Predictors of dislocations after reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a study by the ASES complications of RSA multicenter research group.

BACKGROUND: Instability after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is one of the most frequent complications and remains a clinical challenge. Current evidence is limited by small sample size, single-center, or single-implant methodologies that limit generalizability. We sought to determine the incidence and patient-related risk factors for dislocation after RSA, using a large, multicenter cohort with varying implants. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study was performed involving 15 institutions and 24 American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons members across the United States. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients undergoing primary or revision RSA between January 2013 and June 2019 with minimum 3-month follow-up. All definitions, inclusion criteria, and collected variables were determined using the Delphi method, an iterative survey process involving all primary investigators requiring at least 75% consensus to be considered a final component of the methodology for each study element. Dislocations were defined as complete loss of articulation between the humeral component and the glenosphere and required radiographic confirmation. Binary logistic regression was performed to determine patient predictors of postoperative dislocation after RSA. RESULTS: We identified 6621 patients who met inclusion criteria with a mean follow-up of 19.4 months (range: 3-84 months). The study population was 40% male with an average age of 71.0 years (range: 23-101 years). The rate of dislocation was 2.1% (n = 138) for the whole cohort, 1.6% (n = 99) for primary RSAs, and 6.5% (n = 39) for revision RSAs (P < .001). Dislocations occurred at a median of 7.0 weeks (interquartile range: 3.0-36.0 weeks) after surgery with 23.0% (n = 32) after a trauma. Patients with a primary diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis with an intact rotator cuff had an overall lower rate of dislocation than patients with other diagnoses (0.8% vs. 2.5%; P < .001). Patient-related factors independently predictive of dislocation, in order of the magnitude of effect, were a history of postoperative subluxations before radiographically confirmed dislocation (odds ratio [OR]: 19.52, P < .001), primary diagnosis of fracture nonunion (OR: 6.53, P < .001), revision arthroplasty (OR: 5.61, P < .001), primary diagnosis of rotator cuff disease (OR: 2.64, P < .001), male sex (OR: 2.21, P < .001), and no subscapularis repair at surgery (OR: 1.95, P = .001). CONCLUSION: The strongest patient-related factors associated with dislocation were a history of postoperative subluxations and having a primary diagnosis of fracture nonunion. Notably, RSAs for osteoarthritis showed lower rates of dislocations than RSAs for rotator cuff disease. These data can be used to optimize patient counseling before RSA, particularly in male patients undergoing revision RSA.

Risk factors of acromial and scapular spine stress fractures differ by indication: a study by the ASES Complications of Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Multicenter Research Group.

BACKGROUND: Both patient and implant related variables have been implicated in the incidence of acromial (ASF) and scapular spine fractures (SSF) following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA); however, previous studies have not characterized nor differentiated risk profiles for varying indications including primary glenohumeral arthritis with intact rotator cuff (GHOA), rotator cuff arthropathy (CTA), and massive irreparable rotator cuff tear (MCT). The purpose of this study was to determine patient factors predictive of cumulative ASF/SSF risk for varying preoperative diagnosis and rotator cuff status. METHODS: Patients consecutively receiving RSA between January 2013 and June 2019 from 15 institutions comprising 24 members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) with primary, preoperative diagnoses of GHOA, CTA and MCT were included for study. Inclusion criteria, definitions, and inclusion of patient factors in a multivariate model to predict cumulative risk of ASF/SSF were determined through an iterative Delphi process. The CTA and MCT groups were combined for analysis. Consensus was defined as greater than 75% agreement amongst contributors. Only ASF/SSF confirmed by clinical and radiographic correlation were included for analysis. RESULTS: Our study cohort included 4764 patients with preoperative diagnoses of GHOA, CTA, or MCT with minimum follow-up of 3 months (range: 3-84). The incidence of cumulative stress fracture was 4.1% (n = 196). The incidence of stress fracture in the GHOA cohort was 2.1% (n = 34/1637) compared to 5.2% (n = 162/3127) (P < .001) in the CTA/MCT cohort. Presence of inflammatory arthritis (odds ratio [OR] 2.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-7.78; P = .035) was the sole predictive factor of stress fractures in GHOA, compared with inflammatory arthritis (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.19-2.89; P = .016), female sex (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.20-2.72; P = .007), and osteoporosis (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.02-2.37; P = .003) in the CTA/MCT cohort. CONCLUSION: Preoperative diagnosis of GHOA has a different risk profile for developing stress fractures after RSA than patients with CTA/MCT. Though rotator cuff integrity is likely protective against ASF/SSF, approximately 1/46 patients receiving RSA with primary GHOA will have this complication, primarily influenced by a history of inflammatory arthritis. Understanding risk profiles of patients undergoing RSA by varying diagnosis is important in counseling, expectation management, and treatment by surgeons.

