Royal Adelaide Hospital

The Hospital Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma is part of the Orthopaedic and Trauma Service of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The Discipline is closely integrated with the activities of the University Department, and as such, is ideally suited to undertake research.

The Discipline has access to facilities and expertise from within both the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the University of Adelaide. Given that the Hospital administers two major diagnostic and research institutions; the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) and the Hanson Institute, our Discipline also has access to the expertise and facilities within these two highly regarded research establishments.

The Hanson Institute enhances the research efforts within the Royal Adelaide Hospital, IMVS and the University of Adelaide and forms the focus for cancer and other research in South Australia. Quality medical oncology, cell biology, molecular biology and gene therapy research is undertaken in this institution. The Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma has its Bone Cell Laboratory in this Institution and collaborates closely in its studies on stromal cell lineage, cancer and molecular biology. The Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma has numerous collaborative research programs, and shares research facilities with the Discipline of Pathology, University of Adelaide and the Division of Haematology, and the Division of Tissue Pathology, IMVS.

There are state-of-the-art animal operating facilities and accompanying veterinary support, both within the IMVS and at the Institute's field station, which offers both short-term and long-term animal holding facilities. The Discipline utilises these animal services in its large and small animal research programs.

The Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma of the Royal Adelaide Hospital has gained national and international recognition as a centre of excellence for its clinical practice, teaching and research programs.

The Discipline acknowledges the considerable support for research provided by orthopaedic consultants through the RAH Orthopaedics & Trauma Discipline Research Fund (formerly Adelaide Bone and Joint Research Foundation).

Professor Donald W. Howie
Co-Director of Research

Clinical Director - Orthopaedic and Trauma Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital