Meniscal Radial Tears Repaired With All-Inside and Inside-Out Techniques Result in Improved Clinical Outcome Scores, but Inside-Out Repairs May Be Associated With Higher Failure Rates Clinically and on Second-Look Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs), failure, and healing rates after all-inside (AI) repair versus inside-out (IO) repair for the treatment of meniscal radial tears. METHODS: A literature search was performed according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using the Scopus, PubMed, and Embase computerized databases. Level of Evidence I through IV human clinical studies evaluating PROs and/or the incidence of failure and healing after AI versus IO repairs for meniscal radial tears were included. Clinical failure was defined by the presence of joint-line tenderness; a positive McMurray test; and mechanical symptoms, such as locking, catching, or giving way. Study quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria and the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. RESULTS: Ten studies published from 2008 to 2023 comprising 205 patients were identified, including 142 patients who underwent AI repair and 63 patients who underwent IO repair for radial meniscus tears. Postoperative Lysholm and Tegner scores ranged from 90.8 to 95.6 and 5.7 to 8.2, respectively, in the AI repair group, compared with 86.9 to 94.2 and 6 to 7.5, respectively, in the IO repair group. All patients exceeded published values for minimal clinically important difference for the Lysholm score. Clinical failure ranged from 0% to 40% in the AI group and 0% to 62.5% in the IO group. Healing assessments on second-look arthroscopy revealed failure rates ranging from 0% to 13.3% in the AI group and 0% to 39% in the IO group. Complete and partial healing ranged from 28.6% to 92.3% in the AI group and from 25% to 70% in the IO group. Chondral damage on second-look arthroscopy ranged from 0% to 95% in the IO group and 0% to 57.7% in the AI group. Postoperative complications ranged from 0% to 2% within the AI group, whereas no complications were reported in the IO group. No implant-related complications were reported in any study group. CONCLUSIONS: Both all-inside and inside-out repairs for meniscal radial tears demonstrated improved PROs; however, current literature suggests that the IO technique may have higher failure rates both clinically and on second-look arthroscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

Increased Alpha Angles and Younger Age Increase the Risk of Contralateral Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome Symptom Development and Surgical Intervention: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To identify the preoperative risk factors associated with contralateral symptom development and surgical intervention for patients presenting with unilateral femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed and Scopus computerized databases according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies evaluating preoperative risk factors associated with the contralateral progression of FAI were included. Quality assessment was completed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. RESULTS: A total of 5 studies (n = 1,011 patients; mean age, 29.9 years) published from 2013 to 2022 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Mean follow-up ranged from 12 to 132 months. The overall rate of contralateral progression of symptomatic FAI ranged from 32.4% to 81%. Increased alpha angle was frequently reported factor associated with contralateral symptom progression, followed by decreased total arc of rotation, decreased internal rotation, reduced neck-shaft angle, and head-neck offset. The incidence rate of progression to contralateral surgery ranged from 15.7% to 24% of patients. Younger age was frequently reported factor associated with contralateral surgical intervention, followed by male sex, increased level of activity, and increased alpha angle. CONCLUSIONS: Increased alpha angle and younger age were commonly reported risk factors associated with an increased risk of symptom development and surgical progression of contralateral FAI, respectively. The overall rate of contralateral progression of symptomatic FAI and the rate of progression to surgical intervention ranged up to 81% and 24%, respectively. This information may help both patients and surgeons to establish expectations regarding development of contralateral hip symptoms and possible need for surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; systematic review of Level II-III studies.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Is Commonly Performed Using a Palmaris Graft and Provides Favorable Patient Outcomes With Variable Return-to-Play and Postoperative Complication Rates: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the literature to provide an updated evaluation of postoperative clinical outcomes, return to play (RTP), and postoperative complications after primary ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) in throwing and nonthrowing athletes at minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS: A literature search was performed on November 25, 2023, by querying the Embase, PubMed, and Scopus online databases using the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria consisted of Level I to IV human clinical studies reporting postoperative outcomes and/or complications after primary UCLR with minimum 2-year follow-up. The exclusion criteria consisted of non-English-language studies; biomechanical, animal, and cadaveric studies; review articles; letters to the editor; and studies not reporting postoperative outcomes or complications. Study quality was evaluated using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. The incidence of reported complications among the included studies was extracted. Clinical outcome scores included the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder & Elbow (KJOC) score, Andrews-Timmerman (AT) score, and satisfaction score. RTP data were also extracted. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies published from 2006 to 2023, consisting of 2,452 patients (2,420 male patients) with a mean age of 21.7 years (mean range, 12-65 years) and mean follow-up period of 50.5 months (mean range, 24-151.2 months), were included. The mean Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score was 16 (range, 13-20). A total of 46% of patients (1,138 of 2,452) underwent concomitant ulnar nerve transposition. Palmaris graft was the most frequently used method (66.6%; n = 1,799), followed by hamstring graft (26.0%, n = 703). At the final follow-up, mean postoperative KJOC scores ranged from 72.0 to 88.0; mean AT scores, from 83.6 to 98.3; and mean satisfaction scores, from 86.1 to 98.3. The overall RTP rate ranged from 62.5% to 100% at a mean range of 9.5 to 18.5 months. The total incidence of complications ranged from 0% to 31.8%, with 0% to 7.4% of patients undergoing revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: UCLR was commonly performed using a palmaris graft, with concomitant ulnar nerve transposition reported in 46% of patients. At a mean follow-up of 50.5 months, mean postoperative KJOC scores ranged from 72 to 98.3, AT scores ranged from 83.6 to 98.3, and satisfaction scores ranged from 86.1 to 98.3, with variable RTP rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level II to IV studies.

All-Inside and Inside-Out Repair Techniques for Bucket-Handle Meniscus Tears Both Result in Improved Patient Outcomes and a Broad Range of Failure Rates: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To compare patient-reported outcomes, failure rates, risk factors for failure, and complications in patients with bucket-handle meniscus tears (BHMTs) undergoing repair with inside-out (IO) versus all-inside (AI) techniques. METHODS: A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases from database inception to August 2023 according to the 2020 PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. The inclusion criteria consisted of Level I to IV clinical studies published in the past 10 years with greater than 2 years of follow-up that evaluated patient-reported outcome scores and/or the incidence of failure after IO or AI repairs for BHMTs. Clinical studies not reporting outcomes or failure rates, older studies using outdated implants, animal studies, reviews, letters to the editor, case reports, cadaveric studies, and articles not written in the English language or with English-language translation were excluded. Study quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. Outcomes were reported as ranges and qualitatively compared. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies published from 2013 to 2023, consisting of 1,062 patients with BHMTs, were identified. Thirteen studies (14 cohorts, 649 patients) reported on AI repair (mean age range, 23.7-32 years) and 7 studies (7 cohorts, 413 patients) reported on IO repair (mean age range, 16.7-34.6 years). Both groups had improved postoperative Lysholm and Tegner scores. Decreased range of motion was the most commonly reported complication in the AI group (range, 2.6%-4%), whereas adhesions for arthrofibrosis were the most commonly reported complication in the IO group (n = 12; range, 6%-7.9%). The overall reported failure rate ranged from 6.9% to 20.5% within the AI group and from 0% to 20% within the IO group. CONCLUSIONS: AI and IO repair techniques for BHMTs both result in improved Lysholm and Tegner scores. However, broad ranges of failure are reported in the literature, with overall failure rates ranging from 6.9% to 20.5% after AI repair and from 0% to 20% after IO repair. Younger age and isolated medial BHMT repair are the most frequently reported risk factors for the AI technique, whereas postoperative stiffness is the most frequently reported complication after both repair techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.

