THE Foot and Ankle team at Gobowen’s orthopaedic hospital has been recognised for its contribution to a national research study in the United States.

The Wright Medical Group based in Memphis, Tennessee, is a global medical device company which supplies a total ankle replacement device called INFINITY.

Consultants, nurses, physiotherapists and members of the research department at the Gobowen hospital have been awarded for recruiting a significant number of patients to the UK INFINITY Total Ankle Replacement Clinical Study.

The team received a trophy from Wright Medical Group highlighting their appreciation for recruiting 50 patients so far.

Charlotte Perkins, Research Study Support Officer, said: “This is a study which involves monitoring the safety and outcomes of the INFINITY device after it has been released on the market.

“Whenever the Consultants use the product on a patient, we follow up by meeting the patient and finding out if they would be happy to fill out a series of questionnaires.

“These surveys are sent to patients for 10 years following their procedure and ask questions around their pain level and mobility.”

Sarah Turner, Research Project Manager, said: “The primary objective of the research we’re conducting is to collect data around the INFINITY ankle replacement which will allow the company to evaluate the performance of the product.

“The study was launched back in September 2016, so to recruit 50 patients is a real achievement for us, especially as the product isn’t used for all ankle replacements carried out at RJAH.

“The work is being led in the UK by Northumbria Healthcare Trust and nine other Trusts, including ourselves, are also recruiting patients with the goal to reach an overall total of 500 patients.”