Clinical and biomechanical outcomes following patellar tendon repair with suture tape augmentation.

PURPOSE: Patellar tendon ruptures (PTR) occur predominantly in middle-aged patients following indirect trauma. The aim of this study was to quantify the short-term results using a suture tape augmentation technique for the repair of PTR. METHODS: All consecutive patients with acute (< 6 weeks) PTR who underwent suture tape augmentation between 03/2014 and 11/2019 at a single institution with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were retrospectively evaluated. Outcome measures included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Tegner Activity Scale (TAS) and return to sport rates, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form (IKDC) as well as Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Additionally, a standardized clinical examination and an isometric strength evaluation of knee extension and flexion were performed. It was hypothesized that high return to sport rates and good functional outcome would be observed and that the majority of patients would not present with a severe (> 20%) knee extension strength deficit when compared to the contralateral side. RESULTS: A total of 7 patients (mean age 37.0 ± SD 13.5 years; 6 male/1 female) were available for final assessment at a median follow-up of 17.0 (25-75% IQR 16.0-77.0) months. Three injuries occurred during ball sports, two injuries occurred during winter sports, and one injury each occurred during a motorcycling and skateboarding accident. The average time between trauma and surgery was 4.7 ± 2.6 days. At follow-up, patients reported little pain (VAS: 0 [0-0.4]). Return to sport was possible for all patients 8.9 ± 4.0 months postoperatively at a high level (TAS: 7.0 [6.0-7.0]). Five patients (71.4%) returned to the preinjury level of play, and 2 (28.6%) did not return to the preinjury level of play. Patient-reported outcome measures were moderate to good (Lysholm score: 80.4 ± 14.5; IKDC: 84.2 ± 10.6; KOOS subscales: pain 95.6 ± 6.0, symptoms 81.1 [64.9-89.1], activities of daily living 98.5 [94.1-100], sport and recreation function 82.9 ± 14.1 and knee-related quality of life 75.9 ± 16.3). All patients were very satisfied (57.1%) or satisfied (42.9%) with the postoperative result. No postoperative complications were reported. Strength measurements revealed a severe knee extension deficit in 3 patients (42.9%), but no significant deficit of isometric knee extension or flexion strength in comparison with the contralateral side was observed overall (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Suture tape augmentation in acute PTR repair leads to good functional outcome without major complications. Although a severe knee extension strength deficit may occur in some patients postoperatively, an excellent return to sports rate and high patient satisfaction can be expected nonetheless. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort study; III.

Dislocated hinge fractures are associated with malunion after lateral closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence, morphology, and associated complications of medial cortical hinge fractures after lateral closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy (LCW-DFO) for varus malalignment and to identify constitutional and technical factors predisposing for hinge fracture and consecutive complications. METHODS: Seventy-nine consecutive patients with a mean age of 47 ± 12 years who underwent LCW-DFO for symptomatic varus malalignment at the authors' institution between 01/2007 and 03/2018 with a minimum of 2-year postoperative time interval were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. Demographic and surgical data were collected. Measurements evaluating the osteotomy cut (length, wedge height, hinge angle) and the location of the hinge (craniocaudal and mediolateral orientation, relation to the adductor tubercle) were conducted on postoperative anterior-posterior knee radiographs and the incidence and morphology of medial cortical hinge fractures was assessed. A risk factor analysis of constitutional and technical factors predisposing for the incidence of a medial cortical hinge fracture and consecutive complications was conducted. RESULTS: The incidence of medial cortical hinge fractures was 48%. The most frequent morphological type was an extension fracture type (68%), followed by a proximal (21%) and distal fracture type (11%). An increased length of the osteotomy in mm (53.1 ± 10.9 vs. 57.7 ± 9.6; p = 0.049), an increased height of the excised wedge in mm (6.5 ± 1.9 vs. 7.9 ± 3; p = 0.040) as well as a hinge location in the medial sector of an established sector grid (p = 0.049) were shown to significantly predispose for the incidence of a medial cortical hinge fracture. The incidence of malunion after hinge fracture (14%) was significantly increased after mediolateral dislocation of the medial cortical bone > 2 mm (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Medial cortical hinge fractures after LCW-DFO are a common finding. An increased risk of sustaining a hinge fracture has to be expected with increasing osteotomy wedge height and a hinge position close to the medial cortex. Furthermore, dislocation of a medial hinge fracture > 2 mm was associated with malunion and should, therefore, be avoided. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study; Level IV.

