A major international conference in Dublin has heard how pioneering upper limb surgery in Ireland is changing the lives of people with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and stroke.
Around 40 complex surgeries on children and adults are being performed each year and surgeons say there is capacity for more to be done. They are raising awareness about new medical and surgical techniques, led by Irish doctors.
The work is done by a multidisciplinary team at the Central Remedial Clinic and the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Cappagh.
At the International Symposium for Surgery of the Spastic Upper Limb, 33-year-old James Kelly explained that he was born with congenital heart disease and also had a stroke. He underwent complex surgery in 2024 to straighten his fingers and thumbs and can now play the bodhrán.
The musician played at the conference today for the international guests.
He said that when he was born, the weaker side of his heart valve was going to the stronger side of his heart.
At 11 months old, he had surgery on his heart and suffered a stroke afterwards, resulting in him having no use of his right hand and little use of his right leg.
He underwent complex surgery in 2024 on his fingers and thumbs and said it has made a big difference with everyday life better now.
Gráinne Colgan, Hand and Spasticity Surgeon, National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh and CRC, said that the complexity of the work involves a lot of clinical intervention and expertise.
The operations may at times take eight hours.
Ms Colgan trained in the techniques in Paris and said that the surgeries can result in immeasurable change for patients.
The aim is to improve function, it may also be an aesthetic surgery for social appearance, or for care and comfort.
"It is often about restoring a patient's dignity and their abilities," she said.
Over 280 people from 33 countries are attending the Trinity College Dublin (TCD) conference which is the largest of its kind to hear of the expertise in Ireland.
This year's conference is dedicated to the writer and painter, Christy Brown, who had cerebral palsy and whose family were in attendance..
Ciarán DeBrún, nephew of Christy Brown, said Christy would have been proud to have seen the conference held in his honour in his hometown of Dublin.
He said the family were excited to see how much progress has been made in treating people with disabilities.
