Alasdair Hamish Robert Wallace Simpson
Current post: George Harrison Law Professor of Orthopaedics & Trauma,
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh EH16 4SU
Head of Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Level 3 Pathology Department,
Medical School, University of Edinburgh Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG
Address: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Trauma
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Little France
EDINBURGH
EH16 4SU
Education: Queens’ College, Cambridge
Medical sciences tripos
Natural sciences tripos
Advanced physics & Experimental psychology
Christ Church, Oxford
Clinical course, Radcliffe Infirmary
Finals dissertation on ‘The effects of magnetic fields on biological tissue’
Degrees: BA (Hons) 1978
BM, BCh (Oxon) 1981
MA (Cantab) 1981
FRCS (Edinburgh and England) 1986
DM (Oxon) 1993
Memberships: British Orthopaedic Association
Bone and Tooth Society
British Trauma Society
British Limb Reconstruction Society
British Society of Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery
British Connective Tissue Society
Orthopaedic Research Society (American & European)
Girdlestone Society
Executive Committees: British Limb Reconstruction Society – President (2005-7)
British Orthopaedic Research Society - President (2004-6)
Association of Professors of Orthopaedic Surgery-President (2003-5)
Honours: Hunterian Professor of Royal College of Surgeons of England
ABC Travelling Fellow
Eleanor Peel Research Fellow
British Orthopaedic Association Research Fellow
British Orthopaedic Research Society President’s Medal 1998
Previous Posts: 1998-2000 Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Oxford University
and Honorary Consultant, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS trust, Oxford.
1992-1997 Reader in Orthopaedic Surgery, Oxford University
and Honorary Consultant, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS trust, Oxford.
1992- Fellow, St Peter’s College, Oxford
Lady Eleanor Peel Research Fellow 1992
BOA research Fellow 1989
Graduate supervision and other graduate teaching undertaken.
I have supervised 15 students for doctoral theses and 2 for masters theses in the last 10 years. All of these graduates have successfully obtained their degrees.
I have also supervised multiple final year pre-clinical student dissertation projects.
As Head of the Edinburgh University department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, I am responsible for teaching, assessment & examinations for the musculoskeletal system for the medical students.
I have acted as external examiner for doctorates for the Universities of Belfast, Edinburgh, Leicester, Manchester, Oxford, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham and Southampton.
I am an external examiner for the medical undergraduate course at the University of Aberdeen
and an external examiner for the Cardiff University MSc in Orthopaedic Engineering .
Additional Activities at National and International Level
From 1997 I have been on the Editorial board of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery which is the major journal of the orthopaedic and trauma community with a circulation of over 20,000.
In 2001 I became an associate Editor for Trauma and Orthopaedics.
I am a member of the European Orthopaedic Research editorial board of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and an associate editor for the international edition of Orthopaedics and Traumatology.
I also review for The American Journal of Orthopaedic Research; Injury; Engineering in Physics and Medicine & The Croatian Medical Journal.
I am Honorary Secretary of Committee of SIROT (Societe Internationale Research Orthopaedie & Trauma ) and a Founding Fellow of the International Society of Mechanical Effects on tissues (MTR).
I have acted as reviewer for charities and for multiple health regions and I am on the Engineering and Physics Research Council’s (EPSRC) advisory board.
I was awarded a Hunterian Professorship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England for 1999/2000.
And in 2002 I was selected to give the inaugural Al Hammadi Lecture for the RCS Edinburgh
As Honorary Secretary of the British Orthopaedic Research Society I ran the Society for 3 years and was instrumental in bringing in a number of changes. I have recently been elected President from 2003. I am now Honorary Secretary of the Association of Professors of Orthopaedic Surgery & Education Secretary for the British Limb Reconstruction Society.
I am Chairman of the Special Advisory Board in Orthopaedics of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and a co-opted member of Council of the RCS as well as sitting on the Joint Committee for Higher Surgical Training.
Research Grants
The investigation of the effect of varying mechanical environments on peripheral nerve tissue.
The investigation of the effect of varying mechanical environments on muscle.
