear lesões, cuja gravidade proporciona distribuição anormal de peso, resultando em sobrecarga articular, tendínea e ligamentosa. Os exames de imagem se apresentam como ferramenta valiosa para o conhecimento sólido do grau de comprometimento das estruturas anatômicas digitais. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram proceder uma revisão de literatura sobre as aplicações do exame ultrassonográfico nas extremidades distais dos membros locomotores de bovinos e descrever a anatomia ultrassonográfica das estruturas que compõem as articulações metacarpo/metarsofalângicas e interfalângicas, mensurando os tendões flexores digitais superficiais (TFDS) e profundos (TFDP) de bovinos jovens, durante três fases de crescimento. Empregaram-se nove bezerros da raça Nelore e sete da raça Girolando. Durante 120 dias, os animais foram manejados intensivamente, os mesmos foram pesados e submetidos aos exames clínico, radiográfico e ultrassonográfico com oito, 10 e 12 meses. Na avaliação clínica das 64 extremidades, verificou-se que 37 (57%) apresentaram linhas de estresse horizontais nos cascos. As radiografias três momentos não revelaram lesões ósseas. As medidas realizadas por meio da ultrassonografia em corte transversal da espessura dos TFDS e espessura e largura dos TFDP foram semelhantes (p≥0,05) entre as raças, sendo para os TFDS os valores mínimos e máximos observados para Nelores (lateral: M0=1,98±0,24mm; M2=2,83±0,27mm e medial: M0=1,98±0,20mm; M2=2,66±0,13mm) e para os Girolandos (lateral: M0=1,97±0,20mm; M2=2,54±0,14mm e medial: M0=1,90±0,13mm; M2=2,57±0,12mm). Para os TFDP, os seguintes valores mínimos e máximos observados para os Nelores (lateral espessura: M0=5,53±0,76mm; M2=7,07±0,36mm/lateral largura: M0=12,98±1,18mm; M2=15,33±0,40mm/medial espessura: M0=5,38±0,68mm; M2=7,21±0,31mm/medial largura: M0=13,49±1,10mm; M2=15,52±0,50) e para os Girolandos (lateral espessura: M0=5,23±0,78mm; M2=6,93±0,18mm/lateral largura: M0=12,57±0,93mm; M2=15,46±0,46mm/medial espessura: M0=4,70±0,43mm; M2=7,00±0,37mm/ medial largura: M0=12,84±0,98mm; M2=15,28±0,56). As estruturas visibilizadas ao sonograma da região dorsal da epífise distal do metacarpo/tarso, em corte longitudinal foram placa de crescimento, cabeça do metacarpo/tarso, cápsula articular, tendão extensor comum dos dedos e cavidade articular. Nas articulações interfalângicas proximais foi observado o tendão extensor do dedo três e extensor digital lateral, falanges proximal, média e distal e cavidade articular. Na porção palmar/plantar da articulação metacarpo/tarsofalângicas foram observadas as artérias mediana e digital comum III, TFDS, TFDP, bainhas digitais tendíneas, recessos articulares e músculo interósseo. Na região dorsal, distal aos paradígitos se observou o ligamento anular digital distal e a inversão no posicionamento entre os TFDS e TFDP. As características sonográficas observadas ao exame da extremidade distal dos membros de bovinos Nelores e Girolandos com oito a 12 meses são indicadas para a identificação satisfatória destas estruturas, assim como as medidas de espessura e largura dos TFDS e TFDP são valores de referência para bovinos com estas idades.

