Surgeon-Specific Traction Time During Hip Arthroscopy for Primary Labral Repair Can Continue to Decrease After a Substantial Number of Surgeries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the total traction time and traction time as a function of anchors placed (TTAP) for primary labral repair in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy by a single surgeon. METHODS: Patients were included if they received a primary labral repair with or without acetabuloplasty, chondroplasty, or ligamentum teres debridement as part of the treatment for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Patients were excluded if they had a previous ipsilateral hip surgery, prior hip conditions, Tönnis grade >1, open procedures, microfracture, ligamentum teres reconstruction, or labral reconstruction. TTAP was calculated by dividing total traction time by the number of anchors placed. RESULTS: 2,350 hips met the inclusion criteria. The mean age and BMI in this cohort were 34.22 years and 25.72 kg/m2, respectively. A total traction time of 60 minutes was first achieved after 268 cases. Mean overall total traction time was 58.16 minutes (95% CI [57.35, 58.97]) and mean TTAP was 16.24 minutes (95% CI [15.93,16.55]) after 2,350 cases. Total traction time plateaued after 374 cases at 55.92 minutes, while TTAP plateaued after 487 cases at 14.93 minutes. CONCLUSION: Surgeons who introduce hip arthroscopy into their practice can expect to see improvements in traction time during the first 500 surgeries performed, as total traction time plateaued after 374 cases and TTAP plateaued after 487 cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV: case series.

Preventing Tommy John Surgery: The Identification of Trends in Pitch Selection, Velocity, and Spin Rate Before Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major League Baseball Pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is a common surgery among Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers that results in a significant number of missed games. Little has been reported regarding game-by-game trends that can identify those on the verge of becoming injured. PURPOSE: To determine if there is a patterned change in MLB pitchers' pitch selection, velocity, or spin rate in games leading up to Tommy John surgery that may predict subsequent UCL surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A retrospective review of MLB pitchers who underwent primary UCL reconstruction between 2009 and 2019 was performed. Pitch characteristics were evaluated on a game-by-game basis for the 15 games leading up to surgery. A Mann-Kendall trend test was used to identify trends in pitch selection, velocity, and spin rate for multiple pitch types. A Kendall τb correlation coefficient was identified, with values closer to 1 or -1 signifying a stronger monotonic trend. RESULTS: A total of 223 MLB pitchers underwent UCL reconstruction in the time period. In the 15 games leading up to surgery, decreases in pitch velocity for 4-seam fastballs (τb = -0.657; P < .001), 2-seam fastballs (τb = -0.429; P = .029), and sliders (τb = -0.524; P = .008) were significantly associated with game number closer to injury. There was a significant positive association in the spin rate for cutters (τb = 0.410; P = .038) and a significant negative association in spin rate for 4-seam fastballs over the course of these 15 games (τb = -0.581; P = .003). In addition, there was a significant positive association in the percentage of curveballs thrown (τb = 0.486; P = .013). CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that there is a patterned change in certain pitch statistics in MLB pitchers in the games leading up to Tommy John surgery. Although the absolute change from game to game may be small, it may be possible for these trends to be monitored before a player becomes injured, thus reducing the significant burden Tommy John surgery places on these athletes.

Differences in Clinical Presentations and Surgical Outcomes of Gluteus Medius Tears Between Men and Women.

BACKGROUND: Gluteus medius (GM) tears often occur in women aged >50 years. There is a paucity of literature comparing sex-based differences in those undergoing GM repair. PURPOSE: To report differences between women and men in clinical presentations and patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores at a minimum 2-year follow-up after undergoing GM repair. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. All included patients had postoperative scores for the following PROs: modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and International Hip Outcome Tool-12. Men were propensity score matched 1:3 to women according to concomitant arthroscopic procedures and follow-up time. Clinical effectiveness was determined through a uniquely calculated minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the mHHS and NAHS specific to this study population. RESULTS: Thirteen men were successfully propensity score matched to 39 women. Women and men were 55.87 ± 11.0 and 62.38 ± 11.63 years old (mean ± SD), respectively (P = .02). Men were at increased risk for associated lumbar pathology as compared with women (relative risk, 3.32; P = .02). Women showed significant improvement from preoperative to minimum 2-year follow-up for the mHHS (59.32 ± 15.36 to 83.81 ± 16.82; P < .01), NAHS (56.23 ± 15.61 to 83.78 ± 17.66; P < .01), HOS-SSS (33.35 ± 20.28 to 67.88 ± 32.35; P < .01), and visual analog scale (5.48 ± 2.00 to 1.93 ± 2.29; P < .01). Similarly, men showed significant improvement for the mHHS (63.50 ± 16.41 to 84.77 ± 13.91; P < .01), NAHS (61.52 ± 9.87 to 84.42 ± 14.87; P < .01), HOS-SSS (33.97 ± 21.20 to 63.62 ± 26.20; P < .01), and visual analog scale (4.93 ± 2.69 to 1.86 ± 2.10; P < .01). The MCIDs for the mHHS and NAHS were calculated to be 7.89 and 7.24. Of the women, 28 (72%) and 34 (87%) met the MCID for the mHHS and NAHS. Eleven (85%) men met the MCID for the mHHS and NAHS. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that women and men can both benefit after GM repair. Men were older and had increased risk for associated lumbar pathology than women at the time of surgery. Men and women both experienced significant improvements in PROs and compared favorably in terms of clinical effectiveness at a minimum 2-year follow-up.