ChatGPT-3.5 Responses Require Advanced Readability for the General Population and May Not Effectively Supplement Patient-Related Information Provided by the Treating Surgeon Regarding Common Questions About Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: To investigate the accuracy of ChatGPT's responses to frequently asked questions prior to rotator cuff repair surgery. METHODS: The 10 most common frequently asked questions related to rotator cuff repair were compiled from 4 institution websites. Questions were then input into ChatGPT-3.5 in 1 session. The provided ChatGPT-3.5 responses were analyzed by 2 orthopaedic surgeons for reliability, quality, and readability using the Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark criteria, the DISCERN score, and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. RESULTS: The Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark criteria score was 0, indicating the absence of reliable source material citations. The mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level was 13.4 (range, 11.2-15.0). The mean DISCERN score was 43.4 (range, 36-51), indicating that the quality of the responses overall was considered fair. All responses cited making final decision-making to be made with the treating physician. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT-3.5 provided substandard patient-related information in alignment with recommendations from the treating surgeon regarding common questions around rotator cuff repair surgery. Additionally, the responses lacked reliable source material citations, and the readability of the responses was relatively advanced with a complex language style. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this study suggest that ChatGPT-3.5 may not effectively supplement patient-related information in the context of recommendations provided by the treating surgeon prior to rotator cuff repair surgery.

The Sex or Race of Program Directors May Not Play a Significant Role in Impacting Diversity Among Orthopaedic Surgery Residents.

PURPOSE: To identify the influence of residency program characteristics, including the presence of under-represented minorities in medicine (URiM) and/or female program directors (PDs), on the race and sex distribution of orthopaedic surgery residency trainees. METHODS: All active and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited orthopaedic surgery residency programs from 2017-2021 that reported usable information in the Residency Explorer Tool were included. Data collected included program characteristics, as well as faculty and resident sex distribution, ethnicity, race, and demographic characteristics. The PDs' specific sex, ethnicity, race, and demographic characteristics were collected using residency program websites. The prevalence of factors in programs with the top quartile of female and URiM residents was compared with that in programs with the bottom 3 quartiles. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 148 of 200 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs (3,694 residents). The 52 excluded programs had no usable information in the Residency Explorer Tool or on an identifiable program website. Overall, 15.9% of residents in orthopaedic surgery residency programs were women and 14% were under-represented minorities. The rates of female PDs and chairs were 12.4% and 6.9%, respectively, whereas those of URiM PDs and chairs were 8.3% and 4.6%, respectively. Programs with more female residents were not associated with female PDs (P = .79) or URiM PDs (P = .48). Programs with a greater percentage of URiM residents were not associated with URiM PDs (P = .16). Larger programs (P = .021) and university-based programs (P = .048) had a greater percentage of female residents. Orthopaedic residency programs with visa sponsorship had a greater percentage of URiM residents (P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: Programs with a higher percentage of female or URiM residents did not show a significant association with having female or URiM PDs. Larger programs and university-affiliated programs were more likely to have a larger percentage of female residents, whereas programs that offered visa sponsorship had a higher percentage of URiM residents. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study highlights factors influencing diversity among orthopaedic surgery residents. Although the presence of female or URiM PDs does not influence the percentage of female or URiM residents, other program characteristics such as size, affiliation, and visa sponsorship offer potentially actionable insights for promoting greater diversity in orthopaedic training. Doing so may increase under-represented groups within the field and could ultimately impact patient care and improve health care equity.

Arthroscopic Shoulder Simulation May Improve Short-Term Speed, Accuracy, and Efficiency of Surgical Movements in Orthopedic Residents and Fellows: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the effectiveness and validity of orthopedic surgery training using simulation technologies including augmented-reality, virtual-reality, and/or mixed-reality within arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS: A literature search utilized EMBASE and PubMed databases from inception to January 2024 per the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Included studies described arthroscopic shoulder surgery simulation training among orthopedic surgery trainees. Exclusion criteria included studies assessing non-arthroscopic and non-shoulder simulations, non-English language studies, case reports, animal studies, studies with overlapping cohorts, and review articles. Simulation characteristics, performance measurements, and validity assessed were extracted. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed study quality. Simulation type, validation type, and simulation outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 15 included articles, published from 2011 to 2021, evaluated 421 residents or fellows and 17 medical students. Virtual reality (VR) was used in 40% of studies and mixed reality in 60%. The most common outcomes assessed were time to completion (80%), visualizing and probing task performance (60%), and the Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET) (33.3%). Construct validity was assessed in 46.7% of studies, transfer validity in 26.7%, face validity in 20%, and content validity in 6.7%. Three studies demonstrated improved performance in those undergoing simulation training compared to non-simulation groups. Two studies (13.3%) demonstrated improved time-to-task completion and decreased camera distance travelled when using simulation training. One study demonstrated that PGY-1 and PGY-5 residents derived the greatest benefit from simulation training. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic shoulder simulation training may benefit the surgical skills of orthopedic residents of all levels of experience as measured by time-to-completion, accuracy, and efficiency of surgical movements. Simulation training exhibits differences in operative time between more and less experienced orthopedic surgeons and trainees. Virtual reality simulation training may result in more efficient orthopedic surgical techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Systematic review of level I-III studies.

