How the Rothman Research Foundation Is Transforming Orthopedic Care

Advancing the Science of Movement: How the Rothman Research Foundation Is Transforming Orthopedic Care

The ability to move without pain is something many of us take for granted, until it’s compromised. Whether it’s walking up the stairs, returning to a favorite sport, or simply getting through the day comfortably, mobility plays a central role in independence and quality of life. For millions of people affected by musculoskeletal conditions, restoring movement isn’t just about comfort, it’s about reclaiming their lives.

At Rothman Orthopaedics, patient care is guided by evidence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to better outcomes. At the heart of that progress is the Rothman Research Foundation, an orthopedic research foundation dedicated to advancing the science behind how we move, heal, and thrive.

The Growing Orthopedic Challenge

Musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, joint degeneration, sports injuries, fractures, and trauma, are among the leading causes of pain and disability. As populations age and remain active later in life, the demand for effective, evidence-based orthopedic care continues to rise.

These conditions affect more than physical health. Chronic pain and limited mobility can reduce independence, interfere with work and recreation, and diminish overall quality of life for patients and their families. Addressing these challenges requires more than excellent care today, it requires ongoing musculoskeletal research that shapes better treatments for tomorrow.

That’s why orthopedic research funding is essential.

The Role of the Rothman Research Foundation

Founded in 1984, the Rothman Research Foundation partners with donors to advance musculoskeletal health by supporting innovative research, education, and collaboration in orthopedic care. Through strategic philanthropic investment, the Foundation accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into clinical practice, improving patient outcomes while fostering the next generation of orthopedic leaders.

The Foundation supports rigorous, clinically relevant research designed to make a real difference in patient care. Areas of focus for the Foundation include joint preservation and replacement, fracture healing and trauma care, sports medicine, biomechanics, and innovations that improve safety, mobility, and long-term outcomes.

Collaboration is central to this work. By promoting partnerships among surgeons, scientists, academic institutions, and industry, the Foundation helps ensure that promising discoveries move efficiently from research settings into real-world orthopedic solutions.

Research in Action: Turning Discovery Into Impact

The true value of research lies in its impact on patients’ lives. Through donor support, the Rothman Research Foundation helps advance studies that inform clinical decision-making, refine surgical techniques, and improve recovery outcomes.

For example:

• Aspirin as a Blood Thinner: Historically, older-generation medications were used as the blood thinners of choice after hip and knee replacement. Unfortunately, these medications required regular blood draws or injections to administer the medication, and they were associated with relatively high rates of morbidity from postoperative bleeding. Today, the primary blood thinner used after hip and knee replacements is aspirin, which is cheaper, more convenient, and less morbid than the older-generation blood thinners. Our research provided landmark evidence that aspirin is a safe and effective alternative and expanded the patient population that can safely use it compared with other blood thinners.
• Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) Definition: The diagnosis of an infection in a hip or knee replacement, referred to as a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), had no consistency in how the diagnosis was defined, meaning whether you were diagnosed with a PJI would be highly variable depending on the surgeon who was evaluating the patient. Our research department helped develop the PJI definition that is the most widely used for patient assessment worldwide. Additionally, our research department has collaborated to define success in the surgical management of PJI, ensuring researchers use the same terms when reporting outcomes to provide standardization.
• Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS): In the mid-2000s, Dr. Alexander R. Vaccaro, Spine Surgeon and current President of Rothman Orthopaedics, and the Spine Trauma Study Group developed the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS) to overcome limitations of prior spinal trauma systems that failed to guide treatment. TLICS introduced a clinically actionable, evidence-based framework by integrating injury morphology, neurologic status, and posterior ligamentous complex integrity into a weighted scoring system that directly informs operative versus nonoperative care. This approach standardized communication, improved prognostic accuracy, and shifted spinal trauma management from descriptive classification to decision-driven care. The TLICS framework later influenced the AO Spine trauma classification philosophy, helping shape globally adopted, reproducible systems used worldwide in research, education, and patient care.

Foundation-supported research is designed to be clinically relevant and impactful. Many projects lead to peer-reviewed publications, influence best practices, and directly shape how orthopedic care is delivered, reinforcing trust among clinicians, patients, and donors.

Why Donations Matter

Despite its importance, orthopedic research is often underfunded. Early-stage studies, pilot programs, and innovative ideas frequently rely on philanthropy to move forward. Without donor support, progress can slow, delaying breakthroughs that could significantly improve patient care.

Donations to the Rothman Research Foundation directly support:

• New research studies and clinical trials
• Education, mentorship, and career development for emerging investigators
• Collaborative efforts that accelerate innovation
• Translation of research findings into improved patient outcomes

Every gift plays a role in advancing orthopedic science and expanding what’s possible for patients facing musculoskeletal conditions.

Stewardship You Can Trust

The Rothman Research Foundation is committed to responsible stewardship, transparency, and measurable impact. Funding decisions emphasize accountability and clinical relevance, ensuring that philanthropic resources are used thoughtfully and effectively.

Donors can feel confident that their support helps maximize research impact, advancing discovery, improving care, and strengthening the future of orthopedic medicine.

Join Us in Advancing the Future of Orthopedic Care

Improving mobility. Reducing pain. Restoring independence. These shared goals drive the work of the Rothman Research Foundation and the supporters who make it possible.

By donating, you help fund research that shapes better orthopedic care today and creates new possibilities for tomorrow.

Donate today to support the future of orthopedic care. Help fund research that keeps people moving.

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