Robert Douglas Fitch | Scholars@Duke

Robert Douglas Fitch
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

My research interest center around limb lengthening and external fixation. Much is known about the biology of distraction osteogenesis. However, little is known about the effects on the soft tissues with limb lengthening techniques. In a dog model, we are investigating the effects of limb lengthening on muscle function, analizing amount of muscle lengthened per segment of bone lengthening, contractility, and strength. We also hope to begin studies assessing the effects of non steroidal anti-inflammatories on the quality of bone regenerate formed with distraction osteogenesis.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedics, Orthopaedics 1995
Associate Professor in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Clinical Science Departments 2007

Contact Information

Box 2911 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
Lenox Baker Chldrn Hosp, Durham, NC 27710
fitch002@mc.duke.edu (919) 684-3104

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- M.D., Duke University 1976
Duke Appointment History
- Clinical Associate in the Department of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Clinical Science Departments 1994 - 2007
- Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, Orthopaedics, Orthopaedics 1994 - 1995
- Assistant Professor of Surgery, Surgery, Clinical Science Departments 1983 - 1994
- Associate in Orthopaedics in the Department of Surgery, Surgery, Clinical Science Departments 1982 - 1983
Expertise
Global Scholarship
- Expertise
  - United States of America (Country)
- Teaching
  - United States of America (Country)
Research
Selected Grants
- Nitroprusside in Children (NITPIC) awarded by National Institutes of Health 2004 - 2010
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Catanzano, AA, and Fitch, RD. "The Use of Distraction Osteogenesis and a Taylor Spatial Frame in the Treatment of a Tibial Shaft Nonunion and Deformity in a Pediatric Patient with Osteopetrosis: A Case Report." Jbjs Case Connector (November 28, 2018). Full Text
  - Apkon, SD, Alman, B, Birnkrant, DJ, Fitch, R, Lark, R, Mackenzie, W, Weidner, N, and Sussman, M. "Orthopedic and Surgical Management of the Patient With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy." Pediatrics 142, no. Suppl 2 (October 2018): S82-S89. Full Text
  - Mayer, SW, Hubbard, EW, Sun, D, Lark, RK, and Fitch, RD. "Gradual Deformity Correction in Blount Disease." Journal of pediatric orthopedics (December 23, 2016). Full Text
  - Tang, X, Jing, L, Richardson, WJ, Isaacs, RE, Fitch, RD, Brown, CR, Erickson, MM, Setton, LA, and Chen, J. "Identifying molecular phenotype of nucleus pulposus cells in human intervertebral disc with aging and degeneration." Journal of Orthopaedic Research : Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society 34, no. 8 (August 2016): 1316-1326. Full Text
  - Halawi, MJ, Lark, RK, and Fitch, RD. "Neuromuscular Scoliosis: Current Concepts." Orthopedics 38, no. 6 (June 2015): e452-e456. (Review) Full Text
  - Joyner, LCDRPW, Vap, AR, Orr, S, and Fitch, RD. "A Novel Technique for Correcting a Flexible Internal Rotation Deformity Following Talectomy." Techniques in Orthopaedics 30, no. 2 (June 2015): 117-119. Full Text
  - Joyner, LPW, Vap, AR, Orr, S, and Fitch, RD. "A novel technique for correcting a flexible internal rotation deformity following talectomy." Techniques in Orthopaedics 30, no. 2 (2015): 117-119. Full Text
  - Tang, X, Richardson, WJ, Fitch, RD, Brown, CR, Isaacs, RE, and Chen, J. "A new non-enzymatic method for isolating human intervertebral disc cells preserves the phenotype of nucleus pulposus cells." Cytotechnology 66, no. 6 (December 2014): 979-986. Full Text
  - Fitch, RD. "Ultrasound for screening and management of developmental dysplasia of the hip." North Carolina medical journal 75, no. 2 (March 2014): 142-145.
  - Lark, RK, Lewis, JS, Watters, TS, and Fitch, RD. "Radiographic outcomes of ring external fixation for malunion and nonunion." Journal of surgical orthopaedic advances 22, no. 4 (January 2013): 316-320. Full Text
  - Mayer, SW, Mayer, BK, Aldridge, JM, Urbaniak, JR, Fitch, RD, and Lark, RK. "Osteonecrosis of the femoral head in childhood malignancy." Journal of Children's Orthopaedics 7, no. 2 (2013): 111-116. Full Text
  - Jing, L, So, S, Lim, SW, Richardson, WJ, Fitch, RD, Setton, LA, and Chen, J. "Differential expression of galectin-1 and its interactions with cells and laminins in the intervertebral disc." J Orthop Res 30, no. 12 (December 2012): 1923-1931. Full Text Link to Item
  - Mayer, SW, Mayer, BK, Aldridge, JM, Urbaniak, JR, Fitch, RD, and Lark, RK. "Osteonecrosis of the femoral head in childhood malignancy." Journal of Children's Orthopaedics (2012): 1-6. Full Text
  - Sinclair, SM, Shamji, MF, Chen, J, Jing, L, Richardson, WJ, Brown, CR, Fitch, RD, and Setton, LA. "Attenuation of inflammatory events in human intervertebral disc cells with a tumor necrosis factor antagonist." Spine 36, no. 15 (July 2011): 1190-1196. Full Text
  - Gabr, MA, Jing, L, Helbling, AR, Sinclair, SM, Allen, KD, Shamji, MF, Richardson, WJ, Fitch, RD, Setton, LA, and Chen, J. "Interleukin-17 synergizes with IFNγ or TNFα to promote inflammatory mediator release and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in human intervertebral disc cells." J Orthop Res 29, no. 1 (January 2011): 1-7. Full Text Link to Item
  - Hollenbeck, ST, Woo, S, Ong, S, Fitch, RD, Erdmann, D, and Levin, LS. "The combined use of the Ilizarov method and microsurgical techniques for limb salvage." Annals of Plastic Surgery 62, no. 5 (May 2009): 486-491. Full Text
  - Chen, J, Jing, L, Gilchrist, CL, Richardson, WJ, Fitch, RD, and Setton, LA. "Expression of laminin isoforms, receptors, and binding proteins unique to nucleus pulposus cells of immature intervertebral disc." Connect Tissue Res 50, no. 5 (2009): 294-306. Link to Item
  - Wood, KE, Fitch, RD, Burton, DC, and Keiger, CJ. "Anterior scoliosis rod migration to the lower extremity." Spine Journal 9, no. 6 (2009): e9-e12. Full Text
  - Easley, ME, Montijo, HE, Wilson, JB, Fitch, RD, and Nunley, JA. "Revision tibiotalar arthrodesis." The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume 90, no. 6 (June 2008): 1212-1223. Full Text
  - Radkowski, CA, Fitch, RD, and Hardaker, WT. "Arthroscopic-assisted revision of telescopic rods in osteogenesis imperfecta." Arthroscopy 21, no. 1 (January 2005): 93-97. Full Text Link to Item
  - Kenter, K, Worley, G, Griffin, T, and Fitch, RD. "Pediatric traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation: five cases and a review." J Pediatr Orthop 21, no. 5 (September 2001): 585-589. (Review) Link to Item
  - Worley, G, Wiener, JS, George, TM, Fuchs, HE, Mackey, JF, Fitch, RD, and Oldham, KT. "Acute abdominal symptoms and signs in children and young adults with spina bifida: ten years' experience." J Pediatr Surg 36, no. 9 (September 2001): 1381-1386. Full Text Link to Item
