Acute and subacute complications of pediatric and adolescent knee arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to determine the frequency of acute and subacute complications (within 6 months) of arthroscopic knee procedures in patients aged 17 years or younger and to determine associated risk factors. METHODS: We identified all patients aged 17 years or younger who underwent arthroscopic knee procedures at our institution from 1997 to 2009. Patient demographic and surgical data were collected from the medical and surgical records, with specific focus on intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,002 knee arthroscopies were reviewed. The overall complication rate was 14.7%. Major complications occurred in 21 surgeries (2.1%) and included the following: septic arthritis (n = 3, 0.3%), wound complication requiring operative revision (n = 9, 0.9%), arthrofibrosis requiring manipulation (n = 4, 0.4%), other unplanned subsequent surgery (n = 4, 0.4%), and death (n = 1, 0.1%). Surgeries with an anesthesia time of 265 minutes or greater (P = .026), operative time of 220 minutes or greater (P = .013), or tourniquet time of 114 minutes or greater (P < .001) and surgeries with 3 or more Current Procedural Terminology codes (P = .003) had a statistically significant increase in risk of major complications. The incidence of minor complications was 12.6%, which included persistent effusion/hemarthrosis requiring arthrocentesis (n = 59, 5.9%) and superficial wound infection (n = 18, 1.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Major complications after knee arthroscopy in children and adolescents are rare, but minor complications are more common. If possible, surgeons should avoid prolonged anesthesia, surgery, and tourniquet times. The pediatric patient's medical and family history should be reviewed to identify important risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Pain and Complications Following Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Harvested From the Iliac Crest in Foot and Ankle Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Autologous bone graft is the gold standard in orthopedics, with the iliac crest the most common harvest site. In an attempt to minimize morbidity with open bone graft harvest from the iliac crest and still maintain the benefit of collecting and transplanting live cells and growth factors, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) from the iliac crest has become increasingly popular. However, any harvest procedure can potentially cause pain and complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and complications of BMAC from the iliac crest for use in foot and ankle fusion procedures. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent BMAC harvest from the iliac crest with their foot or ankle procedure by 1 of 4 fellowship-trained surgeons (2014-2017) with a minimum of 6-month follow-up. Patients were evaluated for complications, pain, and functional limitation secondary to the harvest. The final outcome follow-up was conducted using a specifically designed telephone questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction. A total of 55 patients were included, with a median age of 58 years (range 31-81 years) and 69% were women. RESULTS: Out of 55 patients, 52 (94.5%) reported good to excellent results, and satisfaction with the procedure at the time of the questionnaire. Three patients reported persistent complications and some element of dissatisfaction after 6 months. Some patients reported transient complications (hematomas and numbness) that eventually resolved. Fifty percent of patients reported some element of immediate post-operative pain. However, at the time of final follow-up, only 2 reported persistent pain at the harvest site lasting up to 6 months, but it was not activity limiting. CONCLUSION: BMAC harvest is a safe procedure with a high rate of patient satisfaction and minimal morbidity. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: Case series.

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) against placebo and active controls for improving pain and physical function of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesize that topical NSAIDs will be safe and effective for relieving symptoms in patients with knee OA. METHODS: The authors performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Randomized control trials that investigated topical NSAIDs that are widely available in many countries against both placebo and active controls in primary knee osteoarthritis were included. Studies that investigated other treatment modalities or treated nonspecific OA were excluded. A meta-analysis was performed to quantify the effect sizes and heterogeneity of the NSAIDs used. RESULTS: Upon initial search, 259 records were identified with 18 studies remaining after duplicate removal, abstract, and full-text screening. All NSAIDs demonstrated statistically significant reduction in at least one parameter of OA symptoms. The majority of included studies (66.7%) evaluated diclofenac. In the meta-analysis, standardized mean differences (SMD) of topical NSAIDs versus placebo were calculated and interpreted as having moderate effect size for improvement in pain (0.365, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.240, 0.490) and physical function (0.354, 95% CI 0.268, 0.493). With regard to safety, studies that used patches or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the carrier reported a higher incidence of adverse events (AEs) than other carriers. Skin AEs were higher in the treatment group than the placebo group and gastrointestinal AEs were lower in the treatment group than placebo. CONCLUSION: Topical diclofenac and ketoprofen are the most rigorously studied topical NSAIDs in the treatment of knee OA and have demonstrated the most significant reduction in pain and improvement of function. Ibuprofen was effective for pain relief and physical function improvement, but more high-powered studies are needed to make a confident comparison of efficacy. Additionally, the 'carrier' used to deliver the topical NSAID has an impact on the adverse event profile. This has safety implications for prescribers and pharmaceutical development. Topical diclofenac is widely available internationally and is the only topical NSAID approved for over-the-counter use in the US. It should be recommended to patients as a first-line conservative management for OA of the knee.

Achilles Tendinopathy and Associated Disorders.

