Inflammation is usually described in biological and chemical terms, but its most damaging effects are often mechanical.

In this talk, James Youngman, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at University College London Hospitals, explores orthopaedic pathology through the lens of engineering and physics, focusing on the behaviour of water in biological tissues. Drawing on clinical examples, imaging, and fundamental material properties, he explains how raised tissue pressure blocks blood flow, drives pain, and impairs healing—and why water, when trapped, can behave as a material far harder than bone.

The talk introduces the concept of peripheral resuscitation, examines how pressure waves, movement, and medical devices can restore circulation, and highlights opportunities for engineers to design new tools that actively manage inflammation rather than simply suppress it.