Outcomes after débridement, antibiotics, and implant retention for prosthetic joint infection in shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo total shoulder arthroplasty usually have excellent long-term outcomes. However, a subset of patients is diagnosed with a prosthetic joint infection (PJI) requiring revision procedures and prolonged recovery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate rates of recurrent shoulder PJI in patients undergoing débridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR), single-stage revision, and 2-stage revision. We also sought to compare outcomes and complications across procedures. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted for patients diagnosed with PJI after primary shoulder arthroplasty between January 2010 and August 2021. Patients were included if they underwent treatment with DAIR, single-stage revision, or 2-stage revision. Demographic information, surgical details, complications, laboratory data, postoperative antibiotic regimen, and infectious pathogen were collected. Postoperative patient-reported outcomes were collected: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Shoulder Activity Scale, and PROMIS Upper Extremity. Chi-square, t test, and 1-way analysis of variance were used as appropriate to evaluate each factor. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included in the study, 26% treated with DAIR, 9% treated with single-stage revision, and 65% treated with 2-stage revision. There were no significant differences in patient comorbidities. Patients undergoing DAIR were diagnosed significantly earlier than those undergoing single- and 2-stage revision procedures (12.6 ± 22.9 months vs. 49.6 ± 48.4 vs. 25.0 ± 26.6, P = .010). Recurrent PJI was noted in 23.1% of patients: 29.4% of DAIR patients, no single-stage patients, and 23.8% of 2-stage patients (P = .330). Patients undergoing 2-stage revision with treatment failure had a significantly higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (0.2 ± 3.7 vs. 3.7 ± 3.9, P = .027). There was no significant difference in patient-reported outcomes across groups. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing treatment of shoulder PJI with DAIR did not have an increased rate of reinfection compared with single-stage and 2-stage revision procedures. Patients treated with DAIR were diagnosed with PJI significantly earlier than those undergoing single-stage and 2-stage revision procedures. There was no difference in complication rates between groups. This information adds to the body of work detailing outcomes after DAIR for shoulder PJI and provides encouraging data for use in this patient population. Future studies with a larger sample size may be conducted to further investigate specific pathogens, infection timelines, and antibiotic regimens that reduce the risk of treatment failure.

Factors associated with humeral stem revision in anatomic to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty revision.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in implant technology have allowed for modular or platform humeral stem insertion during initial anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). These systems allow for humeral stem retention during conversion to reverse TSA (RTSA). However, some patients still require humeral stem revision when undergoing revision to RTSA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between patient-specific factors and radiographic parameters with humeral stem revision vs. retention during conversion from TSA to RTSA. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent a revision TSA to RTSA between January 2010 and May 2022 at a single institution. Patients were included if their prosthesis included a convertible humeral stem. Patient demographic information, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes and complications were collected. Radiographic parameters were measured by 2 graders on radiographs taken prior to the revision procedure. The need for humeral stem revision and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) scores (preoperative and 2 years) were also noted. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test for categorical variables and t test for continuous variables. RESULTS: One hundred seven patients were included, with 52 undergoing humeral stem revision. Patients were revised an average of 51.0 ± 54 months after primary TSA. Younger patient age (63.6 vs. 68.5 years, P = .017) and use of a lateralized glenosphere (1.6 mm vs. 0.4 mm, P < .001) were significantly associated with need for humeral stem revision. Glenoid to humeral head cut distance (28.3 mm vs. 26.3 mm, P = .076) approached significant association with the need for humeral stem revision. All other measurements were not associated with the need for humeral stem revision. Improvement of ASES scores at 2 years' follow-up was higher in the nonrevised group (increase of 33.4 points) than the revision group (23.3), but this did not reach significance (P = .149). Estimated blood loss and surgical time were significantly higher in the stem revision group than the non-revised group (P = .048 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Younger patients and those receiving a lateralized glenosphere were more likely to undergo humeral stem revision during conversion from TSA to RTSA. Glenoid to the humeral head cut distance should be studied further as a potential indication for humeral stem revision, as it correlates with the space available for a revision implant. This information can guide surgeons with preoperative planning for a revision arthroplasty.

Reinjury Rates in Adolescent Patients 2 Years Following ACL Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Sports injuries have increased dramatically in the pediatric and adolescent population. Return-to-sport testing and criteria are increasingly utilized, however, the guidelines for return to play in adolescents are unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare strength and function at the time of the return-to-sport progression to those with and without a failed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS: A total of 105 adolescent patients with primary ACLR were assessed at the time of return to sport. We identified graft failures/contralateral injury through medical records, clinic visits, or phone interviews at minimum 2 years of postsurgical follow-up. All patients completed bilateral isokinetic strength tests of the knee extensor/flexor groups and hop tests. Strength was expressed as torque-normalized-to-mass (Nm/kg), and limb-symmetry-index was expressed as a percentage of the uninvolved limb's strength. All patients completed outcome surveys. The χ2 analysis was used to compare failures between sexes and graft types. Independent sample t tests were used to compare knee extensor/flexor strength, symmetry, and hop test results between patients with and without secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare knee extensor/flexor strength and symmetry, hop test, and survey results between those (1) without secondary injury, (2) ACLR graft failure, and (3) contralateral ACL injury. RESULTS: A total of 100 of 105 patients (95.2%) were included with 4±1.2 years of follow-up, with 28 (28%) sustaining subsequent injury (12% graft, 16% contralateral). Patients with graft failure demonstrated (1) stronger quadriceps strength (2.00±0.46 Nm/kg) compared with those with contralateral ACL injury (1.58±0.35 Nm/kg, P=0.039) and patients that did not have a secondary injury (1.58±0.44 Nm/kg, P=0.007), (2) greater quadriceps strength symmetry (85.7±0.11.2%) compared with patients without secondary injury ACL (72.9±17.9%, P=0.046), (3) a greater proportion of hamstring grafts compared with those without reinjury (P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent patients who sustained ACLR graft failure had greater and more symmetric quadriceps strength at the time of return to sport compared with patients with no secondary injury. Objective measures of quadriceps strength at the time of the return-to-sport progression may not solely identify individuals that have a secondary ACL injury. STUDY DESIGN: Level IV-retrospective cohort study.

Allograft Bone Dowels Show Better Incorporation in Femoral Versus Tibial Tunnels in 2-Stage Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Computed Tomography-Based Analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the radiographic outcomes of allograft dowels used in 2-stage revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and to compare the incorporation rates of dowels placed in tibial and femoral tunnels. METHODS: Prospective review of patients who underwent 2-stage revision ACLR with allograft bone dowels. Inclusion criteria were tibial/femoral tunnel diameter of ≥14 mm on preoperative computed tomography (CT) or overlapping of prior tunnels with planned tunnels. Second-stage timing was determined based on qualitative dowel integration on CT obtained at ∼3 months after the first stage. Quantitative analysis of incorporation rates was performed with the union ratio (UR) and occupying ratio (OR) on postoperative CT scans. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients, with a mean (SD) age of 32.1 (11.4; range, 18-50) years, were included. Second-stage procedures were performed at a mean (SD) of 6.5 (2.1; range, 2.4-11.5) months after first-stage revision. All dowels showed no signs of degradation at the host bone/graft junction at the second-stage procedure. The mean (SD) diameter of the dowels placed in tibial tunnels was greater than those placed in femoral tunnels (16.1 [2.3] mm vs 12.4 [1.6] mm; P < .05). CT was obtained at a mean (SD) of 121 (28; range, 59-192) days after the first-stage surgery. There was no difference between the OR of femoral and tibial tunnels (mean [SD], 87.6% [4.8%] vs 85.7% [10.1%]; P = .484), but the UR was significantly higher in femoral tunnels (mean [SD], 83% [6.2%] vs 74% [10.5%], P = .005). The intraclass correlation coefficients of OR and UR measurements indicated good reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Allograft bone dowels are a viable graft choice to replenish bone stock in the setting of a staged revision ACL reconstruction. Allograft dowels placed in femoral tunnels had a higher healing union ratio than tibial tunnel allografts and no evidence of degradation at the bone/graft junction, with no difference seen in occupying ratio. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Quadriceps Strength Is Influenced by Skeletal Maturity in Adolescents Recovering From Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries and anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions (ACLRs) are common, especially in adolescent patients. Recovery of strength, jumping performance, and perceived/subjective function are often used to make a return to sports decisions after injury. It is unknown how skeletal maturity may influence strength recovery after ACLR. The purpose of this study was to compare the strength and patient-reported outcomes in adolescent ACLR patients with and without open distal femur and proximal tibia physes. METHODS: One hundred seventeen consecutive patients under the age of 18 were referred for routine strength and subjective outcomes evaluation following ACLR, 100 were included in the final analyses after excluding those with prior injuries, those tested outside for 4 to 12 month postoperative window, and those with incomplete clinical data. All study patients completed patient-reported outcomes, and underwent isometric and isokinetic testing of knee extensor and flexor strength to calculate normalized peak torque and limb symmetry. Statistical analyses were performed on all outcomes data using a 2×2 (physeal status: open, closed; and sex: male, female) with analysis of covariance where age and preoperative activity level were used as covariates. RESULTS: A significant interaction between sex and physeal status for isokinetic knee extension peak torque and isometric knee extension peak torque, and limb symmetry index was found. This indicated that males with open physes were stronger and more symmetric than males with closed physes and females with open physes at ~6 months post-ACLR. There were no differences between sexes for patients with closed physes. No interactions were observed for flexion strength. Male patients and patients with open physes had higher perceived knee function compared with their corresponding counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: After ACLR, adolescent patients with open physes had higher quadriceps strength compared with patients with closed physes. Overall, those skeletally less mature patients actually fared better on the functional strength tests, suggesting that functional recovery is not hindered by the presence of an incompletely closed physis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective comparative study.

The Association of Perioperative Glycemic Control With Adverse Outcomes Within 6 Months After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between glycemic control and adverse events after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who underwent arthroscopic RCR and had a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level determined within 3 months before or after surgery were identified in a national database and stratified by HbA1c level. The incidence of postoperative infection within 6 months was determined using Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine whether a threshold HbA1c level existed above which the risk of infection, revision rotator cuff surgery, and lysis of adhesions (LOA)-manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) after arthroscopic RCR was significantly increased. This threshold was then tested using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study included 3,740 patients with an infection rate ranging from a low of 0.29% to a high of 1.14% after RCR. The inflection point of the ROC curve for infection corresponded to an HbA1c level between 7.0 and 8.0 mg/dL (P = .035; area under the curve, 0.648; specificity, 61%; sensitivity, 59%). We then used 8.0 mg/dL as a threshold to test for adverse outcomes. We found a significant difference in infection rates for patients with levels below versus above the threshold (0.30% vs 0.84%; OR, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.4; P = .014) but no difference in revision rates (P = .240) or LOA-MUA (P = .650) in patients with levels above versus below the threshold. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of infection after RCR in patients with diabetes mellitus increases as the perioperative HbA1c level increases and, although statistically significant, remains low. ROC curve analysis determined that a perioperative HbA1c level above 8.0 mg/dL could serve as a threshold level; however, the area under the curve and low sensitivity reflected the poor utility of this test as an independent predictor. This study did not find an association between increased perioperative HbA1c levels and rates of revision rotator cuff surgery or LOA-MUA after RCR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Perioperative Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Affect Revision Surgery Rates After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: To examine any association between perioperative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and failure of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) requiring revision surgery. METHODS: Using a private-payer national insurance database, patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR with perioperative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels recorded were included. Patients were stratified into groups of (1) serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL), (2) insufficiency (20-30 ng/mL), or (3) sufficient (>30-<150 ng/mL). The primary outcome measure was ipsilateral revision rotator cuff surgery, including revision repair, debridement, or reverse shoulder arthroplasty. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to control for patient demographics and comorbidities during comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 982 patients were included in the study. The rate of revision rotator cuff surgery was significantly higher in patients in the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D-deficient group (5.88%) compared with the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D-sufficient control group (3.7%) (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-5.8; P = .007). Patients with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (5.88%) also had a significantly higher incidence of revision surgery compared with patients with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.5-3.9; P = .011). There was no significant difference in the incidence of revision surgery in the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D-insufficient group (4.97%) compared with the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D-sufficient control group (3.7%) (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.8-2.3; P = .250). The absolute risk reduction of revision surgery for 25-hydroxyvitamin D-deficient patients compared with controls was 2.2%, corresponding to a number needed to treat to avoid 1 revision surgery of 46 patients, relative risk reduction = 0.59. CONCLUSIONS: Although the present study found a significant statistical association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and insufficiency and the rate of revision rotator cuff surgery after primary arthroscopic RCR, the absolute differences of these revision rates are minimal and are accompanied with overlapping confidence intervals limiting the clinical significance of these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

The Association of Osteoporosis and Bisphosphonate Use With Revision Shoulder Surgery After Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: To examine any association between osteoporosis and the failure of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) leading to revision surgery and to investigate whether the use of bisphosphonates had any influence on the observed associations. METHODS: Patients who underwent ARCR with a diagnosis of osteoporosis were identified from the PearlDiver database and stratified according to whether there was a filled prescription for a bisphosphonate in the perioperative period. Patients with osteoporosis who underwent ARCR with bisphosphonate use were compared with age- and sex-matched patients who underwent ARCR with osteoporosis without a prescription for a bisphosphonate within 1 year of surgery and patients who underwent ARCR without a diagnosis of osteoporosis and no bisphosphonate use. The primary outcome measure was ipsilateral revision rotator cuff surgery, including revision repair, debridement for a diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear, or reverse shoulder arthroplasty. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to control for patient demographic characteristics and comorbidities during comparisons. RESULTS: We identified 2,706 patients, including 451 in the bisphosphonate study group; 902 in the osteoporosis, no-bisphosphonate control group; and 1,353 in the non-osteoporosis control group. Patients with osteoporosis, including those to whom bisphosphonates were prescribed, had a significantly higher rate of revision rotator cuff surgery (6.58%) than patients without osteoporosis (4.51%) (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-1.97; P = .008). No significant difference in the rate of revision surgery was found between patients with osteoporosis using bisphosphonates (6.65%) and age- and sex-matched patients with osteoporosis not using bisphosphonates (6.54%, P = .718). CONCLUSIONS: By using an administrative database, this study was able to show a substantial difference in the revision surgery rate after ARCR in patients with osteoporosis compared with matched controls. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

The Timing of Corticosteroid Injections Following Simple Knee Arthroscopy Is Associated With Infection Risk.

PURPOSE: To examine any association between the timing of ipsilateral postoperative corticosteroid injection following simple knee arthroscopy and infection. METHODS: Private payer (PP) and Medicare (MC) national insurance databases were queried for patients who underwent simple arthroscopic knee procedures. Patients undergoing concomitant open or more complex procedures with grafts were excluded. Patients who underwent ipsilateral corticosteroid injections within 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively were then identified. Postoperative infection within 90 days after the injection was assessed using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, and Current Procedural Terminology coding and compared using a multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 5,533 patients were identified, including 725 that received an injection within 2 weeks; 1,236 patients within 4 weeks; 1,716 patients within 6 weeks; and 1,856 patients that received an injection within 8 weeks postoperatively. In both the PP and MC datasets, the rate of infection was significantly higher in the 2-week group compared with the 6- (PP: odds ratio [OR] 3.81, P = .012; MC: OR 9.36, P = .001) and 8-week (PP: OR 8.59, P = .003; MC: OR 7.80, P = .001) groups. The rate of infection was also higher in the 4-week group compared with the 6- (PP: OR 2.54, P = .024; MC: OR 8.91, P = .001) and 8-week (PP: OR 5.64, P = .009; MC: OR 7.80, P = .001) groups. There was no difference in infection rates between the 2- and 4-week groups in either dataset (PP: P = .278; MC: P = .861). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between intra-articular knee corticosteroid injections within 4 weeks of surgery and an increased incidence of postoperative infection in both MC and PP patients after knee arthroscopy compared with patients with steroid injections more than 4 weeks postoperatively and matched controls who did not receive injections. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Dialysis dependence and modality impact complication rates after shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The goals of the study were to determine (1) the incidence of dialysis patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty (SA), (2) the association of dialysis modality with complications after SA, and (3) the association of dialysis dependence with death in patients undergoing SA and nonsurgical dialysis-dependent controls. METHODS: Using an insurance database, we identified dialysis-dependent patients undergoing SA and compared them with a matched control cohort without dialysis use. We performed an analysis comparing patients using peritoneal dialysis (PD), patients using hemodialysis (HD), matched non-dialysis-dependent controls, and matched PD and HD nonsurgical patients. Complications including in-hospital death, emergency department visits, hospital readmission, infection, and revision surgery were assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of SA in dialysis patients has significantly increased. Compared with controls, dialysis-dependent patients had increased rates of in-hospital death (odds ratio [OR], 7.60; P < .0001), emergency department visits (OR, 4.16; P < .0001), hospital admission (OR, 1.63; P < .0001), and infection within 1 year (OR, 1.90; P = .009). Compared with patients receiving HD, PD patients had lower rates of death (OR, 0.40; P = .008), hospital readmission (OR, 0.43; P = .047), and revision surgery (OR, 0.23; P = .037). as well as a lower incidence of infection (OR, 0.30; P = .018). Compared with controls, PD patients had similar rates of most complications. Compared with nonsurgical dialysis-dependent patients, the SA procedure itself was not associated with an increased mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Although dialysis represents a significant independent risk factor for complications after SA, this risk is highly influenced by the type of dialysis.

