Superior Capsular Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate surgical techniques and clinical outcomes of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. METHODS: A systematic review was registered with PROSPERO and performed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. The PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched. Studies investigating SCR with reported surgical techniques were included. Animal studies, cadaveric studies, review studies, and letters to the editor were excluded. The technical aspects of the surgical techniques for SCR were analyzed in each article, which included graft type, glenoid fixation method, greater tuberosity fixation method, graft passage technique, suture management, margin convergence, concomitant procedures, and postoperative rehabilitation protocol. Clinical outcomes, when available, were also analyzed. RESULTS: We screened 365 articles, of which 29 described surgical techniques for SCR. According to the Modified Coleman Methodology Score, 24 articles were rated as poor (score < 55), 4 were rated as fair (score between 55 and 69), and 1 was rated as good (score between 70 and 84), with an average score of 25.8 ± 20.9. The most commonly performed technique for SCR used the following: an acellular dermal allograft, 2 biocomposite suture anchors for glenoid fixation, transosseous-equivalent double-row suture anchor fixation for greater tuberosity fixation with 2 biocomposite medial-row anchors and 2 biocomposite lateral-row anchors, the double-pulley technique combined with an arthroscopic grasper and/or pull suture to pass the graft into the shoulder, the performance of both anterior and posterior margin convergence, and a native rotator cuff repair when possible. Only 8 studies reported clinical outcomes, and they showed that SCR provides significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes, significant improvement in shoulder range of motion, variable graft failure rates, low complication rates, and variable reoperation rates. There were no studies comparing outcomes among the various surgical techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Many surgical techniques exist for arthroscopic SCR. However, no superior technique was shown because there were no studies comparing clinical outcomes among these various techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, systematic review of Level III, IV, and V studies.

Worse Preoperative Pain and Higher Activity Levels Predict Patient Choice of Formal Physical Therapy After Primary Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is (1) to compare the efficacy of supervised formal physical therapy (PT) and self-directed home exercises and (2) to identify independent predictors of transitioning from self-directed home exercises to supervised formal PT following total hip arthroplasty (THA) via an anterior approach. METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, 147 patients undergoing primary unilateral THA through anterior approach were enrolled and randomized to receive either clinic or home-based PT. Surveys with Hip Disability Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (HOOS) and Short Form-12 Health Survey scores for both groups were obtained before surgery and at 6, 14, and 24 weeks after surgery. Patients had the option to transition into the other study group at their 6-week follow-up visit. RESULTS: Of the 147 patients enrolled, final analysis included scores for 136 patients. Forty-two (63.6%) of the 66 patients randomized to the supervised formal PT group crossed over to self-directed home exercise group and 12 (17.1%) of the 70 patients randomized to the self-directed home exercise group crossed over to supervised formal PT group. There were no significant (P > .05) differences between groups at all time points for the overall HOOS and Short Form-12 Health Survey. Subjects with worse preoperative pain scores (P = .005) and higher HOOS preoperative activity of daily living scores (P = .015) were more likely to transition from the home exercise group to formal PT group. CONCLUSION: There were no significant outcome score differences between subjects undergoing supervised formal PT and self-directed home exercises. However, patients reporting worse preoperative pain and higher preoperative activity levels may prefer supervised formal PT compared to self-directed home exercises after undergoing primary anterior THA.

Gender-Specific Sexual Activity After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: Position Matters.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence on the safety of return to sexual activity after hip arthroscopy. AIM: To determine the positional safety of sexual activity after hip arthroscopy relative to hip instability and/or impingement risk. STUDY DESIGN: This study is an observational study. METHODS: 12 common sexual positions were identified based on previous research. Gender-specific hip motion was then assessed for the possibility of postarthroscopic hip instability (due to disruption of iliofemoral ligament [interportal capsulotomy] repair) and/or impingement (labral or capsular compressive stress with disrupted repair) for all 12 positions (both right and left hips; 15 unique male and 14 unique female positions). Instability risk was defined as greater than 0° hip extension, greater than 30° external rotation (ER), or greater than 30° abduction. Impingement risk was defined as greater than 90° hip flexion, greater than 10° internal rotation, and greater than 10° adduction. OUTCOMES: A majority of both male and female sexual positions caused either instability or impingement, with only 4 positions in women and 4 positions in men deemed "safe" by avoiding excessive hip motion. RESULTS: Return to sexual activity after hip arthroscopy may cause instability in 10/15 of male positions and 5/14 female positions. Most male positions (6/10) were at risk for instability because of excessive ER. 2 positions were unstable because of a combination of ER and extension, one was due to extension, and one abduction. In female instability positions, all 5 were unstable because of excessive abduction. Impingement may be observed in 5 of 15 male positions and 6 of 14 female positions. In male impingement positions, all were due to excessive adduction. 4 female positions risked impingement due to excessive flexion and 2 positions due to internal rotation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates risks that should be considered when counseling patients preoperatively and postoperatively regarding sexual activity. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study closely models a hip preservation patient population by using 2 young and otherwise healthy individuals. The most significant limitation of this investigation was its basis with only 2 young healthy volunteers (one male, one female) in a single motion capture session using surface-based spherical retroreflective markers from a previous investigation. CONCLUSION: After hip arthroscopy, patients need to be made aware of the possibility of hip instability (10 of 15 men; 5 of 14 women) and impingement (5 of 15 men; 6 of 14 women) due to excessive hip motion that may compromise their outcome. Morehouse H, Sochacki KR, Nho SJ, et al. Gender-Specific Sexual Activity After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: Position Matters. J Sex Med 2020;17:658-664.

Reoperation Rates Following Meniscus Transplantation Using the Truven Database.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the (1) reoperation rate and (2) 30-day complication rate in a large insurance database. METHODS: The Truven Database was queried for subjects that underwent meniscus allograft transplantation (Current Procedural Terminology code 29868) in the outpatient setting with minimal 2-year follow-up. Patients without confirmed laterality and patients that underwent concomitant ligament reconstruction were excluded. Reoperation was defined by ipsilateral knee procedure after the index surgery. The 30-day postoperative complication rates were assessed using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. RESULTS: A total of 284 patients (mean age of 26.2 ± 10.4 years; 49.6% females) were included in this study with mean follow up of 43.2 ± 19.2 months. One hundred and sixty-seven subjects (58.8%) undergoing meniscus allograft transplantation underwent reoperation at an average of 11.9 ± 12.2 months postoperatively. There was a low number of subjects that required ipsilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty postoperatively (0.7% and 1.1%, respectively). The overall 30-day complication rate following meniscus allograft transplantation was 1.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing meniscus allograft transplantation have a 58.8% reoperation rate at final follow up with low (1.4%) 30-day complication rates in a large insurance database. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Sham Surgery Studies in Orthopaedic Surgery May Just Be a Sham: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: To determine the limitations of randomized sham surgery-controlled trials in orthopaedic sports medicine and fidelity of the trials' conclusions. METHODS: Randomized placebo surgery-controlled trials in orthopaedic sports medicine were included in this Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-guided systematic review. Several aspects of investigation design and conduct were analyzed: genetic analysis for propensity to placebo response, equipoise of informed consent process, geography of trial subjects, percentage of eligible subjects willing to be randomized, changes from protocol publication to results publication, and perioperative complications. RESULTS: Seven sham surgery-controlled trials (845 subjects [370 knees, 449 shoulders, 26 elbows]; 5 from Europe, 1 from North America, and 1 from Australia; all superiority model, efficacy design) were analyzed. There were consistent methodologic deficiencies across studies. No studies reported genetic analysis of susceptibility to placebo response. Three studies (43%) were underpowered. Crossover rates ranged from 8% to 36%, which led to un-blinding in up to 100% of subjects. There were low enrollment rates of eligible subjects (up to 57% refused randomization). Follow-up was short term (2 years or less in all but one study). Complication rates ranged from 0% to 12.5%, with complications occurring in both groups (no significant difference between groups in any study). CONCLUSIONS: Randomized sham-controlled studies in orthopaedic sports medicine have significant methodologic deficiencies that may invalidate their conclusions. Randomized trial design (with or without placebo control) may be optimized through the inclusion of per-protocol analysis, blinding index, equivalence or noninferiority trial design, and a nontreatment group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II Systematic Review of Level II studies.

Performance and Return to Sport After Hip Arthroscopy in the National Basketball Association.

PURPOSE: To determine: (1) return to sport (RTS) rate in National Basketball Association (NBA) players following hip arthroscopy, (2) postoperative career length and games per season, (3) pre- and postoperative performance, and (4) postoperative performance compared with control players. METHODS: NBA athletes who underwent hip arthroscopy and matched controls were identified. RTS was defined as playing in at least 1 game after surgery. Player efficiency ratings were used for performance evaluation. Continuous variables of each group were compared using a 2-tailed paired samples Student t test for normally distributed data. χ2 was used to analyze categorical data. RTS was used as the primary outcome with statistical significance defined by a P value < .05. A Bonferroni correction was used to control for the remaining multiple comparisons with statistical significance defined by a P value ≤.008. RESULTS: Twenty-three players (24 hips) were analyzed (mean age 27.5 ± 3.1 years; mean experience in the NBA 5.8 ± 2.8 years at time of surgery). Small forwards (n = 8, 33.3%) represented the largest proportion of players that underwent hip arthroscopy. Twenty players (21 surgeries, 87.5%) were able to RTS in NBA at an average of 5.7 ± 2.6 months. The overall 1-year NBA career survival rate of players undergoing hip arthroscopy was 79.2%. Players in the control group (5.2 ± 3.5 years) had a similar career length as (P = .068) players who underwent surgery (4.4 ± 3.0 years). There was no significant (P = .045) decrease in games per season following surgery. There was no significant difference in performance postoperatively compared with preoperatively (P = .017) and compared with matched controls following surgery (P = .570). CONCLUSIONS: The RTS rate for NBA athletes after hip arthroscopy is high. There was no decrease in games played, career lengths, or performance following hip arthroscopy in NBA players versus preoperatively and matched controls. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III case-control study.

Performance and Return to Sport After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement in Professional Athletes Differs Between Sports.

PURPOSE: To determine (1) return-to-sport rates for National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League (NHL) athletes after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, (2) postoperative return-to-sport rate differences between sports, (3) differences in postoperative career length and games per season, (4) differences in preoperative and postoperative performance, and (5) postoperative performance compared with that of matched control players. METHODS: Professional athletes who underwent hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome were identified. Matched control players were identified by position, age, experience, and performance. Return to sport was defined as playing in at least 1 game after surgery. Continuous variables for each group were compared by using a 2-tailed paired-samples Student t test or χ2 test. A Bonferroni correction was used to control for multiple comparisons with statistical significance defined by a P value < .002. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two players (86.4%) (mean age, 28.8 ± 5.2 years) were able to return to sport at an average of 7.1 ± 4.1 months. Athletes played 3.5 ± 2.4 years after surgery without significant differences between sports (P > .002). NHL players who underwent surgery played significantly fewer years (4.4 vs 3.3 years) (P < .001) and fewer games per season (4 fewer games) (P <.001) after surgery compared with control players. NHL players also had a significant decrease in performance after surgery compared with their performance before surgery (P < .001). In National Football League, Major League Baseball, and National Basketball Association athletes, no significant differences were found in games per season, career length, or preoperative performance compared with postoperative performance and performance of matched control players (P > .002). CONCLUSION: The RTS rate for professional athletes after surgery for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is high. Only NHL athletes had significantly shorter careers and played significantly fewer games per season compared with matched control players, with no difference between sports. NHL athletes had significantly worse postoperative performance compared with preoperative performance, with all other sports demonstrating a career-related decline similar to that of matched control players.

Superior Capsular Reconstruction for Massive Rotator Cuff Tear Leads to Significant Improvement in Range of Motion and Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To determine if arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears results in statistically significant and clinically significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes and shoulder range of motion with low graft failure, complication, and reoperation rates. METHODS: A systematic review was registered with PROSPERO and performed using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases were searched. Studies investigating superior capsular reconstruction in adults were included. Animal, cadaveric, and review studies, letters to the editor, and technique papers were excluded. Study methodological quality was analyzed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. Shoulder motion and patient-reported outcome scores were analyzed. Statistical significance was defined by P < .05, and clinical significance was defined by the minimal clinically important difference. RESULTS: Six articles (286 subjects, 292 shoulders, 67.7% males, mean age 63.4 ± 4.1 years, mean follow-up 25.7 ± 14.5 months) were analyzed. The methodological quality was fair (59.7 ± 13.8). Five studies reported significant improvement in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score (mean range: 30-55, P < .001 for all). Visual analog scale (VAS) scores significantly improved in 3 studies (mean range: 2.5-5.9, P < .001 for 2 and P = .005 for 1). Shoulder forward flexion (mean range: 28°-56°, P < .001 for 2 and P = .04 for 1) significantly increased in 3 studies. One hundred percent of subjects from 2 studies had clinically significant improvement in ASES and VAS scores and shoulder forward flexion. Thirty-six subjects (14.2% of 254) had graft failure on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eleven subjects (3.8%) had complications, and 34 (11.7%) underwent reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears results in statistically significant and clinically significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes and shoulder range of motion with low graft failure, complication, and reoperation rates at short-term follow-up in fair-quality studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

Hamstring Autograft Versus Hybrid Graft in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Comparative Studies.

