Pediatric Surgery and Orthopaedics Research Group - Oulu Childhood Trauma and Sports Injury Study

Research group information

Contact information

Research group leader

Research group description

Oulu Childhood Trauma and Sports Injury Study; Pediatric Surgery and Orthopaedic Research is a youthful and curious group of enthusiastic researchers. The main study areas are:

1) Epidemiology and changing trends in pediatric trauma

2) Early risk factors of pediatric trauma and pediatric surgical disorders from the time of pregnancy and neonathal period

3) Surgical treatment options in pediatric fractures and the role of biodegradable material in osteosynthesis

4) Short- and long-term outcomes of pediatric trauma by treatment performed

5) New innovations and treatment processes of pediatric surgery and orthopaedics

The research outcomes have been presented e.g. in the European Pediatric Orthopaedic Society’s annual meetings, Nordic Orthopaedic Federation’s annual meeting and numerous national meetings, such as Operative days and Orthopaedic and Trauma days. The research group has published their study reports in appreciated peer-reviewed journals e.g. in Bone and Joint Journal, Bone, Biomaterials, International Orthopaedics, KSSTA, Injury, BMC Musculoskeletal, European Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Acta Pediatrica, Acta Orthopaedica, Scandinavian Journal of Surgery and European Radiology journals.

Our team

Where are we headed

There are several main focuses in the sub-projects of the research group. The main goals concern the following issues:

1) Genetic explanatory factors, gestational risk factors and other potential early risk factors of fractures, other injuries and surgical/orthopaedic disorders.

2) Forearm shaft fractures and distal forearm fractures. New treatment options with biodegradable intramedullary nails and new treatment methods by using custom-made 3D-guides and implants. Technical issues of elastic stable intramedullary nailing and short- and long-term outcomes. Treatment of childhood wrist fractures.

3) Clavicle fractures and shoulder injuries. Surgical fixation vs. nonoperative treatment, given that surgical care has increased recently. Long-term outcomes of nonoperatively treated clavicle fractures with shortening and the effect of the previous fracture on shoulder girlde anatomy and function.

4) Adolescents' knee injuries. The changing incidences of ACL injuries and patellary displacement and their changing treatment; the comparison of different fixation and reconstruction methods. Short- and long-term outcomes and the recovery to physical activities.

In another Pediatric Surgery Study Group, co-led by Sinikumpu with his predecessor, professor Willy Serlo, the main research focuses are as following:

5) The long-term overall outcomes of the patients with operatively treated craniosynostosis. Biodegradable osteosynthesis material in cranioplasty operations and cranial distraction.

6) Congenital lung anomalies (e.g. cystic-adenomatoid malformation) and their later association with lung infections and maligniencies.

7) Surgical wound in children, by comparing different suture materials and by using the underpressure-care.

Our main collaborators

  • Accadbled Franck (Professor, MD, PhD), Toulouse, France
  • Auvinen Juha (Professor), Oulu, Finland
  • Blanco Sequeiros Robert (Professor), Turku, Finland
  • Järvelin Marjo-Riitta (Professor), London, UK
  • Lempainen Lasse (Adjunct professor), Turku, Finland
  • Lutz Nicolas (MD), Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Ruddock Minna (Adjunct professor, genetics), Oulu, Finland
  • Niinimäki Jaakko (Professor), Oulu, Finland
  • Pokka Tytti (MSc, statistics), Oulu, Finland
  • Salokorpi Niina (MD, PhD), Oulu, Finland
  • Serlo Willy (Professor), Oulu, Finland
  • Victorzon Sarita (MD), Vaasa, Finland

How to find us

Research Unit of Clinical Medicine

Professor, MD, PhD Juha-Jaakko Sinikumpu

juha-jaakko.sinikumpu[at]oulu.fi

+358-8-3155835