Guide for Authors
Everything you need to prepare and submit a manuscript to OSCRSJ. We welcome submissions from orthopedic surgeons across all career stages.
Article Types Comparison
| Parameter | Case Report | Case Series | Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis | Narrative Review | Surgical Technique | Images in Orthopedics | Letter to the Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Word Limit | 2,000 | 3,000 | 3,500 | 4,000 | 1,500 | 500 | 600 |
| Abstract | 300 (structured) | 300 (structured) | 300 (structured) | 300 (structured) | 300 (unstructured) | None | None |
| Max Figures | 8 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| Max Tables | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| References | 10-25 | 15-40 | 20-60 | 30-80 | 8-15 | Max 5 | Max 5 |
| Checklist | CARE | JBI | PRISMA | SANRA | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Case Report
A detailed account of the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of a medical condition in one to three patients. Case reports at OSCRSJ should present novel, rare, or instructive orthopedic cases that contribute meaningfully to clinical knowledge.
Required Sections (in order)
The Title Page is a separate document from the blinded manuscript — it contains the title, author byline, affiliations, and corresponding-author block. The blinded manuscript file begins at the Abstract. Patient consent and IRB statements are copied verbatim from /templates. Conflict of Interest, Funding, CRediT, and AI disclosures live on the Title Page or in the submission portal’s Step 5 — not in the blinded manuscript.
- 1.Title Page: full title (max 20 words), all author names with degrees and superscript affiliation numbers, numbered affiliations, disclosures (Funding, Conflicts of Interest, Acknowledgements), and the corresponding-author block (name, mailing address, email, phone)
- 2.Abstract: structured into Introduction (why this case matters), Case Presentation (demographics, history, exam, investigations, treatment), Discussion (how findings relate to literature), Conclusion (key learning point)
- 3.Keywords: 3-5 MeSH terms
- 4.Introduction
- 5.Case Presentation
- 6.Discussion
- 7.Conclusion: 1-2 key clinical takeaways
- 8.Patient Consent Statement
- 9.Conflict of Interest Disclosure
- 10.Acknowledgments (optional)
- 11.References
- 12.Figure Legends
Required Reporting Checklist
CARE Checklist
CAse REport reporting guidelines (CARE, 2013) · 13 reporting items
Mandatory for every Case Report submission. The CARE checklist forces systematic reporting of patient information, clinical findings, timeline, diagnostic assessment, intervention, follow-up, outcomes, patient perspective, and informed consent. Complete every item and upload the filled-in checklist as part of your submission (Step 2 of the portal).
Source: care-statement.org · OSCRSJ hosts the official version verbatim with attribution.
Case Series
A descriptive study reporting on the clinical details and outcomes of four or more patients with a similar diagnosis, treatment, or outcome. Case series at OSCRSJ should identify patterns, outcomes, or complications across multiple cases that contribute to clinical decision-making in orthopedic surgery.
Required Sections (in order)
The Title Page is a separate document from the blinded manuscript — it contains the title, author byline, affiliations, and corresponding-author block. The blinded manuscript file begins at the Abstract. Patient consent and IRB statements are copied verbatim from /templates. Conflict of Interest, Funding, CRediT, and AI disclosures live on the Title Page or in the submission portal’s Step 5 — not in the blinded manuscript.
- 1.Title Page: same format as Case Reports
- 2.Abstract: structured into Background (context and rationale), Methods (patient selection, data collection), Results (key findings), Discussion (interpretation), Conclusion (clinical implications)
- 3.Keywords: 3-6 MeSH terms
- 4.Introduction: clinical context, gap in literature, purpose of the series (200-300 words)
- 5.Methods: patient selection criteria (inclusion/exclusion), time period, data collection methods, outcome measures, ethical approvals/consent
- 6.Results: patient demographics table, case-by-case or aggregated findings, clinical outcomes, complications, follow-up duration
- 7.Discussion: synthesis of findings across cases, comparison with published literature, clinical implications, strengths and limitations
- 8.Conclusion: summary of key findings and recommendations for practice
- 9.Patient Consent Statement, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Acknowledgments
- 10.References
- 11.Figure Legends and Appendices (if applicable)
Required Reporting Checklist
JBI Case Series Checklist
Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Series (2017) · 10 appraisal items
Mandatory for every Case Series submission. The JBI checklist is the canonical critical-appraisal tool for case series — it covers inclusion criteria, valid measurement of the condition, consecutive and complete patient inclusion, demographic and clinical reporting, outcome measurement, follow-up duration, and statistical analysis. Complete every item and upload the filled-in checklist as part of your submission (Step 2 of the portal).
