Can ChatGPT Answer Patient Questions Regarding Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty?

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seen substantial progress in its utilization, with Chat Generated Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) emerging as a popular language model. The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy and reliability of ChatGPT's responses to frequently asked questions (FAQ) pertaining to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). METHODS: The ten most common FAQs were queried from institution patient education websites. These ten questions were then input into the chatbot during a single session without additional contextual information. The responses were then critically analyzed by two orthopedic surgeons for clarity, accuracy, and the quality of evidence-based information using The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark criteria and the DISCERN score. The readability of the responses was analyzed using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. RESULTS: In response to the ten questions, the average DISCERN score was 44 (range 38-51). Seven responses were classified as fair and three were poor. The JAMA Benchmark criteria score was 0 for all responses. Furthermore, the average Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level was 14.35, which correlates to a college graduate reading level. CONCLUSION: Overall, ChatGPT was able to provide fair responses to common patient questions. However, the responses were all written at a college graduate reading level and lacked reliable citations. The readability greatly limits its utility. Thus, adequate patient education should be done by orthopedic surgeons. This study underscores the need for patient education resources that are reliable, accessible, and comprehensible. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

ACL Reconstruction in Patients Over Fifty Years of Age Results in Improvements in Functional Outcomes and Broad Complication Rates: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To assess the patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs), functional knee measures, and incidence of complications in patients aged 50 and older undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS: A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases, spanning from their inception to November 2023, in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria consisted of clinical studies reporting PROMs, measures of knee stability, and complication rates, following ACLR in patients aged ≥ 50 with minimum 2 year follow-up. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria was used to assess study quality. Primary outcome measures consisted of changes PROMs and complication rates following ACLR. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies, consisting of 1,163 patients undergoing ACLR were identified. Autografts were utilized in 90.3% of patients, compared to 9.7% of patients treated using allografts. At minimum 24-month follow-up, the mean International Knee Documentation Score (IKDC) ranged from 67.4 to 92.96, while mean Lysholm scores ranged from 84.4 to 94.8, and mean Tegner scores ranged from 0.3 to 5.4. The mean side to side difference at final follow-up ranged from 1.2 to 2.4mm while the rates of recurrent instability ranged from 0 to 18%. Complications and revisions ranged from 0% to 40.4% and 0% to 37.5% of cases, with the highest rates observed in studies noting a high incidence of intraoperative cartilage lesions. CONCLUSION: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients above the age of 50 results in favorable IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner activity scores and improvements in functional knee measures. However, a wide range of reoperation and complications are reported, attributed to varying levels of chondral injury and osteoarthritis which warrant consideration when discussing expectations in patients 50 and above undergoing ACLR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Systematic Review of Level II-IV studies.

Should rTMS be considered a first-line treatment for major depressive episodes in adults?

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is an epidemic with rising social, economic, and political costs. In a patient whose major depressive episode (MDE) persists through an adequate antidepressant trial, insurance companies often cover alternative treatments which may include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). RTMS is an FDA-cleared neuromodulation technique for TRD which is safe, efficacious, noninvasive, and well-tolerated. Recent developments in the optimization of rTMS algorithms and targeting have increased the efficacy of rTMS in treating depression, improved the clinical convenience of these treatments, and decreased the cost of a course of rTMS. In this opinion paper, we make a case for why conventional FDA-cleared rTMS should be considered as a first-line treatment for all adult MDEs. RTMS is compared to other first-line treatments including psychotherapy and SSRIs. These observations suggest that rTMS has similar efficacy, fewer side-effects, lower risk of serious adverse events, comparable compliance, the potential for more rapid relief, and cost-effectiveness. This suggestion, however, would be strengthened by further research with an emphasis on treatment-naive subjects in their first depressive episode, and trials directly contrasting rTMS with SSRIs or psychotherapy.

Blood Flow Restriction Enhances Recovery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating neuromuscular and clinical outcomes of blood flow restriction (BFR) training after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) compared with non-BFR rehabilitation protocols. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses guidelines by querying PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, the Cochrane Database for Systematic Review, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials databases from inception through December 2023 to identify Level I and II RCTs evaluating outcomes of BFR training after ACLR compared with non-BFR rehabilitation. A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models with standardized mean difference (SMD) for pain, muscle strength, and muscle volume, whereas mean difference was calculated for patient-reported outcome measures. RESULTS: Eight RCTs, consisting of 245 patients, met inclusion criteria, with 115 patients undergoing non-BFR rehabilitation compared with 130 patients undergoing BFR after ACLR. Mean patient age was 27.2 ± 6.7 years, with most patients being male (63.3%, n = 138/218). The length of the BFR rehabilitation protocol was most commonly between 8 and 12 weeks (range, 14 days to 16 weeks). Most studies set the limb/arterial occlusion pressure in the BFR group at 80%. When compared with non-BFR rehabilitation, BFR resulted in significant improvement in isokinetic muscle strength (SMD: 0.77, P = .02, I2: 58%), International Knee Documentation Committee score (mean difference: 10.97, P ≤ .00001, I2: 77%), and pain (SMD: 1.52, P = .04, I2: 87%), but not quadriceps muscle volume (SMD: 0.28, P = .43, I2: 76%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of BFR after ACLR led to improvements in pain, International Knee Documentation Committee score, and isokinetic muscle strength, with variable outcomes on the basis of quadriceps strength, volume, and thickness when compared with non-BFR rehabilitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, systematic review and meta-analysis of Level I and II studies.

Potentially Traumatic Events of Women of Color in an Urban Adult Basic Education Program.

Adult Basic Education (ABE) in the United States is an important tool for underrepresented and underserved communities to achieve the goal of high school graduation following noncompletion of K-12 education. Largely in urban settings, ABE centers serve millions of students annually, especially historically and contemporarily marginalized groups. ABE provides critical resources and skills to meet the educational needs of diverse peoples seeking to advance their station in life. ABE centers may serve students with potentially traumatic events (PTE), diagnosable trauma, and related poorer outcomes. Alarmingly, a paucity of research exists that examines the presence of PTEs for ABE students, particularly people and women of color. In the present research, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item measures were used to weigh depression and anxiety scores across the Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5 (LEC-5) trauma types in a sample (N=170) of predominantly women of color. We examined three respondent groups based on proximity and frequency of PTEs: (1) denied; (2) witnessed/learned about; and (3) experienced. Results indicate that those experiencing higher levels of PTEs (namely, sexual assault, unwanted/uncomfortable sexual experience, and sudden accidental death) also experienced higher ratings of depression and anxiety. More research is indicated, as women of color within ABE settings could benefit from tailored resources for prevention, intervention, and treatment.

Reported Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Incidence in Adolescent Athletes Is Greatest in Female Soccer Players and Athletes Participating in Club Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in adolescent athletes based on sex, sport, and sport affiliation. METHODS: A literature search was performed using 3 online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) from database inception to November 2023 per the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included studies consisted of Level I or II studies reporting on ACL injury exposures in time (hours) or injuries per 1,000 athlete-exposures (AEs) (1 game or practice) in adolescent athletes. Exclusion criteria consisted of non-English studies, case reports, animal/cadaveric studies, and review articles. Methodological quality and bias assessment of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. ACL injuries were analyzed and pooled to calculate incidence rates (IRs), per-season risk, and relative risk (RR) based on sex, sport, and sport affiliation (club sport participation vs school sport participation). RESULTS: A total of 1,389 ACL injuries over 19,134,167 AEs were identified (IR, 0.075; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.071-0.079). Of these, 670 ACL injuries were reported in female athletes over 7,549,892 AEs (IR, 0.089; 95% CI, 0.087-0.091) with 719 in males over 11,584,275 AEs (IR, 0.062; 95% CI, 0.058-0.067). The greatest RR for ACL injury in females was in soccer (RR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.58-3.77) for AEs. The greatest per-season risk of ACL injuries reported in female athletes occurred in soccer (1.08%), basketball (1.03%), and gymnastics (1.01%). The greatest per-season risk of ACL injuries reported in male athletes occurred in football (0.82%), lacrosse (0.64%), and soccer (0.35%). Club sport participation, in both AEs (RR, 3.94; 95% CI, 3.19-4.87) and hours of exposure (RR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.07-2.28), demonstrated an increased risk of ACL injury. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of ACL injuries was 1.56-fold greater in adolescent female athletes compared with male athletes. The highest-risk sport for females was soccer. Participation in club sports possessed higher rates of injury compared with school sports. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II; meta-analysis of Level I and II studies.

ChatGPT-3.5 Responses Require Advanced Readability for the General Population and May Not Effectively Supplement Patient-Related Information Provided by the Treating Surgeon Regarding Common Questions About Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: To investigate the accuracy of ChatGPT's responses to frequently asked questions prior to rotator cuff repair surgery. METHODS: The 10 most common frequently asked questions related to rotator cuff repair were compiled from 4 institution websites. Questions were then input into ChatGPT-3.5 in 1 session. The provided ChatGPT-3.5 responses were analyzed by 2 orthopaedic surgeons for reliability, quality, and readability using the Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark criteria, the DISCERN score, and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. RESULTS: The Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark criteria score was 0, indicating the absence of reliable source material citations. The mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level was 13.4 (range, 11.2-15.0). The mean DISCERN score was 43.4 (range, 36-51), indicating that the quality of the responses overall was considered fair. All responses cited making final decision-making to be made with the treating physician. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT-3.5 provided substandard patient-related information in alignment with recommendations from the treating surgeon regarding common questions around rotator cuff repair surgery. Additionally, the responses lacked reliable source material citations, and the readability of the responses was relatively advanced with a complex language style. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this study suggest that ChatGPT-3.5 may not effectively supplement patient-related information in the context of recommendations provided by the treating surgeon prior to rotator cuff repair surgery.

Hip Arthroscopy Patients With Lower Back Pain Show Delayed Clinical Improvement and Inferior Time-Dependent Survivorship: A Propensity Matched Study at Mid-Term Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and survivorship at mid-term follow-up after hip arthroscopy (HA) for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) in patients with and without preoperative lower back pain (LBP). METHODS: Patients with self-endorsed preoperative LBP who underwent HA for FAIS with mid-term follow-up were identified and propensity matched 1:1 to patients without back pain by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). PROs collected preoperatively and at postoperative years 1, 2, and 5 included Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and Hip Outcome Score-Sports Subscale (HOS-SS), 12-item International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain. Achievement of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) were compared. Survivorship was compared with Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: In total, 119 patients with LBP were matched to 119 patients without LBP. Group demographic factors were as follows: age (37.4 ± 11.9 vs 37.6 ± 12.6 years, P = .880), sex (64.4% vs 67.7% female, P = .796), and BMI (25.3 ± 5.1 vs 25.3 ± 5.4, P = .930). Average follow-up duration was 6.0 ± 1.9 years. LBP patients showed similar preoperative PROs, yet lower 1-year scores for all PROs (P ≤ .044). At final follow-up, similar PROs were shown between groups (P ≥ .196). LBP and non-LBP patients had similar MCID achievement for HOS-ADL (59.3% vs 63.1%, P = .640), HOS-SS (73.9% vs 70.8%, P = .710), mHHS (66.7% vs 73.4%, P = .544), iHOT-12 (85.1% vs 79.4%, P = .500), and VAS Pain (75.6% vs 69.9%, P = .490). Groups also had similar PASS achievement for HOS-ADL (63.5% vs 61.3%, P = .777), HOS-SS (57.0% vs 62.5%, P = .461), mHHS (81.9% vs 79.1%, P = .692), iHOT-12 (54.6% vs 61.2%, P = .570), and VAS Pain (51.0% vs 55.4%, P = .570). Additionally, achievement of MCID ≥ 1 PRO (P ≥ .490) and PASS ≥ 1 PRO (P ≥ .370) was similar across groups. Conversion to total hip arthroplasty occurred in 3.4% of hips with LBP and 0.8% of hips without LBP (P = .370). Back pain patients demonstrated inferior time-dependent survivorship compared with patients without back pain on Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS with LBP achieve comparable PROs and clinically significant outcomes to patients without back pain at mid-term, despite lower 1-year PRO scores. LBP patients show inferior reoperation-free time-dependent survivorship compared with those without LBP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative case series.

Relationship between Kinesiophobia and Dynamic Postural Stability after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in young, active patients generally require ACL reconstruction (ACLR) to restore mechanical and postural stability. The fear of movement or reinjury (kinesiophobia) has become increasingly recognized in the post-ACLR population; however, the association between restoration of postural stability and kinesiophobia remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in mean Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11), dynamic motion analysis (DMA) scores, and time on the testing platform, as well as any correlation between TSK-11 and mean overall and individual translational and rotational DMA scores during the first 12 months following ACLR. Cohort study. Patients undergoing ACLR were prospectively enrolled and dynamic postural stability and kinesiophobia based on the TSK-11 were collected within 2 days prior to surgery and at 6 and 12 months following ACLR. Dynamic postural stability was quantified by calculating a DMA score, with score calculated in three translational (anterior/posterior [AP], up/down [UD], medial/lateral [ML]) and three rotational (left/right [LR], flexion/extension, and internal/external rotation) independent planes of motions. Correlations between DMA and TSK-11 scores at each time point were analyzed. A total of 25 patients meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed. Mean overall DMA and TSK-11 scores increased with each successive testing interval. At 6-month follow-up, a weakly positive association between TSK-11 and DMA scores was appreciated based on overall DMA, AP, UD, ML, and LR. At 12 months, a moderately positive correlation was appreciated between TSK-11 and the translational, but not rotational, planes of motion. Following ACLR, lower level of kinesiophobia were found to be moderately associated with improved dynamic stability, especially in the translation planes of motion.

Isolated, Proximal Tibiofibular Injuries in Athletic Patients: A Critical Analysis Review.

While infrequently reported, isolated injuries to the proximal tibiofibular (TF) joint primarily occur in young, athletic patients participating in sporting activities requiring explosive, high-impact movements, increasing the risk for potential twisting injuries, especially across a hyperflexed knee. The proximal TF joint is stabilized by bony, muscular and ligamentous structures, including both the anterior and posterior proximal TF complexes, with the anterior complex providing more robust stability. Proximal TF injuries frequently involve anterior and lateral displacement of the proximal fibula relative to its native articulation with the tibia. Proper diagnosis is dependent on careful and meticulous history and physical examination, as missed injuries are common, leading to the potential for continued pain, weakness and disability, especially in athletic patients. While spontaneous joint reduction has been reported, injuries may require formal closed reduction, with irreducible and chronic injuries requiring open reduction and stabilization, with recent investigations reporting satisfactory outcomes following anatomic reconstruction of the proximal TF ligament.

Most Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Professional Athletes Occur Without Contact to the Injured Knee: A Systematic Review of Video Analysis Studies.

PURPOSE: To systematically review studies using video analyses to evaluate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury mechanisms in athletes during sport to better understand risk factors and the potential for injury prevention. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines statement using SCOPUS, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials from database inception through June 2023. Inclusion criteria included studies reporting on ACL injury mechanisms occurring in athletes based on video analysis. Athlete demographics, injury mechanisms, position of the lower extremity, and activity at the time of injury were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies, consisting of 542 athletes, met inclusion criteria. Most athletes competed at the professional level (91%, n = 495/542), with 79% (n = 422/536) of athletes being male. The most common sports were soccer (33%, n = 178/542) and American football (26%, n = 140/542). The most common injury mechanism was noncontact in 42.9% (n = 230/536) of athletes, followed by indirect contact (32.6%, n = 175/536) and direct contact (22.4%, n = 120/536). The most common position of injury was with a planted foot (91.7%, n = 110/120), full or near-full knee extension (84.4%, n = 49/58), and axial loading (81.3%, n = 87/107). Injuries commonly involved a deceleration/shift in momentum (50.4%, n = 123/244) or pivoting maneuver (36.1%, n = 77/213). At the time of injury, the knee commonly fell into valgus (76.8%, n = 225/293) with associated internal (53.5%, n = 46/86) or external tibiofemoral rotation (57.7%, n = 101/175). CONCLUSIONS: Most ACL injuries, when evaluated by video analysis, involve professional athletes participating in soccer and American football. The most common injury mechanism occurred without contact with the knee in extension during a deceleration or momentum shift, with resultant valgus and rotational force across the knee. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Is Commonly Performed Using a Palmaris Graft and Provides Favorable Patient Outcomes With Variable Return-to-Play and Postoperative Complication Rates: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the literature to provide an updated evaluation of postoperative clinical outcomes, return to play (RTP), and postoperative complications after primary ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) in throwing and nonthrowing athletes at minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS: A literature search was performed on November 25, 2023, by querying the Embase, PubMed, and Scopus online databases using the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria consisted of Level I to IV human clinical studies reporting postoperative outcomes and/or complications after primary UCLR with minimum 2-year follow-up. The exclusion criteria consisted of non-English-language studies; biomechanical, animal, and cadaveric studies; review articles; letters to the editor; and studies not reporting postoperative outcomes or complications. Study quality was evaluated using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. The incidence of reported complications among the included studies was extracted. Clinical outcome scores included the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder & Elbow (KJOC) score, Andrews-Timmerman (AT) score, and satisfaction score. RTP data were also extracted. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies published from 2006 to 2023, consisting of 2,452 patients (2,420 male patients) with a mean age of 21.7 years (mean range, 12-65 years) and mean follow-up period of 50.5 months (mean range, 24-151.2 months), were included. The mean Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score was 16 (range, 13-20). A total of 46% of patients (1,138 of 2,452) underwent concomitant ulnar nerve transposition. Palmaris graft was the most frequently used method (66.6%; n = 1,799), followed by hamstring graft (26.0%, n = 703). At the final follow-up, mean postoperative KJOC scores ranged from 72.0 to 88.0; mean AT scores, from 83.6 to 98.3; and mean satisfaction scores, from 86.1 to 98.3. The overall RTP rate ranged from 62.5% to 100% at a mean range of 9.5 to 18.5 months. The total incidence of complications ranged from 0% to 31.8%, with 0% to 7.4% of patients undergoing revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: UCLR was commonly performed using a palmaris graft, with concomitant ulnar nerve transposition reported in 46% of patients. At a mean follow-up of 50.5 months, mean postoperative KJOC scores ranged from 72 to 98.3, AT scores ranged from 83.6 to 98.3, and satisfaction scores ranged from 86.1 to 98.3, with variable RTP rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level II to IV studies.

Meniscal Radial Tears: A Classification System Based on Tear Morphology.

Appropriate management of radial meniscal tears is complex, with continued efforts focused on optimizing diagnostic methods for identification to help dictate treatment, especially as surgical indications for repair have expanded, coupled with improvements in surgical techniques and instrumentation. Currently, no standardized classification system for radial meniscal tears exists, limiting the ability to accurately characterize injury patterns and guide surgical decision-making.

