Shedding light on the effects of blood on meniscus tissue: the role of mononuclear leukocytes in mediating meniscus catabolism.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic meniscal injuries can cause acute pain, hemarthrosis (bleeding into the joint), joint immobility, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). However, the exact mechanism(s) by which PTOA develops following meniscal injuries is unknown. Since meniscus tears commonly coincide with hemarthrosis, investigating the direct effects of blood and its constituents on meniscus tissue is warranted. The goal of this study was to determine the direct effects of blood and blood components on meniscus tissue catabolism. METHODS: Porcine meniscus explants or primary meniscus cells were exposed to whole blood or various fractions of blood for 3 days to simulate blood exposure following injury. Explants were then washed and cultured for an additional 3 days prior to collection for biochemical analyses. RESULTS: Whole blood increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Fractionation experiments revealed blood-derived red blood cells did not affect meniscus catabolism. Conversely, viable mononuclear leukocytes induced MMP activity, nitric oxide (NO) production, and loss of tissue sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content, suggesting that these cells are mediating meniscus catabolism. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the potential challenges of meniscus healing in the presence of hemarthrosis and the need for further research to elucidate the in vivo effects of blood and blood-derived mononuclear leukocytes due to both hemarthrosis and blood-derived therapeutics.

The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.

Fifty-one percent of humans are born with ovaries. As the ovarian production of estrogen diminishes in midlife and ultimately stops, it is estimated that more than 47 million women worldwide enter the menopause transition annually. More than 70% will experience musculoskeletal symptoms and 25% will be disabled by them through the transition from perimenopause to postmenopause. This often-unrecognized collective of musculoskeletal symptoms, largely influenced by estrogen flux, includes arthralgia, loss of muscle mass, loss of bone density and progression of osteoarthritis, among others. In isolation, it can be difficult for clinicians and patients to adequately appreciate the substantial role of decreasing estrogen, anticipate the onset of related symptoms and actively treat to mitigate future detrimental processes. Thus, in this review we introduce a new term, the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause, to describe the collective musculoskeletal signs and symptoms associated with the loss of estrogen. Given the significant effects of these processes on quality of life and the associated personal and financial costs, it is important for clinicians and the women they care for to be aware of this terminology and the constellation of musculoskeletal processes for which proper risk assessment and prophylactic management are of consequence.

The Interplay of Biomechanical and Biological Changes Following Meniscus Injury.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Meniscus injury often leads to joint degeneration and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to outline the current understanding of biomechanical and biological repercussions following meniscus injury and how these changes impact meniscus repair and PTOA development. Moreover, we identify key gaps in knowledge that must be further investigated to improve meniscus healing and prevent PTOA. RECENT FINDINGS: Following meniscus injury, both biomechanical and biological alterations frequently occur in multiple tissues in the joint. Biomechanically, meniscus tears compromise the ability of the meniscus to transfer load in the joint, making the cartilage more vulnerable to increased strain. Biologically, the post-injury environment is often characterized by an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, catabolic enzymes, and immune cells. These multi-faceted changes have a significant interplay and result in an environment that opposes tissue repair and contributes to PTOA development. Additionally, degenerative changes associated with OA may cause a feedback cycle, negatively impacting the healing capacity of the meniscus. Strides have been made towards understanding post-injury biological and biomechanical changes in the joint, their interplay, and how they affect healing and PTOA development. However, in order to improve clinical treatments to promote meniscus healing and prevent PTOA development, there is an urgent need to understand the physiologic changes in the joint following injury. In particular, work is needed on the in vivo characterization of the temporal biomechanical and biological changes that occur in patients following meniscus injury and how these changes contribute to PTOA development.

