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Orthopaedic Surgery - Research

There are three main Department research themes.

Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReATE) Group

Positions available

In the last two decades, with the combined advancement of biological sciences and materials engineering, the new field of “tissue engineering” has evolved. With the recent rapid developments in these converging fields, the potential market worldwide for tissue-engineered products is estimated at nearly €100 billion per year. Tissue engineering (TE) strategies which aim to combine patient’s own cells, biodegradable scaffolds and growth factors may offer considerable advantages over current surgical interventions used to repair or regenerate damaged tissues following trauma or disease.

Prospective clinical outcome studies

These are mainly long term prospective outcome studies on various types of total joint replacements. In addition the department is responsible for the National Joint Replacement Register. The New Zealand National Joint Register was established by the N.Z. Orthopaedic Association to record technical information about total hip and knee surgery performed in New Zealand. The Register began as a pilot study in Christchurch in April 1998, and by April 1999 was nationwide. In January 2000, the register was expanded to include all total shoulder, elbow and ankle procedures, as well as unicomparmental knees.

As of September 2004 there are now over 52,000 procedures registered. These include primary and revision hips, knees, unicompartmental knees, ankles, elbows and shoulders.

For more detailed information on the National Joint Register, check out their website at http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/njr

Reconstructive upper limb surgery for tetraplegia

Reconstructive surgery for tetraplegia has been carried out at the Spinal Injuries Unit Burwood Hospital since 1982 and the Unit is now one of the leaders in the world, not only for the surgery itself but also for outcome studies including the development of new surgical procedures and research programmes including:

• development of a device for accurate measurement of joint torque
• changes in tendon length during postsurgical rehabilitation
• patterns of shoulder motion
• wheelchair kinematics.

Strong collaboration research programmes have been developed with the Department of Engineering, at the University of Canterbury.

The Academic Department has a close working relationship with the Clinical Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery based at Christchurch Hospital and Musculoskeletal Medicine based at Burwood Hospital. This relationship involves all aspects of patient management, teaching and research.

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