Changes in Fracture Shortening Occur in the First 2 Weeks Following Completely Displaced Adolescent Clavicle Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Shortening of midshaft clavicle fractures has been described as a critical fracture characteristic to guide treatment. The degree to which shortening may change in the initial weeks following injury has not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in shortening of adolescent clavicle fractures in the first 2 weeks following injury. METHODS: This was a multicenter study of prospectively collected data, which was acquired as a part of a cohort study of adolescent clavicle fractures. A consecutive series of patients 10 to 18 years of age with completely displaced diaphyseal clavicle fractures with baseline radiographs 0 to 6 days from the date of injury, as well as 7 to 21 days from the date of injury, were included. Measurements of end-to-end (EES) and cortex-to-corresponding-cortex (CCS) shortening were performed. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were included. Baseline radiographs were obtained at a mean of 1.0 day following injury with mean EES of 22.3 mm, and 69% of patients demonstrating >20 mm of shortening. Follow-up radiographs obtained at a mean of 13.8 days postinjury demonstrated a mean absolute change in EES of 5.4 mm. Forty-one percentage of patients had >5 mm of change in EES. When analyzing changes in shortening relative to the specific threshold of 20 mm, 18 patients (41%) with <20 mm EES increased to ≥20 mm EES, and 19 patients (19%) with ≥20 mm EES decreased to <20 mm EES at 2-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically significant changes in fracture shortening occurred in 41% of adolescents with completely displaced clavicle fractures in the first 2 weeks after injury. In 26% of patients, this resulted in a change from above or below the commonly used shortening threshold of 20 mm, potentially altering the treatment plan by many providers. There is no evidence to suggest that adolescent clavicle fracture shortening affects outcomes, and as such, the authors do not advocate for the use of this parameter to guide treatment. However, among physicians who continue to use this parameter to guide treatment, this study supports that repeat radiographic assessment 2 weeks postinjury may be a better measure of the true shortening of this common adolescent injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

5-Year Radiographic and Functional Outcomes of Nonoperative Treatment of Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicular Fractures in Teenagers.

BACKGROUND: Optimal treatment of completely displaced midshaft clavicular fractures in adolescents remains controversial, with some favoring surgical management and others favoring a nonoperative approach. Few studies have comprehensively assessed longer-term nonoperative outcomes. PURPOSE: To prospectively assess patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and radiographic remodeling ≥5 years after injury in teenagers undergoing nonoperative treatment of completely displaced clavicular fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Adolescent patients previously enrolled in a prospective study from a single institution with nonoperatively treated, completely displaced midshaft clavicular fractures ≥5 years from injury were eligible for the study. Patients were clinically evaluated for scapular dyskinesia and strength deficits. Bilateral clavicular imaging assessed residual shortening, displacement, and angulation. PROs included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), Marx Shoulder Activity Scale, cosmesis, and return to sports data. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were available for the follow-up, of whom 17 (71%) consented to additional imaging. The mean cohort age at the time of injury was 14.5 ± 1.1 years, with 88% being male. At a mean follow-up of 6.1 years, all fractures had healed, with no patient requiring secondary interventions. Significant remodeling was observed across all measurements, with improvements of 70% in shortening (22.8 to 6.8 mm; P < .001), 73% in superior displacement (13.4 to 3.6 mm; P < .001), and 83% in angulation (10.4° to 1.8°; P < .001). Thirteen patients (72%) had a >2-cm initial shortening, and all remodeled to <2 cm. PROs were almost universally excellent, with mean ASES, QuickDASH, and Marx activity scores of 99 ± 3, 1 ± 3, and 20 ± 1, respectively, with 79% of patients reporting perfect scores in all 3 domains. Most patients (58%) were completely satisfied with their shoulder appearance, 38% were more satisfied than not, 1 patient (4%) was neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and no patients were dissatisfied. All patients except 1 who were interested in sports returned to sporting activities. PROs were not associated with bony remodeling (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Teenaged patients with completely displaced clavicular fractures treated nonoperatively can expect excellent radiographic and clinical outcomes 5 years after injury.

Treatment of Severely Shortened or Comminuted Clavicular Fractures in Older Adolescent Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that for completely displaced midshaft clavicular fractures, surgery offers no clear benefit over nonoperative treatment in a general adolescent population from 10 to 18 years of age. However, the comparative outcomes of comminuted and/or severely shortened clavicular fractures specifically in older adolescent athletes have not been explored in a focused, methodologically rigorous fashion. HYPOTHESIS: The study hypothesis was that outcomes would be superior in older adolescent athletes who underwent operative treatment compared with nonoperative treatment for comminuted and/or severely shortened clavicular fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A level 2, multicenter, prospective cohort study investigating the outcomes of midshaft fractures in adolescents between 2013 and 2017 was filtered to analyze the subcohorts of athletes 14 to 18 years of age with either fracture comminution or fracture shortening of ≥25 mm or both. Patient characteristics, injury mechanisms, fracture characteristics, and treatments were compared. Complications, rates, timing of return to sports (RTS), and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were analyzed. RESULTS: The 2 treatment groups, which included 136 older adolescent athletes (69 nonoperative, 67 operative), showed similar distributions of primary sport type, competition level, comminution, shortening, and 2-year PRO response rate (n = 99; 73%). The operative group demonstrated 3 mm-greater mean superior displacement, which was therefore statistically controlled for as a confounder in the comparative PRO analysis. No 2-year differences in nonunion, delayed union, symptomatic malunion, refracture, clinically significant complications, or rates of RTS were detected between treatment groups. The difference in timing of RTS (operative, 10.3 weeks; nonoperative, 13.5 weeks) was statistically significant. After controlling for the minor difference in superior displacement, regression analysis and matched comparison cohorts demonstrated no differences between the nonoperative and operative groups in mean or dichotomized PRO scores. CONCLUSION: In this prospective, multicenter cohort study investigating older adolescent athletes with comminuted and/or severely shortened clavicular fractures, contrary to the study hypothesis, there were no differences in complications, RTS, or PROs between nonoperatively and operatively treated patients at 2 years. Comparably excellent outcomes of severe clavicular fractures in adolescent athletes can be achieved with nonoperative treatment.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction With or Without Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy in Carefully Selected Patients Results in a 5% Revision Rate: A Preliminary Analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to assess the outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) allograft reconstruction with or without tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) in adolescents, with a focus on evaluating demographic and imaging characteristics on outcomes. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective study was performed of patients ages 12 to 19 years who underwent MPFL reconstruction +/- TTO for the treatment of lateral patellar instability. Demographic, clinical, surgical, and postoperative information was collected. All x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging measurements were completed independently by 2 surgeons. Patients were contacted to complete patient-reported outcomes at a minimum of 2 years following surgery. The primary outcome measure was recurrent instability resulting in revision surgery. RESULTS: Seventy-eight knees in 74 patients, with a median age of 15.3 years (interquartile range: 14.4, 16.1), were included. Forty-five knees underwent isolated MPFL reconstruction and 33 knees had a combined MPFL + TTO. The knees that underwent MPFL + TTO had significantly greater tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance (19.0 mm vs. 15.4 mm, P =0.015) and patellar tendon-lateral trochlear ridge distance (10.9 mm vs. 5.9 mm, P =0.018) than the knees treated with isolated MPFL reconstruction. Four knees (5.1%) underwent revision stabilization surgery, including 3 knees in the MPFL cohort (6.7%) and 1 knee in the MPFL + TTO cohort (3.0%). The rate of failure between the MPFL and MPFL + TTO knees was not significantly different, P =0.634. There were no differences in age, sex, body mass index, number of dislocations, or any imaging characteristics in patients who underwent revision versus those who did not. Patient-reported outcomes were collected on 50 knees at a median of 36 months (interquartile range: 24, 54) after surgery, and no differences were noted between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Patellar stabilization surgery, including MPFL reconstruction and TTO in carefully selected patients, had excellent revision-free outcomes in 95% of this adolescent cohort. In this case series, those patients whose treatment included TTO had greater tibial tubercle-trochlear groove and patellar tendon-lateral trochlear ridge as compared to the isolated MPFL cohort. Despite previous literature suggesting demographic and imaging characteristics as risks for recurrent instability, we identified no characteristics within these two distinct surgical treatment groups to be predictive of the need for revision stabilization, regardless of the treatment group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective comparison study.

Intrarater and Interrater Reliability of Radiographic Characteristics in Skeletally Immature Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: A PLUTO Study Group Reliability Study.

