Wimbledon. The oldest and most iconic tennis grand slam, where the roar of the centre court crowd and the taste of strawberries and cream embody a proud British heritage, a worldwide reputation for excellence and an unmistakable track record of success.
Do you want to know more about the company behind the logo? Watch the video for a brief introduction to our heritage, our story and our commitment to helping people live a Life Unlimited.
Our own proud heritage dates back to humble beginnings in 1856, when Thomas James Smith opened a chemist shop in Hull. After almost 170 years of progress in medical technology, we’re one of the world’s leading providers of advanced solutions for joint repair and reconstruction.
Just as Wimbledon stands out with its grass courts, white player attire and renowned etiquette, it’s our leadership in surgical technology (or sports medicine) that makes us stand out.
Not every tennis player will reach the elite stage of Wimbledon, but the love of sport – any sport – is for everyone. Unfortunately, anyone can suffer an injury that can cause a sudden, unwanted break in play.
Our aim is to push the boundaries of surgical technology; providing surgeons with solutions to help athletes of all ages, backgrounds and abilities ace their return after a sporting injury.
Think how Wimbledon has gradually evolved over the years - from the introduction of Hawk-eye to the roof on centre court. Always making improvements, but never losing its purpose.
Similarly, our approach to surgical technology keeps us proudly, thoughtfully ahead of the game.
This all points to helping patients get back to what they love…and living a Life Unlimited.
We are to sports surgery technology what Wimbledon is to strawberries and cream.
Gaining a reputation for being the best is not easy. It requires determination, progress and a thirst for greatness at every step. See how our stories have developed over more than a century.1
Our stories begin
1856: TJ Smith opened his shop in Hull, UK and develops a new method for refining cod liver oil. Thirty years later in 1896, TJ Smith enters a partnership with his nephew, Horatio Nelson Smith, and Smith+Nephew is born.
1877: The first Wimbledon is held at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, attracting 22 entrants and a crowd of around 200 people. Spencer Gore made history as the first Wimbledon Champion.
Breaking boundaries
1905: Wimbledon celebrates May Sutton as first champion from overseas (USA).
1906: Horatio Nelson went to North America to secure a contract with Canadian Hospital Authorities. In 1907, Smith+Nephew became a limited company.
1913: Wimbledon gives ‘Championship’ status to women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
1914: Days after WW1 was declared, H.N. Smith met the French President’s envoy; securing a contract to support the war effort.
Moving with the times
1922: Wimbledon moved the location of the Championships to Church Road. In the same year, we were establishing our first overseas branch in Canada.
1928: We show our commitment to breakthrough innovation by producing an experimental bandage named Elastoplast™.
1937: We were listed on the London stock exchange and Wimbledon featured in its first television broadcast.
Making a recovery
1950: After a difficult 1940s due to WW2, we founded a new company in Australia (followed by New Zealand in 1953).
1951: We acquired new technical resources in the Herts Pharmaceutical Company; embarking on a new era of research and development.
1957: Wimbledon celebrated the first black woman to be crowned as women’s singles champion, Althea Gibson.
Getting in the game
1970s: In the decade Wimbledon was first broadcast in technicolour, Arthur Ashe became the first black men’s singles champion and Evonne Goolagong the first Aboriginal Australian champion. We went from strength to strength with the acquisition of Gala Cosmetics Group.
1986: Our pivotal move into orthopaedics began with the acquisition of Richards Medical, followed by sports medicine acquisitions in DYONICS◊ (1986) and Donjoy Inc. (1987).
Taking the lead
1994: We began a 30-year legacy of innovation to repair the meniscus in the knee.
1995: We became a market leader in arthroscopic surgical devices by acquiring Acufex Microsurgical Inc.
2001: Joining the UK FTSE 100 Index, we strengthened our reputation for doing things differently with OXINIUM◊ Oxidized Zirconium for hip and knee implants.
2007: Wimbledon deploys Hawk-eye and announces equal prize funds for men’s and women’s titles.
Reigning supreme
2012: The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club hosted the Olympics tennis event.
2021: With our FAST-FIX FLEX◊ Meniscal Repair System, surgeons were able to treat meniscus tears that were previously inaccessible.*2-4
2024: In a big year for knee and shoulder surgery, we celebrate a 30-year legacy of saving the meniscus and a decade of clinical data for the REGENETEN◊ Bioinductive Implant in rotator cuff repair.
2026: Two groundbreaking developments will lead sports medicine into a new era of tendon fixation and video-based navigation: TENDON SEAM Technology and the TESSA◊ Spatial Surgery System.
When anyone suffers a physical injury, it can prevent us from doing the things we love. Our aim, and the aim of our technology, is to is to help take the limits of living and help patients get back to living a Life Unlimited.
Any person (not just athletes) can suffer a rotator cuff injury. When those injuries require surgery, we help surgeons get their patients back to the lives they love as quickly as possible…and to help more repairs stay repaired.**5
Like Wimbledon, we believe a track record of success should be etched into the history books at every step. That’s why the performance of our REGENETEN Implant technology is backed by a decade of clinical evidence.5-10
Back in the mid-1990s, if someone suffered a meniscal tear it would have probably been removed (in a procedure called meniscectomy). 30 years ago, we recognised that removing the meniscus can have serious consequences…so we set out to offer a different path and give surgeons the advantage in saving the meniscus.
Hear expert knee surgeons explain the most common knee injuries incurred from playing tennis, the impact on their patients and how they managed these injuries.
Hear top tips on preventing sports injuries, particularly the importance of conditioning, warm-up routines and listening to your body to stay on top of your game.
165 years of pioneering innovation requires a relentless focus on what’s next.
We’re focused on you. You’re what’s next.
*Compared to our predicate device.
**Compared to standard repairs alone in full-thickness tear repair at 12 months; n=122. Re-tear rate - 8.3% vs 25.8% RR=0.32; [95% CI: 0.13-0.83]; p=0.0106.
***As compared to traditional repair methods, using an accelerated REGENETEN Implant rehabilitation protocol. Key daily activities include driving, office-based work and moderate household activities. 90% of patient exceeded the minimum clinically important difference for the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC).
****At 5-year follow-up, compared to microfracture or debridement.
Additional images: Creative Commons, Wikipedia.com
Products may not be available in all markets because product availability is subject to the regulatory and/or medical practices in individual markets. Please contact your Smith+Nephew representative or distributor if you have questions about the availability of Smith+Nephew products in your area. For detailed product information, including indications for use, contraindications, precautions and warnings, please consult the pro duct’s applicable Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to use.
All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not meant as medical advice. Not everyone is a candidate for knee repair with the CARTIHEAL AGILI-C Cartilage Repair Implant, and individual results will vary. Every patient’s case is unique, and each patient should follow his or her doctor’s specific instructions. Potential risks include infection, transient or chronic pain, and swelling, among others, that may result in the need for additional medical intervention. Discuss your condition and options with your surgeon. If you are seeking this information in an emergency situation, please call 911 and seek emergency help.
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