  - Dean, GS, Kime, RC, Fitch, RD, Gunneson, E, and Urbaniak, JR. "Treatment of osteonecrosis in the hip of pediatric patients by free vascularized fibular graft." Clin Orthop Relat Res , no. 386 (May 2001): 106-113. Link to Item
  - Garberina, MJ, Fitch, RD, Hoffmann, ED, Hardaker, WT, Vail, TP, and Scully, SP. "Knee arthrodesis with circular external fixation." Clin Orthop Relat Res , no. 382 (January 2001): 168-178. Link to Item
  - Speer, MC, Nye, J, McLone, D, Worley, G, Melvin, EC, Viles, KD, Franklin, A, Drake, C, Mackey, J, and George, TM. "Possible interaction of genotypes at cystathionine beta-synthase and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in neural tube defects. NTD Collaborative Group." Clinical Genetics 56, no. 2 (August 1999): 142-144. Full Text
  - Ward, WT, Vogt, M, Grudziak, JS, Tumer, Y, Cook, PC, and Fitch, RD. "Severin classification system for evaluation of the results of operative treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip - A study of intraobserver and interobserver reliability." JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY-AMERICAN VOLUME 79A, no. 5 (May 1997): 656-663. Full Text Link to Item
  - Ward, WT, Vogt, M, Grudziak, JS, Tümer, Y, Cook, PC, and Fitch, RD. "Severin classification system for evaluation of the results of operative treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip. A study of intraobserver and interobserver reliability." J Bone Joint Surg Am 79, no. 5 (May 1997): 656-663. Link to Item
  - Murray, JH, and Fitch, RD. "Distraction Histiogenesis: Principles and Indications." J Am Acad Orthop Surg 4, no. 6 (November 1996): 317-327. Link to Item
  - Coogan, PG, Fox, JA, and Fitch, RD. "Treatment of adolescent Blount disease with the circular external fixation device and distraction osteogenesis." J Pediatr Orthop 16, no. 4 (July 1996): 450-454. Link to Item
  - Fitch, RD, Thompson, JG, Rizk, WS, Seaber, AV, and Garrett, WE. "The effects of the Ilizarov distraction technique on bone and muscle in a canine model: a preliminary report." Iowa Orthop J 16 (1996): 10-19. Link to Item
  - SAIES, AD, URBANIAK, JR, NUNLEY, JA, TARAS, JS, GOLDNER, RD, and FITCH, RD. "RESULTS AFTER REPLANTATION AND REVASCULARIZATION IN THE UPPER EXTREMITY IN CHILDREN." JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY-AMERICAN VOLUME 76A, no. 12 (December 1994): 1766-1776. Full Text Link to Item
  - Saies, AD, Urbaniak, JR, Nunley, JA, Taras, JS, Goldner, RD, and Fitch, RD. "Results after replantation and revascularization in the upper extremity in children." J Bone Joint Surg Am 76, no. 12 (December 1994): 1766-1776. Link to Item
  - Murrell, GA, and Fitch, RD. "Hip fusion in young adults. Using a medial displacement osteotomy and cobra plate." Clin Orthop Relat Res , no. 300 (March 1994): 147-154. Link to Item
  - Murrell, GA, Coonrad, RW, Moorman, CT, and Fitch, RD. "An assessment of the reliability of the Scoliometer." Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 18, no. 6 (May 1993): 709-712. Link to Item
  - Mallon, WJ, and Fitch, RD. "The medial approach to the hip revisited." Orthopedics 16, no. 1 (January 1993): 39-42. (Review) Link to Item
  - Hardaker, WT, Cook, WA, Friedman, AH, and Fitch, RD. "Bilateral transpedicular decompression and Harrington rod stabilization in the management of severe thoracolumbar burst fractures." Spine 17, no. 2 (February 1992): 162-171.
  - Goldner, JL, and Fitch, RD. "Growing pains." Orthopaedic Review 20, no. 10 (1991): 926-927.
