Research & Development

The AO Foundation

Mr Campbell works with the AO Foundation, a charitable foundation based in Switzerland, with a worldwide reputation for excellence in education, clinical investigation, research and development of innovative surgical implants. Mr Campbell has been Chairman of the AO International Hand Expert Group (HAEG) since 2005. The HAEG is a group of 5 Hand Surgeons from around the world who work with engineers and scientists from Europe and the USA to design, develop, evaluate and approve new internal fixation devices.

Recent implants which have been successfully developed by the HAEG and launched onto the global market by Synthes, the commercial partners of the AO Foundation, include;

The Headless Compression Screw (HCS) for fixation of small bones such as the scaphoid.

The Volar Column Plate (VCP) for internal fixation of distal radius fractures

The Distal Ulnar Plate (DUP) for internal fixation of distal ulnar fractures

The Two Column Variable Angle Plate (2CP) for fragment specific fracture fixation in the distal radius 

The Variable Angle Intercarpal Fusion System for stable fixation after treatment for post-traumatic carpal arthritis

Clinical Research

Mr Campbell successfully defended his Master of Surgery thesis, entitled "The early natural history of post-traumatic digital cold related symptoms" in 2000, to be awarded his ChM degree by the Research School of Medicine at the University of Leeds.

Current studies involve many sports-related topics.

• Carpal kinematics in the golf swing
  
  - a study collaborating with the Depts of Clinical Radiology, Computer Science and Sports & Exercise Medicine at the University of Leeds.
   
  - Developing a method of assessing carpal movements by measuring surface markers with rapid  sequence real time photography and computer modelling
   
• Patterns of wrist injury in rugby league
  
  - examining the incidence and mechanism of certain sports-specific wrist injuries in this physical sport
   
• Wrist problems in elite golfers
   
  - contemporary clinical and radiological 'snapshot' survey in collaboration with Members of the Medical Advisory Board of the European PGA Tour
   
• Finger injuries in professional goalkeepers
   
  - analysis of equipment and technique dependent problems resulting in injury and long term disability in goalkeepers.

Regular research updates will appear on this page.