Previous Knee Surgery, Anteromedial Portal Drilling, Quadriceps Tendon Autograft, and Meniscal Involvement Associated With Delayed Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Amateur Athletes.

Purpose: To identify prognostic factors associated with a delayed return-to-sport (RTS) time in amateur athletes who return to full participation after a primary isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective review was performed among athletes who underwent ACL reconstruction between October 2014 and October 2021. Inclusion criteria were any amateur athletes with an ACL reconstruction who had a documented RTS and greater than 1-year follow-up. Nonathletes, those with multiligamentous knee injury, and those missing documented RTS timelines were excluded. RTS was defined as participation in athletics at a level equivalent to or greater than the preinjury level participation. Demographic and prognostic factors, including previous knee surgery, meniscal involvement, level of participation, surgical approach, and graft type, were recorded along with RTS time and analyzed via Poisson regression. Results: In total, 91 athletes, average age 18.8 (± 6.7) years, who underwent ACL reconstruction at a single institution from 2014 to 2021 were identified with an average follow-up time of 4.6 (± 2.5) years (range 1.1, 9.0). Meniscal involvement (1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.15, P < .001) and previous knee surgery (1.43; 95% CI 1.29-1.58; P < .001) were related to a delayed RTS. Quadriceps tendon and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts, as well as allograft, showed a significant association with a longer RTS time when compared with hamstring autograft (1.16, 95% CI 1.13-1.20, P < .001; 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, P = .020; 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.19, P = .004, respectively), as did anteromedial portal drilling, when compared with the outside in approach for femoral drilling (1.19, 95% CI 1.16-1.23, P < .001). Conclusions: Previous knee surgery, anteromedial femoral drilling, quadriceps tendon autograft, and meniscus tear were most associated with a delayed timeline for RTS among young athletes who were able to return. Level of Evidence: Level IV, prognostic case series.

Rates and predictors of reimplantation of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation following first stage cartilage harvest: A cohort study.

PURPOSE: To assess the reimplantation rate and predictors of patients requiring second-staged matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) reimplantation after initial first stage cartilage biopsy. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed from 2018 to 2022 among patients who underwent only phase I MACI biopsy procedure (biopsy group) or both phase I with transition to phase II implantation of chondrocytes (implantation group) at a single tertiary center. Demographic, qualitative, and quantitative measurements were recorded, and univariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of ultimately requiring second stage MACI implantation. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients (51% female, age 27.7 ± 10.6 years (range 12-50)) were included in this study. Eventually, 25 of 71 patients (35.2%) experienced persistence of symptoms after initial MACI biopsy and other concomitant procedures, requiring second-stage implantation. Univariate analysis showed the implantation group compared to the biopsy group had a greater lesion size (5.2 cm2 ± 3.3 vs. 3.3 cm2 ± 1.4, p = 0.024), a higher proportion patients ≥ 26 years of age (76% vs. 43%, p = 0.009), a medial femoral condyle lesion more commonly (33% vs 11%, p = 0.005), were more often female (72% vs. 39%, p = 0.008), and had less often soft tissue repair at time of biopsy (32% vs. 61%, p = 0.020). Backward multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that size of the lesion (OR 1.43, p = 0.031) and age ≥ 26 years old at time of biopsy (OR 3.55, p = 0.042) were independent predictors of not responding to initial surgery and requiring implantation surgery. CONCLUSION: This study found that 35% of patients undergoing MACI phase I biopsy harvest eventually required autologous implantation. Independent risk factors for progressing to implantation after failed initial surgery were larger defect size and older age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Cohort Study.

Editorial Commentary: Osteochodral Autograft and Allograft Show Favorable Outcomes for High-Grade Hip Femoral Cartilage Lesions, but Caution Is Required for Impaction Injuries and Osteonecrosis.

