A recent shift in emphasis with basic science from the ICB is to try and link a topic into a clinical problem to make the subject more clinically relevant and less dry. A classic example is the clinical photograph of an explanted worn PE cup leading on to a discussion of wear.

A good understanding of tribological properties helps the orthopaedic surgeon to choose the most suitable bearing solution for each individual patient.

Wear is an A-list topic with similar competency questions in the first part of a viva but unexpected or esoteric higher-order thinking questions in the second part. This is a method to keep the topic fresh with each diet of exams.