Upper Limb

Key Objectives
To examine the pathoanatomy, diagnosis and treatment options for upper limb disorders.

Major Research Interests

• Diagnostic techniques for evaluation of upper limb disorders
• Shoulder arthroplasty
• Pathoanatomy and biomechanics of upper limb disease and trauma related injuries
• Improved imaging and virtual surgery options using conventional scanned data.

3 Dimensional Model of Wrist.
To see wrist in motion, please go to: www.truelifeanatomy.com

Summary
The efficacy and outcomes of many of the newer surgical and rehabilitation techniques used to restore upper limb instability due to sporting or trauma related injuries or joint degeneration have rarely been compared in a controlled setting to conventional forms of treatment or non-operative management. It is therefore important to undertake prospective outcome studies to evaluate these techniques. The outcomes evaluation documentation program for upper limb patients has been fundamental to the success of these clinical studies.

The Service has evidence to support the use of shoulder stabilisation techniques as well techniques of fusion and grafting in the wrist. The issue of hemi versus total shoulder replacement remains contentious but evidence to support the primary total shoulder replacement has been identified and the Discipline is currently participating in a Cochrane Collaboration with other centres to look at the outcomes on an International basis. The other major project within the Discipline is the creation of Three Dimensional Imaging Techniques with conventional scanned data. This replaces the original image within a platform accessible to the surgeon to better understand the normal and abnormal pathology, perform virtual surgery and template arthroplasty or corrective bony procedures. The Service remains active in outcome assessments in a whole range of upper limb reconstructive procedures with an emphasis on design and commercial resources for diagnostic tools for detecting upper limb disorders and the monitoring of treatment as well as instruments for upper limb and microsurgery.

The Research Program also has an emphasis on the design, development and commercial release of both diagnostic tools for detecting upper limb disorders and for monitoring treatment, and instrumentation for upper limb and micro-surgery.

Director of Program
Mr Michael Sandow
Email: michael.sandow@adelaide.edu.au

Location
Upper Limb Unit, Bice Building, RAH.