Predictors of Return to Activity at 2 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Among Patients With High Preinjury Marx Activity Scores: A MOON Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Predictors of return to activity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) among patients with relatively high preinjury activity levels remain poorly understood. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of return to preinjury levels of activity after ACLR, defined as achieving a Marx activity score within 2 points of the preinjury value, among patients with Marx activity scores of 12 to 16 who had been prospectively enrolled in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) cohort. We hypothesized that age, sex, preinjury activity level, meniscal injuries and/or procedures, and concurrent articular cartilage injuries would predict return to preinjury activity levels at 2 years after ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: All unilateral ACLR procedures from 2002 to 2008 performed in patients enrolled in the MOON, with preinjury Marx activity scores ranging from 12 to 16, were evaluated with a specific focus on return to preinjury activity levels at 2 years postoperatively. Return to activity was defined as a Marx activity score within 2 points of the preinjury value. The proportion of patients able to return to preinjury activity levels was calculated, and multivariable modeling was performed to identify risk factors for patients' inability to return to preinjury activity levels. RESULTS: A total of 1188 patients were included in the final analysis. The median preinjury Marx activity score was 16 (interquartile range, 12-16). Overall, 466 patients (39.2%) were able to return to preinjury levels of activity, and 722 patients (60.8%) were not able to return to preinjury levels of activity. Female sex, smoking at the time of ACLR, fewer years of education, lower 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Mental Component Summary scores, and higher preinjury Marx activity scores were predictive of patients' inability to return to preinjury activity levels. Graft type, revision ACLR, the presence of medial and/or lateral meniscal injuries, a history of meniscal surgery, the presence of articular cartilage injuries, a history of articular cartilage treatment, and the presence of high-grade knee laxity were not predictive of a patient's ability to return to preinjury activity level. CONCLUSION: At 2 years after ACLR, most patients with high preinjury Marx activity scores did not return to their preinjury level of activity. The higher the preinjury Marx activity score that a patient reported at the time of enrollment, the less likely he/she was able to return to preinjury activity level. Smoking and lower mental health at the time of ACLR were the only modifiable risk factors in this cohort that predicted an inability to return to preinjury activity levels. Continued effort and investigation are required to maximize functional recovery after ACLR in patients with high preinjury levels of activity.

Predictors of Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Experiencing a Knee Dislocation: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.

Knee dislocations (KDs) are devastating injuries for patients and present complex challenges for orthopaedic surgeons. Although short-term outcomes have been studied, there are few long-term outcomes of these injuries available in the literature. The purpose of this study is to determine factors that influence mid- to long-term clinical outcomes following surgical treatment of KD. A review of the current literature was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify clinical studies published from 2010 to 2019 with a minimum 2-year follow-up that reported outcomes following surgical treatment of KDs. Ten studies (6 level III, 4 level IV) were included. At mid- (2-10 y) to long-term (>10 y) follow-up, concomitant arterial, cartilage, and combined meniscus damage were predictive factors for inferior Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores when compared with patients without these associated injuries. Although concomitant neurological damage may influence short-term outcomes due to decreased mobility, at longer follow-up periods it does not appear to predict worse clinical outcomes when compared with patients without concomitant neurological injury. Frank and polytrauma KDs have been associated with worse mid- to long-term outcomes when compared with transient and isolated KDs. Patients who underwent surgery within 6 weeks of trauma experienced better long-term outcomes than those who underwent surgery longer than 6 weeks after the initial injury. However, the small sample size of this study makes it difficult to make valid recommendations. Lastly, female sex, patients older than 30 years at the time of injury and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m2 are factors that have been associated with worse mid- to long-term Lysholm and IKDC scores. The results of this review suggest that female sex, age >30 years, BMI >35 kg/m2, concomitant cartilage damage, combined medial and lateral meniscal damage, KDs that do not spontaneously relocate, and KDs associated with polytrauma may predict worse results at mid- to long-term follow-up.

Shoulder Surgery as an Effective Treatment for Shoulder-Related Sleep Disturbance: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the current literature in an effort to investigate sleep quality and disturbances and the association with clinical outcomes of patients undergoing shoulder surgery. METHODS: A systematic review of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. All English-language literature reporting clinical outcomes and sleep quality and disturbance after shoulder surgery was reviewed by 2 independent reviewers. Outcomes assessed included patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and sleep quality. Specific PROs included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Rating Scale, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES). Study methodology was assessed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. Descriptive statistics are presented. RESULTS: Sixteen studies (11 level IV, 2 level III, 3 level II) with a total of 2748 shoulders were included (age, 12-91 years; follow-up, 0.25-132 months). In total, 2198 shoulders underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR), 131 shoulders underwent arthroscopic capsular release, 372 shoulders underwent total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), 18 shoulders underwent comprehensive arthroscopic management, and 29 shoulders underwent sternoclavicular joint procedures. All shoulder surgeries improved self-reported sleep and PROs from before to after surgery. In RCR patients, PSQI scores were significantly associated with VAS scores, SST scores (r = 0.453, r = -0.490, P < .05, respectively), but not significantly associated with UCLA Shoulder rating scale or the ASES scores (r = 0.04, r = 0.001, P > .05, respectively). In TSA patients, PSQI scores were significantly associated with ASES scores (r = -0.08, P < .05). All 4 RCR studies and 1 TSA study using PSQI found significant improvements in mean PSQI scores within 6 to 24 months (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention for rotator cuff tear and glenohumeral osteoarthritis significantly improves self-reported sleep in patients with shoulder pain. However, there remains a dearth of available studies assessing the effects of surgical intervention for adhesive capsulitis, sternoclavicular joint instability, and sternoclavicular osteoarthritis on sleep. Future studies should use sleep-specific PROs and quantitative measures of sleep to further elucidate the relationship between sleep and the effect of shoulder surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level II-IV studies.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Concomitant Meniscal Repair: Is Graft Choice Predictive of Meniscal Repair Success?

BACKGROUND: When meniscal repair is performed during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR), the effect of ACL graft type on meniscal repair outcomes is unclear. HYPOTHESIS: The authors hypothesized that meniscal repairs would fail at the lowest rate when concomitant ACLR was performed with bone--patellar tendon--bone (BTB) autograft. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients who underwent meniscal repair at primary ACLR were identified from a longitudinal, prospective cohort. Meniscal repair failures, defined as any subsequent surgical procedure addressing the meniscus, were identified. A logistic regression model was built to assess the association of graft type, patient-specific factors, baseline Marx activity rating score, and meniscal repair location (medial or lateral) with repair failure at 6-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 646 patients were included. Grafts used included BTB autograft (55.7%), soft tissue autograft (33.9%), and various allografts (10.4%). We identified 101 patients (15.6%) with a documented meniscal repair failure. Failure occurred in 74 of 420 (17.6%) isolated medial meniscal repairs, 15 of 187 (8%) isolated lateral meniscal repairs, and 12 of 39 (30.7%) of combined medial and lateral meniscal repairs. Meniscal repair failure occurred in 13.9% of patients with BTB autografts, 17.4% of patients with soft tissue autografts, and 19.4% of patients with allografts. The odds of failure within 6 years of index surgery were increased more than 2-fold with allograft versus BTB autograft (odds ratio = 2.34 [95% confidence interval, 1.12-4.92]; P = .02). There was a trend toward increased meniscal repair failures with soft tissue versus BTB autografts (odds ratio = 1.41 [95% confidence interval, 0.87-2.30]; P = .17). The odds of failure were 68% higher with medial versus lateral repairs (P < .001). There was a significant relationship between baseline Marx activity level and the risk of subsequent meniscal repair failure; patients with either very low (0-1 points) or very high (15-16 points) baseline activity levels were at the highest risk (P = .004). CONCLUSION: Meniscal repair location (medial vs lateral) and baseline activity level were the main drivers of meniscal repair outcomes. Graft type was ranked third, demonstrating that meniscal repairs performed with allograft were 2.3 times more likely to fail compared with BTB autograft. There was no significant difference in failure rates between BTB versus soft tissue autografts. REGISTRATION: NCT00463099 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Articular Cartilage and Meniscus Predictors of Patient-Reported Outcomes 10 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Articular cartilage and meniscal damage are commonly encountered and often treated at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Our understanding of how these injuries and their treatment relate to outcomes of ACLR is still evolving. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether articular cartilage and meniscal variables are predictive of 10-year outcomes after ACLR. We hypothesized that articular cartilage lesions and meniscal tears and treatment would be predictors of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) (all 5 subscales), and Marx activity level outcomes at 10-year follow-up after ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2008, individuals with ACLR were prospectively enrolled and followed longitudinally using the IKDC, KOOS, and Marx activity score completed at entry, 2, 6, and 10 years. A proportional odds logistic regression model was built incorporating variables from patient characteristics, surgical technique, articular cartilage injuries, and meniscal tears and treatment to determine the predictors (risk factors) of IKDC, KOOS, and Marx outcomes at 10 years. RESULTS: A total of 3273 patients were enrolled (56% male; median age, 23 years at time of enrollment). Ten-year follow-up was obtained on 79% (2575/3273) of the cohort. Incidence of concomitant pathology at the time of surgery consisted of the following: articular cartilage (medial femoral condyle [MFC], 22%; lateral femoral condyle [LFC], 15%; medial tibial plateau [MTP], 4%; lateral tibial plateau [LTP], 11%; patella, 18%; trochlea, 8%) and meniscal pathology (medial, 37%; lateral, 46%). Variables that were predictive of poorer 10-year outcomes included articular cartilage damage in the patellofemoral (P < .01) and medial (P < .05) compartments and previous medial meniscal surgery (7% of knees; P < .04). Compared with no meniscal tear, a meniscal injury was not associated with 10-year outcomes. Medial meniscal repair at the time of ACLR was associated with worse 10-year outcomes for 2 of 5 KOOS subscales, while a medial meniscal repair in knees with grade 2 MFC chondrosis was associated with better outcomes on 2 KOOS subscales. CONCLUSION: Articular cartilage injury in the patellofemoral and medial compartments at the time of ACLR and a history of medial meniscal surgery before ACLR were associated with poorer 10-year ACLR patient-reported outcomes, but meniscal injury present at the time of ACLR was not. There was limited and conflicting association of medial meniscal repair with these outcomes.

Clinical Outcomes Associated With Preoperative Opioid Use in Various Shoulder Surgical Procedures: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The impact of preoperative opioid use on outcomes after shoulder surgery is unknown. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: To examine the role of preoperative opioid use on outcomes in patients after shoulder surgery. We hypothesized that preoperative opioid use in shoulder surgery will result in increased postoperative pain and functional deficits when compared with nonuse. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Included were all English-language studies comparing clinical outcomes of shoulder surgery in patients who used opioids preoperatively (opioid group) as well as patients who did not (nonopioid group) with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Outcomes included range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant-Murley score, and visual analog scale for pain. Study quality was evaluated with the Modified Coleman Methodology Score and the MINORS score (Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies). RESULTS: Included were 5 studies (level 2, n = 1; level 3, n = 4): Two studies were on total shoulder arthroplasty, 2 on reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, 1 on both, and 1 on arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. There were 827 patients overall: 290 in the opioid group (age, 63.2 ± 4.0 years [mean ± SD]; follow-up, 38.9 ± 7.5 months) and 537 in the nonopioid group (age, 66.0 ± 4.7 years; follow-up, 39.5 ± 8.1 months). The opioid group demonstrated significantly worse pre- and postoperative visual analog scale and Constant-Murley score pain scores as compared with the nonopioid group. Mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were significantly lower in the opioid group at pre- and postoperative time points as compared with the nonopioid group (P < .05 for all). However, both groups experienced similar improvement in outcomes pre- to postoperatively. One study showed that the opioid group consumed significantly more opioids postoperatively than the nonopioid group and for a longer duration (P < .05). The overall mean Modified Coleman Methodology Score and MINORS score were 64.2 ± 14 and 15.8 ± 1.0, respectively. CONCLUSION: Opioid use prior to various shoulder surgical procedures negatively affected postoperative pain and functionality. Although the opioid group showed significantly worse scores postoperatively, the groups experienced similar improvements.

Sex-Based Differences in Recurrence Rates Following Arthroscopic Anterior Shoulder Stabilization: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the effect that sex has on recurrence of anterior shoulder instability following primary arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization. METHODS: A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines was performed by searching PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies reporting recurrence rates following arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Patient demographics as well as preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative findings, including patient-reported outcomes and recurrence rates, were analyzed by 2 independent reviewers. Recurrence was defined as an episode of dislocation, subluxation or instability following primary arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization. Study methodological quality was evaluated with the Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS). Risk bias was evaluated using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS score). Descriptive statistics are presented. RESULTS: Ten studies (1 Level I, 1 Level II, 5 Level III, and 3 Level IV), including a total of 7,102 patients with primary traumatic and/or recurrent traumatic shoulder instability without previous procedures who underwent primary arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization, were included (mean follow-up, 34.6 months; mean age, 25.4 years). There was a total of 5,097 males (71.8%) and 2,005 females (28.2%). There was a higher recurrence rate in males (6%-37%) compared to females (0-32%). Clinical outcomes were inconsistently reported, so no quantitative analysis of clinical outcomes or return-to-sport between sexes was possible. The average MCMS of all 10 studies was 76.8 ± 8.0, indicating good methodology. CONCLUSIONS: Males may have higher recurrence rates than females following primary arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization; however, the heterogeneity of the included studies precludes any definitive conclusions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Systematic Review of Level I-IV.

Do Older Skiers Have Worse Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Compared With Non-Skiers or Younger Skiers?

BACKGROUND: There remains a paucity of literature comparing clinical outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) between skiers and non-skiers, particularly in older patient populations. PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes after ACLR between skiers and non-skiers, with a subanalysis based on age. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A nested cohort of 128 patients from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network cohort who underwent primary ACLR completed a series of patient-reported outcomes pre- and postoperatively at 2 and 6 years including the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Marx Activity Rating Scale, and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Data including patient sex, age at surgery, graft type, and sport participation were analyzed. Patients were stratified by participation in skiing (skiers vs non-skiers) and by age subgroup (≤29, 30-39, and ≥40 years). Student t tests and analysis of variance were used to compare mean improvement between pre- and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 44 skiers (female, 59.1%; age, 35.3 ± 11.6 years) and 84 non-skiers (female, 34.5%; age, 27.7 ± 11.3 years) were included. ACLR was performed using allograft in 36.7% (22 skiers, 25 non-skiers), autograft in 58.6% (19 skiers, 56 non-skiers), or hybrid autograft-allograft in 4.7% (3 skiers, 3 non-skiers). Although both non-skiers and skiers demonstrated improvements in outcomes from baseline to 2 and 6 years, non-skiers demonstrated significantly less overall improvement from 2 to 6 years postoperatively in KOOS Symptoms (P = .01), KOOS Pain (P = .002), and KOOS Activities of Daily Living (P = .03) subscales compared with skiers. There were 15 skiers who were 29 years or younger (34.1%), 14 skiers between 30 and 39 years (31.8%), and 15 skiers 40 years or older (34.1%). Skiers 40 years and older demonstrated significantly greater mean improvement in KOOS Symptoms (P = .02) and KOOS Quality of Life (QoL) (P = .01) subscales at 2 years and KOOS QoL (P = .01) at 6 years postoperatively compared with skiers 29 years or younger. CONCLUSION: Compared with non-skiers, skiers demonstrated significantly greater mean improvements in KOOS scores between 2 and 6 years after ACLR. In addition, skiers 40 years or older showed greater improvement in KOOS QoL compared with younger skiers. This information can be used to counsel skiers, especially those older than 40 years, as to their expected outcomes after ACLR.

Sliding or Nonsliding Arthroscopic Knots for Shoulder Surgery: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Knot tying is a crucial component of successful arthroscopic shoulder surgery. It is currently unknown whether sliding or nonsliding techniques result in superior clinical outcomes. PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic sliding knot (SK)- versus nonsliding knot (NSK)-tying techniques during arthroscopic shoulder surgery, including rotator cuff repair, Bankart repair, and superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) repair. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. All English-language literature published between 2000 and 2018 reporting clinical outcomes utilizing SK- or NSK-tying techniques during rotator cuff repair, Bankart repair, and SLAP repair with a minimum 24-month follow-up was reviewed by 2 independent reviewers. Information on type of surgery, knot used, failure rate, patient satisfaction, and patient-reported outcomes was collected. Patient-reported outcome measures included the Constant-Murley score, Rowe score, and visual analog scale for pain. Study quality was evaluated using the modified Coleman Methodology Score. RESULTS: Overall, 9 studies (6 level 3 and 3 level 4) with a total of 671 patients (mean age, 52.8 years [range, 16-86 years]; 65.7% male; 206 SK and 465 NSK) were included. There were 4 studies that reported on Bankart repair in 148 patients (63 SK and 85 NSK), 3 on SLAP repair in 59 patients (59 SK), and 2 on rotator cuff repair in 464 patients (84 SK and 380 NSK). Also, 6 studies compared knot-tying with knotless techniques (3 Bankart repair studies and 3 SLAP repair studies), while the studies reporting the outcomes of SLAP repair evaluated SK-tying techniques only. The failure rate for Bankart repair was 3.2% (2/63) for SKs and 4.7% (4/85) for NSKs. The failure rate for rotator cuff repair was 2.4% (2/84) for SKs and 6.3% (24/380) for NSKs. The failure rate for SLAP repair was 11.9% (7/59). Because of inconsistencies in outcomes and procedures, no quantitative analysis was possible. The mean modified Coleman Methodology Score for all studies was 65.1 ± 8.77, indicating adequate methodology. CONCLUSION: The literature on clinical outcomes using SKs or NSKs for shoulder procedures is limited to level 4 evidence. Future studies should be prospective and focus on comparing the use of SKs and NSKs for shoulder procedures to elucidate which arthroscopic knot results in superior clinical outcomes.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in High School and College-Aged Athletes: Does Autograft Choice Influence Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision Rates?

BACKGROUND: Physicians' and patients' decision-making process between bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) and hamstring tendon autografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) may be influenced by a variety of factors in the young, active athlete. PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of both ACL graft revisions and contralateral ACL tears resulting in subsequent ACLR in a cohort of high school- and college-aged athletes who initially underwent primary ACLR with either a BTB or a hamstring autograft. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Study inclusion criteria were patients aged 14 to 22 years who were injured in sports, had a contralateral normal knee, and were scheduled to undergo unilateral primary ACLR with either a BTB or a hamstring autograft. All patients were prospectively followed for 6 years to determine whether any subsequent ACLR was performed in either knee after their initial ACLR. Multivariable regression modeling controlled for age, sex, ethnicity/race, body mass index, sport and competition level, baseline activity level, knee laxity, and graft type. The 6-year outcomes were the incidence of subsequent ACLR in either knee. RESULTS: A total of 839 patients were eligible, of which 770 (92%) had 6-year follow-up for the primary outcome measure of the incidence of subsequent ACLR. The median age was 17 years, with 48% female, and the distribution of BTB and hamstring grafts was 492 (64%) and 278 (36%), respectively. The incidence of subsequent ACLR at 6 years was 9.2% in the ipsilateral knee, 11.2% in the contralateral normal knee, and 19.7% for either knee. High-grade preoperative knee laxity (odds ratio [OR], 2.4 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.9]; P = .001), autograft type (OR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.3-3.5]; P = .004), and age (OR, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.7-1.0]; P = .009) were the 3 most influential predictors of ACL graft revision in the ipsilateral knee. The odds of ACL graft revision were 2.1 times higher for patients receiving a hamstring autograft than patients receiving a BTB autograft (95% CI, 1.3-3.5; P = .004). No significant differences were found between autograft choices when looking at the incidence of subsequent ACLR in the contralateral knee. CONCLUSION: There was a high incidence of both ACL graft revisions and contralateral normal ACL tears resulting in subsequent ACLR in this young athletic cohort. The incidence of ACL graft revision at 6 years after index surgery was 2.1 times higher with a hamstring autograft compared with a BTB autograft.

Two-Stage Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Bone Graft Options for Tunnel Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: No consensus is available regarding the optimal choice of bone graft material for bone tunnel augmentation in revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of different bone graft materials for staged revision ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines was performed. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were queried through use of the terms anterior cruciate ligament and revision to identify all studies reporting outcomes of bone tunnel grafting in 2-stage revision ACL reconstruction. Data extracted included indications for 2-stage surgery, surgical technique, graft material, time between surgeries, rehabilitation protocols, physical examination findings, patient-reported outcomes, and radiographic and histologic findings. RESULTS: The analysis included 7 studies with a total of 234 patients. The primary outcome in 2 studies was graft incorporation (mean follow-up, 8.8 months), whereas the other 5 studies reported clinical outcomes with follow-up mean ± SD of 4.2 ± 2.1 years. The indication for bone grafting and between-stage protocol varied among studies. Autograft was used in 4 studies: iliac crest bone autograft (ICBG, n = 3) and tibial bone autograft (TBA, n = 1). In 2 studies, the authors investigated the outcomes of allograft: allograft bone matrix (ABM) and allograft bone chips (AC). Finally, 1 study compared ICBG to a synthetic bone substitute. Radiographic evaluation of bone graft integration after the first stage was reported in 4 studies, with an average duration of 4.9 months. In 4 studies, the authors reported the time interval between first and second surgeries, with an average of 6.1 months for ICBG compared with 8.7 months for allogenic and synthetic grafts. Revision ACL graft failure rates were reported by 5 studies, including 1 study with ABM (6.1%), 1 study with AC (8.3%), 1 study with TBA (0%), and 2 studies with ICBG (0% and 2%). CONCLUSION: The indications for staged ACL reconstruction and the rehabilitation protocol between stages need to be clearly established. The available data indicate that autograft for bone tunnel grafting in 2-stage ACL revision may be associated with a lower risk of revision ACL reconstruction graft failure compared with allograft bone.

Risk Factors for Loss to Follow-up in 3202 Patients at 2 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Implications for Identifying Health Disparities in the MOON Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the risk factors for loss to follow-up in prospective clinical studies may allow for a targeted approach to minimizing follow-up bias and improving the generalizability of conclusions in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and other sports-related interventions. PURPOSE: To identify independent risk factors associated with failure to complete (ie, loss to follow-up) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 2 years after ACLR within a well-funded prospective longitudinal cohort. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: All patients undergoing primary or revision ACLR enrolled in the prospectively collected database of the multicenter consortium between 2002 and 2008 were included. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to determine which baseline risk factors were significantly associated with loss to follow-up at a minimum of 2 years after surgery. Predictors assessed for loss to follow-up were as follows: consortium site, sex, race, marital status, smoking status, phone number provided (home or cell), email address provided (primary or secondary), years of school completed, average hours worked per week, working status (full-time, part-time, homemaker, retired, student, or disabled), number of people living at home, and preoperative PROMs (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Marx Activity Rating Scale, and International Knee Documentation Committee). RESULTS: A total of 3202 patients who underwent ACLR were enrolled. The 2-year PROM follow-up rate for this cohort was 88% (2821 of 3202). Multivariate analyses showed that patient sex (male: odds ratio [OR], 1.80) and race (black: OR, 3.64; other nonwhite: OR, 1.81) were independent predictors of 2-year loss to follow-up of PROMs. Education level was a nonconfounder. CONCLUSION: While education level did not predict loss to follow-up, patients who are male and nonwhite are at increased risk of loss to follow-up of PROM at 2 years. Capturing patient outcomes with minimal loss depends on equitable, not equal, opportunity to maximize generalizability and mitigate potential population-level health disparities. REGISTRATION: NCT00478894 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

No Difference Between Posterolateral Corner Repair and Reconstruction With Concurrent ACL Surgery: Results From a Prospective Multicenter Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the posterolateral corner (PLC) may occur concurrently with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: This study evaluated the outcomes of patients who underwent operative management of PLC injuries concurrently with ACL reconstruction in a prospective multicenter cohort. We hypothesized that there would be no differences in outcomes between patients who were treated with PLC repair and PLC reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients undergoing ACL reconstruction were enrolled into a prospective longitudinal multicenter cohort between 2002 and 2008. Those with complete 6-year follow-up data (patient-reported outcomes and subsequent surgery information) were identified. Excluded from the study were patients with posterior cruciate ligament injuries. Patients who underwent PLC repair were compared with those who underwent PLC reconstruction with regard to interval from injury to surgery, need for revision surgery, and long-term outcomes at 6 years. RESULTS: During the identified time frame, 3026 identified patients underwent primary ACL reconstruction; 34 (1.1%) also underwent concurrent PLC surgery (15 repairs, 19 reconstructions [18 allografts, 1 autograft]). With the numbers available, we did not detect significant differences between groups regarding the rate of meniscal or chondral injuries. Median time to PLC reconstruction was 121 days as compared with 19 days for concurrent ACL reconstruction and PLC repair (P = .01). There were no between-group differences in Marx activity scores prior to surgery (P = .4). At 6-year follow-up, there were no between-group differences in Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (P = .36-.83) or International Knee Documentation Committee score (P = .84); however, patients treated with PLC reconstructions had lower Marx activity scores (4.1 vs 9.4; P = .02). There was 1 ACL revision in the PLC reconstruction group, and 1 of the PLC repairs was revised to a reconstruction during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Good outcomes were achieved at 6-year follow-up with both repair and reconstruction of PLC injuries treated concurrently with ACL reconstruction. The PLC reconstruction group had lower activity levels 6 years after surgery. The present data suggest that, for appropriately selected patients undergoing acute surgical treatment of combined ACL and PLC injuries, PCL repair can achieve good long-term outcomes.

Effect of High-Grade Preoperative Knee Laxity on 6-Year Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Knee laxity in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is often assessed through physical examination using the Lachman, pivot shift, and anterior drawer tests. The degree of laxity noted on these examinations may influence treatment decisions and prognosis. HYPOTHESIS: Increased preoperative knee laxity is associated with increased risk of revision ACL reconstruction, increased risk of contralateral ACL reconstruction, and poorer patient-reported outcomes at 6 years postoperatively. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: 2333 patients who underwent primary isolated ACL reconstruction without additional ligament injury were identified. Patients reported by the operating surgeons to have an International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) grade D Lachman, anterior drawer, or pivot shift examination were classified as having a high-grade laxity. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate whether having high-grade preoperative laxity was predictive of increased odds of undergoing subsequent revision or contralateral ACL reconstruction within 6 years of the index procedure, controlling for patient age, sex, body mass index, Marx activity level, sport, graft type, medial meniscal treatment, and lateral meniscal treatment. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to evaluate whether having high-grade preoperative laxity was predictive of poorer IKDC or Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Knee-Related Quality of Life (KOOS-QOL) scores at 6 years postoperatively, after controlling for baseline score, patient age, ethnicity, sex, body mass index, marital status, smoking status, sport participation, competition level, Marx activity rating score, graft type, and articular cartilage and meniscal status. RESULTS: In total, 743 of 2325 patients (32.0%) were noted to have high-grade laxity on at least 1 physical examination test. High-grade Lachman was noted in 334 patients (14.4%), high-grade pivot shift was noted in 617 patients (26.5%), and high-grade anterior drawer was noted in 233 patients (10.0%). Six-year revision and contralateral ACL reconstruction data were available for 2129 patients (91.6%). High-grade prereconstruction Lachman was associated with significantly increased odds of ACL graft revision (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% CI, 1.10-2.80, P = .02) and contralateral ACL reconstruction (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.09-2.69; P = .019). High-grade prereconstruction pivot shift was associated with significantly increased odds of ACL graft revision (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.19-2.54, P = .002) but not with significantly increased odds of contralateral ACL reconstruction (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.89-1.87; P = .16). High-grade prereconstruction laxity was associated with statistically significantly lower 6-year IKDC (ß = -2.26, P = .003), KOOS-QOL (ß = -2.67, P = .015), and Marx activity scores (ß = -0.54, P = .020), but these differences did not approach clinically relevant differences in patient-reported outcomes. CONCLUSION: High-grade preoperative knee laxity is predictive of increased odds of revision ACL reconstruction and contralateral ACL reconstruction 6 years after ACL reconstruction. Poorer patient-reported outcome scores in the high-grade laxity group were also noted, but the difference did not reach a level of clinical relevance.

Development of the KOOSglobal Platform to Measure Patient-Reported Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) has demonstrated inferior psychometric properties when compared with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form when assessing outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The KOOS, Joint Replacement (KOOS, JR) is a validated short-form instrument to assess patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after knee arthroplasty, and the purpose of this study was to determine if augmenting the KOOS, JR with additional KOOS items would allow for the creation of a short-form KOOS-based global knee score for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction, with psychometric properties similar to those of the IKDC. HYPOTHESIS: An augmented version of the KOOS, JR could be created that would demonstrate convergent validity with the IKDC but avoid the ceiling effects and limitations previously noted with several of the KOOS subscales. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Based on preoperative and 2-year postoperative responses to the KOOS questionnaires from a sample of 1904 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction, an aggregate score combining the KOOS, JR and the 4 KOOS Quality of Life subscale questions, termed the KOOSglobal, was developed. Psychometric properties of the KOOSglobal were then compared with those of the IKDC subjective score. Convergent validity between the KOOSglobal and IKDC was assessed with a Spearman correlation (ρ). Responsiveness of the 2 instruments was assessed by calculating the pre- to postoperative effect size and relative efficiency. Finally, the presence of a preoperative floor or postoperative ceiling effect was defined with the threshold of 15% of patients reporting either the worst possible (0 for KOOSglobal and IKDC) or the best possible (100 for KOOSglobal and IKDC) scores, respectively. RESULTS: The newly developed KOOSglobal was responsive after ACL reconstruction and demonstrated convergent validity with the IKDC. The KOOSglobal significantly correlated with the IKDC scores (ρ = 0.91, P < .001), explained 83% of the variability in IKDC scores, and was similarly responsive (relative efficiency = 0.63). While there was a higher rate of perfect postoperative scores with the KOOSglobal (213 of 1904, 11%) than with the IKDC (6%), the KOOSglobal was still below the 15% ceiling effect threshold. CONCLUSION: The large ceiling effects limit the ability to use several of the KOOS subscales with the younger, more active ACL population. However, by creating an aggregate score from the KOOS, JR and 4 KOOS Quality of Life subscale questions, the 11-item KOOSglobal offers a responsive PRO tool after ACL reconstruction that converges with the information captured with the IKDC. Also, by offering the ability to calculate multiple scores from a single questionnaire, the KOOSglobal may provide the orthopaedic community a single PRO platform to be used across knee-related subspecialties. Registration: NCT00478894 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Ten-Year Outcomes and Risk Factors After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A MOON Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The long-term prognosis and risk factors for quality of life and disability after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remain unknown. Hypothesis/Purpose: Our objective was to identify patient-reported outcomes and patient-specific risk factors from a large prospective cohort at a minimum 10-year follow-up after ACL reconstruction. We hypothesized that meniscus and articular cartilage injuries, revision ACL reconstruction, subsequent knee surgery, and certain demographic characteristics would be significant risk factors for inferior outcomes at 10 years. STUDY DESIGN: Therapeutic study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Unilateral ACL reconstruction procedures were identified and prospectively enrolled between 2002 and 2004 from 7 sites in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON). Patients preoperatively completed a series of validated outcome instruments, including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Marx activity rating scale. At the time of surgery, physicians documented all intra-articular abnormalities, treatment, and surgical techniques utilized. Patients were followed at 2, 6, and 10 years postoperatively and asked to complete the same outcome instruments that they completed at baseline. The incidence and details of any subsequent knee surgeries were also obtained. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of the outcome. RESULTS: A total of 1592 patients were enrolled (57% male; median age, 24 years). Ten-year follow-up was obtained on 83% (n = 1320) of the cohort. Both IKDC and KOOS scores significantly improved at 2 years and were maintained at 6 and 10 years. Conversely, Marx scores dropped markedly over time, from a median score of 12 points at baseline to 9 points at 2 years, 7 points at 6 years, and 6 points at 10 years. The patient-specific risk factors for inferior 10-year outcomes were lower baseline scores; higher body mass index; being a smoker at baseline; having a medial or lateral meniscus procedure performed before index ACL reconstruction; undergoing revision ACL reconstruction; undergoing lateral meniscectomy; grade 3 to 4 articular cartilage lesions in the medial, lateral, or patellofemoral compartments; and undergoing any subsequent ipsilateral knee surgery after index ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Patients were able to perform sports-related functions and maintain a relatively high knee-related quality of life 10 years after ACL reconstruction, although activity levels significantly declined over time. Multivariable analysis identified several key modifiable risk factors that significantly influence the outcome.

Variance in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Graft Selection based on Patient Demographics and Location within the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network Cohort.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether any regional or age-related patterns exist in graft choice for patients undergoing primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) within a large multicenter consortium. A retrospective cohort study was performed using data collected from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) on patients having undergone primary ACLR. Patients were stratified by age group (younger than 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50+ years) and four demographic regions (Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, and West). A total of 2,149 patients (1,288 males, 861 females) were included. At least 70% of the patients were treated by a single surgeon in three of the four demographic regions. There were no clinically significant differences in body mass index (BMI), and no statistically significant differences in Marx activity rating scale (p > 0.05) between regions within any particular age group. There were significant differences in the proportion of autografts versus allografts used for primary ACLR between regions in every age group (p < 0.01). There were also significant differences in autograft (p < 0.001) and allograft (p < 0.001) harvest location based on demographic region. The Southeast and Northeast were more likely to use bone-patellar-tendon-bone autograft while the West and Midwest were likely to use hamstring autograft. Within our consortium, regional patterns exist both in autograft versus allograft use in patients undergoing primary ACLR, as well as harvest location of autografts and allografts. Given the similarities in average patient BMI and activity level between regions, as well as the single surgeon influence in three of the four regions, the regional patterns in graft use are likely due to surgeon preference.

Outcomes of ACL Reconstruction in Patients with Diabetes.

PURPOSE: Diabetes has been associated with adverse outcomes after various types of surgery. There are no previously published data regarding the effect of diabetes on outcomes from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that diabetes is associated with worse clinical outcomes and a higher prevalence of subsequent surgeries after ACLR. METHODS: Anterior cruciate ligament-deficient patients (n = 2198) undergoing unilateral ACLR from a multicenter prospective study were included. Patients who self-reported diabetes on the basis of comorbidity questions before surgery were identified from the database. They were compared with the remainder of the cohort who did not self-report diabetes. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 yr after their index surgery. A minimum 2-yr follow-up was attained on 1905/2198 (87%) via completed outcome questionnaires and 2096/2198 (95%) regarding subsequent surgery. The primary outcome measures were three validated outcome instruments. The secondary outcome measure was the incidence of additional surgery on the ipsilateral and contralateral knees. RESULTS: Patients with diabetes had a significantly higher activity level at 2 yr (OR = 2.96; 95% CI, 1.30-6.77; P = 0.01), but otherwise slightly worse clinical outcomes, compared with patients without diabetes (OR range = 0.42-0.59). The prevalence of subsequent surgeries in patients with diabetes was not significantly different from the prevalence in patients without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes maintain a higher activity level after ACLR despite slightly lower patient-reported outcome scores compared with patients without diabetes and do not have a higher rate of subsequent surgery.

Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection of a Symptomatic Sural Neuroma.

Symptomatic neuromas of the sural nerve are a rare but significant cause of pain and debilitation in athletes. Presentation is usually in the form of chronic pain and dysesthesias or paresthesias of the lateral foot and ankle. Treatment traditionally ranges from conservative measures, such as removing all external compressive forces, to administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin B6, tricyclic antidepressants, antiepileptics, or topical anesthetics. This article reports a case of sural nerve entrapment in a 34-year-old male triathlete with a history of recurrent training-induced right-sided gastrocnemius strains. The patient presented with numbness in the right lateral foot and ankle that had persisted for 3 months, after he was treated unsuccessfully with extensive nonoperative measures, including anti-inflammatory drugs, activity modification, and a dedicated physical therapy program of stretching and strengthening. Orthopedic assessment showed worsening pain with forced passive dorsiflexion and manual pressure applied over the distal aspect of the gastrocnemius. Plain radiographs showed normal findings, but in-office ultrasound imaging showed evidence of sural nerve entrapment with edema and neuromatous scar formation in the absence of gastrocnemius or soleus pathology. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided hydrodissection of the sural nerve at the area of symptomatic neuroma and neural edema was performed the same day. The patient had complete relief of symptoms and full return to the preinjury level of participation in competitive sports. This case report shows that hydrodissection, when performed by an experienced physician, can be an effective, minimally invasive technique for neurolysis in the setting of sural nerve entrapment, resulting in improvement in clinical symptoms.