Degenerative disorders of the Achilles tendon are common, affecting up to 18% of the adult population. A thorough evaluation including a focused history, physical examination, and diagnostic studies helps in choosing the appropriate treatment. Initial treatment is usually nonoperative, consisting of activity modification, bracing, and physical therapy. Patents who fail nonoperative management may be treated operatively with a wide range of procedures from endoscopic surgery to open debridement and tendon transfer. Understanding a patient's expectations and educating patients about potential treatments and their outcomes enables informed collaborative decision making. This article will review the evaluation and management Achilles tendinopathy and associated disorders.

Motocross Injuries in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients.

Motocross is a popular sport in which participants ride a two-wheeled, motorized vehicle on an uneven 2-km track with natural or human-made obstacles. Participants compete at high rates of speed, and children as young as age 4 years compete in age-appropriate groups. Motocross is recognized as a strenuous sport with a high accident rate. Most injuries are musculoskeletal in nature. The most commonly injured areas are the forearm, clavicle, femur, and tibia. Many injuries require surgical treatment. Some patients sustain head trauma with loss of consciousness. Children should have age-appropriate training before participation is allowed. Adult supervision should occur at all times. Appropriate helmet fitting with assistance from an expert is associated with a decreased risk of concussion symptoms. Parents and coaches need to weigh the benefits of participation with the frequency of injuries, missed academic time, and the cost of medical treatment.

Acute Compartment Syndrome after an Olecranon Fracture in a Patient with Mild Hemophilia B.

INTRODUCTION: Compartment syndrome is a serious condition characterized by compartmental pressures within 20 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure, or clinical signs of pain, paresthesia, pallor, and lack of pulses. Often a surgical intervention is necessary. Increased surveillance for compartment syndrome is important when a patient with a bleeding disorder sustains a traumatic injury. CASE REPORT: We present a case of forearm compartment syndrome in a patient with mild hemophilia B who sustained an olecranon fracture. The patient received factor replacement and he underwent emergent forearm fasciotomies to avoid muscle necrosis. Over the subsequent week, the patient returned to the operating room 3 times for repeat irrigation and debridements, partial wound closure, open reduction internal fixation of his olecranon fracture and eventual skin grafting of the volar forearm wound. CONCLUSION: Failure to recognize compartment syndrome in even mild forms of hemophilia may result in loss of function, neurologic deficits, and limb amputations. The management of acute compartment syndrome in patients with hemophilia requires timely recognition, replacement of clotting factors, and emergent fasciotomies.

Pilot report: non-operative treatment of Mayo Type II olecranon fractures in any-age adult patient.

BACKGROUND: We report on the non-operative treatment of Mayo Type II olecranon fractures. METHODS: Fourteen isolated Mayo Type II olecranon fractures were treated non-operatively, followed to discharge, and retrospectively reviewed. Treatment was splinting in extension followed by protected active motion beginning 3 weeks to 4 weeks post-injury. Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) and Shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) scores were available in 86% and 64% of cases, respectively. Follow-up radiographs were obtained. RESULTS: At discharge, the mean (SD) MEPI score was 95 (5). The mean (SD) elbow motion arc was 121° (21°). One patient re-fractured his elbow after discharge by falling on the ice. He recovered after open reduction and internal fixation. One patient (documented Marfan syndrome) developed an asymptomatic non-union. Excepting the patient who fell, no patient received additional care. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot report, Mayo Type II olecranon fractures were treated non-operatively to discharge. Good to excellent results were obtained in all patients according to the MEPI. Supportive care of these fractures should be comparatively studied. A downside risk to providing supportive care for these fractures was not identified.

Clinical outcome of internal fixation of unstable juvenile osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the knee.

Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee are a common cause of knee pain in skeletally immature patients.The authors sought to determine lesion healing rates, the risk factors associated with failure to heal, and the clinical outcomes for patients who underwent internal fixation for unstable OCD lesions. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent internal fixation of OCD lesions from 1999 to 2009. Using validated scoring systems, clinical outcome and functional activity were evaluated at the follow-up. The study group comprised 19 patients (20 knees). Mean patient age was 14.5 years (range, 12-17 years). Mean clinical follow-up was 7 years (range, 2-13 years). Mean radiographic follow-up was 2.5 years (range, 0.5-9 years). Fourteen (70%) lesions were grade 3 and 6 (30%) were grade 4. Eleven knees had lateral condyle lesions and 9 had medial lesions. Bioabsorbable fixation was used in 13 knees, metal fixation was used in 5 knees, and 2 knees were fixed with a combination of methods. Osseous integration was evident in 15 (75%) of 20 knees at final follow-up. The 5 unhealed lesions were lateral condylar lesions. Mean Tegner activity scores improved from 3.3 preoperatively to 5.6 at final follow-up. Mean Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores were 86.8 and 88.7, respectively, at final follow-up. Further operative intervention was required in 11 knees, with 50% of patients undergoing removal of hardware and 15% requiring subsequent osteochondral allograft transplantation. The authors recommend bioabsorbable fixation for symptomatic stable lesions and metal compression screws with staged removal for unstable lesions.