The aim of this study was to quantify and characterise the return of functional mobility following open tibial fracture (OTF) using the Hamlyn Mobility Score (HMS). Twenty patients who had undergone post-traumatic lower limb reconstruction were followed up at 3-month intervals for 1-year. An ear-worn motion sensor (e-AR, Imperial College London) was used to assess the performance of subjects during a short activity protocol. The HMS and its constituent kinematic features were calculated longitudinally, allowing mobility analysis throughout recovery as well as between subjects with varying severity of injury. Functional mobility of the cohort improved throughout the full follow-up period. Patients with more severe fractures appeared to recover at a slower rate, with Gustilo-1 (G1) completing the majority of their recovery within the first 3-months, G2 until 6-months, G3 patients until 9-months. Gait analysis revealed walking quality continues to improve 12-months postoperatively, whereas walking capacity plateaus after 6-months. Late complications were detected where subject recovery trajectories deviated >0.5 SD below that of the cohort. This is the first objective, longitudinal assessment of functional recovery in the OTF cohort, providing multidimensional evidence which begins to clarify the differences in prognosis associated with fracture severity. 4Revised manuscript Jan '15

Introduction Achieving a standard of clinical research at the pinnacle of the evidence pyramid is historically expensive and logistically challenging. Research collaboratives have delivered high-impact prospective multicentre audits and clinical trials by using trainee networks with a range of enabling technology. This review outlines such use of technology in the UK and provides a framework of recommended technologies for future studies. Methods A review of the literature identified technology used in collaborative projects. Additional technologies were identified through web searches. Technologies were grouped into themes including access (networking and engagement), collaboration and event organisation. The technologies available to support each theme were studied further to outline relative benefits and limitations. Findings Thirty-three articles from trainee research collaboratives were identified. The most frequently documented technologies were social media applications, website platforms and research databases. The Supportive Technologies in Collaborative Research framework is proposed, providing a structure for using the technologies available to support multicentre collaboration. Such technologies are often overlooked in the literature by established and start-up collaborative project groups. If used correctly, they might help to overcome the physical, logistical and financial barriers of multicentre clinical trials.

Conclusion This data supports the previous findings that the BO lesion length of greater than 3 cm is associated with the presence of IM. Furthermore, the odds of having IM are significantly reduced in patients from the Indian sub-continent. Ethnicity should thus be taken into account in the future risk stratification of BO patients and requires further study. REFERENCE1 Kang et al. Diverticular disease of the colon: ethnic differences in frequency. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther.

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