As décadas de 80 e 90 caracterizaram-se por ações intensas na área de saúde ocupacional. Porém os índices de acometimentos e queixas álgicas em MMSS continuam sendo um grande problema. Os trabalhadores que realizam atividades de preparação de alimentos apresentam uma grande sobrecarga em MMSS. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a sobrecarga musculoesquelética e o desconforto postural em trabalhadores de duas cozinhas industriais através do Método RULA e do mapa de desconforto postural. Foram filmadas e avaliadas 151 tarefas durante 10 dias em cada restaurante. Cada tarefa foi avaliada por dois observadores independentes visando a identificação do escore do método RULA e fatores que pudessem influenciar na sobrecarga musculoesquelética como mobiliário, instrumentos de trabalho, mecanização do processo de trabalho, postura (análise cinesiológica e biomecânica) e utilização de alimentos pré-processados. Os trabalhadores preencheram também o mapa de desconforto postural. Como resultado evidenciou-se que não houve diferença significativa nos escores do método RULA entre os restaurantes estudados. Porém ocorreram diferenças quando comparadas as tarefas que envolviam o preprocessamento existente em um dos restaurantes, onde foram identificados escores menores, que determinaram menor sobrecarga musculoesquelética a estes funcionários. Estes dados não provocaram diferenças significativas no resultado final de todas as tarefas, devido a influências de outros fatores fundamentais nesta análise: o mobiliário, o instrumento de trabalho e a orientação postural, não determinando diferença significativa no mapa de desconforto postural entre estas populações exceto em antebraço direito e perna direita / The decades of 80 and 90 had been characterized for intense actions in the area of occupational health. However the index of attacks and complaints in upper limbs continue being a huge problem. The workers who carry out activities of food preparation present a great overload in upper limbs. The aim of this study was to analyze the musculoskeletal overload and the postural discomfort in workers of two industrial kitchens through the RULA method and the postural discomfort map. The tasks were filmed and evaluated during 10 days in each restaurant. Each task was evaluated by two independent observers aiming to identify the results of the RULA method and factors that could influence the musculoskeletal overload, such as furniture, tools of work, mechanization of the work process, posture, and processed food use. The workers had also filled the postural discomfort map. It was seen that there was not any significant difference in the results of the RULA method between the two studied restaurants. However it was observed some differences when we compare the tasks that involved the processed food use in one of the restaurants, where it had been identified minor musculoskeletal overload to these employees. These data did not cause significant differences in the final result of all the tasks, due to the influence of other basic factors in this analysis: the furniture, the tools of work and the postural orientation. It was not determined significant difference in the postural discomfort map among these populations except right forearm and right leg