Articular cartilage defects of the hip pose therapeutic challenges. Among patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, more than 20% may have partial- or full-thickness chondral damage, and patients with high-grade (International Cartilage Repair Society grade 3 or 4) damage who undergo arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome have higher rates of reoperation at 10-year follow-up. Arthroscopic and open techniques have been developed to translate cartilage restoration options initially developed in the knee for use in the hip. Arthroscopic options include chondroplasty, microfracture, biologic cartilage scaffolds, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and minced cartilage autograft (albeit more commonly in the acetabulum than the femoral head). Open techniques include autologous chondrocyte grafting, osteochondral autograft transfer (including mosaicplasty), osteochondral allograft transplantation, and arthroplasty. Open osteochondral allograft and autograft transplantation show improved patient-reported outcomes and forestall arthroplasty in young patients with high-grade cartilage defects of the femoral head. A recent review shows survivorship of 70% to 87.5% for allograft and 61.5% to 96% for autograft. At the same time, outcomes are not universally positive, particularly for patients with posttraumatic impaction injuries and high-grade osteonecrosis. Until further data better clarify the indications and contraindications, widespread adoption of open cartilage transplantation to the femoral head should be approached with caution, especially for older patients, in whom the gold standard of total hip arthroplasty has excellent survivorship at long-term follow-up.

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.

Early Anterior Cruciate Ligament Treatment Might Be Crucial for Acute Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review of the Various Treatment Strategies.

PURPOSE: To assess the outcomes of acute, combined, complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries in the literature. METHODS: A literature search using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Reviews was performed following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. The inclusion criteria were studies reporting outcomes of complete ACL-MCL injuries at a minimum of 12 months' follow-up. Data were presented as ranges. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies with 821 patients were included (mean age, 29 years; 61% male patients; mean follow-up period, 27 months). There were 4 randomized trials, 10 Level III studies, and 13 Level IV studies. Nine different strategies were noted, of which nonoperative MCL treatment with acute ACL reconstruction and acute MCL repair with acute ACL reconstruction were most commonly performed. Nonoperative MCL-ACL treatment and acute MCL repair with nonoperative ACL treatment led to low rates of valgus stability at 30° of flexion (27%-68% and 36%-77%, respectively) compared with acute ACL reconstruction with either nonoperative MCL treatment (80%-100%), acute MCL repair (65%-100%), or acute MCL reconstruction (81%-100%). Lysholm scores were not different between the strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes in this systematic review suggest that ACL stabilization in the acute setting might result in the lowest rates of residual valgus laxity, whereas there is no clear difference between the different MCL treatments along with acute ACL reconstruction. Nonoperative MCL treatment with either nonoperative or delayed ACL reconstruction, as well as acute MCL repair with either nonoperative or delayed ACL reconstruction, leads to higher rates of valgus laxity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.

Editorial Commentary: Early Clinical Results Are Promising for Meniscus Centralization as an Augment to Medial Meniscus Root Repair.

Meniscal root tears remain a common problem, with devastating biomechanical and clinical consequences. Thankfully, numerous techniques have been developed to repair the symptomatic meniscal root tear. However, rates of conversion to arthroplasty are reported to be 21% to 33% at 10 years, and persistent extrusion of the meniscus at follow-up is a known limitation of current root repair techniques. There is also growing evidence that some medial meniscal root tears may be an effect of meniscal extrusion, rather than the cause of it. In that vein, failure to correct extrusion may be a key mechanism of clinical and radiographic failure despite successful meniscus root repair. Techniques that "centralize" the meniscus (such as centralization with anchors at the tibial rim, meniscotibial ligament repair, deep medial collateral ligament repair, or circumferential suture augmentation of the meniscus) may improve patient outcomes by better correcting meniscal extrusion. Indications could be extrusion greater than 3 mm and documented extrusion before the root tear.

An Expedited Sling Immobilization Protocol After Isolated Biceps Tenodesis Results in Clinical and Patient-Reported Postoperative Outcomes Equivalent to a Standard Rehabilitation Protocol.

Purpose: To characterize clinical and patient-reported outcomes for patients after isolated biceps tenodesis (BT) who underwent either standard or expedited sling immobilization protocols following surgery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study compared patients who were assigned to use a sling for either 4 to 6 weeks (standard) or 0 to 2 weeks (expedited) following an isolated BT. Primary endpoint included rate of re-rupture, surgical revision, loss of fixation, and Popeye deformity. Secondary endpoints included shoulder range of motion (ROM) as well as pre- and postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of pain and function. Missing data were managed via multiple imputation with chained equations. Complication prevalence 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Clopper Pearson method and a series of hierarchical mixed effects linear regressions were performed to assess differences between sling interventions in PROs and ROM. Results: The average age of the standard cohort (n = 66) was 49 years (±14 years), and the average age of the expedited cohort (n = 69) was 47 years (±14 years). The expedited and standardized cohorts demonstrated 0.4 and 0.3 complications per 10,000 exposure days, respectively, with no significant difference between groups (1.4 [95% confidence interval 0.2-10.0], P = .727). There was no demonstrated difference in forward flexion, abduction, or external ROM. The expedited group had less improvement in visual analog scale for pain scores that was not clinically significant and there were no differences in PROs of function. Conclusions: No statistically significant difference in the rate of re-rupture, surgical revision, loss of fixation, or Popeye deformity was noted between protocols after isolated BT. Furthermore, there were no clinically significant differences in ROM or PROs identified between protocols after isolated BT. This study suggests that patients who have undergone isolated BT may safely discontinue sling use within 2 weeks after surgery. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Editorial Commentary: Meniscal Allograft Transplantation Is Effective for Adolescents With Meniscal Insufficiency, Although Outcomes May Decline Over Time.

Over the last several years, there has been a shift from arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to meniscal repair, especially in the younger patient. In case of a necessary partial meniscectomy, some patients have unremittent symptoms of pain and effusion corresponding to the postmeniscectomy syndrome. In these patients without large coronal malalignment, meniscal allograft transplantation is a valuable option to restore contact pressures, promote a chondroprotective microenvironment, and potentially delay secondary surgical interventions symptoms. In the adolescent population, meniscal allograft transplantation has been shown to effectively improve patient-reported outcomes with a low conversion to arthroplasty. However, these treatments are far from ideal, and prevention is certainly better than the cure: timely diagnosis of meniscus injuries, appropriate treatment with meniscus repair rather than partial meniscectomy, even in the complex tear patterns, and consideration of corrective osteotomy for milder cases of malalignment.

Predictive factors influencing internal rotation following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is increasingly used as a treatment modality for various pathologies. The purpose of this review is to identify preoperative risk factors associated with loss of internal rotation (IR) after RTSA. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and Scopus were queried. The inclusion criteria were as follows: articles in English language, minimum 1-year follow-up postoperatively, study published after 2012, a minimum of 10 patients in a series, RTSA surgery for any indication, and explicitly reported IR. The exclusion criteria were as follows: articles whose full text was unavailable or that were unable to be translated to English language, a follow-up of less than 1 year, case reports or series of less than 10 cases, review articles, studies in which tendon transfers were performed at the time of surgery, procedures that were not RTSA, and studies in which the range of motion in IR was not reported. RESULTS: The search yielded 3792 titles, and 1497 duplicate records were removed before screening. Ultimately, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 5124 patients who underwent RTSA. Three studies found that poor preoperative functional IR served as a significant risk factor for poor postoperative IR. Eight studies addressed the impact of subscapularis, with 4 reporting no difference in IR based on subscapularis repair and 4 reporting significant improvements with subscapularis repair. Among studies with sufficient power, BMI was found to be inversely correlated with degree of IR after RTSA. Preoperative opioid use was found to negatively affect IR. Other studies showed that glenoid retroversion, component lateralization, and individualized component positioning affected postoperative IR. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that preoperative IR, individualized implant version, preoperative opioid use, increased body mass index and increased glenoid lateralization were all found to have a significant impact on IR after RTSA. Studies that analyzed the impact of subscapularis repair reported conflicting results.