Achilles Tendon Injuries in the Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND: Achilles tendon injuries are common in adults, and there is extensive literature describing the injury characteristics and treatment of these adult injuries. However, Achilles injuries are rare in the pediatric population and as a result, there is limited research reported on this age group. We therefore sought to characterize the injury presentation, treatment and outcomes for pediatric patients with partial and complete Achilles injuries. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients aged 0-18 treated for Achilles tendon injuries at 2 geographically distinct tertiary institutions between 2008 and 2021. Data collected included demographics, injury characteristics, and treatment course. Injury types were separated into 2 cohorts: traumatic Achilles injuries and ruptures due to muscular contraction. Traumatic injuries were further delineated into 2 injury mechanisms: open injuries related to penetrating trauma and closed injuries related to blunt trauma. Standard descriptive analyses were utilized to summarize findings. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (43.6% female, median age 15 years) were identified, 29 (74.4%) of whom had complete tears. Twenty-five patients (64.1%) presented with traumatic injuries; among these, 48.0% (n=12/25) were ≤12 years. All patients ≤12 years sustained a traumatic injury. The most common traumatic mechanism was an open laceration due to penetrating trauma (68.0%), followed by closed ruptures associated with blunt trauma (32.0%). Fourteen patients (35.9%) presented with closed ruptures due to muscular contraction. Four patients (10.2%) had a prior history of clubfoot treated with Achilles tenotomy. Thirty-five patients (89.7%) were surgically treated with an open repair. The median immobilization period across all patients was 11 weeks (interquartile range: 10-12), starting most commonly with a posterior splint (46.2%) and concluding with a CAM boot (94.9%). Of patients with full follow-up data (n=22/39), all resumed normal activities, with a median clearance time of 6 months (interquartile range: 5-7.9). CONCLUSIONS: We found that older adolescents (≥14 y) were more likely to rupture their Achilles tendon through a forceful muscular contraction, whereas younger patients (≤12 y) were more likely to injure their Achilles via a traumatic mechanism. Most patients were treated operatively and returned to sports at a median time of 6 months. A further prospective study is warranted to better characterize treatment protocols and patient outcomes in this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level-IV.

Transitioning to Outpatient Shoulder Arthroplasty: Safety, Efficiency, and Cost in a Diverse Payer Mix.

Outpatient shoulder arthroplasty presents potential clinical benefits but also risk without perioperative optimization. Length of stay depends largely on surgeon preferences, and a large single-surgeon cohort may provide insight into optimal strategies and costs for outpatient shoulder arthroplasty. A single-surgeon cohort of 472 anatomic and reverse shoulder arthroplasties performed between 2017 and 2020 was retrospectively reviewed. Cases were stratified by those who did or did not undergo same-day discharge. The 90-day readmission, discharge to post-acute care, cost, and 45 patient/case factors were examined. Two hundred fifty (53%) underwent same-day discharge, with the proportion of outpatient cases increasing over time to nearly 80%, with no significant difference in 90-day readmissions. Revision cases often underwent same-day discharge, whereas fractures were typically admitted. The cost was significantly higher for inpatients, with implants accounting for 52%. Surgeons may safely transition a substantial proportion of shoulder arthroplasties to same-day discharge with some reassurance regarding cost savings and 90-day readmissions. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 32(4):263-269, 2023).

Number of Months of Baseball in the Previous Year and Preseason Olecranon Tenderness: Risk Factors for Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in High-School Baseball Players.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for shoulder and elbow injuries in high-school baseball position players and pitchers in the preseason history and physical examination. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Community high-school baseball. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred seventy-one male baseball players' mean age 15.0 ± 1.8 years. OUTCOME MEASURES: A preseason history and physical examination was performed on all athletes. Injury information was collected by weekly self-report and athletic trainer injury logs throughout the season. Comparisons between injured and noninjured players were performed using t tests and χ 2 analyses. Binary logistic regression models were developed to identify risk factors for injury. RESULTS: Seventy-six injuries were recorded over the season. In univariate analysis, the injured group had greater months of baseball participation ( P = 0.007) and shoulder visual analog scale for the past year ( P = 0.003). The injured group also had more olecranon tenderness ( P < 0.0001, odds ratio [OR] 2.9) and decreased elbow arc of motion. All other factors were not significantly different ( P > 0.05). In multivariable logistic regression, months per year of baseball participation was the only factor significantly associated with injuries ( P = 0.010, OR = 1.21). CONCLUSIONS: Baseball players who developed arm injuries during a season were more likely to play more months of baseball and report shoulder pain in the previous year. The presence of preseason olecranon tenderness was associated with nearly triple the risk of injury during the season. Every additional month of baseball participation in the previous year was associated with a 1.2× increased odds of injury. The presence of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit was not a predictor of injury.

