Editorial from Journal Editors

Patient care is the primary focus of the orthopaedic profession. The enhancement of patient care has required and will continue to require orthopaedic surgeons to collaborate productively with industry to develop new medical technology and techniques that improve patient care. The relationship between orthopaedic surgeons and industry is of critical importance to the shared ultimate goal of improving patient care. Orthopaedic surgeons are well qualified to provide innovative ideas and feedback to industry, conduct research trials, serve on scientific advisory boards, and serve as faculty to teach the uses of new technology. The relationship between orthopaedic surgeons and industry is important and necessary, but it must be scrutinized carefully to avoid the pitfalls of real or perceived conflicts of interest that ultimately could affect patient care. In late September, four orthopaedic manufacturing companies entered into Deferred Prosecution Agreements, agreeing to pay civil settlements amounting to a total of $311 million. In addition, one orthopaedic company entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement. All will be subject to oversight by a federal monitor appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice for 18 months. The companies did not admit any wrongdoing, plead guilty to any criminal charges or pay any criminal fines as part of the settlement. The federal government, through the U.S. Attorney’s Adapted and reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, IL. Editor’s note: The editors of numerous journals in orthopaedics are running this or a similar editorial. As a group we feel the issue of transparency with patients about orthopaedic surgeons’ relationships with industry is complex and important, and every orthopaedic surgeon should be familiar with the new AAOS SOPs on Orthopaedist-Industry Conflicts of Interest. They may be found at www.aaos.org/industryrelationships. The article is reproduced with permission of the AAOS.