Orthopaedic Trauma Association - Basic Science Focus Forum

Orthopaedic Trauma Assn, Schaumburg IL

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) was established in 1977 to address the unique challenges faced by orthopaedic surgeons caring for patients with extremity fractures. The OTA has grown substantially since its first meeting, with 2766 current members. The Basic Science Focus Forum (BSFF), a critical component of the OTA Annual Meeting, serves as the premier forum for integrating clinical, translational, and basic science research in orthopaedic injury. The BSFF has evolved into a collaborative platform that fosters cross- disciplinary knowledge transfer and drives innovation among researchers and clinicians at various career stages. Held as a pre-meeting event to the OTA Annual Meeting, the Annual BSFF Conference maintains a consistent structure while evolving its content to reflect current research priorities, including infection mechanisms, fracture healing biology, systemic effects of traumatic injuries, and emerging technologies. Each meeting features internationally recognized speakers from diverse scientific organizations, promoting valuable cross-disciplinary discussions through focused symposia alongside original research paper and poster sessions. The 2025 BSFF Meeting will take place on October 15, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ, and feature three scientific symposia addressing how cutting-edge technology and research in orthobiologics, Artificial Intelligence, and fracture-related infection impacts patient care. Future annual meeting venues include Nashville (2026) and New Orleans (2027). Over the last decade, the OTA Annual Meeting has experienced significant growth in attendance and scientific content, resulting in competing demands between the BSFF and expanded event options for OTA attendees. This has created financial challenges for maintaining the relationship between clinical practice and basic science research. As such, for the 2025 Annual Meeting, the OTA leadership has committed to trial the elimination of separate registration costs for the BSFF. The BSFF's integration into the general registration process is projected to increase attendance by >30%, particularly among early career investigators. The requested NIAMS R13 funds for the next three years will offset a portion of the operational costs to make this approach sustainable while maximizing accessibility, strengthening the connection between translational research and clinical practice that is essential for advancing orthopaedic injury research. The OTA BSFF content and conference goals directly aligns with the mission of NIAMS by fostering cross-disciplinary interaction, innovation, and improving patient care.