Queensland collaboration to lead world-first spinal research

Accurately predicting the outcomes of spinal surgery is the aim of a $750,000 joint research venture headed by QUT and the Mater Hospital.

The new Paediatric Spine Research Group brings together QUT, the Mater Hospital and the Queensland Orthopaedic Research Trust with the common goal of leading the world in improving treatment of spine disorders, with a focus on spine deformity.

Through collaboration between biomechanics researchers and surgeons, the group is developing a cutting-edge computer program that simulates spinal operations before they are actually performed, making it possible to accurately predict outcomes for patients.

Dr Clayton Adam, from QUT's School of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Medical Engineering is the group's senior spine research fellow, based at the Mater Hospital.

"The new computer-based tools will enable surgeons to precisely position metal rods for optimal correction of scoliosis deformity in each individual patient," he said.

Dr Adam has a strong background in mechanical engineering and has applied computer stress analysis procedures from this discipline to the treatment of spinal deformities and injuries in order to form the basis for the group's research.

The group also includes QUT's Professor Mark Pearcy - who has extensive research and clinical expertise in biomedical engineering - and the Mater's Dr Geoff Askin who is one of Brisbane's leading spinal surgeons.

"He (Dr Askin) is the only surgeon in Australia performing endoscopic (keyhole) spine surgery for deformity correction," Dr Adam said.

Item provided courtesy of Queensland University of Technology