Aims and scope

The Acta Orthopaedica was founded in 1945. The journal is a peer-reviewed journal covering many aspects of Orthopedic Surgery and Research since 1984. The journal is published four times a year and recently digital supplements were added. It provides a forum mainly for clinical orthopaedic surgeons, trainees and researchers. The audience is mainly European, but other parts of the world are welcome to participate.

It aims to publish papers which will have a direct impact on the work of orthopaedic surgeons and traumatologists. It also has an educational task. The papers should improve knowledge on pathology of the locomotor system.

To be considered for publication articles must clearly articulate their relevance to orthopaedic surgery. The works have to be personal and original. Re-interpretations and analysis of existing work is also necessary.

The articles can be:

  • Original research: basic research papers should be of direct practical use. The same is necessary for epidemiological studies
  • Outcome studies: altough they are the keystone of the journal, must have a certain degree of originality. Simple repetition or (small) series without new information are usually not accepted. We appreciate the work of junior surgeons and trainees but the journal cannot be a compilation of students’ presentation on local forums
  • Systhemic reviews; these are interesting papers and when perfomed with the strict rules of a meta-analysis have the highest degree of evidence. It is a challenge for the editorial board and the reviewers to verify that the methodology was followed.
  • Case reports: they do have a clear message; it is not when a rare case is encoutered that is worthwhile to be published. There must be new or original information for the diagnosis and treatment.
  • Personal opinions: have a limited value unless they are so important that they can change strategy of diagnosis and treatment. It is important that the journal is a scientific journal and how important political or economical aspects of the health system, the Acta is not the forum for these aspects
  • Historical reviews: can be interesting when they are well documented

We encourage submissions from established surgeons as well as encouraging young surgeons, trainees and students at the start of their careers. We also support the reporting of emerging research in progress being undertaken as part of a PhD.