BACKGROUND: Radiographic measurements of limb alignment in skeletally immature patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequently used for surgical decision-making, preoperative planning, and postoperative monitoring of skeletal growth. However, the interrater and intrarater reliability of these radiographic characteristics in this patient population is not well documented. HYPOTHESIS: Excellent reliability across 4 raters will be demonstrated for all digital measures of length, coronal plane joint orientation angles, mechanical axis, and tibial slope in skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis). METHODS: Three fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons and 1 medical student performed 2 rounds of radiographic measurements on digital imaging (lateral knee radiographs and long-leg radiographs) of skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. Intrarater and interrater reliability for continuous radiographic measurements was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) across 4 raters with 95% CIs for affected and unaffected side measurements. Interrater reliability analysis used an ICC (2, 4) structure and intrarater reliability analysis used an ICC (2, 1) structure. A weighted kappa coefficient was calculated for ordinal variables along with 95% CIs for both interrater and intrarater reliability. Agreement statistic interpretations are based on scales described by Fleiss, and Cicchetti and Sparrow: <0.40, poor; 0.40 to 0.59, fair; 0.60 to 0.74, good; and >0.74, excellent. RESULTS: Radiographs from a convenience sample of 43 patients were included. Intrarater reliability was excellent for nearly all measurements and raters. Interrater reliability was also excellent for nearly all reads for all measurements. CONCLUSION: Radiographic reliability of long-leg radiographs and lateral knee x-rays in skeletally immature children with ACL tears is excellent across nearly all measures and raters and can be obtained and interpreted as reliable and reproducible means to measure limb length and alignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Arthroscopic Bankart Repair for Adolescent Anterior Shoulder Instability: Clinical and Imaging Predictors of Revision Surgery and Recurrent Subjective Instability.

BACKGROUND: Multiple clinical and radiologic risk factors for recurrent instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair have been described. Humeral bone loss has gained more recent attention, particularly with respect to "off-track" lesions and increased rates of recurrent instability and revision surgery. PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical and radiologic predictors of failure after arthroscopic Bankart repair in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective study was performed in patients <19 years of age treated with arthroscopic Bankart repair from 2011 to 2017. Magnetic resonance imaging measurements of glenoid and humeral bone loss, the glenoid track, and the presence of off-track Hill-Sachs (HS) lesions were assessed. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 24 months and completed patient-reported outcome scores. Failure was defined as revision surgery or postoperative subjective instability. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients (46 male, 13 female) with a median age of 16 years (range, 12-18 years) were included. Ten patients (17%) had revision surgery and 8 patients (14%) had subjective instability without revision surgery. No clinical or radiologic factors were significantly different between the failure cohort and the nonfailure cohort. Four patients (7%) measured off-track, and 2 of these patients experienced failure. A total of 38 patients (64%) were identified to have an HS defect. Subgroup analysis of these patients identified a greater HS interval (HSI) in patients who underwent revision surgery as compared with those patients who did not have revision surgery. Among patients with GT ratio ≥15 mm, there was a 50% rate of revision surgery. The Pediatric/Adolescent Shoulder Survey (PASS) and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores at the final follow-up were not significantly different among patients with or without revision surgery. However, those with subjective instability who had not undergone revision surgery had significantly lower PASS and SANE scores as compared with the remainder of the cohort. CONCLUSION: Of the adolescents in this cohort, 31% either had revision surgery (17%) or reported subjective feelings of instability (14%) after arthroscopic Bankart repair. Off-track instability was identified in 7% of the cohort but was not predictive of failure. Among the subgroup of patients with an HS defect, those who underwent revision surgery had a significantly larger HSI.

Bony Remodeling of Adolescent Displaced Clavicle Fractures: A FACTS Study.

BACKGROUND: Bony remodeling of displaced clavicle fractures in adolescents remains poorly understood. PURPOSE: To evaluate and quantify clavicle remodeling in a large population of adolescents with completely displaced fractures, which were treated nonoperatively, to better understand the factors that may influence this process. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients were identified from the databases of a multicenter study group investigating the functional outcomes of adolescent clavicle fractures. Patients between the ages of 10 and 19 years with completely displaced middiaphyseal clavicle fractures that were treated nonoperatively and who had further radiographic imaging of the affected clavicle at a minimum of 9 months from initial injury were included. Fracture shortening, superior displacement, and angulation were measured on the injury and final follow-up radiographs using previously validated techniques. Furthermore, fracture remodeling was classified as complete/near complete, moderate, or minimal, using an original classification system found to have good to excellent reliability (interobserver reliability = 0.78, intraobserver reliability = 0.90). Classifications were subsequently analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to determine the factors associated with deformity correction. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients (mean age, 14.4 ± 2.0 years) were analyzed at a mean radiographic follow-up of 3.4 ± 2.3 years. Fracture shortening, superior displacement, and angulation significantly improved during the follow-up period by 61%, 61%, and 31%, respectively (P < .001). Furthermore, while 41% of the population had initial fracture shortening >20 mm at final follow-up, only 3% of the cohort had residual shortening >20 mm. Fracture remodeling was found to be associated with follow-up time; those with longer follow-up time demonstrated more remodeling (P = .001). Eighty-five percent of patients aged <14 years and 54% of patients aged ≥14 years at time of injury with a minimum follow-up of 4 years underwent complete/near-complete remodeling. CONCLUSION: Significant bony remodeling occurs in adolescent patients with completely displaced clavicle fractures, including older adolescents, and appears to continue over longer time intervals, even beyond the adolescent years. This finding may help explain the low rate of symptomatic malunions in adolescents, even in severely displaced fractures, and particularly when compared with rates reported in adult studies.

Two-Year Functional Outcomes of Operative vs Nonoperative Treatment of Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: Results From the Prospective Multicenter FACTS Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures is controversial. Few previous comparative functional outcome studies have investigated these fractures in adolescents, the most commonly affected epidemiologic subpopulation. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to prospectively compare the outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment in adolescents with completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. The study hypothesis was that surgery would yield superior outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients aged 10 to 18 years treated for a midshaft clavicle fracture over a 5-year period at 1 of 8 pediatric centers were prospectively screened, with independent treatment decisions determined by individual musculoskeletal professionals. Demographics, radiographic clinical features, complications, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were prospectively recorded for 2 years. Regression and matching techniques were utilized to adjust for potential age- and fracture severity-based confounders for creation of comparable subgroups for analysis. RESULTS: Of 416 adolescents with completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, 282 (68) provided 2-year PRO data. Operative patients (n = 88; 31%) demonstrated no difference in sex (78% male) or athletic participation but were older (mean age, 15.2 vs 13.5 years; P < .001), had more comminuted fractures (49.4% vs 26.3%; P < .001), and had greater fracture shortening (25.5 vs 20.7 mm; P < .001) than nonoperative patients (n = 194; 69%). There was no difference in mean PRO scores or rates of "suboptimal" scores (based on threshold values established a priori) between the operative and nonoperative treatment groups (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, 96.8 vs 98.4; shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, 3.0 vs 1.6; EuroQol [EQ] visual analog scale, 93.0 vs 93.9; EQ-5 Dimensions index, 0.96 vs 0.98), even after regression and matching techniques adjusted for confounders. Operative patients had more unexpected subsequent surgery (10.4% vs 1.4%; P = .004) and clinically significant complications (20.8% vs 5.2%; P = .001). Overall, nonunion (0.4%), delayed union (1.9%), symptomatic malunion (0.4%), and refracture (2.6%) were exceedingly rare, with no difference between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Surgery demonstrated no benefit in patient-reported quality of life, satisfaction, shoulder-specific function, or prevention of complications after completely displaced clavicle shaft fractures in adolescents at 2 years after injury. REGISTRATION: NCT04250415 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Transosseous Meniscus Root Repair in Pediatric Patients and Association With Durable Midterm Outcomes and High Rates of Return to Sports.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the meniscus root attachments result in extrusion of the meniscus, impaired distribution of hoop stresses, and progressive degenerative articular wear. As a result of these deleterious effects, there has been increasing emphasis on repairing meniscus root injuries to restore structure and function. PURPOSE: To describe meniscus root tear patterns, associated injuries, and outcomes of transosseous meniscus root repair in a series of pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review approved by the institutional review board was performed on consecutive adolescent patients aged <19 years with a meniscus posterior root tear treated with transosseous root repair over 4 years. All patients had a minimum 24-month clinical follow-up. The primary outcomes were revision meniscal surgery, and Lysholm, patient satisfaction, and Tegner activity scores. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients (11 male and 9 female patients), with a mean age of 15.6 years (range, 13-18 years), met the inclusion criteria. There were 14 lateral meniscus root tears and 6 medial meniscus root tears. Seventeen patients (85%) had an associated ligament tear: 12 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and 5 posterior cruciate ligament tears. Two root tears occurred in isolation and both were the posterior root of the medial meniscus. The majority of meniscus root tears (n = 14 patients; 70%) were root avulsions (type 5). The mean follow-up was 42 months (range, 25-71 months). One patient underwent secondary surgery on the affected meniscus after a new injury 4 years postoperatively. Patient-reported outcomes were obtained for 16 patients (80%) at a mean 54-month follow-up. The median Lysholm score was 95 (interquartile range [IQR], 90-100). The median patient satisfaction score was 10 (IQR, 8-10). Thirteen of 16 patients (81%) reported returning to the same or higher level of sports after surgery. CONCLUSION: Meniscus root tears most commonly occur in pediatric patients as root avulsions of the posterior root of the lateral meniscus and in association with ACL tears. This is unique compared with the adult population, in which the medial meniscus posterior root is often injured in isolation from a radial tear adjacent to the root. In our pediatric case series, transosseous root repair resulted in successful outcomes in the majority of patients, with durable results at the midterm follow-up.

