Paul Salo

Principal Investigator
Clinician-Scientist
Orthopaedic Surgeon

Research/Clinical Expertise:

Adult spinal disorders:
Mechanisms of neurovascular interactions in wound healing: Our laboratory has made notable advances in understanding the significance of neurogenic factors in wound healing using animal models of joint injury. We have combined novel optical methods of blood flow assessment (laser speckle imaging) with immunohistochemistry, molecular biological techniques, mechanical testing and surgical interventions to gain an initial understanding of the aspects of musculoskeletal soft tissue healing that are promoted or regulated by neurogenic factors.

Vasomotor activity, capillary permeability and vascular remodeling are all strongly modulated by neuronal derived factors. The nervous system is uniquely structured to collect, integrate and respond to information about changes or perturbations in the internal and external environments. This gives an organism a powerful and rapidly responsive system to activate appropriate homeostatic mechanisms in a regionally selective manner. Our research program is therefore aimed at sorting out these complexities so that responses to injury might be optimized through interventions to improve tissue recovery and joint function.

We have also begun to study physiologic and mechanical adaptations of intact supporting ligaments using ACL-deficient knees as a clinically relevant model of early OA. In this model of chronic joint laxity and early osteoarthritis, structural and vascular adaptations in the MCL appear very similar to the process of scar formation after a direct injury to the MCL itself.

Current Position:

• Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary
• Attending Physician, Foothills Medical Centre

Academic History:

• Research Fellow, University of Toronto, 1989-1992
• Clinical Fellow, Toronto Hospital General Division, 1988-1989.
• FRCS(C), Royal college of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (1987)
• Orthopaedic Residency, University of Calgary (1983-1987)
• Internship, University of Toronto (1982-1983)
• MD, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, (1978-1982)
• BSc, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto (1974-1978)

Publications

• Publication List

Contact Information

Tel: 1.403.220.2159
Fax: 1.403.270.0617
E-mail:salo@ucalgary.ca

Office Location:

HMRB 436
The building is the north building attached to the Foothills Medical Centre.