Orthopaedics and Traumatic Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital

The Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatic Surgery was founded by Professor TKF Taylor in 1969. The current Chairman is Professor David Sonnabend. The associated Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories (RPRLs) were founded in 1973. The initial Director was Professor Peter Ghosh. The current Director is Professor Chris Little. The Murray Maxwell Biomechanics Research Laboratories was founded in 1992 and is under the supervision of Dr Richard Appleyard. The full-time Academic Staff at Royal North Shore also includes Dr Ben Cass, Senior Lecturer in Orthopaedic Surgery. Lynne Campbell is the Department Administrator.

Clinical activities of the Department cover the entire gamut of adult orthopaedic surgery. Drs Stephen Ruff, Ian Farey and Andrew Cree are involved in spinal surgery, including the activities of the well known Spinal Injuries Unit. Professor Sonnabend and Dr Cass provide a shoulder and elbow service, Drs Myles Coolican and David Parker a knee and sports injuries service, Drs Andrew Ellis, Stephen Ruff and Dimitri Papadimitriou a hip service, and Dr Andrew Wines a foot and ankle service. Post-graduate clinical fellowships are available in each of these services and in "Orthopaedic Trauma".

Research interests of the Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories include osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease and ligament and tendon studies. The laboratories are part of the Kolling Institute at Royal North Shore Hospital, and work closely with the Sutton Rheumatology Research Laboratories. Senior full-time staff in the RPRLs include Professor Little, Dr Margaret Smith, Dr James Melrose, Mr Dan Burkhardt and Ms Sue Smith. A steady flow of post-graduate researchers, including both medical and science graduates, have completed Doctorates and Masters' degrees in the laboratories. The Murray Maxwell Biomechanics Research Laboratory has particular expertise in prosthesis design, finite element analysis and materials testing.

Any inquiries regarding the Department, the Raymond Purves and Murray Maxwell Laboratories or clinical or research fellowships, should in the first instance be directed to Ms Lynne Campbell on 9926 7178.