ABOUT US
Dr. Anthony Cooper, Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC’s Department of Orthopaedics, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, BC Children’s Hospital leads the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Program at BC Children’s Hospital. This program has over 700 patient visits annually.
What We've Achieved
Paediatric limb differences represent a wide spectrum of conditions affecting children. This includes children who are born with a limb difference—such as the absence or shortening of an leg or arm—as well as those who acquire them from injuries or disease. Our multidisciplinary clinical research program focuses on quality of life, genetic causes, clinical outcomes, complications of limb reconstruction, and imaging for these patients.
BC Children’s Hospital is the highest volume pediatric limb difference centre in Canada. Here, we use state-of-the-art technology and surgical techniques to reconstruct and lengthen children’s limbs to support their functionality and quality of life. The limb lengthening and reconstruction program at BC Children’s Hospital is the largest in Western Canada and leads many international research studies.
All patients with limb differences in the province are treated at BC Children’s Hospital. Through our established national and international collaborations, the impact of this program extends beyond British Columbia. This program will benefit not only current patients but also future children and families. With better tools to assess and support quality of life, improved genetic understanding, and rigorous evaluation of current surgical techniques, the knowledge gained from research conducted by the limb lengthening and reconstruction program will continue to make a significant impact.
“Matteo lives a full and happy life and has a very promising future ahead. ”
Dr. Cooper uses novel methods of treatment, which can reconstruct limbs with differences very precisely and accurately. This treatment has supported children with differences in their limb lengths and deformities in following and achieving their dreams.
With our focus on patient-oriented research, we actively engage individuals with personal experiences of limb differences and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved in the care of these children to build a sustainable, accessible, and equitable research and clinical program.
The limb lengthening and reconstruction clinic provides highly specialized tertiary care to children with limb differences at a provincial level. The aim of the limb lengthening and reconstruction program is to improve our understanding, treatment, and ultimately support the quality of life of children with these conditions. To achieve this, we are working towards creating a model in which clinical care and research are fully integrated. All funds raised will directly support this program and help us to improve the quality of life of children with limb differences.