Fear of Reinjury, Psychological Factors, and Sport Played Have Negative Impact on Return to Sport Following Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Patellar Instability.

PURPOSE: To analyze factors that affect return to sport after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR), such as psychological factors, sport played, and a positive apprehension test following surgery, and to determine the average return to sport rates and time to return to sport. METHODS: A literature search was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included studies met the following criteria: patients underwent MPFLR for patellar instability, return to sport was recorded, and a factor that affected return to sport was mentioned. Search terms included medial patellofemoral ligament, tibial tubercle osteotomy, tibial tubercle transfer, return to play, and return to sport. RESULTS: Eighteen of 632 identified studies met inclusion criteria, and 1,072 patients who underwent MFPLR were recorded. Return-to-sport rates and mean/median time ranged from 60.0% to 100% and 3 to 10.4 months, respectively. Of the patients, 55.6% to 84.0% returned to sport without decreasing the level of competition. Six of 12 studies (50.0%) reported fear of reinjury as the top reason for patients not returning or returning at a lower level of sport. Volleyball/handball had the lowest return to the same level following surgery (18.2%-50.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Athletes who underwent MPFLR following recurrent patellar instability returned to sport at a range of 60.0% to 100%. Return to sport at the same level or higher was found to have a lower maximum rate at 55.6% to 84.0%. Fear of reinjury and sport played were found to have a substantial impact on ability to return to sport. Surgeons can use this information to advise patients on expectations following surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

Female Orthopaedic Surgeons Are Less Represented as Head Team Physicians in Collegiate Athletic Programs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) head team physicians (HTPs), focusing on gender as it relates to divisional variability, medical specialty, and research productivity. METHODS: In December 2022, the NCAA member directory was utilized to obtain HTP information from the top 5 conferences within Divisions I, II, and III (DI, DII, and DIII, respectively). Division I schools were selected from the previously established "Power 5" conferences. Divisions II and III used NCAA rankings. HTP data were collected from publicly available verifiable data sources. Data for gender, Scopus H-index, residency programs, and fellowship programs were collected. Mean, median, skewness, P values, and odds ratios were calculated for analysis. RESULTS: In total, 186 NCAA institutions were evaluated: 69 DI (37%), 65 DII (35%), and 52 DIII (28%). DIII had the highest female representation (8; 16%). Out of the 67 orthopaedic surgery HTPs, 5 (7.5%) were female and 62 male (92.5%). There is a statistically significant difference in female orthopaedic surgeon representation in the HTP field compared to males (P = .038, α = 0.05). Female orthopaedic surgeons have 38% lower odds of being represented as HTPs compared to males (P = .046, α = 0.05). Female HTPs in Divisions I and III had higher H-indexes than the overall average and median values for their respective divisions. CONCLUSIONS: Female HTPs are significantly less represented compared to males in the NCAA. Furthermore, female orthopaedic surgeons had lower odds of being represented as HTPs compared to their male counterparts. For research productivity, female HTPs impacted the distribution as outliers in Divisions I and III. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, cross-sectional study.

Hip Range of Motion During Passive and 1-Leg Exercises Is Greater in Women: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To summarize sex-related differences in hip range of motion (ROM), including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of 3 databases (PubMed, CINAHL [Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature], and Embase). The search terms were as follows: hip, pelvis, range of motion, kinematic, men, and women. Included studies reported sex-specific data on hip ROM in healthy, uninjured adults. To generate hip ROM mean differences, a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model was used. Effect sizes were pooled for each exercise. Subgroup analyses compared hip ROM by physical activity group: passive ROM, 1-leg hop or jump, 2-leg hop or jump, 2-leg drop or landing, 1-leg squat, 2-leg squat, walking, and jogging/running. Positive effect sizes represent greater ROM in women. RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies with 3,234 total subjects were included; of these subjects, 1,639 were women (50.1%). The mean age was 25.3 years. An effect difference was considered statistically significant if P < .05 and clinically significant if the mean difference was greater than 4.0°. Women showed statistically and clinically significantly greater hip flexion in passive ROM (mean difference, 6.4°) and during the 1-leg hop or jump exercise (mean difference, 6.5°). Women also showed statistically and clinically significantly greater hip adduction during the 1-leg hop or jump (mean difference, 4.5°) and 1-leg squat (mean difference, 4.4°) exercises, as well as statistically and clinically significantly greater hip internal rotation in passive ROM (mean difference, 8.2°). In contrast, men showed statistically and clinically significantly greater flexion during the 2-leg hop or jump exercise (mean difference, -9.1°). No clinically significant differences in extension, abduction, or external rotation were found between women and men. CONCLUSIONS: On average, women showed statistically and clinically significantly greater flexion, adduction, and internal rotation during passive and 1-leg exercises whereas men showed statistically and clinically significantly greater flexion during the 2-leg hop or jump exercise. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, meta-analysis and systematic review of Level II-IV studies.

Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis Augmentation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Is Most Commonly Indicated for Pivot Shift of Grade 2 or Greater and for Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine the most common indications for lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) augmentation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 2000 to the present (June 2022). Studies that met the following criteria were included: patients of any age who underwent LET in addition to ACLR, studies reporting at least 1 indication for LET, and observational/randomized controlled trial study designs including prevalence of indications. Publications had to be reported in English and peer reviewed and to have originated in the United States or countries offering identical protocols and procedures. RESULTS: A total of 463 studies were identified from the initial search, 23 of which met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Eight of the 23 studies (34.8%) used a modified Lemaire technique, seven (30.4%) used a MacIntosh modified by Arnold-Coker, and eight (34.8%) used other techniques to perform LET. A total of 2,125 patients (53% female, 47% male [3 studies did not report sex]) underwent ACLR augmented with LET. The indications along with prevalence were as follows: positive pivot shift test (grade ≥2) (19 of 23, 82.6%), revision ACLR (12 of 23, 52.2%), ligamentous laxity (11 of 23, 47.8%), general sports participation (11 of 23, 47.8%), age less than 25 years (8 of 23, 34.8%), high risk of graft failure (5 of 23, 21.7%), and positive Lachman test (4 of 23, 17.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Pivot shift grade ≥2 was the most common reason orthopaedic surgeons chose to add LET to ACLR, with revision ACLR, patient age <25, and general sports participation following closely behind. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level I-IV studies.

Interpersonal Interactions and Biases in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency: Do Experiences Differ Based on Gender?

BACKGROUND: Women residents are underrepresented in orthopaedic surgery. The causes of the deficit of women in orthopaedic surgery are multifactorial, but by identifying the perceptions of women in orthopaedic residency training and comparing them with the perceptions of men, we can improve our understanding of ways to enhance the recruitment of qualified and diverse candidates. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What differences exist in the perceived experiences of residents identifying as women and men regarding professional, social, and personal interactions during residency training? (2) Are there differences in the percentage of women and men residents who have experienced harassment or discrimination in preresidency interviews, and are there differences in the type of harassment or discrimination experienced? METHODS: A survey was generated using Academy of Critical Care: Development, Evaluation, and Methodology guidelines. Two focus groups with seven attending orthopaedic surgeons who participate in the Collaborative Orthopaedic Education Research Group and who are experts on gender diversity in orthopaedics were held to improve survey validity. The survey included binary-response, Likert, and free-text questions on the perception of professional, social, and personal interactions held by the resident being surveyed. The questions focused on a respondent's perception of interactions with staff members, patients, resident colleagues, and attending surgeons, as well as sexual harassment. Program directors at 10 selected Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited orthopaedic residency programs that participate in the Collaborative Orthopaedic Education Research Group shared the survey with residents at their institutions. There were 95 programs in the Collaborative Orthopaedic Education Research Group at the time this survey was distributed. In this program, directors or other interested teaching faculty in orthopaedic residency programs voluntarily participate to discuss and develop quality research on resident and fellow education. These 95 programs account for 46% of the ACGME-accredited programs in the United States at the time the survey was created and distributed. The 10 residency programs had a total of 232 enrolled residents; 15% (34) identified as women. This gender distribution models the national sample of orthopaedic residents. Survey reliability was assessed by calculating the Cronbach alpha after determining the variance in each relevant (nondemographic) survey item. The final survey was found to have excellent internal reliability (alpha = 0.95). Responses from residents identifying as women and those identifying as men were compared using Fisher exact tests for all categorical data, and two-tailed independent t-tests were used for all continuous data. Differences in each survey category (professional interactions, social interactions, personal interactions, and sexual harassment in preresidency interview experiences) were calculated. RESULTS: Women reported experiencing microaggressions (left undefined to the survey respondent, but generally considered to be subtle, stunning, often automatic, and nonverbal exchanges that are "put downs") at work more frequently than men did (40% [six of 15] versus 5% [four of 74]; p < 0.001). Specifically, women perceived being interrupted (53% [eight of 15] versus 5% [four of 75]); p < 0.001) by men colleagues, called by their first name (67% [10 of 15] versus 4% [3 of 72]; p < 0.001), and given administrative tasks (27% [four of 15] versus 1% [one of 75]; p = 0.004) more often than men. More women than men perceived that patients (33% [five of 15] versus 0 of 74 [0%]; p < 0.001) and hospital staff (27% [four of 15] versus 7% [five of 74]; p = 0.01) respected their opinion less than that of men. More women than men perceived that group humor negatively targeted their gender (47% [seven of 15] versus 1% [one of 75]; p < 0.001) and that criticism of their surgical skill was based on their gender rather than their ability (33% [five of 15] versus 5% [four of 78]; p = 0.005). In residency or subinternship interviews, 20% of women reported experiencing sexual harassment as defined by a listing of known types of harassment in the question stem, compared with 0% of men (p = 0.004). Women reported harassment in the form of verbal remarks of a sexual nature and obscene images in the workplace, whereas men did not report any form of harassment during interviews. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the greatest discrepancies in the perceived experiences of women and men residents lie in professional interactions, and women residents are more likely to experience sexual harassment and disparaging humor than men residents. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Addressing these discrepancies, particularly in the professional setting, will help to create a more inclusive work environment and attract more women to orthopaedic surgery. Annual distribution of the survey used in this study by program directors to residents in their programs can help to identify discrepant perceptions that, coupled with the collection of objective data, can be targeted for improvement.

Editorial Commentary: Early Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Decreases the Risk of Developing Irreparable Meniscus Tears in Female Athletes.

There has been a substantial increase in the participation of women in sports since the passage of Title IX in 1972. With increased participation has come a rise in athletic injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Numerous factors (modifiable and nonmodifiable) contribute to the 2 to 8 times increased risk of ACL tears in female compared with male athletes. The sports with the greatest risk of ACL injury include cutting sports such as soccer (1.1% per season), basketball (0.9% per season), volleyball, and lacrosse. In addition, female patients have a 33.7% greater risk of a subsequent contralateral ACL tear. Approximately 70% of ACL tears are the result of noncontact injuries. Numerous factors contribute to the increased risk of ACL tears in female athletes, including nonmodifiable (hormonal fluctuations, sex differences in knee geometry) and modifiable risk factors (neuromuscular control). Injury-prevention programs focus on modifiable risk factors and have been shown to be incredibly effective, decreasing the risk of ACL tears up to 50%. ACL tears commonly are associated with meniscus tears, including medial meniscus ramp and lateral posterior root lesions; therefore, thorough assessment is critical to identify this pathology. Early ACL reconstruction (i.e., <12 months following injury) increases the likelihood of being able to repair meniscus tears. Given the much greater risk of ACL tears and lower rate of return to sport in female athletes, this group warrants special attention to identify and treat these injuries earlier and subsequently improve overall outcomes.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sports Medicine Patient Care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated new practices in sports medicine patient care. Telehealth has been validated as a reliable tool for consultations and physical examinations and increases access to care in a cost-efficient manner. Social distancing and avoiding team members who have tested positive are the most effective ways to reduce spread. For screening, daily self-reported symptom checklists and fever monitoring help identify potentially infected athletes who should be instructed to isolate and seek care. Polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) testing for the virus via nasopharyngeal swab is not recommended for screening and should be reserved for symptomatic individuals with fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Face masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) may be beneficial in high-risk settings, but there is little evidence to support use in athletic populations. Median return to play after COVID-19 in elite athletes has been reported as 18 days (range: 12 to 30), with 27% not fully available at 28 days. Chest pain at diagnosis was the only symptom associated with time loss longer than 28 days. Finally, canceled competitions or time loss results in grief, stress, and frustration for athletes, as well as loss of a social support network and routine training regimens. Mental health support services may be indicated.

WITHDRAWN:Persistent Lack of Female Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellows

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gender composition of fellows, faculty, and leaders within orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship programs to provide a more complete analysis of gender diversity within this subspecialty. METHODS: Official program websites of orthopaedic sports medicine fellowships listed on the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) fellowship directory were examined. Data collected for analysis included the gender of program directors, fellowship faculty, orthopaedic surgery department faculty, current sports medicine fellows, and fellows who graduated within the last five years. RESULTS: Of the 132 orthopaedic sports medicine fellows in training in the United States in the 2021-2022 academic year, 113 (85.6%) were men and 19 (14.4%) were women (p<0.001). Within the past five years, 419 fellows were listed as completing a sports medicine fellowship, with 375 (89.5%) being men, and 44 (10.5%) being women (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the gender composition of current fellows compared to the composition of fellows within the last 5 years (p=0.74). When examining gender trends in sports medicine faculty, 639 (86.6%) were men and 99 (13.4%) were women (p<0.001). There were 14 women (14.4%) orthopaedic sports medicine faculty in leadership positions (i.e., program director or assistant program director) compared to 83 men in such positions (85.6%) (p<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Orthopaedic sports medicine fellowships remain heavily male-dominated on all levels, including fellows, faculty, and leadership. There were no differences in the gender composition of current fellows when compared to those who graduated in the last five years, suggesting persistent gender disparity and the need for novel initiatives to enhance gender diversity in sports medicine.

Concomitant Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy Reduces the Risk of Revision Surgery After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for the Treatment of Patellar Instability.

PURPOSE: To compare postoperative complication rates between patients who underwent medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) and those who underwent MPFLR with tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) in a large-scale study. A secondary goal was to investigate demographic associations with outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent MPFLR (n = 3,480) or MPFLR-TTO (n = 615) for patellar instability were identified in the PearlDiver database. Rates of surgery for infection, procedures for knee stiffness, patellar fracture, and revision MPFLR within 2 years postoperatively were compared using multivariable logistic regression. Demographic associations with outcomes were also investigated. RESULTS: The MPFLR-TTO cohort exhibited a significantly lower rate of revision surgery at 2 years (0.8% vs 1.9%; odds ratio [OR], 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10-0.80; P = .036) when compared with the MPFLR group. Independent of index procedure, patients younger than 21 years had significantly lower rates of requiring procedures for knee stiffness (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.22-0.54; P < .001) and any complication at 2 years (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.45-0.78; P < .001) when compared with older patients. Male patients displayed a significantly lower rate of requiring procedures for knee stiffness at 2 years than female patients (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25-0.78; P = .007). Tobacco use was associated with a significantly higher rate of postoperative infection at 2 years (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.00-5.38; P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: The MPFLR cohort exhibited higher rates of revision surgery at 2 years compared with the MPFLR-TTO cohort. Patient age under 21 years was associated with lower rates of any complication and requiring procedures for knee stiffness, male sex was associated with a lower rate of requiring procedures for knee stiffness, and tobacco use was associated with a higher rate of surgery for postoperative infection. This information can assist surgeons when counseling patients before these procedures are performed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective, comparative prognostic trial.

Evaluating Risk Factors for Biceps Tendon Injuries in Softball Players: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Softball players commonly suffer overuse injuries due to the demands of repetitive throwing. The biceps tendon plays an important role in stabilizing the shoulder during the windmill pitch. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the measures used to identify and study biceps tendon pathology in softball players. DESIGN: This was a systematic review. SETTING: PubMed MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched. PARTICIPANTS: Studies that investigated biceps tendon injuries in softball players. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Range of motion (ROM), strength, and visual analog scale data were collected. RESULTS: Of 152 search results, 18 were included. A total of 536 of 705 athletes (76%) were softball players (average age 14-25 years). Five of 18 articles (27.7%) studied changes in external rotation with the shoulder at 90 degrees of abduction, and 4 of 18 (22.2%) studied internal rotation. Two of 18 studies (11.1%) examined ROM or strength changes in forward flexion. CONCLUSIONS: While researchers agree that the windmill pitch places significant stress on the biceps tendon, our study finds that the metrics used to evaluate shoulder pathology in these players primarily evaluate the rotator cuff without isolating the biceps tendon. Future studies should include clinical tests and biomechanical metrics more specific to identifying biceps and labral pathology (eg, strength, fatigue, and ROM in glenohumeral forward flexion, elbow flexion, and forearm supination) and attempt to clarify differences in pathology between pitchers and position players to better characterize the frequency and severity of biceps tendon pathology in softball players.

Leadership in Orthopaedic Surgery: Creating a Highly Effective Leader.

Strong leadership is associated with improved outcomes in multiple domains, including orthopaedic surgery. There are multiple leadership styles, including transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership. An effective leader understands the importance of verbal and nonverbal communication, emotional intelligence, preparation, and mindset on team performance. Orthopaedic surgeons serve as leaders in the operating room, in the outpatient setting, and on committees. Leadership skills can be developed through leadership-specific evaluations and training.

Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus-Does Sex Play a Role?

Autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) is used in the treatment of osteochondral lesions (OCL) of the talus. The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in the presentation of talar OCLs and outcomes following AOT between male and female patients. Eighty-seven consecutive patients, ages 16 to 65 years, who underwent AOT were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on sex. Demographic data and OCL defect characteristic data were recorded. Functional outcomes were assessed pre- and postoperatively using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). The Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score was used to assess cartilage incorporation. Fifty-six (64%) males and 31 (36%) females with mean clinical follow-up of 47.2 months were included in this study. OCL defect size was significantly larger in male patients (112.8 mm2) when compared with female patients (88.7 mm2) (p < .001). Male patients presented with a lesion associated with a recognized trauma (p < .006) when compared with female patients who typically presented with associated chronic ankle instability. Mean FAOS improved pre- to postoperatively from 50 to 81 (p < .001) with a statistically significant increase found in male patients (p < .001). The mean MOCART score was 82.1 in male and 86.7 female patients (p < .001). Our study demonstrates potential gender-related differences in the presentation and mechanism of injury in the development of OCLs. It is also not unreasonable to suggest that there may also be differences in treatment and rehabilitation strategies to reduce the risk of developing OCLs in men and women.