To study in the unit of Professor Ilizarov in Siberia.
The prevention and correction of contractures associated with limb lengthening.
1994 The Wishbone Trust
The characterization of the pattern of 3-D movement at fracture and osteotomy sites.
1995 The Wishbone Trust
The adhesion and behaviour of bone cells and bacteria on polymethyl methacrylate gels.
1995 Oxfordshire Region Grant
For randomised prospective trail of the treatment of ruptured achilles tendons.
1996 Wishbone Grant
Investigation of the application of Fuzzy logic for EMG processing.
A determination of the critical length of avascularity required for atrophic non-union formation
The effect on muscle function of surgical correction of leg length deformities using the Ilizarov external fixator: implications for physiotherapy practice
1997 Genetics Institute Inc.
Acceleration of Distraction Osteogenesis consolidation phase using rhBMP-2 in a rabbit model
Equipment (Hip Walk)
1997 Porton Down (DERA, PLSD) (with J Kenwright)
Assessment of external fixation systems for fracture care which might be appropriate for the military
Correlation of Genetic Mutation with Disease Severity in Hereditary Multiple Exostoses.
In-vitro investigation of mature human muscle-derived cells as a source of mesenchymal stem cells
Research into the biological aspects of development of non-union formation
A method for examining the in-vivo mechanical strains that act upon the repair tissue of bone fractures and their influence on healing outcome
2000 Action Research (with P. Williams & E Goldspink)
Regeneration of muscle after limb lengthening
2000 Scottish Office (with D Salter & P Gaston)
Use of PCR for diagnosing bone and joint infections
2001 SHEFC (1.1Million) (with B Noble)
Establishment of the Scottish Mechanotransduction Consortium
2002 Medlink (250,000)
Investigation of Precision dissection using ultrasonics
2003 Arthritis & Rheumatism Research Council (600,000)
Support of Arthritis research in Edinburgh
2003 Medical Research Council (45,000)
Discipline hopping award
PUBLICATIONS of original articles in peer reviewed journals:
IMR Lowdon, AHRW Simpson, P Burge. Recurrent dorsal trans-scaphoid perilunate dislocation. Journal of Hand Surgery (1984) 3:307
AHRW Simpson. The blood supply of the periosteum. Journal of Anatomy (1985) 140:697-704
WHF Thomson, AHRW Simpson, JL Wheeler. Mathematical prediction of ileal pouch capacity. British Journal of Surgery (1987) 74:567-68
AHRW Simpson & WHF Thomson. Technical modifications making on-table wash-out easier. British Journal of Surgery (1987) 7:464-465
AHRW Simpson, JO Kilby. Inferior vena cava thrombosis after a cycle ride. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1988) 81:739-40
AHRW Simpson, PS Unwin, IW Nelson. Head injuries, helmets, cycle lanes and cyclists. British Medical Journal (1988) 296:1161-62
AHRW Simpson, DM Williamson, T Creasy, D Wilson, J Spivey. Cystic degeneration of fibrous dysplasia masquerading as sarcoma. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (1989) 71B:434-436
AHRW Simpson, K Varty, CAF Dodd. Dynamic hip screws: modes of failure. Injury (1989) 20:227-31
Ford GA, AHRW Simpson, Gear MW, Wilkinson SP. Duodenal ulceration into the cystic artery. Postgraduate Medical Journal (1990) 66(772):144-146
AHRW Simpson, DG Calvert, BW Codling. The shrinking seminoma. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1990) 83:187-188
AHRW Simpson, DM Williamson, SJ Golding, GR Houghton. Major thoracic spine translocation without cord injury. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (1990) 72B:80-83
G Broome, AHRW Simpson, J Catalan, RJ Jefferson, GR Houghton. The modified Schollner costoplasty. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (1990) 72B:894-900
M Gibbons and AHRW Simpson. Diving into the unknown. British Medical Journal (1991) 302:963-64
