Evidence-based medicine in the foundation of modern medicine. Studies have shown that research active hospitals have better patient care outcomes. Put simply, research improves results for both current and future patients. Nick Smith started his research training at undergraduate level, obtaining a BMedSci at the University of Nottingham. He then went on to be awarded a Masters in Health Sciences (Trauma and Orthopaedics) with a distinction, at the University of Warwick. Subsequently, he was awarded a research grant to complete a PhD at the University of Warwick on the outcomes of meniscal allograft transplantation. This research won a number of awards and has been published and cited in others’ work across the world.

Nick Smith has a number of active research projects, with a focus on evaluating new technologies, and clinically assessing established procedures and treatments. This section summarises a selection of recent and active projects.

  • ACL reconstruction with quadriceps or patellar tendon grafts, and tenodesis (STABILITY 2 trial)

    One of the most important research projects in ACL reconstruction came from the STABILITY 1 trial, which was a randomised trial comparing ACL reconstruction with or without lateral extra-articular tenodesis (an extra part to the operation, in which a section of iliotibial band on the outside of the knee is connected in to the thigh

  • Allografts in knee surgery

    Nick Smith was involved in a programme of work looking at the clinical and cost effectiveness of allografts (donor tissue) in knee surgery. This was subdivided into four main projects: ACL reconstruction, PCL reconstruction, meniscal allograft transplantation and osteochondral allograft transplantation. Osteochondral allograft transplantation Osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) is a procedure where donor cartilage with

  • Daycase knee replacement

    Nick Smith helped to introduce daycase partial knee and total hip replacement at South Warwick University NHS Foundation Trust and has published this experience. The implementation was successful and the results showed that patients were happy with their care. Clinical scores were similar between daycase patients and patients that previously stayed in hospital for longer.

  • Meniscal allograft transplantation

    Nick Smith has published numerous research papers on meniscal allograft transplantation: He has published systematic reviews on the patient outcomes following transplant surgery, and also whether it reduces the risk of future osteoarthritis. These papers showed that on average, meniscal allograft transplantation improves results for patients. There is some early evidence that shows meniscal allograft

  • Partial knee replacement

    Nick Smith has published the clinical outcomes following partial knee replacement using the newer Oxford Cementless partial knee implant. Before this, there was minimal data other than from the designer centre on the outcomes. This research showed that the clinical scores were excellent (median Oxford score after surgery of 43 out of 50) and the

Our Laboratory

  • One of the most important research projects in ACL reconstruction came from the STABILITY 1 trial, which was a randomised trial comparing ACL reconstruction with or without lateral extra-articular tenodesis (an extra part to the operation, in which a section of iliotibial band on the outside of the knee is connected in to the thigh

  • Nick Smith has published numerous research papers on meniscal allograft transplantation: He has published systematic reviews on the patient outcomes following transplant surgery, and also whether it reduces the risk of future osteoarthritis. These papers showed that on average, meniscal allograft transplantation improves results for patients. There is some early evidence that shows meniscal allograft

  • Nick Smith has published the clinical outcomes following partial knee replacement using the newer Oxford Cementless partial knee implant. Before this, there was minimal data other than from the designer centre on the outcomes. This research showed that the clinical scores were excellent (median Oxford score after surgery of 43 out of 50) and the