We offer our members the opportunity to conduct and participate in surveys as a research method used for collecting data to gain information and insights into various sports medicine topics of interest.
Participation Surveys
Psychological State and Burnout Amongst Spouses and Partners of Orthopedic Residents and Surgeons
Many studies have investigated orthopedic surgeons' well-being and burnout, however there is little known about the quality of life and burnout amongst the spouses and partners of orthopedic residents and surgeons. The purpose of this research study is to investigate the psychological burden -- including anxiety, depression, secondary traumatic stress, burnout-and marital satisfaction experienced by spouses and partners of orthopedic surgeons in both training and practice.
Survey Close Date: August 31st, 2025
Psychological Readiness for Return to Sport After ACL Reconstruction: Surveying Current Approaches Among Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeons
The purpose of this study is to explore whether orthopaedic sports medicine surgeons include assessments of psychological readiness to return to play as a standard component of care following ACL reconstruction. For surgeons that do regularly assess psychological readiness, it would be beneficial to understand what tools are being used, and when they are being administered, to explore the benefits of a standardized approach in sports medicine.
Survey Close Date: May 30, 2025
Orthopedic Sports Surgeons’ Recommendations in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is an injury commonly encountered by orthopedic sports surgeons. The incidence of ACL rupture in the general population is approximately 75 per 100,00 person-years. There are several methods by which surgeons can reconstruct the ACL, including allograft versus autograft and soft tissue grafts versus grafts with bone plugs. This study aims to investigate the factors that contribute to surgeon’s decisions for graft type in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Survey Close Date: August 1, 2025
Rehabilitation Practices Following Microfracture Surgery of the Knee
Currently, it is known that orthopedic surgeons assign varying lengths of post-operative weight-bearing restrictions following knee microfractures. However, it is unknown on when and how deviations from post-operative protocols should be made with respect to weight-bearing restrictions. Additionally, there are other unknowns in the literature on knee microfractures, ranging from the frequency of unplanned microfractures to contraindications to use of biological agents intra-operatively. Our proposed survey aims to fill these gaps in the literature and to better understand the current practices of knee microfractures.
Surgeon Perceptions of a Multimodal Opioid-Sparing Postoperative Pain Protocol for Patients Undergoing Knee and Shoulder Arthroscopy (SPOKES): A Cross-Sectional Survey and Knowledge Translation Strategy
Knee and shoulder arthroscopy are among the most common ambulatory orthopaedic procedures used for treating a variety of conditions and are associated with significant postoperative pain. Opioids have traditionally been used for postoperative pain management following arthroscopic procedures, despite their potential for adverse effects. Results of the ‘Non-Opioid Prescriptions after Arthroscopic Surgery in Canada’ (NO PAin) randomized controlled trial demonstrated that a simple and easy to implement opioid-sparing postoperative pain management protocol significantly reduced opioid consumption among adult patients undergoing outpatient shoulder and knee arthroscopy compared to a standard opioid prescription at six weeks. Thus, the primary aim of this study is to determine the impact of a multi-modal knowledge translation/education strategy comprised of distribution of the NO PAin manuscript, an online video, and a patient brochure on changes to surgeon-reported postoperative pain management practice, using a survey. The secondary objectives are to explore surgeon perceptions and identify potential facilitators and barriers that may impact changes to their postoperative pain management practice.
Acute vs. Chronically ACL Deficient Knee: Survey Study
The timing of surgery has been regarded as a key factor in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and early vs delayed ACLR remains a controversial topic. The question of how the timing of surgery and its effects on PROMs, concurrent pathologies, and progressive degeneration remains to be answered. Even the definition of what constitutes acute vs chronic remains unclear in the literature. Survey study of sports medicine surgeons asking 31 questions about their impression of diagnosis and treatment of the ‘acute’ vs ‘chronic’ ACL deficient knee.
Provider Perspectives on Adaptive Sports
We are conducting a study investigating perceptions of physical disabilities and adaptive sports in pediatric and adult sports medicine providers. Regardless of whether you currently treat individuals with physical disability, we would greatly appreciate your willingness to participate in our brief 15-minute survey regarding your perceptions. There are no risks associated with participation. The survey is completely anonymous, and completion is voluntary. No personally identifying information will be collected. In terms of benefits, we hope to use this information to better inform future education and policy as well as to improve support/resources for parents.
Patient Reliability and Surgical Decision-Making Biases Amongst Sports Medicine Surgeons
This survey-based study aims to investigate the various factors that influence the assessment of patient reliability by sports medicine surgeons, and subsequently, how this assessment impacts their treatment decisions. The field of sports medicine encompasses a wide range of injuries and conditions, making it crucial to understand the diverse elements that surgeons consider when evaluating a patient’s willingness to comply with treatment protocols. By investigating these factors, we are hopeful that our results will contribute to more informed and effective patient care strategies within this specialized discipline.
ACL Reconstruction – Current Practices
The ACL is one of the most injured ligaments, with approximately 100,000-200,000 ruptures per year, and is most prevalent in young, athletic individuals. In young, healthy, and active patients, the preferred treatment option to restore the functional stability of the knee is ACL reconstruction. This study aims to better understand the current practices of ACL reconstruction performed by members of various orthopaedic societies and to assess the ability of orthopaedic surgeons to recognize graft type and anatomic tunnel position.
Assessing Physician Perceptions and Gauging Professional Utilization of Social Media
Social media use has increased rapidly over the last decade. Patients and physicians have increased their production and consumption of social media content related to healthcare. There are currently no studies available that examine physician perception of social media content created by physicians. The aims of this study are:
- To better understand how physicians utilize and perceive content posted on social media by other physicians
- To understand how perceptions of social media posts change with physician age
- To understand how physician perception of social media posts may change between occupation, specialty, and type of practice among healthcare workers
Telerehabilitation Perceptions in Sports Medicine Surgeons
The Division of Sports Medicine at NYU Langone Orthopedics is conducting a study of Orthopedic Surgeon Preferences on Telerehab for various orthopedic sports medicine procedures. We aim to understand Sports medicine surgeon preferences.
Understanding Cerebrovascular Events in Beach Chair Arthroscopy
Though there is some published data from previous surveys of surgeons, there has not been any study over the last decade investigating the rates of cerebrovascular events from specifically arthroscopic surgeons. This study would be the first in over a decade to obtain data regarding the incidence from specifically arthroscopic surgeons and gain their perspectives into potential causes of these events. A better understanding of these cerebrovascular events is extremely important in improving patient care and providing a safer healthcare system. The goal of this investigation is to evaluate the incidence and causes behind the cerebrovascular events in patients undergoing surgery in the beach chair position from arthroscopic surgeons.
Return to Collegiate Athletic Competition During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the pause of countless athletic events given health and safety concerns. Some institutions returned to competition sooner than others, but the collaboration and processes by which this occurred is unknown. The purpose of this survey is to collect information regarding the role of Sports Medicine Physicians from different primary residency training backgrounds and their affiliated college or university’s return to athletic competition.
Conducting a Survey
Interested in posting a survey related to orthopaedic sports medicine? Please send the following information to Lynette Craft. All requests will be reviewed for suitability. Commercial product surveys are not permitted.
- Survey Title
- Survey link to the main project website or online survey
- Survey Close Date
- Survey Author and Institution
- Sponsoring AOSSM Member in good standing
- Brief paragraph describing the survey and objectives
- When applicable, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval