Editorial Commentary: Superior Capsular Reconstruction with Achilles Allograft Can Reverse Pseudoparalysis While Improving Functional Patient Outcomes.

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs) represent a vexing problem, particularly in the physiologically young patient with no glenohumeral arthritis and high functional expectations. Not even the last line of defense, the reverse shoulder arthroplasty can help all of our patients with MIRCTs and resultant pseudoparalysis, and in younger patients, joint preservation could be a preferable first line intervention. Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) shares the joint preservation arena with an evolving multitude of options, including arthroscopic debridement, partial rotator cuff repair, biologic tuberoplasty, interposition balloon spacer, and lower trapezius tendon transfer. SCR shows promising biomechanical and clinical outcomes, including restoration of native glenohumeral biomechanics and contact pressures, achievement of humeral head depression, reduction of pain, and improved patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and range of motion (ROM), despite a high rate of graft re-tear or discontinuity. Yet, comparable results may be achieved via simpler procedures including debridement, partial repair, tuberoplasty, and/or spacer. Ultimately, the true value of SCR, or any other technique, would be proven improvement in strength or survivorship from subsequent surgery, particularly reverse arthroplasty. Optimizing indications for these constantly evolving techniques is a moving target and essential for selecting the highest value procedures for patients based on their individual needs.

American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons perspectives on political advocacy.

BACKGROUND: Physician involvement in political advocacy has become increasingly important in recent years. This study aims to explore the types of involvement and barriers to involvement in political advocacy among American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) members, identify issues considered most important by ASES members, and assess demographic factors that might correlate with involvement in political advocacy efforts among ASES members. METHODS: This survey was conducted by the ASES Political Advocacy Committee over a 2-week period in June 2021. The survey collected demographic information including sex, ethnicity, years in practice, practice type, political affiliation, and level of current involvement in political advocacy. Additional questions consisted of thoughts regarding current health care policy issues and the role of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/ASES regarding such policy issues. RESULTS: We received 297 responses for a total response rate of 27%. Of those who responded, 24.6% identified as Democrat, 33% identified as Republican, and 42.4% identified as Independent. There was no difference in political affiliation between membership groups. Physician Reimbursement (82%), Medical Liability Reform (50%), and Physician Ownership (50%) were the most important issues identified among respondents. Physician Ownership, Physician Reimbursement and Graduate Medical Education and Student Loan Reform were most important to those in early practice, while Quality and Research was most important to those with greater than 25 years of practice experience. CONCLUSION: There is strong agreement among surgeons regarding the most important political advocacy issues. The efforts of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and ASES should focus on these areas. Additionally, the vast majority of respondents felt that advocacy efforts had a positive impact on patients and surgeons.

Psychological Impact and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Baseball Players.

Background: Significant psychological impact and prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been well documented in patients sustaining anterior cruciate ligament injury. Purpose: To examine PTSD symptomatology in baseball players after sustaining elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Male baseball players of various competition levels (high school through Minor League Baseball [MiLB]) who underwent surgery for a UCL injury between April 2019 and June 2022 participated in the study. Before surgery, patients completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to assess PTSD symptomatology. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to level of play and player position. Results: A total of 104 male baseball players with a mean age of 19.4 years (range, 15-29 years) were included in the study; 32 players (30.8%) were in high school, 65 (62.5%) were in college, and 7 (6.7%) were in MiLB. There were 64 (61.5%) pitchers, 18 (17.3%) position players, and 22 (21.2%) 2-way players (both pitching and playing on the field). A total of 30 (28.8%) patients scored high enough on the IES-R to support PTSD as a probable diagnosis, and another 22 patients (21.2%) scored high enough to support PTSD as a clinical concern. Nineteen patients (18.3%) had potentially severe PTSD. Only 4 players (3.8%) were completely asymptomatic. Subgroup analysis revealed college players as significantly more symptomatic than high school players (P = .02), and 2-way players were found to be significantly less susceptible to developing symptoms of PTSD compared with pitchers (P = .04). Conclusion: Nearly 30% of baseball players who sustained a UCL injury qualified for a probable diagnosis of PTSD based on the IES-R. Pitchers and college athletes were at increased risk for PTSD after UCL injury compared with 2-way players and high school athletes, respectively.