  - Taras, JS, Nunley, JA, Urbaniak, JR, Goldner, RD, and Fitch, RD. "Replantation in children." Microsurgery 12, no. 3 (1991): 216-220. (Review) Link to Item
  - Fitch, RD, Turi, M, Bowman, BE, and Hardaker, WT. "Comparison of Cotrel-Dubousset and Harrington rod instrumentations in idiopathic scoliosis." J Pediatr Orthop 10, no. 1 (January 1990): 44-47. Link to Item
  - GOLDNER, RD, HOWSON, MP, NUNLEY, JA, FITCH, RD, BELDING, NR, and URBANIAK, JR. "111 THUMB AMPUTATIONS - REPLANTATION VS REVISION." MICROSURGERY 11, no. 3 (1990): 243-250. Full Text Link to Item
  - Goldner, RD, Howson, MP, Nunley, JA, Fitch, RD, Belding, NR, and Urbaniak, JR. "One hundred eleven thumb amputations: replantation vs revision." Microsurgery 11, no. 3 (1990): 243-250. Link to Item
  - Mabrey, JD, and Fitch, RD. "Plastic deformation in pediatric fractures: Mechanism and treatment." Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 9, no. 3 (1989): 310-314.
  - Speer, KP, and Fitch, RD. "Neisseria gonorrhoeae foot abscess. A case report." Clin Orthop Relat Res , no. 234 (September 1988): 209-210. Link to Item
  - GOLDNER, RD, FITCH, RD, NUNLEY, JA, AITKEN, MS, and URBANIAK, JR. "DEMOGRAPHICS AND REPLANTATION." JOURNAL OF HAND SURGERY-AMERICAN VOLUME 12A, no. 5 (September 1987): 961-965. Full Text Link to Item
  - Goldner, RD, Fitch, RD, Nunley, JA, Aitken, MS, and Urbaniak, JR. "Demographics and replantation." J Hand Surg Am 12, no. 5 Pt 2 (September 1987): 961-965. Link to Item
  - Goldner, RD, Fitch, RD, Nunley, JA, Aitken, MS, and Urbaniak, JR. "Demographics and replantation." Journal of Hand Surgery 12, no. 5 II (1987): 961-965.
  - Jense, HG, Glass, PSA, and Fitch, RD. "Continuous caudal block in an infant with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita." Regional Anesthesia 12, no. 1 (1987): 18-21.
  - Bolesta, MJ, and Fitch, RD. "Tibial tubercle avulsions." Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics 6, no. 2 (March 1986): 186-192.
  - Herring, JA, and Fitch, RD. "Lateral condylar fracture of the elbow." Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 6, no. 6 (1986): 724-727.
  - Trumble, T, and Fitch, RD. "Kawasaki disease - a cause of vasculitis in children." Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 6, no. 1 (1986): 92-95.
  - PIATT, JH, ERWIN, CW, RADTKE, RA, GILMER, PW, and FITCH, RD. "SCIATIC-NERVE POTENTIALS-EVOKED BY DORSAL EPIDURAL SPINAL-CORD STIMULATION - DO THEY REFLECT CORTICOSPINAL TRACT FUNCTIONS." ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY 61, no. 2 (1985): P19-P19. Link to Item
  - Fitch, RD, Urbaniak, JR, and Ruderman, RJ. "Conjoined flexor and extensor pollicis longus tendons in the hypoplastic thumb." J Hand Surg Am 9, no. 3 (May 1984): 417-419. Link to Item
  - ERWIN, CW, FITCH, RD, HARDAKER, WT, and RUDERMAN, RJ. "BIPOLAR AND EPIDURAL RESPONSES TO TIBIAL STIMULATION DURING SURGERY IN MAN." ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY 58, no. 2 (1984): P54-P55. Link to Item
  - FITCH, RD, URBANIAK, JR, and RUDERMAN, RJ. "CONJOINED FLEXOR AND EXTENSOR POLLICIS LONGUS TENDONS IN THE HYPOPLASTIC THUMB." JOURNAL OF HAND SURGERY-AMERICAN VOLUME 9A, no. 3 (1984): 417-419. Full Text Link to Item
Teaching & Mentoring
Recent Courses
- ORTHO 433C: Pediatric Orthopaedics 2018

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

Global Scholarship

Expertise

Teaching

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Recent Courses