Relationship between industry and orthopedic sports medicine surgeons

Orthopedic sports medicine surgeons have an inevitable relationship with industry. It is vital that surgeons be informed so that they may deliberately structure these relationships. This chapter examines the relationship between the orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and industry. It discusses the background of these relationships, including how they have developed. The frequency and demographics of these relationships are explored. Federal legislation and society recommendations on the topic are presented. Discrepancies between reported and true surgeon disclosures are examined. The final discussion centers on future directions of surgeon-industry relationships and the importance of reflecting on these relationships.