Baseball Pitchers who Suffer Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Tendon Injuries Have a High Return to Play Rate After Either Operative or Nonoperative Treatment.

Purpose: To provide a concise overview of the prevalence, diagnostic workup, management options, surgical techniques, and reported outcomes in the treatment of latissimus dorsi (LD) and teres major (TM) injuries in professional baseball pitchers. Methods: A systematic review of studies reporting on professional baseball players who sustained LD or TM injuries was performed. Data were collected including patient presentation, injury management strategies, return-to-play (RTP) rates, time to RTP, patient-reported outcome measures, player performance after RTP, preinjury factors associated with injury, and complications. Results: Nine studies with 159 professional baseball players with a LD or TM injury were identified. All studies (2 retrospective cohort studies with high risk of bias and 7 case series) reported shoulder pain after pitching, and magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all cases to confirm diagnosis. Twenty-three patients underwent surgical treatment, whereas 136 patients underwent nonsurgical treatment. Overall RTP rates and performance between surgical and nonsurgical groups were similar (75% to 100% vs 75% to 93%), although the largest study reported improved performance with surgery. Two studies described a surgical technique with a posterior axillary approach and endosteal button fixation of the LD tendon. All studies reported a progressive strengthening and throwing program prior to returning to sport. Conclusion: Professional baseball players who suffer a LD or TM injury have predictable clinical presentations and imaging findings. There is a high RTP rate and performance with both surgical and nonsurgical management. The heterogeneity and low level of evidence of available literature precludes comparative conclusions between treatment approaches. Level of Evidence: IV systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

Factors That Affect the Magnitude of Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance in Patients With Patellar Instability.

BACKGROUND: Tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a risk factor for recurrent patellar dislocation and is often included in algorithmic treatment of instability. The underlying factors that determine TT-TG have yet to be clearly described in orthopaedic literature. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of our study was to determine the underlying anatomic factors contributing to TT-TG distance. We hypothesized that degree of tubercle lateralization and knee rotation angle may substantially predict TT-TG. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: All patients evaluated for patellar instability at a single institution between 2013 and 2021 were included. Patients with previous knee osseous procedures were excluded. TT-TG and its anatomic relationship to patellofemoral measures, including dysplasia, femoral anteversion, tibial tubercle lateralization, knee rotation angle, and tibial torsion, were measured and subsequently quantified using univariate and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: In total, 76 patients met the inclusion criteria (46 female, 30 male; mean ± SD age, 20.6 ± 8.6 years) and were evaluated. Mean TT-TG was 16.2 ± 5.4 mm. On univariate analysis, increasing knee rotation angle (P < .01), tibial tubercle lateralization (P = .02), and tibial torsion (P = .01) were associated with increased TT-TG. In dysplastic cases, patients without medial hypoplasia (Dejour A or B) demonstrated significantly increased TT-TG (18.1 ± 5.4 mm) as compared with those with medial hypoplasia (Dejour C or D; TT-TG: 14.9 ± 5.2 mm; P = .02). Multivariable analysis revealed that increased knee rotation angle (+0.43-mm TT-TG per degree; P < .01) and tubercle lateralization (+0.19-mm TT-TG per percentage lateralization; P < .01) were statistically significant determinants of increased TT-TG distance. Upon accounting for these factors, tibial torsion, trochlear width, and medial hypoplasia were no longer significant components in predicting TT-TG (P≥ .54). Of note, all patients with TT-TG ≥20 mm had tibial tubercle lateralization ≥68%, a knee rotation angle ≥5.8°, or both factors concurrently. CONCLUSION: TT-TG distance is most influenced by knee rotation angle and tibial tubercle lateralization.

