What does the future hold? There is no shortage of challenges in orthopaedic surgery. New procedures, materials, designs, and improved analysis will lead to a superior quality of life for the orthopaedic patient. The Laboratories for Orthopaedic Research have been extremely successful in achieving the two most important goals that were outlined previously: the production of high quality orthopaedic research and the education of future engineering and orthopaedic researchers. These activities are expensive at a time when funding for long range research has been reduced because of budget cutbacks both at the state and federal levels. Industrial funding is often short term due to the nature of business, specifically the need to see an almost immediate return on the research dollar. Private foundations and personal contributions have played an increasingly important role in funding long term research. We will continue to be aggressive in attaining funding from every source possible.
However, the future of long term orthopaedic research is dependent on the generosity of individuals and private foundations. The challenge is to maintain a functional level which permits researchers to fulfill their responsibility, improving the quality of life for mankind. With continued funding and the dedicated staff of the Laboratories for Orthopaedic Research, this tradition of excellence will continue to grow and flourish in New Jersey.