The AAOS Opinion on Ethics and Professionalism on the Orthopaedic Surgeon's Relationship with Industry provides nine clear guidelines to help orthopaedic surgeons avoid the acceptance of inappropriate gifts or other financial support.

In 2005, the AAOS Ethics Committee developed and the AAOS Board of Directors approved an expanded provision specifically dealing with Consulting Arrangements.

Complying with health care regulations has always been important, but has taken on even greater significance over the last few years as the government has made strides in deterring health care fraud and corporations have responded to government inquiries seeking information about their relationships with the medical community.

As a result of this heightened concern and increasing media attention, the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) developed this article to provide guidelines to orthopaedic surgeons on the status of compliance with current health care standards. DePuy Orthopaedics provided an educational grant in support of this article.