Reliable ligamentous stability and high return-to-sport rates after arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of tibial eminence fractures.

PURPOSE: To investigate functional and clinical outcomes, and physical activity after arthroscopic suture fixation of tibial eminence fractures with regard to postoperative stability, range of motion (ROM), complications, and return to sports. METHODS: Patients undergoing arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) of tibial eminence fractures using a suture fixation technique were included. Outcome was evaluated retrospectively after a minimum follow-up of 24 months using KT-1000 arthrometer measurements, clinical examination, outcome scores (Lysholm score, Tegner Activity Scale), and a questionnaire about sport activities. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients (44% male, 57% female) with a mean age of 25 ± 15 years were included. Mean follow-up was 57 ± 25 months. KT-1000 arthrometer measurements of anterior tibial translation revealed a mean side-to-side difference of 0.9 ± 1.0 mm. Clinical examination showed 100% normal or nearly normal anterior translation of the tibia. Two patients (9%) received an ACL reconstruction due to traumatic ACL re-instability and were, therefore, considered as failures. An extension deficit concerning hyperextension occurred in 29% of patients postoperatively. Further postoperative complications occurred in 14% of patients and included postoperative stiffness with ROM limitations and secondary dislocation of a fragment. Mean postoperative Lysholm score was 89 ± 14. Comparing pre- and postoperative values, no significant change of the Tegner Activity Scale was observed. All patients (failures excluded) returned to high impact sports activities after ARIF. CONCLUSION: Excellent reliable ligamentous stability and high rates of return to high impact sports can be expected after ARIF using a suture fixation technique for type II-IV tibial eminence fractures. Complications, such as limitations in ROM, commonly occur in up to 30% after ARIF. Therefore, regular follow-up examinations remain important in this usually young patient cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Definition of the terms "acute" and "traumatic" in rotator cuff injuries: a systematic review and call for standardization in nomenclature.

BACKGROUND: Although of high relevance for clinical decision making, there exists no consensus throughout the literature of the terms "acute" and "traumatic" used in the classification of rotator cuff tears. With differing definitions, the comparability of outcome studies may be limited. The aim was to provide a detailed systematic review of the definitions used in the literature and present a suggestion for a standardization in nomenclature based on the findings. METHODS: Four different internet databases were searched in February 2020 using the terms ("acute" OR "traumatic" OR "trauma" OR "athlete" OR "young") AND ("rotator cuff tears" OR "rotator cuff tear" OR "rotator cuff" OR "rotator cuff rupture" OR "supraspinatus" OR "infraspinatus" OR "subscapularis" OR "teres minor"). Prospective, retrospective, cohort and case-control studies as well as case series were included. Systematic reviews, cadaveric or laboratory studies and studies on non-traumatic or non-acute rotator cuff tears were excluded. RESULTS: The literature search conducted 10,349 articles of which 10,151 were excluded based on the title, 119 based on the abstract and 33 based on the manuscript. A total of 46 studies were finally included for review and subsequently analyzed. Overall, there exists no consensus neither on the term "acute" nor on "traumatic" in the context of rotator cuff tears in the literature. The time span for acute injuries ranged between 2 weeks and 6 months. For traumatic injuries, only 20% of the selected studies described a specific and adequate injury mechanism in combination with adequate imaging. CONCLUSION: The term "acute" should be reserved for RCT showing muscle edema, wavelike appearance of the central part of the torn tendon and joint effusion, which typically requires adequate imaging within 2 weeks from trauma. Repair of acute tears should occur within 8 weeks from trauma to benefit from possibly superior biological healing capacities. The term "traumatic" should be used for a sudden onset of symptoms in a previously asymptomatic patient, triggered by an adequate trauma, e.g., a fall on the retroverted arm with an axial cranioventral force or a traumatic shoulder dislocation.

Excellent clinical outcome and low complication rate after proximal hamstring tendon repair at mid-term follow up.

PURPOSE: Proximal hamstring tendon avulsions lead to a significant loss of strength and a functional deficit of the respective lower limb and surgery is the recommended treatment. Only little is known about the clinical outcomes and complications when comparing acute and chronic management as well as partial and complete tears. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical results and the complication rate of patients after surgical treatment of proximal hamstring tendon injuries. It was hypothesized that surgical treatment of an acute proximal hamstring avulsion would lead to a superior clinical outcome with a low complication rate and high return to sports rate compared to chronic cases and partial avulsions. METHODS: Patients who underwent proximal hamstring tendon repair between 2008 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated with a minimum follow up of 2 years. Outcome measurements were obtained by means of Lysholm score, Harris Hip Score, Visual Analog Scale, and Tegner Activity Scale. Return to sports (RTS) rate was determined. Postoperative adverse events were recorded and complications reported. Patients' outcomes were compared between acute/chronic repair and partial/complete injury patterns. RESULTS: Ninety-four of 120 (78.3%) were available for final assessment at a mean follow-up of 56.2 ± 27.2 months. Clinical outcome measures were excellent and did not differ between the treatment groups or between the different injury patterns. RTS was achieved by 86.2% of the patients and was significantly superior after acute treatment (p < 0.05). The overall complication rate was 8.5% and significantly higher in complete tears compared to partial tears and in delay compared to acute surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of proximal hamstring tendon avulsions results in excellent clinical outcome scores and a high RTS rate. Open surgical treatment has shown to be a safe procedure with a low complication rate. Surgical timing is important, as early surgical intervention provides a higher RTS rate and a lower complication rate than delayed surgery and should therefore be preferred in clinical practice. Repair of partial and complete tears lead to similar clinical outcome, but a higher complication rate in complete avulsions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Proximal hamstring tendon avulsion injuries occur predominately in middle-aged patients with distinct gender differences: epidemiologic analysis of 263 surgically treated cases.

PURPOSE: Epidemiologic data of proximal hamstring avulsions have mainly been reported in relatively small patient cohorts. Detailed information on patient demographics, injury mechanism, and injury patterns is lacking in the literature. Since these injuries are rare and frequently misdiagnosed, a better understanding may help to increase awareness and to improve diagnosis of proximal hamstring avulsions. METHODS: A chart review was performed to identify all patients who had undergone surgical repair for complete proximal hamstring avulsions between 01/2006 and 02/2019 at the authors' institution. The following demographic and injury-specific data were obtained: Sex, age, body mass index (BMI), cause of injury (sports, activities of daily living, and others), presence of neurologic symptoms referable to the sciatic nerve, time to surgery, injury pattern (affected tendons), tendon retraction, and type of injury according to Wood et al.`s classification (Type 1: osseous avulsions, Type 2: tear at the musculotendinous junction, Type 3: incomplete avulsion from bone, Type 4: complete avulsion with only minimal retraction, and Type 5: complete avulsion with retraction > 2 cm). Data were analyzed for the entire study population and group comparison was performed with regard to sex, cause of injury, and the type of injury. RESULTS: A total of 263 patients were included (53% male). The mean age was 49 ± 13 years with most patients (56%) aged between 45-59 years. Most injuries occurred while participating in sports (52%) and injury type 5 was most commonly diagnosed (66%). Five percent of patients had sensory deficits referable to the sciatic nerve. Gender comparison showed that female patients were significantly older, predominantly represented in the age group 45-59 years, and most commonly injured during activities of daily living, whereas male patients were significantly more often represented in younger age groups, and the most common cause of injury was sports. Compared to Type 4 and 5 injuries, patients with a Type 1 injury were significantly younger and had a significantly longer time to surgery. CONCLUSION: Proximal hamstring avulsion occurs predominately in the middle-aged patient and only rarely in patients under the age of 30 years. No gender dominance exists. Female patients are typically older and get injured during activities of daily living, whereas male patients are younger and get injured more often during sports. These epidemiologic data may help physicians to make an accurate and early diagnosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.