Background: There has been an exponential rise in Internet use over recent years with over 11 million homes in the United Kingdom currently having access to the Internet. Previous studies have shown that up to 50% of orthopaedic outpatients have researched their condition on the Internet and that this percentage is dependent upon the condition from which they are suffering. The aim of our study was therefore to assess the prevalence of Internet usage among three groups of orthopaedic outpatients and to further determine how the patients felt their Internet research compared to the information received at consultation.

Methods: Data was collected from 150 patients / parents attending three outpatient clinics; 50 consecutive patients attending scoliosis clinic; 50 patients attending paediatric orthopaedic clinic; 50 patients attending back pain clinic.

Results: 58% of scoliosis, 22% of general paediatric and 30% of back pain patients had researched their condition on the Internet. 83% of scoliosis, 64% of paediatric and 80% of back pain patients found this information useful. Nearly all patients, however, would trust their doctor more than the Internet.

Conclusion: We believe therefore that clinicians need to keep up to date with information available on the Inter-net and provide recommended websites to patients wishing to consolidate their knowledge of their condition.