Editorial Commentary: Patients With Thin Hip Capsules, Capsular Redundancy, Capsular Defects, Hypermobility, Dysplasia, and Female Patients Are at Increased Risk of Hip Instability.

Patients with thin hip capsules, capsular redundancy, capsular defects, hypermobility, dysplasia, and female patients are at increased risk of hip instability. As our understanding of the factors that contribute to hip instability has increased, so too has our ability to identify "at-risk" patients, in whom we should avoid surgery or perform capsular repair or plication following hip arthroscopy to achieve optimal results. We must tailor our surgical planning accord to gender, bony morphology, capsular volume, and properties of the tissue.

Editorial Commentary: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of the Anterolateral Complex-Is Seeing Really Believing?

The anatomic and biomechanical role of the anterolateral complex (ALC) of the knee has gained increased interest in recent years. Specifically, a keen focus has been on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of the ALC in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament injury. Although many of these studies are well designed and conducted, they are based on a foundation of controversial gross anatomy and MRI protocols and scanners not typically used in standard practice. Ultimately, there is a lack of correlation between MRI evidence of injury to the ALC and clinical evaluation of anterolateral rotatory laxity. So, do we believe in what we see or believe in what we feel?

Recurrent lateral patella dislocation affects knee function as much as ACL deficiency - however patients wait five times longer for treatment.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of young patients with recurrent lateral patella dislocation (RLDP) is often recommended because of loss of knee function that compromises their level of activity or even their daily life functioning. This situation is comparable to young patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the time from injury to surgery and the pre-operative symptoms and knee function of young RLPD patients scheduled for stabilizing surgery and compare this group to age and sex-matched ACL-deficient patients. METHOD: Forty-seven patients with unilateral RLPD listed for isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction were included in the study (RLPD-group). This group was compared to an age, sex and BMI matched ACL patient group obtained from the Norwegian knee ligament registry (ACL-group) for the following outcome measures: the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) assessed on the day of surgery and time from injury to surgery. RESULTS: The RLPD-group scored significantly lower than the ACL-group for the three KOOS subscales "Pain" (73.6 vs. 79.8, p < 0.05), "Symptoms" (71.7 vs. 79.3, p < 0.05) and "ADL" (84.7 vs 89.5, p < 0.05). The lowest KOOS values were found for Sports/Recreation (53.5 vs. 51.3, p = 0.65) and Quality of life (37.6 vs. 36.7, p = 0.81). The average time from primary injury to surgery was 6 months for the ACL group and 31 months for the RLPD group. CONCLUSION: RLPD affected knee function as much as ACL deficiency, and was associated with more pain. Still the RLDP patients waited on average 5 times longer for surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The patients with RLPD consisted of patients who were examined for possible recruitment for a concurrent prospective randomized controlled trial comparing conservative treatment and isolated surgical medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction (Clinical trials no: NCT02263807 , October 2014).

Editorial Commentary: Hip Arthroscopy Capsular Management-Cut Your Cloth to Measure!

Microinstability of the hip is a relatively recent concept but one that is gaining increased acceptance. As our understanding of the factors that contribute to microinstability has increased, so too has our ability to identify "at-risk" patients, in whom a capsular repair should be considered after hip arthroscopy to achieve optimal results and avoid iatrogenic instability (dislocation or microinstability). However, each of our patients is different, and as such, we must be able to tailor our capsulotomies and repairs accordingly based on the bony morphology, capsular volume, and properties of the tissue.

Editorial Commentary: Chicken or the Egg? The Ligamentum Teres and Degenerative Hip Disease.

The ligamentum teres has traditionally been described as a vestigial remnant or redundant structure with little contribution to hip biomechanics or function. However, interest in the ligamentum teres has been renewed as evidence has emerged that it not only plays a role as a pain generator in the hip but also acts as a secondary stabilizer to supplement the work of the capsular ligaments. Furthermore, an association has been proposed between tearing of the ligamentum teres and the development of degenerative hip disease. However, the question remains, is it a cause-and-effect relationship?

The Origin of the Knee Anterolateral Ligament Discovery: A Translation of Segond's Original Work With Commentary.