Orientador: Aparecida Mari Iguti / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T21:10:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Melzer_AdrianaCristinadeSouza_D.pdf: 4010646 bytes, checksum: f789104f16ca57bf824ef9a5515ddd51 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Introdução: Este estudo foi realizado no município de Pedreira, SP, cuja principal atividade industrial é a produção cerâmica. Grande número de trabalhadores destas indústrias tem se afastado do trabalho em conseqüência de Distúrbios Osteomusculares Relacionados ao Trabalho (DORT). Objetivos: Os principais objetivos foram descrever aspectos relacionados às condições e organização do trabalho nas indústrias cerâmicas, determinar a prevalência de dor osteomuscular em trabalhadores em atividade e identificar as associações entre dor e variáveis organizacionais, biomecânicas, psicossociais e individuais. Métodos: O estudo desenvolveu-se em duas fases complementares. Entre os anos de 2003 e 2005 foi realizado um estudo exploratório composto por duas partes: a descrição das atividades de produção de uma indústria cerâmica do município, por meio de uma abordagem ergonômica e a descrição da trajetória de trabalho e adoecimento de trabalhadores portadores de DORT, por meio de entrevistas. Entre os anos de 2006 e 2007, foi realizado um estudo sistemático de desenho transversal-descritivo. Nove indústrias cerâmicas participaram desta fase. As atividades de trabalho de 18 indivíduos, dois de cada empresa, foram descritas e analisadas através do método de observação direta. Todos os trabalhadores das empresas participantes responderam a um questionário sobre trabalho e saúde (n=235). Um outro questionário complementar para avaliação de sintomas psicológicos comuns foi aplicado a 57 indivíduos. Resultados: No geral, as condições de trabalho nas indústrias cerâmicas eram ruins. O ambiente físico era insalubre, expondo os trabalhadores a variados riscos à saúde, incluindo-se os provenientes da poeira de sílica, das altas temperaturas e ruído, da pouca ventilação, de problemas nos pisos e da ausência de proteção nas máquinas. A organização do trabalho estava baseada na divisão e no parcelamento das tarefas e no controle sobre o ritmo a fim de atingir as metas de produção. Homens e mulheres não executavam os mesmos tipos de atividades, revelando-se uma clara divisão sexual do trabalho. Aos trabalhadores da produção cabia a execução de atividades repetitivas, em ritmo elevado e com a utilização de posturas estáticas e inadequadas. A prevalência de dor nos últimos 12 meses foi de 38,5%. As principais localizações foram membros inferiores, coluna lombar e pescoço. Foi identificada uma associação positiva entre dor osteomuscular e sexo feminino. Entre as variáveis biomecânicas e psicossociais, repetitividade de movimentos, utilização de ferramentas de trabalho, ausência de participação nas decisões, preocupação com a produção, problemas de relacionamento com supervisores, insatisfação no trabalho e desejo de mudar de função foram associadas à dor. Conclusões: A dor osteomuscular é uma das expressões do elevado custo humano e social derivado das condições e da organização do trabalho nas indústrias cerâmicas. O ambiente e os equipamentos de trabalho precários, a divisão do trabalho, o parcelamento e a repetitividade das atividades, a mecanização seletiva e o ritmo acelerado são determinantes do desencadear da dor. A maior prevalência de dor entre as mulheres relaciona-se aos diferentes setores e atividades de trabalho em que estão concentradas, submetendo-as a um trabalho mais repetitivo e estático, em ritmo mais acelerado, com pouca autonomia para grandes decisões e sujeitas a menores salários. As pessoas estão trabalhando com dor. A procura por serviço médico é adiada até quando a incapacidade para o trabalho se instala, pela impossibilidade de manter a produção. O uso de medicamentos acaba sendo a única alternativa encontrada pelos trabalhadores para continuarem no trabalho. Palavras-chave: distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho; condições de trabalho; fatores de risco; indústria cerâmica; aparelho locomotor / Abstract: Background: This study was developed in the municipality of Pedreira, SP, Brazil, where the main industrial activity is the ceramic production. A large number of workers from these industry have left their jobs because of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMD). Objectives: To describe work conditions and organization pertaining to the ceramic industry, to determine the prevalence of pain among active workers and to identify the associations between symptoms and organizational, biomechanical, psychosocial and individual variables. Methods: The study was developed in two complementary stages. In the years 2003 and 2005 an exploratory study was carried out, divided in two steps: the description of the production activities developed in one ceramic manufacturer in Pedreira, by means of an ergonomic approach, and a description of the job and illness progression of workers with WRMD, using interviews. In the years 2006 and 2007, a systematic, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. Nine ceramic manufacturers participated in this stage. The activities of 18 individuals, two in each company, were described and analyzed through the direct observation method. All workers answered a questionnaire about work and health (n=235). An additional questionnaire for the assessment of minor psychological disorders was applied to 57 subjects. Results: In general, the work conditions in the ceramic industry were found to be poor. The physical environment was unhealthy, as workers are exposed to several health risks, including those originated from silica dust, high temperatures and noise, low ventilation, inadequate flooring conditions and absence of safety gear. The work organization is based in the division of tasks and pace control in order to achieve the production demands. Men and women do not perform activities with the same characteristics, indicating a clear work division according to gender. Production workers are assigned repetitive activities, executed in a fast pace, using static and awkward postures. A 38.5% prevalence of musculoskeletal pain over the past 12 months was found, mostly localized in the lower limbs, back and neck. A relationship was identified between musculoskeletal pain and the female gender. Among the biomechanical and psychosocial variables, repetitiveness, tool using, lack of control over decisions, worries regarding work demands, relationship issues with supervisors, work dissatisfaction and wish to move on to another function, were associated with pain. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal pain is one of the outcomes of elevated social and human requirements resulting from work conditions and organization in the ceramic industry. The work environment and use of outdated equipment, the work division, repetitiveness of the activities, selective mechanization and fast pace are components in the development of pain. The higher prevalence of pain among women is related to their allocation in different sectors and activities, submitting them to a more repetitive and static work, executed in more accelerated pace, with less autonomy and low salaries. People are working with pain. Seeking medical service is delayed until the worker's capacity has compromised their ability to maintain the work schedules. Medication ends up as the only alternative found by workers to carry on with their duties / Doutorado / Epidemiologia / Doutor em Saude Coletiva

The diploma thesis deals with muskuloskeletal system disorders in hemodialysis pacients with chronic renal failure. Theoretic informations about the most frequent disorders of musculoskeletal system in uremic patients, patophysiologic consequences, clinical symptoms, posibility of investigations and common therapeutic management. Secondly this thesis interests about of annamnestic data, physiotherapeutic investigation and evaluation of the data. Aim of this study was supported importance of the physiotherapeutic intervention. Should be important complete the multidisciplinary team following long therm hemodialysis patients with physiotherapeut. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

A Biomecânica Ocupacional procura aprimorar as condições de trabalho objetivando prevenir e reduzir as lesões, aumentar o desempenho dos operários reduzindo sobrecargas. Pesquisas nesta área indicam que não apenas a manipulação de materiais pesados, mas também posturas pouco naturais e movimentos súbitos e inesperados provocam lesões no sistema osteomuscular que afetam principalmente o pescoço, membros superiores e região lombar. Alguns profissionais apresentam alto risco ao aparecimento desses distúrbios envolvendo principalmente os membros superiores e região lombar, particularmente os digitadores, operadores de caixa de supermercados, dentistas, motoristas profissionais e operadores de trens metropolitanos. Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a carga mecânica e a atividade muscular no membro superior esquerdo de maquinistas condutores de trens metropolitanos durante o trabalho. Especificamente, o estudo procurou estimar a carga mecânica sobre a articulação do ombro, avaliar a atividade muscular dos músculos tríceps e flexores do punho e verificar a ocorrência de fadiga muscular durante a realização da tarefa, para isto foram investigados o fator de risco relacionado a enfermidades dos membros superiores, o torque sobre a articulação do ombro e a freqüência mediana do sinal eletromiográfico. O método RULA indicou para atividade estudada um escore final quatro, que sugere mais investigações e mudanças podem ser requeridas, pois a postura adotada gera desconforto. O torque calculado sobre a articulação do ombro é aplicado por cerca da metade da jornada de trabalho e apresentou valor médio de -4,1 Nm com o manete na posição 0. A instauração de fadiga sobre os músculos Tríceps Braquial e flexores do punho não foi observada. Estudos futuros são recomendados para desenvolvimento de cabinas de trens metropolitanos com layout ergonômico e posicionamento de instrumentos que possibilite uma postura mais adequada dos operadores / Occupational biomechanics seeks to improve the conditions of work aiming to prevent and to reduce the injuries, to increase the performance of workers reducing overloads. Previous researches in this area indicate that not only handling the of heavy material, inadequate postures and unexpected and sudden movements provoke injuries in the musculoskeletal system that affect mainly the neck, upper limbs and the lumbar region. Some workers present high risk to the develop those disturbances involving mainly the upper limbs and the lumbar region, particularly the keyboarders, supermarket cashiers, dentists, professional drivers and operators metropolitan train. This study aimed to estimate the mechanical load and the muscular activity in the left upper limb of metropolitan train drivers during the work. Specifically, the study sought to estimate the mechanical load on the joint of the shoulder, evaluate the muscular activity of the muscles triceps and flexors of the wrist and verify the occurrence of muscular fatigue during the achievement of the task. For this purpose, it were investigated the risk factor related to the diseases of the upper limbs, the torque on the joint of the shoulder and the median frequency of the electromyographic signal. The method RULA indicated for activity a score final four, which suggests more investigations and changes may be required because the usual posture adopted generates discomfort. The calculated torque on the joint of the shoulder is applied by about half of the day at work and showed the average value of -4.1 Nm with the handle in position 0. The instauration of fatigue on the muscles Tríceps brachial the wrist flexor was not observed. Thus, future studies are recommended to the development of the metropolitan trains\' berths with ergonomic layout and positioning of instruments that enables an adequate posture of its users

Background: Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is an incurable condition that affects nearly 50% of adults, and women are twice as likely as men to develop OA. Throughout pregnancy, women experience large changes in morphology and gait mechanics, as well as changes in joint loading. It is possible these adaptations could cause lasting changes postpartum, which may potentially contribute to initiation of OA, thereby increasing the overall risk of OA for women. Purpose: This exploratory study looked to identify differences between lower limb gait mechanics of healthy nulliparous women and healthy parous women. Methods: 28 healthy female participants (14 parous, 14 nulliparous) were recruited for the study. Nulliparous participants had never given birth to a child, and were self-reported not pregnant. Parous participants had given birth to at least one full term infant (37 – 42 weeks) without complications between one to five years before data collection. Kinematic and kinetic data was collected for the lower body, using motion capture and in-ground force plates. Participants completed one quiet standing trial, and walked over-ground through the motion capture space at their preferred, fast, and set walking speeds (1.4 m/s). An ANOVA was performed to test if there were significant differences in between groups. Results: Q angle did not differ between groups. There was a significant main effect of group indicating a larger knee flexion angle at toe off (p = 0.060), smaller knee extension moment at heel strike (p = 0.0006), smaller first peak knee flexion moment (p = 0.040), and smaller peak hip adduction moment for the parous group compared to the nulliparous group (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Our data revealed a decrease in the moments experienced, which could possibly lead to degradation of cartilage due to under loading of the joint. We think this may be an indication that pregnancy could increase risk of OA, and therefore more research into this possibility is warranted.

MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

Title: Screening of musculoskeletal system and level of physical activity in children of younger school age Objectives: The aim of the study is to asseess physical activity of school age in primary school in Dolní Břežany and try to find the most common risk factors for motor development of children in school age. Another aim of the study is to find statistical context between flat foot and age, gender, hypermobility, shortened hamstring muscles, lumbar hyperlordosis, level of core muscles and overweight and between winged scapula and age, gender, hypermobility, shortened m. trapezius and mm. pectorales and level of core muscles. Methods: The research was carried out by using non-standardized questionnaire to assess physical activity. Level of motor development was evaluated by group of physiotherapists. The research population was chosen purposefully by contractual research which consisted of 298 children who study on primary school in Dolní Břežany. For statistical analysis of all measured was used Microsoft Excel software. These data were evaluated by Chi - squared test and logistic regression. Results: It was found that the largest number of children does sports 2-4 hours a week. The most common risk factor of motor development of children is winged scapula and shortened hamstring muscles....

Over 600,000 bone-grafting operations are performed each year in the United States. The majority of the bone used for these surgeries comes from autografts that are limited in quantity or allografts with high failure rates. Current synthetic bone grafting materials have poor mechanical properties, handling characteristics, and bioactivity. The goal of this dissertation was to develop a clinically translatable bone tissue engineering scaffold with improved handling characteristics, bioactivity, and smart delivery modalities. We hypothesized that this could be achieved through the rational selection of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved materials that blend favorably with hydroxyapatite (HA), the principle mineral component in bone. This dissertation describes the development of smart bone tissue engineering scaffolds composed of the biodegradable amphiphilic polymer poly(D,L-lactic acid-co-ethylene glycol-co- D,L-lactic acid) (PELA) and HA. Electrospun nanofibrous HA-PELA scaffolds exhibited improved handling characteristics and bioactivity over conventional HApoly( D,L-lactic acid) composites. Electrospun HA-PELA was hydrophilic, elastic, stiffened upon hydration, and supported the attachment and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs). These in vitro properties translated into robust bone formation in vivo using a critical-size femoral defect model in rats. Spiral-wrapped HA-PELA scaffolds, loaded with MSCs or a lowdose of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2, templated bone formation along the defect. As an alternate approach, PELA and HA-PELA were viii rapid prototyped into three-dimensional (3-D) macroporous scaffolds using a consumer-grade 3-D printer. These 3-D scaffolds have differential cell adhesion characteristics, swell and stiffen upon hydration, and exhibit hydration-induced self-fixation in a simulated confined defect. HA-PELA also exhibits thermal shape memory behavior, enabling the minimally invasive delivery and rapid (>3 sec) shape recovery of 3-D scaffolds at physiologically safe temperatures (~ 50ºC). Overall, this dissertation demonstrates how the rational selection of FDA approved materials with synergistic interactions results in smart biomaterials with high potential for clinical translation.

Injury to bone is one of the most prevalent and costly medical conditions. Clinical treatment of volumetric bone loss or hard-to-heal bony lesions often requires the use of proper bone grafting materials, with or without adjuvant anabolic therapeutics. Despite significant problems associated with autografting (donor site morbidity, limited supplies) and allografting (disease transmissions, high graft failure rates) procedures, synthetic bone grafts remain the least utilized clinically. Existing synthetic orthopaedic biomaterials rarely possess a combination of bone-like structural and biochemical properties required for robust osteointegration, scalable and user-friendly characteristics indispensable for successful clinical translations. This thesis tests the hypothesis that by recapitulating key structural elements and biochemical components of bone in 3- and 2-dimensional biomaterials, scalable synthetic bone grafts can be designed to enable expedited healing of hard-to-heal volumetric bone loss. Specifically, FlexBone, a 3-dimensional hydrogel scaffold encapsulating 50 wt% of structurally well integrated nanocrylstalline hydroxyapatite, the main inorganic component of bone, was developed. The large surface area of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite combined with its intrinsic affinity to proteins and its excellent structural integration with the hydrogel matrix enabled FlexBone to both sequester endogenous protein signals upon press-fitting into an area of skeletal defect and to deliver exogenous protein therapeutics in a localized and sustained manner. We demonstrated that FlexBone enabled the functional healing of critical-size long bone defects in rats in 8 – 12 weeks with the addition of a very low dose of osteogenic growth factor BMP-2/7. This promising synthetic bone graft is now being explored for the delivery of multiple growth factors to expedite the healing of diabetic bony lesions. In addition, a 2-dimensional electrospun cellulose fibrous mesh was chemically modified with sulfate residues to mimic sulfated polysaccharide ECM components of skeletal tissues to enabled progenitor cell attachment and differentiation as well as controlled retention and localized/sustained delivery of protein therapeutics. This sulfated fibrous mesh is currently explored as synthetic periosteum to augment the osteointegration of devitalized structural allografts. Finally, a rat subcutaneous implantation model developed to examine the biocompatibility of newly developed biodegradable shape memory polymer bone substitutes is also presented.