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Orthopaedics and Traumatology

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About the department

The Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital evolved from the former Department of Orthopaedics, achieving autonomous institute status on 26 April 2018 through the sustained efforts of Prof. Dr. S. Vetrivel Chezian in collaboration with Dean Dr. Edwin Jose. Established in 2007 with two postgraduate seats, the programme grew to three seats and then six before reaching its current strength of eight MS (Orthopaedics) seats in 2020, while continuing to train MBBS students and research scholars at scale.

For enquiries, please write to [email protected].

Director

Prof. Dr. S. Vetrivel Chezian, M.S. (Ortho), D.Ortho, FRCS, Ph.D,

Head of the Department

Prof. Dr. S. Vetrivel Chezian, M.S. (Ortho), D.Ortho, FRCS, Ph.D, is Director and Professor of Orthopaedics, bringing more than three decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience. Having served as Junior and Senior Resident at Stanley and Madras Medical Colleges, he joined Coimbatore Medical College in 2000, rose to full Professor in 2010, and has led the Institute since December 2018. A former Senate Member of Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, he sits on multiple research and ethics boards, edits peer-reviewed journals, and has authored two CBME-aligned textbooks of Orthopaedics. His leadership has earned national honours including the 2024 Best Doctor Award (TN Medical Council) and multiple Tamil Nadu Orthopaedic Association Appreciation Awards.

Faculties

C. Hannah Ueno
Assistant Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Thomas Fred
Associate Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Jennifer Aarons
Professor of Art
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Professors
Michael McGarvey
Professor of Literature
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Course Handling

MBBS

Undergraduate Orthopaedics

MS (Orthopaedics)

Postgraduate Degree

Ph.D.

Doctoral Research in Orthopaedics

Research and Publications

Ongoing research

  • Gene-polymorphism studies on avascular necrosis of the femoral head (eNOS and G894T) and diabetic foot (T245G OPG promoter) in partnership with the Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU).

  • Trauma-scoring innovations: validation of the Vetrivel Trauma Score for Gustilo III B/C leg fractures.

  • Implant outcome series on proximal humerus fractures (PHILOS plate and JESS fixator), distal femur fractures (locking vs. condylar buttress plates), and intertrochanteric/subtrochanteric fractures (DHS vs. PFN; DCS vs. PFN).

  • Anatomical cadaveric studies of the glenoid cavity, ankle syndesmotic ligament, and safe surgical corridors.

  • Randomised trials comparing intramedullary versus intravenous tranexamic acid in tibial nailing and assessing DANGER score infection risk in open tibial fractures.

Publications

  1. V. C. Sengodan, V. K. A. Subramanian, J. Moses, S. Vikram, and V. Venkatachalam, “A novel idea to prevent accidental prick by Kirschner wire prevalence in orthopedic outpatient department in a tertiary care teaching institute in India,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 7, pp. 49–52, 2025.

  2. V. C. Sengodan, K. Ponnusami, V. K. A. Subramaniyan, V. Venkatachalam, and S. Vikram, “Screening the unidentified noncommunicable disease prevalence in orthopedic outpatient department in a tertiary care teaching institute in India,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 7, pp. 43–48, 2025.

  3. V. C. Sengodan and J. Moses, “Functional and radiological outcome in distal both bones fractures leg treated with hybrid external fixators,” Indian J. Orthop. Surg., vol. 11, pp. 56–60, 2025.

  4. V. C. Sengodan and A. K. Mylsamy, “Functional outcome of limb reconstruction system in lower limb compound fractures: A prospective study,” Indian J. Orthop. Surg., vol. 11, pp. 48–55, 2025.

  5. M. G. Mengesha et al., “Orthopedic postoperative infection profile and antibiotic sensitivity of 2038 patients across 24 countries – Call for region and institution specific surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis,” J. Orthop., vol. 55, pp. 97–104, 2024.

  6. M. M. Sengodan and Y. Marasamy, “Separate vertical wiring for comminuted inferior pole fractures of patella: An effective technique,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 6, pp. 153–157, 2024.

