Ms Sara Dorman

Sara Dorman is a consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeon with specialist expertise in neuromuscular conditions, upper limb surgery and spasticity management. Since 2022, she has worked at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Rotherham Foundation Trust, with a clinical focus on cerebral palsy, upper limb reconstruction, brachial plexus sequalae, and peripheral nerve surgery. Her current practice also includes the management of spasticity in adults, including those with stroke. She also undertakes overseas humanitarian work and teaching in Cambodia, clinical private practice in Sheffield and works as an associate with Phoenix Rehabilitation. Miss Dorman completed her basic surgical training in emergency medicine, obstetrics, and trauma and orthopaedics in 2012. She then worked as a Senior House Officer in Trauma and Orthopaedics at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, in spinal surgery at The Walton Centre, and in paediatric orthopaedics at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital between 2012 and 2014. She undertook specialty registrar training in the Mersey Deanery from 2014 to 2019, gaining experience across a broad range of orthopaedic subspecialties, including paediatric orthopaedics, lower limb arthroplasty, shoulder and elbow surgery, foot and ankle surgery, spinal surgery, hand surgery, trauma and limb reconstruction, and soft tissue knee surgery. More than two years of this training were spent in specialist paediatric tertiary centres. Following this, Miss Dorman completed fellowships at the Children’s Surgical Centre in Cambodia, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney and a visiting fellowship in Institute de la main, Paris, before returning to the UK to take up a substantive consultant position.

Specialist interests include upper limb reconstruction, including the management of congenital upper limb differences, comprehensive spasticity management, and the treatment of complications after brachial plexus injuries, as well as peripheral nerve problems. Ms Dorman also has a transitional and adult practice for complex upper limb neuromuscular conditions including those with cerebral palsy, stroke, and spasticity. Additional expertise includes the management of trauma and post-traumatic complications, alongside a broad practice in general paediatric orthopaedics.

Sara is actively involved in leading innovative research, with a particular focus on upper limb function and outcomes in children. She is Principal Investigator for multiple projects, including the development of novel outcome measures for paediatric upper limb spasticity and cerebral palsy, and the advancement of 3D motion analysis to better understand upper limb function. She also leads international research aimed at improving orthopaedic care in low-resource settings. Her academic work is complemented by ongoing involvement in quality improvement, audit, and international collaboration, reflecting a commitment to advancing evidence-based practice and improving patient care globally.

Sara Dorman holds several senior teaching and leadership roles, reflecting her recognised expertise in upper limb and paediatric orthopaedics. She is Upper Limb Lead for the Sheffield Advanced Paediatric Course and faculty for the Advanced Masterclass in Upper Limb Spasticity in Budapest. She contributes internationally through the AO Alliance for Africa, focusing on the management of paediatric musculoskeletal infection, and is regularly invited to lecture at international conferences. She also undertakes twice-yearly humanitarian teaching visits to Cambodia, supporting training in a local children’s hospital as part of a joint collaboration between BSSH and BFIRST. She plays a key role in surgical training as Paediatric Sector Tutor and Academic Supervisor for the South Yorkshire Trauma & Orthopaedic Deanery, and as Departmental Teaching Lead at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. In addition, she is an instructor on the FRCS Chesterfield Course and serves as Clinical Lead for the ISTP programme with the Royal College of Surgeons, supporting international surgical training in South Yorkshire. These roles, alongside previous appointments, reflect her strong commitment to education, mentorship, and maintaining the highest standards in orthopaedic care.

Sara Dorman has an extensive research portfolio, with publications in leading peer-reviewed journals including Bone & Joint Journal, Trials, and the Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics. Her work spans paediatric orthopaedics, upper limb surgery, limb reconstruction, and global health. She has contributed to major multicentre randomised controlled trials and national collaborative studies published in The Lancet, including the landmark SCIENCE trial evaluating surgical versus non-surgical treatment in paediatric elbow fractures. In addition to her published work, she has delivered numerous podium and invited presentations at national and international conferences. Further peer-reviewed publications and presentations are available on request.

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Dr Dorman occupies several senior leadership and strategic positions that underscore her influence in orthopaedic surgery nationally and internationally. She chairs the Global Partnership Committee of the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) and also serves on the equivalent committee for the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH), helping to shape global collaborations and surgical standards. As Clinical Lead for the International Surgical Training Programme (Trauma & Orthopaedics, South Yorkshire), she oversees the integration and training of overseas surgeons within the UK system. Dr Dorman contributes to service development and workforce planning as a member of the BMA Local Negotiating Committee and has recently joined a Trust Clinical Leadership Programme. Her leadership potential was formally recognised when she was selected as a Lady Estelle Wolfson Emerging Leader. Earlier senior fellowships at Westmead Children’s Hospital and Sheffield Children’s Hospital saw her assume key responsibilities for rota management, education, and departmental organisation. Collectively, these roles highlight Dr Dorman’s standing as a leading figure committed to advancing orthopaedic care, training, and global collaboration.

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