Orthopaedic Research Society

Collaboration has been at the cornerstone of the Orthopaedic Research Society since it was founded in 1954.[8][9]

In 1940, Dr. Alfred R. Shands,[10] who would later become one of the founding members of the ORS served as the chair of the Research Committee of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.[8] The committee conducted a survey of its member which indicated that just over 180 members were conducting some type of research.[9]

In the 1950s, several musculoskeletal investigators expressed a desire to have a forum for presenting their work and receiving constructive criticism.[8][9] Dr. Phillip D. Wilson, a member of the Academy, along with several others, met in San Francisco and proposed the idea of starting an organization focused solely on musculoskeletal research. This idea gained unanimous support from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons at their Annual Meeting in 1951.[9]

In 1952, the first meeting of the founding members of the ORS took place. At this first meeting, Dr. Philip D. Wilson created a draft constitution and set of by-laws for the fledgling society.[11] It was determined that the purpose of the society was to “encourage and coordinate investigation and research in basic principles or clinical problems related to the special field of Orthopaedic Surgery.” [8] Due to the unexpected death of Dallas B. Phemister, MD, who had agreed to take on the role of chairman, the formal organization of the society was delayed.[9]

1954 marked the first official meeting of the group at the Palmer House in Chicago under the Chairmanship of Dr. Wilson.[11] At this first meeting there were twenty-nine people in attendance. Cultivating the relationship between clinicians and scientists while providing them with opportunities to come together and share ideas was the driving factor in establishing the society. “The close relationship of between clinicians and basic scientists would help ensure the prominent role of orthopaedic surgeons in delivering care to patients with injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system,” explained Eugene R. Mindell, MD who served as president of the ORS from 1972 – 1973.[11][12]

The ORS continues to grow and evolve. Membership has grown to more than 4,100 members from across the globe.[13] Once a role only held by surgeons, in 1982 the ORS elected Van C. Mow as the first PhD president. Currently, Presidents are elected from each of the three disciplines represented in the membership: clinicians, biologists, and engineers.[12]

2019     James Iatridis, PhD

2018     Gloria Matthews, DVM, PhD

2017     Rick Sumner, PhD

2016     Farshid Guilak, PhD

2015     Mathias P.G. Bostrom, MD

2014     Mary B. Goldring, PhD

2013     Joan E. Bechtold, PhD

2012     Theodore Miclau, MD

2011      Brian Johnstone, PhD

2010     Clare M Rimnac, PhD

2009     Regis O’Keefe, MD, PhD

2008     David B. Burr, PhD

2007     Alan J. Grodzinsky, PhD

2006     Joshua J. Jacobs, MD

2005     Christopher H. Evans, PhD

2004     Steven A. Goldstein, PhD

2003     Stephen Trippel, MD

2002     Edward Puzas, PhD

2001     Thomas Brown, PhD

2000    Gunnar Andersson, MD, PhD

1999     Linda J. Sandell, PhD

1998     Dwight T. Davy, PhD

1997     Richard A. Brand, Jr., MD

1996     Adele L. Boskey, PhD

1995     Thomas A. Einhorn, MD

1994     Gary E. Friedlaender, MD

1993     Bruce Caterson, PhD

1992     Timothy M. Wright, PhD

1991     Richard D. Coutts, MD

1990     Theodore R. Oegema, PhD

1989     Joseph A. Buckwalter, MD

1988     Dennis R. Carter, PhD

1987     Victor Goldberg, MD

1986     Jack L. Lewis, PhD

1985     Savio L-Y Woo, PhD

1984     Joseph M. Lane, MD

1983     Nelson S. Mitchell

1982     Van C. Mow, PhD

1981     Larry Rosenberg, MD

1980     Michael G. Ehrlich, MD

1979     Clement B. Sledge, MD

1978     Roby C. Thompson, MD

1977     Carl T. Brighton, MD

1976     Richard W. Stauffer, MD

1975     Richard Cruess

1974     Reginald Cooper

1973     Harlan Amstutz

1972     Eugene Mindell

1971     Melvin Glimcher

1970     Patrick Kelly

1969     Henry Mankin

1968     C.A.L Basset

1967     R.R. Calondruccio

1966     O. Donald Chrisman

1965     Michael Bonfiglio

1964     Paul H. Curtiss

1963     Jonathan Cohen

1962     Wukkuan F. Enneking

1961     Robert A. Robinson

1960     Ignacio V. Ponseti

1959     Robert D. Ray

1958     C. Howard Hatcher

1957     Charles H. Herndon

1956     Philip D. Wilson

1955     J. Albert Key

1954     Paul C. Colonna

ORS is organized into following specific areas or sections [15]

• Meniscus
• Orthopaedic Implants
• Preclinical Models Selection
• Spine Section
• Tendon Section
• International Section Fracture Repair (ISFR)

• AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)[16]
• NIAMS Coalition (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)[17]
• OREF (Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation)[18]
• Research!America[19]
• USA Bone and Joint Initiative[20]
• ICORS (International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies)[21]

• Ethics Committee: The Committee assists in the review of ethical issues and questions raised by Officers, Board members, committees, the Editorial Board, sections, members, and staff.
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee provides financial oversight for the Society, including budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting and monitoring accountability policies.
• Nominating Committee:
• Publication Advisory Board: The Publications Advisory Board shall oversee the operations of the Journal of Orthopaedic Research (JOR), assist the co-editors in matters related to editorial policies, and advise the Orthopaedic Research Society Board of Directors concerning the operations of the Journal of Orthopaedic Research. JOR Mission Statement: The Journal of Orthopaedic Research is the forum for the rapid publication of high quality reports of new information on the full spectrum of orthopaedic research including life sciences, engineering, translational and clinical studies.

Hosted by the ORS Scientific Communications Committee, the goal of the ORS Photo Competition is to use images to highlight musculoskeletal research.

Hosted by the ORS Scientific Communications Committee, ORS Member Fred Nelson, MD creates a Basic Science Tip of the Week which serve several roles:

1. Highlight terms and concepts that may appear on resident examinations (OITE).
2. Give a glimpse into future developments that may come into clinical practice in the near future.
3. Highlight a mechanical or biochemical development that affects current basic science applications in medicine and surgery.
4. Share surprising developments such as the discovery of mechanisms of action for age old traditional herbal medicine and ancient practices.