OCRI's Impact: Celebrating National Nonprofit Day with OCRI and OrthoCarolina

The physicians you encounter at OrthoCarolina are leaders in their field because of their involvement in ongoing research, development, and innovation through the work of OrthoCarolina Research Institute (OCRI).

The OrthoCarolina Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the advancement of orthopedic and musculoskeletal care, research, and education to improve the lives of patients by increasing mobility, reducing costs, and decreasing recovery time. 

Did you know musculoskeletal conditions are the #1 cause of disability in the US? 

We know these conditions can be debilitating and interfere with simple daily activities like walking, getting dressed, climbing stairs, and preparing meals. Plus, the total annual healthcare and societal costs of such widespread disability have reached $980 billion and rising rapidly as our country’s population ages. 

Clinical research influences nearly every decision orthopedic surgeons make, which means the studies done at OCRI have a direct impact on patient care nationwide. 

OrthoCarolina physicians who conduct this research are some of the most well-respected subspecialty surgeons in the country, which means their patients can receive access to innovative treatments not yet available to the general public. Having world-class research professionals in OrthoCarolina clinics means patients experience the same caliber of orthopedic care as patients at nationally recognized medical centers such as Cleveland Clinic, Harvard, or the Mayo Clinic. So, when we say we’re the better choice in orthopedic care, we mean it, because of the work OCRI does behind the scenes every day!

While OCRI is committed to pioneering research in each orthopedic subspecialty (Foot and Ankle, Hand, Hip and Knee, Pediatrics, Spine, and Sports Medicine), the organization has recently been recognized for three key initiatives:

Virtual reality research for amputation patients – Pioneered by OrthoCarolina’s Dr. Glenn Gaston and Dr. Bryan Loeffler, the use of augmented reality and virtual reality has been shown to relieve phantom limb pain while wearing VR headsets. 

Hear from OrthoCarolina patient Diane, a quadruple amputee, about how VR helped relieve her phantom limb pain, here.

• Diane was one of our first patients to benefit and contribute to our Virtual Reality (VR) research in amputation patients. Based on an overwhelming response from amputee patients, VR seems to help relieve their phantom limb pain while patients wear headsets for fun. Because of these observations, OCRI and VR programming experts are currently testing therapeutic uses of virtual reality in amputee and brachial plexus populations. It’s our hope, and theory, that leveraging VR will help relieve their pain to the point where patients can reduce their need for strong pain management prescriptions.

Prosthetic joint infection research – Awarded “Top Paper” at the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting, this research advocates for a one-stage approach to prosthetic joint infection treatment. Conventional treatment methods require two surgeries to first manage the infection, and then replace the joint. Still, the OCRI team found one-stage treatment options to be equally effective, saving patients time and money by reducing the number of surgeries they need to treat this rare, potentially devastating complication. 

Opioid-free surgery methods– In first-of-its-kind research, OCRI researchers set out to build a roadmap to see if it was possible to avoid the use of opioids during and after orthopedic surgery.

These research-based anesthesia protocols are proven to be safe and effective in some elective orthopedic surgeries. This research has been recognized with five national awards and published five papers educating the medical community about opioid-free surgical methods.

OCRI shares its research through medical teaching opportunities; regional, national, and international medical society presentations; and worldwide publications in peer-reviewed journals. 

With nearly 300 active studies, our focus remains on meeting the increasing demand for improved orthopedic care by emphasizing research, innovation, and education.

Currently, orthopedic and musculoskeletal issues are among the top reasons people visit doctors. However, as we move forward, evidence-based medicine and the research behind it will become even more crucial in shaping the future of value-based healthcare.

And OrthoCarolina is leading the way.