The devastating effects of humeral nonunion on health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Humeral nonunion is estimated to occur at a rate of 1.1%-25% depending on the fracture location and pattern, mechanism of injury, patient compliance with the immobilization protocol and patient's nutritional status and medical comorbidities. Fracture nonunion can cause chronic pain and limited range of motion and may hinder normal function. There is very little data from the patients' perspective regarding their experience with a humeral nonunion. The aim of this study was to establish health-related quality of life (HRQoL) norms for patients diagnosed with a humeral nonunion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively collected database of 185 humeral nonunions seen and treated at our quaternary referral center. We recorded patient characteristics including sex, age, history of infection, previous surgery, associated nerve palsy, handedness, and the anatomic location of the nonunion. At initial clinical evaluation, all patients were asked to complete the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and a time trade-off questionnaire. These scores were compared to other well-known chronic medical conditions' HRQoL scores. RESULTS: The cohort reported an average utility score of 0.55 ± 0.35, average SF-12 Physical Component Summary score of 30.2 ± 7.6, average SF-12 Mental Component Summary score of 42.5 ± 6.1, and average raw DASH score of 69 ± 21, which was worse than the general US population, patients with asthma, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and AIDS. Patients with humeral nonunion are willing to trade 45% of their remaining life to obtain perfect health, and when stratified by handedness, we found that patients with a humeral nonunion of their dominant arm were willing to trade 49.7% compared with 39.7% in patients with a humeral nonunion of their nondominant arm (P = .04). DISCUSSION: The results of our study show that humeral nonunion is a chronic medical condition that has a debilitating effect on patients, both physically and mentally. It is important for orthopedic surgeons to acknowledge these conditions as physically and mentally debilitating to their patients. Our study highlights these physical and mental burdens and helps to quantify humeral nonunion in relation to more well-known chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, AIDS, and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Humeral nonunions have a devastating effect on a patient's physical and mental health with HRQoL measures lower than patients with other chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, AIDS, and stroke. We found that our patients, on average, would trade approximately 45% of their remaining life span for perfect health.

Obesity and sex influence fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff: the Rotator Cuff Outcomes Workgroup (ROW) and Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Fatty infiltration (FI) is one of the most important prognostic factors for outcomes after rotator cuff surgery. Established risk factors include advancing age, larger tear size, and increased tear chronicity. A growing body of evidence suggests that sex and obesity are associated with FI; however, data are limited. METHODS: We recruited 2 well-characterized multicenter cohorts of patients with rotator cuff tears (Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network [MOON] cohort [n = 80] and Rotator Cuff Outcomes Workgroup [ROW] cohort [n = 158]). We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the presence of FI while adjusting for the participant's age at magnetic resonance imaging, sex, and duration of shoulder symptoms, as well as the cross-sectional area of the tear. We analyzed the 2 cohorts separately and performed a meta-analysis to combine estimates. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients (33.8%) in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) cohort and 57 patients (36.1%) in the Rotator Cuff Outcomes Workgroup (ROW) cohort had FI. When BMI < 25 kg/m2 was used as the reference category, being overweight was associated with a 2.37-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-7.29) increased odds of FI and being obese was associated with a 3.28-fold (95% CI, 1.16-9.25) increased odds of FI. Women were 4.9 times (95% CI, 2.06-11.69) as likely to have FI as men. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with rotator cuff tears, obese patients had a substantially higher likelihood of FI. Further research is needed to assess whether modifying BMI can alter FI in patients with rotator cuff tears. This may have significant clinical implications for presurgical surgical management of rotator cuff tears. Sex was also significantly associated with FI, with women having higher odds of FI than men. Higher odds of FI in female patients may also explain previously reported early suboptimal outcomes of rotator cuff surgery and higher pain levels in female patients as compared with male patients.

A localized laminar flow device decreases airborne particulates during shoulder arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although the rate of periprosthetic joint infection following shoulder arthroplasty is low, it is a morbid and costly complication. Airborne particulates have long been recognized as a potential source of wound contamination, and operating room-mounted and smaller localized laminar airflow devices have been developed to minimize airborne particulates. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a localized laminar flow device in reducing the intrusion of ambient airborne particles and bacteria into the surgery site during shoulder arthroplasty as measured by overall particle counts and colony-forming units (CFUs). METHODS: Patients undergoing primary anatomic or reverse shoulder arthroplasty were eligible for participation. After providing informed consent, patients were randomly assigned to the Air Barrier System (ABS) group or control group. For all patients, the ABS was placed on the surgical field; however, it was only turned on by the technician for those randomized to the ABS. Study participants, surgeons, and surgical staff were blinded to group assignment. Bacterial CFUs were collected from within 5 cm of the surgical wound every 10 minutes, whereas airborne particulates were collected every minute. Poisson regression models were used to determine whether differences existed in CFUs and particulate counts between the ABS and control groups. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients were randomized into the ABS (n = 21) or control (n = 22) group. Surgical time (P = .53) and the average staff count (P = .16) in the operating room did not differ between groups. Poisson regression showed that the ABS group had significantly lower CFUs (ß = -0.583, P < .001) along with surgical time and particulates with a diameter ≥ 5 µm. Staff count and particulates with a diameter < 5 µm were not significant predictors of CFUs. Infection was not a primary outcome; however, no postoperative infections have been reported in either study group with a minimum of 1-year follow-up for all patients. DISCUSSION: This double-blinded, randomized trial demonstrated that a localized laminar flow device dramatically reduced the count of CFUs in the air directly above the wound and beneath the ABS (adjusted for the number of operating room personnel and surgical time). The use of the device was not associated with a longer case duration; however, some additional setup time was required prior to surgical incision to place the device. Further study is required to determine the clinical implications of this finding-specifically, whether such devices result in lower rates of periprosthetic joint infection after shoulder arthroplasty.

Greater fear of reinjury is related to stiffened jump-landing biomechanics and muscle activation in women after ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Fear of reinjury is an important factor in determining who returns to sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Evidence from other musculoskeletal injuries indicates fear of reinjury may be related to stiffened movement patterns observed in individuals following ACLR. The relationship between fear of reinjury and performance on dynamic tasks, however, has not been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fear of reinjury and jump-landing biomechanics. METHODS: Thirty-six females (height = 168.7 ± 6.5 cm, body mass = 67.2 ± 10.0 kg, age = 18.9 ± 1.5 years) with a history of ACLR (time from surgery = 26.1 ± 13.3 months) participated in the study. Each participant performed five trials of a standard jump-landing task. 3D motion capture and surface electromyography was used to record peak kinematics and lower extremity muscle activation on the injured limb during the jump landings. Spearman's rank correlations established the relationship between TSK-11 scores and each biomechanical variable of interest. RESULTS: There was a significant, negative relationship between fear of reinjury (TSK-11: 19.9 ± 4.5) and knee (p = 0.006), hip (p = 0.003), and trunk flexion (p = 0.013). There was also a significant, positive relationship between hip adduction (p = 0.007), and gluteus maximus preparatory activation (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that higher fear of reinjury is associated with stiffened movement patterns that are associated with increased risk of a second ACL injury. Similar movement patterns have been observed in patients with low back pain. Clinicians should evaluate psychological and emotional consequences of injury in addition to the physical consequences as they appear to be related. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

What factors are predictors of emotional health in patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears?

BACKGROUND: The importance of emotional and psychological factors in treatment of patients with rotator cuff disease has been recently emphasized. Our goal was to establish factors most predictive of poor emotional health in patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCTs). METHODS: In 2007, we began to prospectively collect data on patients with symptomatic, atraumatic FTRCTs. All patients completed a questionnaire collecting data on demographics, symptom characteristics, comorbidities, willingness to undergo surgery, and patient-related outcomes (12-Item Short Form Health Survey, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index [WORC], Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, Shoulder Activity Scale). Physicians recorded physical examination and imaging data. To evaluate the predictors of lower WORC emotion scores, a linear multiple regression model was fit. RESULTS: Baseline data for 452 patients were used for analysis. In patients with symptomatic FTRCTs, the factors most predictive of worse WORC emotion scores were higher levels of pain (interquartile range odds ratio, -18.9; 95% confidence interval, -20.2 to -11.6; P < .0001) and lower Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores (rating of percentage normal that patients perceive their shoulder to be; interquartile range odds ratio, 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-9.95; P = .0012). Higher education (P = .006) and unemployment status (P = .0025) were associated with higher WORC emotion scores. CONCLUSIONS: Education level, employment status, pain levels, and patient perception of percentage of shoulder normalcy were most predictive of emotional health in patients with FTRCTs. Structural data, such astendon tear size, were not. Those with poor emotional health may perceive their shoulder to be worse than others and experience more pain. This may allow us to better optimize patient outcomes with nonoperative and operative treatment of rotator cuff tears.

