OrthoBuzz is pleased to highlight the winners of the JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques (EST) Editor’s Choice Awards for 2025. Each year, two awards are given: for the best Key Procedures article and the best Subspecialty Procedures article submitted to the journal. The Key Procedures series focuses on basic techniques that most general orthopaedic surgeons perform, while the Subspecialty Procedures series is geared toward advanced procedures performed most often by subspecialists.
Congratulations to the 2025 EST Award winners:
Best EST Key Procedures Article
“Tips for Successful Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction” by Amar S. Vadhera, BS, Mariano E. Menendez, MD, Zeeshan Khan, BA, Suhas P. Dasari, MD, Matthew R. VCohn, MD, and Nikhil N. Verma, MD
“Athletes with a deficient UCL often report a decrease in pitch velocity and accuracy in addition to an increase in fatigue, pain, and instability,” state the authors. “Successful reconstruction of the ligament results in high rates of return to play and favorable patient-reported outcomes, as well as low rates of revision surgery.”
Best EST Subspecialty Procedures Article
“The Subscapularis-Sparing Windowed Anterior Technique (SWAT) for Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty” by Austin F. Smith, MD, Michael N. Sirignano, MD, Christian M. Schmidt, II, MD, and Mark A. Mighell, MD
“SWAT for aTSA is substantially different from other techniques described in the literature,” the authors state. “As a result of the complete preservation of the subscapularis, this technique offers the advantage of early postoperative motion with no restrictions.”
About JBJS EST
JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques (EST) is the premier online journal describing how to perform orthopaedic surgical procedures. EST video-based articles provide high-quality, peer-reviewed content that can be utilized as a teaching tool for surgeons at all levels of experience. Demonstrated procedures are supported by published outcomes. Learn more about JBJS EST.
About the Awards
Visit the JBJS EST Awards page for information on how to enter and to see a list of past winners. Instructions for authors interested in submitting their own EST article can be found in the Author Resource Center.
Check out the 2025 JBJS JOPA award winners recently spotlighted on OrthoBuzz.