The Department was established at Justice K.S. Hegde Charitable Hospital in 1999 as part of the M.B.B.S Course, later the department expanded and introduced MS program with a focus on sub-specialization training. The faculty is encouraged to train in arthroplasty, arthroscopy and spine surgery which aids in providing advanced orthopedic care to patients. The department not only caters to coastal Karnataka, but it has also reached out to parts of central Karnataka and north Kerala, and is foraying into international medical tourism. The establishment of the Prof Dr. M. Shantharam Shetty tissue bank and the NUCSReM stem cell lab, has been a game-changer with its varied clinical applications in reconstructive surgery and regenerative therapy.
As the university has set up a state-of-the-art Stem Cell Centre the Department has for over five years pursued collaborative research with lead researchers from the Catholic University of Seoul, South Korea and Canterbury Christchurch University, Kent, UK.
There is a thrust to identify newer regenerative therapeutic approaches for cartilage repair and various orthopedic disorders like management of fracture non union, avascular necrosis of the femur with data showing encouraging results.
The Department provides excellent training opportunities for clinical training and adopts learner centric methods of education such as small group discussions, simulation training and student seminars. Speciality clinics like CTEV Clinic, spine clinic, arthroplasty and arthroscopy clinic run simultaneously on OPD days. The department has roped in the services of a counsellor who will liaise with surgeons and help the patients to avail best treatment solutions and assist with their insurance formalities. The Operation Theatre also has Audio Visual facilities for live telecast of surgeries to the seminar hall and classrooms to aid learning from safe environs.
The Department participates in the bi-monthly health screening camps held at various community health centers of KSHEMA at Nitte and Mulki and through various health checkup outreach programs in Dakshina Kannada.
The department has moved beyond the district and is conducting its consultation services in the form of mega camps in central and northern districts of Karnataka especially in far flung areas where there are poor health care facilities.
During the COVID 19 scenario the department extended telemedicine facilities to the needy.
The department has been recognized by the National board of examinations for the conduct of DNB Orthopedic examinations. We strive to provide the latest orthopedic treatment options at an affordable cost which has helped increase the number of patients visiting the department
There has been continued focus on research and publication. There have been many projects being selected for grants with institutional funding, especially stem cells and its applications in orthopedics. The Department in association with NUCSReM has conducted three international biennial stem cell conferences attracting delegates from far and near. Dr Lawrence Mathias Head of the department is recognized as PG examiner for the NBE. Dr Vikram Shetty, the Professor, completed his training in tissue banking from the National University of Singapore and is heading the Prof. Dr. M. Shantharam Shetty tissue bank; Dr Siddharth Shetty, the Professor, was a member of IBOS (Indian Biologic Orthopedic Society) task force for bringing out a consensus statement on Regenerative medicine applications in tendinopathies.