About Us
HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND TRAUMATOLOGY
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), is the hospital arm of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife). This was the first separate department of Orthopaedic surgery in the University and Teaching hospital to be established in Nigeria in 1983, what is known today as the College of Health Sciences, then Faculty of Health Sciences. Surgery Department existed as a composite Surgical Division comprising Surgery, Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Anaesthesia and intensive Care, and Radiology.
In 1983, Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology became a separate department with two lecturers/ consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons and two junior resident doctors. The first Head of Department was Dr (Chief) Ekundayo Abayomi Bamgboye (1983-1984) who later handed over to Dr Zachaeus A. Alabi. Peof Lawrence Magbagbeola Oginni was the pioneering resident who completed his residency training programme and got appointed 1st May, 1989 as Faculty member in the university and Honorary consultant to OAUTHC Ile-Ife. He was appointed first Professor of orthopaedics in the Department in 2004. He gave the first inaugural lecture in the Department in the year 2009 on “Arise and Walk: Upright in Stance, Forthright in Swing”. Current reference textbooks, CD, and Journals have been donated to the department by Dr Z.A Alabi, Dr (Chief) E.A. Bamgboye, Prof I.C. Ikem, Prof O.O Adegbehingbe. Prof Esan Oluwadare enhanced donation of Taylor’s spatial frame from SIGN and Prof I.C Ikem added SIGN Nails set and Monotube Fixator to the department instrumentations.
The Department has developed progressively in terms of manpower with seven full time scholastic Faculty members at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife and Honorary Consultants to the OAUTHC. The department is endowed with adequate supportive staff, experienced Researchers and Specialist Surgeons in virtually all subspecialties of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology. It is worthy of note to acknowledge the national and international impact the department has achieved in Rickets, SIGN Interlocking Nailing without image intensifier, Clubfoot, and musculoskeletal oncology. Exposed Bone Syndrome and Ophtho fall were added to orthopaedic encyclopaedias from the department.
Children Orthopaedic Ward phase IV was completed in 2002 and 75 bedded Ultramodern Orthopaedic Complex was also completed in 2015 and is undergoing phased equipping. The hospital management has provided enabling fund for consumables (through Orthopaedic Revolving Fund), upgrading of facilities and direct purchase of expensive orthopaedic and imaging equipments such as C-arm and instrumentations for Total Joint Arthroplasty, Spine Surgery and Arthroscopy. The first total Hip Replacement was performed by Prof L.M. Oginni in OAUTHC on 6th October, 1993 and Prof Esan Oluwadare pioneered Arthroscopy Surgery December, 2013. The Nigerian National Clubfoot Programme was pioneered by Prof Adegbehingbe and presently introduced to 29 states. Research Grants attracted to the department include, Welcome Trust (Prof L.M. Oginni), Molecular Genetic Analysis of Limb Malformation Grant and USAID Clubfoot Disability Grant (Dr O.O. Adegbehingbe 2012-2014).
As part of our social and civic responsibility to the nation and globally, Dr (Chief) E.A. Bamgboye and Dr Z.A. Alabi, Prof L.M. Oginni, Prof I.C. Ikem have been pillars at all levels of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and West African College of Surgeons’ administrative development and examination processes. Prof O.O. Adegbehingbe was appointed November, 2011 and has been serving till date on the Medical Advisory Board of Ponseti International, USA. Prof L.M Oginni served as Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, OAU (2006/2007), Deputy Provost, College of Health sciences, OAU (2007-2009), Chairman Postgraduate Medical Training Committee and pioneer Chairman Zone I Nigerian Orthopaedic Association. Prof I. C. Ikem has served as Chairman, Zone I, Nigerian Orthopaedic Association; Honorary Secretary, Nigerian Orthopaedic Association; Secretary and President, Faculty of Orthopaedics, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria; Treasurer and Vice President of National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. Prof E.A. Orimolade has also served as Chairman, Zone I, Nigerian Orthopaedic Association; Vice President and President, Nigerian Orthopaedic Association.
Due to repositioning and training programme transformation that has been provided, coupled with the serene conducive learning environment, the resident doctors in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology OAUTHC have had a good passing rate.
The culture of superlative scholastics performance marked the department from the founding fathers’ generation of Dr (Chief) E.A. Bamgboye and Dr Z.A Alabi till date. Prof L.M. Oginni utilized the Commonwealth Scholarship during which his research confirmed calcium deficiency as major aetiology in rickets. Prof E.A Orimolade (SICOT Scholarship 2009), Prof A.A Abiodun (Spine Surgery, SICOT Scholarship, 2009), and Dr Orehka Olaniran (SICOT Scholarship 2012). In 2009, Prof A.L. Akinyoola enjoyed the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy Smith & Nephew scholarship and from April 15-31. In May 2012 he participated in the International Orthopaedic Surgery Physicians’ Programme at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, USA.
The Department has become a toast of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as Prof. O.O. Adegbehingbe (2010), Prof Esan Oluwadare (2011) and Dr Adetiloye J.A (2012) consecutively won the scholarship. Prof O.O Adegbehingbe horizon was further broadened with the National Centre for Orthopaedic Oncology Fellowship, Tokyo (2011) and Paediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Scholarship (2012). The AAOS Emerging Leadership Scholarship was given to Dr Adetiloye J.A (2013).
Prof Innocent Chiedu Ikem propagated SIGN Interlocking Nailing for long bone fractures in Nigeria. This won him the 2013 Orthopaedic Trauma Association Scholarship/Fellow USA. The department is simply an embodiment of success for orthopaedic professionalism, training and ground breaking researches open for residents, consultants without racial, gender or religious bias that can meet up the high standard aimed at constantly in modern global competitiveness.