Robin Ling obituary

Orthopaedic surgeon whose ‘Exeter stem’ implant transformed hip replacement surgeryRobin Ling, who has died aged 90, was an orthopaedic surgeon at thePrincess Elizabeth Orthopaedic hospital in Exeter whose contribution to hip surgery resulted in an improved quality of life for millions of people. His research and teaching had a profound influence on the development of hip replacement operations and of revision (re-do) hip surgery. He was responsible for establishing many of today ’s surgical techniques.His research built on the work ofSir John Charnley, who pioneered the total hip replacement in the early 1960s. WithClive Lee, an engineer at Exeter University, Robin designed a tapered implant shape that he thought would help the stem remain firmly attached to the skeleton in the long-term. Their implant was first inserted in 1970 and is still used today, with some minor alterations. The “Exeter stem” has been shown to work well in patients of all ages, no matter the shape of their anatomy or the cause of their arthritic hip.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Medical research Medicine Science Hospitals University of Exeter Scotland Source Type: news