2013 Neer Award: predictors of failure of nonoperative treatment of chronic, symptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to help define the indications for rotator cuff repair by identifying predictors of failure of nonoperative treatment. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, cohort study design was used. All patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears on magnetic resonance imaging were offered participation. Baseline data from this cohort were used to examine risk factors for failing a standard rehabilitation protocol. Patients who underwent surgery were defined as failing nonoperative treatment. A Cox proportional hazards model was fit to determinethe baseline factors that predicted failure. The dependent variable was time to surgery. The independent variables were tear severity and baseline patient factors: age, activity level, body mass index, sex, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, visual analog scale score for pain, education, handedness, comorbidities, duration of symptoms, strength, employment, smoking status, and patient expectations. RESULTS: Of the 433 subjects in this study, 87 underwent surgery with 93% follow-up at 1 year and 88% follow-up at 2 years. The median age was 62 years, and 49% were female patients. Multivariate modeling, adjusted for the covariates listed previously, identified patient expectations regarding physical therapy (P < .0001) as the strongest predictor of surgery. Higher activity level (P = .011) and not smoking (P = .023) were also significant predictors of surgery. CONCLUSION: A patient's decision to undergo surgery is influenced more by low expectations regarding the effectiveness of physical therapy than by patient symptoms or anatomic features of the rotator cuff tear. As such, patient symptoms and anatomic features of the chronic rotator cuff tear may not be the best features to use when deciding on surgical intervention.

The Impact of the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Research on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Orthopaedic Practice.

With an estimated 200,000 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions performed annually in the United States, there is an emphasis on determining patient-specific information to help educate patients on expected clinically relevant outcomes. The Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network consortium was created in 2002 to enroll and longitudinally follow a large population cohort of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. The study group has enrolled >4,400 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions from seven institutions to establish the large level I prospective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction outcomes cohort. The group has become more than a database with information regarding anterior cruciate ligament injuries; it has helped to establish a new benchmark for conducting multicenter, multisurgeon orthopaedic research. The changes in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction practice resulting from the group include the use of autograft for high school, college, and competitive athletes in their primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Other modifications include treatment options for meniscus and cartilage injuries, as well as lifestyle choices made after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Sensitivity of standing radiographs to detect knee arthritis: a systematic review of Level I studies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the available literature to define the level of quality evidence for determining the sensitivity and specificity of different radiographic views in detecting knee osteoarthritis and to determine the impact of different grading systems on the ability to detect knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify studies that evaluated the standing anteroposterior (AP) and 45° posteroanterior (PA) views for tibiofemoral and patellofemoral arthritis and those comparing the use of the Kellgren-Lawrence versus the joint space narrowing (JSN) radiographic grading systems using arthroscopy as the gold standard. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, the Cochrane Database, Clinicaltrial.gov, and EMBASE was performed using the keywords "osteoarthritis," "knee," "x-ray," "sensitivity," and "arthroscopy." RESULTS: Six studies were included in the evaluation. The 45° flexion PA view showed a higher sensitivity than the standing AP view for detecting severe arthritis involving either the medial or lateral tibiofemoral compartment. There was no difference in the specificities for the 2 views. The direct comparison of the Kellgren-Lawrence and the JSN radiographic grading systems found no clinical difference between the 2 systems regarding the sensitivities, although the specificity was greater for the JSN system. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to detect knee osteoarthritis continues to be difficult without using advanced imaging. However, as an inexpensive screening tool, the 45° flexion PA view is more sensitive than the standing AP view to detect severe tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. When evaluating the radiograph for severe osteoarthritis using either the Kellgren-Lawrence or JSN grading system, there is no clinical difference in the sensitivity between the 2 methods; however, the JSN may be more specific for ruling in severe osteoarthritis in the medial compartment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, systematic review of Level I studies.

