John Charnley
Encyclopedia
Sir John Charnley was a British orthopaedic surgeon
. He pioneered the hip replacement
operation, which is now one of the most common operations both in the UK and elsewhere in the world. He also demonstrated the fundamental importance of bony compression in operations to arthrodese (fuse) joints, in particular the knee, ankle and shoulder.
John Charnley also influenced generations of orthopaedic surgeons by his eminent textbook on conservative fracture treatment first published in 1950.
There are many hip surgeons who will tell you that from a fundamental point of view, the advances in hip surgery after John Charnley are a fraction of the advances of John Charnley. This is not a comment of how little we have advanced but rather how far ahead of his time he was.
The hip implant pioneered by Charnley comprised a stainless steel
stem and 22mm head fitting into a polymer
socket, both parts being fixed into position by PMMA cement. Prior to his development of the design that for many years became the gold standard of joint replacement, Charnley experimented with other materials as a cushioning surface in the hip including Teflon. Teflon was unsuccessful and as a testament to Charnley's will and determination he did not let this early failure deter him from seeking out a successful solution to hip arthritis.
in Lancashire
. After excelling in science subjects at Bury Grammar School
, Charnley was encouraged to aim for medicine. He commenced undergraduate studies at the Victoria University of Manchester
in 1929, and qualified with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Science (Anatomy and Physiology) in 1935.
He was awarded the 1975 Lister Medal for his contributions to surgical science. The corresponding Lister Oration, given at the Royal College of Surgeons of England
, was delivered on 26 May 1976, and was titled 'The Origins of Post-Operative Sepsis in Elective Surgery'.
Charnley was knight
ed in 1977.
Orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system...
. He pioneered the hip replacement
Hip replacement
Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant. Hip replacement surgery can be performed as a total replacement or a hemi replacement. Such joint replacement orthopaedic surgery generally is conducted to relieve arthritis pain or fix severe...
operation, which is now one of the most common operations both in the UK and elsewhere in the world. He also demonstrated the fundamental importance of bony compression in operations to arthrodese (fuse) joints, in particular the knee, ankle and shoulder.
John Charnley also influenced generations of orthopaedic surgeons by his eminent textbook on conservative fracture treatment first published in 1950.
Hip implant
Sir John Charnley is recognized as the founder of modern hip replacement. His staggering contributions to hip replacement were in the design of the replacement itself, the method of surgery to place this replacement into the hip, how to optimize the flow of the operation, how to decrease infections in this operation, and how to teach this operation to others. The last contribution remains his most sustainable as Charnley taught countless international surgeons the scientific basis as well as the technique of hip replacement. These surgeons then spread the globe and taught these successful techniques worldwide. As of 2011, many of these original surgeons are still alive and still teaching hip replacement.There are many hip surgeons who will tell you that from a fundamental point of view, the advances in hip surgery after John Charnley are a fraction of the advances of John Charnley. This is not a comment of how little we have advanced but rather how far ahead of his time he was.
The hip implant pioneered by Charnley comprised a stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
stem and 22mm head fitting into a polymer
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...
socket, both parts being fixed into position by PMMA cement. Prior to his development of the design that for many years became the gold standard of joint replacement, Charnley experimented with other materials as a cushioning surface in the hip including Teflon. Teflon was unsuccessful and as a testament to Charnley's will and determination he did not let this early failure deter him from seeking out a successful solution to hip arthritis.
Career
Charnley was born in BuryBury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. After excelling in science subjects at Bury Grammar School
Bury Grammar School
Bury Grammar School is an independent grammar school in Bury, Greater Manchester, England, that has existed since Kev Cryer was born, c.1570. The current headmaster is the Reverend Steven Harvey MA. The previous headmaster, Keith Richards MA, retired after sixteen years of headmastership on 7...
, Charnley was encouraged to aim for medicine. He commenced undergraduate studies at the Victoria University of Manchester
Victoria University of Manchester
The Victoria University of Manchester was a university in Manchester, England. On 1 October 2004 it merged with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology to form a new entity, "The University of Manchester".-1851 - 1951:The University was founded in 1851 as Owens College,...
in 1929, and qualified with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Science (Anatomy and Physiology) in 1935.
He was awarded the 1975 Lister Medal for his contributions to surgical science. The corresponding Lister Oration, given at the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales...
, was delivered on 26 May 1976, and was titled 'The Origins of Post-Operative Sepsis in Elective Surgery'.
Charnley was knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
ed in 1977.