Dr. Michel Neufeld and team receive Robert B Salter Award to investigate metal hypersensitivity in patients with knee implants

We are proud to share that Dr. Michel Neufeld from the UBC Department of Orthopaedics, along with a distinguished team of co-authors, have been awarded the 2025 Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation’s (COF) Robert B Salter Award.

The Robert B Salter Award recognizes excellence in basic science research and will provide funding for the innovative study titled “Nickel Free” Hypoallergenic versus Standard Cobalt-Chrome Containing Total Knee Arthroplasty: Is there a Difference in Synovial Metal Ions at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up?

Each year, over 1 million total knee replacements (TKAs) are performed in North America. This number is expected to rise significantly. Additionally, up to 20 percent of patients are dissatisfied with their results. One potential reason for this dissatisfaction is metal allergies or hypersensitivity to the TKA implants, which can cause pain and implant failure. This issue remains a topic of debate. Furthermore, adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR) to metal debris, primarily cobalt and chromium, are well-known complications in hip replacements and have recently been identified as a potential cause of failure in TKAs.

While previous studies have measured metal ion levels in the blood of patients with both standard cobalt-chromium implants and special hypoallergenic, cobalt-chromium- and nickel-free implants, none have examined metal ion levels in the synovial fluid of the knee after the first postoperative day. This is crucial because metal hypersensitivity and ALTR reactions occur in the knee’s synovial fluid.

“Ultimately, the study aims to improve outcomes and reduce failure rates for all TKA patients.” — Dr. Michael Neufeld, Clinical Instructor, Division of Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

This pioneering study is the first to analyze metal ion content in the synovial fluid of well-fixed TKA implants, comparing standard and hypoallergenic implants, at least two years after surgery. The findings of this research have the potential to revolutionize clinical practices and may help secure funding for larger, definitive trials.

About Dr. Michel Neufeld

Dr. Michael Neufeld is a clinical instructor in the Division of Reconstruction & Oncology at UBC Department of Orthopaedics specializing in hip and knee replacement, including complex cases and minimally invasive techniques. His research focuses on improving outcomes and managing periprosthetic joint infections. Dr. Neufeld trained internationally at the ENDO-Klinik in Germany and is helping develop a multidisciplinary unit at UBC for advanced infection management.

Co-authors

Dr. Lisa Howard

Assistant Professor, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

Dr. Lisa Howard specializes in complex hip and knee arthroplasty reconstruction. Her primary research focus is on alternative pain control methods after arthroplasty with a focus on opioid reduction as well as the creation of a complications database in arthroplasty.

Dr. Nelson Greidanus

Assistant Professor, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

Dr. Nelson Greidanus is an orthopaedic surgeon at UBC specializing in complex hip and knee replacement and reconstruction. He focuses on minimally invasive procedures, rapid recovery, and managing complications such as infections and fractures.

Dr. Bassam Masri

Professor, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

Dr. Bassam Masri is a Professor of Orthopaedics at UBC specializing in hip and knee reconstruction and musculoskeletal oncology. His research focuses on surgical techniques and outcomes, and he is actively involved in training surgeons worldwide.

Dr. Donald Garbuz

Professor, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

Dr. Donald Garbuz is a Professor and Head of the Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction and Oncology at UBC. He specializes in hip and knee replacement, focusing on complex revision surgeries.

Dr. Arashdeep Sidhu

Resident, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

Dr. Sidhu joined the UBC Department of Orthopaedics residency program in 2021. He won a 2024 UBC Orthopaedic Research Day Award for his poster “Nickel Free‚ Hypoallergenic versus Standard Cobalt-Chrome Containing Total Knee Replacement: Is There a Difference in Synovial Metal Ions at Minimum 1-Year Follow-up?” supervised by Dr. Michael Neufeld.

Dr. Gerard Sheridan

Former Clinical Fellow, Adult Reconstruction, Hip and Knee, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

Clinical Fellow with the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

Dr. Gerard Sheridan’s interests include complex limb reconstruction, deformity correction, limb salvage, amputation reconstruction, and limb lengthening. He has completed fellowships at UBC and Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, in primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty.