The Interobserver and Intraobserver Reliability of the Sanders Classification Versus the Risser Stage.

BACKGROUND: Estimation of skeletal maturity, classically performed using Risser sign, plays a crucial role in the treatment of AIS. Recent data, however, has shown the simplified Tanner-Whitehouse (Sanders) classification, based on an anteriorposterior (AP) hand radiographs, to correlate more closely to the rapid growth phase and thus curve progression. This study evaluated the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the Sanders and Risser classifications among clinicians at different levels of training. METHODS: Twenty AP scoliosis radiographs and 20 AP hand radiographs were randomized and distributed to 11 graders. The graders consisted of 3 orthopaedic residents, 3 spine fellows, 3 spine surgeons, and 1 radiologist. The graders were then asked to classify the radiographs according to the Sanders and Risser classifications. There were 3 rounds of grading, each done 3 weeks apart. The overall κ coefficient was then calculated for each system to evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver reliability. RESULTS: For all graders the average κ coefficient for the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the Sanders classification was 0.54 and 0.62, respectively, and 0.46 and 0.49 for the Risser classification. With respect to spine attendings alone, the average κ coefficient for the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of Sanders classification was 0.72 and 0.77, respectively, and 0.46 and 0.67 for the Risser classification. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the Sanders classification had moderate reliability with respect to physicians at various levels of training and had good reliability with respect to attending spine surgeons. Interestingly, the Risser staging was found to have less interobserver and intraobserver reliability overall. The Sanders classification is a reliable and reproducible system and should be in the armamentarium of surgeons who treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Radiographic Factors Associated With Failure of Revision Hip Arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: To identify clinical and radiographic factors associated with failure of revision hip arthroscopy (RHA). METHODS: A database was used to identify patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy and revision hip arthroscopy (RHA) from January 2007 to December 2017 for the indication of femoroacetabular impingement and failure of the index procedure, respectively. The primary outcome was defined as the change, or difference, in the preoperative to postoperative alpha angle between patients with successful RHA and those with failed RHA. Failure was defined as reoperation on the operative hip for any indication or a modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) of less than 70 at the 1-year postoperative time point. All patients had a minimum of 2 years' follow-up from the date of revision hip surgery. Patients with a history of revision were divided into those with failed revisions and those with successful revisions. The inclusion criteria for failed revision included a history of subsequent revision surgery (or arthroplasty) or an mHHS of less than 70 at final follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 26 patients, comprising 8 (31%) with failed RHA and 18 (69%) with successful revision. The failure group showed a significantly smaller decrease in the alpha angle with surgery, measured on the Dunn view, compared with the success group. When the preoperative alpha angle was held constant, each 1° increase in the difference between the preoperative and postoperative alpha angles achieved during surgery was associated with a 17% decrease in the odds of failure. Patients included in the success group had both a higher preoperative mHHS (44.2 ± 8.6 vs 34.7 ± 9.6) and a higher postoperative mHHS (83.2 ± 8.3 vs 62.3 ± 14.2) than patients with failed RHA. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of patients who achieved the patient acceptable symptomatic state of +74.0 between the failure (25%) and success (83%) groups; 88% of patients in the failure group met the minimal clinically important difference, whereas 100% of patients in the success group (n = 18) met it. CONCLUSIONS: Complete resection of cam lesions as determined by changes in the alpha angle, anterior offset, and head-neck ratio when measured on the Dunn 45° view correlates with positive clinical outcomes after RHA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

Proteomic profiling of human plasma exosomes identifies PPARgamma as an exosome-associated protein.

Exosomes are nanovesicles that are released from cells as a mechanism of cell-free intercellular communication. Only a limited number of proteins have been identified from the plasma exosome proteome. Here, we developed a multi-step fractionation scheme incorporating gel exclusion chromatography, rate zonal centrifugation through continuous sucrose gradients, and high-speed centrifugation to purify exosomes from human plasma. Exosome-associated proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and 66 proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS, which included both cellular and extracellular proteins. Furthermore, we identified and characterized peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), a nuclear receptor that regulates adipocyte differentiation and proliferation, as well as immune and inflammatory cell functions, as a novel component of plasma-derived exosomes. Given the important role of exosomes as intercellular messengers, the discovery of PPARgamma as a component of human plasma exosomes identifies a potential new pathway for the paracrine transfer of nuclear receptors.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Collagen-Dipped FiberTape Augmentation in Overhead-Throwing Athletes.

BACKGROUND: There has been a renewed interest in ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair in overhead athletes because of a greater understanding of UCL injuries, an improvement in fixation technology, and the extensive rehabilitation time to return to play. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a novel technique of UCL repair with internal brace augmentation in overhead throwers. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients undergoing a novel technique of UCL repair with internal brace augmentation were prospectively followed for a minimum of 1 year. Potential candidates for repair were selected after the failure of nonoperative treatment when imaging suggested a complete or partial avulsion of the UCL from either the sublime tubercle or medial epicondyle, without evidence of poor tissue quality of the ligament. The final decision on UCL repair or traditional reconstruction was determined intraoperatively. Demographic and operative data were collected at the time of surgery. Return to play, and Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) scores were collected at 1 year and then again at 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Of the 111 overhead athletes eligible for the study, 92% (102/111) of those who desired to return to the same or higher level of competition were able to do so at a mean time of 6.7 months. These patients had a mean KJOC score of 88.2 at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: UCL repair with internal brace augmentation is a viable option for amateur overhead throwers with selected UCL injuries who wish to return to sport in a shorter time frame than allowed by traditional UCL reconstruction.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Past, Present, and Future Past, Present, and Future.

Shoulder and elbow injuries have been described in baseball players as early as the 1940s. Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears have been recognized as a significant source of disability for baseball players and have been seen in increasing frequency as training regimens and level of play have become more intense and rigorous. Our understanding and treatment of these injuries have also evolved over time. This article summarizes the evolution of the treatment of UCL tears and discusses future directions for the treatment and prevention of these injuries.

Treatment of Pregnant Patients With Orthopaedic Trauma.

Fracture management in pregnant patients is challenging. Anatomic and physiologic changes in pregnancy increase the complexity of treatment. Maternal trauma increases the risk of fetal loss, preterm birth, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, and maternal death. Initial resuscitation and treatment in a facility equipped to handle the orthopaedic injury and preterm births are paramount. Pelvic and acetabular injuries are potentially life threatening. The benefits and risks of surgical treatment must be carefully considered. The risks posed by anesthetic agents, antibiotic agents, anticoagulant agents, and radiation exposure must be understood. Positioning of the patient can affect the viability of the fetus. If surgery is necessary, the left lateral decubitus position decreases fetal hypotension. A specialized team including an obstetrician, perinatologist, orthopaedic surgeon, general trauma surgeon, critical care specialist, emergency medicine specialist, anesthesiologist, radiologist, and nurse must collaborate to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Evaluation and Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are common injuries that affect a wide variety of active patients. The majority of these lesions are associated with ankle sprains and fractures though several nontraumatic etiologies have also been recognized. Patients normally present with a history of prior ankle injury and/or instability. In addition to standard ankle radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are used to characterize the extent of the lesion and involvement of the subchondral bone. Symptomatic nondisplaced lesions can often be treated conservatively within the pediatric population though this treatment is less successful in adults. Bone marrow stimulation techniques such as microfracture have yielded favorable results for the treatment of small (<15 mm) lesions. Osteochondral autograft can be harvested most commonly from the ipsilateral knee and carries the benefit of repairing defects with native hyaline cartilage. Osteochondral allograft transplant is reserved for large cystic lesions that lack subchondral bone integrity. Cell-based repair techniques such as autologous chondrocyte implantation and matrix-associated chondrocyte implantation have been increasingly used in an attempt to repair the lesion with hyaline cartilage though these techniques require adequate subchondral bone. Biological agents such as platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate have been more recently studied as an adjunct to operative treatment but their use remains theoretical. The present article reviews the current concepts in the evaluation and management of osteochondral lesions of the talus, with a focus on the available surgical treatment options.

The Weak Link in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: What is the Evidence for Graft Fixation Devices?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common injury that mostly affects young adults. The mechanisms of injury and surgical treatment have been extensively studied in both the laboratory and clinical arenas; however, great controversy still exists in regards to the best surgical technique, graft choice, and graft fixation device. In the area graft fixation, multiple breakthroughs have occurred in terms of fixation devices. These devices generally fall within the broad categories of interference screw, cross-pins, or cortical-based devices. Furthermore, some of these devices are available in either metal or bioabsorbable materials, which adds to the already great variety of options. Although biomechanically these devices have been shown to be able to withstand the typical forces experienced by the ACL graft during the early phases of rehabilitation before the graft has fully incorporated into the bone, little is known about the clinical outcomes. It is well recognized that graft fixation is the weakest link in the early postoperative period after ACL reconstruction. This review of the outcomes of ACL fixation devices explores some of the evidence available for the different devices.

Antibiotic stewardship in orthopaedic surgery: principles and practice.

A thorough knowledge of the principles of antibiotic stewardship is a crucial part of high-quality orthopaedic surgical care. These principles include (1) determining appropriate indications for antibiotic administration, (2) choosing the correct antibiotic based on known or expected pathogens, (3) determining the correct dosage, and (4) determining the appropriate duration of treatment. Antibiotic stewardship programs have a multidisciplinary staff that can help guide antibiotic selection and dosage. These programs also perform active surveillance of antimicrobial use and may reduce Clostridium difficile and other drug-resistant bacterial infections by providing expert guidance on judicious antibiotic usage. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, the geographical diversity of these infecting pathogens, and the changing patient population require customization of prophylactic regimens to reduce infectious complications. A multidisciplinary approach to antibiotic stewardship can lead to improved patient outcomes and cost-effective medical care.

Intraoperative syndesmotic reduction: three-dimensional versus standard fluoroscopic imaging.

BACKGROUND: The quality of reduction of the syndesmosis is an important factor in the outcome of ankle fractures associated with a syndesmotic injury. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the accuracy of syndesmotic reductions obtained using intraoperative standard fluoroscopic techniques against reductions obtained using three-dimensional imaging of the Iso-C3D fluoroscope. METHODS: We prospectively reviewed imaging studies of patients who were diagnosed as having preoperative or intraoperative evidence of syndesmotic diastasis (on the basis of the fluoroscopic Cotton test and/or a manual external rotation stress test) who underwent syndesmotic fixation at one of two level-I trauma centers. Center A used intraoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging to assess reduction (≤2 mm), while Center B assessed reduction under standard fluoroscopic imaging. Postoperative alignment was assessed in a standardized manner, measuring anterior fibular distance, posterior fibular distance, and the anterior translation distance. Measurements were taken on the injured side and the uninjured side and compared between the groups on postoperative axial CT scans. RESULTS: A total of thirty-six patients in both centers met our inclusion criteria and were included in the data analysis. Despite utilization of the Iso-C(3D), a high rate of malreductions was noted in both groups. Anterior translation distance malreductions occurred in 31% of the sixteen patients in Center A and 25% of the twenty patients in Center B (p = 0.72). The number of anterior fibular distance malreductions was similar, with a rate of 38% in Center A and 30% in Center B (p = 0.73). A significant difference among the centers (p = 0.03) was noted, however, when the posterior fibular distance data was analyzed, with 6% being malreduced by >2 mm in Center A and 40% in Center B. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study support previous investigations that have cited high rates of syndesmotic malreductions and demonstrate that the addition of advanced intraoperative imaging techniques does not help to reduce the rate of malreductions in this cohort.