PROJECT SUMMARY
Tendons are dense connective tissues that are essential for mobility. These tissues are complex and are
exposed to different biologic, biochemical, metabolic, and biomechanical environments. Additionally these
environments change over the lifespan. Tendons function in high stress conditions and are challenging to
maintain healthy homeostasis, regenerate, and repair. Tendons are essential for improved health span
which is driven by maintaining movement and mobility for patients. The necessity for improved treatment
and diagnosis of tendon disorders and the unmet need for improved understanding of these tissues has
resulted in an expanding need for evidenced-based research for understanding connective tissues and for
improved therapeutics. This recognition for the robust research and understanding of tendons was the
impetus for the development of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Tendon Section. The group was
formed to address the prevalence of tendon disorders and the wide spectrum of clinical challenges in
diagnosis and effective treatment. The section recognized that research had been hindered by incomplete
understanding of fundamental biology, including basic mechanisms of aging, pathogenesis, and healing.
The section is focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion to promote tendon research, facilitate
collaborations between clinicians, basic/translation scientist and engineers and development of the next
generation of researchers and clinicians. An important mission of the section is to hold satellite meetings
on recent advancements, areas of need and focus on the multi-factorial clinical and research arms that are
necessary to improve and advance connective tissue health, healing, and regeneration. Previous satellite
meetings focused on basic/developmental biology and on translation and animal models. This conference
will be focused on clinical needs, clinical research and emerging technologies that are essential to further
advance tendon health. The conference will focus on the use of ‘omics’, understanding of pain and
mechanism of pain in pathology and healing, clinical research including physical therapy and surgery, and
the use of imaging technologies to identify, diagnose and treat tendon disorders. Targeted speakers on the
topic areas will drive breakout discussions and the development of consensus and/or guideline papers that
will be published in a special issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Research to direct the field moving
forward. The section has a strong interest in promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity, providing
opportunities, training, and mentoring for trainees to interact with PIs and clinicians. We anticipate that this
meeting will have a strong impact on tendon research and will promote increased rigor and reproducibility,
understanding of clinical needs, foster interdisciplinary research, and collaborations.
