Pre-operative patella alta does not affect midterm clinical outcomes and survivorship of patellofemoral arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative patella alta on clinical outcomes, survivorship, and complication and reoperation rates on patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA). METHODS: All patients who underwent PFA for isolated patellofemoral arthritis by a single surgeon at our institution were identified. Preoperative radiographs were measured by two independent observers for patellar height using the Caton Deschamps (CD), Insall-Salvati (IS), and Blackburne-Peele (BP) methods. Patients were classified as either "patella alta" or "non-patella alta" for all three measurement methods. Clinical scores including KSS Pain, KSS Function, and Tegner Activity Scores were collected pre- and post-operatively. Failure was defined as conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Clinical outcomes and survivorship were compared between patients with "patella alta" and "non-patella alta" height measurements. RESULTS: There were 119 patients with 153 knees (86% female) included in the study with a mean age of 55.8 years. Outcome scores improved from pre-operative to post-operative for both patella alta and non-patella alta patients for Tegner, KSS pain and KSS function scores. The mean change in Tegner scores for patella alta and non-patella alta patients were not significantly different for CD (p = 0.24), IS (p = 0.25) or BP measurements (p = 0.39). The mean change in KSS pain scores between groups were not significantly different for CD (p = 0.33) or IS measurements (p = 0.22), but was improved more significantly in patella alta patients vs non-patella alta patients (21.2 and 14.4; p = 0.02) for BP measurement. The mean change in KSS function scores between groups was not significantly different for CD (p = 0.61) IS (p = 0.90) or BP measurements (p = 0.79). The overall survivorship from conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was 94.1% at a mean follow-up time of 5.0 (SD 2.6) years. There were no significant differences in survivorship from TKA between patella alta and non-patella alta groups (CD: p = 0.72, IS: p = 0.63, BP: p = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there are no significant differences in clinical outcome scores or survivorship from TKA between patella alta and non-patella alta patients who underwent onlay design PFA. Both patella alta and non-patella alta patients demonstrated excellent improvement in outcome scores from pre-operative to post-operative. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Thumb Metacarpal Periosteal Sleeve Avulsion: A Case Report.

Periosteal sleeve fractures, or avulsions of cartilage and/or periosteum with or without an osseous fragment in skeletally immature individuals, are notoriously easy to miss and a high index of suspicion is necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment. While periosteal sleeve avulsion fractures are classically reported in the patella, they have also been reported in the shoulder, clavicle, and elsewhere in the knee. However, no published reports exist for a periosteal sleeve avulsion fracture in the hand. This case details the first reported instance of such an injury involving a thumb metacarpal in a 3-year-old boy, treated with open reduction and percutaneous pinning of the thumb metacarpal.

Neuromuscular Choristoma of the Brachial Plexus Presenting as a Supraclavicular Mass in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report.

CASE: This case demonstrates a 2-year-old boy with a rare benign supraclavicular mass diagnosed as neuromuscular choristoma through open biopsy. Postoperatively, he underwent semiannual surveillance with ultrasound without development of neurological complaints, limb deformity, or recurrence at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Neuromuscular choristoma involving the brachial plexus is a rare tumor that should be in the differential diagnosis of pediatric peripheral nerve-based tumors. The intimate association with neural elements limits complete resection. Therefore, open biopsy with partial resection is recommended. While postoperative fibromatosis may occur, open biopsy remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. Ultrasound can be used to monitor recurrence.

Complex Fractures of the Radial and Ulnar Shaft.

SUMMARY: Successful management of radial and ulnar shaft fractures is an essential skill for all orthopaedic surgeons. The frequent presentation of these injuries coupled with the nuanced anatomic considerations that must be observed for successful outcomes dictate that these injuries require a thorough understanding by the treating surgeon. Intraoperative care to restore the anatomic radial bow and rotation is essential for the resumption of functional forearm rotation postinjury. Often, problems arising during the operative treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures come in predictable patterns that can be mitigated with preoperative planning and sound technique. Cases of increased complexity with segmental bone defects and soft tissue defects require a variety of advanced reconstructive techniques.

Microsurgical Techniques for Digital Nerve Injuries and Vascular Injuries.

Background: Tension-free end-to-end digital nerve repair or reconstruction under loupe or microscope magnification are surgical treatment options for lacerated digital nerves in patients with multiple injured digits, injuries to the border digits, or injuries to the thumb, with the goal of improved or restored sensation and a decreased risk of painful traumatic neuroma formation. Different techniques for primary repair have been described and include epineurial sutures, nerve "glues" including fibrin-based gels1,2, biologic or synthetic absorbable or nonabsorbable nerve wraps or conduits, or a combination of these materials. Nerve "glues" have demonstrated decreased initial gapping at the repair site3 and an increased tensile load to failure when utilized with a nerve wrap or conduit4,5. When there is a gap or defect in the nerve and primary repair is not feasible, nerve allograft and autograft provide similar results and are both better options than conduit reconstruction6. Concomitant or isolated digital vascular injuries may also be surgically treated with end-to-end repair in a dysvascular digit, with the goal of digit and function preservation. In the absence of complete circumferential injury or complete amputation, redundant or collateral flow may be present. Single digital artery injuries often do not need to be repaired because of the collateral flow from the other digital artery. Description: Digital nerve and vascular injuries are often found in the context of traumatic wounds. In such cases, surgical exploration is often required, with possible surgical extension of the wounds to facilitate identification of the neurovascular bundles. The proximal and distal ends of the transected nerve and/or artery are identified, and the traumatized ends are incised sharply, maintaining as much length as possible to facilitate end-to-end repair, interposition of a graft, and the use of a conduit. The proximal and distal aspects of the nerve and/or artery are appropriately mobilized by dissecting or releasing any scar tissue or soft tissue that may be tethering the structure. The defect is measured in the natural resting position of the digit. Gentle flexion of the digit may be performed to facilitate a primary repair in the setting of very small defects. Primary repair or reconstruction is selected, and an 8-0 or 9-0 nonabsorbable monofilament suture is utilized to anastomose the appropriate structures under magnification with use of a single or double stitch6. A tubular nerve conduit is placed prior to epineurial suturing, or a nerve conduit wrap is applied circumferentially around the repair site and augmented with a fibrin glue. The wound is then irrigated and closed in a standard fashion, as determined by the presence of any soft-tissue or structural injury. Alternatives: Alternatives to primary repair include the use of conduits or autologous or allogenic grafting. Factors that necessitate reconstruction include gapping and poor soft-tissue integrity, which can be related to the mechanism of injury. Alternatives to repair or reconstruction include treatment of the-soft tissue or structural injury without concomitant repair or reconstruction of the damaged digital nerves or vessels. Rationale: Primary end-to-end repair and reconstruction of digital nerves increases a patient's likelihood of sensation recovery, and arterial repair can preserve a digit and avoid the need for amputation. Sensation in the digits is very important for fine motor skills and interaction with the environment, and it is particularly important for patients who rely on their hands for work and/or recreation. For these reasons, the digital nerves to the border digits, such as the ulnar aspect of the small finger, radial aspect of the index finger, and both digital nerves to the thumb, are given particular attention. Expected Outcomes: Surgical intervention to repair or reconstruct the digital nerves increases the likelihood of recovering pre-injury sensation; however, the chance of complete recovery remains low. A systematic review of the outcomes of digital nerve repair in adults published in 2019 showed that the average percentage of patients who had undergone repair and reported a recovery to Highet grade 4 was 24% (range, 6% to 60%)8. The rate of adverse events was comparable between the operatively and nonoperatively treated patients, with complications including neuromas, hyperesthesia, and infection. Important Tips: The use of a microvascular background material can provide better visualization of the proximal and distal ends while performing the repair.It is important to sharply guillotine the ends of the nerve to freshen up the laceration and provide healthy nerve ends for repair.Repair sutures need to be passed through the epineurium, with care taken not to pass through the nerve fascicles. Acronyms and Abbreviations: OR = operating roomPIP = proximal interphalangealPT = prothrombin timePTT = partial thromboplastin time.

Implementation of a Hand Training Curriculum in Junior Resident Education: Experience at a Military Orthopedic Residency Program.

Purpose: The American Society for Surgery of the Hand developed the Surgery Training and Educational Platform (STEP) in order to assess essential skills in hand surgery. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand designed modules spanning both osseous and soft tissue skills aimed to be cost effective for the purpose of orthopedic surgical education. The STEP curriculum was adapted and implemented at a single military orthopedic residency program. Methods: The following six modules were implemented: (1) depth of plunge, (2) scaphoid pinning, (3) phalangeal fracture pinning, (4) microsurgery, (5) full-thickness skin graft harvest, and (6) wrist arthroscopy. Both first- (PGY1) and second-year (PGY2) residents participated. Scores were calculated according to the original STEP curriculum criteria and were compared with historic data from the previous year. All residents responded to an evaluation questionnaire following the performance of the tasks. Results: The PGY2 cohort outperformed PGY1 cohorts across all modules except for the depth of plunge and scaphoid fixation modules. In the phalangeal pinning module, PGY2s did significantly better when compared with pooled PGY1 performance and their own PGY1 performance (P < .05). In the microsurgery module, PGY2s scored better than pooled PGY1s. In the full-thickness skin grafting module, PGY2s outperformed PGY1s (P < .05). On the post-task evaluation, residents unanimously responded that this was a valuable exercise, but the time required to complete all the modules was significant, similar to that of the previous year survey. Conclusions: The STEP simulation is a cost effective and reliable program to engage residents in hand surgery-related skills. However, adaptations should be encouraged according to institutional resources to provide the most inclusive training platform possible per institutional constraints. The STEP simulation is interpreted by residents as a valuable exercise but requires a significant time commitment that could be a barrier to implementation and regular use. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.

Free Functional Muscle Transfer and One Bone Forearm for Upper-Extremity Limb Salvage After High-Energy Ballistic Trauma.

Upper-extremity limb salvage following high-energy trauma poses unique challenges of massive soft tissue injury in the setting of large bone defects, traumatic segmental neurovascular injuries, and functional deficits. These complex injuries require multidisciplinary care to achieve requisite revascularization, bone stabilization, and preservation of remaining options for soft tissue coverage. This case presents a 45-year-old man who sustained a high-velocity gunshot resulting in a dysvascular limb. Through shared decision-making, upper-extremity limb salvage was pursued. Successful initial limb salvage included a reversed great saphenous vein graft from the brachial artery to the radial artery, followed by one bone forearm with nonvascularized graft from the ipsilateral distal ulna, latissimus dorsi free functioning muscle transfer with an end-to-side anastomosis to the brachial artery proximal to the vein graft, and coaptation of the anterior interosseous donor nerve from the proximal median nerve stump to the thoracodorsal recipient nerve.

Targeted muscle reinnervation in upper extremity amputation in military hand surgery: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) is a surgical technique utilized to alleviate post-amputation neuroma pain, reduce reliance on narcotic pain medication, and enhance control of prosthetic devices. Motor targets for upper extremity TMR vary depending on injury patterns and amputation levels, with conventional transfer patterns serving as general guides. This study aims to summarize the common patterns of TMR in transradial and transhumeral amputations, focusing on anatomic and surgical considerations. METHODS: A comprehensive systematic review of TMR literature was conducted by two independent physician reviewers (M.H.A. and D.M.G.R.) to identify the prevailing motor targets, while considering injury patterns and amputation levels. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) TMR techniques, outcomes, or advancements; 2) Original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or clinical trials; 3) Peer-reviewed journal articles or reputable conference proceedings. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: non-English resources, editorials, opinion pieces, and case reports. The databases utilized include MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE (Scopus) and Cochrane CENTRAL, last searched 01APR2023. RESULTS: The reviewed literature revealed multiple motor targets described for upper extremity TMR out of our included 51 studies. However, the selection of motor targets is influenced by the availability of viable options based on injury patterns and amputation levels. Conventional transfer patterns provide useful guidance for determining appropriate motor targets in transradial and transhumeral amputations. DISCUSSION: TMR has played a significant role in military medicine, particularly in addressing the impact of blast-related injuries. The energy associated with such injuries often results in substantial soft tissue defects, higher amputation levels, and increased post-amputation pain. TMR, in conjunction with advancements in prosthetic technology and ongoing military research, offers improved outcomes to help achieve the goals of active-duty service members. The capabilities and applications of TMR continue to expand rapidly due to its high surgical success rate, technological innovations in prosthetic care, and favorable patient outcomes. As technology evolves to include implantable devices, osseointegration techniques, and bidirectional neuroprosthetic devices, the future of amputation surgery and TMR holds immense promise, offering innovative solutions to optimize patient outcomes. It is important to note, this review was limited to the data available in the included resources which was mostly qualitative; thus, it did not involve primary data analysis.