NJ Derbyshire, AHRW Simpson. The role of ultrasound in limb lengthening. British Journal of Radiology (1992) 65:576-80
T Hems, AHRW Simpson. Prevention of hand injuries in cycle accidents. Journal of Trauma (1992) 32:683-685
AHRW Simpson, J Mineiro. Prevention of bicycle accidents. Injury (1992) 23:171-173
PE Williams, AHRW Simpson, P Kyberd, G Goldspink, J Kenwright. Physiological and structural changes in the anterior tibialis muscle following surgical limb lengthening. Journal of Physiology (1992) 44:571
R Gundle, AHRW Simpson. Should women attending fracture clinics be counselled about osteoporosis? Injury (1993) 24:441-442
JP Ivory, AHRW Simpson, GT Toogood, P McLardy-Smith, JW Goodfellow. Bilateral knee replacements; staged or simultaneous? Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (1993) 38:105-107
T Theologis, R Jefferson, AHRW Simpson, A Turner-Smith, J Fairbank. Quantifying the cosmetic defect of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine (1993) 18:909-912
T Gardner, M Evans, AHRW Simpson, AR Turner-Smith. 3-dimensional movement at externally fixated tibial fractures and osteotomies during normal patient function. Journal of Clinical Biomechanics (1994) 9:1:51-59
P Kyberd, P Williams, AHRW Simpson, G Goldspink, J Kenwright. The response of mammalian muscle to distraction. Journal of engineering in medicine. (1994) Vol 208:111-118
DJ Beard, CAF Dodd, H Trundle, AHRW Simpson. Proprioception enhancement for anterior cruciate ligament deficiency; a randomised trial. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Br] (1994) 76(4):654-659
(DJ Beard, PJ Kyberd, CAF Dodd, AHRW Simpson, JJ O'Connor. Proprioception in the knee. (letter) Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Br] (1994) 76-B:992-993
MF Gargan, AHRW Simpson, R Gundle. How effective are osteotomies? Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Br] (1994) 76(5):789-792
PE Williams, AHRW Simpson, PJ Kyberd, J Kenwright, G Goldspink. Structural changes in the tibialis anterior muscle following distraction of the tibia. Basic and Applied Myology (1994) 4(4):431-437
TJW Spalding, J Kiss, P Kyberd, AHRW Simpson. The recovery of driver reaction times following total knee replacement. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Br] (1994) 76-B: 754-756
AHRW Simpson, A Porter, A Davis, A Griffin, RS McLeod, RS Bell. Cephalad sacral resection with a combined extended ilioinguinal and posterior approach. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Am] (1995) 77-A:405-411
S Deo, M Gibbons, M Emerton, AHRW Simpson. Total hip replacements in renal transplant patients. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Br] (1995) 77-B(2):299-302
AHRW Simpson, PE Williams, P Kyberd, G Goldspink, J Kenwright. The response of muscle to leg lengthening. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Br]. (1995) 77(4):630-636
CLMH Gibbons, S Gregg-Smith, TW Carrell, DW Murray, AHRW Simpson. The use of the Russell-Taylor reconstruction nail in femoral shaft fractures. Injury . (1995) 26(6): 389-392.
R Gundle, MF Gargan, AHRW Simpson. How to minimize failures of fixation of unstable intertrochanteric fracture. Injury (1995) 26(9):611-614.
Li Zhao, AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright. Four-dimensional correction of severe clubfoot deformity with a particular reference to the tension-stress priniciple.
International Medical Journal (1996) 3(2):125-132.
J Webb, G Herling, T Gardner, AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright. Manual assessment of fracture stiffness. Injury (1996) Vol. 27(5):319-320
G Li, AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright, JT Triffitt. Cell proliferation as assessed by expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen or the uptake of bromodeoxyuridine in leg-lengthening. V.C.O.T. (1996) 9:95-100.