Assessment of Skeletal Maturity and Postoperative Growth Disturbance After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Growth disturbance is an uncommon but potentially serious complication after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in skeletally immature patients. PURPOSE: To describe how the pediatric ACL literature has assessed preoperative skeletal maturity and the amount of growth remaining and to comprehensively review the incidence, reporting, and monitoring of postoperative growth disturbance. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: This review included studies reporting original research of clinical outcomes of skeletally immature patients after ACL reconstruction. Patient characteristics, surgical techniques, preoperative assessments of skeletal maturity or growth remaining, and postoperative assessments of growth disturbances were extracted. RESULTS: A total of 100 studies met inclusion criteria. All studies reported chronological age, and 28 studies (28%) assessed skeletal age. A total of 44 studies (44%) used Tanner staging, and 12 studies (12%) obtained standing hip-to-ankle radiographs preoperatively. In total, 42 patients (2.1%) demonstrated a leg length discrepancy (LLD) >10 mm postoperatively, including 9 patients (0.5%) with LLD >20 mm; furthermore, 11 patients (0.6%) with LLD underwent growth modulation. Shortening was the most common deformity overall, but overgrowth was reported more frequently in patients who had undergone all-epiphyseal techniques. Most LLDs involved the femur (83%). A total of 26 patients (1.3%) demonstrated a postoperative angular deformity ≥5°, and 9 of these patients underwent growth modulation. The most common deformities were femoral valgus (41%), tibial recurvatum (33%), and tibial varus (22%). Although standing hip-to-ankle radiographs were the most common radiographic assessment of growth disturbance, most studies inadequately reported the clinical and radiographic methods of assessment for growth disturbance. Additionally, only 35% of studies explicitly followed patients to skeletal maturity. CONCLUSION: This systematic review described significant variability in the reporting and monitoring of growth-related complications after ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients. The incidence of LLD and angular deformity appeared to be low, but the quality of research was not comprehensive enough for accurate assessment. REGISTRATION: CRD42019136059 (PROSPERO).

Descriptive Epidemiology From the Research in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee (ROCK) Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) occurs most commonly in the knees of young individuals. This condition is known to cause pain and discomfort in the knee and can lead to disability and early knee osteoarthritis. The cause is not well understood, and treatment plans are not well delineated. The Research in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee (ROCK) group established a multicenter, prospective cohort to better understand this disease. PURPOSE: To provide a baseline report of the ROCK multicenter prospective cohort and present a descriptive analysis of baseline data for patient characteristics, lesion characteristics, and clinical findings of the first 1000 cases enrolled into the prospective cohort. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients were recruited from centers throughout the United States. Baseline data were obtained for patient characteristics, sports participation, patient-reported measures of functional capabilities and limitations, physical examination, diagnostic imaging results, and initial treatment plan. Descriptive statistics were completed for all outcomes of interest. RESULTS: As of November 2020, a total of 27 orthopaedic surgeons from 17 institutions had enrolled 1004 knees with OCD, representing 903 patients (68.9% males; median age, 13.1 years; range, 6.3-25.4 years), into the prospective cohort. Lesions were located on the medial femoral condyle (66.2%), lateral femoral condyle (18.1%), trochlea (9.5%), patella (6.0%), and tibial plateau (0.2%). Most cases involved multisport athletes (68.1%), with the most common primary sport being basketball for males (27.3% of cases) and soccer for females (27.6% of cases). The median Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKCD) score was 59.9 (IQR, 45.6-73.9), and the median Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (Pedi-FABS) score was 21.0 (IQR, 5.0-28.0). Initial treatments were surgical intervention (55.4%) and activity restriction (44.0%). When surgery was performed, surgeons deemed the lesion to be stable at intraoperative assessment in 48.1% of cases. CONCLUSION: The multicenter ROCK group has been able to enroll the largest knee OCD cohort to date. This information is being used to further understand the pathology of OCD, including its cause, associated comorbidities, and initial presentation and symptoms. The cohort having been established is now being followed longitudinally to better define and elucidate the best treatment algorithms based on these presenting signs and symptoms.