Bioactive and Bioinductive Implants Are Increasingly Used in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine but Adequately Controlled Studies Are Needed: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: To describe the currently available literature reporting clinical outcomes for bioactive and bioinductive implants in sports medicine. METHODS: In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic search of 4 databases was completed to identify eligible studies. Inclusion criteria were studies using bioactive or bioinductive implants in human clinical studies for sports medicine procedures. Data were extracted and reported in narrative form, along with study characteristics. RESULTS: In total, 145 studies were included involving 6,043 patients. The majority of included studies were level IV evidence (65.5%), and only 36 included a control group (24.8%). Bioactive materials are defined as any materials that stimulate an advantageous response from the body upon implantation, whereas bioinductive materials provide a favorable environment for a biological response initiated by the host. Bioactivity can speed healing and improve clinical outcome by improving vascularization, osteointegration, osteoinduction, tendon healing, and soft-tissue regeneration or inducing immunosuppression or preventing infection. The most common implants reported were for knee (67.6%, primarily cartilage [most commonly osteochondral defects], anterior cruciate ligament, and meniscus), shoulder (16.6%, primarily rotator cuff), or ankle (11.7%, primarily Achilles repair). The most common type of implant was synthetic (44.1%), followed by autograft (30.3%), xenograft (16.6%), and allograft (9.0%). In total, 69% of implants were standalone treatments and 31% were augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The existing bioactive and bioinductive implant literature in sports medicine is largely composed of small, low-level-of-evidence studies lacking a control group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Before bioactive implants can be adapted as a new standard of care, larger, comparative clinical outcome studies with long-term follow-up are essential.

Particulated Juvenile Articular Cartilage Allograft Transplantation for Patellofemoral Defects Shows Favorable Return-to-Sport Rates and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To report return-to-sport rates, postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs), complication rates, and reoperation rates of a cohort of patients undergoing particulated juvenile articular cartilage (PJAC) allograft transplantation for patellofemoral articular cartilage defects. METHODS: We performed a single-institution retrospective review of all patients with patellofemoral articular cartilage defects who received PJAC allograft transplantation from 2014 to 2022. Baseline demographic characteristics and surgical data, including concomitant surgical procedures, were collected. Clinical outcomes recorded included return-to-sport rates, complications, reoperations, and the following PRO scores: Kujala knee score, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference score, and PROMIS Physical Function score. RESULTS: Forty-one knees with a mean age of 23.4 ± 9.7 years and mean follow-up period of 30.3 months (range, 12-107 months) were included. The mean postoperative PROMIS Pain Interference, PROMIS Physical Function, and Kujala knee scores were 47.4 ± 7.7, 52.2 ± 10.8, and 81.7 ± 16.1, respectively, reflecting low residual anterior knee pain and a return to normal function. For patients playing organized sports at the high school and collegiate levels, the overall return-to-sport rate was 100% (17 of 17). During follow-up, complications developed in 12 knees (29.3%), the most common of which was anterior-based knee pain, and 6 knees (14.6%) required a total of 8 reoperations, which occurred from 6 to 32 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The 100% return-to-sport rate and satisfactory PRO scores in our study suggest that PJAC allograft transplantation can effectively address patellofemoral cartilage defects in many patients. The complication and reoperation rates of 29.3% and 14.6%, respectively, are consistent with the challenging and heterogeneous etiology and treatment of patellofemoral articular defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Dyslipidaemia is associated with Cutibacterium acnes hip and knee prosthetic joint infection.

PURPOSE: Optimization of medical factors including diabetes and obesity is a cornerstone in the prevention of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Dyslipidaemia is another component of metabolic syndrome which has not been thoroughly investigated as an individual, modifiable risk factor. This study examined the association of dyslipidaemia with PJI caused by the lipophilic microbe Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). METHODS: A retrospective chart review examined patients with positive C. acnes culture at hip or knee arthroplasty explantation. A control group with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) positive cultures at explantation was matched for age, sex, and surgical site, as well as a second control group with no infection. A total of 80 patients were included, 16 with C. acnes, 32 with MSSA, and 32 with no infection. All patients had a lipid panel performed within one year of surgery. Lipid values and categories were compared using multinomial logistic regressions. RESULTS: High or borderline triglycerides (TG) (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 0.13; P = 0.013) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (RRR = 0.13; P = 0.025) were significantly associated with C. acnes PJI compared to MSSA-PJI. High or borderline TG (RRR = 0.21; P = 0.041) and low HDL (RRR = 0.17; P = 0.043) were also associated with a greater probability of C. acnes infection compared to no infection. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of elevated TG and low HDL were both associated at a statistically significant level with C. acnes hip or knee PJI compared to controls with either MSSA PJI or no infection. This may represent a specific risk factor for C. acnes PJI that is modifiable.

The Quality of YouTube Content on Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries Is Low: A Systematic Review of Video Content.