Suture Anchor-Based Quadriceps Tendon Repair May Result in Improved Patient-Reported Outcomes but Similar Failure Rates Compared to the Transosseous Tunnel Technique.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare failure rates and patient-reported outcomes between transosseus (TO) suture and suture anchor (SA) quadriceps tendon repairs. METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, patients who underwent primary repair for quadriceps tendon rupture with TO or SA techniques between January 2009 and August 2018 were identified from an institutional database and retrospectively reviewed. Patients were contacted for satisfaction (1-10 scale), current function (0-100 scale), failure (retear), and revision surgeries; International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) were also collected to achieve a minimum of 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (34 SA, 30 TO) were available by phone or e-mail at a mean of 4.81 ± 2.60 years postoperatively. There were 10 failures, for an overall failure rate of 15.6%. Failure incidence did not significantly differ between treatment groups (P = .83). Twenty-seven patients (47% of nonfailed patients) had completed patient-reported outcomes. The SA group reported higher subjective function (SA: 90 [85-100] vs TO: 85 [60-93], 95% CI of difference: -19.9 to -2.1 × 10-5, P = .042), final IKDC (79.6 [50.0-93.6] vs 62.1 [44.3-65.5], 95% CI of difference: -33.0 to -0.48, P = .048), KOOS Pain (97.2 [84.7-97.2] vs 73.6 [50.7-88.2], 95% CI of difference: -36.1 to -3.6 × 10-5, P = .037), Quality of Life (81.3 [56.3-93.8] vs 50.0 [23.4-56.3], 95% CI of difference: -50.0 to -6.2, P = .026), and Sport (75.0 [52.5-90.0] vs 47.5 [31.3-67.5], 95% CI of the difference: -45.0 to -4.1 × 10-5, P = .048). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference in failure rate between transosseus and suture anchor repairs for quadriceps tendon ruptures (P = .83). Most failures occur secondary to a traumatic reinjury within the first year postoperatively. Despite the lack of difference in failure rates, at final follow-up, patients who undergo suture anchor repair may report significantly greater subjective function and final IKDC, KOOS Pain, Quality of Life, and Sport scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective cohort study.

Anatomic Factors Associated With Osteochondral Allograft Matching for Trochlear Cartilage Defects: A Computer-Simulation Study.

BACKGROUND: Articular step-off between the donor and recipient in osteochondral allograft transplant has been shown to alter contact pressures. Currently, commercial allograft donor selection is primarily based on simple anatomic parameters such as trochlear length, trochlear width, and tibial width. PURPOSE: To identify anatomic factors associated with optimal graft matching by using a 3-dimensional simulation model. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Computed tomography images of 10 cadaveric trochlear specimens were obtained to generate 3-dimensional models. Circular defects were created virtually in the recipient trochleae at both superolateral (18.0 mm and 22.5 mm) and central (18.0 mm, 22.5 mm, 30.0 mm) locations. The donor models were virtually projected onto the defect models, and the most optimal graft from any location of the donor specimen was selected. Cartilage incongruity, subchondral bone incongruity, and peripheral articular step-off were calculated for each graft-defect combination. Linear regression models were generated to identify predictors of incongruity, step-off, and the effect of sulcus and sagittal angle mismatch. Akaike information criterion-driven stepwise regression models were generated to identify multivariate predictors. RESULTS: Ideal matches were found for 100% of superolateral defects but for only 15% to 53% of central defects, depending on the defect size. Multivariate stepwise regression identified laterality (odds ratio [OR], 0.54; P = .081), sulcus angle (OR, 0.79; P < .001), sagittal angle (OR, 0.83; P = .001), lateral radius of curvature (OR, 0.81; P < .001), and medial facet width (OR, 0.86; P = .155) as predictors of ideal graft matching. In central defects with proud grafts, increasing sagittal angle and sulcus angle resulted in significantly (P < .001) increased articular step-off, which became sequentially larger with defect size. CONCLUSION: Sagittal angle, sulcus angle, and lateral radius of curvature mismatch should be used to determine optimal donor allografts, especially in the setting of large (30-mm) central defects. Increasing sulcus angle and sagittal angle mismatch correlated with increasing step-off in proud grafts, whereas sulcus angle and sagittal angle inconsistently correlated with step-off in recessed grafts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Additional descriptive trochlear measurements should be incorporated into the algorithm for donor selection. These findings can be used to identify acceptable mismatch parameters.

