The initial idea for the construction of the Research Centre belongs to Professor George Hartofylakidis, who was then the Director of the Orthopaedic Clinic of the University of Athens, which since January 1970 had been transferred to the KAT Hospital from "Laiko" Hospital.

After laborious and long procedures with the Ministries of Education & Health so that the funds could be found and the part of the building site of KAT Hospital could be granted, the construction of the building of the Research Centre began in December 1973 and finished after 5 years, in December of 1978.

The official inauguration took place in January 1980, when also the addition of Professor Theodore Garofalidis' name was made to the name of the centre in his honor.

In the next 12 years the Centre operated as part of the University Orthopaedic Clinic (Director Professor G. Hartofylakidis) with George Lyritis as acting director.

In 1992 and after the recommendation of Professor Hartofylakidis, the Laboratory for the Research of the Muskuloskeletal System "Th. Garofalidis" became an autonomous laboratory of the Surgical Unit of the School of Medicine (Presidential Decree 25/FEK6, First Issue 30/01/92). Ass. Professor George Lyritis became Director and was the principal contributor to the Laboratory's research progress and recognition.

As of September 2008 when Professor Georgios Lyritis retired from the University, Ass. Professor Nikolaos Papaioannou became Director.

As of September 2013 when Professor Nikolaos Papaioannou retired from the University, Professor Ismene Dontas became Director.