Orthopaedic Thesis Topics for MD/MS Students: Top 100 Research Ideas 2026

Orthopaedic PG thesis topics offer MS and DNB Orthopaedics students an enormous range of research opportunities — from high-volume trauma and fracture surgery to complex joint replacement, spine, sports medicine, and paediatric orthopaedics. India's high burden of road traffic injuries, osteoporotic fractures in the elderly, and a rapidly growing arthroplasty workload means that most orthopaedic units have abundant case material for a well-designed prospective thesis study.

1Why Orthopaedic Research Matters in 2026

Musculoskeletal conditions are the second leading cause of disability worldwide, and India faces a particularly acute burden. Road traffic accidents generate thousands of fracture cases annually at major trauma centres. Osteoarthritis is rising in prevalence with an ageing and increasingly overweight population, driving exponential growth in joint replacement surgery. Spinal disorders, sports injuries, congenital deformities, and bone infections add further to the orthopaedic research landscape.

Orthopaedic research is ideally suited to comparative surgical studies — two implants, two approaches, two fixation techniques — with clear, validated outcome measures such as functional scores (DASH, Oxford Knee Score, WOMAC, NDI), radiographic parameters (union rate, alignment), and complication rates. These studies are feasible within a 3-year MS residency when the unit has adequate case volume. Choosing the right topic early, verifying case numbers in the OT register, and obtaining IEC approval promptly are the three critical first steps.

2Fractures & Trauma Thesis Topics (1–20)

1. Intertrochanteric femur fracture: proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) vs dynamic hip screw (DHS) — functional outcomes and implant failure
2. Neck of femur fracture in elderly: hemiarthroplasty vs total hip replacement — functional outcome and revision rate
3. Distal radius fracture: volar locking plate vs closed reduction and cast — DASH score, radiographic alignment, and complications
4. Tibial shaft fracture: intramedullary nailing vs minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) — union rate and complications
5. Compound fractures (Gustilo-Anderson classification): primary vs delayed closure — infection rate and union outcomes
6. Calcaneum fracture: operative vs non-operative management — Bohler's angle restoration and functional outcome
7. Floating knee injury: ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures — management challenges and outcome
8. Supracondylar femur fracture: retrograde IMN vs locking condylar plate — union, alignment, and knee function
9. Pilon fracture: staged protocol (spanning external fixator + ORIF) vs primary ORIF — wound complication and functional outcome
10. Proximal humerus fracture: ORIF vs hemiarthroplasty vs conservative — Constant-Murley score at 1 year
11. Acetabular fracture: surgical approaches and 2-year functional outcome using Merle d'Aubigné score
12. Pelvic ring injury: external fixation vs internal fixation — reduction quality, blood loss, and functional outcome
13. Clavicle fracture: operative vs conservative management — Constant score, non-union rate, and return to activity
14. Ankle fracture: tension band wiring vs plate fixation for lateral malleolus — AOFAS score and complication rate
15. Subtrochanteric femur fracture: cephalomedullary nail vs blade plate — technical difficulty, union, and implant failure
16. Pathological fracture: aetiology, surgical stabilisation technique, and functional outcome
17. Polytrauma with long bone fractures: damage control orthopaedics vs early total care — outcome comparison
18. Non-union of long bone fractures: aetiology, classification, and outcomes after exchange nailing or bone grafting
19. Malunion correction: osteotomy techniques, outcome measures, and patient satisfaction
20. Fracture-related infection (FRI): diagnostic criteria, debridement protocol, and infection eradication rates

3Joint Replacement Thesis Topics (21–40)

