The Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery at Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol has the mission of providing comprehensive coverage for musculoskeletal pathology to all patients within the hospital's health catchment area (North Barcelona and the Maresme). It is a centre of reference for complex procedures such as knee and hip replacement surgery, spinal surgery, upper limb and hand surgery, paediatric orthopaedic surgery and the treatment of complex fractures. It is also a national pioneer in the use of robotic surgery, which improves precision and safety in highly complex procedures.

The service has highly significant specialist units, such as the Musculoskeletal Prenatal Pathology Unit, the Septic Pathology Unit and the Diabetic Foot Unit, which is recognised as a centre of reference in Catalonia. These units allow the service to offer highly specialised and multidisciplinary care to patients.

Regionally, the service also provides general trauma care at the Doctor Barraquer and Doctor Robert specialist care centres in Sant Adrià de Besòs and Badalona, respectively.

In teaching and research, the service has a firm commitment to the training of Medicine students from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and of medical residents (MIR). In addition, its professionals participate in international courses and congresses, serve as university professors and are part of the European evaluation committee of the EBOT (European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology). They also collaborate on various research projects with the Germans Trias i Pujol Institute and other biomedical research institutions.

Top news from the Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology service at Germans Trias 

• Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology strengthens its leadership in sarcomas at the 3rd Interdisciplinary Day at the Can Ruti Campus
• Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology professionals train residents in a course at the Academy of Medical and Health Sciences of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands
• Hospital Germans Trias introduces the use of augmented reality goggles in Spain for spinal surgeries

Bone Fractures

Fractures range from simple hairline cracks to complex breaks. Diagnosis is made using X-rays or CT scans, and treatment may be conservative or surgical to restore alignment and function.

Knee ligament and meniscus injuries

Common injuries in sports or from sharp turns. The service uses ultrasound and MRI for diagnosis and offers treatments ranging from physiotherapy to arthroscopic reconstruction.

Robot-assisted prosthetic arthroplasty

Robot-assisted hip and knee replacement surgery allows for more precise bone preparation and optimal prosthesis alignment, improving stability, recovery and durability.

CT-guided spinal surgery

CT-based navigation in spinal surgery allows screws and implants to be placed with high precision, reducing risks and improving safety in cases such as stenosis or fractures.

Reconstructive and reparative surgery

Includes soft tissue reconstruction, advanced bone fixation and deformity correction, with the aim of restoring function and minimising pain.

Multidisciplinary unit for the treatment of complex osteoarticular infections

Severe osteoarticular infections can compromise joint function and are associated with systemic risk factors. The multidisciplinary unit integrates, in a single visit, assessment by the trauma surgeon and the internist to diagnose the origin, monitor systemic factors and apply combined treatments including targeted antibiotic therapy, debridement and prosthetic revision strategies.

The Service of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology is firmly committed to excellence in research and technological innovation to deliver the best clinical outcomes.

The team actively participates in high-impact projects, multicentre trials and collaborations with national and international reference centres.

Participation in research lines and clinical trials

The team coordinates and participates in:

• Clinical trials on implants, prostheses, biological treatments and advanced therapies.
• Research projects in biomechanics, guided surgery and tissue regeneration.
• Multicentre studies at national and international level.

Highlights of this activity include:

• The multicentre DURATIOM study, with active participation from the service.
• A new multicentre study currently in its initial phase, jointly coordinated with other professionals at the centre.

Acknowledgements and collaborations

The department collaborates with accredited centres and research institutes, fostering the transfer of knowledge and the creation of synergies with internationally prestigious groups.

It participates in shared projects with universities, hospitals and technology centres, contributing to the development of new therapeutic solutions and clinical protocols.

Notable involvement of the service's researchers:

Dr Lika Dzidzishvili

• Member and collaborator on several projects for two international scientific committees:
• ESSKA (Basic Science Committee)
• ISAKOS (Knee: Sports & Prevention Committee)
• Responsible for an experimental project at Colorado State University, which has been in development for almost a year.
• Member of the IGTP on a joint experimental project with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at UAB.
• Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics (JEO) since March 2024.

Dr Glòria Pedemonte

• Active participation in the multicentre DURATIOM study.
• Imminent start of a new multicentre study, with other researchers from the service.
• Co-coordinator of the SCCOT Osteoarticular Infections Group, contributing to the definition of guidelines and strategic lines in this field.

Patents and technological innovation

The department promotes the development of new technologies, devices and surgical tools, with various innovation initiatives aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of procedures.

Strategic projects

Over the years, the service has participated in projects that have been key to transforming clinical practice, consolidating areas of excellence and incorporating state-of-the-art technologies.

Undergraduate teaching

The Service of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology actively participates in the theoretical and practical teaching of fourth- and sixth-year students at the Faculty of Medicine, UAB, at the Germans Trias i Pujol Campus. It has one course coordinator and six associate professors.

Postgraduate teaching

The service is accredited for the postgraduate training of three residents per year.

In addition, it participates in postgraduate courses and PhD and Master's programmes at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the University of Barcelona and the University of Jaén.

Residentsinformation

Resident doctors in training (MIR) actively participate in both patient care, assuming progressively supervised responsibilities, and in the service's clinical and specific training sessions. They also have the opportunity to take part in clinical and basic research projects.

Residents undertake internal rotations through all sections of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, as well as through various other hospital departments. External rotations are also undertaken at other local hospitals (Badalona Municipal Hospital and Sant Joan de Déu Hospital), in addition to a free external rotation where rotations abroad are encouraged and facilitated to visit international centres of excellence and thus complement the training provided at our centre.

► Please consult the Training Guide for the detailed content of the entire training programme.

Top news from the Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology residents at Germans Trias 

• Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology professionals train residents in a course of the Academy of Medical and Health Sciences of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Continuing education

Residents actively participate in the presentation of literature review and monograph sessions, as well as in morbidity and mortality and inter-hospital sessions.

In addition, the department:

Coordinates an International Knee Pathology Course in collaboration with the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and Hospital del Mar (BKAM)