AH Simpson, JL Cunningham, J Kenwright. The forces which develop in the tissues during leg lengthening. A clinical study. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Br] (1996) 78(6):979-983
JP Chitnavis, AHRW Simpson, CMLH Gibbons, M Hirigoyen, J Lloyd Parry. Accidents with Horses: what has changed in 20 years? Injury (1996) 27(2):103-105
W Wang, DJ Ferguson, JM Quinn, AHRW Simpson, NA Athansou. Biomaterial particle phagocytosis by bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (1997) 79(5):849-856
C Phillippe, DE Porter, ME Emerton, DE Wells, AHRW Simpson, AP Monaco. Mutation screening of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes in patients with hereditary multiple exostoses. Am-J-Hum-Genet (1997) 61(3):520-528
S Yang, M Alnaqeeb, AHRW Simpson, G Goldspink. Cloning and characterization of an IGF-1 isoform expressed in skeletal muscle subjected to stretch. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility (1997) 17(4):487-495
W Wang, DJP Ferguson, JMW Quinn, AHRW Simpson, NA Athanasou. Osteoclasts are capable of particle phagocytosis and bone resorption. Journal of Pathology (1997) Vol. 182: 92-98
AHRW Simpson, T Gardner, M Evans, G Herling, J Kenwright. Prevention of deformity during leg lengthening. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (1997) 341: 224-232
TN Gardner, M Evans, AHRW Simpson, PJ Kyberd, J Kenwright. A method of examining the magnitude and origin of “soft” and “hard” tissue forces resisting limb lengthening. Med. Eng. Phys.; Vol. 19 (5): 405-411 (1997)
G Li, AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright, JT Triffitt. Assessment of cell proliferation in regenerating bone during distraction osteogenesis at different distraction rates. Journal of Orthopaedic Research (1997) 15(5):765-772
TN Gardner, M Evans, H Simpson. Temporal variation of applied inter fragmentary displacement at a bone fracture in harmony with maturation of the fracture callus. Medical Engineering and Physics (1998) 20: 480-484
P Williams, P Kyberd, H Simpson, J Kenwright, G Goldspink. The morphological basis of increased stiffness of tibialis anterior muscles during surgical limb-lengthening. Journal of Anatomy (1998) 193:131-138
G Li, AHRW Simpson, JT Triffitt. Expression of BMP-4 during distraction osteogenesis. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica (1998) 69(4):420-425
RJ Sharp, AHRW Simpson. Post operative swelling in Ilizarov leg lengthening. Injury (1998); 29(9): 717-718.
G Li, AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright, JT Triffitt. Effect of lengthening rate on angiogenesis during distraction osteogenesis. J Orthop Rsch (1999); 17 (Vol.3): 362-367
G Li, AHRW Simpson, JT Triffitt. The role of chondrocytes in intramembranous and endochondral ossification during distraction osteogenesis. Calcif Tissue Int (1999) 64:310-317
DE Porter, AHRW Simpson. The neoplastic pathogenesis of solitary and multiple osteochondromas. J. Pathol. (1999); 188: 119-125
KL Barker, AHRW Simpson. Joint stiffness – knee range of motion during limb lengthening. J Bone & Joint Surg. (1999); 81-B
W Wang, A Sabokbar, AHRW Simpson, NA Athanasou. The effect of interleukin-1b, tumour necrosis factor a and particle phagocytosis on monocyte-osteoclast differentiation. Hip International (1999); 9(4): 178-185
P Armstrong, I Ilyas, R Pandey, AR Berendt, CP Conlon, AHRW Simpson. Pyoderma Gangrenosum. A diagnosis not to be missed. J Bone Joint Surg (1999); 81B(5): 893-894.
HC Brownlow, A Reed, AHRW Simpson. The anatomical effects of periosteal stripping. The Journal of Orthopaedic Research (1999)
HC Brownlow & AHRW Simpson. The metabolic activity of a new atrophic non-union model. The Journal of Orthopaedic Research (1999)
AHRW Simpson, AS Cole, J Kenwright. Lengthening over a nail for femoral and tibial shortening. J Bone & Joint Surg. (1999); 81-B:
DE Porter, ME Emerton, F Villanueva-Lopez, AHRW Simpson. A clinical and radiographic analysis of
Osteochondromas and growth disturbance in Hereditary Multiple Exostoses.Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics 1999.