Reported Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Incidence in Adolescent Athletes Is Greatest in Female Soccer Players and Athletes Participating in Club Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in adolescent athletes based on sex, sport, and sport affiliation. METHODS: A literature search was performed using 3 online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) from database inception to November 2023 per the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included studies consisted of Level I or II studies reporting on ACL injury exposures in time (hours) or injuries per 1,000 athlete-exposures (AEs) (1 game or practice) in adolescent athletes. Exclusion criteria consisted of non-English studies, case reports, animal/cadaveric studies, and review articles. Methodological quality and bias assessment of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. ACL injuries were analyzed and pooled to calculate incidence rates (IRs), per-season risk, and relative risk (RR) based on sex, sport, and sport affiliation (club sport participation vs school sport participation). RESULTS: A total of 1,389 ACL injuries over 19,134,167 AEs were identified (IR, 0.075; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.071-0.079). Of these, 670 ACL injuries were reported in female athletes over 7,549,892 AEs (IR, 0.089; 95% CI, 0.087-0.091) with 719 in males over 11,584,275 AEs (IR, 0.062; 95% CI, 0.058-0.067). The greatest RR for ACL injury in females was in soccer (RR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.58-3.77) for AEs. The greatest per-season risk of ACL injuries reported in female athletes occurred in soccer (1.08%), basketball (1.03%), and gymnastics (1.01%). The greatest per-season risk of ACL injuries reported in male athletes occurred in football (0.82%), lacrosse (0.64%), and soccer (0.35%). Club sport participation, in both AEs (RR, 3.94; 95% CI, 3.19-4.87) and hours of exposure (RR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.07-2.28), demonstrated an increased risk of ACL injury. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of ACL injuries was 1.56-fold greater in adolescent female athletes compared with male athletes. The highest-risk sport for females was soccer. Participation in club sports possessed higher rates of injury compared with school sports. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II; meta-analysis of Level I and II studies.

Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears Treated With a Tuberoplasty Yield Favorable Clinical Outcomes With Variable Rates of Complications: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the patient-reported outcomes and postoperative complications following tuberoplasty for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and EMBASE computerized databases from database inception to June 2023 in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Included studies evaluated clinical outcomes, postoperative complications, and reoperation rates following tuberoplasty for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Exclusion criteria consisted of non-English language, cadaveric studies, case reports, animal studies, studies with overlapping cohorts, letters to editors, and review articles. Study quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. Clinical outcome scores included the visual analog scale for pain, University of California Los Angeles score, and Constant score. RESULTS: Seven studies from 2002 to 2023 consisting of 123 patients with a mean age of 66.5 years (mean range, 63-70.4 years) were included. The mean follow-up time ranged from 18 to 98 months. The mean Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score was 13.5 (range, 13-15). At final follow-up, the mean postoperative visual analog scale pain scores ranged from 2.3 to 2.5, University of California-Los Angeles shoulder score from 27.2 to 27.7, and Constant scores from 59.2 to 90.6. Postoperative active forward flexion and abduction ranged from 131° to 165°, and 123° to 160°, respectively. The change in acromiohumeral distance postoperatively ranged from -1 mm to -0.6 mm. The rate of postoperative complications ranged from 0% to 19% of patients, while 0% to 19% of patients underwent revision surgery to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberoplasty for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears results in good clinical outcomes with significant pain relief in select populations. However, the variable reoperation rates should be considered when counseling patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.

