The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), sometimes referred to as fast-track, accelerated rehabilitation, or rapid recovery surgery, has gained considerable momentum in recent years. These target factors that delay postoperative recovery, such as surgical stress and organ dysfunction.

ERAS pathways are delivered using a multidisciplinary approach, leading to reduced postoperative complications, shortened length of hospital stay, improved quality of treatment, and better outcomes. Orthopedic surgery, particularly elective hip and knee arthroplasty, is an area where ERAS programs are being applied and developed rapidly. ERAS pathways consist of a selected number of interventions divided into those performed in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care. These programs have gained considerable popularity in orthopedics, however, their widespread adoption remains to be seen.

This Special Issue will focus on ERAS pathways for patients following orthopedic surgeries, covering both clinical and basic research. We welcome original research providing new insights to increase our understanding of ERAS pathways following orthopedic surgeries, and to help the adaptation and changing of ideas and strategies for ERAS. Review articles that help better understand the existing knowledge regarding ERAS research and management and related therapeutics are also encouraged.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Guidelines and recommendations for preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative care in orthopedic surgery
• Studies on the effect of ERAS interventions on postoperative recovery based on health care databases, including adverse events, readmission, mortality, and economic effects
• Risk assessment of postoperative recovery
• Clinical preoperative management for postoperative recovery, for example, preoperative assessment and organ dysfunction optimization, preoperative education, preoperative fasting and nutrition, preoperative analgesics, or prophylaxis against thromboembolism
• Clinical intraoperative management for postoperative recovery, such as minimally invasive surgical techniques, optimal intraoperative fluid balance, and intraoperative anesthetics and analgesics
• Postoperative treatment approaches, including pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, exercise, manual therapy and manipulation, massage, electro-physical agents, and multidisciplinary approaches
• Novel interventions and new surgical techniques that can mitigate pain or reduce postoperative complications following orthopedic surgeries
• Novel molecules and genetic changes that can cause or relieve pain following orthopedic surgeries
• Systematic review and/or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials or primary clinical data used to evaluate the effects of ERAS on postoperative recovery of patients who received orthopedic surgery
• Narrative reviews of the adaptation and change of ideas and strategies for ERAS pathways in orthopedic surgery