Purpose: To provide an evaluation of the quality of diagnostic and treatment information regarding ulnar collateral ligament injuries on YouTube. Methods: YouTube was searched using the terms "ulnar collateral ligament," "Tommy John surgery," and "UCL surgery." The first 100 results for each 3 terms were screened for inclusion. Each included video was graded based on its diagnostic and treatment content and assigned a quality assessment rating. Video characteristics such as duration, views, and "likes" were recorded and compared between video sources and quality assessment ratings. Results: A total of 120 videos were included in the final analysis. Only 17.5% provided very useful to excellent quality content. Only 3 videos (2.5%) provided excellent quality content; these were all physician-sponsored videos. These 3 videos only achieved an excellent score for diagnostic content; no video achieved an excellent score for treatment content. Most videos were scored as somewhat useful for both diagnostic (40%) and treatment (56.7%) content. Videos classified as somewhat useful had the highest number of average views (27,197), with a mean duration of 7 minutes 40 seconds. The most common video source was physician sponsored (32%), followed by educational (26%). Physician videos had the lowest number of views (5,842 views). Conclusions: The quality of ulnar collateral ligament-related information on YouTube is low. Differential diagnoses for related symptoms, accurate surgical indications, and thorough discussions of adverse outcomes were the most lacking information. Physician-sponsored and educational videos provided the highest-quality information but had the lowest number of average views. Clinical Relevance: Because most Internet users in the United States search for information regarding their medical issues online, it is important to understand the quality of available online medical information. Knowing this can help inform the necessary next steps to improve the quality and comprehensibility of online medical information.

Stability, deformity, and fixation of the floating shoulder: a cadaveric biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: Floating shoulder injuries cause instability and deformity due to disruptions of the scapula, clavicle, and superior shoulder suspensory complex ligaments (SSSC). Resulting deformity of the glenopolar angle (GPA) has not previously been established, nor has the impact on stability and deformity when surgical fixation is performed. This study sought to quantify stability and deformity for multiple injury patterns and the improvement to these parameters provided by clavicle and coracoclavicular (CC) ligament fixation. METHODS: Fourteen cadaveric specimen upper extremities were used, which included the entire upper extremity, scapula, clavicle, and cranial-most ribs. After being mounted upright, a scapular neck fracture was created, followed by either a midshaft clavicle fracture or sectioning of the acromioclavicular and coracoacromial ligaments. Subsequent sectioning of the other structure(s) followed by the CC ligaments was then performed. In all specimens, the clavicle was then plated, followed by a CC ligament repair. At each step, a radiograph in the AP plane of the scapula was taken to measure GPA and displacement of the glenoid fragment using radiopaque markers placed in the scapula. These radiographs were taken both unloaded and with a 100-N applied medializing force. RESULTS: When evaluating deformity related to sectioning, the GPA was reduced when the CC ligaments were sectioned compared to an isolated scapula fracture (P = .022) and compared to a combined scapula and clavicle fracture (P = .037). For stability, displacement with a 100-N force was significantly increased when the CC ligaments were sectioned compared to an isolated scapula fracture (P = .027). In cases of an ipsilateral scapula neck and clavicle fracture with intact ligaments, fixation of the clavicle alone provided a statistically significant improvement in the GPA (P = .002); but not in reduction of displacement (P = .061). In cases of an ipsilateral scapula neck and clavicle fracture with concomitant disruption of the coracoacromial, acromioclavicular, and CC ligaments, the GPA was improved by clavicle fixation (P < .001) and increasingly so by subsequent CC ligament repair (P < .001). Displacement was also improved in these 2 states (P < .001, P = .008, respectively). DISCUSSION: This biomechanical study confirmed the importance of the acromioclavicular, coracoacromial, and CC ligaments in conferring stability in SSSC injuries. Disruption of the CC ligaments created significant deformity of the GPA and instability with a medializing force. Clinical treatment should consider the integrity of these ligaments and their repair in conjunction with clavicle fixation, knowing that this combination should restore a biomechanical state equivalent to an isolated scapula fracture.

Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism following Knee Arthroscopy: Effectiveness of a Risk-Based Stratified Chemoprophylaxis Protocol.

The incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been reported in up to 10.9% of patients undergoing knee arthroscopy without chemoprohylaxis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a chemoprophylaxis protocol in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy. A retrospective review of prospectively enrolled patients in a new institutional VTE prophylaxis protocol identified all patients undergoing knee arthroscopy during a 5-year period. This risk-based chemoprophylaxis protocol was instituted based on the Caprini model: patients at more than minimal risk were prescribed enoxaparin 40 mg daily for 3 weeks, while all others were instructed to take aspirin 325 mg twice daily. The primary outcome measure was incidence of VTE within 60 days postoperatively. Demographic characteristics and other risk factors for VTE were also recorded, as well as any postoperative complications. Among the 1,276 knee arthroscopies, there were 26 VTE events (2.0%), including 23 with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), two pulmonary emboli (PE), and one patient with both DVT and PE. There were no deaths or complications requiring hospitalization or reoperation. The VTE diagnosis occurred at, on average, 9 days postoperatively. Patients in the high-risk group treated with enoxaparin had a lower VTE incidence (1.49%) than those instructed to take aspirin (2.0%); p = 0.75. Those undergoing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction had the highest VTE incidence (2.87%). This study found that a chemoprophylaxis protocol with preferential use of aspirin or low-molecular weight heparin based on risk factors reduced the VTE incidence below to 2.0%, which is lower than most historical controls.