C Dobson-Stone, L Lonie, R Cox, C Wise, D Porter, H Simpson, A Monaco. Comparison of fluorescent
single-strand and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography for detection of EXT1 and EXT2 mutations in hereditary multiple exostoses. European Journal of Human Genetics 1999.
Levy MM, Joyner CJ, Virdi AS, Reed A, Triffitt JT, Simpson AH, Kenwright J, Stein H, Francis MJ
Osteoprogenitor cells of mature human skeletal muscle tissue:an in vitro study. Bone 2001 Oct;29(4):317-22
Goldspink G, Williams P, Simpson H Gene expression in response to muscle stretch. Clin Orthop. 2002 Oct;(403 Suppl):S146-52
Li G, Bouxsein ML, Luppen C, Li XJ, Wood M, Seeherman HJ, Wozney JM, Simpson H
Bone consolidation is enhance by rhBMP-2 in distraction osteogenesis. J Orthop Res. 2002 Jul;20(4):779-88
Li G, Dickson GR, Marsh DR, Simpson H. Rapid new bone tissue remodeling during distraction osteogenesis is associated with apoptosis J Orthop Res. 2003 Jan;21(1):28-35
PRESENTATIONS AND ABSTRACTS
Multiple further peer reviewed presentations and published abstracts.
CHAPTERS IN TEXTBOOKS
G Goldspink, G Gerlach, D Wells,J Martindale, P Williams, AHRW Simpson, P Kyberd & J Kenwright. Gene expression switching in adaptation for increased power output and fatigue resistance in fish and mammalian skeletal muscle. In Basic and Applied Myology: Perspectives for the 90’s. Eds U Carraro, S Salmons (1991) section III:65-72
J Kenwright and AHRW Simpson. Investigation of sensitivity of the healing musculoskeletal system to small changes in its mechanical environment. Extended abstract accepted for publication in Bio-analoging Skeletal Implants (BIOSIS) 1991 ISBN 3-88260-041-1
AHRW Simpson, P Kyberd, PE Williams, J Kenwright, G Goldspink. The influence of axial distraction upon muscles. In: Micro-movement in Orthopaedics., AR Turner-Smith (Ed), Clarendon Press, Oxford (1993) ISBN 0 19 262306 0
AHRW Simpson, NJ Derbyshire, J Kenwright. A role for ultrasound in limb lengthening. Ch 19 in Measurement Techniques section of Micro-movement in Orthopaedics., AR Turner-Smith (Ed), Clarendon Press, Oxford (1993) ISBN 0 19 262306 0
AHRW Simpson, PE Williams, P Kyberd, G Goldspink, J Kenwright. The response of the muscle to limb lengthening. Ch 24 in Material Properties section of Micro-movement in Orthopaedics., AR Turner-Smith (Ed), Clarendon Press, Oxford (1993) ISBN 0 19 262306 0
AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright. The response of peripheral nervous tissue to leg lengthening. Ch 25 in Material Properties section of Micro-movement in Orthopaedics., AR Turner-Smith (Ed), Clarendon Press, Oxford (1993) ISBN 0 19 262306 0
AHRW Simpson. The management of ankle fractures. In Gregg, Stephens and Worlock, Blackwells, Oxford
AHRW Simpson. Outcome measures for ankle injuries. In Outcome Measures in Trauma Eds Fairbank, Pynsent and Carr
TN Gardner, J Kenwright, M Evans, H Simpson. Callus Stimulation through the Dynamic Mechanical Environment imposed by Unilateral External Fixation. Dr Gahr Leipzig (Ed), (in press).
AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright. Bone & Joint Infections. Medicine 1996; 24:8: 57-9.
AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright. Response of the soft tissues to distraction. SIROT 1997 (Ed.) H Stein Freund Publishing.
AHRW Simpson, J Kenwright. The biology of soft tissue distraction. Springer 1998 (Ed) A Goldberg.
BOOKS
Adam’s Outline of Fractures, Editors Hamblen & Simpson