* OrthoCarolina specialists celebrate key developments in the field and encourage local investment in advancing the next era of orthopedic research.

The OrthoCarolina Research Institute (OCRI) is marking a series of important milestones in orthopedic research and patient care with the launch of its first recurring giving initiative, 25 Years of Innovation. Introduced to coincide with this year's Giving Tuesday, the campaign reflects on a quarter century of research progress and invites the wider community to help fuel future breakthroughs.

Over the last 25 years, transformative progress has redefined what patients can expect from orthopedic treatment. Advances in ligament repair, joint replacement, complex limb reconstruction, infection control and paediatric hand surgery have led to quicker recoveries and improved long-term outcomes. OCRI has played a central role in these developments through clinical trials, investigator-led research and initiatives aimed at moving innovation directly into routine care.

The 25 Years of Innovation campaign builds on this foundation by inviting supporters to contribute a recurring monthly donation of $25. The amount symbolises each year of progress and helps create sustainable funding to strengthen early-stage research and accelerate new discoveries. Throughout the campaign, OCRI will highlight major advancements and the scientific work behind them, allowing donors to see how their contributions drive future innovations.

Since its establishment, OCRI has grown into one of the United States' leading musculoskeletal research organisations. Its team of 20 research specialists manages more than 30 industry-sponsored clinical trials annually and supports over 260 investigator-driven studies. The organisation publishes between 75 and 80 papers each year, with over 225 publications in the last three years alone, and frequently receives recognition from national bodies such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS). Much of its research is independently funded by OrthoCarolina physicians, ensuring that scientific integrity and patient outcomes remain at the core of its mission.

"Since OCRI was founded, our research has changed and continues to change the lives of our patients," said Christi Cadd, Executive Director of OCRI. "The progress we have seen in the last 25 years of orthopedic innovation has been remarkable. This campaign gives us a chance to shine a light on the discoveries that have shaped modern musculoskeletal care and to invite our community to help drive the breakthroughs that will define the next 25 years."

OCRI's impact can be seen across several of its signature programs. The Reconstructive Center for Lost Limbs has helped establish national standards in amputee care. The Periprosthetic Joint Infection Center has advanced infection prevention and treatment in joint replacement. The Carolinas Opioid Reduction Effort has transformed pain management through opioid-free approaches backed by nearly $1 million in grants from The Duke Endowment. Philanthropic support strengthens and expands this work, allowing OCRI to test new ideas, gather critical data, and bring emerging treatments into patient care.

To support the 25 Years of Innovation campaign and the independent research being conducted at OCRI, click here to donate. OCRI is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that advances orthopedic research by challenging the status quo, pioneering new approaches, and improving the lives of patients through discovery.

To learn more about giving to OCRI, contact Katie Rains, OCRI marketing and events manager, at katie.rains@orthocarolina.com.

source:newsreleases.co.uk