No significant difference in thick versus thin osteochondral flap trochleoplasty in the treatment of trochlear dysplasia: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Trochleoplasty has become increasingly utilised to address patellar instability in the setting of severe trochlear dysplasia. There remains a paucity of literature on the outcomes of 'thick'- versus 'thin'-osteochondral flap trochleoplasty. The purpose of this study is to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes between patients with patellar instability with symptomatic trochlear dysplasia treated using a 'thick' versus 'thin' osteochondral flap trochleoplasty. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using a PRISMA checklist. Quality assessment of final articles was conducted by two blinded reviewers. Articles were separated based on the use of a 'thick' versus 'thin' flap trochleoplasty. Data collection consisted of recording the following variables: patient demographics, indications for trochleoplasty, mean follow-up time, additional procedures performed during trochleoplasty, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), radiographic outcomes (tibial tubercle-trochlear groove [TT-TG] distance, Caton-Deschamps Index [CDI] and sulcus angle [SA]) and the incidence of any postoperative complications and patellar redislocation rates. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies, consisting of 927 patients, were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. A total of five papers described a 'thick' flap technique, while 19 papers described the use of a 'thin' flap technique. No significant difference in the mean improvement of Kujala scores was appreciated when comparing 'thick' versus 'thin' techniques (p > 0.05). Improvements in mean radiographic outcomes based on TT-TG, CDI and SA were observed in both 'thick' and 'thin' flap trochleoplasty groups. The overall redislocation rate was 0.35%. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in Kujala scores was observed in patients undergoing trochleoplasty utilising 'thick' versus 'thin' technique, while improvements in mean TT-TG, CDI and SA were noted in both technique groups, with an overall redislocation rate of 0.35%. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Degenerative Meniscus Tears Treated Nonoperatively With Platelet-Rich Plasma Yield Variable Clinical and Imaging Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To perform a systematic review on clinical and radiologic outcomes for meniscus tears treated nonoperatively with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Methods: A literature search was performed according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using keywords and Boolean operators in SCOPUS, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials in April 2023. Inclusion criteria were limited to Level I to IV human studies reporting on outcomes of meniscus tears treated nonoperatively with PRP. Results: A total of 6 studies, consisting of 184 patients, were identified. There was 1 Level I study and 5 Level IV studies. Mean patient age was 47.8 ± 7.9 years, with 62% (n = 114/184) being female. The medial meniscus was treated in 95.7% (n = 157/164) of patients. Mean follow-up ranged from 75.9 days to 31.9 months. Meniscus tears were generally described as chronic, degenerative, or intrasubstance. In 4 studies, magnetic resonance imaging revealed variable improvement in meniscus grade with complete healing in 0% to 44% of patients and partial healing in 0% to 40% of patients. Four of 5 studies reported significant statistical improvement in pain from baseline to final follow-up. Studies reporting on clinical outcomes showed significant improvements Lysholm score (2 studies), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score total score (2 studies), and Tegner score (1 study). Successful return to sport occurred in 60% to 100% of patients. Two studies reported that most patients were either very satisfied or satisfied following treatment. Conclusions: The use of PRP injections for the treatment of meniscus tears led to variable results based on postoperative magnetic resonance evaluation and improvements in clinical outcomes, although the clinical significance remains unclear. The heterogeneity of PRP protocols, short-term follow-up, and lack of comparative studies limit findings. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.

Correlation between articular cartilage status on outcomes and survivorship following meniscal allograft transplantation: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic review evaluating potential correlations between preoperative articular cartilage integrity on outcomes and survivorship in patients undergoing meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). METHODS: A literature search was performed by querying SCOPUS, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials from database inception through May 2023 according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. Inclusion criteria were limited to studies reporting on outcomes and survivorship following MAT based on preoperative cartilage status. RESULTS: Sixteen studies, consisting of 1723 patients (n = 1758 total menisci), were identified in six level III and 10 level IV evidence studies. There was high heterogeneity in cartilage grading scales, reporting of concomitant cartilage procedures, and indications for MAT based on osteoarthritis. Patients with lower limb malalignment were either excluded or corrected with an osteotomy. MAT failure rate was reported in nine studies, with four studies reporting a greater rate of failure in knees with higher degrees of cartilage damage. Eight studies reported on clinical outcomes based on cartilage grade, with two studies reporting significant differences in clinical outcomes based on cartilage grade. Of the five studies reporting management of full-thickness chondral defects with cartilage surgery, three studies reported no significant difference in survivorship based on preoperative cartilage grade, while one study reported lower survivorship and one study reported unclear results. No studies found significant differences in survivorship and outcomes between medial and lateral MAT. CONCLUSIONS: Conflicting results and high variability in reporting of concomitant cartilage repair and indications for MAT exist in studies evaluating the efficacy of MAT based on articular cartilage status. The degree of preoperative chondral damage did not have a strong relationship with clinical outcomes following MAT. Higher degrees of cartilage damage were associated with higher MAT failure rates, with possible improvement in survivorship when treated with an appropriate cartilage procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Hip and Pelvis Movement Patterns in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome Differ From Controls and Change After Hip Arthroscopy During a Step-Down Pivot-Turn Task.