Changes in superior displacement, angulation, and shortening in the early phase of healing for completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents: results from a prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Progressive displacement of diaphyseal clavicle fractures has been observed in adult patients, at times necessitating a change from nonoperative to operative treatment. Whether this occurs in adolescent patients has not been well investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the rate and extent of progressive clavicle fracture displacement in adolescent patients following injury and during the early stages of healing. METHODS: This was a multicenter study evaluating prospective data that had previously been collected as part of a larger study evaluating the functional outcomes of adolescent clavicle fractures. A consecutive series of completely displaced diaphyseal clavicle fractures in patients aged 10-18 years treated at 1 of 3 tertiary-care pediatric trauma centers was included; all fractures underwent standardized imaging within 2 weeks of the date of injury and during the course of healing (5-20 weeks after injury). Measurements of clavicle shortening, superior displacement, and angulation were performed using validated techniques. Progressive displacement and/or interval improvement in fracture alignment, as well as the subsequent need for surgical intervention, was noted. Patient demographic and radiographic parameters were assessed as possible risk factors for interval displacement. RESULTS: One hundred patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean end-to-end shortening, cortex-to-cortex shortening, superior displacement, and angulation at the time of injury were 24 mm, 15 mm, 15 mm, and 7°, respectively. At a mean of 10 weeks after injury, the fracture alignment improved across all 4 measurements for the overall cohort, with mean improvements of 3.5 mm in end-to-end shortening, 3.3 mm in cortex-to-cortex shortening, 2.1 mm in superior displacement, and 2° in angulation. By use of a clinical threshold of a change in shortening or displacement of 10 mm or change in angulation of 10°, 26% of fractures improved, 4% worsened, and 70% remain unchanged. Patients with more severe fractures were more likely to have improved alignment than were patients with less displaced fractures (P < .001). No patient underwent surgical intervention for progressive displacement. CONCLUSION: Significant early improvements in fracture alignment were observed in a substantial percentage of adolescent patients with completely displaced clavicle fractures. Among the most severely displaced fractures, shortening improved approximately 6 mm and angulation improved approximately 9°. In 4% of cases, increased displacement was observed, but this tended to be mild, and in no cases did it prompt surgical intervention. This finding indicates that the true final deformity after an adolescent clavicle fracture is commonly less than that present at the time of injury.

Gender and Socioeconomic Factors Affect Adolescent Patient and Guardian Preferences in Sports Medicine Physician Characteristics and Medical Decision Making.

INTRODUCTION: Diversity has increased within youth sports. It is unknown whether these demographic or socioeconomic factors affect adolescent patients' and their guardians' preferences of sports medicine physicians and involvement in medial decision making. Demographic and socioeconomic factors may affect adolescent patient and guardian preferences for sports medicine physicians. METHODS: Patients, age 10 to 18 years, and their guardians presenting to two sports medicine offices were asked to complete matched, anonymous surveys assessing their preferences for medical decision making, sports medicine physician gender, and personality characteristics. Analysis of demographic and socioeconomic effects on preferences was completed. RESULTS: Matched survey responses were collected from 353 patients and 325 corresponding guardians. Patient average age was 14.6 years (SD 2.1), with 43% female. Guardian average age was 43.4 years (SD 8.3), with 79% female. For both patients and guardians, the highest valued physician characteristic was being a good listener. Overall, 21% of patients and 17% of guardians reported a physician gender preference that matched the gender of the patient. Among all female patients, 32% preferred a female physician. Among all male patients, 12% preferred a male physician (P < 0.001). Ninety-two percent of patients reported wanting to be involved, and 93% of guardians thought that their child should be involved in the decision-making process. Hispanic, non-White, non-English speaking, government or no insurance, or less than college level of education patients and guardians reported a significantly greater importance of the physician independently determining the treatment plan (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Demographic and socioeconomic factors do affect adolescent patient and guardian preferences for sports medicine physicians. Young patients have a desire to be included in the medical decision-making process. Female adolescent patients may have a same-gender preference for their sports medicine physician. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective, cohort study.