Source: jbi.global · OSCRSJ hosts the official version verbatim with attribution.
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
A systematic review or meta-analysis on a focused clinical question in orthopedic surgery. Authored with a pre-defined search strategy, transparent eligibility criteria, and (for meta-analyses) quantitative pooling of effect estimates. Unsolicited submissions are welcome and undergo our standard double-blind peer review by reviewers outside of our network.
Required Sections (in order)
The Title Page is a separate document from the blinded manuscript — it contains the title, author byline, affiliations, and corresponding-author block. The blinded manuscript file begins at the Abstract. Patient consent and IRB statements are copied verbatim from /templates. Conflict of Interest, Funding, CRediT, and AI disclosures live on the Title Page or in the submission portal’s Step 5 — not in the blinded manuscript.
- 1.Title Page: same format as Case Reports
- 2.Abstract: structured into Background (clinical question and rationale), Methods (search strategy, eligibility, synthesis approach), Results (study selection flow, key findings, pooled estimates if applicable), Conclusion (clinical implications and evidence gaps)
- 3.Keywords: 3-6 MeSH terms
- 4.Introduction: clinical context, gap in the existing literature, the specific PICO question this review answers
- 5.Methods: protocol registration (PROSPERO ID if applicable), eligibility criteria (PICO), information sources and search strategy (with dates), study selection process, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment tool, synthesis methodology (narrative or meta-analytic — specify statistical software and pooling model if applicable)
- 6.Results: study selection (PRISMA flow diagram), study characteristics, risk-of-bias summary, narrative or quantitative synthesis of findings, subgroup or sensitivity analyses if performed
- 7.Discussion: synthesis of findings, comparison with prior reviews, strengths and limitations of the included evidence and of the review itself
- 8.Conclusion: clinical implications and directions for future research
- 9.References
- 10.Figure Legends
Required Reporting Checklist
PRISMA 2020 Checklist
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) · 27 reporting items
Required for every Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis submission. The PRISMA 2020 checklist is the international standard for transparent reporting of systematic reviews — it covers protocol registration, eligibility criteria, information sources, search strategy, study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, synthesis methods, and reporting of results. Complete every item and upload the filled-in checklist as part of your submission (Step 2 of the portal).
Source: prisma-statement.org · OSCRSJ hosts the official version verbatim with attribution.
Narrative Review
A structured expert synthesis of the orthopedic literature on a defined topic. Narrative reviews are required at OSCRSJ when a topic is too broad or too theory-rich for a systematic review but a structured, expert-authored overview adds clinical value. Authored against the SANRA quality framework, with a mandatory Scope and Search statement so readers can judge the bounds of the synthesis. Standard track requires a senior author; the Mentored Review track is open to trainee-led submissions paired with a named OSCRSJ Section Editor as co-author and mentor.
Required Sections (in order)
The Title Page is a separate document from the blinded manuscript — it contains the title, author byline, affiliations, and corresponding-author block. The blinded manuscript file begins at the Abstract. Patient consent and IRB statements are copied verbatim from /templates. Conflict of Interest, Funding, CRediT, and AI disclosures live on the Title Page or in the submission portal’s Step 5 — not in the blinded manuscript.
