About Dr Johnson

Dr Luke Johnson is a results-driven, energetic individual with a professional passion for Surgery & the Life Sciences, who enjoys Research, Patient Interaction, Clinical & Surgical Teaching, ongoing challenges & who is committed to the highest levels of performance & quality.

Credentials

BMBS, BSc, FRACS (Ortho), FAOrthA

Dr. Johnson completed his post-graduate Medical training at the Flinders University of South Australia, following completion of a Bachelor of Science at the same Institution. He then completed his Surgical Training in Orthopaedic Surgery in 2013 in South Australia and Northern Territory, obtaining his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the following year his Fellowship of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. Following this he undertook extensive specialist training in Sarcoma and Bone Tumour Surgery as well as Limb Salvage & Arthroplasty at the world renowned Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London. He was awarded the Marjorie Hooper Scholarship from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons for this training. Returning to Adelaide 2 years later, where he commenced the establishment of the SA Bone Tumour Unit. Since then he has worked tirelessly to improve services for South Australians and Northern Territorians who have a diagnosis of a musculo-skeletal tumour.

Experience

Dr. Luke Johnson is the Head of the South Australian Bone Tumour Unit, which he founded in 2015, and is based at The Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia. He has established a Multi-Disciplinary Team to deal with the complexities of Soft Tissue & Bone Tumours and is actively involved in research and teaching in regards to this area of Orthopaedic care. He has higher level clinical and surgical experience in Orthopaedic Oncology and complex joint and limb salvage surgery. He also has experience in the design of custom endoprosthetic implants & development of unique strategies for limb salvage and reconstruction.

His commitment to surgical teaching is recognised at a National level by being a Member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Academy of Surgical Educators. He works collaboratively with many other clinicians & clinician-scientists nationally and internationally to improve patient outcomes in the area of Bone Tumour and Sarcoma Surgery. He is also the 2018 American-British-Canadian Travelling Fellow in Orthopaedics for Australia, which is recognised as the most prestigious Travelling Fellowship among the English speaking Nations.

Academic & Community Achievements & Commitments

2018: American- British-Canadian (ABC) Travelling Fellow.

2018 – current: Director of Orthopaedic Training, Australian Orthopaedic Association, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network.

2017: Convener of the Australian Sarcoma Group Annual Scientific Congress, Adelaide, October 2017.

2016: South Australian Delegate to the Australian Orthopaedic Association Young Leaders Forum (Sydney).

2016 – current: Elected Board Member of the Asia-Pacific Musculo-Skeletal Tumour Society (APMSTS).

2016 – current: Member of the Orthopaedic Executive Commitee, Flinders Medical Centre.

2015 – current: Lecturer in Surgery, Flinders University.

2014: Rizzoli Prize for Musculoskeletal Pathology, 3rd IOR/MSKCC/HSS XXVII Course on Musculoskeletal Pathology, Instituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna.

2013: Recipient of the Margorie Hooper Scholarship in Surgery for 2014, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

2013: South Australian Delegate to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Younger Fellows Forum, Auckland, May 2013.

2013: Clinical Examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Primary Examinations in Surgery.

2013: Invitation of Membership to the Academy of Surgical Educators, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

2011: The McGregor Reid Professor of Paediatrics Fellow & Registrar Teaching Award, Adelaide University School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health.

2011: Professor Derek Frewin AO Citation for Excellence in Clinical Teaching, Adelaide University School of Medicine.

2010: Professor Derek Frewin AO Citation for Excellence in Clinical Teaching, Adelaide University School of Medicine.

2005 – 2009: Secretary, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Trainees Association, South Australia (RACSTA, SA).

2005: Co- Founder of the Krabi Hospital Fund, in conjunction with the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation, to supply medical & monetary aid to the Tsunami affected Province of Krabi, Southern Thailand.

2005: Finalist in the inaugural ‘Pride of Australia’ Medallion Awards for contributions following the Asian Tsunami Disaster.

2000: President, Flinders University Health & Human Rights Group.

Professional Affiliations

Fellow: Royal Australasian College Surgeons, from 2013 (Member since 2005).

Fellow: Australian Orthopaedic Association, from 2014 (Member since 2009).

Board Member of the Asia-Pacific Musculo-Skeletal Tumour Society (APMSTS), 2016-current.

Full Member of the International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS), 2017-current.

Member: Academy of Surgical Educators, RACS, 2013-current.

Member, Australian Medical Association, 2013-current.

International Affiliate Member: The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2012-current.

Member: Australian Sarcoma Study Group, 2015 – current.

Member: The British Orthopaedic Oncology Society, 2013 – current.

Member: Seddon Society, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK, 2014-current.

Life Member: American-British-Canadian Club, 2018.

Current Research

The following are the titles of all current research papers/projects that are underway and in various stages of completion:

Megaprosthetic Reconstruction in Familial Expansile Osteolysis – a case report.

The Use of Denosumab in the acute setting of fracture through Giant Cell Tumour of Bone – treatment rationale and early outcomes.

Apparent “Multifocal” Epithelioid Haemangio-Endothelioma of the Bones of the Leg were metastases from an occult primary arising in a more Proximal Popliteal Artery Aneurysm: a Case Report.

Recurrence of Osteosarcoma of the bone, 22 years after the primary diagnosis – a case report.

Patient outcomes following prophylactic orthopaedic interventions for impending fractures.

Disaster Preparedness amongst SET trainees – an Australian national survey.

Outcomes, Survivorship and endpoints for Megaprosthetic reconstruction in the Australian Population (Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry data).

Humeral Megaprosthetic reconstruction for malignancy in the Australian Population (Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry data).

Proximal Femoral Megaprosthetic reconstruction for malignancy in the Australian Population (Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry data).

Distal Femoral Megaprosthetic reconstruction for malignancy in the Australian Population (Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry data).

Proximal Tibial Megaprosthetic reconstruction for malignancy in the Australian Population (Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry data).

The Megaprosthetic Knee Replacement – outcomes of combined Distal Femoral and Proximal Tibial replacements in the Australian population (Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry data).

Patterns of Fractured Neck of Femur – are there predictable fracture patterns in those who suffer bilateral fractures?

Distal Femoral replacement vs. Open Reduction Internal Fixation of periprosthetic femoral fractures in the elderly knee replacement – an economic study focused on patient outcomes.

Long Term Outcomes of patients undergoing resection of Humeral Tumours: a comparison of Limb Salvage to Amputation.

Long Term outcomes of sacrectomy in patients with malignant disease of the sacrum.

Journal Reviewer

2018 ongoing: British Bone & Joint Journal, Bone & Joint Publishing.

2015 ongoing: Trauma Case Reports, Elsevier Publishing.

2011 ongoing: Injury, Elsevier Publishing.

2009 ongoing: International Journal of Computer Assissted Radiology & Surgery (IJCARS), Springer Publishing.

Publications: Original Papers

Johnson LJ, Clayer M. Aqueous calcium sulphate as bone graft for voids following open curettage of bone tumours. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Surgery (ANZ J Surg). August 2013.

Johnson L, Keogh A, Bain G. Endoscopic Techniques of the Elbow and surrounding Soft Tissue Spaces. Newsletter of the European Shoulder and Elbow Society. June 2011.

Gruen R, Tavender E, Moola S, Johnson LJ, Low S, Sola I, Pardo J. Cochrane Review: Interventions for reducing wrong site surgery and invasive procedures. The Cochrane Library, 2009, Registered Title.

Bain GI, Johnson LJ, Turner P. Treatment of partial distal biceps tendon tears. Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy Review, 2008, Vol.16(3); 154-161.

Johnson LJ, Cope MR, Shahrokhi S, Tamblyn P. Measuring Tip-Apex Distance using a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Injury, Int. J. Care Injured. (2008) 39, 786-790.

Travis AR, Johnson LJ, Milroy CM. Homicide-Suicide (Dyadic Death), Homicide and Firearms Use in England and Wales. American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology, Volume 28, No. 4, December 2007.

Campbell D, Johnson LJ, West S. Multi-Parameter Quantitative Computer-Assisted Tomography Assessment of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasties. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Surgery (ANZ J Surg). 2006, 76: 782-787.

Johnson LJ, Travis AR. Trimodal Death & the injuries of Survivors in Krabi Province, Southern Thailand, post Tsunami. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Surgery (ANZ J Surg). 2006, 76: 288-289.

Johnson LJ, Travis AR. Trauma Response to the Asian Tsunami – Krabi Hospital, Southern Thailand. Emergency Medicine Australasia (EMA), 2006 (Apr); 18; pp 196-198.

Johnson LJ, Travis AR. In The Wake: Tsunami Pathology – Then and Now, Krabi Province, Southern Thailand. International Journal of Disaster Medicine (IJDM). 2005; 1-4: 61-65.

Publications: Books & Book Chapters

Bain GI, Johnson L, Watts AC. Endoscopic Distal Biceps Repair. Chapter 14 in: AANA Advanced Arthroscopy: The elbow and wrist. Editors Larry D. Field LD & Savoie FH, USA. Saunders-Elsevier; 2010: 116-123

ISBN 978-1-4377-07505-2.

Johnson LJ, Travis AR (photography). Nourishment: An omnivore’s guide to gourmet delights. Axiom Publishing, 2008.

ISBN: 9781864765533.

Winner: 2009 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards: “Best First Cookbook” for Australia.

Selected works Presented at Meetings

Scientific Presentations – National/International.

May – July 2018, Invited speaker across various Institutions across USA & Canada, Including the Canadian Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Congress, UCLA, UC Denver, UNM, UCSF, UCSD, & The Core Intitute

Joint Sparing Strategies in Limb Salvage Surgery
Non-Invasive Growing Endoprostheses in the Skeletally Immature: Evolution & Pearls & Pitfalls of Use.
Food & Fermentation in Medicine Through History

American-British Canadian Travelling Fellowship, 2018

October 16^th 2016: Apparent “Multifocal” Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma of the Bones of the right leg were metastases from an occult Primary arising in a more Proximal Popliteal Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report. Australian Sarcoma Group Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, Australia.