Bullying, Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and the Fear of Retaliation During Surgical Residency Training: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The negative effects of bullying, discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment (BDHS) on well-being and productivity of surgical residents in training have been well documented. Despite this, little has changed over the past decade and these behaviors continue. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of each abusive behavior experienced by residents, identify the perpetrators, and examine the reporting tendency. METHODS: A systematic review of articles published between 2010 and 2020 in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed following PRISMA guidelines. The following search terms were used: bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, abuse, residency, surgery, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, otolaryngology, obstetrics, gynecology, urology, plastic surgery, and training. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies with 29,980 surgical residents were included. Sixty-three percent, 43, 29, and 27% of surgical residents experienced BDHS, respectively. Female residents reported experiencing all BDHS behaviors more often. Thirty-seven percent of resident respondents reported burnout, and 33% reported anxiety/depression. Attending surgeons, followed by senior co-residents, were the most common perpetrators. Seventy-one percent did not report the behavior to their institution. Fifty-one percent stated this was due to fear of retaliation. Of those who reported their experiences, 56% stated they had a negative experience reporting. CONCLUSION: Our review demonstrates high prevalence rates of BDHS experienced by residents during surgical training, which have been associated with burnout, anxiety, and depression. The majority of residents did not report BDHS due to fear of retaliation. Residency programs need to devise methods to have a platform for residents to safely voice their complaints.

Males and Females Exhibit Comparable Outcomes Following Treatment of Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the Knee: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of patient sex on outcomes after treatment of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee through a systematic review of current evidence. METHODS: This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Libraries, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Relevant outcomes included functional (e.g., International Knee Documentation Committee and Subjective Knee Evaluation, Lysholm Knee Score) and clinical outcomes (e.g., symptom/pain resolution, reoperation rates) for males and females after operative or nonoperative treatment of knee OCD lesions. RESULTS: Ten articles with a total of 691 (73%) males and 260 (27%) females were included. Mean age ranged from 11.3 ± 2.1 years to 34.5 ± 10.3 years, and follow-up ranged from 6 months to 16.3 years. In four studies reporting functional outcomes, no significant differences were found between males and females in any metric assessed (all P > .05). Seven studies reported clinical outcomes after treatment of knee OCD lesions. One study determined males were more likely to have a successful nonoperative outcome than females (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.00-3.40). Another study found males had a lower risk of developing symptomatic knee pain following operative or nonoperative treatment at a mean 14-year follow-up (HR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.07-0.81). The remaining 5 studies reported statistically comparable clinical outcomes between males and females (all P > .05). CONCLUSION: The present systematic review found mostly comparable clinical and functional outcomes between males and females following treatment of knee OCD lesions. Despite sex-related differences in the prevalence of these lesions and limited evidence of differences in clinical outcomes, these data suggest that sex does not independently predict outcomes after treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, systematic review of Level II and III studies.

Program Directors' Perception of the Role of Personal Statements in the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Selection Process.

The purpose of this study was (1) to determine how much emphasis is placed on the Personal Statement (PS) by program directors (PDs) and (2) to gain a better understanding of what factors within the PS are considered most important to PDs. An anonymous survey was distributed to PDs at allopathic orthopaedic residency programs in the United States using Survey Monkey (San Mateo, CA). Survey responses were received from 51 of 152 (34%) PDs. Forty-five (88.2%) identified as male, five (9.8%) identified as female, and one (1.9%) chose not to disclose. PDs reported the PS was of average importance, with an average score of 2.82 (range,1-4). Although the PS is still given consideration as part of the overall orthopaedic surgery residency application process, it does not play a major role in determining which applicants will be invited for an interview or how they will be ranked. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 31(2):090-095, 2022).

Analyzing the Orthopaedic Surgery Personal Statement: Do Residency Applicants See Value in Its Use?

Orthopaedic surgery is one of the most competitive specialties in the residency match. The personal statement (PS) is one component of the application. The significance of the PS to orthopaedic surgery residency applicants is unknown. This study evaluates applicant perceptions of the PS. Applicants to two separate United States orthopaedic residency programs for the 2019-2020 cycle were invited to participate. Survey was distributed via email. Twenty-one percent (204/978) of applicants completed the survey. Most were men (157/204, 77%), and most (125/204, 61%) spent up to 15 hours writing their PS. Many [79.4% (162/204)] believed the PS should continue to be included in the application. Women always edited their PS, while 7.0% (11/ 157) of men did not use any editors. Applicants believe the PS is valuable. The PS is time consuming but allows applicants to communicate details that otherwise may not be included in their application. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 31(1):034-041, 2022).

