About Us
The University Department of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery (UDOTS) is based in a modern, purpose-built unit, with a unique blend of surgeons, bioengineers and allied healthcare professionals, providing trauma surgery and specialised clinics on the premises.
UDOTS has a tradition of teaching and research in the field of mechanisms of disease, treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, gait and motion analysis, sports and rehabilitation. UDOTS works closely with the Orthopaedic Clinical Department at Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside.
The current Director of UDOTS is Mr Arpit Jariwala, a Consultant Orthopaedic Upper Limb Surgeon at NHS Tayside.
UDOTS founder, Professor Ian Smillie, gained a worldwide reputation in knee surgery and the role of the meniscus. His successor, Professor George Murdoch, founded and developed the Dundee Limb Fitting Centre and the Tayside Rehabilitation Engineering Services, which have acquired an international reputation for the treatment of the amputee and assessment of gait analysis. His successor, Professor David Rowley, sustained the department’s international reputation and innovation in the area of joint replacement complemented by a worldwide service in Clinical Audit Outcomes. Professor Rami J Abboud took the reins and developed several ground-breaking initiatives originating with the establishment of the Foot Pressure Analysis Clinic and the Gait Laboratory in 1993, and the accreditation of the MCh Orth Course by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in July 2011, before leaving the post in 2019.
In 1990 the Distance Learning Section was established and now has over 150 students from all over the world studying its programmes. The Master of Orthopaedic Surgery (MCh Orth) Degreee and the Intercalated BMSc Honours Degree in Applied Orthopaedic Technology complete a comprehensive portfolio of research and taught courses designed to meet the growing demand for education in the rapidly developing field of musculoskeletal medicine, surgery and biomechanics.
The Clinical Audit Services coordinates several important clinical audit studies, in association with various companies and health boards. The department holds major UK and European grants concerned with motion analysis and clinical audit in a range of different orthopaedic and biomechanical related pathologies.
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