Editorial Commentary: Rotator Cuff Repairs Fail at an Alarmingly High Rate During Long-Term Follow-Up: Graft Augmentation and Biologics May Improve Future Outcomes.

Rotator cuff repairs (RCR) frequently fail to heal, particularly those with advanced fatty infiltration, supraspinatus and infraspinatus atrophy, narrowed acromiohumeral distance, and large-to-massive tear size. Unfortunately, the longer the follow up, the more sobering the statistics, with some reported retear rates ranging up to 94%. Importantly, recent long-term radiographic assessments after primary RCR reveal direct correlations between failure and patient-reported outcomes, functional deterioration, and ultimately, progression of glenohumeral arthritis and/or frank cuff tear arthropathy. As shoulder surgeons, we must continue to seek out novel approaches to improve tendon to bone healing and recapitulate the native rotator cuff enthesis. In doing so, we hope to engender more sustained subjective and objective results for our patients over time. Investigations are ongoing into several biomechanical and biological or structural adjuncts, from platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate concentrate to autograft or allograft structural augments. We must continue to push the envelope and refuse to settle for the current reality and alarmingly high failure rates following RCR.

Safety and Efficacy of Postoperative Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Sports Medicine.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for multimodal pain control after surgery. These medications work by selective or nonselective inhibition of cyclooxygenase, which has downstream effects on thromboxanes, prostaglandins, and prostacyclins. Clinical studies have shown beneficial effects for alleviating pain and reducing opioid consumption after surgery. Within hip arthroscopy, there is evidence that postoperative NSAIDs can also reduce the risk of symptomatic heterotopic bone formation. However, preclinical and animal studies have raised concern over the effect of NSAIDs on bone and soft-tissue healing. In addition, selective and nonselective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors may have different safety profiles regarding postoperative soft-tissue healing. The purpose of this review was to outline the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and effect on soft-tissue healing of postoperative NSAIDs and to provide evidence-based recommendations for appropriate use.

Revision Hip Arthroscopy for Graft Retear and Residual Cam Lesion in a Previously Labral Reconstructed Hip.

Persistent pain after hip arthroscopy may be due to residual impingement, hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis progression, labral injury, or insufficient capsular closure. A patient's history, physical examination findings, and imaging studies should be used to determine whether revision hip arthroscopy is indicated. If surgical management is chosen, careful preoperative planning is essential. During revision hip arthroscopy, the presence and location of adhesions should be considered during interportal capsulotomy and T-capsulotomy creation and while applying traction sutures. The presence of a residual cam or pincer lesion and the adequacy of the labrum or labral graft should be assessed and properly addressed. If capsular redundancy is recognized, capsular plication may be performed. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe an approach to revision hip arthroscopy for labral repair and residual cam lesion resection.

Medial Patellofemoral Complex Reconstruction Techniques Are Not Equivalent at Lower Flexion in the Setting of Patella Alta: A Biomechanical Comparison.