21. Total knee replacement: cemented vs cementless fixation — 5-year implant survival and functional outcomes
22. Unicompartmental knee replacement vs total knee replacement: WOMAC score, complication, and revision rates
23. Total hip replacement: posterior vs anterolateral approach — dislocation rate, Oxford Hip Score, and recovery time
24. Minimally invasive TKR: blood loss, hospital stay, and functional outcome vs standard TKR
25. Computer-assisted TKR: limb alignment accuracy and Oxford Knee Score vs conventional TKR
26. Robotic-assisted TKR: component positioning accuracy and short-term functional outcomes
27. TKR in patients with pre-existing deformity (valgus/varus >15°): alignment correction and functional outcomes
28. Thromboprophylaxis after TKR/THR: LMWH vs aspirin — DVT incidence, bleeding risk, and compliance
29. Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI): two-stage revision outcomes — infection eradication rate and functional outcome
30. Aseptic loosening after TKR: revision surgery technique and functional outcomes
31. Shoulder arthroplasty: anatomic vs reverse total shoulder replacement — Constant score and complication rates
32. Total ankle replacement: AOFAS score, implant survival, and complication rates at 2 years
33. Hip resurfacing vs total hip replacement in young patients: activity levels, implant survival, and revision rates
34. Bilateral simultaneous vs staged TKR: blood loss, transfusion rate, hospital stay, and outcome
35. Enhanced recovery after arthroplasty (ERAS): length of stay, pain control, and patient satisfaction
36. Tranexamic acid in TKR/THR: blood loss reduction, transfusion avoidance, and thromboembolic risk
37. Knee arthroplasty in obese patients (BMI >35): complication rate, functional outcomes, and implant survival
38. Patellar resurfacing in TKR: anterior knee pain, patient satisfaction, and revision rate
39. Revision TKR: indication, technical challenges, and functional outcomes using KSSS
40. Patient-reported outcomes after TKR: VAS pain, Oxford Knee Score, and WOMAC at 6 and 12 months

4Spine Surgery Thesis Topics (41–55)

41. Lumbar disc herniation: microdiscectomy vs tubular discectomy — VAS, ODI, and complication rates
42. Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: TLIF vs PLIF — fusion rate, VAS, and 2-year functional outcomes
43. Lumbar spinal stenosis: decompression alone vs decompression + fusion — ODI and VAS at 1 year
44. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: ACDF vs laminoplasty — JOA score improvement and complication rates
45. Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: vertebroplasty vs kyphoplasty — pain relief and height restoration
46. Spinal tuberculosis: anterior vs posterior surgery — kyphosis correction, neurological recovery, and fusion rate
47. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: posterior spinal fusion outcomes — Cobb angle correction and SRS-22 score
48. Adult degenerative scoliosis: surgical correction outcomes — sagittal balance, ODI, and complication rates
49. Pyogenic spondylodiscitis: conservative vs surgical treatment — pain, neurological recovery, and recurrence
50. Cervical disc arthroplasty vs ACDF: adjacent segment disease rate and VAS at 2 years
51. Minimally invasive TLIF vs open TLIF: blood loss, hospital stay, radiation exposure, and functional outcomes
52. Cauda equina syndrome: timing of decompression and bladder/bowel recovery outcomes
53. Spinal cord injury: ASIA grade, surgical timing, and motor recovery at 6 months
54. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: diagnostic workup, injection therapy, and surgical fusion outcomes
55. Post-laminectomy syndrome: revision surgery vs spinal cord stimulation — pain and functional outcomes

5Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy Thesis Topics (56–70)