Isolated Primary Latarjet Procedures for Anterior Shoulder Instability Results in High Rates of Graft Resorption and Glenohumeral Degenerative Changes With Low Rates of Failure at a Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications after an isolated primary Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder instability at a minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in accordance with 2020 PRISMA guidelines. EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed databases were queried from database inception through September 2022. The literature search was limited to human clinical studies reporting on postoperative complications and adverse events after a primary Latarjet procedure with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Risk of bias was measured using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies, consisting of 1,797 patients (n = 1,816 shoulders), with a mean age of 24 years were identified. The overall postoperative complication rate ranged from 0% to 25.7%, with the most common complication being persistent shoulder pain (range: 0%-25.7%). Radiological changes included graft resorption (range: 7.5%-100%) and glenohumeral degenerative changes (range: 0%-52.5%). Recurrent instability following surgery was documented in 0% to 35% of shoulders, while the incidence of bone block fractures ranged from 0% to 6% of cases. Postoperative nonunion, infection, and hematomas had a reported incidence rate ranging from 0% to 16.7%, 0% to 2.6%, and 0% to 4.4%, respectively. Overall, 0% to 7.5% of surgeries were reported failures, and 0% to 11.1% of shoulders required reoperation, with a revision rate ranging from 0% to 7.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of complications following the primary Latarjet procedure for shoulder instability was variable, ranging from 0% to 25.7%. High rates of graft resorption, degenerative changes, and nonunion were present while failure and revision rates remained low at a minimum 2-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, systematic review of Level I-III studies.

Platelet-Rich Plasma, Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate, and Hyaluronic Acid Injections Outperform Corticosteroids in Pain and Function Scores at a Minimum of 6 Months as Intra-Articular Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of common intra-articular injections used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, including corticosteroid (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), with a minimum follow-up of 6-months. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines in August 2022 in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Controlled Trials, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Level I to II randomized clinical trials with a minimum follow-up of 6 months that investigated the treatments of interest were included. Patient-reported outcome scores for pain and function at baseline and at latest follow-up were extracted, and the change in scores was converted to uniform 0 to 100 scales. Arm-based Bayesian network meta-analysis using a random-effects model was created to compare the treatment arms in pain and function. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies comprising a total of 9,338 knees were included. The most studied intra-articular injection was HA (40.9%), followed by placebo (26.2%), PRP (21.5%), CS (8.8%), and then BMAC (2.5%). HA and PRP both led to a significant improvement in pain compared with placebo. HA, PRP, and BMAC all led to a significant improvement in function scores when compared with placebo. Surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRAs) of the interventions revealed that PRP, BMAC, and HA were the treatments with the highest likelihood of improvement in both pain and function, with overall SUCRA scores of 91.54, 76.46, and 53.12, respectively. The overall SUCRA scores for CS and placebo were 15.18 and 13.70, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: At a minimum 6-month follow-up, PRP demonstrated significantly improved pain and function for patients with knee osteoarthritis compared with placebo. Additionally, PRP exhibited the highest SUCRA values for these outcomes when compared with BMAC, HA, and CS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, meta-analysis of Level I to II studies.

Meniscus Extrusion, Radial Tears, and Root Tears.

Management of meniscal radial and root tears and extrusion is complex and has changed significantly over recent years. It is important to provide a comprehensive overview of the management of radial and root tears and meniscal extrusion and be aware of the currently available evidence on repair techniques, rehabilitation, and outcomes following radial and root repairs.

Outcomes following revision reverse shoulder arthroplasty for infection.

