One of the problems of keeping an orthopaedic register is that radiographs, which are an integral part of records (particularly with total joint arthroplasties) are cumbersome and costly to store.

We have developed a cheap and simple digital storage system, photographing radiographs with a digital camera and storing pictures in a specially designed database. Retrieval is rapid and hard copies can be printed.

Over 10 000 arthroplasty radiographs have been digitalised by this inexpensive method, which could prove useful for most orthopaedic surgeons.