S.P. Hodgson replies:
I have looked into the matter and confirm that the two reports are almost
certainly about the same patient. The patient in the JBJS case report was
operated on by myself at the Royal Bolton Hospital. He had been referred to me
by Dr. Hilton, the senior author of the Arthritis and Rheumatism
report.
Prior to his retirement, Dr. Hilton was based at Hope Hospital, a separate
institution. The two manuscripts were prepared and submitted independently,
without either team asking the other's permission.
I wish to stress that this unfortunate occurrence was in no way deliberate,
and I apologize for any embarrassment it may have caused your journal.