BACKGROUND: In comparison to primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) procedures, revision arthroplasty can be a longer and more complex procedure leading to an increased risk of complications. The reported rates of infection in primary RSA range from 1% to 19% and the cost impact on patients and health care systems is significant, leading to multiple revision surgeries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postoperative outcomes, complications, and revision rates for revision reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rRSA) due to infection compared with rRSA for noninfectious causes. METHODS: Patients who underwent rRSA between 2009 and 2020 by a single fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at a single institution were retrospectively identified through a prospectively collected database. Patients were separated into 2 cohorts based on revision diagnosis: (1) rRSA due to infection (rRSAi) and (2) rRSA due to noninfectious causes (rRSAn). Patient-reported outcome scores (PROs), including the Simple Shoulder Test, Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form score, University of California-Los Angeles shoulder score, Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart score, and active range of motion (ROM) were collected preoperatively and at a minimum 1-year follow-up. Postoperative complications and revision rates were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients (n = 19 rRSAi group, n = 74 rRSAn group) with a mean age of 68 years were included in this analysis. All baseline demographics were comparable between groups. No significant differences were found in preoperative or postoperative PROs and ROM between the 2 groups. Postoperative complication rates and revision rates were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSION: RSA due to infection results in similar patient-reported outcome scores, range of motion, and revision rates when compared to rRSA for noninfectious causes. Our results suggest that despite the unique challenges associated with rRSA for infection, patient outcomes do not differ from cases attributed to noninfectious causes. More efforts are warranted to further validate and contextualize these findings, considering the protentional influence of patient-specific and implant-specific factors.

"Does an Additional Advanced Degree Influence Career Trajectory as a Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon?"

BACKGROUND: As orthopedic surgery becomes increasingly competitive, orthopedic surgeons are now pursuing advanced degrees more frequently to enhance their resumes or gain additional expertise. The specific impact of this additional training and education on a surgeon's career trajectory is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of an advanced degree on the academic career of orthopedic shoulder and elbow surgeons. METHODS: Orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship-trained surgeons were identified using the directory listed on the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons website. Demographics, education, and current professional roles were obtained. Research productivity was obtained using SCOPUS and Google Scholar. Advanced degrees were defined as those additional to the primary medical degree (Doctor of Medicine [MD] or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine [DO]). Outcome measures collected included timing of advanced degree obtainment, current academic and leadership roles, leadership on journal editorial boards, and research productivity. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test to determine the association of advanced degrees on outcome measures. RESULTS: In total, 893 orthopedic shoulder and elbow surgeons were identified, of whom 129 had advanced degrees. Most common advanced degrees included Master of Science (MS/MSc; 43%), Master of Business Administration (MBA; 23%), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD; 13%). The most common period of degree obtainment was before medical school (35%) with the least common times being after medical school/before residency (0.9%) and between residency and fellowship training (0.9%). Surgeons who held advanced degrees demonstrated greater research productivity, with a higher h-index (p < 0.001), a greater number of citations (p < 0.001), and more publications (p < 0.001). Of the 523 shoulder and elbow surgeons who worked at an academic institution, those holding advanced degrees were more likely to serve as orthopedic department chair (p < 0.001) and serve an editorial board position (< 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that having an advanced degree as an orthopedic shoulder and elbow surgeon was linked to higher research impact and productivity and an increased likelihood of becoming a department chair and holding an editorial position. These significant findings can help future trainees and department leadership in understanding the importance and impact of additional training on career trajectories for academic faculty.

Social media use and patient ratings in shoulder and elbow surgeons: how many "likes" for five stars?

BACKGROUND: Social media plays an important role in healthcare and physician selection by facilitating direct communication with patients and impacting physician ratings. A concern however is the increased online scrutiny and negative impact on patient satisfaction with these connections. This study aimed to investigate whether social media activity by fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow surgeons impacts patient's perceptions and ratings on physician review websites (PRWs). METHODS: The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons physician directory was used to identify currently practicing shoulder and elbow surgeons in the United States. Physician ratings were collected from Healthgrades, Google reviews, and Vitals. The surgeons were divided into two groups: social media users (SMU) and non- SMU (NSMU). The association of social media use with online physician ratings was evaluated using simple and multilinear regressions. RESULTS: A total of 385 American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons surgeons were included and 21.3% were SMU. SMU were younger (mean age, 48 years) compared to NSMU (mean age, 51 years) (P = .01), all other demographics were comparable including sex (P = .797), medical degree (P = .114), and geographic location within the United States (P = .49). SMU had significantly higher ratings on Healthgrades (P < .001) and Vitals (P < .001). However, social media use did not impact the total number of ratings on PRWs. Additionally, surgeons who utilized Facebook had higher physician ratings and number of website reviews on Healthgrades (P = .028 and P = .014, respectively). In addition, surgeons who used Twitter had higher ratings on Healthgrades (P < .001) and Vitals (P = .001). Surgeons with a greater average number of likes per post on Twitter had significantly higher average ratings across all three sites (P = .004). Surgeons with a greater number of Twitter followers and greater average number of likes per post had significantly higher average ratings on Healthgrades (P = .052 and P = .005, respectively) while surgeons with a greater average number of likes per post had significantly higher average ratings on Vitals (P = .006). Finally, surgeons with a greater average posting frequency on Instagram had significantly higher average ratings across all websites (P = .029). CONCLUSION: Shoulder and elbow surgeons who use Twitter and Facebook had significantly higher online ratings. However, the increased use of these platforms in terms of postcontent, postfrequency, comments, and number of followers was not as influential on PRWs. This suggests that social media is an important marketing and outreach method for orthopedic surgeons to improve their ratings and patient reviews.

