Background: Generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) has a prevalence of approximately 5% in the general population. There might be an association between GHJ and some low back pain. The Beighton Criteria are 9 tests that are widely used to diagnose GJH but it is time-consuming to perform all nine tests.

Purpose: To evaluate which of the nine Beighton tests is the most accurate as a screening test for GHJ. To investigate the relationship between hypermobility and age, gender, and ethnicity.

Methods: From the last 10 years archives at the Back Centre Funen 17,117 patient records were examined. All nine Beighton tests had been performed in 4,062 patients. Data on the nine Beighton tests and age, gender, and ethnicity were extracted.

Results: There was a selection bias in this clinical sample, as the prevalence of GJH was 14.6%. All tests showed an overall accuracy of > 85.2 % as single-item screening tests for GJH in low back pain patients. Extension of the dominant elbow > 10o was the most accurate screening test with an overall accuracy of 93.9 %, sensitivity 76.6 % specificity 96.9 %. There was a higher prevalence of GJH in women (22.8%) than men (3.8%) and in young patients (28.0%) than in older patients (2.5%). No difference in the prevalence of GJH was observed between the patients with Danish ethnicity and non-Danish ethnicity.

Conclusion: Extension of the dominant elbow > 10o was the single most accurate of the nine Beighton tests as a screening test for GJH in patients with low back pain.

We have reviewed at an average period of ten years the results of 71 consecutive primary arthroplasties with the Insall-Burstein total condylar knee prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Their mean age at surgery was 52 years (24 to 72). At follow-up the overall results (Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating score) were excellent or good in 77%, fair in 11% and poor in 11%. There was residual pain in only 5% of patients with prostheses in situ; 58% could walk more than 500 m, and the median range of motion was 108 degrees. Eight knees had been revised. Five underwent arthrodesis because of deep infection and three needed revision arthroplasty for mechanical loosening. The crude survival rate of the arthroplasties was 89%. The presence of radiolucency around the tibial component correlated significantly with the severity of residual pain.