Advancing Knowledge in Shoulder Care

Dr Raj Narulla’s research spans surgical techniques, shoulder microbiology, joint infections, and orthopaedic trauma.

Here you’ll find his published studies, conference presentations, and collaborations that continue to shape modern shoulder surgery and improve the care patients receive.

Dr Raj Narulla, orthopaedic surgeon and UNSW Conjoint Lecturer

Research

Publications

Narulla, R., Ting, R., Sima, S., Diwan, A., & Smith, G. (2025). Shoulder surgery preparation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JSES Reviews, Reports and Techniques.

Narulla, R., Diwan, A., & Smith, G. (2025). The gut musculoskeletal axis. Journal of Orthopaedic Reports.

Qurashi, S., Ashaia, W., Maier, J., Ridley, W., Chao, T., & Narulla, R. (2025). 8-11 year results of LARS augmented hamstring in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: incidence of synovitis and failures. Journal of Orthopaedics, 66, 252-256.

Murphy, G., Narulla, R., Gray, A., & Birke, O. (2025). Identical twins with Blount’s disease: 10-year follow-up. Journal of Orthopaedic Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jorep.2024.100412

Narulla, R., Chen, X., Diwan, A., & Smith, G. (2024). The shoulder microbiome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JSES Reviews, 4(4), 684–693.

Sial, A., Sima, S., Narulla, R., & Diwan, A. (2024). Is neck pain a marker for something serious? Like myelopathy. Spinal Cord, 62(12), 718–720.

Sial, A., Sima, S., Koremans, F., & Narulla, R. (2024). Establishing a comprehensive care paradigm: Insights from a specialised combined scoliosis clinic in Australia. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2024.110846

Narulla, R., Song, M., Karunaratne, S., Smithers, C., & Petchell, J. (2023). Trends in shoulder surgery patient reported outcome measures. JSES International, 7(4), 653–661.

Narulla, R., & Loefler, A. (2023). Acute exertional compartment syndrome of the paraspinal musculature. Sports Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 39(2), 171–176.

Chen, X., Lu, S., Chopra, N., Cui, P., Zhang, S., Narulla, R., & Diwan, A. (2023). The association between low-virulence organisms in different locations and intervertebral disc structural failure: A meta-analysis and systematic review. JOR Spine. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.1244

Kanawati, A., Narulla, R., Lorentzos, P., & Graham, E. (2017). Position of the sciatic nerve and effect of gluteus maximus release during hip arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedics, 14(2), 281–286.

Youlden, D., Narulla, R., Molnar, R., Sivakumar, B., & Symes, M. (2021). Things are not always what they seem: A case of gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis to the toe. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 92(1–2), 267–269.

Narulla, R., & Kanawati, A. (2016). Safe zone for the superficial femoral artery demonstrated on computed tomography angiography. Injury, 47(3), 748–751.

Kanawati, A., Narulla, R., Lorentzos, P., Facchetti, G., Smith, A., & Stewart, F. (2015). The change in position of the sciatic nerve during the posterior approach to the hip. The Bone & Joint Journal, 97(8), 1056–1062.

Book Chapter

Mannering, N., Narulla, R., & Lenane, B. (2022). In-vitro and in-vivo models for the study of prosthetic joint infections. In Infection in Knee Replacement (pp. 41–47). Springer.

Podium Presentations

Narulla, R., Diwan, A., & Smith, G. (2024). The Microbiome Observational Shoulder Study. Podium presentation at the Shoulder and Elbow Society Biennial Scientific Meeting, Brisbane.

Narulla, R., Diwan, A., & Smith, G. (2023). The composition of the native shoulder microbiome. Podium presentation at the AOA National Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, Victoria.

Narulla, R., & Loefler, A. (2020). A case report of exertional compartment syndrome of lumbar spine. Podium presentation at the AOA ACT Annual Scientific Meeting, Canberra, ACT.

Narulla, R., & Kanawati, A. (2019). The effect of gluteus maximus tendon release on the position of the sciatic nerve during the posterior approach to the hip. Podium presentation at the AORA Meeting, Canberra, ACT.

Narulla, R., & Kanawati, A. (2019). Comparison of four antegrade femoral nails for risk of injury to the superficial femoral artery based on computed tomography angiography modelling. Podium presentation at the AORA Meeting, Canberra, ACT.

Narulla, R., Marchalleck, S., & Gray, A. (2013). A case report of identical twins with identical Blount’s disease. Podium presentation at the AOA National Annual Scientific Meeting, Darwin, NT.

Poster Presentations

Narulla, R., Marchalleck, S., Gane, S., & Tawfick, J. (2013). Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma presenting as a foreign body granuloma. Poster presented at the AOA National Annual Scientific Meeting, Darwin, NT.

Narulla, R., Evans, M., Broe, D., Mulford, J., & Walsh, W. R. (2013). Five stranded hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction: Description of technique and biomechanical testing. Poster presented at the AOA Annual Scientific Meeting, ACT Branch, Canberra, ACT.