Paul Segond was a French surgeon who was in practice at the end of the 19th century. A prodigious anatomist, scientist, and surgeon in his day, he is best known for his treatise on the origin of traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee following injury. In this detailed description of the anatomy of the anterolateral aspect of the knee, he describes "a pearly, resistant, fibrous band that is placed under extreme tension when the knee is forcefully rotated internally," which has more recently been described as the anterolateral ligament or a capsular thickening contributing to the anterolateral complex of the knee. His work goes on to speculate about the role of this structure in controlling internal rotation of the knee. The original study was published in French in 1879. Although this work is widely cited, one must question whether many of the citing authors have actually had the opportunity to read it. As such, we sought to unlock this treasure by translating the original study into English and exposing this illuminating, forward-thinking and historical tour de force to the broader orthopaedic community.

Synovitis following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the LARS device.

PURPOSE: The Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS®) has been at the forefront of a recent revival in the use of synthetic ligaments for ACL reconstruction. However, despite promising short-to-mid-term results its role has been approached with caution due to a high number of major complications in previous synthetic graft designs including mechanical failures, synovitis and osteoarthritis. This study aims to report on the incidence of synovitis in a series of patients undergoing second-look surgery following LARS ACL reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of a single surgeon's series of 12 patients that underwent second-look arthroscopic surgery following primary LARS ACL surgery for indications including mechanical symptoms (meniscal tears/cyclops lesions/chondral flaps) and/or symptomatic instability secondary to LARS failure. In all cases an examination under anaesthesia (EUA) was performed, and a qualitative assessment of the synovium was carried out and graded as normal, reactive or inflammatory. A synovial biopsy was performed in all knees with visible evidence of synovitis and in all cases of LARS failure. RESULTS: The second-look arthroscopy was performed at a mean of 23 months (7-66) after the index surgery. In 6 (50%) knees the LARS device had failed necessitating removal and revision ACL reconstruction, while in the remaining 6 knees the LARS was still intact. Arthroscopic evaluation of the synovium revealed a normal appearance in 8 knees (67%) and reactive synovitis in 4 knees (23%); of these 4 knees, one had an intact LARS device and 3 had failed LARS. Histological examination from these 4 knees and the 3 knees with graft failures without visible synovitis revealed chronic hypertrophic synovitis (moderate 2, mild 5) in all cases with rare giant cells, consistent with a reaction to foreign body material. CONCLUSIONS: Foreign body synovitis is a common finding in our series of patients undergoing a repeat arthroscopy following a LARS ACL reconstruction. The histological diagnosis of synovitis was more frequently encountered than an arthroscopic appearance of synovitis. Whilst the results of this case series cannot support a direct causative link between LARS failure and the development of synovitis, this study highlights the need to remain vigilant about the risk of reactive synovitis following LARS ACL reconstruction due to exposure of the knee to foreign body material. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Primary ACL reconstruction using the LARS device is associated with a high failure rate at minimum of 6-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS®) is a synthetic ligament consisting of fibres made of polyethylene terephthalate. Despite the LARS being used as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) device for nearly 30 years and the well-documented complications from earlier synthetic ligament designs, there is a paucity of published medium- to long-term results. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and functional outcomes after ACL reconstruction using the LARS at a minimum follow-up of 6 years. METHODS: Results of a single surgeon's entire cohort of 55 patients who underwent primary LARS ACL surgery were reviewed at a median of 7.8 years (6.0-9.4). Patient-reported outcome measures including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were collected and clinical assessment consisted of range of motion (ROM) and the KT-1000 arthrometer to assess the side-side difference in the operative and non-operative knee. Mechanical failures of the graft were confirmed at revision surgery and a survivorship analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The overall mechanical failure rate was 17/51 (33.3%) with ruptures occurring at a median 3.9 years (0.6-8.8 years) following primary LARS ACL surgery. Secondary operative procedures were performed in 39.2% of patients. For intact grafts, there was no statistically significant difference is side-to-side ROM or anterior knee laxity and subjective scores revealed a median IKDC subjective score of 85.1 (26.4-100) and SF-36 physical component score of 94.1. CONCLUSION: The rates of LARS ACL construct failure (33.3%) in this cohort are high and based on these results the LARS should not be considered as a graft option for primary ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, cohort study.