Utility of postoperative radiography in routine primary total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The medical relevance and cost-benefit of routine radiographs after primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) up to a year postoperatively are unknown. This study was performed to assess the medical relevance and cost-benefit of radiography after TSA during the first postoperative year. METHODS: During the period 2010 to 2015, 160 consecutive patients undergoing anatomic TSA by a single fellowship-trained surgeon had radiographs obtained at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Radiographs and clinic notes were assessed to determine if a change in postoperative care happened because of radiographic findings, including postoperative fracture, hardware complication, or any concerning radiographic feature. Cost data and amount billed were obtained. RESULTS: Patients underwent radiography at 1.8 ± 0.2 weeks, 6.5 ± 1.2 weeks, 14.9 ± 2.9 weeks, and 46.8 ± 19.5 weeks postoperatively. Findings on the radiologist's reading were normal/unremarkable for 100.0%, 96.8%, 95.9%, and 95.2%, respectively, at each visit. Results were documented in the note for 92.5%, 97.4%, 98.0%, and 92.4%, respectively, at each visit. Review of the radiographs yielded no change in management based on these parameters. The amount billed for radiographs was $284,281 ($1776.76 per patient). CONCLUSIONS: A lack of clinically meaningful impact from routine postoperative radiography does not justify the per-patient expense, as routine imaging did not cause a change in postoperative management. The available data suggest that routine radiographs after primary anatomic TSA may be unnecessary or perhaps the described frequency in which radiographs are obtained is in excess.

Kinematic Parameters Predictive of Pitch Velocity in Youth to Professional Baseball Pitchers: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Background: Specific kinematic factors have been found to contribute to faster pitch speeds, with poor mechanics leading to injury. Purpose: To discuss the kinematic parameters that predict faster ball velocity among baseball pitchers. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, the authors utilized the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed (2008-2019), and OVID/MEDLINE (2008-2019) databases. Eligible articles included those that reported on kinematic factors predictive of ball velocity across youth, high school, collegiate, and professional levels of play. The quality of all included studies was evaluated by 2 reviewers using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS). The lack of consistent study design or outcome variables precluded meta-analysis. Results: A total of 584 studies were identified from the initial search with 12 included in final analysis (930 pitchers in total; 429 [46.1%] youth, 164 [17.6%] high school, 153 [16.5%] collegiate and 184 [19.8%] professional) with mean ball velocity of 71.1 mph (114.4 km/h). The average AXIS score was 16 out of a possible 20. The shoulder played a significant role in the generation of velocity-induced torques. Hip and shoulder separation was associated with a 2.6 ± 0.5 mph (4.1 ± 0.8 km/h) increase in velocity, whereas increased shoulder movement of the nonthrowing arm was negatively correlated with initial ball velocity (r2 = 0.798). Furthermore, hip/shoulder separation, decreased movement of the nonthrowing shoulder, trunk power and timing of maximum trunk rotation, increased contralateral trunk tilt and increased sagittal-plane trunk tilt, and decreased knee flexion at ball release were all associated with higher fastball speeds. Conclusion: Multiple upper extremity and trunk kinematic parameters affect ball velocity, with significant contributions from the throwing shoulder and trunk, as well as nondominant arm. Understanding kinematic predictors of faster ball velocity can help guide training regimens.