Pre-operative comparisons for a return to running protocol in recreational athletes following hip arthroscopy.

The purpose of the current study was to present pre-operative comparisons for recreational athletes attempting a return to running following hip arthroscopy, and the return to running progression protocol used to guide them. A prospective, non-randomized cohort study was conducted to evaluate recreational athletes that returned to running following hip arthroscopy. Return to running was the primary outcome measure and defined as the ability to run at least one mile three times weekly while maintaining patient-reported relief of pre-operative symptoms. Patients included were correlated with the following pre-operative patient-reported outcome measures: hip outcome score (HOS), 12-item international outcome tool (iHOT-12), visual analog scale for pain (VAS) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Of the 99 included patients, 94 (95%) returned to running successfully with an average return of 4.8 months. There was no statistical difference in pre-operative comparisons between patients that returned to running and did not return to running (P ≥ 0.154). Evaluation of pre-operative clinical outcomes demonstrated no statistical difference between individuals that returned and did not return to running (P ≥ 0.177), but a large difference between the two groups was identified for HOS-ADL (64.8 versus 53.7, returned versus did not return), iHOT-12 (33.8 versus 25.4) and VAS (58.6 versus 69.3). Patients who returned to running demonstrated similar intraoperative procedures as those that did not return to running (P ≥ 0.214). The current study successfully establishes a management plan and progression protocol for patients identifying a return to recreational running following hip arthroscopy. Level of evidence: 3.

Patient Radiation Exposure Associated With the Use of Computer Navigation During Spinal Fusion.

BACKGROUND: Calibration of computer navigation for spinal fusion is most commonly conducted using either a preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan or intraoperative O-arm scanning. This study aimed to directly compare patient radiation exposure from intraoperative O-arm use for pedicle screw placement versus typical diagnostic lumbar spine CT studies. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing O-arm navigated lumbar spine fusion procedures was performed to record radiation exposure as the primary outcome, as well as surgical and demographic details. The same was done for a control group of patients undergoing lumbar spine CT scans. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion with O-arm navigation were included, as well as 105 unique patients who underwent a lumbar spine CT. The 2 groups were similar in terms of average age (60.2 versus 60.5, P = .90), average height (170 cm versus 169 cm, P = .50), and average weight (92.6 kg versus 90.9 kg, P = .62). Dose-length product for O-arm navigated procedures was 798.3 mGy-cm and 924.2 mGy-cm for CT scans (P = .064). Subgroup analysis revealed 18 patients who had both an O-arm navigated surgery and a lumbar spine CT. In this group the average dose-length product for O-arm surgeries was 806.2 mGy-cm and 822.1 mGy-cm for CT scans (P = .92) CONCLUSION: This study revealed no statistically or clinically significant differences between patient radiation exposure for O-arm operative navigation compared to lumbar spine CT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Given the similarity in radiation exposure, surgeons should rely on other factors to guide decision making in regard to mode of imaging for navigation. Knowledge of this comparison and total radiation exposure will also be useful for patient education and shared decision making in regard to navigated procedures.

Utility of opposed-phase magnetic resonance imaging in differentiating sarcoma from benign bone lesions.

PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of opposed-phase magnetic resonance imaging (OP MRI) in differentiating malignant from benign bone lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI scans of musculoskeletal lesions including opposed-phase imaging sequences were reviewed by both an experienced musculoskeletal attending radiologist, and a second year radiology resident. The change in signal from IP to OP images was measured. The reviewers' evaluation of the lesions based on T1 and T2-weighted images was compared to their evaluation with inclusion of the OP sequences. RESULTS: Twenty-seven lesions in bone were analyzed: 4 malignant primary bone lesions, 3 malignant soft tissue lesions to bone, 3 metastases from visceral malignancies, and 17 benign bone lesions. Benign lesions of bone dropped in signal on OP imaging by an average of 37.1%. Five of the benign lesions decreased in signal by less than 20%, and two increased. Malignant bone lesions dropped in signal by an average of 0.69% with one of the ten lesions showing a greater than 20% drop. When OP sequences were included, concern for malignancy decreased in benign lesions and increased in malignant lesions, for both the resident and attending. Compared with standard MRI, inclusion of these sequences increased the overall confidence in diagnosis for both reviewers. CONCLUSION: Opposed-phase imaging is helpful in differentiating benign from malignant lesions in bone. Confidence in diagnosis rose for both the attending and the resident as result of the inclusion of OP sequences.