- 1.Title Page: full title (max 20 words), all author names with degrees and superscript affiliation numbers, numbered affiliations, disclosures (Funding, Conflicts of Interest, Acknowledgements), and the corresponding-author block
- 2.Abstract: structured into Background (clinical importance of the topic), Scope (what the review covers and excludes), Findings (key synthesis points), Conclusion (clinical implications)
- 3.Keywords: 3-6 MeSH terms
- 4.Introduction: clinical importance, definition of the question, why a narrative synthesis (rather than systematic review) is the right format
- 5.Scope and Search: explicit statement of inclusion/exclusion criteria; databases searched; date range; search terms; this section is mandatory and a desk-reject gate if absent
- 6.Body sections: topic-driven structure; subheadings reflect the conceptual organization of the review
- 7.Synthesis and Clinical Implications: integrated discussion of the literature with explicit clinical relevance
- 8.Limitations: standalone subsection acknowledging non-systematic methodology, selection bias risk, and gaps in the evidence base
- 9.Conclusion: 1-2 key clinical takeaways
- 10.Author Track Declaration: explicit statement of Standard track (with named senior author) OR Mentored Review track (with named Section Editor as co-author and mentor)
- 11.AI Tools Used: ICMJE 2025-aligned disclosure of any AI tools used in writing, search, or synthesis — including a negative attestation if none were used
- 12.Conflict of Interest Disclosure
- 13.Acknowledgments (optional)
- 14.References
- 15.Figure Legends
Required Reporting Checklist
SANRA Self-Rating
Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (Baethge, Goldbeck-Wood, Mertens 2019) · 6 items × 0–2 scale (12 max)
Mandatory for every Narrative Review submission. SANRA forces the author to self-rate the review against six quality items — importance, statement of aims, description of literature search, referencing, scientific reasoning, and appropriate presentation of data. Submissions scoring below 8/12 on the author self-rating are returned for revision before peer review. Complete the rating and upload the filled-in form at Step 2 of the submission portal.
Source: PMC6434870 (Baethge 2019) · OSCRSJ hosts the official version verbatim with attribution.
Surgical Technique
Presents a new, modified, or improved operative technique with step-by-step description, illustrated with intraoperative photographs or diagrams. The technique should offer a clear advantage over existing approaches in terms of outcomes, efficiency, reproducibility, or safety.
Required Sections (in order)
The Title Page is a separate document from the blinded manuscript — it contains the title, author byline, affiliations, and corresponding-author block. The blinded manuscript file begins at the Abstract. Patient consent and IRB statements are copied verbatim from /templates. Conflict of Interest, Funding, CRediT, and AI disclosures live on the Title Page or in the submission portal’s Step 5 — not in the blinded manuscript.
- 1.Title Page: same format as Case Reports
- 2.Abstract: brief unstructured summary of the technique and its advantage
- 3.Introduction: clinical problem addressed, limitations of current techniques, rationale for the new/modified approach (150-200 words)
- 4.Surgical Technique: step-by-step procedural description including patient positioning, approach, instruments required, key steps with intraoperative photos/diagrams, closure, and postoperative protocol. Use numbered steps for clarity.
- 5.Discussion: advantages over existing techniques, potential limitations, learning curve, tips and pitfalls (200-400 words)
- 6.Conclusion: when to consider this technique
- 7.References
- 8.Figure Legends
Images in Orthopedics
A brief, image-focused article that presents one or more striking clinical, radiographic, or intraoperative images with a concise clinical description. The image(s) should be visually compelling and educationally valuable. This is an ideal format for medical students and junior residents.
Required Sections (in order)
The Title Page is a separate document from the blinded manuscript — it contains the title, author byline, affiliations, and corresponding-author block. The blinded manuscript file begins at the Abstract. Patient consent and IRB statements are copied verbatim from /templates. Conflict of Interest, Funding, CRediT, and AI disclosures live on the Title Page or in the submission portal’s Step 5 — not in the blinded manuscript.
- 1.Title: descriptive, hints at the diagnosis or finding (max 15 words)
- 2.Clinical Description: brief clinical context including patient demographics, presenting complaint, key findings, diagnosis (300-500 words)
- 3.Teaching Point: 1-2 sentences on the clinical learning point
- 4.Patient Consent Statement
- 5.References
Letter to the Editor
Allows readers to comment on published OSCRSJ articles, present brief preliminary observations, or raise important clinical questions. The original article authors will be invited to submit a response. Both letter and response are published together.
Required Sections (in order)
The Title Page is a separate document from the blinded manuscript — it contains the title, author byline, affiliations, and corresponding-author block. The blinded manuscript file begins at the Abstract. Patient consent and IRB statements are copied verbatim from /templates. Conflict of Interest, Funding, CRediT, and AI disclosures live on the Title Page or in the submission portal’s Step 5 — not in the blinded manuscript.
