The Physiotherapy Research Unit (PRU) was established at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in 1989. The aim of the unit is to promote research and evidence based practice in physiotherapy at local, national and international level. Its prime activities are to undertake primary research and disseminate findings, to assist clinical staff undertaking research or audit projects, to provide research training and teaching and to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students. The unit currently has ten researchers working within it, working on a variety of quantitative and qualitative studies. Specialist areas include musculoskeletal physiotherapy, pain, joint arthroplasty and evidence based practice.