PURPOSE: To compare (1) patient-reported outcomes, (2) objective knee measures of stability, (3) failures, and (4) reoperations after primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with semitendinosus-gracilis autograft versus autograft-allograft hybrid grafts. METHODS: We performed a systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Multiple databases were searched for studies that compared outcomes of ACL reconstruction with semitendinosus-gracilis autograft versus autograft-allograft hybrid grafts in adult human patients with minimum 2-year follow-up. Knee-specific patient-reported outcome scores, objective knee measures of stability, failures, and reoperations were reported for each study and compared between semitendinosus-gracilis autografts and hybrid grafts. Study heterogeneity and levels of evidence precluded meta-analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 6 articles (544 patients; 54.5% male patients; mean age, 30.9 ± 3.9 years; mean follow-up period, 43.6 ± 15.5 months). Of 6 studies, 4 showed no significant differences in International Knee Documentation Committee and Lysholm scores between the semitendinosus-gracilis autograft and hybrid groups. Five of six studies showed no significant differences in KT-1000 measurements between groups. The risk of ACL failure ranged from 3.2% to 8.4% for semitendinosus-gracilis autografts and from 2.4% to 14.3% for hybrid grafts, with no study reporting a significant difference in failure rates between groups. The reoperation rate in the subjects undergoing ACL reconstruction with semitendinosus-gracilis autografts and hybrid grafts ranged from 2.8% to 10.3% and from 2.4% to 48.3%, respectively. In 5 of 6 studies, no significant differences in reoperation rates were found between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies reported no significant differences in patient-reported outcome scores, objective knee measures of stability, and reoperation rates between semitendinosus-gracilis autografts and hybrid grafts. No significant difference in ACL failure rates was found between groups in any study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, systematic review of Level II and III studies.

There Is a Significant Discrepancy Between "Big Data" Database and Original Research Publications on Hip Arthroscopy Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare (1) major complication, (2) revision, and (3) conversion to arthroplasty rates following hip arthroscopy between database studies and original research peer-reviewed publications. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, SCOPUS, SportDiscus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies that investigated major complication (dislocation, femoral neck fracture, avascular necrosis, fluid extravasation, septic arthritis, death), revision, and hip arthroplasty conversion rates following hip arthroscopy. Major complication, revision, and conversion to hip arthroplasty rates were compared between original research (single- or multicenter therapeutic studies) and database (insurance database using ICD-9/10 and/or current procedural terminology coding terminology) publishing studies. RESULTS: Two hundred seven studies (201 original research publications [15,780 subjects; 54% female] and 6 database studies [20,825 subjects; 60% female]) were analyzed (mean age, 38.2 ± 11.6 years old; mean follow-up, 2.7 ± 2.9 years). The database studies had a significantly higher age (40.6 + 2.8 vs 35.4 ± 11.6), body mass index (27.4 ± 5.6 vs 24.9 ± 3.1), percentage of females (60.1% vs 53.8%), and longer follow-up (3.1 ± 1.6 vs 2.7 ± 3.0) compared with original research (P < .0001 for all). Ninety-seven (0.6%) major complications occurred in the individual studies, and 95 (0.8%) major complications occurred in the database studies (P = .029; relative risk [RR], 1.3). There was a significantly higher rate of femoral neck fracture (0.24% vs 0.03%; P < .0001; RR, 8.0), and hip dislocation (0.17% vs 0.06%; P = .023; RR, 2.2) in the database studies. Reoperations occurred at a significantly higher rate in the database studies (11.1% vs 7.3%; P < .001; RR, 1.5). There was a significantly higher rate of conversion to arthroplasty in the database studies (8.0% vs 3.7%; P < .001; RR, 2.2). CONCLUSIONS: Database studies report significantly increased major complication, revision, and conversion to hip arthroplasty rates compared with original research investigations of hip arthroscopy outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level I-IV studies.