Return to Play after Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Posterior cruciate ligament injuries can be treated conservatively with a structured rehabilitation program or with surgical reconstruction. Treatment algorithms are based on a variety of factors including the patient's presentation, physical exam, and desired level of activity. The goal is to return the patient to their athletic pursuits with a stable and pain-free knee. Return to play and activities should be individualized based on the patient's injury and progression through rehabilitation. This article provides a review of the current treatments for posterior cruciate ligament injuries and the respective rehabilitation protocols, outcomes after each treatment option, and specific return to play criteria. RECENT FINDINGS: Current research shows excellent outcomes and return to play with conservative treatment of isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries. Return to play algorithms stress the importance of quadriceps strengthening throughout the recovery process and emphasize inclusion of plyometrics and sport-specific training. Rehabilitation plays a critical role in the outcome after posterior cruciate ligament injury and the ability to return to athletics. The primary focus of post-injury or post-operative rehabilitation is to restore function, as it relates to range of motion, strength, and proprioception, while mitigating swelling and pain. The patients' desired sport and level of play dictate return to play timelines. The literature supports the use of non-operative management of isolated PCL injuries in athletes and non-athletes with excellent functional and patient-reported outcomes.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision Reconstruction.

Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is used in patients with recurrent instability after primary ACL reconstruction. Identifying the etiology of graft failure is critical to the success of revision reconstruction. The most common etiologies include technical errors, trauma, failure to recognize concomitant injuries, young age, incomplete rehabilitation, and hardware failure. Patients should undergo a complete history and physical examination with a specific focus on previous injury mechanism and surgical procedures. A revision ACL reconstruction is a technically demanding procedure, and the surgeon should be prepared to address bone tunnel osteolysis, concurrent meniscal, ligamentous, or cartilage lesions, and limb malalignment. Surgical techniques described in this article include both single-stage and two-stage reconstruction procedures. Rates of return to sport after a revision reconstruction are lower than after primary reconstruction. Future research should be focused on improving both single-stage and two-stage revision techniques, as well as concomitant procedures to address limb malalignment and associated injuries.

Effect of Tibial Tunnel Placement Using the Lateral Meniscus as a Landmark on Clinical Outcomes of Anatomic Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear if use of the lateral meniscus anterior horn (LMAH) as a landmark will produce consistent tunnel positions in the anteroposterior (AP) distance across the tibial plateau. PURPOSE: To evaluate the AP location of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction tibial tunnels utilizing the LMAH as an intra-articular landmark and to examine how tunnel placement affects knee stability and clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 98 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with quadrupled hamstring tendon autografts between March 2013 and June 2017. Patients with unilateral ACL injuries and a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included in the study. All guide pins for the tibial tunnel were placed using the posterior border of the LMAH as an intra-articular landmark. Guide pins were evaluated with the Bernard-Hertel grid in the femur and the Stäubli-Rauschning method in the tibia. Patients were divided by the radiographic location of the articular entry point of the guide pin with relation to the anterior 40% of the tibial plateau. Outcomes were evaluated by the Marx Activity Scale and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form. Anterior knee laxity was evaluated using a KT-1000 arthrometer and graded with the objective portion of the IKDC form. Rotational stability was evaluated using the pivot-shift test. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were available for follow-up at a mean 28.6 months. The overall percentage of AP placement of the tibial tunnel was 39.3% ± 3.8% (mean ± SD; range, 31%-47%). Side-to-side difference of anterior knee laxity was significantly lower in the anterior group than the posterior group (1.2 ± 1.1 mm vs 2.5 ± 1.3 mm; P < .001; r = 0.51). The percentage of AP placement of the tibial tunnel demonstrated a positive medium correlation with side-to-side difference of anterior knee laxity as measured by a KT-1000 arthrometer (r = 0.430; P < .001). The anterior group reported significantly better distribution of IKDC grading as compared with the posterior group (26 grade A and 6 grade B vs 15 grade A and 13 grade B; P = .043; V = 0.297). The pivot-shift test results and outcome scores showed no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Using the posterior border of the LMAH as an intraoperative landmark yields a wide range of tibial tunnel locations along the tibial plateau, with anterior placement of the tibial tunnel leading toward improved anterior knee stability.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the Multiple Ligament Injured Knee.