The duration of symptoms does not correlate with rotator cuff tear severity or other patient-related features: a cross-sectional study of patients with atraumatic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine whether the duration of symptoms influences the features seen in patients with atraumatic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Our hypothesis is that an increasing duration of symptoms will correlate with more advanced findings of rotator cuff tear severity on magnetic resonance imaging, worse shoulder outcome scores, more pain, decreased range of motion, and less strength. METHODS: We enrolled 450 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears in a prospective cohort study to assess the effectiveness of nonoperative treatment and factors predictive of success. The duration of patient symptoms was divided into 4 groups: 3 months or less, 4 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, and greater than 12 months. Data collected at patient entry into the study included (1) demographic data, (2) history and physical examination data, (3) radiographic imaging data, and (4) validated patient-reported measures of shoulder status. Statistical analysis included a univariate analysis with the Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson test to identify statistically significant differences in these features for different durations of symptoms. RESULTS: A longer duration of symptoms does not correlate with more severe rotator cuff disease. The duration of symptoms was not related to weakness, limited range of motion, tear size, fatty atrophy, or validated patient-reported outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: There is only a weak relationship between the duration of symptoms and features associated with rotator cuff disease.

Obesity is associated with muscle atrophy in rotator cuff tear.

Objective: The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and muscle atrophy in individuals with rotator cuff tears. Methods: This study consists of patients with rotator cuff tears identified by MRI from two independent cohorts, the Rotator Cuff Outcomes Workgroup (ROW) and the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON). Presence of atrophy (yes/no) and severity of atrophy (as an ordinal variable) were assessed on MRI by expert physicians. We used multivariable regression models to evaluate the relationship between BMI and muscle atrophy while adjusting for age and sex in each study, conducted sensitivity analyses for full-thickness tear and combined results using inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis. Results: A total of 539 patients (MOON=395, ROW=144) from the combined cohorts had MRI data available on muscle atrophy. Among these patients, 246 (46%) had atrophy of at least one of the muscles of the rotator cuff and 282 (52%) had full-thickness tears. In meta-analysis across both cohorts, each 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with a 21% (aOR=1.21, 95% CI=1.02, 1.43) increased odds of having muscle atrophy among individuals with any tear size, and 36% (aOR=1.36, 95% CI=1.01-1.81) increased odds among individuals with full-thickness tear. Conclusions: Higher BMI was associated with significantly higher odds of muscle atrophy in patiens with rotator cuff tears. More study is needed to unders1tand why and how this relationship exists, as well as whether interventions to reduce BMI may help improve outcomes for these patients. Level of Evidence: III.

The Predictors of Surgery for Symptomatic, Atraumatic Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Change Over Time: Ten-Year Outcomes of the MOON Shoulder Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the predictors of failure of nonoperative treatment, defined as the patient undergoing surgery for symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. We present the 10-year follow-up data of this population to determine if predictors for surgery change over time, and secondarily we report the outcomes of the cohort. METHODS: At the time of enrollment, demographic, symptom, rotator cuff anatomy, and patient-reported outcome data were collected in patients with symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Patients underwent a standard physical therapy protocol for 6 to 12 weeks. Patient data were then collected at 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10 years. Failure of nonoperative treatment was defined as the patient electing to undergo surgery. RESULTS: Of the 452 patients in the original cohort, 20 patients (5%) withdrew from the study, 37 (9%) died before 10 years, and 40 (9%) were otherwise lost to follow-up. A total of 115 patients (27.0%) underwent a surgical procedure at some point during the 10-year follow-up period. Of these patients, 56.5% underwent surgery within 6 months of enrollment and 43.5%, between 6 months and 10 years. Low patient expectations regarding the efficacy of physical therapy were found to be a predictor of early surgery. Workers' Compensation status and activity level were more important predictors of later surgery. Patient-reported outcome measures all improved following physical therapy. For patients who did not undergo a surgical procedure, patient-reported outcome measures did not decline over the 10-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Low patient expectations regarding the efficacy of physical therapy were found to be a predictor of early surgery, whereas Workers' Compensation status and activity level were predictors of later surgery. Physical therapy was successful in >70% of patients with symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears at 10 years. Outcome measures improved with physical therapy and did not decline over the 10-year follow-up period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

2024 Kappa Delta Ann Doner Vaughan Award Nonsurgical Treatment of Symptomatic, Atraumatic Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears-a Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study With 10-Year Follow-Up.

The Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network Shoulder Group conducted a prospective cohort study of 452 patients with symptomatic atraumatic rotator cuff tears treated with a physical therapy program to determine the predictors of failure of nonsurgical treatment, to provide insight into indications for surgery. After 10 years, we found the following: (1) Physical therapy was effective for over 70% of patients. (2) PROMs showed statistical and clinical improvement after 12 weeks of therapy and did not decline over 10 years. (3) Cuff tear severity did not correlate with pain, duration of symptoms, or activity level. (4) Of those who had surgery, 56.7% had surgery in the first 6 months while 43.3% had surgery between 6 months and 10 years. (5) Early surgery was primarily driven by low patient expectations regarding the effectiveness of therapy. (6) Later surgery predictors included workers' compensation status, activity level, and patient expectations. (7) Only 1 patient had a reverse arthroplasty (0.2% of the cohort). These data suggest that physical therapy is an effective and durable treatment of atraumatic symptomatic rotator cuff tears and most patients successfully treated with physical therapy do not exhibit a decline in patient-reported outcomes over time. Reverse arthroplasty after nonsurgical treatment is exceptionally rare.

Effectiveness of physical therapy in treating atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of a specific nonoperative physical therapy program in treating atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears using a multicenter prospective cohort study design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears who consented to enroll provided data via questionnaire on demographics, symptom characteristics, comorbidities, willingness to undergo surgery, and patient-related outcome assessments (Short Form 12 score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, and Shoulder Activity Scale). Physicians recorded physical examination and imaging data. Patients began a physical therapy program developed from a systematic review of the literature and returned for evaluation at 6 and 12 weeks. At those visits, patients could choose 1 of 3 courses: (1) cured (no formal follow-up scheduled), (2) improved (continue therapy with scheduled reassessment in 6 weeks), or (3) no better (surgery offered). Patients were contacted by telephone at 1 and 2 years to determine whether they had undergone surgery since their last visit. A Wilcoxon signed rank test with continuity correction was used to compare initial, 6-week, and 12-week outcome scores. RESULTS: The cohort consists of 452 patients. Patient-reported outcomes improved significantly at 6 and 12 weeks. Patients elected to undergo surgery less than 25% of the time. Patients who decided to have surgery generally did so between 6 and 12 weeks, and few had surgery between 3 and 24 months. CONCLUSION: Nonoperative treatment using this physical therapy protocol is effective for treating atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears in approximately 75% of patients followed up for 2 years.

Predictors of Bone Loss in Anterior Glenohumeral Instability.

BACKGROUND: Anterior shoulder instability can result in bone loss of both the anterior glenoid and the posterior humerus. Bone loss has been shown to lead to increased failure postoperatively and may necessitate more complex surgical procedures, resulting in worse clinical outcomes and posttraumatic arthritis. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors of glenoid and humeral head bone loss in patients undergoing surgery for anterior shoulder instability. It was hypothesized that male sex, contact sport participation, traumatic dislocation, and higher number of instability events would be associated with greater bone loss. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 892 patients with anterior shoulder instability were prospectively enrolled in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Shoulder Instability cohort. The presence and amount of anterior glenoid bone loss and accompanying Hill-Sachs lesions were quantified. Descriptive information and injury history were used to construct proportional odds models for the presence of any bone defect, for defects >10% of the anterior glenoid or humeral head, and for combined bony defects. RESULTS: Anterior glenoid bone loss and Hill-Sachs lesions were present in 185 (20.7%) and 470 (52.7%) patients, respectively. Having an increased number of dislocations was associated with bone loss in all models. Increasing age, male sex, and non-White race were associated with anterior glenoid bone defects and Hill-Sachs lesions. Contact sport participation was associated with anterior glenoid bone loss, and Shoulder Actitvity Scale with glenoid bone loss >10%. A positive apprehension test was associated with Hill-Sachs lesions. Combined lesions were present in 19.4% of patients, and for every additional shoulder dislocation, the odds of having a combined lesion was 95% higher. CONCLUSION: An increasing number of preoperative shoulder dislocations is the factor most strongly associated with glenoid bone loss, Hill-Sachs lesions, and combined lesions. Early surgical stabilization before recurrence of instability may be the most effective method for preventing progression to clinically significant bone loss. Patients should be made aware of the expected course of shoulder instability, especially in athletes at high risk for recurrence and osseous defects, which may complicate care and worsen outcomes. REGISTRATION: NCT02075775 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Meniscal and Articular Cartilage Predictors of Outcome After Revision ACL Reconstruction: A 6-Year Follow-up Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal and chondral damage is common in the patient undergoing revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. PURPOSE: To determine if meniscal and/or articular cartilage pathology at the time of revision ACL surgery significantly influences a patient's outcome at 6-year follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction were prospectively enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Data collection included baseline demographics, surgical technique, pathology, treatment, and scores from 4 validated patient-reported outcome instruments: International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Marx Activity Rating Scale. Patients were followed up at 6 years and asked to complete the identical set of outcome instruments. Regression analysis assessed the meniscal and articular cartilage pathology risk factors for clinical outcomes 6 years after revision ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: An overall 1234 patients were enrolled (716 males, 58%; median age, 26 years). Surgeons reported the pathology at the time of revision surgery in the medial meniscus (45%), lateral meniscus (36%), medial femoral condyle (43%), lateral femoral condyle (29%), medial tibial plateau (11%), lateral tibial plateau (17%), patella (30%), and trochlea (21%). Six-year follow-up was obtained on 79% of the sample (980/1234). Meniscal pathology and articular cartilage pathology (medial femoral condyle, lateral femoral condyle, lateral tibial plateau, trochlea, and patella) were significant drivers of poorer patient-reported outcomes at 6 years (IKDC, KOOS, WOMAC, and Marx). The most consistent factors driving outcomes were having a medial meniscal excision (either before or at the time of revision surgery) and patellofemoral articular cartilage pathology. Six-year Marx activity levels were negatively affected by having either a repair/excision of the medial meniscus (odds ratio range, 1.45-1.72; P≤ .04) or grade 3-4 patellar chondrosis (odds ratio, 1.72; P = .04). Meniscal pathology occurring before the index revision surgery negatively affected scores on all KOOS subscales except for sports/recreation (P < .05). Articular cartilage pathology significantly impaired all KOOS subscale scores (P < .05). Lower baseline outcome scores, higher body mass index, being a smoker, and incurring subsequent surgery all significantly increased the odds of reporting poorer clinical outcomes at 6 years. CONCLUSION: Meniscal and chondral pathology at the time of revision ACL reconstruction has continued significant detrimental effects on patient-reported outcomes at 6 years after revision surgery.

Factors Associated With Shoulder Activity Level at Time of Surgery and at 2-Year Follow-up in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Stabilization Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery have been shown to have elevated activity levels. Factors associated with shoulder activity in this patient population at baseline and after surgery are unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Patient-specific variables are associated with shoulder activity level at baseline and at 2-year follow-up in a cohort of patients undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery were prospectively enrolled. As part of the data collection process, patients completed a previously validated Shoulder Activity Scale. A regression analysis was performed to assess the association of patient characteristics with baseline and 2-year follow-up shoulder activity levels. RESULTS: A total of 764 (n = 612 men, n = 152 women) out of 957 patients (80%) undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery with a median age of 25 years had baseline and 2-year follow-up data and were included in the current analysis. The baseline shoulder activity level was associated with race ( P < .0001) and preoperative duration of instability (P < .0001). At 2 years, 52% of the cohort had returned to the same or higher activity level after surgery. Predictors of higher shoulder activity level at 2-year follow-up included higher baseline activity level (P < .0001), male sex (P < .0001), younger age (P = .004), higher body mass index (BMI) (P = .03), more dislocations (P = .03), nonsmokers (P = .04), and race (P = .04). CONCLUSION: A longer duration of preoperative symptoms was associated with a lower baseline activity in this cohort. High baseline preoperative shoulder activity, younger age, male sex, higher BMI, number of dislocations, and nonsmoking status predicted higher shoulder activity 2 years after shoulder stabilization surgery. REGISTRATION: NCT02075775 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Returning to Activity After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision Surgery: An Analysis of the Multicenter Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision Study (MARS) Cohort at 2 Years Postoperative.