Are Self-Reported Medication Allergies Associated With Worse Hip Outcome Scores Prior to Hip Arthroscopy?

PURPOSE: To determine if there are significant differences in preoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores in patients with and without self-reported medication allergies undergoing hip arthroscopy. METHODS: Consecutive subjects undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. PROs were collected within 6 weeks of the date of surgery. PROs included International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and Short-Form (SF-12) scores. Allergies to medications were self-reported preoperatively within 6 weeks of the date of surgery. Patient demographics were recorded. Bivariate correlations and multivariate regression models were calculated to identify associations with baseline hip outcome scores. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve subjects were analyzed (56% female, mean age 35.1 ± 13.2 years). Seventy-two subjects (34%) self-reported allergies (range 1-10; 41 subjects had 1 allergy; 14 subjects had 2; 8 subjects had 3; 2 subjects had 4; 7 subjects had 5 or more). The most commonly reported allergies included penicillin (18), sulfa (13), and codeine (11). Female gender was significantly correlated with number of allergies (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.188; P < .001). SF-12 Mental Component Score (MCS) was significantly correlated with HOS-ADL (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.389; P < .001), HOS-SSS (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.251; P < .001), and iHOT-12 (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.385; P < .001). There was no significant correlation between number of allergies and all hip PROs. In all multivariate models, the SF-12 MCS had the strongest association with HOS-ADL, HOS-SSS, and iHOT-12 (P < .001 for all). Allergies were not significantly associated with any hip PROs. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI syndrome, self-reported medication allergies are not significantly associated with preoperative patient-reported hip outcome scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative case series.

Preoperative Depression Is Negatively Associated With Function and Predicts Poorer Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement.

PURPOSE: (1) To determine the prevalence of depression in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome and (2) to determine whether depression has a statistically significant and clinically relevant effect on preoperative and postoperative patient-reported outcome scores. METHODS: Consecutive subjects undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI syndrome were retrospectively reviewed. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and 33-item International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33) were administered preoperatively and postoperatively. Clinically relevant differences were defined by the minimal clinically important difference, substantial clinical benefit, and patient acceptable symptom state. Comparisons between preoperative and postoperative scores were completed. The Spearman correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the degree of correlation between the BDI-II score, HOS, and iHOT-33 score preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: We analyzed 77 patients (72.7% female patients; mean age, 35.2 ± 12.5 years). Depressive symptoms were reported as minimal (75.3%), mild (11.7%), moderate (6.5%), or severe (6.5%). Patients with minimal or mild depression had a superior HOS Activities of Daily Living (Δ17.3 preoperatively [P < .001] and Δ37.8 postoperatively [P < .001]), HOS Sport-Specific Subscore (Δ12.8 preoperatively [P = .002] and Δ52.1 postoperatively [P < .0001]), and iHOT-33 score (Δ15.4 preoperatively [P < .0001] and Δ51.3 postoperatively [P < .0001]) compared with patients with moderate or severe depression. There was a weak to moderate negative correlation between the BDI-II score and iHOT-33 score (r = -0.4614, P < .0001 preoperatively; r = -0.327, P < .0001 at 1 year), HOS Activities of Daily Living (r = -0.531, P < .0001 preoperatively), and HOS Sport-Specific Subscore (r = -0.379, P < .0017 at 1 year). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI have minimal depressive symptoms with the overall prevalence higher than the general population. Patients with minimal or mild depressive symptoms have statistically and clinically better preoperative and postoperative patient-reported outcomes, are more likely to obtain substantial clinical benefit from surgery, and are more likely to reach a patient acceptable symptom state after surgery than patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Radiographic comparison of finned, cementless central pegged glenoid component and conventional cemented pegged glenoid component in total shoulder arthroplasty: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Radiographic lucency of the glenoid component remains a problem after cement fixation in primary total shoulder arthroplasty. Glenoid component design likely contributes to rates of glenoid lucency. The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare radiographic lucency between a finned, cementless central pegged glenoid component (CL component) and a conventional cemented pegged glenoid component (P component) on immediate postoperative and minimum 2-year follow-up radiographs. METHODS: Fifty-four patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty were prospectively randomized to receive an all-polyethylene CL component or a conventional all-polyethylene P component. Three raters graded glenoid lucency and bone interdigitation on immediate postoperative and latest follow-up radiographs. Patients who had undergone revision surgery or had died before evaluation were excluded. Minimum 2-year follow-up was required for inclusion of radiographic evaluation. RESULTS: Fifty patients met inclusion criteria; 42 patients (84%; 20 CL and 22 P) were available for follow-up with the original glenoid implant in place. The mean follow-up duration was 35 months (24-64 months). There were no significant differences in glenoid radiolucency between CL (1/20 [5%]) and P (2/22 [9%]) components at last follow-up (P = .999). Five patients (25%) in the CL group had bone interdigitation. No instances of aseptic glenoid loosening occurred. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the rate of glenoid lucency between the 2 groups at immediate or an average 35-month follow-up. Both techniques appear to be viable options for initial glenoid component fixation, with CL components allowing possible osseointegration, imparting potential long-term stability.

