Imaging Review of Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Patients with COVID-19.

With surging numbers of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) throughout the world, neuromuscular complications and rehabilitation concerns are becoming more apparent. Peripheral nerve injury can occur in patients with COVID-19 secondary to postinfectious inflammatory neuropathy, prone positioning-related stretch and/or compression injury, systemic neuropathy, or nerve entrapment from hematoma. Imaging of peripheral nerves in patients with COVID-19 may help to characterize nerve abnormality, to identify site and severity of nerve damage, and to potentially elucidate mechanisms of injury, thereby aiding the medical diagnosis and decision-making process. This review article aims to provide a first comprehensive summary of the current knowledge of COVID-19 and peripheral nerve imaging.

Isolated Acetabuloplasty for Femoroacetabular Impingement: Favorable Patient-Reported Outcomes and Sustained Survivorship at Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate minimum 5-year outcomes and conversion rate to total hip arthroplasty (THA) for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome with an isolated acetabular osteoplasty. METHODS: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy with an isolated acetabular osteoplasty from March 2009 to June 2014 for FAI syndrome with pincer and/or cam morphology and a labral tear were identified. Those who underwent femoroplasty or prior ipsilateral hip surgery or who had previous hip conditions, ipsilateral hip dysplasia, or a Tönnis grade higher than 2 were excluded. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) collected included Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores specific to physical functioning and pain interference, modified Harris Hip Score, International Hip Outcome Tool 12, Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score-Sport-Specific Subscale, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Patients were also queried about secondary surgical procedures and conversion to THA. RESULTS: We identified 86 patients at minimum 5-year follow-up (average, 7.4 years). The average patient age was 39.8 ± 12.3 years, 70.9% of patients were female, and 7% of patients had Tönnis grade 2. The mean PRO scores were 52.0 ± 8.9 for the PROMIS physical functioning score, 39.6 ± 7.5 for the PROMIS pain interference score, 78.7 ± 12.0 for the modified Harris Hip Score, 73.3 ± 23.1 for the International Hip Outcome Tool 12 score, 89.9 ± 12.0 for the Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living, and 81.4 ± 21.0 for the Hip Outcome Score-Sport-Specific Subscale. Of the patients, 72.1% achieved the patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) according to previously established PASS scores for FAI syndrome treated with hip arthroscopy at minimum 5-year follow-up. The overall rate of revision arthroscopy was 3.5%, and the rate of conversion to THA was 5.8%. CONCLUSIONS: An isolated acetabular osteoplasty can provide sustained clinical benefits for the treatment of FAI syndrome with labral tears, with good to excellent PROs and PASS rates and a low rate of conversion to THA at minimum 5-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Injury Risk in Collegiate Football Players With Generalized Joint Hypermobility: A Prospective Cohort Study Over 2 Years.

Background: Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) has been identified as a risk factor for injury in various athletic patient populations. Purpose: To evaluate GJH as a predisposing risk factor for injury in a population of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The Beighton score was collected for 73 athletes during their preseason physical examinations in 2019. GJH was defined as a Beighton score ≥4. Athlete descriptive characteristics, including age, height, weight, and playing position, were recorded. The cohort was evaluated prospectively for 2 years, and the number of musculoskeletal issues, injuries, treatment episodes, days unavailable, and surgical procedures for each athlete during this period were recorded. These measures were compared between the GJH and no-GJH groups. Results: The mean Beighton score was 1.4 ± 1.5 for the 73 players; 7 players (9.6%) had a Beighton score indicating GJH. During the 2-year evaluation, there were 438 musculoskeletal issues, including 289 injuries. The mean number of treatment episodes per athlete was 77 ± 71 (range, 0-340), and the mean number of days unavailable was 67 ± 92 days (range, 0-432 days). There were 23 athletes who required 25 operations, the most common procedure being arthroscopic shoulder stabilization (n = 6). The number of injuries per athlete was not significantly different between the GJH and no-GJH groups (3.0 ± 2.1 vs 4.1 ± 3.0; P = .13), nor were there any between-group differences in the number of treatments received (74.6 ± 81.9 vs 77.2 ± 71.5; P = .47), days unavailable (79.6 ± 124.5 vs 65.3 ± 89.3; P = .61), or rates of surgery (43% vs 30%; P = .67). Conclusion: A preseason diagnosis of GJH did not place NCAA football players at a greater risk for injury during the 2-year study period. Based on the findings of this study, no specific preparticipation risk counseling or intervention is warranted for football players who are diagnosed with GJH as defined by the Beighton score.

Are two plates better than one? A systematic review of dual plating for acute midshaft clavicle fractures.

Background: The rate of operative fixation of acute midshaft clavicle fractures has exponentially increased in recent years; however, the rate of reoperation for symptomatic hardware removal remains high and the optimal fixation strategy unknown. This systematic review aimed to summarize available evidence for dual plating of acute displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. Methods: EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed searches identified clinical studies evaluating dual plate fixation of acute midshaft clavicle fractures. Pooled analysis was performed using a random-effects model in RevMan 5.3. Results: Eleven studies including 672 patients were included. Hardware removal occurred in 4.4% and 12.3% of patients undergoing dual and single plate fixation, respectively. Compared to single plating, dual plating had significantly lower odds of hardware removal (P = 0.001) with no difference in union rates. There were no significant differences in reoperation (excluding hardware removal), complications, and patient-reported outcomes between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that dual plating of acute displaced midshaft clavicle fractures may lead to lower rates of reoperation for symptomatic hardware removal without compromising fracture healing. Ultimately, well-designed randomized trials are needed to further investigate the findings from this systematic review.

