Dr Matthew BroadheadOrthopaedic Surgeon — Sydney & Coffs Harbour

Practice

Evidence summaries

One-page, referenced summaries of the evidence behind common orthopaedic treatments — written for referring practitioners, and free to download and print.

These are short, referenced summaries of what the better evidence shows on questions that come up often in orthopaedic practice — the kind of question a patient asks in the room and a clinician wants a straight answer to.

Each one is written to a simple standard. Every number is checked against the primary source before it goes in. Effect sizes are given with their confidence intervals. Where the evidence is strong, it says so; where it is low-certainty, small, or contested, it says that instead. Treatments are described in terms of what they have and have not been shown to do, rather than in terms of what is popular.

They are designed to be printed and kept, and they are free to share.

More will be added over time. If there is a question you would find useful covered, the rooms are happy to hear it — (02) 9052 1883.

Evidence summaries

Referenced summaries of the evidence on questions that come up often in general practice. Written to be printed and kept. More will be added over time.

Common questions

Who are these written for?

Referring practitioners in the first instance — general practitioners, physiotherapists and other clinicians who field these questions regularly. They are written in clinical language and reference the primary literature, but patients are welcome to read them.

How are the summaries put together?

Each claim is checked against the primary source before it is written, and the citation, journal, year and every figure are verified against the PubMed record or DOI. Effect sizes are given with confidence intervals, and where evidence is low-certainty or contested that is stated rather than smoothed over.

Are they a substitute for a guideline?

No. They summarise what the better trials and reviews show on a specific question, with the numbers, so a clinician can weigh it themselves. Guidelines carry formal consensus processes that these do not.

How often are they reviewed?

Each summary carries the date it was last reviewed. They are revisited when significant new evidence appears — for example a major randomised trial or systematic review on the same question.

Can I share them with patients or colleagues?

Yes. They are free to print, copy and share.

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