Orthopaedic Surgery Options for Thalidomide Survivors

The HSE National Thalidomide Advocacy Office (NTAO) is pleased to invite you to our Professional Sharing Day on Orthopaedic Surgery Options for Thalidomide Survivors.

This event has been specifically designed for Orthopaedic Surgeons, Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists, including those who currently work, or who may work in the future, with Thalidomide survivors. It is also open to all health and social care professionals involved or interested in supporting Thalidomide survivors, including Public Health Nurses and General Practitioners.

As Thalidomide survivors are now in their 60s and many have spent their lives relying on alternative parts of their bodies to compensate for phocomelia, an increasing number are requiring orthopaedic interventions such as hip and knee replacements, and shoulder, back, and wrist surgery. These procedures have been carried out successfully in other countries, supported by strong physiotherapy and occupational therapy follow‑up.

The purpose of this Professional Sharing Day is to share international experience and good practice to support clinicians and multidisciplinary teams in Ireland who are working with Thalidomide survivors.

Programme Structure

• Morning sessions: Focused specifically on orthopaedic issues and intended primarily for Orthopaedic Surgeons.
• Afternoon sessions (parallel sessions):
• • Session A: Occupational Therapy–focused sessions
  • Session B: Sessions for other members of the multidisciplinary team, including Physiotherapists, General Practitioners, and Public Health Nurses

Morning attendees are warmly welcomed to stay for lunch and attend the afternoon sessions.

We look forward to your participation in this important and collaborative learning event.

Info:
• Ms Maggie Woods Living as a Thalidomide Survivor
• Ms Marie Kehoe-O’Sullivan, NTAO and the Enhanced Pathway
• Ms Nina Sorensen Secondary Orthopaedic Impairments
• Mr. Steve Bale Orthopaedic surgery on shoulders for Thalidomide survivors
• Professor Grey Giddins Experience of treating hand & wrist issues for Thalidomide survivors.

With parallel sessions from:
• Ms Nina Sorensen Interactive Workshop on assistive devices
• Ms Claudia Schmidt-Herterich Views from a psychologist working with survivors

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher HSE National Thalidomide Advocacy Office