Neither All-Inside, nor Inside-Out, nor Outside-In Repair Demonstrates Superior Biomechanical Properties for Vertical Meniscal Tears: A Systematic Review of Human Cadaveric Studies.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the literature regarding the biomechanical properties of different repair techniques and fixation methods for vertically oriented meniscal tears. METHODS: Human cadaveric studies evaluating the biomechanical properties of different repair techniques for vertically oriented meniscal tears were identified using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health databases. Primary outcomes included load to failure, displacement, stiffness, peak contact pressure, and contact area of repaired menisci. Repair techniques from included studies were reclassified into a total of 19 distinct all-inside (AI), inside-out (IO), or outside-in (OI) techniques. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included (420 total menisci). Contact pressure and area were restored to intact-state values across all 5 compressive load studies at low knee flexion angles but not at greater knee flexion angles (i.e., >60°). There were no significant differences in contact pressure or area between AI, IO, and OI techniques across all studies. Some studies demonstrated statistically significant advantages in tensile properties with IO techniques when compared with AI techniques, whereas others found AI techniques to be superior. No studies directly compared tensile properties of OI techniques with those of AI or IO techniques. Vertical mattress suture configurations resulted in significantly greater load to failure and decreased displacement compared with horizontal mattress configurations in 67% of studies comparing the 2 techniques. There was no difference in the rate of tissue failure in AI (66.97%), IO (60.38%), or OI (66.67%, χ2 = 0.83, P = .66) techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Contact mechanics are reliably restored after repair of vertical meniscal tears at low flexion angles but inconsistently restored at greater flexion angles, regardless of technique. Vertical mattress configurations outperformed horizontal mattress configurations under tensile load. There are conflicting data regarding the comparison of tensile properties between AI and IO techniques. Ultimately, neither AI, IO, nor OI repair demonstrated superior biomechanical properties in the present literature. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Several repair techniques demonstrate favorable biomechanical properties for vertical meniscal tears under tensile and compressive loads. Neither AI, IO, nor OI repair techniques demonstrate superior biomechanical properties at this time.

Perioperative non-opioid analgesia strategies after high tibial osteotomy: a systematic review of prospective studies.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the optimal analgesia regimen after HTO. Thus, this study systematically reviewed the literature on clinical and patient-reported outcomes of pain management strategies for patients after HTO. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases was conducted from inception through September 2023. Studies were included if they evaluated pain reduction with analgesia strategies after HTO and were excluded if they did not report pain control outcomes. RESULTS: Five studies with 217 patients were included. Patients with a multimodal intraoperative injection cocktail to the knee, femoral nerve block (FNB), or adductor canal block (ACB) for HTO had significant improvement in visual analog scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS) scores in the first 12 h postoperatively compared to controls. Patients on duloxetine had significantly lower NRS scores at 1, 7, and 14 days postoperatively and significantly lower nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) usage throughout the two-week postoperative period than the control group. Patients receiving an ACB had significantly lower opioid consumption than controls at 12 h postoperative. In patients with an FNB or ACB, no significant difference in quadriceps strength or time to straight leg raise postoperatively was observed compared to controls. CONCLUSION: A multimodal periarticular injection cocktail, FNB, or an ACB effectively reduces pain on the first day after HTO, with an ACB able to reduce opioid consumption on the first postoperative day. Duloxetine combined with an ACB effectively decreases pain for two weeks postoperatively while reducing NSAID consumption in patients after HTO. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty with inlay glenoid component: A systematic review.

Background: A total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) system utilizing an inlay glenoid component has been proposed as a means of reducing glenoid component loosening while still providing patients with desirable functional and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to systematically review current outcomes literature on TSA using an inlay glenoid component. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science databases. Studies comparing pre- and postoperative functional and clinical outcomes were included. Results: Five studies with 148 shoulders (133 patients) were included. Patient-reported outcomes improved, including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (mean change 34.1 to 80.6), Penn Shoulder Score (mean change 43.3 to 85.5), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score (mean change 34.1 to 80.6), and visual analog scale-pain (mean change 6.9 to 1.6). Range of motion improved for forward elevation (mean change 109.6 to 156.2) and external rotation (mean change 21.5 to 50.8). Glenoid component loosening occurred in one shoulder (0.68%). Two revision surgeries (1.35%) were performed. Discussion: The use of an inlay glenoid component is associated with improvements in postoperative pain, function, and satisfaction while minimizing rates of glenoid component loosening and the need for revision surgery over short-term follow-up. Level of evidence: systematic review, level IV.