Comparison of the accuracy of telehealth examination versus clinical examination in the detection of shoulder pathology.

HYPOTHESIS/BACKGROUND: In 2017, the American Orthopaedic Association advocated for the increased use of telehealth as an assessment and treatment platform, and demand has significantly increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Diagnostic effectiveness (also called overall diagnostic accuracy) and reliability of a telehealth clinical examination vs. a traditional shoulder clinical examination (SCE) has not been established. Our objective is to compare the diagnostic effectiveness of a telehealth shoulder examination against an SCE for rotator cuff tear (RCT), using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a reference standard; secondary objectives included assessing agreement between test platforms and validity of individualized tests. We hypothesize that tests provided in a telehealth platform would not have inferior diagnostic effectiveness to an SCE. METHODS: The study is a case-based, case-control design. Two clinicians selected movement, strength, and special tests for the SCE that are associated with the diagnosis of RCT and identified similar tests to replicate for a simulated telehealth-based examination (STE). Consecutive patients with no prior shoulder surgery or advanced imaging underwent both the SCE and STE in the same visit using 2 separate assessors. We randomized the order of the SCE or STE. A blinded reader assessed an MRI, to be used as a reference standard. We calculated diagnostic effectiveness, which provides values from 0% to 100% as well as agreement statistics (Kappa) between tests by an assessment platform, and sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios for individual tests in both SCE and STE. We compared the diagnostic effectiveness (overall) of the SCE and STE with a Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: We included 62 consecutive patients with shoulder pain, aged 40 or older; 50 (81%) received an MRI as a reference standard. The diagnostic effectiveness of stand-alone tests was poor regardless of the group, with the exception of a few tests with high specificity. None had greater than 70% accuracy. There was no significant difference between the overall diagnostic effectiveness of the STE and SCE (P = .98). Overall agreement between the STE tests and the SCE tests ranged from poor to moderate (Kappa, 0.07-0.87). CONCLUSION: This study identified initial feasibility and noninferiority of the physician-guided, patient-performed STE when compared with an SCE in the detection of RCTs. Although these results are promising, larger studies are needed for further validation of an STE assessment platform.

Patients with depression and anxiety symptoms from adjustment disorder related to their shoulder may be ideal patients for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: Mood symptoms may be due to shoulder-related depression or anxiety or clinical anxiety/depression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of shoulder-related and pre-existing diagnosis of depression or anxiety with changes in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score after rotator cuff repair. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on subjects undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative ASES, questions from the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index questions directed to feelings of depression/anxiety related to the shoulder, and pre-existing diagnoses of depression and/or anxiety were recorded. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare changes, and Spearman's correlation was used to correlate changes in mood and ASES between male and female subjects and those with and without anxiety and/or depression. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one subjects (53 female; mean age, 58.0 years; standard deviation [SD], 8.5) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were evaluated with the mean follow-up of 36.6 months (SD, 17.5). Forty-six subjects (mean age, 58.8 years; SD, 8.2) had pre-existing diagnoses of depression and/or anxiety and 125 subjects (mean age, 57.7 years; SD, 8.7) did not. Patients showed improvement in Western Ontario Rotator Cuff shoulder-related depression (Δ 22.3) and anxiety (Δ 24.7). There was a strong correlation between the change in mood symptoms and the change in ASES score, for depression (r = 0.74) and anxiety (r = 0.71). Patients with and without clinical diagnosis of anxiety or depression experienced similar changes in mood symptoms related to the shoulder and ASES scores (P = .65, P = .39). Patients' ASES scores were less correlated with changes in shoulder-related mood symptoms; however, if patients had clinical depression/anxiety compared with those without (r = 0.68 vs. 0.75, P < .0001 for depression; r = 0.56 vs. r = 0.74, P < .0001 for anxiety). CONCLUSIONS: After rotator cuff repair, symptoms of depression/anxiety related to the shoulder improved dramatically with or without pre-existing clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety. As the patient-reported functional outcomes of those with pre-existing clinical diagnosis of anxiety/depression improved, they did not experience as strong as an improvement in their mood symptoms as those without prior diagnoses and may benefit from directed treatment of these symptoms. Patients with shoulder-related mood symptoms only, conversely, experience a strong relationship between their improvement in function with their mood symptoms and may be ideal candidates for rotator cuff surgery. It is important for clinicians to separate mood symptoms related to adjustment disorder from the rotator cuff injury from clinical depression and anxiety.

Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) correlates with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes continue to grow in importance. This study compared the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index score in patients before and after primary rotator cuff repair. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of a prospectively filled database of 333 subjects who underwent primary rotator cuff repair by a single surgeon between 2010 and 2017. The database included preoperative and postoperative SANE, ASES, and WORC evaluations. The mean follow-up time was 37.5 months. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated comparing each score preoperatively and at least 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: A strong correlation was found between the SANE and ASES scores of subjects in the preoperative period (r = 0.769, P < .0001) and the follow-up period of at least 1 year (r = 0.781, P < .0001). A similarly strong correlation was found between the SANE and WORC scores of subjects in the preoperative period (r = 0.757, P < .0001) and the follow-up period of at least 1 year (r = 0.813, P < .0001). On stratification analysis, correlation of SANE scores with ASES and WORC scores was found when subjects were grouped by sex, age, cuff tear size, and workers' compensation status. CONCLUSION: This study shows a significant correlation between the SANE, ASES, and WORC scores of primary rotator cuff repair subjects in the preoperative and long-term follow-up periods. We recommend the SANE score as an adjunct to clinical outcome data that can be used in patients regardless of sex, cuff tear size, or workers' compensation status.

Biceps tenotomy has earlier pain relief compared to biceps tenodesis: a randomized prospective study.

PURPOSE:  Surgical management for long head of the biceps (LHB) tendinopathy with either biceps tenotomy or tenodesis is a reliable, but debated treatment option. The aim of this prospective, randomized, single-blinded study is to evaluate differences in pain relief and subjective outcomes between biceps tenotomy versus tenodesis for LHB tendinopathy. METHODS:  Subjects were randomized and blinded to biceps tenotomy versus arthroscopic tenodesis intra-operatively. Outcomes evaluated included subjective patient outcome scores, pain, and cosmetic deformity. Subjective outcomes scores and pain were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA, controlling for concomitant rotator cuff repair. Binary outcomes were compared using Chi-square tests. RESULTS:  Thirty-four subjects (31 male, 3 female) with a median age of 56 (range 30-77) were enrolled. Twenty subjects were randomized to tenotomy and 14 to tenodesis. Fifty-six percent had concomitant rotator cuff repairs. The mean VAS pain score at 3 months was lower with tenotomy versus tenodesis. 2-year follow-up demonstrated no statistically significant differences for VAS, ASES, or SANE. 15/20 (75%) subjects with biceps tenotomy reported no pain medication use at the 2-week postoperative visit versus 5/14 (33%) for biceps tenodesis. Popeye deformity was found in 5/20 (25%) of tenotomy subjects versus 1/14 (7%) in tenodesis subjects. CONCLUSION: Outcomes appear similar between biceps tenotomy versus tenodesis; however, the tenotomy group demonstrated greater incidence of cosmetic deformity but an earlier improvement in postoperative pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Treatment Studies, Level II.

Meniscus-Derived Matrix Bioscaffolds: Effects of Concentration and Cross-Linking on Meniscus Cellular Responses and Tissue Repair.

Meniscal injuries, particularly in the avascular zone, have a low propensity for healing and are associated with the development of osteoarthritis. Current meniscal repair techniques are limited to specific tear types and have significant risk for failure. In previous work, we demonstrated the ability of meniscus-derived matrix (MDM) scaffolds to augment the integration and repair of an in vitro meniscus defect. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of percent composition and dehydrothermal (DHT) or genipin cross-linking of MDM bioscaffolds on primary meniscus cellular responses and integrative meniscus repair. In all scaffolds, the porous microenvironment allowed for exogenous cell infiltration and proliferation, as well as endogenous meniscus cell migration. The genipin cross-linked scaffolds promoted extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and/or retention. The shear strength of integrative meniscus repair was improved with increasing percentages of MDM and genipin cross-linking. Overall, the 16% genipin cross-linked scaffolds were most effective at enhancing integrative meniscus repair. The ability of the genipin cross-linked scaffolds to attract endogenous meniscus cells, promote glycosaminoglycan and collagen deposition, and enhance integrative meniscus repair reveals that these MDM scaffolds are promising tools to augment meniscus healing.

Time to get rid of the clock: intraobserver and interobserver reliability in determination of the o'clock position of the femoral tunnel in ACL reconstruction.

This study evaluates intraobserver and interobserver agreement in reporting the o'clock position of the femoral tunnel during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Four PGY2 residents, four PGY5 residents, and four sports medicine orthopedic surgeons reported the o'clock position of the femoral ACL tunnel in 10 arthroscopic pictures on two occasions 3 months apart. Intraobserver agreement was determined using the intraobserver correlation coefficient (r > 0.576 for 0.05 significance level). Interobserver agreement between members of each group and between reviewer groups was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC > 0.75 considered good agreement). Poor interobserver agreement was demonstrated between the attending and PGY2 groups (ICC = 0.1685), between the attending and PGY5 groups (ICC = 0.2982), and between the PGY5 and PGY2 groups (ICC = 0.267). Attending surgeons, PGY5s, and PGY2s demonstrated poor interobserver agreement amongst themselves (ICC = 0.2244, 0.471, and 0.0859, respectively). PGY2s and PGY5s demonstrated good intraobserver agreement, but attending surgeons demonstrated poor intraobserver agreement. Attending orthopedic surgeons and residents of different levels of training interpret the o'clock position of the femoral tunnel differently. Greater years of experience does not improve intraobserver or interobserver agreement on the o'clock position. The clock face terminology for femoral tunnel placement may not be a reliable descriptor for scientific investigations or clinical instruction.

Distal femoral locking plates and the posterolateral corner.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of minimally invasive submuscular placement of a distal femoral locking plate on the posterolateral structures of the knee. Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were dissected after application of a lateral distal femoral locking plate through a minimally invasive submuscular approach. The lateral collateral ligament and popliteus tendon were identified and inspected for injury. Distances from the plate to the lateral collateral ligament and popliteus insertions were determined.Neither the lateral collateral ligament nor the popliteus tendon was disrupted by the minimally invasive submuscular application of distal femoral periarticular locking plates. The mean distances to the lateral collateral ligament and popliteus tendon insertions were 2.5 and 6.6 mm, respectively.Distal femoral locking plates can be applied in a minimally invasive manner without disrupting the posterolateral structures of the knee.

Midshaft Clavicle Fractures: When Is Surgical Management Indicated and Which Fixation Method Should Be Used?

For displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, operative treatment either with open reduction and plate fixation or with intramedullary fixation has been shown to provide earlier return to work and sport, improved functional outcomes, greater patient-reported satisfaction with appearance, and significantly decreased incidence of nonunion and malunion when compared with conservative treatment. Operative intervention is not without risks associated with surgery. Shared decision-making with the patient and understanding patient goals allows surgeons to recommend a management option that the patient will be comfortable with and will follow to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

Elevated In Vivo ACL Strain Is Associated With a Straight Knee in Both the Sagittal and the Coronal Planes.

BACKGROUND: Noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries typically occur during deceleration movements such as landing or cutting. However, conflicting data have left the kinematic mechanisms leading to these injuries unclear. Quantifying the influence of sagittal and coronal plane knee kinematics on in vivo ACL strain may help to elucidate noncontact ACL injury mechanisms. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to measure in vivo sagittal and coronal plane knee kinematics and ACL strain during a single-leg jump. We hypothesized that ACL strain would be modulated primarily by motion in the sagittal plane and that limited coronal plane motion would be measured during this activity. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Seventeen healthy participants (8 male/9 female) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by high-speed biplanar radiography, obtained as participants performed a single-leg jump. Three-dimensional models of the femur, tibia, and associated ACL attachment site footprints were created from the MRIs and registered to the radiographs to reproduce the position of the knee during the jump. ACL strain, knee flexion/extension angles, and varus/valgus angles were measured throughout the jump. Spearman rank correlations were used to assess relationships between mean ACL strain and kinematic variables. RESULTS: Mean ACL strain increased with decreasing knee flexion angle (ρ = -0.3; P = .002), and local maxima in ACL strain occurred with the knee in a straight position in both the sagittal and the coronal planes. In addition, limited coronal plane motion (varus/valgus angle) was measured during this activity (mean ± SD, -0.5°± 0.3°). Furthermore, we did not detect a statistically significant relationship between ACL strain and varus/valgus angle (ρ = -0.01; P = .9). CONCLUSION: ACL strain was maximized when the knee was in a straight position in both the sagittal and coronal planes. Participants remained in <1° of varus/valgus position on average throughout the jump. As a ligament under elevated strain is more vulnerable to injury, landing on a straight knee may be an important risk factor for ACL rupture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data may improve understanding of risk factors for noncontact ACL injury, which may be useful in designing ACL injury prevention programs.