Multiligamentous knee injuries are challenging to treat and diagnose. Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are commonly found in the constellation of injuries included in a multiligamentous knee injury and are caused by a posteriorly directed force on the proximal tibia with relation to the femoral condyles. A thorough history and physical examination should be performed to evaluate for associated neurovascular injuries and associated ligamentous, chondral, or bony injuries. Nonsurgical management is reserved for patients who are critically ill or have very low activity demands. Surgical reconstruction is recommended for most patients with multiligamentous knee injuries. The PCL reconstruction can be undertaken with several different graft options and reconstruction techniques, including the transtibial, arthroscopic tibial inlay, and open tibial inlay approach. The literature has a paucity of data regarding outcomes among the various reconstructive options, so the optimal surgical technique has not been established.

Chapter 5: Techniques For ACL Revision Reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a commonly performed procedure, with an increasing frequency leading to an increased number of revision procedures. Etiologies for graft rupture are varied and can include technical issues, repeat trauma, and graft choice. The preoperative evaluation before a revision ACL reconstruction should include a detailed history and physical exam, as well as radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate graft integrity and for concomitant injuries, as well as computed tomography to measure for bone tunnel osteolysis. Surgical techniques for revision ACL reconstruction include a 1-stage or 2-stage procedure with possible bone grafting and repair of associated injuries. Recent studies show worse clinical outcomes after a revision procedure; however, research continues to emerge with novel techniques and rehabilitation protocols to improve patient outcomes after revision ACL reconstruction.

Red Cell Distribution Width as a Novel Predictor of Mortality and Complications After Primary Shoulder Arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Variability in red blood cell volume can occur in disease states and is quantified using a simple equation, yielding the relative distribution of width (RDW). Recent literature has correlated RDW with outcomes in many cardiac disease states, hip fractures, and even revision hip arthroplasty. The association with outcomes in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is yet to be delineated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between preoperative RDW levels and mortality and other adverse outcomes after primary TSA. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary TSA and had RDW values on record were identified in a national database. Patients were then grouped by RDW, and the incidence of complications was calculated for each group, including mortality within 1 year, periprosthetic infection within 1 year, acute venous thromboembolism within 30 days, and readmission to a hospital within 30 days. A threshold value of RDW for increased complications was established using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Five thousand two hundred forty-five patients who underwent TSA with a recorded RDW were included in the study. An RDW cutoff of 16% was found to be significantly associated with mortality at 1 year (P < 0.0001), readmission (P < 0.0001), and infection (P = 0.013) on ROC analysis. When controlling for demographic and comorbidity values, a high RDW was markedly associated with a higher mortality rate (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 18 to 2.2) and readmission rate (odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.8). A high RDW was not markedly associated with increased infection or venous thromboembolism rate in the multivariate analysis. DISCUSSION: Increasing preoperative RDW is associated with increasing complication rates after TSA. This value can be used as an indirect, real-time preoperative predictor of adverse outcomes and most importantly one-year mortality and hospital readmission. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III retrospective cohort study.