Strength Testing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Cohort Study Investigating Overlap of Tests.

Barfod, KW, Feller, JA, Clark, R, Hartwig, T, Devitt, BM, and Webster, KE. Strength testing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A prospective cohort study investigating overlap of tests. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3145-3150, 2019-The purpose of the present study was to determine whether overlap (redundancy) exists between individual tests in a comprehensive strength testing protocol used after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). If overlap is present, one or more components of the protocol could potentially be omitted to make the testing protocol more efficient, but without compromising the usefulness of the testing. Sixty-nine patients (46 male and 23 female patients; mean age 28 years) were strength tested at 6 and 12 months after ACLR as part of a prospective cohort study. The following knee flexor and extensor strength tests were performed: isokinetic concentric strength at 60 and 180°·s, isokinetic eccentric strength at 60°·s, and isometric knee flexor strength at 60° flexion. Peak and average torque values were extracted, and the ratio between the operated and non-operated limb was calculated as a limb symmetry index. Overlap of strength tests was investigated by fitting a linear regression model to the data with an R threshold of 0.56 used as an indication of overlap. Overlap between peak and mean torque was present for extensor and flexor concentric and eccentric measurements at 12 months and for concentric measurements at 6 months. Peak torque measurements were therefore used for subsequent analysis. Concentric extensor peak torque at 60 and 180°·s showed overlap at 6 months (R = 0.73) but not at 12 months (R = 0.37). No other overlap was identified. In conclusion, there is little room for omission of individual strength testing protocol components because of the lack of overlap between tests. Isometric, eccentric, and concentric tests may all provide unique information and all, therefore, should be considered for inclusion.

Editorial Commentary: Should Proximal Hamstring Surgery Make You Nervous?

In recent times, there has been an increased awareness of high-grade proximal hamstring injuries, many of which are now being managed surgically. Yet, surgical treatment of these injuries is challenging and carries potential risks of serious neurologic complications. Indeed, it is likely that postoperative neurologic complications are under-recognized. As such, knowledge of the intimate anatomic relation of the pudendal nerve and other neural structures around the proximal hamstring is essential and should provide a road map for safer and more successful surgery.

Medial meniscal and chondral pathology at the time of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction results in inferior mid-term patient-reported outcomes.

PURPOSE: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are frequently not isolated injuries and damage to the menisci and articular cartilage surfaces is common. The concomitant presence of meniscal and chondral damage has the potential to influence patient outcomes following ACL reconstruction surgery and especially following revision ACL reconstruction where these findings are more common. However, study results regarding the mid-term outcome have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to compare mid-term patient-reported outcomes and return to sport in patients with and without meniscal and chondral pathology at the time of revision ACL reconstruction surgery. METHODS: A cohort of 180 patients (131 males, 49 female) with a mean age of 25.3 (SD 7.8) years participated at an average follow-up time of 4.6 (SD 1.3) years after revision ACL reconstruction surgery. All patients completed the IKDC Subjective, Marx Activity, KOOS-Quality of Life (QOL) and Single Numerical Assessment (SANE) scores. In addition, patients were asked to indicate the highest level of sport to which they had returned following their revision surgery. Any further injuries to either knee were also documented. Patients were grouped according to whether or not they had medial or lateral meniscal pathology at the time of revision surgery; and whether or not they had > 50% depth chondral damage (ICRS 3 or 4). All outcomes were compared between these groupings. RESULTS: Patients with medial meniscal pathology had significantly lower Marx, KOOS-QOL and SANE scores than patients without. There were no differences in any outcome score between patients with and without lateral meniscal pathology. Patients with ICRS 3 or 4 chondral pathology had significantly lower scores on all patient-reported outcomes as well as a lower rate of return to the same level of pre-injury sport. CONCLUSION: The presence of more severe chondral damage at the time of revision ACL reconstruction has a negative impact on functional outcomes, activity levels and return to sport rates. In addition, the presence of medial meniscal pathology was associated with significantly lower functional and quality of life scores than patients without pathology. These findings provide important clinically relevant data on the outcomes following revision ACL reconstruction with concomitant chondral and meniscal injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

No evidence for the most appropriate postoperative rehabilitation protocol following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with concomitant articular cartilage lesions: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture commonly occurs in conjunction with articular cartilage injury. However, there is no consensus on the most appropriate rehabilitation which should be carried out for ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and the surgical management of articular cartilage lesions of the knee. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to investigate the recommended rehabilitation protocol for patients undergoing ACLR with concomitant articular cartilage injury with a view to develop guidelines on the most appropriate treatment. METHODS: Two reviewers independently searched five database for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised comparative and retrospective cohort studies (CS) describing the management of concomitant ACL rupture and articular cartilage injury and the postoperative rehabilitation regimen. Risk of bias was performed using a modified Downs & Black's checklist. The primary outcome was specific rehabilitation protocols including weight-bearing status, immobilisation, continuous passive motion (CPM), and return to play criteria. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported outcomes. A best evidence synthesis was performed. RESULTS: The review yielded six studies which reported on rehabilitation techniques. All studies were of low methodological quality. There was considerable variability in not only the chondral lesion reported but also the treatment techniques utilised and especially the rehabilitation regimes. No consensus was found on weight-bearing status, postoperative immobilisation, the use of CPM, or return to play criteria. Given the quality of the papers, there was no evidence to recommend any specific rehabilitation regime in the postoperative management of concomitant ACLR and articular cartilage lesions. CONCLUSION: This systematic review revealed that despite how common concomitant ACL rupture and articular cartilage injury is, there is no evidence to support one, most appropriate rehabilitation protocol. From a clinical perspective, decisions on postoperative rehabilitation for patients undergoing ACLR and treatment of articular cartilage lesions should be made on a case-by-case basis with criteria-based progression until more robust evidence becomes available. A list of specific rehabilitation protocols based on the cartilage restoration technique is provided. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Comparison of combined posterior and anterior spondylodesis versus hybrid stabilization in unstable burst fractures at the thoracolumbar spine in patients between 60 and 70 years of age.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of unstable burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine in the elderly population is highly variable with combined posterior and anterior stabilization (CPAS) and posterior augmented stabilization with cementation of the vertebral body (hybrid) being two commonly used techniques. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of CPAS versus hybrid stabilization for the treatment of unstable burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine in patients aged between 60 and 70 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of all thoracolumbar burst fractures treated surgically in a single level I trauma center between June 2013 and February 2015. Two commonly used strategies of surgical stabilization were compared; the first consisted of initial posterior reduction and bisegmental stabilization, followed by additional anterior spondylodesis (CPAS); the second method comprised a hybrid technique with a posterior cement augmented bisegmental minimally invasive stabilization and kyphoplasty of the fractured vertebral body. Patients were evaluated clinically after a minimum follow-up of 18 months. The primary endpoint was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at the latest follow-up. Secondary parameters of interest were length of in-hospital stay (LIHS), duration of surgery (DS), surgical revisions (SR), pain level (P-VAS), satisfaction level and the SF-36 score (PSC, MSC), the bisegmental postoperative Cobb angle, the reduction loss (RL), and all alignment parameters (pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, C7 plumb line). RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were included (17 females, 12 males, mean age 65.6 years ± 3.4 years). The following vertebral bodies were fractured: thoracic level (T) 12: n = 6; lumbar (L) 1: n = 14; L 2: n = 6; L 3: n = 3. CPAS was performed in 10 patients (34%), whereas the hybrid was carried out in 19 patients (66%). There were no statistical significant differences between both study groups regarding age, gender, trauma energy, fracture level, and fracture morphology. The latest follow-up was performed after a mean of 27 months (range 18-53 months). The LIHS between the treatment methods was statistically significant (p < 0.01); CPAS-mean 24 days versus hybrid-mean 12 days. DS was also significantly longer in patients treated with CPAS, 254 versus 95 min for the hybrid group (p < 0.01). No SR were necessary in either group. No significant differences were found regarding the clinical and radiological outcomes between the groups. The mean ODI score was 13.6 in the CPAS patients compared to 10.8 in the hybrid patients without significant differences between the groups. The majority of patients had no (80%) or minor (13%) limitations according to the ODI score. The P-VAS was 2.8 in CPAS and 2.9 in the hybrid group. RL was 7.1° in CPAS and 4.2° in the hybrid group. CONCLUSIONS: CPAS and hybrid stabilization provide safe and promising short- and middle-term results in patients between 60 and 70 years of age. The majority of patients demonstrated no disability or minimal limitations with either technique. CPAS resulted in prolonged inpatient hospital stays, longer duration of surgery compared to hybrid stabilization without significant differences in clinical and radiological outcome.

Combined anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and lateral extra-articular tenodesis does not result in an increased rate of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and best evidence synthesis.

PURPOSE: The role of lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LEAT) as an augment to primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) remains controversial. However, concerns exist regarding the risk of development of osteoarthritis due to over constraint of the knee. To systematically review the literature to analyse the long-term incidence of osteoarthritis in patients who had an LEAT performed in isolation or in combination with intra-articular ACLR for the treatment of ACL deficiency. METHODS: Two reviewers independently searched five databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized comparative, and retrospective cohort studies (CS) with long-term radiological follow-up of patients with ACL deficiency treated with ACLR combined with LEAT or LEAT in isolation. Risk of bias was performed using a modified Downs & Black's checklist. The primary outcome was the development of osteoarthritis. The studies were divided into those with moderate/severe osteoarthritis at between 5 to 10 years and >10-year follow-up. The rate of meniscal pathology at the time of the index surgery was recorded. A best evidence synthesis was performed. RESULTS: Eight studies reported on 421 patients in which an LEAT procedure was carried out. There were two high-quality RCTs and six low-quality CS. The follow-up was between 5- and 10-years in 5 studies and >10-years in 3. The presence of moderate/severe osteoarthritis was not detected in three studies and was found in 4/44 (9%) and 13/70 (18.6%) patients in the other two. At 11 year follow-up, one study demonstrated no osteoarthritis, while the other two studies reported rates of 54/100 (54%) and 17/24 (71%) respectively at >24 years. In the latter two cases, the rate of meniscal pathology was >50%. A best evidence synthesis revealed that there was insufficient evidence that the addition of a LEAT to an ACLR resulted in an increased rate of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: The best available evidence would suggest that the addition of a LEAT to ACLR does not result in an increase rate of osteoarthritis of the knee. In knees that have undergone a combined ACLR and LEAT, the incidence of osteoarthritis was low up to 11 years but increased thereafter. The presence of meniscal injury at the index surgery was reported to be greater predictor of the development of osteoarthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

MRI is not reliable in diagnosing of concomitant anterolateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament injuries of the knee.

PURPOSE: There has been a renewed interest in the anterolateral structures of the knee, including description of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) as a distinct structure. Recognizing injury to the ALL is challenging, particularly given the subjective nature of physical examination. Consequently, focus has turned to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reach a preoperative diagnosis of this region. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of 3-Tesla (3T) MRI to identify the ALL in ACL-injured patients compared to a matched control group of ACL-intact patients. The hypothesis was that the ALL would be more difficult to identify in ACL-injured patients compared to ACL-intact patients. METHODS: A prospective case control study was performed comparing 3T MRI scans of 63-patients with an ACL rupture with a control group of 64-patients without ACL injury. An experienced musculoskeletal radiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon evaluated the scans performed using standard knee protocols. The ALL was considered in three regions for analysis: femoral, meniscal, and tibial. The status of the ALL was determined as visualized or non-visualized, and the integrity was assessed as intact, attenuated, or focal discontinuity. RESULTS: The detection rate of at least a portion of the ALL was 41/64 (64%) in the control group and 45/63 (72%) in the ACL-injured cohort, respectively. The entire length of the ALL could only be identified in 15/64 (23%) of the control group and 13/63 (21%) of the ACL-injured cases. In both groups, the visibility of the ALL was poorest at the femoral region and greatest at the tibial regions. The ALL, when visualized, was deemed to be intact in 55/63 (87%) of cases. Although the inter-observer reliability was excellent for detection of the ALL in the control group (κ = 0.86), this decreased to only moderate reliability in the ACL-injured group (κ = 0.52). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that MRI alone should not be relied upon to make a diagnosis of ALL injury in the setting of concomitant ACL injury due to the inability to accurately visualize this structure consistently in its entirety. To make a diagnosis of ALL injury or anterolateral instability of the knee and clinical correlation remains essential. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-control study, Level III.

