Research Experience
AO Spine Fellow Brisbane, Australia 2010/11
A one year post working at the world renowned AO Spine Reference Centre in Brisbane, Australia. My main research projects were:
- Complications Of The Use Of BMP In A Single Surgeon Cohort Of 300 Patients: RhBMP2 Versus RhBMP7 A Survivorship Analysis In Lumbar Spinal Surgery
- A Radiological Analysis of Early Failure of Cervical Fixation for Trauma in the Subaxial Cervical Spine
MSc Orthopaedic Engineering with Distinction (Cardiff University)
A Biomechanical Comparison of the Synthes Dynamic Hip Screw, Dynamic Helical Hip Screw, Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA) and the Stryker Gamma 3 Lag Screws. Supervised by Professor T. Miles and Mr J. Keenan. Centre for Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bath University (2008).
Specialist Registrar Trauma and Orthopaedics
I set up the trial entitled: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Dynamic Hip Screw Versus The Dynamic Helical Hip Screw (DVD Trial). I gained experience in submitting and attaining full ethical approval from the UK REC. Synthes Ltd agreed to fund the trial by providing the surgical equipment, the new implants (at the same cost as the standard ones) and meeting the cost of follow up appointments and X-Rays for each patient (circa £200,000).
Clinical Research Fellow In Spinal Surgery
This was a one year post in the world renowned Department of Spinal Surgery and Studies at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham (February 2004-5). The on call commitment included cover of the neurosurgical wards. I was actively involved in the following research:
- Cauda Equina Syndrome:
- A study of the long term neurological and urological outcomes and
- MRI measurements reproducibility and prediction of clinical outcome.
- Comparison of the Neck Disability Index and the SF36 Health Questionnaires.
- The Injured Spine: A chapter in “An Introduction to Spinal Surgery” (AO publishing).
- Vertebroplasty – a review.
- A study of the long term outcome of infected spinal instrumentation left in-situ.
- The use of Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in patients with neck pain.
Completed Bachelor of Medical Sciences
The bilateral effects of neonatal capsaicin treatment on the number and mean cell volume of neurones in the tenth thoracic dorsal root ganglion of the rat: a stereological study. Supervised by Dr. C. Kent and Professor T. Mayhew. Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham (July 1996 – March 1997).
Current Research Interests
Spinal surgery outcomes
Implant biomechanics
Basic science research
Student Projects
An Audit of Elective Outpatient Spinal Surgery Referrals - Ashwin Bhadresha
Pilates for Low Back Pain - Moeez Karim
Analysis of Pedicle Screw Placement in the Surgical Correction of AIS - Matthew Hegarty
Does Preoperative Depression and Anxiety Predict Outcomes of Lumbar Spinal Surgery - Emily Bentley
Expectations and Concerns of Patients in the Spinal OPD - Tyler Jones
Spinal Beliefs vs Outcomes - The Development of a Questionnaire - Isaac Hathaway
The SLR and XSLR PROMS and Disc Herniation - Alex Stanley
MRI Fat Measurements and PROMs - Samuel Chumley
Incidence Presentation and Management of Odontoid Peg Fractures in the Elderly - Brooke Nash
Pain Experienced During Nerve Root Blocks / Foraminal Epidurals and Outcome - Holly Keeling
CT Interpedicular Distance and Maximum Pedicle Screw Length - Laura Baxter
Five Year Mortality Following Central Cord Syndrome - Alexandra Stanley
Central Cord Syndrome Outcome Questionnaire - Tyler Jones
Radiological Analysis of Ellipse Lateral Mass Screws Using Modified Technique - Henry Breen
Pressure Sores in Spinal Patients on ICU - Sean Glossop
Risk Factors Spinal Cord Monitoring Changes in Paediatric Patients - Michelle Ying
Sacroiliac Joint Pain - Jeyin Chooi
Imaging and Return to Theatre for Malplaced Screws - Ella Clifford Spence
Thematic Analysis of Case 14 Feedback - Holly Keeling
Care Satisfaction Following Thoracolumbar Fractures Greater than 5 Years from Injury - Jacob Allman
Student Perceptions of Video Modified Peytons 4 Step Technique - Ewan John