Dinner with the Orthobiologics team

Some IB applications on display at the Conference

The IB for game-keepers thumb

Lateral elbow IB

GM discussing IB for AC joint injuries of shoulder

The expert upper limb IB panel

Arthrex President presents future expansion of Arthrex

An amazing total of Arthrex innovations

With Pat Smith who internally braces

Tennis in mid-day sun with Terry head of Arthrex UK and Coen, Director of research. The Mackay’s put up the resistance expected from a Dunblane doubles pairing

Meeting the locals

First published results of successful ACL IB dog study

Key conclusions for IB - fab!

Greg DeFelice from NY presents successful healing and explains why he is now internally bracing

Panel discuss ACL IB and knee augmentation

Leading French surgeon Bertrand strolls with Jackie

Jackie and I enjoying a sunset in Naples

In the harbour at Cape Town, framed by table mountain

Tokara in Stellenbosch

Tokara in Stellenbosch

Tokara in Stellenbosch

Tokara in Stellenbosch

Wine tasting at Haute Cabriere, quite beautiful - slept all the way back to hotel!

Wine tasting at Haute Cabriere quite beautiful slept all the way back to hotel!

Wine tasting at Haute Cabriere quite beautiful slept all the way back to hotel!

Breakfast at the Twelve Apostles- what a coastline.

Breakfast at the Twelve Apostles- what a coastline

At Day surgery hospital. Quite bizarre all surgeons scrub in the corridor before entering theatre despite the traffic.

With Matt an early convert to the benefits of the internalBrace.

With Matt an early convert to the benefits of the internalBrace.

Visiting clinics and discussing some of the more challenging cases

Visiting clinics and discussing some of the more challenging cases

Visiting clinics and discussing some of the more challenging cases

Breakfast at the Oyster Bar

Doorman

The presentation

The presentation

The presentation

The presentation

The presentation

The presentation

The medical team for the Springbok and the Durban Sharks are now gaining experience of accelerated rehabilitation after internalBracing.

Impressive advert for visiting Jock!

Budget SA airlines replace comfort with humour

Successful meeting after short visit to Mandela square

Successful meeting

Successful meeting

Successful meeting

Successful meeting

Successful meeting

With some of the local surgeons who have been early adopters of the internalBrace

With some of the local surgeons who have been early adopters of the internalBrace

With some of the local surgeons who have been early adopters of the internalBrace

Befriending some animals with big teeth

Jackie and I meet a local resident

Meeting the locals at the local.

A white rhino road block- we backed down

Some beautiful creatures in natural habitat

A stunning sunset

Graham McCollum from Cape town introduces delegates

Prof Steven Raikin from US Rothman institute

Prof Steven Raikin from US Rothman institute

Pieter D'Hooghe based in Qatar but originally from Belgium. Looks after the stars at Aspetar clinic

Pieter D'Hooghe

Another enjoyable lunch

With Graham McCollum

With Pieter D'Hooghe

With the current President SA Foot and Ankle Association, who was very welcoming - encouraging us to return for a major meeting in March 2016

Dutch Meeting, Paterswolde, May 2015

Previous keynote speakers - all orthopaedic legends especially Charnley who developed the first successful hip replacement.

A toast with Olivier Verborgt, a Leading Belgian shoulder specialist who trained under an old friend of mine and international sports surgery expert Gert De Klerk

Faculty dining at the former residence of the Prince of Orange

Faculty dining at the former residence of the Prince of Orange

Filiep Bataillie expert in hip arthroscopy, who I previously had the pleasure of meeting in Herental, Belgium

There is a 29% chance of further injury (to either side) after conventional ACL reconstruction if under 20 years

Return to play criteria is only met by 17% of patients 8 months after conventional reconstruction and only 1.5% met criteria for competitive sport.

There is 48% chance of arthritis in second decade post ACL reconstruction

Stefan Eggli developer of the Ligamys system which confirmed the potential for the ACL to heal in 90% of cases. Expense and hardware concerns remain the main concerns.

With Kate Webster from Melbourne and course conveners Jos van Raaij. Kate is a leading authority on return to sport criteria especially after ACL Reconstruction

Francesco Oliva from Rome and Colleague of Nick Naffulli spoke on tendonopathy

On of the many packed conference rooms

Enjoying a cappuccino with Stefan Krupp head of Arthrex European Operations.

Danny Schmieding was busy facilitating surgeons at the Booth

I was delighted to meet a distributor from China who informs me that there is enormous interest in the internal brace there.

Reinhold Schmieding was as enthusiastic as ever in his support of surgical education and research. He remained emphatic that, “Internal bracing will have as profound an effect on orthopaedics as Charnley’s first hip replacement” - praise indeed.

It always tickles a little to finally see your innovation on display

Always a pleasure to meet Dr Tom Clanton, a world leading Foot and ankle surgeon from the Steadman Clinic in Colorado. He did some of the early research on the internal brace for ankle lateral ligament repair and did us the great honour of visiting our Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons during the Commonwealth Games and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship.

A visiting surgeon photographing the Achilles knotless mid substance repair and the Achilles internal brace to take home

Proudly standing next to Arthrex stand. The boot I originally drew as a concept while reflecting on the unstable footballers ankle which I was so familiar with from my playing days.

The spectrum of surgical sales staff who are supporting Arthrex’s internal bracing education and support in North America.

Holding Arthrex’s latest AC joint guide of which I was delighted to be part of the design team.

Sharing ideas with Swedish Surgeons

Victor Kalman from Wilkington shares his experience with the internal brace and discusses future applications

Dr Paul Fleissner, a Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon from Ohio, was delighted with the results of his first 48 ACL repairs with the internal brace. Ages ranged from 8 to 17 years.

Dr Joel Boyd from Minneapolis discussed his experience with the internal brace and its potential to change our approach to complex multi-ligament knee injuries. He assured me he would try wearing a kilt when he visits Scotland.

It is always a pleasure to meet Dr Willem Van de Merwe one of the world’s leading knee surgeons from Cape Town SA. He is an innovative pioneer and key member of the ACL study group. It was his research which helped to shape our approach to ACL repair with the internal brace as a central core enveloped by soft tissue.

It was a delight to meet Dr Forsbald a leading knee surgeon from Stockholm who is a football enthusiast and someone I had the pleasure of visiting at his Clinic over 15 years ago as part of a Visiting Fellowship. He and his colleague Dr Engstrom (the surgeon looking after the Swedish golf team) have invited me to their Stockholm Knee and Shoulder meeting in October to present our early experience with the internal brace- truly an honour

Surgeons from Washington share their successful experiences with the internal brace. They were also amazed by some of the results obtained with the knotless Achilles repair system. It was fun reviewing some of our athletes who have made exceptional recoveries.

Thomas Lyuckx from Belgium explained that he has know internally braced over 10 ACL repairs and is keen to collaborate on future research and visit us in Scotland.

Dr William McGee had internally braced several patients and was keen to build on this experience. He had a unique situation having been in Vegas all of his life – imagine!

Dr Raymond Sherman from Dakota had considerable experience successfully internally bracing collateral ligaments and was amazed by the results now being observed even in multi-ligament situations

Terry’s assistance as always was appreciated and Dominic will continue to help champion internal brace applications for the knee from Munich. The supporting science is incredibly important.

we visited Red Rock Canyon National Park on two wheels. The stunning scenery was a pleasant distraction from the heat. I joined an Australian, 2 Swedes and a Norwegian which added to the fun.

Red Rock Canyon National Park

There was also time for a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon with my family. Despite Jackie’s initial nerves it was spectacular flying over the Hoover Dam and spotting wild horses before landing for refreshments. The return flight into Vegas at sunset was unique.

Walking the strip and stopping to admire the Volcanic display at the Mirage

No shortage of bright lights. There are more hotel rooms in Vegas than the whole of Europe.

The latest theatre technology was on display.

A productive day with an excellent mix of surgeons from the UK.

These are the results of leaving my phone with some of my team while doing a photoshoot about the Internal Brace!

These are the results of leaving my phone with some of my team while doing a photoshoot about the Internal Brace!

These are the results of leaving my phone with some of my team while doing a photoshoot about the Internal Brace!

These are the results of leaving my phone with some of my team while doing a photoshoot about the Internal Brace!

Former patient and games volunteer Adam Hart.

The Barbadian team doc.

With Colin Gregor (Budgie) another former patient.

With (centre) John MacLean the Medical Director for the CWG (who successfully prepared the medical services along with Liz Mendl) and Gerry Haggerty, who needs no introduction as Scotland's longest serving sports doc and rugby ambassador.

With the doc for the Papua New Guinea team

Dr Darren Leong from-Singapore.

With 100m final silver medalist and future Bolt, Adam Gemili.

Happy to be the ball boy.

The head of security whose achilles tendon I repaired and who is back on his bike!

James Austin is pitch side with his wife to roar on his Judo team mates to gold.He would have been in E Burtons weight category. James was reconstructed two weeks ago using the Internal Brace, he is doing extremely well with his sights now set on Rio.

With James Eadie (Far right) and other team-mates. James is another former patient and like Colin Gregor (next image) inspired; although Scotland went out to the tournament to eventual winners South Africa.

With the lead physio for Trinidad-and-Tobago, Kemba Noel-London

The full medical team at Ibrox pictured after an awesome weekend of sport

Relaxing on bench between sessions. The bench felt very familiar having rarely left it during my brief football career! The line up from the left - lead Physiotherapist from Glasgow rugby, myself, Emergency Medicine specialist and dentist and former rugby player James Oliphant.

Stevie Mutch, Scotland's and Scottish rugby's lead physio, checks out the playing surface with me as Ibrox is transformed into a brilliant rugby venue. On reflection I may have had more success with Rangers if I had used my hands!

Meeting an ex patient (centre) who is a teacher by day who volunteered as team liaison officer after making a full recovery from shoulder surgery, the other character is also a Games liaison officer.

Team doc and Sports Surgeon for Canada, from Vancouver

South African rugby skipper Kyle Brown being treated for his dislocated shoulder

The Scotland Manger John Manson did a fantastic job preparing the Scotland sevens team and received a tremendous welcome leading out his team. The size of crowd and the reception underlined the potential market for this action packed form of rugby.

With former patient Euan Burton after he won gold in the Judo the Games

Judoka Gemma Gibbons, seen here warming up, won silver at the Games after undergoing a successful shoulder stabilisation at the Mackay Clinic. Gemma is warming up with Colin Oates who underwent a successful shoulder reconstruction at the Mackay Clinic. Colin also won judo gold at the games.

Netball stars at the Games and former patients, Gemma Sole and Claire Brownlie

Judoka James Austen, who sadly had to withdraw from the Games due to a knee injury, congratulates a team-mate

Professor Mackay with judoka James Austin

Judoka sisters Kimberley and Louise Renicks

With skipper of the South African seven aside rugby team and gold medal winner, Kyle Brown

With Mandy Belch who is senior physio for the SIS and who is applying her expertise looking after the rhythmic gymnasts.

The judo medical team at the Games prepare professionally for every eventuality

Behind the scenes some of the medical team share a laugh and relax before a competition kicks off

With SIS physio Oliver Davies who did all the rehab with the Scottish judo team members

The warm-up for the rhythmic gymnasts - Mandy Belch helped with physio.

The warm-up for the rhythmic gymnasts - Mandy Belch helped with physio.

On the right is James Robson the Scotland and British Lions doc who ensured that the pitch side medical support was well versed and organised. He stands next to James Peckitt manager of the Medical support at the Ibrox venue. Isabel the Canadian Team doc for the last 16 years is given a squeeze by Gerry.

Playing football with local children whose parents have been treated for leprosy. Makes a change from cricket!

Preparing to assist with an operation at the Duncan

Dr Andrew Paterson and Mr Angus Smith visiting surgeons helping with an emergent

A new baby receiving care

Jackie Mackay meeting local people

The hospital works closely with the leprosy centre, Sundapore

A mother and child at one of the clinics

Professor Mackay meeting members of the local community

Work underway on the new orthopaedic ward

A paediatric nurse with two of her patients

Children recovering in one of the wards

Tartan turbans worn to greet the Scottish doctors!