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.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of the modified McLaughlin procedure for locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder: a systematic review.

Background: Multiple treatment options for locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder (LPDS) have been described, including the modified McLaughlin procedure. The purpose of this review, therefore, was to perform a systematic review of the literature to synthesize the available data reporting on the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients undergoing the modified McLaughlin procedure for the treatment of LPDS. Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed Central, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from inception through January 2023 was performed. Outcomes studies reporting on clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing the modified McLaughlin procedure for LPDS were included. Postoperative complications and episodes of recurrent instability were noted. Results: A total of 1322 studies were initially identified, of which 9 were deemed eligible for inclusion in our review. Among included studies, a total of 97 shoulders (96 patients) with a mean age of 37.7 years (range, 26-51) were identified. The most common mechanisms of injury included trauma, seizure, and electrocution. Reverse Hill-Sachs lesions ranged in size from 20% to 50% of the humeral head articular surface. At final follow-up, the weighted mean University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score, Constant-Murley Score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder score, and visual analog scale for pain score were 29 (range, 27-31), 75 (range, 65-92), 92 (range, 83-98), and 1.9 (range, 1-2.4), respectively. Postoperative Constant-Murley Score and University of California at Los Angeles scores were highest in the one study reporting exclusively on treatment during the acute period. Weighted mean postoperative forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation were 154° (range, 102-176), 144° (range, 118-171), 64° (range, 44-84), and 47° (range, 42-56), respectively. Osteointegration of the lesser tuberosity was noted in all patients at the final follow-up. Postoperative complications occurred in one patient (1.0% of cohort); a screw migration successfully treated with operative removal. Recurrent instability was noted in two epileptic patients (2.1% of cohort). Conclusion: The literature surrounding the use of the modified McLaughlin procedure for LPDS remains sparse. This review demonstrates that this procedure is associated with favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes with overall low rates of complication and recurrent instability, especially when the time from injury to surgery is minimized. These findings illustrate that in patients presenting with LPDS and a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion between 20% and 50% of the humeral head articular surface, the modified McLaughlin procedure is a safe and effective treatment option.

Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system instruments in knee arthroplasty patients: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to provide a systematic review of the literature pertaining to Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) validation and utilization as an outcomes metric in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. This is the first systematic review on PROMIS use in total knee arthroplasty patients. METHODS: A systematic search of the Pubmed/MEDLINE and Embase databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Study characteristics, patient demographics, psychometric properties (Pearson and Spearman correlation) with legacy patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) instruments, floor and ceiling effects, responsiveness, and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) and PROMIS outcomes were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen studies investigating PROMIS in 11,140 patients were included. The weighted-average Pearson correlation coefficient comparing PROMIS domains with legacy patient-reported outcome measurements in total knee arthroplasty patients was 0.62 [standard error (SE) = 0.06] and the weighted-average Spearman correlation comparing PROMIS domains with legacy patient-reported outcome measurements in total knee arthroplasty patients was 0.59 (SE = 0.06), demonstrating moderate-to-strong correlation and validity. There were no differences in weighted average floor [0.03% (SE = 3.1) versus 0% (SE = 0.1) versus 0.01% (SE = 1.1); p = 0.25] or ceiling effects [0.01% (SE = 0.7) versus 0.02% (SE = 1.4) versus 0.04% (SE = 3.5); p = 0.36] between PROMIS and legacy instruments. The weighted average for percentage of patients achieving MCID was 59.1% for global physical health (GPH), 26.0% for global mental health (GMH), 52.7% for physical function (PF), 67.2% for pain interference (PI), and 37.2% for depression. CONCLUSION: Notably, PROMIS global physical health, physical function, and pain interference were found to be significantly responsive, with PROMIS pain interference most effectively capturing clinical improvement as evidenced by the achievement of MCID.

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.

Early Postoperative Complications and Associated Variables After Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy: A 15-Year Experience From a Single Academic Institution.

Background: Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) is a well-established surgical treatment option for patients with patellofemoral disorders. Purpose: To determine the rate of early (≤90 day) postoperative complications after TTO and variables related to postoperative complications. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients who underwent TTO at a single academic institution within a 15-year period (2008-2022) were identified. All patients with a minimum 90-day follow-up were considered for study inclusion. Exclusion criteria were age younger than 14 years and revision surgery. Patient characteristics, surgical history, and concomitant procedures were identified, and risk factor analysis was performed to identify variables associated with early postoperative complications. Results: A total of 344 knees in 313 patients met eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. One intraoperative complication (0.3%), a premature closure of the incision before repair of the vastus medialis, was identified. There were 141 postoperative complications (138 surgical, 3 medical) in 118 patients for a complication rate of 34.3%. The most common complications were stiffness requiring a nonstandard-of-care intervention (16.3%), superficial wound infection/wound dehiscence (8.1%), and hemarthrosis/effusion requiring aspiration (5.8%). Patients experiencing postoperative complications were older (mean difference, 3.49 years; 95% CI, 1.26-5.73 years; P = .002), had a higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (mean difference, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.45; P = .006), and were more likely to be current smokers (P = .015) compared with patients with no complications. Inpatient surgery (defined as surgery in a hospital setting with at least 1 overnight stay) was associated with postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR], 2.29; 95% CI, 1.39-3.77; P = .001); this association remained significant generation of a multivariate model (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.19-3.58; P = .010). Previous surgery on the ipsilateral knee (P < .001) and concomitant autologous chondrocyte implantation (P = .046) were also associated with postoperative complications. Conclusion: The study findings indicated a low intraoperative complication rate (0.3%) and a relatively high early postoperative (≤90 day) complication rate (34.3%) after TTO. Variables associated with postoperative complications included greater age, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, surgery in an inpatient setting, previous surgery on the ipsilateral knee, and concomitant autologous chondrocyte implantation.

Early Postoperative Complications and Associated Variables After High Tibial Osteotomy and Distal Femoral Osteotomy: A 15-Year Experience From a Single Academic Institution.

BACKGROUND: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) and distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) are well-recognized treatments to address varus and valgus malalignment, respectively, in the setting of symptomatic unicompartmental arthritis of the tibiofemoral joint. The existing literature is limited in its ability to characterize complications after HTO or DFO procedures. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the rate of early (≤90 days) postoperative complications and associated variables from the 15-year experience of a single academic institution. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients treated at a single academic institution between 2008 and 2022 who underwent HTO or DFO procedures were identified. All patients with minimum 90-day follow-up were considered for inclusion in the study. Exclusion criteria were inadequate follow-up, unavailable medical records, age <14 years, and revision osteotomy. Patient demographic characteristics, surgical history, and concomitant procedures were identified, and risk factor analysis was performed to identify variables associated with early postoperative complications. All intraoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 243 knees in 232 patients met eligibility and were included in the final analysis. Three intraoperative complications (1.2%) involving fracture extension of the osteotomy occurred. There were 127 early postoperative complications (121 surgical, 6 medical) in 102 knees (68 with HTO and 34 with DFO). Medical complications included pulmonary embolus in 3 patients (1.2%), urinary tract infection in 2 patients (0.8%), and postoperative ileus requiring prolonged hospitalization in 1 patient (0.4%). The most common complications were stiffness requiring a non-standard of care intervention (17.7%), superficial wound infection or wound dehiscence (13.2%), and hemarthrosis or effusion requiring aspiration (6.6%). The rate of deep infection requiring irrigation and debridement was 4.1%. Variables associated with early postoperative complications included smoking (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% CI, 1.34-6.94; P = .008), concomitant chondroplasty and/or loose body removal (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.50-4.33; P = .001), and concomitant ligament reconstruction (OR, 3.97; 95% CI, 1.37-11.53; P = .011). CONCLUSION: These 15-year data revealed a low rate of intraoperative complications (1.2%) and a relatively high rate of early (≤90 days) postoperative complications (42.0%) after an HTO or DFO procedure. Surgeons should be aware of the increased postoperative complications associated with smoking, concomitant chondroplasty, and concomitant ligament reconstruction and should use this information to counsel patients regarding appropriate expectations in the postoperative period.

Defining Operative Indications in Lisfranc Injuries: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to determine operative indications for Lisfranc injuries. METHODS: A systematic review using a MEDLINE literature search was performed using the index "Lisfranc Injury" from 1980 onward using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines where applicable. Inclusion criteria were all clinical studies reporting on the management of Lisfranc injuries obtained via the search index, including case reports, review articles, cohort studies, and randomized trials. Non-English-language articles, inaccessible articles, those not relevant to the management of Lisfranc injuries (biomechanical, cadaveric, and technique articles), and those that did not explicitly state operative indications (vague or absent indications) were excluded. RESULTS: After identifying 737 studies, the full text of 391 studies was reviewed, and 58 reports providing explicit operative indications were included in the final analysis. Fifty-one (81.1%) studies provided diastasis cutoffs varying ≥2 mm (35/58; 60.4%), ≥1 mm (13; 22.4%), and ≥3 mm (3; 5.2%); the diastasis location was most commonly unspecified (31/58; 53.5%) or varied between combinations of metatarsal, tarsal, cuboid, and cuneiform bones (20/58; 27.6%). Specific imaging criteria for surgery included an avulsion fracture or fleck sign (3/58; 5.2%), arch height loss (3/58; 5.2%), and a tear on magnetic resonance imaging (5; 8.6%). The 11 (19%) studies defining operative indications in terms of classification schemes used the Nunley and Vertullo (8/58; 13.8%), Myerson (2; 3.5%), and Buehren (1; 1.7%) systems. Twenty-one (36.2%) studies provided multiple operative indications. CONCLUSION: The most common Lisfranc operative indications among the limited reporting studies varied from a 1- to 3-mm diastasis across several locations. It is imperative for operative indications to be reported with an increased frequency and in a homogenous fashion to guide the clinical management of these subtle injuries. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV; systematic Review.

Outcomes of subacromial balloon spacer implantation for irreparable rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The management of irreparable rotator cuff tears remains a topic of considerable debate among orthopedic surgeons. Currently, there is little consensus regarding the gold-standard treatment; however, an emerging option involves the use of a biodegradable subacromial spacer. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to systematically review and synthesize the current literature reporting on the clinical outcomes following implantation of a subacromial balloon spacer (SABS) for the treatment of patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears. METHODS: A systematic review of the PubMed Central, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases from inception through December 2022 was performed. Clinical outcome studies reporting on functional and clinical outcomes, as well as postoperative complications, were included. RESULTS: A total of 127 studies were initially identified, of which 28 were deemed eligible for inclusion in our review. Of these studies, 17 reported adequate preoperative and postoperative data (mean and a measure of variance) and thus were included in the meta-analysis. Among the included studies, a total of 894 shoulders (886 patients) were included; the mean age was 67.4 years (range, 61.7-76.2 years). The average follow-up period was 30.4 months (range, 12-56 months). All postoperative patient-reported outcomes improved significantly from baseline, including the Constant score (mean difference, 33.53; P < .001), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (mean difference, 40.38; P < .001), Oxford Shoulder Score (mean difference, 12.05; P = .004), and visual analog scale pain score or Numeric Pain Rating Scale score (mean difference, -3.79; P < .001). Forward elevation (mean difference, 24°; P < .001), abduction (mean difference, 52°; P = .02), and external rotation (mean difference, 15°; P < .001) improved. Device-related complications occurred at a rate of 3.6%, the most common of which were balloon migration (1.0%) and synovitis (0.6%). Ultimately, 5% of patients required salvage reverse shoulder arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: Short-term outcomes suggest that SABS implantation can be a safe and effective treatment and appears to be associated with early improvements in postoperative pain and function. Clinical heterogeneity, use of concomitant procedures, and variations in patient selection limit our ability to conclusively interpret the available evidence. We do not yet know the potential therapeutic value of SABS implantation relative to other currently accepted treatment strategies, the length of symptomatic improvement that can be expected, or the long-term implications of SABS use on the outcomes of further salvage procedures.

Contemporary Review: An Overview of the Utility of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) in Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has favorable psychometric and administrative properties in orthopaedic clinical research. It facilitates clinically meaningful data collection while minimizing administration time and survey fatigue and improving compliance. PROMIS is a critical component of patient-centered care and shared decision making, as it provides enhanced communication and engagement between patients and providers. As a validated instrument, it may also aid in measuring value-based health care quality. The goal of the current work is to provide an overview of PROMIS metrics used in orthopaedic foot and ankle, including advantages and disadvantages compared to legacy scales and PROMIS's applicability in specific foot and ankle conditions based on psychometric properties. We provide a review of the literature regarding the utilization of PROMIS as an outcome measure for specific foot and ankle procedures and conditions.

Inconsistencies in reporting risk factors for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction failure: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: When return to sport (RTS) at a competitive level is desired, treatment of injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) frequently involves surgical reconstruction. Although RTS rates between 66% and 98% have been reported, there remains a paucity of comparative clinical studies, with far fewer reporting statistically significant risk factors for reconstruction failure. The goal of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to demonstrate the variety and inconsistency with which risk factors associated with reconstruction failure are reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the PubMed Central and MEDLINE databases was performed to identify clinical outcome studies reporting ≥1 statistically significant risk factor associated with failure of UCL reconstruction. Failure was defined as (1) reinjury, recurrent instability, or need for revision surgery; (2) failure show improvement in postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs); or (3) failure to RTS at the preinjury level (RSL). RESULTS: A total of 349 unique studies were initially identified, of which 12 were deemed eligible for inclusion in our study. Of these 12 studies, 4 defined outcomes based on recurrent instability, reinjury, or revision surgery; 2 defined outcomes based on PROs; and 6 defined outcomes based on RSL. In the group with instability, reinjury, or revision failure, 11 significant risk factors were identified across all studies: age, height, body mass index, professional experience, injury to the nondominant arm, history of competitive throwing, mechanism of injury, history of a psychiatric diagnosis, presence of preoperative instability or stiffness, postoperative workload, and time to RTS. In the PRO failure group, 12 risk factors were identified across all studies: age, status as a military cadet, injury to the nondominant arm, graft type, baseball position, current injury to the ipsilateral arm, current level of competition attributed to reconstruction surgery, shoulder surgery after reconstruction, no competitive throwing history, non-throwing mechanism of injury, history of a psychiatric diagnosis, and preoperative instability or stiffness. In the RSL failure group, 4 risk factors were identified across all studies: age, ulnar neuritis, level of professional play, and amount of time spent at the professional level. CONCLUSIONS: Age, level of professional play prior to surgery, postoperative workload, and time at the professional level are the most commonly reported risk factors associated with UCL reconstruction failure. There remains a paucity of data associating risk factors with patient-specific outcomes and marked levels of inconsistency and conflict among the studies that report such data.

A systematic review of the patient reported outcome measures utilized in level 1 randomized controlled trials involving achilles tendon ruptures.

BACKGROUND: Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are utilized in level 1 randomized controlled trials involving Achilles tendon ruptures. However, the characteristics of these PROMs and current practices has not yet been reported. We hypothesize that there will be heterogeneous PROM usage in this context. METHODS: A PubMed and Embase systematic review was performed including all dates up to July 27th, 2022, assessing Achilles tendon ruptures in level 1 studies using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines where applicable. Inclusion criteria were all randomized controlled clinical studies involving Achilles tendon injuries. Studies that: (1) were not level 1 evidence (including editorial, commentary, review, or technique articles), (2) omitted outcome data or PROMs, (3) included injuries aside from Achilles tendon ruptures, (4) involved non-human or cadaveric subjects, (5) were not written in English, and (6) were duplicates were excluded. Demographics and outcome measures were assessed in the studies included for final review. RESULTS: Out of 18,980 initial results, 46 studies were included for final review. The average number of patients per study was 65.5. Mean follow up was 25 months. The most common study design involved comparing two different rehabilitation interventions (48 %). Twenty different outcome measures were reported including the Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS) (48 %), followed by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle score Ankle-Hindfoot score (AOFAS-AH) (46 %), the Leppilahti score (20 %), and the RAND-36/Short Form (SF) - 36/SF-12 scores (20 %). An average of 1.4 measures were reported per study. CONCLUSION: Significant heterogeneity exists in PROM usage among level 1 studies involving Achilles tendon ruptures, which prevents meaningful interpretation of these data across multiple studies. We advocate for usage of at least the disease-specific Achilles Tendon Rupture score and a global, quality of life (QOL) survey such as the SF-36/12/RAND-36. Future literature should provide more evidence-based guidelines for PROM usage in this context. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV; Systematic Review.

Comparison of Psychometric Properties of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System With Traditional Outcome Metrics in Spine Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was developed to address certain shortcomings of traditional, or legacy patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Because the use of PROMIS across orthopedic populations continues to increase, the purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the use and validation of PROMIS in spine surgery. METHODS: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles reporting on the use and validation of PROMIS in spine surgery. The PROMIS formats and individual domains used by investigators were noted. Additionally, psychometric properties reported in validation studies were evaluated. RESULTS: Both individual studies and systematic reviews have demonstrated the convergent validity of PROMIS domains, reporting moderate-to-strong correlations with legacy measures in a variety of spine patient populations. Across spine surgery patient populations, PROMIS instruments are consistently efficient, demonstrating decreased question burden compared with legacy PROMs. PROMIS domains overall exhibit responsiveness comparable with legacy measures, and the normalization of PROMIS scores to a general population allows for broad coverage, resulting in acceptable floor and ceiling effects. Despite the many strengths of PROMIS, there remain some populations where PROMIS is not suited to be used in isolation. CONCLUSIONS: PROMIS is widely used as an outcome measure in spine surgery and has been validated in a range of patient populations. Although PROMIS domains cannot fully replace legacy measures in spine patients, they can be used in certain settings to provide an efficient and psychometrically sound PROM.

The current utilization of the patient-reported outcome measurement information system (PROMIS) in isolated or combined total knee arthroplasty populations.

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential for clinical research and patient-centric care because they allow us to capture patient perspectives on their health condition. In knee arthroplasty, PROMs are frequently used to assess the risks and benefits of new interventions, surgical approaches, and other management strategies. A few examples of PROMs used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) include the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) (collectively referred to as "legacy" PROMs). More recently, attention has been brought to another PROM called the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). PROMIS was developed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and has over 300 domains assessing various aspects of patient health, including pain, physical function, and mental health. With the use of PROMIS increasing in TKA literature, there is a need to review the advancements being made in understanding and applying PROMIS for this population. Thus, the purpose of this study is to provide insight on the utilization, advantages, and disadvantages of PROMIS within the field of knee arthroplasty and to provide a comparison to legacy PROMs.

Adjustable-loop cortical suspension device for posterolateral corner reconstruction in the setting of fibular avulsion fracture: a case series and novel technique description.

INTRODUCTION: A novel technique using an adjustable-loop cortical suspension toggle device for reduction of a fibular head avulsion fracture (arcuate fracture) in posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction is described. Results of clinical follow-up are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 9 patients were retrospectively identified who underwent posterolateral corner reconstruction using an adjustable-loop cortical suspension toggle device. Radiographic examination was used to evaluate the successful healing of the avulsed fibular head fragments post-operatively. RESULTS: 7 patients reported satisfactory results with their clinical outcome with no feelings of knee instability or objective instability on exam at final follow-up. Post-operative radiographs obtained > 6 months following reconstruction demonstrated well reduced and healed fracture in 5 of 6 patients, with 1 patient demonstrating maintained reduction but incomplete fracture union at 6 months. CONCLUSION: This novel surgical technique for PLC reconstruction with an avulsed fibular head fracture is a viable alternative to previously described methods. The majority of patients report subjective satisfaction with a stable knee post-operatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Outcomes After Arthroscopic Revision Bankart Repair: An Updated Systematic Review of Recent Literature.

PURPOSE: To provide an update of recent literature with a specialized focus on clinical outcomes following arthroscopic revision Bankart repair (ARBR) by performing a systematic review of all available literature published between 2013 and 2020. METHODS: A literature search reporting clinical outcomes after ARBR was performed. Criteria for inclusion consisted of original studies; Level of Evidence of I-IV; studies focusing on clinical outcomes after ARBR published between January 1, 2013, and January 4, 2021; studies reporting recurrent dislocation or instability rate after ARBR; reoperation/revision following ARBR, return to sport rates following ARBR; and patient-reported outcomes. The primary outcomes of interest were failure defined as recurrent instability or dislocation, return to sport rates, and patient-reported outcomes at follow-up. RESULTS: A large proportion of patients undergoing arthroscopic revision Bankart repair were male, ranging between 67.7% and 93.8%. Failure rate and return to sports rate ranged between 6.1% and 46.8% and 25.9% and 88.3%, respectively, when patients with significant or greater than 20% glenoid bone loss was excluded. Patient-reported outcome scores, which included American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test, and visual analog scale, saw significant improvement over mean follow-up of ranging 21.64 to 60 months. CONCLUSIONS: Both the failure rate and RTS rates after ARBR had a wide range, given the heterogeneity of the studies included, which varied in patient selection criteria pertaining to patients with greater than 20% glenoid bone. Although there have been advancements in arthroscopic techniques and a trend favoring arthroscopic stabilization procedures, there is a lack of consensus in recent literature for careful patient selection criteria that would minimize failure rates and maximize RTS rates after ARBR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, a systematic review of Level III-IV studies.

Isolated Osteochondral Autograft Versus Allograft Transplantation for the Treatment of Symptomatic Cartilage Lesions of the Knee: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Focal cartilage lesions of the knee remain a difficult entity to treat. Current treatment options include arthroscopic debridement, microfracture, autograft or allograft osteochondral transplantation, and cell-based therapies such as autologous chondrocyte transplantation. Osteochondral transplantation techniques restore the normal topography of the condyles and provide mature hyaline cartilage in a single-stage procedure. However, clinical outcomes comparing autograft versus allograft techniques are scarce. PURPOSE: To perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of high-quality studies to evaluate the results of osteochondral autograft and allograft transplantation for the treatment of symptomatic cartilage defects of the knee. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using various databases. Inclusion criteria were level 1 or 2 original studies, studies with patients reporting knee cartilage injuries and chondral defects, mean follow-up ≥2 years, and studies focusing on osteochondral transplant techniques. Exclusion criteria were studies with nonknee chondral defects, studies reporting clinical outcomes of osteochondral autograft or allograft combined with other procedures, animal studies, cadaveric studies, non-English language studies, case reports, and reviews or editorials. Primary outcomes included patient-reported outcomes and failure rates associated with both techniques, and factors such as lesion size, age, sex, and the number of plugs transplanted were assessed. Metaregression using a mixed-effects model was utilized for meta-analyses. RESULTS: The search resulted in 20 included studies with 364 cases of osteochondral autograft and 272 cases of osteochondral allograft. Mean postoperative survival was 88.2% in the osteochondral autograft cohort as compared with 87.2% in the osteochondral allograft cohort at 5.4 and 5.2 years, respectively (P = .6605). Patient-reported outcomes improved by an average of 65.1% and 81.1% after osteochondral autograft and allograft, respectively (P = .0001). However, meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in patient-reported outcome percentage change between osteochondral autograft and allograft (P = .97) and a coefficient of 0.033 (95% CI, -1.91 to 1.98). Meta-analysis of the relative risk of graft failure after osteochondral autograft versus allograft showed no significant differences (P = .66) and a coefficient of 0.114 (95% CI, -0.46 to 0.69). Furthermore, the regression did not find other predictors (mean age, percentage of female patients, lesion size, number of plugs/grafts used, and treatment location) that may have significantly affected patient-reported outcome percentage change or postoperative failure between osteochondral autograft versus allograft. CONCLUSION: Osteochondral autograft and allograft result in favorable patient-reported outcomes and graft survival rates at medium-term follow-up. While predictors for outcomes such as mean age, percentage of female patients, lesion size, number of plugs/grafts used, and treatment location did not affect the comparison of the 2 cohorts, proper patient selection for either procedure remains paramount to the success and potentially long-term viability of the graft.

Fractures of the posterior malleolus: a systematic review and analysis of patient-reported outcome scale selection.

PURPOSE: Despite the extensive use of PROs in ankle fracture research, no study has quantified which PROs are most commonly used for assessing outcomes of patients who sustain fractures of the posterior malleolus. The purpose of this study was therefore to quantify which PROs are most commonly used for outcome research after posterior malleolus fractures. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Articles were identified through Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and cochrane central register of controlled trials through May of 2021. Included articles were analyzed for the primary outcome of the most commonly reported PRO. RESULTS: The American orthopedic foot and ankle ankle-hindfoot score (AOFAS) was the most commonly used PRO for assessment of posterior malleolus fracture outcomes, used in 37 of 72 studies (51.4%). The second and third most common were the olerud-molander ankle score (OMAS) (22 studies, 30.6%) and the visual analogue score (VAS) (21 studies, 29.2%). Eleven different PROs were used only once. Quality of evidence was graded as low given the percentage of studies that were observational or case series (68 of 72 studies, 94.4%). CONCLUSION: Investigators have used many different PROs to assess outcomes for posterior malleolus fractures, the most common of which are the AOFAS, OMAS, and VAS. Future investigators should attempt to unify outcome reporting for these injuries.