1995 INDUCTEE Robert Salter, MD Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints, Global Health, Patient Care, Health and Medical Education & Training, Skin, Bones, Muscles & Joints

Robert Salter inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Pictured L-R: Inductees Charles Leblond MD, Herbert Jasper MD PhD, Michael Smith PhD, Henry Barnett MD, Robert Salter MD at ceremony in London, Ontario

Salter retired from surgery at SickKids

He continued to research, write and see patients as orthopedic surgeon emeritus as well as senior scientist emeritus at the Research Institute for The Hospital for Sick Children.

Witnessing severe pain and long recoveries after immobilization, Dr. Robert Salter became an advocate for his innovative concept of “Continuous Passive Motion” in post-operative recovery

He demonstrated that continuous motion after surgery facilitated the proper healing of joints. This technique also proved to significantly reduce the likelihood of patients developing osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that commonly occurs after physical trauma due to surgery.

Salter authored the key textbook in the field of orthopaedic surgery, Disorders and Injuries of the Musculoskeletal System

The text is now considered a classic in the field of orthopaedics and medical education.

Dr. Robert Salter pioneered the innominate osteotomy, a corrective surgical procedure for the treatment of hip dysplasia in children and young adults

This corrective surgery became known as the “Salter Operation.”

Salter returned to Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children where he came under the influence of pediatric cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. William Mustard.

Two years later, he was appointed Chief of Orthopedic Surgery. In 1966, Salter rose to the position of Surgeon-in-Chief.

Salter graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto

He then spent the Following two years at the Grenfell Medical Mission in Newfoundland and Labrador.