  7. M. M. Sengodan and Y. Marasamy, “A simple technique to locate the nail tip in a buried interlocking nail in femur while extraction,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 6, pp. 158–160, 2024.

  8. H. Rajendran, H. Manoharan, and N. K. Subbiah, “Evaluation of DNA damage in type 1 diabetic patients by sister chromatoid exchange: A case-control study,” Int. J. Acad. Med. Pharm., vol. 5, pp. 558–560, 2023.

  9. R. K. Selvaraj, S. Rathinasamy, A. B. Anbuvigneshwaran, and F. A. M. Batcha, “A novel idea of an orthopedic surgeon that changed the lives of differently-abled persons who have lost their limbs in Tamil Nadu: Reaching the unreached during orthopedic surgeries,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 5, pp. 16–19, 2023.

  10. M. M. Sengodan, K. Nityanandan, and Y. Marasamy, “Painful accessory navicular syndrome: A modified Kidner procedure,” J. Orthop. Spine, vol. 11, pp. 61–66, 2023.

  11. V. C. Sengodan, M. M. Sengodan, and A. M. Sushama, “Insertional footprint of Achilles tendon on calcaneal tuberosity in South Indian population: A cadaveric study,” Natl. J. Clin. Anat., vol. 12, pp. 143–147, 2023.

  12. V. C. Sengodan, M. Sivagnanam, and R. Selvaraj, “Musculoskeletal symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care hospital in South India,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 4, pp. 70–73, 2022.

  13. V. C. Sengodan, P. K. Manivel, and J. J. Pynadath, “Computed tomography-based morphometric analysis of dorsal vertebral pedicle in South Indian population,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 4, pp. 74–80, 2022.

  14. V. C. Sengodan and J. J. Pynadath, “Efficacy of single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis of the knee joint in South Indian population,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 4, pp. 61–65, 2022.

  15. V. C. Sengodan, K. Ramakrishnan, S. Purushothaman, K. Kandasamy, and M. Munusamy, “A novel idea to reduce the consumption of povidone-iodine in the operation theater: A need of the hour for developing countries,” J. Orthop. Joint Surg., vol. 4, pp. 26–28, 2022.

Achievments

Faculties

  • 2024 Tamil Nadu Orthopaedic Association Appreciation Award and Best Doctor Award (TN Medical Council) – Prof. Dr. S. Vetrivel Chezian.

  • Publication of Vetrivel Textbook of Clinical Orthopaedics (2022) and Vetrivel Textbook of Orthopaedics (2021) aligned to NMC/CBME norms.

Students

  • 2024 Gold Medal (Tamil Nadu Dr MGR University) – Dr. B. Anbuvigneshwaran.

  • 2023 Dr Elangovan Medal, National Orthopaedic Conference – Dr. Faheem Ahmed.

  • Multiple Tamil Nadu Orthopaedic Association medals (2020 – 2023) for original research in basic science, trauma innovation, and subspecialty practice.

Events and Services

Academic events

  1. National Orthopaedic Post-Graduate Conference – hosted annually since 2023, attracting >500 delegates.

  2. MRU Collaborative Workshops on orthopaedic genomics (2021 & 2024).

  3. Hands-on Cadaveric Courses in arthroscopy and trauma fixation, conducted quarterly.

  4. Weekly Journal Club & PG Teaching Rounds with inter-departmental radiology and pathology inputs.

Community Services

  • Light-Weight Artificial Limb Production Centre (2020): established during the COVID-19 pandemic under AB-PMJAY/TNCMCHIS at zero government cost.

  • First-in-India “No-Attender” Ward for destitute orthopaedic patients (2017) – now a model for other teaching hospitals.

  • Clubfoot Clinic: free prevention and corrective surgery for newborns and children every Thursday since 2011, uninterrupted even during pandemic peaks.

  • Emergency Care Initiative Support: faculty contribute to state-wide accident and trauma network training programmes.

Gallery

Conference

Orthopaedics conference 

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