PURPOSE: To (1) determine the effect of severe patella alta on lateral patellar displacement after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and medial quadriceps tendon-femoral ligament (MQTFL) reconstruction and (2) determine whether lateral displacement significantly differs between MPFL and MQTFL reconstructions in the setting of severe patella alta (Caton-Deschamps Index [CDI] of 1.6). METHODS: Eight cadaveric specimens were included. High-tensile strength suture was used to create a model of adjustable patellar height. Patellar height was set using fluoroscopy to CDI ratios of 1.0 (normal) and 1.6 (alta). Specimens underwent testing (1) with MPFL reconstruction, (2) with MQTFL reconstruction, and (3) in a medial patellofemoral complex (MPFC)-deficient control state, in randomized order, at both CDI settings: 1.0 and 1.6. Lateral patellar translation was measured at 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion with 10 N of laterally directed load. RESULTS: At a CDI of 1.6, MPFL reconstruction showed significantly lower lateral displacement than MQTFL reconstruction at 0° and 20°. When compared with MPFC-deficient controls at a CDI of 1.6, MPFL reconstruction showed significantly lower displacement at 0° and 20° whereas MQTFL reconstruction was not significantly different at any degree of flexion. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of severe patella alta (CDI of 1.6), MPFL reconstruction results in less lateral patellar displacement than MQTFL reconstruction at 0° and 20° of knee flexion. At higher flexion angles (≥30°), there is no difference between the 2 reconstruction techniques and the CDI no longer has an effect. At a CDI of 1.0, MPFL reconstruction shows lower displacement than MQTFL reconstruction in full extension only. Surgeons performing MPFC reconstruction should evaluate patients for patella alta and consider patellar height when deciding on the reconstruction technique. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests that MQTFL reconstruction may be less stable than MPFL reconstruction in the setting of patella alta, without other known pathoanatomic factors, at early knee flexion angles. Patellar height should be considered when choosing the appropriate reconstruction technique in the absence of a distalization procedure.

Clinical Efficacy of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Versus Stromal Vascular Fraction Injection in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Knee injection using either bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from adipose tissue has been shown to result in symptomatic improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). It is still unclear whether one of these therapies is superior over the other. PURPOSE: To systematically report the clinical studies evaluating BMAC and SVF in the treatment of knee OA and to compare the clinical efficacy of these 2 injection therapies. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: This meta-analysis was performed per the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Studies were included if they reported the clinical outcomes after a single BMAC or SVF injection in the knee joint of patients with OA. Studies evaluating preparations of culture-expanded stem cells were excluded. A random effects model was used; the clinical efficacy of BMAC or SVF injection was assessed using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and compared. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) knee index were the primary outcomes. The level of statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Ten studies and 472 patients with knee OA who received either BMAC (233 patients) or SVF (239 patients) were included. Patients who received an injection had improved VAS outcomes (mean ± SD): from 5.8 ± 1.3 to 2.6 ± 17 for BMAC and from 6.4 ± 1.4 to 3.4 ± 0.5 for SVF. They also experienced significantly reduced pain (SMD [VAS], 2.6 for BMAC and 3.4 for SVF) and improved function (SMD [WOMAC], 1.4 for BMAC and 1.2 for SVF). However, the SVF injection had a significantly greater effect on pain reduction than did the BMAC injection (P < .0001). Based on WOMAC, the clinical effect of BMAC versus SVF knee injection in patients with knee OA was equivalent (P = .626). Results were limited by the presence of publication bias as well as variability in the preparation methods utilized in the BMAC and SVF injection protocols. Complications were reported in 50% of the BMAC studies (knee stiffness, persistent knee swelling) and 67% of the SVF studies (knee swelling, knee pain, positive SVF cultures without symptoms of infection, and bleeding at the abdominal harvest site). CONCLUSION: A single BMAC or SVF injection into the knee joint of patients with OA resulted in symptomatic improvement at short-term follow-up. However, SVF seemed to be more effective than did BMAC in the reduction of knee pain. There was significant variation in the BMAC and SVF injection preparation techniques used across the studies and a lack of stratification of outcomes based on the radiologic classification of OA. Therefore, these results should be taken with caution.

