DR CHRISTOPHER PULLEN
BSc(Hons), MBBS, MPH, FRACS, FAorthoA.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Current Positions:
St Vincent’s East Melbourne Hospital (2003 – Present)
(formerly Mercy Private)
Royal Melbourne Hospital (2000 – Present)
Ringwood Private Hospital (2022 – Present)
Specialises in:
Shoulder surgery | Elbow surgery | Trauma Surgery
Over 25 years of surgical experience.
Dr. Christopher Pullen – Orthopaedic Surgeon
I established my practice in East Melbourne and Blackburn over 20 years ago. Prior to this I trained as an orthopaedic surgeon in Australia and as an upper limb surgeon in Italy, Germany and England. Since then, I have been specialising in helping patients overcome orthopaedic problems with their shoulders and elbows. These problems include rotator cuff injuries, fractures, instability and arthritis. The majority of surgeries can be performed with the arthroscope (keyhole) minimising scarring, surgical time and inpatient stay.
By ensuring that I use the best techniques, most modern equipment, and stay current with the latest international surgical practices, I aim to provide patients with optimal outcomes and a prompt return to activities.
EDUCATION & FELLOWSHIPS
EDUCATION
Master of Public Health – University of Queensland 2013.
Bachelor of Science (Hons) – Monash University 1984.
M.B. B.S. – Monash University 1988.
Early management of severe trauma – Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 1993.
Full Member Shoulder And Elbow Society Of Australia.
FELLOWSHIPS
Fellow Australian Orthopaedic Association.
Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Upper Limb Fellow – 2001
Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, United Kingdom.
Prof. J. K. Stanley, Messrs. I. Trail, J. Stilwell, J. Haines
Shoulder Fellow – 2000
Instituto Clinic Humanities, Milan Italy.
Prof. M. Randelli, Drs. R. Minola & A. Castagna
Hand Surgery Fellow – 2001
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Messrs. M. Craigen, G. Tittley, P. Mulligan
Trauma Fellow – 2000
St. Vinzenz Krankenhaus, Koeln, Germany.
Prof. D. Penign
Ilizarov Fellow – 2000
Ospedale ‘Alessandro Manzoni’, Lecco, Italy.
Prof. M. A. Catagni
CURRENT APPOINTMENTS
Dr Christopher Pullen has current public and private hospital appointments with:
Private Hospital Appointments
Orthopaedic Surgeon – St Vincent’s Private Hospital, East Melbourne.
Orthopaedic Surgeon – Ringwood Private Hospital
Public Hospital Appointment
Orthopaedic Surgeon – Royal Melbourne Hospital
PAST APPOINTMENTS
Dr Christopher Pullen has held the following appointments in the past:
Orthopaedic Surgeon – Private
Bellbird Private Hospital 2001 – 2022
Orthopaedic Surgeon – Public
Box Hill Hospital 2000-2005
Northern Hospital 2000
Clinical Tutor
University of Melbourne 2003-2007
Orthopaedic Registrar
Royal Melbourne Hospital – 1999.
Royal Children’s Hospital August – 1998.
Box Hill Hospital February – 1998.
Alfred Hospital August – 1997.
Ballarat Base Hospital February – 1997.
Dandenong Hospital – 1996.
St. Vincent’s Hospital – 1995.
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Manzotti A, Cerveri P, De Momi E, Pullen C, Confalonieri N. Does computer-assisted surgery benefit leg length restoration in total hip replacement? Navigation versus conventional freehand.Int Orthop. 2009 Nov 11
Manzotti A, Cerveri P, De Momi E, Pullen C, Confalonieri N, Relationship between cutting errors and learning curve in computer assisted total knee replacement. Intl. Ortho. 2009 Jun 10
Evidence Based Medicine and the Rotator Cuff
Pullen C
Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Royal Australasian College of Physicians 2009
Rotator Cuff Disease
Pullen C
The Skeleton Exposed RACGP CPD
Bellbird Private Hospital 2009
Confalonieri N, Manzotti A, Montironi F, Pullen C Leg length discrepancy, dislocation rate, and offset in total hip replacement using a short modular stem: navigation vs. conventional freehand. Orthopedics. 2008 Oct; 31(10 Suppl 1).
Confalonieri N, Manzotti A, Montironi F, Pullen C. Tissue sparing surgery in knee reconstruction: unicompartmental (UKA), patellofemoral (PFA), UKA + PFA, bi-unicompartmental (Bi-UKA) arthroplasties. J Orthop Traumatol. 2008 Sep; 9(3):171-7.
