Robert B. Salter
Encyclopedia
Robert Bruce Salter, was a Canadian
surgeon
and a pioneer in the field of pediatric orthopaedic surgery.
Born in Stratford, Ontario
, he graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto
in 1947, worked for two years at the Grenfell Medical Mission in Newfoundland
, and spent one year as the McLaughlin Fellow in Oxford
, England
. Dr. Salter then returned to join the medical staff at the Hospital for Sick Children
in Toronto in 1955. He was later was appointed Surgeon-in-Chief.
Dr. Salter developed a procedure to correct congenital dislocation of the hip, pioneered Continuous Passive Motion
for the treatment of joint injuries, and co- developed a classification of growth plate injuries in children, commonly known as the Salter-Harris fractures
classification system. He also developed the Salter Operation to treat congenital dislocation of hip
. His textbook of orthopaedic surgery, Disorders and Injuries of the Musculoskeletal System is used throughout the world.
He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
in 1977 and was promoted to Companion in 1997. In 1988, he was awarded the Order of Ontario
. In 1995 he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
. He was also a Fellow of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada, and received the Gairdner Foundation International Award
for medical science, the FNG Starr Medal of the Canadian Medical Association
and the Bristol-Myers Squibb
-Zimmer Award for Distinguished Achievement in Orthopaedic Research.
Dr. Salter died on May 10, 2010.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
surgeon
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
and a pioneer in the field of pediatric orthopaedic surgery.
Born in Stratford, Ontario
Stratford, Ontario
Stratford is a city on the Avon River in Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada with a population of 32,000.When the area was first settled by Europeans in 1832, the townsite and the river were named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It is the seat of Perth County. Stratford was...
, he graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1947, worked for two years at the Grenfell Medical Mission in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, and spent one year as the McLaughlin Fellow in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Dr. Salter then returned to join the medical staff at the Hospital for Sick Children
Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children – is a major paediatric centre for the Greater Toronto Area, serving patients up to age 18. Located on University Avenue in Downtown Toronto, SickKids is part of the city’s Discovery District, a critical mass of scientists and entrepreneurs who are focused on...
in Toronto in 1955. He was later was appointed Surgeon-in-Chief.
Dr. Salter developed a procedure to correct congenital dislocation of the hip, pioneered Continuous Passive Motion
Continuous passive motion
Continuous passive motion devices are used during the first phase of rehabilitation following a soft tissue surgical procedure or trauma. The goals of phase 1 rehabilitation are Control post-operative pain, Reduce inflammation, Provide passive motion in a specific plane of movement , and Protect...
for the treatment of joint injuries, and co- developed a classification of growth plate injuries in children, commonly known as the Salter-Harris fractures
Salter-Harris Fractures
-External links:*...
classification system. He also developed the Salter Operation to treat congenital dislocation of hip
Dislocation of hip
Dislocation of the hip is a common injury to the hip joint. Dislocation occurs when the ball–shaped head of the femur comes out of the cup–shaped acetabulum set in the pelvis. This may happen to a varying degree. A dislocated hip, much more common in girls than in boys, is a condition...
. His textbook of orthopaedic surgery, Disorders and Injuries of the Musculoskeletal System is used throughout the world.
He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1977 and was promoted to Companion in 1997. In 1988, he was awarded the Order of Ontario
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
. In 1995 he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has a museum in London, Ontario, and has an annual induction ceremony.-2012:*Terry Fox*John...
. He was also a Fellow of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada, and received the Gairdner Foundation International Award
Gairdner Foundation International Award
The Gairdner Foundation International Award is given annually at a special dinner to three to six people for outstanding discoveries or contributions to medical science. Receipt of the Gairdner is traditionally considered a precursor to winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine; as of 2007, 69 Nobel...
for medical science, the FNG Starr Medal of the Canadian Medical Association
Canadian Medical Association
The Canadian Medical Association , with more than 70,000 members, is the largest association of doctors in Canada and works to represent their interests nationally. It formed in 1867, three months after Confederation...
and the Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb , often referred to as BMS, is a pharmaceutical company, headquartered in New York City. The company was formed in 1989, following the merger of its predecessors Bristol-Myers and the Squibb Corporation...
-Zimmer Award for Distinguished Achievement in Orthopaedic Research.
Dr. Salter died on May 10, 2010.