Overview

Paediatric Spine: Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that most commonly affects adolescent females. Severe curves often require surgical correction. My research looks at different surgical techniques for achieving the best possible curve correction.

Paediatric Sports Injuries: Many children and adolescents are injured while participating in sports. As more children and adolescents have become active in sports over the years, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have become more common. My research focuses on surgical techniques for reconstruction of the ACL and post-operative functional outcomes of the knee.

Medical Education: As a result of my appointment to Director of Post Graduate Education in the Faculty of Medicine Orthopaedics department, I have become interested in studying how medical students and residents are trained. My goals include finding ways to improve the dissemination of knowledge and enhancing resident education.

Research

A comparison of two methods of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients
This study was a post-operative functional outcomes study. The Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaires were administered in addition to clinical measurements. The patients were divided into two groups, those who had undergone a four strand repair and those who had undergone an over-the-top repair. The outcomes of the two procedures were then compared. The results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed publication for publication.

The effect of femoral nerve block on opioid requirements in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: A prospective double-blind, randomized trial
Most children receive opioid (morphine-derived) pain relievers in the first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery. Opioids have significant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, itching, urinary retention, and sedation. The side effects from opioids have the potential to increase the length of hospital stay following surgery. By blocking a nerve before surgery (pre-emptive analgesia), the establishment of pain sensation at the site is prevented and less pain will be experienced when the effects of the block have worn off; therefore, there may be less of a need for opioids. Femoral nerve blocks are an accepted technique for use in children; however, to date, this is the first randomized trial examining the effectiveness of femoral nerve block in reducing post-operative pain in children.

The efficacy of Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for anterior release and fusion in the management of paediatric spinal deformities
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) is a new technique used in spinal deformity surgery that allows the surgeon to avoid opening the entire chest wall. Using selected peri-operative and post-operative measures, VATS was compared to the traditional open thoracotomy. The results of this study have been accepted for publication in The Canadian Journal of Surgery.

Honours & Awards

Dean M.M. Weaver Medal and Prize – 1988

Zimmer Orthopaedic Prize – 1993