- 1.No formal section headings required
- 2.Must reference the specific OSCRSJ article being discussed (by DOI)
- 3.State the point of agreement or disagreement with supporting evidence or reasoning
General Requirements
Formatting Requirements
- File Format: Microsoft Word (.docx). Use the OSCRSJ manuscript templates available at /templates — they have the correct format pre-applied.
- Font: Times New Roman, 12-point. All text in black.
- Style: headings in bold sentence case (only the first letter capitalised), no italics. Body text in regular weight, no underline.
- Spacing: double-spaced throughout.
- Line Numbers: continuous line numbering, on every page.
- Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
- Page Numbers: bottom center of each page.
- Headings: use Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 only — never Heading 4 or deeper. Every heading is bold, sentence case, with no italics, and carries an empty line above it (never below).
- Running Title: a short running title appears in the top-right corner of every page (the manuscript template carries a placeholder you replace).
- In-text Citations: format each citation number as a superscript hyperlinked to the matching entry in the Reference list.
- References: Vancouver Style with citations numbered in sequential order or appearance. The Introduction begins on a new page after the abstract and keywords. The References section sits on its own page; the "References" heading is centered, sentence case, and the first reference begins on the line directly below the heading (no blank line between).
- Figure Legends: also on a separate page after the references; the "Figure legends" heading is centered, sentence case, with the first legend on the line directly below.
- Figures: submit each figure as a separate high-resolution image file (TIFF, PNG, or JPEG; minimum 300 DPI; 600 DPI recommended). Do NOT embed figures in the manuscript file. Add the figure legend in the Figure Legends section at the end of the manuscript and indicate placement with [Insert Figure 1 here] callouts in the body. Remove all patient identifiers; mask faces unless explicit consent is provided.
- Tables: submit all tables in a single Tables.docx file (use the Tables template at /templates), one table per page, real Word tables (not images). Do NOT embed tables in the manuscript file. Indicate placement with [Insert Table 1 here] callouts in the body.
- Title Page: separate document containing the manuscript title, author byline with affiliations, disclosures (Funding, Conflicts of Interest, Acknowledgements), and the corresponding-author block. The blinded manuscript file does NOT contain author-identifying information.
Reference Format (Vancouver Style)
- Number references consecutively in order of first citation
- Cite references in text as superscripts (e.g. ¹), hyperlinked to the matching entry in the Reference list
- Journal names should be abbreviated per Index Medicus
Example
Kim DH, Smith JA. Bilateral patellar tendon rupture after corticosteroid injection: a case report. J Orthop Case Rep. 2024;14(2):45-49. doi:10.13107/jocr.2024.v14.i02.3910
Ethical Requirements
- Written patient consent for publication is required for all case-based submissions. The canonical OSCRSJ consent statements (5 variants — adult, pediatric, deceased, verbal-witnessed, IRB waiver) are at /templates#consent. Copy the variant matching your patient situation verbatim into your manuscript.
- IRB approval or exemption must be documented for case series. The canonical OSCRSJ statements (2 branches — approved or exempt) are at /templates#irb. Copy the branch matching your institution’s determination verbatim.
- Research involving human subjects must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki.
- All authors must disclose conflicts of interest. Disclosures live on the Title Page or in the submission portal’s Step 5 — not in the blinded manuscript.
- CARE checklist is mandatory for case reports. JBI critical appraisal checklist is mandatory for case series. PRISMA 2020 checklist is mandatory for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. SANRA self-rating is mandatory for narrative reviews.
Peer Review
- Every submission undergoes double-blind peer review by reviewers outside of our network. Neither authors nor reviewers know each other’s identities during the review process.
- Reviewers are recruited from outside the OSCRSJ editorial board — subspecialty-matched orthopedic surgeons and clinician-researchers — so that no editor evaluates work by their own collaborators.
- Each manuscript is read by at least two independent reviewers using structured review forms covering scientific merit, methodology, clarity, and ethical compliance.
- Initial editorial response within 10 days of submission; full peer-reviewed decision within 30–35 days. Full process at /peer-review.
Cover Letter
- State the article type and title
- Briefly describe why the case is novel or instructive
- Confirm all authors have contributed meaningfully
- Confirm the work is original and not under review elsewhere
- Disclose prior conference presentations, if any
- Disclose any conflicts of interest
Ready to submit?
The full APC is waived for manuscripts submitted before August 1, 2026.