Rates of Concomitant Meniscal Tears in Pediatric Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Increase With Age and Body Mass Index.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequently associated with meniscal injury. Risk factors for concomitant meniscal injuries have been studied in the adult population but less so in pediatric patients. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between age and body mass index (BMI) and the presence of a concomitant meniscal tear at the time of ACL reconstruction (ACLR) in pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review was performed of patients aged <19 years who underwent primary ACLR over a 3.5-year period. Revision ACLR and multiligament knee reconstructions were excluded. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with having a meniscal tear at the time of surgery. Subgroup analysis was performed for medial and lateral meniscal tears. RESULTS: Included in this study were 453 patients (230 males, 223 females; median age, 15 years). Of these, 265 patients (58%) had a meniscal tear, including 150 isolated lateral meniscal tears, 53 isolated medial meniscal tears, and 62 patients with both lateral and medial meniscal tears. Median time from injury to surgery was 48 days. For every 1-year increase in age, there was a 16% increase in the adjusted odds of having any meniscal tear (odds ratio [OR], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.27; P = .002), with a 20% increase in the odds of having a medial meniscal tear (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.35; P = .002) and a 16% increase in the odds of having a lateral meniscal tear (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.27; P = .003). For every 2-point increase in BMI, there was a 12% increase in the odds of having any meniscal tear (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02-1.22; P = .016) and a 10% increase in the odds of having a lateral meniscal tear (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01-1.19; P = .028). CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients undergoing ACLR had a 58% incidence of concomitant meniscal pathology. Increasing age and BMI were independent risk factors for these injuries, while no association was found between time to surgery and meniscal pathology.

Early Operative Versus Delayed Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Pediatric and Adolescent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for pediatric and adolescent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries include early operative, delayed operative, and nonoperative management. Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal treatment for these injuries. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to determine the optimal treatment strategy for ACL injuries in pediatric and adolescent patients. We hypothesized that (1) early ACL reconstruction results in fewer meniscal tears than delayed reconstruction but yields no difference in knee stability and (2) when compared with nonoperative management, any operative management results in fewer meniscal tears and cartilage injuries, greater knee stability, and higher return-to-sport rates. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic search of databases was performed including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were a pediatric and adolescent patient population (≤19 years old at surgery), the reporting of clinical outcomes after treatment of primary ACL injury, and original scientific research article. Exclusion criteria were revision ACL reconstruction, tibial spine avulsion fracture, case report or small case series (<5 patients), non-English language manuscripts, multiligamentous injuries, and nonclinical studies. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies containing 50 cohorts and representing 1176 patients met our criteria. With respect to nonoperative treatment, knee instability was observed in 20% to 100%, and return to preinjury level of sports ranged from 6% to 50% at final follow-up. Regarding operative treatment, meta-analysis results favored early ACL reconstruction over delayed reconstruction (>12 weeks) for the presence of any meniscal tear (odds ratio, 0.23; P = .006) and irreparable meniscal tear (odds ratio, 0.31; P = .001). Comparison of any side-to-side differences in KT-1000 arthrometer testing did not favor early or delayed ACL reconstruction in either continuous mean differences (P = .413) or proportion with difference ≥3 mm (P = .181). Return to preinjury level of competition rates for early and delayed ACL reconstruction ranged from 57% to 100%. CONCLUSION: Delaying ACL reconstruction in pediatric or adolescent patients for >12 weeks significantly increased the risk of meniscal injuries and irreparable meniscal tears; however, early and delayed operative treatment achieved satisfactory knee stability. Nonoperative management resulted in high rates of residual knee instability, increased risk of meniscal tears, and comparatively low rates of return to sports.

What's New in the Management of Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears and Tibial Spine Fractures.

As the number of pediatric and adolescent patients participating in sports continues to increase, so too does the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in this population. There is increasing research on pediatric and adolescent ACL tears; hundreds of articles on the topic have been published in the past few years alone. It is important to highlight the most pertinent information in the past decade. In discussing pediatric ACL tears, it is also important to review tibial spine fractures. These injuries are rightfully grouped together because tibial spine fractures often occur with a mechanism of injury similar to that of ACL tears, but typically in a younger age group. Because management is different, understanding the similarities and differences between the two pathologies is important. Recent updates on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of both pediatric ACL tears and tibial spine fractures need to be reviewed.

What's New in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee, Elbow, and Ankle.

Osteochondritis dissecans is a condition of the subchondral bone, with secondary effects on the articular cartilage. It most commonly affects the knee, elbow, and ankle and is typically seen in young, active populations. Many osteochondritis dissecans lesions are asymptomatic, but more advanced lesions can cause pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms. Multiple treatment options have been proposed, including nonsurgical and surgical approaches. It is important to be aware of the epidemiology, presenting symptoms, and indications for nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for osteochondritis dissecans of the knee, elbow, and ankle.