Use of an Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill After a Sports Medicine Rotation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of an Objective Structured Assessment of Technical skill (OSATS), using dry models, would be a valid method of assessing residents' ability to perform sports medicine procedures after training in a competency-based model. METHODS: Over 18 months, 27 residents (19 junior [postgraduate year (PGY) 1-3] and 8 senior [PGY 4-5]) sat the OSATS after their rotation, in addition to 14 sports medicine staff and fellows. Each resident was provided a list of 10 procedures in which they were expected to show competence. At the end of the rotation, each resident undertook an OSATS composed of 6 stations sampled from the 10 procedures using dry models-faculty used the Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET), task-specific checklists, as well as an overall 5-point global rating scale (GRS) to score each resident. Each procedure was videotaped for blinded review. RESULTS: The overall reliability of the OSATS (0.9) and the inter-rater reliability (0.9) were both high. A significant difference by year in training was seen for the overall GRS, the total ASSET score, and the total checklist score, as well as for each technical procedure (P < .001). Further analysis revealed a significant difference in the total ASSET score between junior (mean 18.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.8 to 19.9) and senior residents (24.2, 95% CI 22.7 to 25.6), senior residents and fellows (30.1, 95% CI 28.2 to 31.9), as well as between fellows and faculty (37, 95% CI 36.1 to 27.8) (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that an OSATS using dry models shows evidence of validity when used to assess performance of technical procedures after a sports medicine rotation. However, junior residents were not able to perform as well as senior residents, suggesting that overall surgical experience is as important as intensive teaching. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As postgraduate medical training shifts to a competency-based model, methods of assessing performance of technical procedures become necessary.

Ligamentum Teres Tears and Femoroacetabular Impingement: Prevalence and Preoperative Findings.

PURPOSE: To determine prevalence of ligamentum teres (LT) injuries identified during hip arthroscopy for treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and to identify physical examination findings or radiographic characteristics specific to patients with complete LT tears that could possibly assist in a preoperative diagnosis. METHODS: Between October 2006 and June 2015, prospective data were collected on consecutive hip arthroscopies. Inclusion criterion was primary hip arthroscopy in patients aged 18 years or older. All patients in the study were treated for chondrolabral dysfunction associated with FAI. Patients with prior hip surgery were excluded. A total of 2,213 out of 3,158 hip arthroscopies met the inclusion criterion. RESULTS: Of the 2,213 hips, 233 (11%) had a normal LT, 1,947 (88%) had frayed/partially torn, and 33 (1.5%) had a torn LT. A higher prevalence of torn LT was seen in female subjects. Patients with torn LT had lower body mass index (BMI) (22.5 v 24.7; P < .01) than those with hips with normal LT. On radiographs, patients with torn LTs had a lower center edge angle and had increased odds of having a center edge angle less than 25°. Isolated cam or isolated pincer were seen more often in hips with torn LT than in hips with normal LT. Hips with torn LT were 3.1 times more likely to have a chondral defect on the femoral head than were hips with normal LT (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-8.7) and were 3.6 times more likely to have capsular laxity diagnosed at hip arthroscopy than were hips with normal LT (95% CI, 1.4-9.4). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with FAI and labral pathology, complete tears of the LT were rare and were more likely to be seen in women and those with lower BMI and low center edge angles at arthroscopy. LT tears were associated with hip laxity and chondral defects of the femoral head. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic case series.

The Addition of Platelet-Rich Plasma to Scaffolds Used for Cartilage Repair: A Review of Human and Animal Studies.