A Qualitative Assessment of Return to Sport in Collegiate Athletes: Does Gender Matter?

INTRODUCTION: Participation of female athletes in collegiate athletics continues to rise, but there remains a significant underrepresentation of this growth in the literature and lack of knowledge regarding the impact of gender on the college athlete experience. Our goal was to explore how collegiate female and male athletes perceive and approach return to sport after orthopaedic surgery. METHODS: Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with collegiate varsity athletes from a single institution who underwent orthopaedic surgery following injury with at least two years follow-up. Athletes were asked about factors influencing recovery, rehabilitation, and their return to or retirement from sport. Codes, categories, and themes were derived within and across genders. RESULTS: Fifteen athletes (six females and nine males) were interviewed individually. Athletes shared similar experiences following injury, citing similar motivations driving them back to sport. Athletes stressed the importance of the athlete role to their identity regardless of gender. Our analysis revealed two gender-related challenges: male athletes commonly felt weight change was a barrier to successful recovery and often led to self-consciousness; while females expressed frustrations in lack of empathy from those they turned to for support. CONCLUSION: Female and male athletes shared some common supporting and challenging factors in return to sport following orthopaedic surgery. The most important findings of the present study were the differentiated challenges male versus female athletes experienced. Female athletes found difficulty with interpersonal relationships and external support, while male athletes struggled internally with their own body image and changing self-concept. This qualitative study provides a nuanced look at the experience of varsity athletes returning to sport following surgery. An understanding of the gendered experiences of collegiate athletes is critical to ensure all athletes in this unique population are supported as they cope with injury and seek to return to sport.

Bilateral versus unilateral hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement: a systematic review.

One in four patients presenting with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has bilateral symptoms, and despite excellent outcomes reported after arthroscopic treatment of FAI, there remains a paucity of data on the outcomes following bilateral hip arthroscopy. This systematic review aims to examine the outcomes following bilateral (either 'simultaneous' or 'staged') versus unilateral hip arthroscopy for FAI. A systematic review of multiple electronic databases was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and checklist. All studies comparing simultaneous, staged and/or unilateral hip arthroscopy for FAI were eligible for inclusion. Case series, case reports and reviews were excluded. All study, patient and hip-specific data were extracted and analyzed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. A meta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity among outcome measures. A total of six studies, including 722 patients (42.8% male) and 933 hips were eligible for inclusion. The mean age across patients was 35.5. The average time between staged procedures was 7.7 months. Four of the six studies were retrospective cohort studies, while the remaining two were prospective in nature. The overall quality of the eligible studies was found to be good. No significant difference was noted among patient-reported outcomes (modified Harris hip score, hip outcome score and non-arthritic hip score), visual analog scale, return to sport, traction time and complications between those undergoing bilateral (simultaneous or staged) versus unilateral hip arthroscopy. Based on the current available evidence, bilateral hip arthroscopy (whether simultaneous or staged) exhibits similar efficacy and safety when compared with unilateral hip arthroscopy. However, further prospective study is required to confirm this finding.

Arthroscopy versus arthrotomy for the treatment of septic knee arthritis.

PURPOSE: To compare complications following arthroscopy and arthrotomy for treatment of septic knee arthritis. METHODS: Patients undergoing arthroscopy and arthrotomy for a diagnosis of septic knee arthritis were identified in National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and placed in a multivariate analysis to determine if type of surgery contributed to postoperative complications. RESULTS: Knee arthrotomy was associated with an increased risk for increased operative time [Parameter estimate 4.555 (95% CI:3.023-6.085); p < 0.0001], minor morbid events [OR 2.064 (95% CI: 1.447-2.943); p < 0.0001], and any morbidity [OR 2.285 (95% CI:1.527-3.419); p < 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: Knee arthrotomy was associated with a higher risk of complications.

Physical Activity and White Matter Hyperintensities: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies.

OBJECTIVE: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are markers of brain white matter injury seen on magnetic resonance imaging. WMH increase with age and are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. WMH progression can be slowed by controlling vascular risk factors in individuals with advanced disease. Since physical activity can decrease vascular risk factors, physical activity may slow the progression of WMH in individuals without advanced disease, thereby preventing neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the association between physical activity and WMH in individuals without advanced disease. METHODS: Articles published in English through March 18, 2014 were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and EBSCOhost. RESULTS: Six studies found that more physical activity was associated with less WMH, while 6 found no association. Physical activity is associated with less WMH in individuals without advanced disease when studies are longitudinal or take into consideration physical activity across the lifespan, have a younger sample of older adults, measure different types of physical activity beyond leisure or objectively measure fitness via V02max, measure WMH manually or semi-automatically, and control for risk factors associated with WMH. CONCLUSION: More physical activity was associated with less white matter hyperintensities in individuals without advanced disease.