History

The state institution Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics (RISC RTO) of the Ministry of health and social development of the Russian Federation is situated in Kurgan. It was founded in December 1971.

The founder of the Center Gavriil Abramovich Ilizarov offered the method for management of fractures (later on for treatment of orthopaedic pathology) with application of his compression-distraction external fixator in 1951. In 1966 Ilizarov was appointed head of the laboratory (a branch of the Sverdlovsk Trauma and Orthopaedic Institute) on scientific investigation and introduction into clinical practice of the offered by him method. In 1969 the laboratory was reformed into an affiliation of the Leningrad Research Institute for Traumatology and Orthopaedics and in December 1971 into an independent scientific and clinical institution - Kurgan Research Institute for Experimental and Clinical Orthopaedics and Traumatology (KNIIEKOT). In 1987 the Institute got the status of a federal specialized center and in 1993 it was renamed into the Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics.

The scientists of the Center investigate regeneration and growth of bone and other tissues, carry out basic and applied medical research, develop new techniques and devices for treatment and rehabilitation of patients with bone injuries and orthopaedic pathologies. The Center has developed and introduced into practice the method of transosseous osteosynthesis after Ilizarov, which presents a system of operative and non-operative techniques for management of fractures, bone defects without grafting, elimination of bone shortening and deformities, treatment of pseudoarthrosis, hand and foot pathology, pathology in major joints. The method is used in angiology, vertebrology, oncology and other fields of medicine. It is known in all regions of Russia, countries of CIS and in 88 countries of the world.

The scientists and surgeons of the Center defended 159 candidate theses and 37 doctor theses for medical degrees, published 3.5 thousand scientific articles, 16 books and 36 collective issues of scientific works, prepared 137 practical manuals on the Ilizarov techniques for surgeons. The faculty of advanced training instructs surgeons on the Ilizarov techniques. The dissertation board and post-graduate education faculty function on permanent base. A scientific and practical journal "Genij ortopedii" (Orthopaedic Genius) is dedicated to the memory of academician G.A. Ilizarov.

The Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center was nominated the laureate of the 2001 Russian Federation Government Quality Award for the quality of medical services and introduction of efficient methods for controlling the quality. Also in 2001 the Centre became the winner of the All-Russia competition "Russian organization of high social efficiency".

Since 2005, the official name of the Center is the State federal institution Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics.