Game. Set. Match.
Wimbledon might have come to an end, but our aim to help all athletes get back to the sport they love has never been stronger.
Discover who we are
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.
Over a century of excellence
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.
Dedicated to athletes’ wellbeing
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.
Driven by thoughtful innovation
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.
Defining, inseparable and iconic.
We are to sports surgery technology what Wimbledon is to strawberries and cream.
Our history
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
1800 -1900
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.
1900s – 1910s
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.
1920s – 1930s
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.
1940s – 1950s
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.
1970s – 1980s
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).
1990s – 2000s
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.
2010s – 2020s
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.
The people we serve
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.
Repairing rotator cuff tears in the shoulder
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
Backed by 10 years of trusted clinical evidence
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.
Restoring the knee - a 30-year legacy of saving the meniscus
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.
Which knee injuries from tennis do you see most often in your practice?
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.
What is your top tip for avoiding such 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.
Other solutions
Careers at Smith+Nephew
165 years of pioneering innovation requires a relentless focus on what’s next.
We’re focused on you. You’re what’s next.
Disclaimers
*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.
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 product’s applicable Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to use.
Citations
1.Wimbledon history drawn from the official website: Available here: https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/history.html. Accessed June, 2024. Additional images: Creative Commons, Wikipedia.com
2.Smith+Nephew 2021. Internal report. 15010267 Rev A.
3.Smith+Nephew 2021. Internal report. 15010267 Rev A attachment B.
4.Smith+Nephew 2021. Internal memo. FAST-FIX FLEX- Surgeon Surveys.
5.Ruiz Ibán MÁ et al. Arthroscopy. 2023 Dec 28:S0749-8063(23)01018-6. Epub ahead of print.
6.Bokor DJ, et al. Muscles, Ligaments Tendons J 2016;6(1):16-25.
7.Arnoczky SP, et al. Arthroscopy. 2017;33(2):278-283.
8.Schlegel TF, et al. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018 27(2):242-251.
9.Van Kampen C, et al. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2013;3(3):229-235.
10. Papalia R, et al. British Medical Bulletin, 2011:99; 89-106.
11. Pengas, IP, et al. JBJS.2012; 94-B: 1649-54.
12.Wright RW, et al. JBJS. 2023;105:908–914.