Orthopaedics and Trauma

The Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma takes an evidence-based approach to its teaching and research, with the goal of providing medical practitioners with the knowledge and skills to return individuals with acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions back to full function.

The discipline primarily teaches fourth-year Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine students, and has strong connections with four major teaching hospitals: The New Royal Adelaide Hospital, The Women’s and Children’s Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and The Lyell McEwin Hospital. It also has close, productive links with a number of private hospitals.

Centre for Orthopaedic and Trauma Research (COTR)

In 2013, this sustained research excellence was recognised by the University of Adelaide through the establishment of its Centre for Orthopaedic and Trauma Research (COTR).

Researchers in the Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma investigate both adult and paediatric musculoskeletal conditions, and broadly explore joint disease, spinal conditions and fractures, especially difficult-to-treat fragility fractures.

Unravelling joint disease

The discipline has a long-standing research program in joint disease, investigating the causes of arthritis and studying joint replacement, including its long-term outcomes and modes of failure.

This work involves measuring the way joint replacement prostheses wear and fail, which has contributed to the development of newer, more wear-resistant bearing surfaces. Another important aspect of the joint replacement research is the investigation of of joint infection. Our research team have been particularly interested in the role of bone cells in this peri-prosthetic infection, which appear to both combat and prolong infection in the bone. They are now examining novel approaches to prevent and overcome joint infection.

Seeking better fracture outcomes

Discipline members’ commitment to better outcomes for patients drives an exploration of improved surgery to repair fractures, with the goals of: improving healing; shortening time to return to function; decreasing infection; and enhancing patient wellbeing.

A major aim of the discipline’s research team is to inform the treatment and rehabilitation of fractures and improve current best practice. The work employs novel imaging techniques, and state-of-the-art gait analysis and activity monitoring to investigate the functional outcomes of new surgical methods.

Improving recovery following spinal cord injury

Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma researchers are broadly interested in all conditions affecting the spine, but have a special focus on spinal cord injury, due to its devastating consequences for affected individuals. Our research team are exploring ways to limit the damage caused by spinal cord injury, and seek to understand the metabolic, endocrine, vascular and other complications of spinal cord damage to better treat these patients.

Understanding the role of osteocytes

Basic science research in the Discipline of Orthopaedics and Trauma specialises in the study of osteocytes, the major cell type in human bones. Our research team explore the molecules that regulate osteocyte function and the molecules that osteocytes produce to regulate cells in bone as well as other organs, such as kidney and muscle, by acting as hormones.

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