Background: Alterations in hip kinematics during functional tasks occur in positions that cause anterior impingement in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. However, tasks that do not promote motions of symptomatic hip impingement remain understudied. Purpose: To compare movement patterns of the hip and pelvis during a step-down pivot-turn task between patients with FAI and controls as well as in patients with FAI before and after hip arthroscopy. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Three-dimensional motion capture was acquired in 32 patients with FAI and 27 controls during a step-down pivot-turn task. An FAI subsample (n = 14) completed testing 9.2 ± 2.0 months (mean ± SD; range, 5.8-13.1 months) after hip arthroscopy. Statistical parametric mapping analysis was used to analyze hip and pelvis time series waveforms (1) between the FAI and control groups, (2) in the FAI group before versus after hip arthroscopy, and (3) in the FAI group after hip arthroscopy versus the control group. Continuous parametric variables were analyzed by paired t test and nonparametric variables by chi-square test. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics between the FAI and control groups. Before hip arthroscopy, patients with FAI demonstrated reduced hip flexion (P = .041) and external rotation (P = .027), as well as decreased anterior pelvic tilt (P = .049) and forward rotation (P = .043), when compared with controls. After hip arthroscopy, patients demonstrated greater hip flexion (P < .001) and external rotation of the operative hip (P < .001), in addition to increased anterior pelvic tilt (P≤ .036) and pelvic rise (P≤ .049), as compared with preoperative values. Postoperatively, the FAI group demonstrated greater hip flexion (P≤ .047) and lower forward pelvic rotation (P = .003) as compared with the control group. Conclusion: Movement pattern differences between the FAI and control groups during the nonimpingement-related step-down pivot-turn task were characterized by differences in the sagittal and transverse planes of the hip and pelvis. After hip arthroscopy, patients exhibited greater hip flexion and external rotation and increased pelvic anterior tilt and pelvic rise as compared with presurgery. When compared with controls, patients with FAI demonstrated greater hip flexion and lower pelvic forward rotation postoperatively. Clinical Relevance: These findings indicate that hip and pelvis biomechanics are altered even during tasks that do not reproduce the anterior impingement position.

A Systematic Review of Adverse Events and Complications After Isolated Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Repairs.

BACKGROUND: Medial meniscus posterior root (MMPR) tears are recognized as a substantial cause of disability and morbidity. However, meniscus root repair, regardless of technique, is not without potential complications. PURPOSE: To evaluate the reported incidence of complications and adverse events after isolated MMPR repair. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases with the following search terms combined with Boolean operators: "meniscus,""root," and "repair." Inclusion criteria consisted of level 1 to 4 human clinical studies in English or English-language translation reporting complications and adverse events after isolated posterior medial meniscus root repairs. The overall incidence of specific complications was estimated from the pooled sample of the included studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies with a total pooled sample of 442 patients were identified. The mean patient age was 58.1 years, while the mean final follow-up time was 37.2 months (range, 12-84.8 months). The overall incidence of complications was 9.7% (n = 43/442), with the most commonly reported complication being progressive degenerative changes within the knee (10.4%; n = 25/240; n = 5 studies). A total of 1.25% (n = 3/240) of patients who experienced degenerative changes required conversion to total knee arthroplasty. Repair failures were reported in 3.1% (n = 10/327; n = 8 studies) of patients. CONCLUSION: Repairing MMPR tears is critical in preventing accelerated progression of knee osteoarthritis in patients without significant knee osteoarthritis preoperatively. While this repair is still recommended and necessary in appropriate patients, this review found that the incidence of complications after isolated posterior medial meniscus root repair was 9.7%, primarily involving the presence of progressive degeneration, while repair failure was reported in 3% of patients.