PURPOSE: To review the available literature on studies focusing on platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-enhanced scaffolds for cartilage lesion repair in animals and to analyze the clinical outcomes of similar biologically augmented cartilage regeneration techniques in humans. METHODS: We conducted a literature search and subsequent review investigating the potential of PRP to enhance articular cartilage repair using scaffolds or bioengineered implants. RESULTS: Of the 14 animal model studies reviewed, 10 reported positive effects with PRP whereas only 2 showed negative overall effects. The remaining 2 studies reported no significant differences, or neutral results, with the use of PRP. With the addition of PRP, the gross appearance and histologic analysis of repair cartilage were improved or no difference was seen compared with control (11 of 12 studies that looked at this). Human studies of the knee or talar dome showed improvements in clinical assessment scores as soon as 6 months after surgery. There was great variability in the method of PRP preparation, choice of scaffold, and cell source between studies. CONCLUSIONS: PRP-augmented scaffolds have been shown to be beneficial in the articular cartilage repair process in animals and humans based on macroscopic, histologic, and biochemical analysis and based on clinical outcome scores, respectively. Comparison between studies is difficult because there is great variability in PRP preparation and administration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

A quantitative analysis of hip capsular thickness.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive quantitative analysis of capsular thickness adjacent to the acetabular rim in clinically relevant locations. METHODS: Dissections were performed and hip capsular measurements were recorded on 13 non-paired, fresh-frozen cadaveric hemi-pelvises using a coordinate measuring device. Measurements were taken for each clock-face position at 0, 5, 10 and 15 mm distances from the labral edge. RESULTS: The capsule was consistently thickest at 2 o'clock for each interval from the labrum with a maximum thickness of 8.3 at 10 mm [95 % CI 6.8, 9.8] and 15 mm [95 % CI 6.8, 9.7]. The capsule was noticeably thinner between 4 and 11 o'clock with a minimum thickness of 4.1 mm [95 % CI 3.3, 4.9] at 10 o'clock at the labral edge. Direct comparison between 0 and 5 mm between 9 and 3 o'clock showed that the hip capsule was significantly thicker at 5 mm from the labrum at 9 o'clock (p = 0.027), 10 o'clock (p = 0.032), 1 o'clock (p = 0.003), 2 o'clock (p = 0.001) and 3 o'clock (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The hip capsule was thickest between the 1 and 2 o'clock positions for all measured distances from the acetabular labrum and reached its maximum thickness at 2 o'clock, which corresponds to the location of the iliofemoral ligament.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the attachment sites of the proximal hamstrings.

PURPOSE: Proximal hamstring tears represent a challenge. Surgical repair of such tears has been reported utilizing both open and endoscopic techniques. It was hypothesized that the proximal attachments of the hamstring muscle group could be reproducibly and consistently measured from pertinent bony anatomical reference landmarks. METHODS: Fourteen fresh-frozen, human cadaveric specimens were dissected, and measurements were taken regarding the proximal attachments of the hamstring muscle group in reference to bony landmarks. A highly precise coordinate measuring device was used for three-dimensional measurements of tendon footprints and bony landmarks, and relevant distances between structures were calculated. RESULTS: The semitendinosus and long head of the biceps femoris shared a proximal origin (conjoined tendon), having an oval footprint with an average area of 567.0 mm(2) [95 % CI 481.0-652.9]. The semimembranosus (SM) footprint was crescent-shaped and located anterolateral to the conjoined tendon, with an average area of 412.4 mm(2) [95 % CI 371.0-453.8]. The SM footprint had an accessory tendinous extension that extended anteromedially forming a distinct footprint. A consistent bony landmark was found at the medial ischial margin, 14.6 mm [95 % CI 12.7-16.5] from the centre of the conjoined tendon footprint, which coincided with the distal insertion of the sacrotuberous ligament. CONCLUSION: The conjoined tendon was the largest attachment of the proximal hamstring group. Two other distinct attachment footprints were identified as the SM footprint and the accessory tendinous extension. The sacrotuberous ligament insertion served as a bony landmark. The anatomical data established in this study may aid in better restoring the anatomy during repair of proximal hamstring tears.