Telemedicine in orthopaedics during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative landscape.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive analysis on observed trends regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telemedicine application in orthopaedics compared to other procedural, non-emergent specialties. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all telemedicine and in-person visits at a large single institution from January to December 2020. The number of patient visits, visit type, location, and provider specifics were collected. Comparisons were made between subspecialties (orthopaedic surgery, oncology, family medicine, rheumatology) for analyses. RESULTS: All specialties included were not conducting virtual visits at the beginning of 2020. By April 2020, orthopaedic virtual visits spiked to an all-time high of 33.5% of all patient visits as compared to oncology at 25.5%, rheumatology at 92.9%, and family medicine at 94%. By the end of the study period, orthopaedic virtual visits decreased back down to 6.5% of patient visits compared to oncology at 7.0%, and family medicine (17.4%) and rheumatology (26.2%). Orthopaedic providers practicing greater than 20 years had the highest average virtual visit rates. CONCLUSION: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has posed unique challenges for healthcare providers, there was a great advancement in the rollout and application of telemedicine. To mitigate the spread of infection from coronavirus and given the recent adjustments to reimbursement policies and HIPAA regulations, orthopaedics saw a dramatic expansion of telemedicine since April 2020. The pandemic may have served as a catalyst to adopt telehealth into clinical practice. However, telehealth saw a downtrend trend by December 2020, particularly in procedure-based fields like orthopaedics and oncology.

Do modifiable patient factors increase the risk of postoperative complications after total joint arthroplasty?

INTRODUCTION: Numerous studies demonstrate that modifiable lifestyle risk factors can influence patient outcomes including survivability, quality of life, and postoperative complications following orthopaedic surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of modifiable lifestyle risk factors on postoperative medical and surgical complications following a total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in a large national healthcare system. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of a large national health system database was performed to identify patients who underwent TJA between 2017 and 2021. TJA included total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, and total shoulder arthroplasty. Modifiable lifestyle risk factors were defined as tobacco use, narcotic drug abuse, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Postoperative medical complications and postoperative surgical complications were collected. Logistic regression and odds ratio point estimate analysis were conducted to assess for associations between postoperative complications and modifiable lifestyle risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 16,940 patients identified, the mean age was 71 years, mean BMI was 29.7 kg/m2, and 62% were women. We found that 3.5% had used narcotics, 8.7% were past or current smokers, 24% had diabetes, and 61% had hypertension; in addition, 5.4% experienced postoperative medical complications and 6.4% experienced postoperative surgical complications. Patients who used narcotics were 90% more likely to have postoperative complications (p < 0.0001) and 105% more likely to experience prosthetic complications (p < 0.0001). Similarly, patients with tobacco use were 65% more likely to have postoperative complications (p < 0.0001) and 27% more likely to experience prosthetic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate critical rates of increased postoperative medical and surgical complications after TJA for patients with narcotic abuse, tobacco use, or diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, adopting preoperative interventions and optimization programs informed by our findings on specific modifiable risk factors could aid orthopaedic surgeons in optimizing patient health. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; Retrospective study.