Factors Contributing to Diurnal Variation in Athletic Performance and Methods to Reduce Within-Day Performance Variation: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: Kusumoto, H, Ta, C, Brown, SM, and Mulcahey, MK. Factors contributing to diurnal variation in athletic performance and methods to reduce within-day performance variation: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S119-S135, 2021-For many individuals, athletic performance (e.g., cycle ergometer output) differs based on the time of day (TOD). This study identified factors contributing to diurnal variation in athletic performance and methods to reduce TOD performance variation. Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Libraries were conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Peer-reviewed publications reporting quantitative, significant diurnal variation (p ≤ 0.05) of athletic performance with explanations for the differences were included. Studies providing effective methods to reduce diurnal variation were also included. Literature reviews, studies involving nonhuman or nonadult subjects, studies that intentionally manipulated sleep duration or quality, and studies deemed to be of poor methodological quality using NIH Quality Assessment Tools were excluded. Forty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Body temperature differences (n = 13), electromyographic parameters (n = 10), serum biomarker fluctuations (n = 5), athlete chronotypes (n = 4), and differential oxygen kinetics (n = 3) were investigated as significant determinants of diurnal variation in sports performance. Successful techniques for reducing diurnal athletic performance variability included active or passive warm-up (n = 9), caffeine ingestion (n = 2), and training-testing TOD synchrony (n = 3). Body temperature was the most important contributor to diurnal variation in athletic performance. In addition, extended morning warm-up was the most effective way to reduce performance variation. Recognizing contributors to diurnal variation in athletic performance may facilitate the development of more effective training regimens that allow athletes to achieve consistent performances regardless of TOD.

What Proportion of Women Orthopaedic Surgeons Report Having Been Sexually Harassed During Residency Training? A Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: The field of orthopaedic surgery is not free from sexual harassment, with one recent study revealing that 47% of surveyed American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) members reported experiencing sexual harassment during their careers. Further characterization of the reported sexual harassment experienced by orthopaedic surgeons is warranted, especially as it relates to women trainees. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What is the overall proportion of women orthopaedic surgeons who reported having experienced sexual harassment during their orthopaedic residency? (2) Is the proportion of current orthopaedic trainees who report having experienced sexual harassment at work lower than the proportion of women attending orthopaedic surgeons who recall having been sexually harassed during their residency years? (3) Does this finding differ based on location of residency training? METHODS: An anonymous 12-question online survey was distributed between October 2019 and December 2019 to the 682 active and resident members of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, a professional society for women orthopaedic surgeons. The survey was created by Speak Up, an organization that is dedicated to identifying and correcting sources of workplace sexual harassment. Though not validated, the authors felt that this survey was the most easily adaptable to reflect orthopaedic training, and the authors felt it had good face validity for the purpose in a study of this kind. A total of 37% (250 of 682) of those contacted returned completed surveys. Twenty percent (51 of 250) were current residents, and 80% (199 of 250) were currently in fellowship or in practice. All survey respondents self-identified as women. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics to determine the differences in proportions of sexual harassment among current residents and attendings, as well as differences in geographic locations. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent (171 of 250) of women reported having experienced sexual harassment during their orthopaedic training. We found no differences between current and past trainees in terms of the proportion who reported having experienced sexual harassment during residency training (59% [30 of 51] versus 71% [141 of 199], odds ratio 0.59 [95% CI 0.31 to 1.11]; p = 0.10). Compared with the northeast region of the United States, we found no differences in the proportion of women who reported having experienced sexual harassment during residency training in the South region (65% [55 of 84] versus 67% [36 of 54], OR 1.06 [95% CI 0.51 to 1.17]; p = 0.89), the Midwest region (75% [53 of 71], OR 1.55 [95% CI 0.77 to 3.12); p = 0.22), or the West region 66% [27 of 41], OR 1.02 [95% CI 0.46 to 2.23); p = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: We found that a high proportion of women orthopaedic trainees report having experienced sexual harassment during orthopaedic residency. Residency programs should take steps to further identify and combat the sources of sexual harassment by increasing the number of women in leadership roles within the department and by ensuring that women trainees have adequate mentorship from both women and men attendings. After such measures are implemented, future studies should aim to evaluate their efficacy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study.

Sex- and Gender-specific Analysis in Orthopaedic Studies.

BACKGROUND: Orthopaedic studies have reported the prevalence of injuries and outcomes after treatment in men and women patients, and although these differences have been recognized, few studies have evaluated for gender-specific injury patterns, disease progression, and treatment outcomes. A thorough understanding of gender-related differences is important to better individualize treatment and improve outcomes. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: In this study, we sought (1) to determine the proportion of studies published in six orthopaedic journals that provided sex- or gender-specific analyses in 2016 and whether a difference was found in outcomes between men and women and (2) to evaluate whether this proportion varied across several orthopaedic subspecialty journals or between general orthopaedic journals and subspecialty journals. METHODS: Six leading orthopaedic surgery journals were selected for review, including two general orthopaedic journals (Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®) and four subspecialty journals (American Journal of Sports Medicine, Journal of Arthroplasty, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, and Spine). Journal issues published in the even-numbered months of 2016 were reviewed for clinical randomized controlled, cohort, and case-control studies in which women were a part of the study population. A total of 712 studies evaluating 24,607,597 patients met the criteria and were included in our review of publications from 2016. The selected studies were stratified based on whether gender was a variable in a multifactorial statistical model. Outcomes of interest included the proportion of patients who were women and the presence or absence of a gender-specific analysis. These endpoints were compared between journals. RESULTS: Overall, 55% (13,565,773 of 24,607,597) of patients analyzed in these studies were women. Only 34% (241 of 712) of the studies published in 2016 included gender as variable in a multifactorial statistical model. Of these, 39% (93 of 241) demonstrated a difference in the outcomes between patients who were men and women. The Journal of Arthroplasty had the greatest percentage of patients who were women (60%, 9,251,068 of 15,557,187) and the American Journal of Sports Medicine had the lowest (44%, 1,027,857 of 2,357,139; p < 0.001). Orthopaedic subspecialty journals tended to include a greater percentage of women (54%) than did general orthopaedic journals (50%; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Currently, it is unclear what percentage of published orthopaedic studies should include a gender-specific analysis. In the current study, more than one-third of publications that performed a gender-specific analysis demonstrated a difference in outcomes between men and women, thereby emphasizing the need to determine when such an analysis is warranted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Future studies should aim to determine when a gender-specific analysis is necessary to improve the management of orthopaedic injuries in men and women. It is important for investigators at the individual-study level to look for every opportunity to ensure that both men's and women's health needs are met by performing appropriate by-sex and by-gender analyses, but not to perform them when they are unnecessary or inappropriate.

Editorial Commentary: As Nature Intended: Will Inclusion of the Medial Patellotibial Ligament Create a Better Medial Patellofemoral Complex Reconstruction?

The medial patellofemoral complex, composed predominantly of the medial patellofemoral ligament, plays an important role in patellar tracking and stability. Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is accordingly one of the most broadly applied surgical techniques for treating patellar instability. Orthopaedic research has demonstrated that surgeries that restore native anatomy are often more effective. The medial patellotibial ligament clearly serves an important supporting role in patellar tracking and stability, particularly in early flexion, and its inclusion in medial soft-tissue reconstructions more closely restores native patella tracking. Whether reconstructions incorporating the medial patellotibial ligament will translate to improved outcomes remains unclear.