Arthroscopic Debridement for Primary Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Elbow Leads to Significant Improvement in Range of Motion and Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether arthroscopic debridement of primary elbow osteoarthritis results in statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in (1) elbow range of motion and (2) clinical outcomes with (3) low complication and reoperation rates. METHODS: A systematic review was registered with PROSPERO and performed using PRISMA guidelines. Databases were searched for studies that investigated the outcomes of arthroscopic debridement for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis of the elbow in adult human patients. Study methodological quality was analyzed. Studies that included post-traumatic arthritis were excluded. Elbow motion and all elbow-specific patient-reported outcome scores were eligible for analysis. Comparisons between preoperative and postoperative values from each study were made using 2-sample Z-tests (http://in-silico.net/tools/statistics/ztest) using a P value < .05. RESULTS: Nine articles (209 subjects, 213 elbows, 187 males, 22 females, mean age 45.7 ± 7.1 years, mean follow-up 41.7 ± 16.3. months; 75% right, 25% left; 79% dominant elbow, 21% nondominant) were analyzed. Elbow extension (23.4°-10.7°, Δ 12.7°), flexion (115.9°-128.7°, Δ 12.8°), and global arc of motion (94.5°-117.6°, Δ 23.1°) had statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement following arthroscopic debridement (P < .0001 for all). There was also a statistically significant (P < .0001) and clinically relevant improvement in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (60.7-84.6, Δ 23.9) postoperatively. Six patients (2.8%) had postoperative complications. Nine (4.2%) underwent reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Elbow arthroscopic debridement for primary degenerative osteoarthritis results in statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in elbow range of motion and clinical outcomes with low complication and reoperation rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review of level IV studies.

High complication rate in locking plate fixation of lower periprosthetic distal femur fractures in patients with total knee arthroplasties.

Fixation of the distal portion of the femur in patients with total knee arthroplasties can be challenging. Locking plates have emerged as a promising treatment. Twenty-seven patients with periprosthetic distal femur fractures after total knee arthroplasties were treated using a contralateral reverse distal femoral locking plate. The average time for union and weight-bearing was 4.5 ± 2.7 months. The union rate was 89%. Thirty-seven percent experienced complications, with 2 delayed unions (7.4%), 1 nonunion (3.7%), and 7 fixation failures (26%). Alteration in blood supply and biomechanics as well as poor existing bone quality and minimal distal femur bone stock may contribute to treatment difficulties.

Relationship of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Origin on the Distal Femur to the Distal Femoral Physis: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and the distal femoral physis has been reported in multiple studies. PURPOSE: To determine the distance from the MPFL central origin on the distal femur to the medial distal femoral physis in skeletally immature participants. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Multiple databases were searched for studies investigating the anatomic origin of the MPFL on the distal femur and its relationship to the medial distal femoral physis in skeletally immature participants. Study methodological quality was analyzed with the Anatomical Quality Assessment tool, with studies categorized as low risk, high risk, or unclear risk of bias. Continuous variable data were reported as mean ± SD. Categorical variable data were reported as frequency with percentage. RESULTS: Seven articles were analyzed (298 femurs, 53.7% male patients; mean age, 11.7 ± 3.4 years). There was low risk of bias based on the Anatomical Quality Assessment tool. The distance from the MPFL origin to the distal femoral physis ranged from 3.7 mm proximal to the physis to 10.0 mm distal to the physis in individual studies. Six of 7 studies reported that the MPFL origin on the distal femur lies distal to the medial distal femoral physis in the majority of specimens. The MPFL originated distal to the medial distal femoral physis in 92.8% of participants at a mean distance of 6.9 ± 2.4 mm. CONCLUSION: The medial patellofemoral ligament originates distal to the medial distal femoral physis in the majority of cases at a mean proximal-to-distal distance of 7 mm distal to the physis. However, this is variable in the literature owing to study design and patient age and sex.