Suture Augmentation in Orthopaedic Surgery Offers Improved Time-Zero Biomechanics and Promising Short-Term Clinical Outcomes.

Ligament and tendon ruptures have historically been addressed with varying techniques involving either repair or reconstruction. More recently, the potential biomechanical benefits of suture augmentation (SA), also known as internal brace, have attracted substantial attention and helped renew interest in ligament repair surgery. We evaluated the biomechanical and clinical outcomes of SA-based techniques in the following sports medicine procedures: medial ulnar collateral ligament repair of the elbow, thumb collateral ligament repair, anterior cruciate ligament repair, Achilles' tendon repair, and deltoid ligament repair. Published data on the use of SA to augment repairs of the ulnar collateral ligament, thumb collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, Achilles' tendon, and deltoid ligament repair demonstrate improved time-zero biomechanical and promising short- to mid-term clinical outcomes. However, surgeons must be wary of potential complications, including joint overconstraint, nerve paresthesia, and infection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion.

Biceps Tenodesis in Patients Age 35 Years and Younger Yields Favorable Clinical Outcomes With Variable Rates of Return to Sport and Complications: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To systematically evaluate reported clinical outcomes, return-to-sport (RTS) rates, and complications following biceps tenodesis in patients aged 35 years and younger and compare outcomes between overhead and nonoverhead athletes. METHODS: A literature search was performed by querying Scopus, EMBASE, and PubMed computerized databases from database inception through August 2022 in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Studies that evaluated clinical outcomes following biceps tenodesis in patients aged 35 years or younger were included. Study quality was assessed via the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. Clinical outcomes, RTS rates, and complications were aggregated. RESULTS: Nine studies from 2011 to 2022 comprising 161 patients (mean age, 25 years; range, 19.7-28.9 years) were included. At an average follow-up of 59 months, postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score ranged from 81.6 to 96 and the mean visual analog scale score ranged from 0 to 2.1. Mean overall RTS rate ranged from 35% to 100% for the entire patient cohort 35% to 86% among overhead athletes, and 46% to 100% among nonoverhead athletes. Among the overhead athletes, 24 were baseball pitchers. 17% to 100% able to return to sport at any level. Complications were reported in 0% to 19% of patients. 0 to 18% of patients underwent revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Biceps tenodesis in patients 35 years of age and younger yields a wide variability in reported RTS rates, excellent clinical outcome scores, and low but variable reported rates of complications, reoperations, and failure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; Systematic Review of Level III and IV studies.

Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction and Repair Show Similar Improvement in Outcome Scores, But Repair Shows Higher Rates of Knee Stiffness and Failure: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To compare patient-reported outcomes and complications in patients with medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries undergoing repair versus reconstruction with a minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase-computerized databases from database inception to November 2022, according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies evaluating clinical outcomes and complications at a minimum of 2 years following MCL repair versus reconstruction were included. Study quality was assessed using the MINORS criteria. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies published from 1997 to 2022, consisting of 503 patients were identified. Twelve studies (n = 308 patients; mean age: 32.6 years) reported outcomes following MCL reconstruction, and 8 studies (n = 195 patients; mean age: 28.5 years) reported results following MCL repair. Postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and Tegner scores ranged from 67.6 to 91, 75.8 to 94.8, and 4.4 to 8, respectively, in the MCL reconstruction group, compared to 73 to 91, 75.1 to 98.5, and 5.2 to 10, respectively, in the MCL repair group. Knee stiffness was the most commonly reported complication following MCL repair (range: 0% - 50%) and reconstruction (range: 0% - 26.7%). Failures occurred in 0% to 14.6% of patients following reconstruction versus 0% to 35.1% of patients undergoing MCL repair. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) for postoperative arthrofibrosis (range: 0% - 12.2%) and surgical debridement for arthrofibrosis (range: 0% - 20%) were the most commonly reported reoperations in the MCL reconstruction and repair groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MCL reconstruction versus repair both demonstrate improved International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and Tegner scores. MCL repair demonstrates higher rates of postoperative knee stiffness and failure at a minimum 2-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.