The Influence of Perioperative Nerve Block on Strength and Functional Return to Sports After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Patients often have quadriceps or hamstring weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), despite postoperative physical therapy regimens; however, little evidence exists connecting nerve blocks and ACLR outcomes. PURPOSE: To compare muscle strength at return to play in patients who received a nerve block with ACLR and determine whether a specific block type affected subjective knee function. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients were recruited 5 to 7 months after primary, isolated ACLR and completed bilateral isokinetic strength tests of the knee extensor/flexor groups as a single-session return-to-sport test. Subjective outcomes were assessed with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Strength was expressed as torque normalized to mass (N·m/kg) and limb symmetry index as involved/uninvolved torque. Chart review was used to determine the type of nerve block and graft used. Nerve block types were classified as knee extensor motor (femoral nerve), knee flexor motor (sciatic nerve), or isolated sensory (adductor canal block/saphenous nerve). A 1-way analysis of covariance controlling for graft type was used. RESULTS: A total of 169 patients were included. Graft type distribution consisted of 102 (60.4%) ipsilateral bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) and 67 (39.6%) ipsilateral hamstring tendon. Nerve block type distribution consisted of 38 (22.5%) femoral, 25 (14.8%) saphenous, 45 (26.6%) femoral and sciatic, and 61 (36.1%) saphenous and sciatic. No significant difference was found in knee extensor strength (P = .113) or symmetry (P = .860) between patients with knee extensor motor blocks (1.57 ± 0.45 N·m/kg; 70.1% ± 15.3%) and those without (1.47 ± 0.47 N·m/kg; 69.6% ± 18.8%). A significant difference was found between patients with knee flexor motor blocks (0.83 ± 0.26 N·m/kg) and those without (0.92 ± 0.27 N·m/kg) for normalized knee flexor strength (P = .21) but not knee flexor symmetry (P = .592). Controlling for graft type, there were no differences in subjective knee function (IKDC score) between all nerve block groups (P = .57). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that use of a sciatic nerve block with ACLR in patients with hamstring and BTB grafts influences persistent knee flexor strength deficits at time of return to sports. Although the cause of postoperative muscular weakness is multifactorial, this study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that perioperative nerve blocks affect muscle strength and functional rehabilitation after ACLR.

The Affect of Patient Sex and Graft Type on Postoperative Functional Outcomes After Primary ACL Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Graft choice in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and postoperative rehabilitation may affect strength recovery differently in men than women and therefore affect a timely and successful return to sport. PURPOSE: To compare knee extensor and flexor strength between men and women who underwent isolated ACLR with either patellar tendon or hamstring tendon (HST) autografts. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 166 patients (87 women, 79 men) with primary unilateral and uncomplicated ACLRs were recruited for participation. A total of 100 patients had bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts and 66 had HST autografts. At 6 months postoperatively, all patients completed the Tegner activity scale and International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation as well as underwent bilateral isokinetic (90 deg/s) tests of the knee extensor and flexor groups. Outcomes were recorded in a single session as part of a return-to-sport test battery. Surgical notes were obtained to determine the type of autograft and nerve block used at the time of ACLR. RESULTS: There was a significant sex × graft type interaction for mass-normalized knee flexor torque (P = .017). Female patients with an HST graft had a significantly lower knee flexor torque compared with female patients with a BPTB graft (0.592 ± 0.49 N·m/kg vs 0.910 ± 0.24 N·m/kg; Cohen d [95% CI] = 0.91 [0.45, 1.36]). They also had a significantly lower knee flexor torque when compared with male patients with an HST graft (0.592 ± 0.49 N·m/kg vs 0.937 ± 0.35 N·m/kg; Cohen d [95% CI]= 0.88 [0.45, 1.31]). There were significant main effects for graft type with knee flexion (P = .001) and extension (P = .008) symmetry. Patients with a BPTB graft demonstrated lower knee extensor symmetry (65.7% ± 17.0%) and greater knee flexor symmetry (98.7% ± 18.0%) compared with patients with an HST graft (extension: 77.1% ± 32%, Cohen d [95% CI] = 0.47 [0.16, 0.79]; flexion: 82.9% ± 33.3%, Cohen d [95% CI] = 0.63 [0.31, 0.95]). We also observed a significant main effect for sex (P = .028) and graft type (P = .048) for mass-normalized knee extensor strength. Female participants and patients of either sex with BPTB grafts had lower knee extensor strength compared with male participants and patients with HST grafts, respectively. CONCLUSION: At approximately 6 months after ACLR, female patients reconstructed with HST autografts demonstrated weaker HST strength compared with female patients with a BPTB autograft. There were no differences in HST strength between graft types in male patients. Female patients appear to be recovering HST strength differently than male patients when using an HST autograft. These findings may have implications in surgical planning, postoperative rehabilitation, and return-to-sport decision making.