BACKGROUND: Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision report lower outcome scores on validated knee questionnaires postoperatively compared to cohorts with primary ACL reconstruction. In a previously active population, it is unclear if patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are associated with a return to activity (RTA) or vary by sports participation level (higher level vs. recreational athletes). HYPOTHESES: Individual RTA would be associated with improved outcomes (ie, decreased knee symptoms, pain, function) as measured using validated PROs. Recreational participants would report lower PROs compared with higher level athletes and be less likely to RTA. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: There were 862 patients who underwent a revision ACL reconstruction (rACLR) and self-reported physical activity at any level preoperatively. Those who did not RTA reported no activity 2 years after revision. Baseline data included patient characteristics, surgical history and characteristics, and PROs: International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire, Marx Activity Rating Scale, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. A binary indicator was used to identify patients with same/better PROs versus worse outcomes compared with baseline, quantifying the magnitude of change in each direction, respectively. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate risk factors for not returning to activity, the association of 2-year PROs after rACLR surgery by RTA status, and whether each PRO and RTA status differed by participation level. RESULTS: At 2 years postoperatively, approximately 15% did not RTA, with current smokers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.3; P = .001), female patients (aOR = 2.9; P < .001), recreational participants (aOR = 2.0; P = .016), and those with a previous medial meniscal excision (aOR = 1.9; P = .013) having higher odds of not returning. In multivariate models, not returning to activity was significantly associated with having worse PROs at 2 years; however, no clinically meaningful differences in PROs at 2 years were seen between participation levels. CONCLUSION: Recreational-level participants were twice as likely to not RTA compared with those participating at higher levels. Within a previously active cohort, no RTA was a significant predictor of lower PROs after rACLR. However, among patients who did RTA after rACLR, approximately 20% reported lower outcome scores. Most patients with rACLR who were active at baseline improved over time; however, patients who reported worse outcomes at 2 years had a clinically meaningful decline across all PROs.

Descriptive Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With and Without Tunnel Bone Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Lytic or malpositioned tunnels may require bone grafting during revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (rACLR) surgery. Patient characteristics and effects of grafting on outcomes after rACLR are not well described. PURPOSE: To describe preoperative characteristics, intraoperative findings, and 2-year outcomes for patients with rACLR undergoing bone grafting procedures compared with patients with rACLR without grafting. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 1234 patients who underwent rACLR were prospectively enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Baseline revision and 2-year characteristics, surgical technique, pathology, treatment, and patient-reported outcome instruments (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Marx Activity Rating Scale [Marx]) were collected, as well as subsequent surgery information, if applicable. The chi-square and analysis of variance tests were used to compare group characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients (13%) underwent tunnel grafting-64 (5%) patients underwent 1-stage and 95 (8%) underwent 2-stage grafting. Grafting was isolated to the femur in 31 (2.5%) patients, the tibia in 40 (3%) patients, and combined in 88 patients (7%). Baseline KOOS Quality of Life (QoL) and Marx activity scores were significantly lower in the 2-stage group compared with the no bone grafting group (P≤ .001). Patients who required 2-stage grafting had more previous ACLRs (P < .001) and were less likely to have received a bone-patellar tendon-bone or a soft tissue autograft at primary ACLR procedure (P≤ .021) compared with the no bone grafting group. For current rACLR, patients undergoing either 1-stage or 2-stage bone grafting were more likely to receive a bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft (P≤ .008) and less likely to receive a soft tissue autograft (P≤ .003) compared with the no bone grafting group. At 2-year follow-up of 1052 (85%) patients, we found inferior outcomes in the 2-stage bone grafting group (IKDC score = 68; KOOS QoL score = 44; KOOS Sport/Recreation score = 65; and Marx activity score = 3) compared with the no bone grafting group (IKDC score = 77; KOOS QoL score = 63; KOOS Sport/Recreation score = 75; and Marx activity score = 7) (P≤ .01). The 1-stage bone graft group did not significantly differ compared with the no bone grafting group. CONCLUSION: Tunnel bone grafting was performed in 13% of our rACLR cohort, with 8% undergoing 2-stage surgery. Patients treated with 2-stage grafting had inferior baseline and 2-year patient-reported outcomes and activity levels compared with patients not undergoing bone grafting. Patients treated with 1-stage grafting had similar baseline and 2-year patient-reported outcomes and activity levels compared with patients not undergoing bone grafting.