Current Surgical Management of Rotator Cuff Disease
Pullen C
Australian Osteopath Association
Victoria University Melbourne 2008
Manzotti A, Confalonieri N., Pullen C. Intra-operative tibial fracture during computer-assisted total knee replacement: a case report. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2008; 22
Manzotti A, Pullen C, Confalonieri N. Computer-assisted alignment system for tibial component placement in total knee replacement: a radiological study. Chir Organi Mov. 2008; 91: 7-11.
Confalonieri N, Manzotti A, Pullen C, Ragone V. Mini-incision versus mini-incision and computer-assisted surgery in total knee replacement: A radiological prospective randomized study. Knee. 2007; 14: 443-7
Confalonieri N, Manzotti A, Pullen C. Navigated Shorter Incision or Smaller Implant in Knee Arthritis? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2007; 463: 63-7
Manzotti A, Confalonieri N., Pullen C. Unicompartmental versus computer-assisted total knee replacement for medial compartment knee arthritis: a matched paired study. Int Orthop. 2007; 31: 315-9
Manzotti A, Confalonieri N., Pullen C. Intertrochanteric fracture of an arthrodesed hip. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2007; 89: 390-2.
Ma F.Y., Pullen C. A Symptomatic Coracoclavicular Joint Successfully Treated by Surgical Excision. J. Should Elbow Surg. 2006; 15: 1-4
Manzotti A, Confalonieri N, Pullen C. Grafting of tibial bone defects in knee replacement using Norian skeletal repair system. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2006 Mar 7.
Confalonieri N, Manzotti A, Pullen C, Ragone V. Computer-assisted technique versus intramedullary and extramedullary alignment systems in total knee replacement: a radiological comparison. Acta Orthop Belg. 2005 Dec; 71(6): 703-9.
A Symptomatic Coracoclavicular Joint Successfully Treated by Surgical Excision
Pullen C., Ma F.
SESA Yarra Valley, 2004
Confalonieri N., Manzotti A., Pullen C. Is Closed Drain Necessary in Unicompartmental Knee Replacement? Knee. 2004; 11: 399-402
Confalonieri N., Manzotti A., Pullen C. Comparison of a Mobile with a fixed Tibial Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Prosthesis. Knee. 2004; 11: 357-62
Pullen C., Manzotti A., Catagni M.A., Guerreschi F. Treatment of Post-Traumatic Humeral Diaphyseal Nonunion with Bone Loss. J. Should. Elbow. Surg. 2003; 12: 436-441
Manzotti A., Rovetta L., Pullen C., Catagni M.A. Treatment of the Late Sequelae of Septic Arthritis of the Hip. Clin. Orthop. 2003; 410: 203-212
Manzotti A., Pullen C., Guerreschi F., Catagni M.A. Knee Arthrodesis and Limb Lengthening in the Treatment of Infected Total Knee. J. Trauma. 2001; 52: 359-363
Silastic Replacement of the Trapezium Stabilised by Extensor Indicis Transfer Reconstruction
Takwale V, Nicholson R, Pullen C, Stilwell JH
BSSH London, 2001
Manzotti A., Pullen C., Deromedis B., Catagni M.A. Knee Arthrodesis After Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty Using The Ilizarov Method. Clin Orthop. 2001; 389: 143-149
Manzotti A., Pullen C., Guerreschi F., Catagni M.A. The Ilizarov Method for failed knee arthrodesis following septic TKR. Knee. 2001; 8(2): 135-138
Post-traumatic humeral diaphyseal nonunion with bone loss: Treatment Using The Ilizarov Method
Pullen C, Manzotti A, Catagni M.A and Guerreschi F
A.S.A.M.I. Rome, 2001
The Boomerang Buttress Plate for Tibial Plateau Fractures.
S. Doig, C. Pullen, V. Pliatsios and S. Holland
A.O.R.A. Annual Scientific Meeting 1998 & A.O.A. Annual Scientific Meeting. 1999
Pullen C., Cass A.J., Bilateral Primary Lymphoma of the Breast. Aust. N.Z.J. Surg. 1996; 66: 845 – 847
Pullen C., Richardson M., McCullough K., Jarvis R. Injuries to the Ulnar Carpometacarpal Region Aust N.Z.J. Surg. 1995; 65: 257 – 262
COURSES CONFERENCES & MEETINGS
SESA Biennial Meeting – Australia 2004, 2006.
AOA Annual Scientific Meeting – Australia 1995, 2002 & 2004.
Wrightington Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Workshop – UK 2001.
Fourth Wrightington International Wrist Meeting – UK 2001.
The Elbow: An Unforgiving Joint – USA 2001.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand Specialty Day – USA 2001.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Meeting – USA 2001.
Complex Trauma Symposium – Italy 2000.
AORA Annual Scientific Meeting– Australia 1997 & 98.
AO Basic Trauma Course – Australia 1996.