Saucerization and Repair of Discoid Lateral Menisci With Peripheral Rim Instability: Intermediate-term Outcomes in Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Historically, total meniscectomy was recommended as the treatment for a symptomatic discoid meniscus. Improved meniscal repair techniques and inferior long-term outcomes associated with meniscectomy have resulted in a trend toward meniscal preservation, with saucerization and repair of meniscocapsular tears. Reoperation rates after treatment of torn discoid menisci vary, with some series reporting high rates of reinjury and reoperation. The purpose of this study is to describe the intermediate-term outcomes of pediatric patients treated with saucerization and meniscocapsular repair of discoid lateral menisci with peripheral rim instability. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients less than 18 years of age treated with saucerization and repair for a meniscocapsular tear of a discoid lateral meniscus from 2013 to 2017. All patients had a minimum 24-month follow-up. A chart review was performed to describe tear location and repair type. The primary outcomes were revision meniscus surgery and Pedi-International Knee Documentation Committee and Tegner activity scores obtained at the final follow-up. RESULTS: In total, 32 knees in 30 patients, including 15 males and 15 females with a mean age of 12 years (range, 5 to 17 y), were included. Tear patterns included anterior meniscocapsular (14 knees), posterior meniscocapsular (16 knees), and both anterior and posterior meniscocapsular (2 knees). Arthroscopic saucerization and meniscocapsular repair were performed in all knees. Repair types were outside-in (10 knees), inside-out (8 knees), all-inside (8 knees), and hybrid (6 knees). The mean follow-up was 54 months (range, 30 to 86 mo). Three knees (9%) underwent revision meniscus surgery, including 2 all-inside repairs and 1 partial meniscectomy. At the final follow-up, mean International Knee Documentation Committee score was 96 (range, 82 to 100). A total of 89% of patients reported returning to the same or higher level of activity following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Saucerization of discoid lateral menisci with repair of meniscocapsular tears is associated with low rates of revision surgery and good intermediate-term outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Adolescent Clavicle Fractures: Results From the FACTS (Function after Adolescent Clavicle Trauma and Surgery) Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The majority of previous investigations on operative fixation of clavicle fractures have been related to the adult population, with occasional assessments of the younger, more commonly affected adolescent population. Despite limited prospective data for adolescents, the incidence of operative fixation of adolescent diaphyseal clavicle fractures has increased. PURPOSE: To detail the demographic features and descriptive epidemiology of a large pooled cohort of adolescent patients with diaphyseal clavicle fractures presenting to pediatric tertiary care centers in the United States through an observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study (Function after Adolescent Clavicle Trauma and Surgery [FACTS]). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients aged 10 to 18 years who were treated for a diaphyseal clavicle fracture between August 2013 and February 2016 at 1 of 8 geographically diverse, high-volume, tertiary care pediatric centers were screened. Treatment was rendered by any of the pediatric orthopaedic providers at each of the 8 institutions, which totaled more than 50 different providers. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, fracture laterality, hand dominance, mechanism of injury, injury activity, athletic participation, fracture characteristics, and treatment decisions were prospectively recorded in those who were eligible and consented to enroll. RESULTS: A total of 545 patients were included in the cohort. The mean age of the study population was 14.1 ± 2.1 years, and 79% were male. Fractures occurred on the nondominant side (56%) more frequently than the dominant side (44%). Sport was the predominant activity during which the injury occurred (66%), followed by horseplay (12%) and biking (6%). The primary mechanism of injury was a direct blow/hit to the shoulder (60%). Overall, 54% were completely displaced fractures, defined as fractures with no anatomic cortical contact between fragments. Mean shortening within the completely displaced group was 21.9 mm when measuring the distance between fragment ends (end to end) and 12.4 mm when measuring the distance between the fragment end to the corresponding cortical defect (cortex to corresponding cortex) on the other fragment (ie, true shortening). Comminution was present in 18% of all fractures. While 83% of all clavicle fractures were treated nonoperatively, 32% of completely displaced fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation. CONCLUSION: Adolescent clavicle fractures occurred more commonly in male patients during sports, secondary to a direct blow to the shoulder, and on the nondominant side. Slightly more than half of these fractures were completely displaced, and approximately one-fifth were comminuted. Within this large cohort, approximately one-third of patients with completely displaced fractures underwent surgery, allowing for future prospective comparative analyses of radiographic, clinical, and functional outcomes.