[7] Philip D. Wilson Jr., a member of the Academy, along with several others, met in San Francisco and proposed the idea of starting an organization focused solely on musculoskeletal research.

[8] It was determined that the purpose of the society was to "encourage and coordinate investigation and research in basic principles or clinical problems related to the special field of Orthopaedic Surgery.

"The close relationship of between clinicians and basic scientists would help ensure the prominent role of orthopaedic surgeons in delivering care to patients with injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system," explained Eugene R. Mindell,[9] MD who served as president of the ORS from 1972–1973.

Members of the ORS conduct cutting-edge research on the full range of musculoskeletal tissues : bone, tendon, cartilage & synovium, meniscus, skeletal muscle, and the intervertebral disc.

Publications in this journal include the following topics in spine research: ageing, biomaterials, biomechanics, bioreactors, degeneration, genetics, inflammation, pain, remodeling, tissue engineering, etc.

Coordinated by the ORS Basic Science Education Committee, On the Horizon presents brief articles discussing current scientific investigations that may have future orthopaedic clinical applications.

This feature was previously presented quarterly in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (January, April, July, and October), where archived articles remain available.

ORS Open Door is an outreach activity aimed at communicating orthopaedic/musculoskeletal science to the general public, and takes place during the annual meeting in the local community.