Rajiv Gandhi
MD, MS, FRCSC(C)
Dr. Rajiv Gandhi obtained his MD degree and completed his residency training in Orthopedic Surgery from McMaster University. He then completed a fellowship in Adult hip and knee reconstruction at the University of Toronto. Rajiv next completed his Masters of Science degree in Clinical Epidemiology at the prestigious Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Gandhi’s clinical practice focuses on hip and knee replacement surgery, both primary and revision, and also on the treatment of hip diseases in the young adult. He performs hip arthroscopy for young athletes with sports injuries.
Dr. Gandhi’s has published research in many leading orthopedic journals and presented papers on an international forum. He is working as part of a team that has established a recognized Osteoarthritis tissue Biobank to explore the genomics, proteomics and to develop novel therapeutics in the treatment of Osteoarthritis. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and also the Canadian Orthopedic Association.
Research Synopsis
I study the pathobiology of Osteoarthritis (OA) and OA pain. I am interested in identifying novel therapeutic targets; studying the particular differences in disease across gender and ethnicity. Further, we are investigating the role of Mesenchymal stem cells in OA; particularly their paracrine and anti-inflammatory effects within the synovial joint. My expertise includes proteomics, genomics, molecular biology, and epidemiology.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is recognized to be multifactorial and complex, such that OA cannot solely be accounted for by a single phenotype. While local joint factors play a prominent role in pathogenesis and symptoms, systemic factors as well are implicated.
The identification of ‘systemic-based’ phenotypes is my particular interest, particularly inflammation. In this regard, our work has focused on characterizing individuals based on clinical and biological factors (serum and synovial inflammatory/ immune markers) comparing those who report greater multiple symptomatic joints versus those with fewer to none, and characterizing differences in systemic/local factors between women and men and between racial groups as they relate to pain.
By identifying unique subgroups within OA, the goal is to inform the development of more effective subgroup-specific treatments/interventions. In addition, findings are intended to improve the design of future trials with respect to the selection of appropriate subjects and interventions.
Recent Publications
Selected List of Recent Publications:
Gandhi R, Kapoor M, Mahomed NN, Perruccio AV. A Comparison of obesity related adipokine concentrations in knee and shoulder osteoarthritis patients. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2015 ; 9: 420-423.
Gandhi R, Weston A, Virtanen C, Takahashi M, Mahomed N, Perruccio A. Gene expression profiles of the subcutaneous fat and infrapatellar fatpad in individuals with early and endstage knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional analysis. Journal of Arthritis Special Issue “Arthritis & Pain” (2015)
Perruccio AV, Mahomed NN, Chandran V, Gandhi R. Multiple Symptomatic Joint Involvement and Plasma Levels of Adipokines in Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Rheumatology 2014; 41(2):334-7
Gandhi R, Perruccio AV, Rizek R, Dessouki O, Evans HMK, Mahomed NN. Obesity related adipokines predict patient reported shoulder pain. Obesity Facts 2013; 6:536–541.
Gandhi R, Takahashi M, Rizek R, Dessouki O, Mahomed NN. Obesity related adipokines and Shoulder Osteoarthritis. Journal of Rheumatology 2012 Oct; 39(10):2046-8.
Gandhi R, Takahashi M, Virtanen C, Syed KA, Davey JR, Mahomed NN. Microarray analysis of the Infrapatellar fat pad in Knee OA: Implications for the relationship to Joint Inflammation. Journal of Rheumatology 2011; 38(9): 1966-1972.
Dessouki O, Mahomed NN, Gandhi R. Metabolic Abnormality and the pro-inflammatory state following hip joint surgery. International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology 2011; 6(3): 347-358.
Gandhi R, Takahashi M, Smith H, Rizek R, Mahomed NN. The Synovial Fluid adiponectin-leptin ratio predicts pain with knee osteoarthritis. Clinical Rheumatology 2010; 29(11): 1223 – 1228.
Gandhi R, Takahashi M, Syed K, Davey JR, Mahomed NN. The relationship between body habitus and leptin in a knee osteoarthritis population. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 2010; 28(3):329-33.