About the Journal

The Journal of the Bulgarian Orthopaedics and Trauma Association (JBOTA) is a peer-reviewed medical journal dedicated to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of orthopaedics, traumatology, and related disciplines. The journal provides a platform for the dissemination of original research, clinical studies, case reports, technical notes, and review articles that contribute to evidence-based practice and innovation in musculoskeletal medicine.
JBOTA aims to support academic, clinical, and surgical excellence by promoting high quality, relevant, and timely research. The journal welcomes submissions from orthopedic surgeons, traumatologists, rehabilitation specialists, biomedical engineers, and researchers working at the intersection of clinical and translational musculoskeletal science.

Key areas of interest include:
- Orthopaedic surgery and trauma care
- Bone and joint disorders
- Spine and sports injuries
- Pediatric orthopaedics
- Prosthetics and implants
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Surgical education and training
- Health policy and innovation in musculoskeletal care

The journal serves both national and international audiences and encourages contributions that foster collaboration, innovation, and best practices across the orthopaedic and trauma community.

PUBLICATION MODEL AND ACCESS

The Journal of the Bulgarian Orthopaedics and Trauma Association is published exclusively online through its official website. The journal follows a continuous article publication model, whereby articles are published as soon as they are ready and subsequently grouped into annual volumes. Additional supplements to the same volume may be issued when appropriate, such as for conference proceedings or thematic collections. All content is freely accessible to readers.

The main goal of the journal is to popularize to the scientific work and clinical experience of orthopaedic surgeons from Bulgaria and all over the world and open discussions on problems from the full spectrum of orthopaedics and traumatology. We welcome original scientific papers, theoretical and experimental analyses, case reports, etc.

Peer Review Policy

The Journal of the Bulgarian Orthopaedics and Trauma Association (JBOTA) follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process. All manuscripts undergo preliminary editorial screening before being sent to at least two independent reviewers. Reviewers and authors remain anonymous throughout the process.

Reviewers assess submissions based on scientific merit, methodology, ethical compliance, and relevance. Authors are notified of the decision (acceptance, minor/major revision, or rejection) within 4–6 weeks. Revisions are re-evaluated before final acceptance.

The Editorial Board follows ethical standards in accordance with COPE guidelines, and all conflicts of interest must be declared.

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

JBOTA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity, following the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Editorial Responsibilities

The Editor-in-Chief has full responsibility for editorial decisions. Editors evaluate manuscripts based solely on academic merit. Confidentiality and impartiality are maintained throughout the process.

Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors must submit original work not under consideration elsewhere. All contributors must be acknowledged. Any form of plagiarism or data falsification is unacceptable. Human or animal studies must follow ethical standards and be approved by a relevant ethics committee.

Reviewers’ Responsibilities

Reviewers must disclose conflicts of interest, maintain confidentiality, and provide objective, timely evaluations. Reviewers should avoid personal criticism and focus on scientific merit.

Misconduct Handling

Suspected misconduct will be investigated. The journal may issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern where appropriate.

Open Access Policy

JBOTA is an open access journal. All articles are freely available online immediately upon publication. Readers may read, download, print, and share articles for non-commercial purposes without subscription or registration.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the non-exclusive right to publish. Reuse for commercial purposes requires prior permission from the editorial office. The journal does not use Creative Commons licenses but supports the principles of the Budapest Open Access Initiative.

No Article Processing Cahrge

The publication in this journal is free of charge thanks to the generous support of thе Bulgarian Orthopaedics and Traumatology Association (BOTA)

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal is an essential building block in the development of a coherent and respected network of knowledge. It is a direct reflection of the quality of the work of the authors and the institutions that support them. Peer-reviewed articles support and embody the scientific method. It is therefore important to agree upon standards of expected ethical behavior for all parties involved in the act of publishing: the author, the journal editor, the peer reviewer, the publisher and the society-owned or sponsored journals.

Duties of Editors

  • Publication decisions
  • Fair play
  • Confidentiality
  • Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
  • Involvement and cooperation in investigations

Duties of Reviewers

  • Contribution to Editorial Decisions
  • Promptness
  • Confidentiality
  • Standards of Objectivity
  • Acknowledgement of Sources
  • Disclosure and Conflict of Interest

Duties of Authors

  • Reporting standards
  • Data Access and Retention
  • Originality and Plagiarism
  • Multiple, Redundant or Concurrent Publication
  • Acknowledgement of Sources
  • Authorship of the Paper
  • Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects
  • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
  • Fundamental errors in published work

Screening for Plagiarism/Similarity

All submissions are checked for plagiarism using iThenticate before they undergo the peer-review process.

Statement on the Use of Generative AI at JBOTA

At JBOTA , we are committed to leveraging the latest technologies to deliver innovative, efficient, and impactful solutions. As part of this commitment, we responsibly incorporate Generative AI (GenAI) into our workflows and offerings.
Purpose of GenAI Usage:
We use GenAI to:
  • Enhance productivity and streamline content creation
  • Assist in data analysis, summarization, and automation
  • Support ideation, brainstorming, and problem-solving processes
  • Deliver personalized and scalable user experiences
Our Approach:
We use GenAI as a supportive tool—not as a replacement for human creativity, judgment, or responsibility. All GenAI-generated content is reviewed, curated, and approved by our team to ensure quality, accuracy, and ethical standards.

DATA Privacy & Ethics

JBOTA is firmly committed to:
  • Protecting user data and maintaining confidentiality
  • Avoiding misuse of AI-generated content
  • Being transparent about where and how GenAI is used in our services or products
We continuously evaluate and adapt our use of AI to align with industry best practices, responsible AI guidelines, and our own values of integrity, innovation, and human-centric design.
For questions or more information about our use of GenAI, feel free to contact us !

Archiving

JBOTA uses the PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN) to ensure the long-term digital preservation and archiving of its published content. This guarantees that all articles remain accessible, secure, and preserved over time, in accordance with best practices for scholarly communication.

Journal History

JBOTA is published regularly as a printed matter since 1964 and online since 2022