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Authors and Reviewers

Instructions to Authors

Submission of Manuscript

JBJS Case Connector uses a web-based service, provided by Editorial Manager, for electronic submission and tracking of manuscripts. Authors must register via the Internet address http://www.editorialmanager.com/cc/. You will be e-mailed a confidential username and password that will enable you to access the system and submit your manuscript. If you currently have a JBJS Editorial Manager username and password, these will also give you access to the JBJS Case Connector site.

When you submit an article, provide the following items:

1. Title Page: List the title of the manuscript and the authors names in the order in which they should appear. Provide a complete mailing address for each author. Clearly designate the corresponding author and his/her mailing address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. The author order and designated corresponding author on this Title Page should be identical to the author order and designated corresponding author entered on http://www.editorialmanager.com/cc/.

2. Blinded Manuscript: Manuscripts should be developed using the JBJS Case Connector templateJBJS Case Connector has a policy of blinded peer review. The manuscript must not contain author names or initials or the names of the institutions where patients were seen or treated. Manuscripts not in compliance with the blinding policy will be returned to the corresponding author. The manuscript should not exceed 1500 words, excluding references, and no more than three cases should be presented in the report.

3. Informed Consent: All Case Reports must include a statement that each patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and that each agreed to this. Patient confidentiality must be protected according to the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). We do not require, nor will we accept, consent forms signed by the patient.

4. Copyright Transfer and Author Agreement: Material appearing in JBJS Case Connector is covered by copyright. All authors must personally sign a Copyright Transfer and Author Agreement form. Electronic signatures are not acceptable. The form must reference the manuscript title and identify the corresponding author. Completed forms can be returned by fax to (781) 448-9787, in PDF format as a attachment to the submission of your manuscript, or emailed as an attachment to caseconnector@jbjs.org.

5. Potential Conflict of Interest Statement: All authors must complete a Conflict of Interest Statement at the time of submission. The form must reference the manuscript title. This disclosure has no bearing on the editorial decision to publish a manuscript. That decision will continue to be based solely on the value of the article to the readers of JBJS Case Connector. The forms will be accessible to readers of the published article.

No article will be published until completed conflict of interest forms have been received from each author. The forms must be completed Electronically and may be attached during the manuscript submission process or emailed to caseconnector@jbjs.org . FAXED FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

6. Figure Permissions Form: JBJS Case Connector discourages submission of illustrations that have been published elsewhere. When such illustrations are deemed essential, the author must include a letter, from the original holder of the copyright, granting permission to reprint the illustration. Give a full citation for the previous publication, as you would in your reference list. Indicate figures requiring permission by completing a Figure Permissions Form and submitting the form as an attachment.

The following items are optional:

1. Cover Letter

2. Acknowledgment If included, it must be attached as a separate file, not included in the text of the manuscript.

3. Tables must be labeled individually and submitted as separate electronic files. Tables must be submitted in their original file format (Word or Excel) and not as graphics files.

4. Figures must be submitted electronically in either TIFF or EPS format. Do not embed images into other software programs. Any digital manipulation of an image—color, contrast, brightness, etc.—must be applied to the entire image and may not result in misrepresentation of the original image. Enhancement or alteration of part of an image, without clear and explicit disclosure in the legend, is unacceptable.

Image files should be named appropriately and include the number of the figure (e.g., Figure1.tif, Figure2.eps, etc.). When completing the online submission form, remember to enter the name and number of the figure (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.) into the "description" field. This description should match the image file name.

Color images must be RGB (not CMYK). We cannot alter or vouch for the quality of color reproductions.

In accordance with HIPAA, remove any writing that could identify the patient (e.g., names, initials, medical record numbers).

When using a digital camera to create your images, if possible, set the camera to save in TIFF format (not JPEG), set the resolution to a minimum of 300 ppi (pixels per inch), and set the size of the image to 5 × 7 in (127 × 178 mm).

The resolution of your electronic images is critical and is directly linked to how well they will appear. Color and grayscale images, such as radiographs, must have a minimum resolution of 300 ppi, and line-art drawings must have a minimum resolution of 1200 ppi. An original image size of 5 × 7 in (127 × 178 mm) is preferred.

For questions regarding electronic submission of images, contact the Desktop Publishing Department at dtp@jbjs.org.

Authorship

The order of names reflects only the preference of the authors. Each author must have contributed significantly to, and be willing to take public responsibility for the manuscript. All authors must have been actively involved in the drafting and critical revision of the manuscript, and each must provide final approval of the version to be published. Individuals who have contributed to only one section of the manuscript should be credited in an acknowledgement footnote.

Review of Manuscripts

Manuscripts are evaluated by the editorial staff of JBJS Case Connector and by independent reviewers. The time between receipt of a submitted manuscript and the decision regarding its publication has averaged six weeks, but it can be longer.