Lasse Rämö

MD, PhD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Senior researcher

Who are you?

I am a senior consultant in orthopedics and traumatology working in the pelvic and lower extremity unit of Helsinki University Hospital. Besides that, I am a husband and a father of 12 lovely kids.

What is your role in FICEBO?

I am a PI of the FISH trial.

Favorite part of your job?

In the clinical work, the favorite part of my job is the to see patients sometimes with more and sometimes with less severe injuries to be able to walk or run again and return to previous activities or work. In scientific work my favorite part is the collaboration with amazingly talented colleagues and learning from them.

Why did you decide to enter your field?

While I was in upper secondary school, I was seduced to orthopaedic surgery by an experienced surgeon who brought me with him a few times to Töölö hospital when he was on duty and I got to assist him in several operations. After that I decided I will endeavor to be a doctor.

Who/What inspires you?

I am inspired by wonders of the nature especially when I’m hiking with my kids.

The most interesting article you’ve read this year?

I really enjoyed the recent NEJM article on appendicitis (CODA Collaborative. A Randomized Trial Comparing Antibiotics with Appendectomy for Appendicitis. N Engl J Med. 2020 Oct 5). This is an example of beautifully designed surgical RCT, where they have engaged the patients/stakeholders already in the planning phase of the trial. I feel this is where we should be heading whenever planning a trial concerning patients. We need to ask our patients what they feel are the most important outcomes of the condition at hand. Ultimately, we are doing this for them rather than having pleasure when looking at nice x-rays of a surgically treated fracture with beautiful implants sitting on top of the bone.