CORE Turku Group

Center of Orthopedic Research Turku

CORE Turku is a research group operating at Tyks Orto, which was established in December 2022. The aim of the research group is to enable research at Tyks Orto, especially after the dissertation phase. In addition, CORE supports dissertation work. The research group focuses on RCTs and register-based research.

The research group is led by Associate Professor Inari Laaksonen and MD Elina Ekman

Research Group Leaders

Kuva henkilöstä — **Inari Laaksonen, Assoc. Prof., MD, PhD**

I graduated as a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology in 2021 and work as a orthopedic surgeon at Turku University Hospital. Alongside clinical work, I conduct clinical research broadly related to orthopedics and traumatology. I defended my doctoral thesis at the University of Turku in 2014 and then spent the year 2016-17 as a post-doc researcher in the USA at Harvard University. I received the title of docent in 2019 and since then have supervised four completed dissertations. Together with Elina Ekman, we founded the CORE Turku research group in 2022, and our goal is to enable research to be conducted in our clinic.

ORCHID ID: 0000-0001-6272-4010

Kasvokuva Elina Ekmanista — Elina Ekman, **MD, PhD**

I graduated as a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology in 2018 and defended my medical doctorate in 2019. I completed the additional training program in traumatology in 2024. In my clinical work, I am responsible for the treatment of bone tumors in the wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland, and I also treat trauma patients. Since my dissertation, I have continued to do research broadly in the field of orthopedics and traumatology extensively. In 2022, we founded the CORE Turku research group with Assoc. Prof. Inari Laaksonen to better promote and coordinate significant orthopedic and traumatological research in the Varha area.

ORCHID ID: 0000-0003-1330-7418

Post-Doc Researchers

I graduated as a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology in 2020 and have since worked in the area of responsibility for spine orthopedics. I treat trauma patients on an emergency basis. I defended my medical doctorate in 2022 and at the beginning of 2024, I graduated from the spine surgery training program as a spine surgeon. After my doctorate, I have actively continued research work, focusing on my specialty of spine surgery, but also participate more broadly in research work in collaboration with other CORE research group members.

ORCHID ID: 0000-0001-6203-1900

Kasvokuva Matias Hemmilästä — **Matias Hemmilä, MD, PhD**

I graduated as a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology in 2018 and defended my medical doctorate in 2021 on hip replacement revision surgeries. In my clinical work, I treat patients with osteoarthritis and perform hip and knee replacement surgeries and revisions. In addition, I treat trauma patients. The intention is to continue research on the treatment of joint replacement patients.

ORCHID ID: 0000-0003-3727-9036

Kasvokuva Valtteri Panulasta. — **Valtteri Panula, MD, PhD**

I am a doctor specializing in orthopedics and traumatology. I defended my medical doctorate in 2023. My dissertation deals with typical complications of hip replacements. Currently, I focus on research in orthopedics and traumatology related to registry, RCT, and meta-analysis studies.

ORCHID ID: 0000-0001-6638-3188

Turkoosi hahmo — **Heli Keskinen, MD, PhD**

I graduated as a pediatric surgeon in 2016 and defended my my medical doctorate on pediatric scoliosis surgery in 2018. I completed my specialization in orthopedics and traumatology in 2021. I completed the additional training program in pediatric orthopedics and traumatology in 2024. Currently, I work as a clinical teacher in orthopedics and traumatology at the University of Turku and also do clinical work as a pediatric orthopedist at Turku University Central Hospital. I have continued my research work extensively in various subfields of orthopedics.

ORCHID ID: 0000-0003-2707-2875

Dissertation Researchers

Juho Hatakka

Jukka Honkanen

Karita Kohtala

Tuuli Erjanti

Oskari Leino

Kalle Dahl

Santtu Tikkala

Marjukka Hallinen

Other Research Staff

Statistician: Joel Kostensalo
Research Coordinator: Suvi Lähteenmäki
Research Nurses: Sanna Johansson, Fanny Kaivonen

Funding

State Research Funding (VTR)

Ongoing Research Projects

Prospective Multicenter Studies

Limb injuries and post-injury rehabilitation trials – tibial shaft fracture (LIMPER-TSF)
- The study is an ongoing, randomized, multicenter study comparing early full weight-bearing and early 6-week limb weight-bearing in patients whose tibial shaft fracture has been treated with intramedullary nailing. The goal is to determine the return to work and physical functional capacity after tibial fracture surgery with patients instructed to either early full weight-bearing or early limb weight-bearing.

Rekisteritutkimukset

Regional Variations in Incidence and Treatment Trends of Achilles Tendon Ruptures in Finland between years 1997-2019 – A Nationwide Study
- The study is based on the HILMO and Avohilmo registries and aims to determine whether there are regional differences in the incidence and treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures in Finland.
The incidence, injury mechanism and changes in health care providers of operated distal biceps tendon ruptures in Finland – a nationwide registry study
- The study is based on the HILMO registry and aims to assess the prevalence of distal biceps tendon ruptures and the distribution of treatment between public and private healthcare in Finland.
Incidence and treatment of hip fractures in Finland – are we following guidelines?
- The study is based on the HILMO registry and aims to investigate the treatment of hip fractures and possible changes in surgical techniques in Finland.
Proximal humerus fractures in Finland – regional differences in incidence and methods of treatment
- The study is based on the HILMO and Avohilmo registries and aims to determine whether there are regional differences in the incidence and treatment methods of proximal humerus fractures in Finland.

Publications

Arimaa A, Salminen T, Knifsund J, Kytö V, Lankinen P, Laaksonen I. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and concomitant procedures in Finland between 2004 and 2018 based on national registers. Acta Orthop. 2023 Feb 2;94:45-50. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2023.8481. PMID: 36728095; PMCID: PMC9893838.
Pubmed linkki: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and concomitant procedures in Finland between 2004 and 2018 based on national registers – PubMed (nih.gov)
Erjanti T, Keskinen H, Rissanen T, Mäkelä K, Lankinen P, Laaksonen I, Koivu H. Radiological outcome of hallux valgus deformity correction with metatarsal osteotomy from a single-center cohort – Best results achieved by foot and ankle surgeons. Foot Ankle Surg. 2024 Jan;30(1):32-36. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2023.08.004. PMID: 37673720.
Pubmed linkki: Radiological outcome of hallux valgus deformity correction with metatarsal osteotomy from a single-center cohort – Best results achieved by foot and ankle surgeons – PubMed (nih.gov)
Rantalaiho IK, Laaksonen I, Kostensalo J, Ekman EM, Ryösä AJ, Äärimaa VO. Mortality and subsequent fractures of patients with olecranon fractures compared to other upper extremity osteoporotic fractures. Shoulder Elbow. 2024 Apr;16(2):186-192. doi: 10.1177/17585732221124301. PMID: 38655414; PMCID: PMC11034465.
Pubmed linkki: Mortality and subsequent fractures of patients with olecranon fractures compared to other upper extremity osteoporotic fractures – PubMed (nih.gov)
Tikkala S, Tirkkonen K, Ekman E, Lehtimäki K. Experience with tissue bank services in 2014 and 2020 in Turku, Finland. Transplantation Proceedings. 2023 Dec;55(10):2345-2353. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.09.030.
Pubmed linkki: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37891018/

Collaboration

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birminghman, UK