Medial Elbow Exposure: Modified Taylor-Scham Versus Flexor Carpi Ulnaris-Split.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the exposure of the coronoid process, anteromedial facet, and anterior band of the medial collateral ligament using the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU)-splitting approach with the Taylor-Scham approach modified with an ulnar nerve transposition. METHODS: Thirty approaches were performed on 15 fresh cadavers using a randomized cross-over design and standardized incision. Access to key anatomic landmarks was assessed, and a calibrated digital image was taken from the surgeon's best perspective of each approach. Images were analyzed using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health) software to calculate the area of osseous exposure. RESULTS: All key anatomic landmarks were visualized using both approaches. The average area of exposure for the Taylor-Scham was 19.5 cm 2 compared with 13.6 cm 2 for the FCU-splitting ( P < 0.0001). The distal extent of the FCU-splitting approach is limited by the ulnar nerve and its branches to the humeral head of the FCU. CONCLUSION: The Taylor-Scham approach provides a more extensile exposure of the anteromedial coronoid and proximal ulna than the FCU-splitting approach while avoiding cross-tensioning of the ulnar nerve.

The Addition of Hip Arthroscopy to Periacetabular Osteotomy Does Not Increase Complication Rates: A Prospective Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) reported complication and reoperation rates of 5.9% and 10%, respectively. Hip arthroscopy is increasingly utilized as an adjunct procedure to PAO to precisely treat associated intra-articular pathology. The addition of this procedure has the potential of further increasing complication rates. PURPOSE: To determine the rates of complication and reoperation of combined hip arthroscopy and PAO for the treatment of acetabular deformities and associated intra-articular lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Using a prospective database, the authors retrospectively reviewed 248 hips (240 patients) that underwent combined hip arthroscopy and PAO between 2007 and 2016. Data were collected at scheduled follow-up visits at approximately 1 month, 3 to 4 months, and 1 and 2 years after surgery. Mean follow-up from surgery was 3 years (range, 1-8 years). A total of 220 PAOs were done for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia, 18 for symptomatic acetabular retroversion, and 10 for combined acetabular dysplasia and acetabular retroversion. Central compartment arthroscopy was performed for treatment of intra-articular chondrolabral pathology in all cases. Select cases underwent femoral head-neck junction osteochondroplasty either arthroscopically before the PAO or through an open approach after it. Complications were graded according to the modified Dindo-Clavien complication scheme, which was validated for hip preservation procedures. Reoperations (excluding hardware removal) were recorded. RESULTS: Grade III complications occurred among 7 patients (3%) while there were no grade IV complications. Grade III complications included deep infection (n = 3), wound dehiscence (n = 1), hematoma requiring exploration (n = 1), symptomatic heterotopic ossification requiring excision (n = 1), and deep venous thrombosis (n = 1). There were 13 reoperations (5%), and 3 were repeat hip arthroscopy. Univariate Cox hazard models were used to estimate the relative risk factors for complication and reoperation. Increased age (per decade) showed over twice the increased likelihood for complications (hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.67-3.74). Also, preoperative diagnosis of acetabular retroversion, not acetabular dysplasia, showed >3 times the increased risk of reoperation (hazard ratio, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.41-6.61). CONCLUSION: The rate of complications reported is comparable (3%) with previously published complication rates of PAO without hip arthroscopy. In this cohort, increasing age and diagnosis of acetabular retroversion were associated with higher complication and reoperation rates.