Meniscus root tears: state of the art.

BACKGROUND: Meniscus root tears represent significant pathology that, historically, has been underdiagnosed and undertreated. However, the recognition of their clinical and functional significance has recently surged, mainly due to their frequent association with anterior cruciate ligament injuries. AIM: This comprehensive review discusses various aspects of meniscal root tears, including their epidemiology, biomechanics, etiology, clinical and radiological findings, classification, management and surgical techniques.

Hardware-free MPFL reconstruction in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability is safe and effective.

PURPOSE: This systematic review evaluated the clinical outcomes of hardware-free MPFL reconstruction techniques in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability, focusing on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), redislocation rate, and complications. The hypothesis was that hardware-free MPFL reconstruction in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability is safe and effective. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library databases were accessed in October 2021. All the clinical studies investigating the efficacy and feasibility of hardware-free MPFL reconstruction were screened for inclusion. Only studies with a minimum 24-month follow-up were considered eligible. Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale improvement and redislocation rate after surgical treatment were evaluated as primary outcomes. The rate of postoperative complications was evaluated as a secondary outcome. The quality of the methodological assessment was assessed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. RESULTS: Eight studies were included in the present systematic review. The quality of the methodological assessment was moderate. Short- to long-term improvement of Kujala score was observed in all included studies. Mean score improvement ranged from + 13.2/100 to + 54/100, with mean postoperative scores ranging from 82/100 to 94/100. Patellar redislocation was observed in 8.33% (8 of 96) patients. CONCLUSION: Hardware-free MPFL reconstruction with or without associated soft-tissue or bony realignment procedures provided reliable clinical improvements and was associated with a low rate of redislocation in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability. Advantages such as safety, femoral physis preservation, and comparable complication profiles with implant-based techniques endorse its implementation. Orthopedic surgeons in cost-sensitive environments may also benefit their patients with lower costs, no need for implants, lack of implant-related complications, or surgery for implant removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Concomitant glenohumeral injuries in patients with distal clavicle fractures undergoing arthroscopic-assisted surgery: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: To determine the incidence of concomitant intra-articular glenohumeral injuries in patients undergoing surgical management from distal clavicle fractures (DCF) with shoulder arthroscopy and their impact on outcome. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, and Virtual Health Library databases were accessed in October 2021. All the clinical studies evaluating the surgical management of DCF and using concomitant intra-operatory shoulder arthroscopy were included. Studies that did not specify the concomitant injury type were not eligible. Data from the incidence of intra-articular glenohumeral injuries, injury type, length of the follow-up, and clinical outcomes were retrieved. The quantitative content assessment was performed using the STROBE statement checklist. Evaluation of the publication bias of the included studies was performed using the risk of bias assessment tool for systematic reviews. RESULTS: Data from five retrospective and five prospective cohort studies were analyzed. Eight of the included studies were conducted on patient cohorts with Neer type II injuries. Data pooling revealed a mean of 17.70% of concomitant glenohumeral injuries, whereas 84.21% of them required additional surgical management (Table 1). Rotator cuff injuries, labral tears, and biceps pulley lesions were the most common concomitant injuries. CONCLUSION: Preoperative MRI or diagnostic arthroscopy to evaluate glenohumeral associated injuries to DCF should be recommended.