[Clinical research in partnership: musculoskeletal surgery]

As a result of the demographic development of industrial nations the number of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries rises continuously. This challenges health care as well as clinical research and demands additional endeavours. The United Nations have recognised this issue at an early stage. With their in 2000 declared Bone and Joint Decade they have significantly contributed to a sustainable support of research activities. The German government has also perceived the need and, with their roadmap programme, encourages research of musculoskeletal disease.Today, surgical and orthopaedic clinics increasingly support the exchange between research and clinic and run their own research departments. The Berlin Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery (CMSC) and its research institute Julius Wolff Institut show the potential for surgical research. It shows that based on a clinical understanding of the problem, basic research needs to be complemented in a network with partners from other disciplines. However, interdisciplinary cooperation demands new and individual ways of communication and education. The example in Berlin also illustrates that the research on prevention not only completes the network but more over opens unexpected possibilities in understanding basic research and translation.