Representation of Female Speakers at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meetings Over Time.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, women comprise 16% of orthopaedic surgery residents, 4% of fellows, and 6% of practicing orthopaedic surgeons. The underrepresentation of women in surgical subspecialties may be because of lack of early exposure to female mentors. Conference speaker roles are important for visibility. This study aims to evaluate the representation of women in speaker roles and responsibilities at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) meetings over time. METHODS: The names of speakers and session titles at the annual AAOS meetings were obtained from conference programs for the years 2009, 2014, and 2019. Each speaker was classified based on sex and role. Sessions discussing scientific or surgical topics were classified as technical and those that did not were classified as nontechnical. Descriptive statistics are provided, as well as individual-year odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) examining sex versus technical session status and sex versus speaker role; combined results controlling for year are calculated using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method. RESULTS: Overall, 3,980 speaking sessions were analyzed; 6.8% of speaking sessions were assigned to women. Women were more likely than men to participate in nontechnical speaking roles (OR 3.85; 95% CI, 2.79 to 4.78). Among talks given by women, the percentage that were nontechnical increased (25.5% in 2009, 24.3% in 2014, and 44.1% in 2019). Among moderator roles, the percentage assigned to women increased (4.5% in 2009, 6.0% in 2014, 14.5% in 2019). DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate an increase in female speakers at AAOS meetings from 2009 to 2019. The percentage of female moderators and nontechnical sessions given by women increased since 2009. A need for a shift in the distribution of speaker role exists, which promotes inclusivity and prevents professional marginalization. Representation of women as role models increases visibility and may address the leaky pipeline phenomenon and paucity of women in orthopaedics.

Early clinical and patient-reported outcomes for arthroscopic and mini-open superior capsular reconstruction are similar for irreparable rotator cuff tears.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to report and compare postoperative range of motion (ROM), patient-reported outcomes, and failure rates following superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) and to compare outcomes between arthroscopic and mini-open techniques. METHODS: All SCR procedures utilising dermal allograft with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up at multiple institutions between November 2015 and October 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative patient demographics, imaging measurements, surgical technique (arthroscopic versus mini-open), and outcomes including pain scores, conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty, subsequent surgery, and postoperative ROM were recorded. Outcomes for arthroscopic versus mini-open approaches were compared via t-test, Fisher's exact test, or chi square test, as appropriate, with differences of p â€‹< â€‹0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: 180 total patients were included, including 98 who underwent arthroscopic SCR and 82 who underwent mini-open SCR. Final follow-up was at a mean of 32 months (standard deviation = 11 months). SCR improved pain (visual analog scale â€‹= â€‹4.4 pre-operatively vs. 1.4 post-operatively, p â€‹< â€‹0.0001) and ROMin active forward flexion (136° pre-operatively vs. 150° post-operatively, p â€‹= â€‹0.0012). No difference in post-operative pain visual analog scores was found between mini-open and arthroscopic cohorts (1.3 vs. 1.6, p â€‹= â€‹0.3432) at a mean of 14 months post-operatively. At a mean of 32 months post-operatively, there were no differences in ASES, QuickDASH, SST, WORC, or SANE scores between open and arthroscopic cohorts. There was no difference in rates of failure between mini-open and arthroscopic cohorts (15.9% vs. 17.3%, p â€‹= â€‹0.789). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that SCR improves pain and ROM in the short term. Mini-open SCR appears to provide similar improvements in pain and ROM compared with arthroscopic SCR, as well as patient-reported outcomes at 3 years. No difference in failure rates was detected between the 2 procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 evidence.

