Factors influencing operative time in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a comparison of knotless single-row vs. transosseous equivalent dual-row techniques.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (aRCR), there remains considerable debate on the benefits of a dual-row vs. a single-row (SR) repair technique. This study compares operative time of a knotless SR technique with transosseous equivalent (TOE) dual-row technique for aRCR and defines patient-specific factors that affect operative time. METHODS: Data from 118 patients who underwent aRCR with a knotless SR technique was compared with data from 95 patients who underwent aRCR with a TOE technique by a single surgeon between 2014 and 2018. Baseline patient demographic information and operative time were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Subgroup analysis was performed to determine if demographic information or tear size influenced operative time. RESULTS: The average operative time in the SR group was 75.68 minutes and the average operative time in the TOE group was 89.24 minutes (P < .001). When controlling for all concomitant procedures, the operative time in the TOE group was 8.1 minutes longer than the SR group (P = .029). Average tear size in an anterior-posterior direction was larger in the TOE group vs. the SR group, 26.09 mm vs. 15.18 mm (P < .001). CONCLUSION: When controlling for concomitant procedures, a knotless, TOE dual-row technique for aRCR adds an average of 8 minutes' operative time compared with a knotless SR technique. This was despite a significantly larger tear size in the TOE group.

Simplified Technique for Superior Capsular Reconstruction Using an Acellular Dermal Allograft.

Superior capsular reconstruction is a powerful tool for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Several authors have described this evolving technique. Issues of graft sizing, graft passage, graft tensioning, and suture management make this a challenging procedure even in the hands of experienced shoulder surgeons. We describe our arthroscopic technique for superior capsular reconstruction using nonirradiated human acellular dermis. We introduce several techniques for graft passage and tensioning that may help to simplify this challenging procedure and make it more reproducible.

Total Knee Arthroplasty After Knee Arthroscopy in Patients Older Than 50 Years.

Several orthopedic registries have described the incidence of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients who have undergone knee arthroscopy. Patient risk factors may play a role in the conversion rate from knee arthroscopy to TKA. This study quantifies the incidence of conversion of knee arthroscopy to TKA from a US mixed-payer database and describes some common patient risk factors for conversion. The medical records of more than 50 million patients who were treated between 1998 and 2014 were mined with a commercially available software platform. During the study period, a total of 68,090 patients older than 50 years underwent knee arthroscopy for partial meniscectomy, chondroplasty, or debridement. Reported rates of TKA at 1, 2, and 3 years after arthroscopy were 10.1%, 13.7%, and 15.6%, respectively. Obesity, depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and age 70 years and older were associated with increased relative risk of conversion to TKA at 2 years. When obesity was combined individually with the top 5 other risk factors, no combination produced a higher relative risk than that of obesity alone. Patients who were 50 to 54 years of age had the lowest incidence of conversion to TKA (8.3%, P<.001). Men had a lower incidence of conversion to TKA (11.3%) than women (15.8%, P<.001). This information can help surgeons to counsel patients on the incidence of TKA after knee arthroscopy and identify preoperative risk factors that increase risk. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(6):e1041-e1044.].

Rib Stress Fracture in a Collegiate Softball Pitcher: A Case Report.

CASE: We present the case of a twenty-one-year-old right-hand-throwing, right-hand-batting female softball pitcher who presented with a three-month history of right rib pain. A bone scan showed increased uptake in the lateral aspect of the right seventh rib, consistent with a stress fracture. The patient was managed nonoperatively and made a full recovery. CONCLUSION: The forces created by the attachment of the serratus anterior during underhand throwing are the likely etiology of the injury in our patient. Physicians should maintain a high clinical index of suspicion for stress fracture in underhand athletes with lateral rib pain.