Featured Research Partner

OCRI is partnering with the NFL Former Players Association - Charlotte Chapter (NFLPACLT) for the Injury Prevention Across Science with Sports (i-PASS) Charity Event on 2.21.13
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Research

Orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries and disorders rank number one among the reasons for visits to doctors, outpatient hospitals and emergency departments, and are the leading cause of disability. Hundreds of millions of people are affected each year and as our population ages, these numbers will continue to increase. For example:
  • One in four Americans suffers from an orthopedic or musculoskeletal condition
  • Each year, patients make 137 million medical visits due to orthopedic or musculoskeletal conditions
  • Arthritis is expected to debilitate an additional 40% of the American population by 2020
  • In 50 years, hospitalizations for potentially deadly hip fractures will double to 650,000 annually
  • Nearly half of all women over age 50 will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture
  • A high percentage of potentially disabling disorders afflict those age 18 and under

Each year, countless patients are referred to medical clinics such as OrthoCarolina, P.A., for state-of-the-art care and for participation in clinical trials. FDA clinical trials are designed to develop new devices, evaluate new medications, improve materials and systems, and improve surgical procedures. For patients, participation in an FDA clinical trial is completely voluntary; however, a patient who participates may have access to innovative treatments and/or medications not available to the general public.