The Predicted Position of the Knee Near the Time of ACL Rupture Is Similar Between 2 Commonly Observed Patterns of Bone Bruising on MRI.

BACKGROUND: Bone bruises observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide insight into the mechanisms of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, it remains unclear whether the position of the knee near the time of injury differs between patients evaluated with different patterns of bone bruising, particularly with regard to valgus angles. HYPOTHESIS: The position of the knee near the time of injury is similar between patients evaluated with 2 commonly occurring patterns of bone bruising. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Clinical T2- and T1-weighted MRI scans obtained within 6 weeks of noncontact ACL rupture were reviewed. Patients had either 3 (n = 20) or 4 (n = 30) bone bruises. Patients in the 4-bone bruise group had bruising of the medial and lateral compartments of the femur and tibia, whereas patients in the 3-bone bruise group did not have a bruise on the medial femoral condyle. The outer contours of the bones and associated bruises were segmented from the MRI scans and used to create 3-dimensional surface models. For each patient, the position of the knee near the time of injury was predicted by moving the tibial model relative to the femoral model to maximize the overlap of the tibiofemoral bone bruises. Logistic regressions (adjusted for sex, age, and presence of medial collateral ligament injury) were used to assess relationships between predicted injury position (quantified in terms of knee flexion angle, valgus angle, internal rotation angle, and anterior tibial translation) and bone bruise group. RESULTS: The predicted injury position for patients in both groups involved a flexion angle <20°, anterior translation >20 mm, valgus angle <10°, and internal rotation angle <10°. The injury position for the 3-bone bruise group involved less flexion (odds ratio [OR], 0.914; 95% CI, 0.846-0.987; P = .02) and internal rotation (OR, 0.832; 95% CI, 0.739-0.937; P = .002) as compared with patients with 4 bone bruises. CONCLUSION: The predicted position of injury for patients displaying both 3 and 4 bone bruises involved substantial anterior tibial translation (>20 mm), with the knee in a straight position in both the sagittal (<20°) and the coronal (<10°) planes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Landing on a straight knee with subsequent anterior tibial translation is a potential mechanism of noncontact ACL injury.

A modified Delphi consensus statement on patellar instability: part I.

Aims: The aim of this study was to establish consensus statements on the diagnosis, nonoperative management, and indications, if any, for medial patellofemoral complex (MPFC) repair in patients with patellar instability, using the modified Delphi approach. Methods: A total of 60 surgeons from 11 countries were invited to develop consensus statements based on their expertise in this area. They were assigned to one of seven working groups defined by subtopics of interest within patellar instability. Consensus was defined as achieving between 80% and 89% agreement, strong consensus was defined as between 90% and 99% agreement, and 100% agreement was considered to be unanimous. Results: Of 27 questions and statements on patellar instability, three achieved unanimous consensus, 14 achieved strong consensus, five achieved consensus, and five did not achieve consensus. Conclusion: The statements that reached unanimous consensus were that an assessment of physeal status is critical for paediatric patients with patellar instability. There was also unanimous consensus on early mobilization and resistance training following nonoperative management once there is no apprehension. The statements that did not achieve consensus were on the importance of immobilization of the knee, the use of orthobiologics in nonoperative management, the indications for MPFC repair, and whether a vastus medialis oblique advancement should be performed.

MRI of selected abnormalities at the anterior superior aspect of the shoulder: potential pitfalls and subtle diagnoses.

OBJECTIVE: MRI has proven to be a helpful tool in the detection and description of pathologic changes of the rotator cuff, biceps tendon, and glenoid labrum and has thus become a mainstay in the evaluation of patients with shoulder pain. This review seeks to illustrate some of the more subtle abnormalities that can be detected on shoulder MRI and to highlight some normal anatomic variants that may mimic pathologic processes, concentrating on structures at the anterior superior aspect of the shoulder. CONCLUSION: Shoulder MRI can provide a very accurate evaluation of shoulder pathologic processes and can assist in elucidating abnormalities that can be difficult to diagnose clinically. Awareness of the known anatomic variants and the sometimes subtle potential pain generators at the anterior superior aspect of the shoulder will allow a more accurate interpretation and can therefore increase the diagnostic yield of shoulder MRI.