October 17^th 2015: Non-Invasive, Growing, Custom Endoprostheses in Limb Salvage Surgery for the Skeletally Immature using the Stanmore JTS. Australian Sarcoma Group Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, Australia.

May 29^th 2015: Long Term Outcomes of patients undergoing resection of Humeral Tumours: a comparison of Limb Salvage to Amputation. 16^th European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) Congress, Prague, Czech Republic. (presented by Dr. Adhar Sharma on behalf of co-authors).

May 22^nd 2014:

Improved Long-Term Survival with pre-operative chemotherapy for High Grade Sarcoma (Podium Presentation)
En-Bloc Excision, Extra-corporeal Irradiation & Re-implantation in Limb Salvage Surgery for Bone Sarcoma (Poster Presentation)

27^th Annual Meeting of the European Musculo-Skeletal Oncology Society (EMSOS), May 21-23, 2014, Vienna, Austria.

May 9^th 2014:

Improved Long-Term Survival with pre-operative chemotherapy for High Grade Sarcoma (Podium Presentation)
En-Bloc Excision, Extra-corporeal Irradiation & Re-implantation in Limb Salvage Surgery for Bone Sarcoma (Podium Presentation)
Aqueous calcium Sulphate bone graft material in the treatment of bone defects following open management of Bone Tumours. (Podium Presentation)

25^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Orthopaedic Oncology Society (BOOS), Birmingham, United Kingdom.

September 9^th 2006: In The Wake: Tsunami Pathology – Then and Now, Krabi Province, Southern Thailand. Member, International Faculty of Disaster Medicine, 7^th European Congress of Trauma & Emergency Surgery, Malmö, Sweden.

October 14^th 2005: Does the Trimodal Model of Death Distribution after the Asian Tsunami help Explain the Injuries of Survivors in Krabi Province, Thailand? 65^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, Perth, Western Australia.

September 13^th Homicide-Suicide (Dyadic Death) in England. National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Annual Scientific Meeting, Nashville, USA (presented by Prof. C. M. Milroy on behalf of primary co-authors, A.R. Travis & L.J. Johnson).

Scientific Presentations – Local/Regional.

August 12^th 2016:

Apparent “Multifocal” Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma of the Bones of the right leg were metastases from an occult Primary arising in a more Proximal Popliteal Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report.
A Novel Approach to the Treatment of Familial Expansile Osteolysis – the Early Results.
Size Does Matter – Non-Invasive Growing Endoprostheses in the Skeletally Immature.

AOA SA/NT Branch Annual Scientific Meeting, Barossa Valley, South Australia.

October 17^th 2015: Non-Invasive, Growing, Custom Endoprostheses in Limb Salvage Surgery for the Skeletally Immature using the Stanmore JTS. Australian Sarcoma Group Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, Australia.

April 8^th 2011: Aqueous calcium Sulphate as a stand-alone bone graft material in the treatment of bone defects following open curettage of benign and low-grade malignant bone lesions. AOA SA, Branch Meeting, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide.

March 28^th 2008: Treatment of Partial Distal Biceps Tendon Tears. Australian Orthopaedic Association South Australia, Branch Meeting, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide.

November 9^th 2007: Measuring Tip-Apex Distance using a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). AOA SA, Branch Scientific Meeting, Modbury Hospital, Adelaide.

November 11^th 2005:

Trauma Response to the Asian Tsunami, Krabi Province, Southern Thailand.
Does the Trimodal Model of Death Distribution After the Asian Tsunami help Explain the Injuries of Survivors in Krabi Province, Thailand?

AOA SA, Branch Scientific Meeting, Modbury Hospital, Adelaide.

August 6^th 2005: Trauma Response to the Asian Tsunami, Krabi Province, Southern Thailand. RACS SA & NT Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide.

July 27^th 2005: Trauma Response to the Asian Tsunami, Krabi Province, Southern Thailand. Guest Speaker, 2005 Annual Meeting of AUNS (Australian Urological Nurses Society).

March 19^th 2005: The Asian Tsunami: The Event & Experiences from Krabi Province, Southern Thailand. Mount Gambier Hospital, Grand Round Forum.

February 2^nd 2005: The Asian Tsunami: A Personal Experience from Krabi Province, Southern Thailand. Flinders Medical Centre, Grand Round Forum.

Current Appointments

Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia

Noarlunga Health Service

Women’s & Children’s Hospital, South Australia

Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia

Flinders Private Hospital, South Australia

Stirling Private Hospital, South Australia

Kingscote Hospital, Kangaroo Island

Our Approach to Care

Dr Johnson is committed to the highest levels of performance & quality, and ensuring the best possible support for you, whatever your condition or clinical issue. Care is delivered using a best practice model & multidisciplinary support, with the patient being placed at the centre of all planning.