AAOS and OREF Announce Strategic Partnership

ROSEMONT, Ill. (May 7, 2020)—The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) announced a strategic partnership to help narrow the gap between clinical research funding and prioritized clinical research needs in musculoskeletal care. The partnership aims to highlight areas of clinical research for which there is a need for increased, targeted funding to evaluate the effectiveness of various orthopaedic interventions and ultimately improve the quality of care for patients.

“Orthopaedic surgeons rely on the AAOS clinical practice guidelines to provide high-quality, unbiased evidence-based recommendations for a variety of musculoskeletal treatments. However, there are several orthopaedic interventions for which there is a dearth of evidence evaluating their effectiveness,” said Kristy Weber, MD, FAAOS, AAOS past president. “Together with our partners at OREF, we have designed a unique funding opportunity for clinical researchers looking to design and execute studies across musculoskeletal specialties­­, including orthobiologics. To help jump-start the effort in 2020, the AAOS is making an initial financial investment.”

The inaugural list of clinical research topics prioritized by the AAOS includes research addressing the efficacy of biologics for treatment of orthopaedic diseases with a particular focus on platelet rich plasma and growth factor injections for full-thickness rotator cuff tears and osteoarthritis of the knee. Additionally, the AAOS has prioritized funding for clinical research reviewing the effect of tobacco, vaping, and/or marijuana use on postoperative outcomes for total joint arthroplasty, as well as the effectiveness of antibiotic bone cement for prevention of periprosthetic joint infections. The OREF Research Grants Committee will finalize the selection of topics in the Request for Applications (RFA) scheduled to be released later this year. 

“OREF was founded on the belief that to advance orthopaedic practice, we must advance orthopaedic knowledge,” said Richard F. Kyle, MD, OREF president. “We are delighted to collaborate with the AAOS to fund investigational grants that will catalyze research and play a key role in the future of orthopaedic care.”

For more information about the AAOS’ quality programs and guidelines, including the AAOS’ recent investment in evidence-based educational content and symposia for orthobiologics, visit AAOS.org/quality. Donors interested in earmarking funds to further enable AAOS-prioritized clinical research needs within musculoskeletal healthcare can contribute to the OREF/AAOS Clinical Research Gaps Fund. Go to oref.org/aaoscpg to make a secure online donation.

ABOUT THE ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving lives by supporting excellence in orthopaedic research. OREF is dedicated to being the leader in supporting research that improves function, eliminates pain, and restores mobility, and is the premier orthopaedic organization funding research across all subspecialties. Visit oref.org or follow OREF on Twitter.

ABOUT THE AAOS
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal health care issues and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality.

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