Survey of upper extremity injuries among martial arts participants.

PURPOSE: To survey participants at various experience levels of different martial arts (MA) about upper extremity injuries sustained during training and fighting. MATERIALS: A 21-s question survey was designed and utilised. The survey was divided into four groups (Demographics, Injury Description, Injury Mechanism, and Miscellaneous information) to gain knowledge about upper extremity injuries sustained during martial arts participation. Chi-square testing was utilised to assess for significant associations. RESULTS: Males comprised 81% of respondents. Involvement in multiple forms of MA was the most prevalent (38%). The hand/wrist was the most common area injured (53%), followed by the shoulder/upper arm (27%) and the forearm/elbow (19%). Joint sprains/muscle strains were the most frequent injuries reported overall (47%), followed by abrasions/bruises (26%). Dislocations of the upper extremity were reported by 47% of participants while fractures occurred in 39%. Surgeries were required for 30% of participants. Females were less likely to require surgery and more likely to have shoulder and elbow injuries. Males were more likely to have hand injuries. Participants of Karate and Tae Kwon Do were more likely to have injuries to their hands, while participants of multiple forms were more likely to sustain injuries to their shoulders/upper arms and more likely to develop chronic upper extremity symptoms. With advanced level of training the likelihood of developing chronic upper extremity symptoms increases, and multiple surgeries were required. Hand protection was associated with a lower risk of hand injuries. CONCLUSION: Martial arts can be associated with substantial upper extremity injuries that may require surgery and extended time away from participation. Injuries may result in chronic upper extremity symptoms. Hand protection is important for reducing injuries to the hand and wrist.

Intraoperative anterior cruciate ligament graft contamination.

Intraoperative anterior cruciate ligament graft contamination is a rare but potentially devastating occurrence for any surgeon to encounter. Most instances in our experience have happened when a surgeon first enters practice or is operating in a new environment with new staff. Based on the currently available literature and the senior author's personal experience with 3 cases, intraoperative cleansing of the graft followed by implantation is a reasonable option. The protocol used successfully in these 3 cases includes getting the graft off of the floor immediately, removing any suture material in the graft, cleansing the graft for 15 to 30 minutes each in chlorohexidine and triple antibiotic solution, followed by a normal saline rinse. All graft sutures should then be replaced. The graft should then be resized and the tibial and femoral tunnels adjusted if needed. After implantation of the graft, additional intraoperative and postoperative intravenous antibiotic and/or oral antibiotic administration is also recommended for the first 1 to 2 weeks. Close clinical follow-up is also very important the first 6 weeks postoperatively and should include candid communication with the patient and family.

The transverse humeral ligament: a separate anatomical structure or a continuation of the osseous attachment of the rotator cuff?

BACKGROUND: No study to date has isolated the anatomical nature of the transverse humeral ligament and its relationship to the biceps tendon and the anterosuperior portion of the rotator cuff. HYPOTHESIS: There is no separate identifiable transverse humeral ligament, but rather the fibers covering the intertubercular groove are composed of a sling formed by fibers from the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendons. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: A total of 14 shoulder examinations were performed on 7 matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed, followed by gross and microscopic anatomical dissection. RESULTS: In the location of the transverse humeral ligament, magnetic resonance imaging and gross dissection revealed the continuation of superficial fibers of the subscapularis tendon from the tendon body across the intertubercular groove to attach to the greater tuberosity, whereas deeper fibers of the subscapularis tendon inserted on the lesser tuberosity. Longitudinal fibers of the supraspinatus tendon and the coracohumeral ligament were also noted to travel the length of the groove, deep to the other interdigitating fibers but superficial to the biceps tendon. Histologic studies confirmed these gross dissection patterns of fiber attachment and also revealed the absence of elastin fibers, which are more commonly seen in ligamentous structures and are typically absent from tendinous structures. CONCLUSION: There is no identifiable transverse humeral ligament, but rather the fibers covering the intertubercular groove are composed of a sling formed mainly by the fibers of the subscapularis tendon, with contributions from the supraspinatus tendon and the coracohumeral ligament. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: According to our findings, dislocations of the long head of the biceps must disrupt at least the deep fibers of the annular sling created mainly by the subscapularis tendon insertion. This finding provides anatomical support for the findings of a positive biceps tendon subluxation or dislocation and subscapularis tear during glenohumeral arthroscopy with a normal-appearing subscapularis during open surgery or subacromial arthroscopy.

Transtibial tubercle fixation without hardware for anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A new technique.

Tibial fixation with implants for both anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions (ACLR and PCLR) can be associated with a wide variety of problems. Common problems encountered include graft-tunnel mismatch when using grafts with bone blocks, graft damage or poor graft fixation using metal or absorbable implants, painful retained hardware requiring removal, and hardware interference during revision surgery. A new technique is presented using transosseous graft suture passage across the tibial tubercle followed by knot tying over a bone bridge. The technique provides a quick, simple, safe, and reproducible alternative for primary or supplemental tibial graft fixation without hardware in ACLR and PCLR.