Return to Sport in Athletes With Borderline Hip Dysplasia After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Data on outcomes in patients with borderline hip dysplasia (BHD) who undergo hip arthroscopy remain limited, particularly in regard to return to sport (RTS). PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes in patients with BHD and their ability to RTS after hip arthroscopy for treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Consecutive patients with self-reported athletic activity and radiographic evidence of BHD, characterized by a lateral femoral center-edge angle (LCEA) between 18° and 25° and a Tönnis angle >10°, who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS between November 2014 and March 2017 were identified. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes including the Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), Hip Outcome Score-Sports Subscale (HOS-SS), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), international Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction were analyzed at minimum 2-year follow-up. In addition, all patients completed an RTS survey. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients with a mean age and body mass index (BMI) of 29.6 ± 13.4 years and 25.3 ± 5.6, respectively, were included. Mean LCEA and Tönnis angle for the study population were 22.7°± 1.8° and 13.3°± 2.9°, respectively. A total of 31 (75.6%) patients were able to RTS after hip arthroscopy at a mean of 8.3 ± 3.2 months. A total of 14 patients (45.2%) were able to RTS at the same level of activity, 16 patients (51.6%) returned to a lower level of activity, and only 1 (3.2%) patient returned to a higher level of activity. Of the 11 high school and collegiate athletes, 10 (90.9%) were able to RTS. All patients demonstrated significant improvements in all patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as well as in pain scores at a mean of 26.1 ± 5.4 months after surgery. Patients who were able to RTS had a lower preoperative BMI than patients who did not RTS. Analysis of minimum 2-year PROMs demonstrated better HOS-ADL, HOS-SS, mHHS, iHOT-12, and VAS outcomes for pain in patients able to RTS versus those who did not RTS (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Of the patients with BHD studied here, 75.6% of patients successfully returned to sport at a mean of 8.3 ± 3.2 months after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. Of the patients who successfully returned to sport, 45.2% returned at the same level, and 3.2% returned at a higher activity level.

Inconsistencies in Controlling for Risk Factors for Recurrent Shoulder Instability After Primary Arthroscopic Bankart Repair: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Failure rates after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization are highly variable in the current orthopaedic literature. Predictive factors for risk of failure have been studied to improve patient selection, refine surgical techniques, and define the role of bony procedures. However, significant heterogeneity in the analysis and controlling of risk factors makes evidence-based management decisions challenging. PURPOSE: The goals of this systematic review were (1) to critically assess the consistency of reported risk factors for recurrent instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair, (2) to identify the existing studies with the most comprehensive inclusion of confounding factors in their analyses, and (3) to give recommendations for which factors should be reported consistently in future clinical studies. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. An initial search yielded 1754 titles, from which 56 full-text articles were screened for inclusion. A total of 29 full-text articles met the following inclusion criteria: (1) clinical studies regarding recurrent anterior shoulder instability; (2) surgical procedures performed including arthroscopic anterior labral repair; (3) reported clinical outcome data including failure rate; and (4) assessment of risk factors for surgical failure. Further subanalyses were performed for 15 studies that included a multivariate analysis, 17 studies that included glenoid bone loss, and 8 studies that analyzed the Instability Severity Index Score. RESULTS: After full-text review, 12 of the most commonly studied risk factors were identified and included in this review. The risk factors that were most consistently significant in multivariate analyses were off-track lesions (100%), glenoid bone loss (78%), Instability Severity Index Score (75%), level of sports participation (67%), number of anchors (67%), and younger age (63%). In studies of bone loss, statistical significance was more likely to be found using advanced imaging, with critical bone loss thresholds of 10% to 15%. Several studies found predictive thresholds of 2 to 4 for Instability Severity Index Score by receiver operating characteristic or multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Studies reporting risk factors for failure of arthroscopic Bankart repair often fail to control for known confounding variables. The factors with the most common statistical significance among 15 multivariate analyses are off-track lesions, glenoid bone loss, Instability Severity Index Score, level of sports participation, number of anchors, and younger age. Studies found significance more commonly with advanced imaging measurements or arthroscopic assessment of glenoid bone loss and with lower thresholds for the Instability Severity Index Score (2-4). Future studies should attempt to control for all relevant factors, use advanced imaging for glenoid bone loss measurements, and consider a lower predictive threshold for the Instability Severity Index Score.