56. ACL reconstruction: patellar tendon vs hamstring graft — Lysholm score, pivot shift test, and re-rupture rate
57. ACL reconstruction: single-bundle vs double-bundle technique — rotational stability and functional outcomes
58. Meniscal tear: arthroscopic repair vs partial meniscectomy — Lysholm score, pain, and osteoarthritis progression
59. Rotator cuff tear: arthroscopic repair vs open repair — Constant score, re-tear rate, and patient satisfaction
60. Shoulder instability: arthroscopic Bankart repair vs open Latarjet — recurrence rate and functional outcomes
61. Patellar instability: MPFL reconstruction technique, trochlear morphology (Dejour type), and recurrence
62. Meniscal allograft transplantation: joint space preservation, pain outcomes, and return to sport
63. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) vs corticosteroid injection in rotator cuff tendinopathy: VAS pain and DASH at 3 months
64. Achilles tendon rupture: operative vs non-operative management — re-rupture rate and return to sport
65. Lateral ankle ligament reconstruction: Brostrom vs anatomic reconstruction — AOFAS score and recurrence
66. Hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): labral repair outcomes, HOS score, and re-operation rate
67. Osteochondral lesion of the talus: arthroscopic debridement vs microfracture vs OAT — AOFAS outcomes
68. Elbow medial collateral ligament reconstruction in throwing athletes: UCL repair vs Tommy John — return to sport
69. Biceps tendon rupture at elbow: surgical reattachment — DASH score, supination strength, and complication
70. Sports hernia (athletic pubalgia): conservative vs surgical repair — return to sport and recurrence rates

6Paediatric Orthopaedics Thesis Topics (71–85)

71. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH): Pavlik harness success rate by age at diagnosis and Graf type
72. Perthes disease: Herring classification, surgical vs non-surgical management, and radiological outcome at skeletal maturity
73. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE): in-situ pinning vs reduction — AVN rate and functional outcome
74. Supracondylar humerus fracture in children: closed reduction + K-wire vs open reduction — cubitus varus and nerve injury
75. Lateral condyle fracture of the humerus: fixation technique, union rate, and cubitus valgus development
76. Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV): Ponseti method casting success rate and relapse at 2 years
77. Cerebral palsy: orthopaedic surgical interventions — gait analysis outcomes and GMFCS level changes
78. Limb length discrepancy: aetiology, epiphysiodesis timing, and limb equalisation outcomes
79. Blount's disease: tibial osteotomy outcomes — mechanical axis correction and recurrence
80. Osteogenesis imperfecta: intramedullary rodding — fracture rate reduction and mobility outcomes
81. Septic arthritis in children: joint aspiration vs arthroscopic washout — time to fever resolution and functional outcome
82. Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis: conservative vs surgical management — treatment duration and recurrence
83. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: brace treatment compliance and curve progression at skeletal maturity
84. Congenital scoliosis: hemivertebra excision outcomes — Cobb angle correction and complication rates
85. Paediatric forearm fractures: closed reduction + cast vs elastic stable intramedullary nailing — re-displacement and functional outcome

7Infections, Tumors & Miscellaneous Topics (86–100)

86. Chronic osteomyelitis: Cierny-Mader classification, debridement + antibiotic bead/spacer, and infection eradication rate
87. Diabetic foot osteomyelitis: conservative vs surgical management — limb salvage rate and recurrence
88. Septic arthritis in adults: arthroscopic washout vs repeated aspiration — time to resolution and joint function
89. Bone and soft tissue tumours: clinical profile, staging (Enneking), wide excision margins, and local recurrence
90. Giant cell tumour of bone: curettage + bone grafting vs cementation — local recurrence and functional outcome
91. Osteosarcoma: neoadjuvant chemotherapy response (Huvos grading), limb salvage vs amputation, and 5-year survival
92. Chondrosarcoma: surgical margins, histological grade, and local recurrence at 3 years
93. Ewing's sarcoma: multimodal treatment outcomes and survival in an Indian cohort
94. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head: Ficat staging, core decompression vs THR — progression rate and functional outcome
95. Dupuytren's contracture: fasciotomy vs fasciectomy vs collagenase injection — recurrence and functional outcome
96. Carpal tunnel syndrome: open vs endoscopic release — symptom relief, grip strength, and return to work
97. Trigger finger: steroid injection vs surgical release — resolution rate, recurrence, and complications
98. Rheumatoid arthritis of the hand and wrist: surgical reconstruction outcomes — pain, function, and deformity correction
99. Bone graft substitutes vs autograft in orthopaedic surgery: union rate comparison and donor site morbidity
100. 3D-printed patient-specific implants in complex orthopaedic reconstruction: accuracy, functional outcome, and cost analysis