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling reveals distinct mechanical responses between normal and diseased tendon progenitor cells.

Regenerative medicine approaches utilizing stem cells offer a promising strategy to address tendinopathy, a class of common tendon disorders associated with pain and impaired function. Tendon progenitor cells (TPCs) are important in healing and maintaining tendon tissues. Here we provide a comprehensive single cell transcriptomic profiling of TPCs from three normal and three clinically classified tendinopathy samples in response to mechanical stimuli. Analysis reveals seven distinct TPC subpopulations including subsets that are responsive to the mechanical stress, highly clonogenic, and specialized in cytokine or growth factor expression. The single cell transcriptomic profiling of TPCs and their subsets serves as a foundation for further investigation into the pathology and molecular hallmarks of tendinopathy in mechanical stimulation conditions.

Double Tension Slide Technique as a Novel Repair for Distal Biceps Tendon Tear: A Biomechanical Evaluation.

Background A comparative biomechanical analysis of two distal biceps tendon repair techniques was performed: a single suture tension slide technique (TST) and two suture double tension slide (DTS) technique. Methodology Ten matched pairs of fresh frozen human cadaveric elbows (20 elbows) were randomly separated into two cohorts for distal biceps tendon repair. One cohort underwent the TST, and the other underwent the DTS technique. The tendon was preconditioned with cyclic loading from 0° to 90° at 0.5 Hz for 3,600 cycles with a 50 N load. The specimens were then loaded to failure at a rate of 1 mm/s. The difference in the load to failure between the groups was analyzed using the Student's t test. The mode of failure was compared between groups using the chi-square test. All p-values were reported with significance set at p < 0.05. Results Overall, 77.8% of the included matched pairs demonstrated greater load to failure in the DTS group. The mean load to failure in the DTS group was 383.3 ± 149.3 N compared to 275.8 ± 98.1 N in the TST group (p = 0.13). The DTS specimens failed at the tendon (5/9), suture (3/9), and bone (1/9). The TST specimens failed at the tendon (4/9) and suture (5/9) only. There was no significant difference in failure type between groups (p = 0.76). Conclusions DTS demonstrates a similar to greater load to failure compared to TST with a trend towards statistical significance. The redundancy provided by the second suture has an inherent advantage without compromising the biomechanical testing.

Concomitant Osteotomy Reduces Risk of Reoperation Following Cartilage Restoration Procedures of the Knee: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the (1) reoperation rates, (2) 30-day complication rates, and (3) cost differences between patients undergoing isolated autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) or osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) procedures alone versus patients with concomitant osteotomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study, level III. DESIGN: Patients who underwent knee ACI (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] 27412) or OCA (CPT 27415) with minimum 2-year follow-up were queried from a national insurance database. Resulting cohorts of patients that underwent ACI and OCA were then divided into patients who underwent isolated cartilage restoration procedure and patients who underwent concomitant osteotomy (CPT 27457, 27450, 27418). Reoperation was defined by ipsilateral knee procedure after the index surgery. The 30-day postoperative complication rates were assessed using ICD-9-CM codes. The cost per patient was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 1,113 patients (402 ACI, 67 ACI + osteotomy, 552 OCA, 92 OCA + osteotomy) were included (mean follow-up of 39.0 months). Reoperation rate was significantly higher after isolated ACI or OCA compared to ACI or OCA plus concomitant osteotomy (ACI 68.7% vs. ACI + osteotomy 23.9%; OCA 34.8% vs. OCA + osteotomy 16.3%). Overall complication rates were similar between isolated ACI (3.0%) and ACI + osteotomy (4.5%) groups and OCA (2.5%) and OCA + osteotomy (3.3%) groups. Payments were significantly higher in the osteotomy groups at day of surgery and 9 months compared to isolated ACI or OCA, but costs were similar by 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant osteotomy at the time of index ACI or OCA procedure significantly reduces the risk of reoperation with a similar rate of complications and similar overall costs compared with isolated ACI or OCA.