Elbow Arthroscopy: 30-Day Postoperative Complication Profile and Associated Risk Factors.

PURPOSE: To analyze (1) the incidence and type of complications after elbow arthroscopy, (2) the incidence of returning to the operating room (OR) after elbow arthroscopy, and (3) patient and risk factors for complications across a national surgical outcome database. METHODS: Patients who underwent elbow arthroscopy from January 2005 through December 2014 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database by use of Current Procedural Terminology codes. Basic patient demographic data and medical comorbidities were recorded. Postoperative adverse events and a return to the OR occurring within 30 days after the index procedure were identified, and patient and procedural risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: Five hundred thirty elbow arthroscopy cases were available for analysis. The aggregate rate of 30-day adverse events was 2.83%, whereas the rate of any patient having an adverse event was 1.89%. The most common adverse event was deep infection (0.57%). Univariate analyses showed that renal disease, preoperative steroid use, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, and preoperative diagnosis were associated with the occurrence of an adverse event. Multivariate analyses showed that increasing ASA class, specifically ASA class 3 and class 4, was an independent predictor of a postoperative adverse event. Furthermore, 0.94% of cases required a return to the OR. Univariate analyses showed that preoperative steroid use and diagnosis of trauma were associated with a return to the OR. These findings were confirmed by multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the incidence of 30-day postoperative adverse events (1.89%) and need to return to the OR (0.94%) is low. Increased ASA class is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of a postoperative adverse event; preoperative steroid use and diagnoses relating to a traumatic or inflammatory cause are predictive of the need to return to the OR. These results can assist surgeons in patient selection, preoperative optimization, and preoperative risk stratification. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty relieves pain and improves function more than total knee arthroplasty.

This study compared outcomes as assessed by 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) between patients who underwent unicompartmental (UKA) and patients who underwent total knee (TKA) arthroplasty. We prospectively collected preoperative demographic and SF-12 and WOMAC data on 128 TKAs and 70 UKAs. Postoperatively, SF-12 and WOMAC outcomes were recorded during annual follow-up visits. At baseline, patients who underwent UKA had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index than patients who underwent TKA; otherwise, preoperative characteristics were similar. At a mean follow-up of 3.0 years for UKA and 2.9 years for TKA, patients who underwent UKA reported higher SF-12 physical component and mental component scores and WOMAC pain/stiffness/physical function scores (confirmed with multivariate analysis). Furthermore, patients who underwent UKA had significantly larger improvements in both SF-12 outcomes and WOMAC pain and physical function scores from baseline than did patients who underwent TKA.

Effect of femoral offset on pain and function after total hip arthroplasty.

The effects of altering patients' femoral offset (FO) during total hip arthroplasty on postoperative pain and function have not been well described. This study compared clinical outcomes as assessed by the Short Form 12 Health Survey and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index between patients who had their FOs restored to varying degrees (compared to the contralateral normal hip [CL]). We retrospectively measured postoperative FOs on standard anteroposterior pelvis radiographs and compared to the CL. Patients were categorized into one of 3 groups: decreased offset (< -5 mm compared to CL), normal offset (between -5 and +5 mm), and increased offset (> +5 mm). The decreased offset group exhibited Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index Physical Function scores that were less than those of the normal offset and increased offset groups (72.03, 82.23, and 79.51, respectively [P = .019]). In conclusion, reducing a patients' native FO led to inferior functional outcome scores.

Predicting need for allogeneic transfusion after total knee arthroplasty.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can lead to substantial blood loss. To avoid the high costs of autologous blood predonation programs and efficiently allocate limited blood resources, we sought to identify preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with allogeneic blood transfusion (AllTx) after primary TKA and, subsequently, develop a model to predict patients who will require AllTx. We analyzed 31 independent variables in 644 primary unilateral TKAs without autologous blood predonation for requirement of AllTx. Seventy-one procedures (11.0%) required AllTx. Age, comorbid anemia, preoperative hemoglobin concentration, and surgical time were significant predictors for requiring AllTx. When applied to an independent cohort, our model for predicting the need for AllTx after TKA was 90% sensitive and 52.5% specific.

The Evidence for Common Nonsurgical Modalities in Sports Medicine, Part 1: Kinesio Tape, Sports Massage Therapy, and Acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: There are a number of nonsurgical modalities used by athletes in attempts to improve performance or prevent, treat, and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries. A concise review of available evidence on common nonsurgical modalities used today is necessary so that practitioners may appropriately counsel patients. METHODS: A comprehensive review of relevant publications regarding Kinesio taping, sports massage therapy, and acupuncture from 2006 through 2019 was completed using PubMed and Google Scholar. RESULTS: There have been numerous investigations evaluating the efficacy of nonsurgical modalities for a myriad of musculoskeletal conditions. There is some low level evidence to suggest the use of Kinesio tape for athletes with acute shoulder symptoms and acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome and as an adjunct treatment for low back pain. There is a need for higher quality research to better elucidate the effect of sports massage therapy on sports performance, recovery, and musculoskeletal conditions in general. CONCLUSIONS: Nonsurgical modalities are low-cost treatment strategies with very few reported adverse outcomes that will likely continue to increase in popularity. High-quality studies are needed to effectively evaluate these treatments, so that care providers can provide appropriate guidance based on evidence-based medicine.

The Evidence for Common Nonsurgical Modalities in Sports Medicine, Part 2: Cupping and Blood Flow Restriction.

OBJECTIVE: There are a number of nonsurgical modalities used by athletes in attempts to improve performance or prevent, treat, and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries. A concise review of available evidence on common nonsurgical modalities used today is necessary, so that practitioners may appropriately counsel patients. METHODS: A comprehensive review of relevant publications regarding cupping and blood flow restriction (BFR) from 2006 through 2019 was completed using PubMed and Google Scholar. RESULTS: There have been numerous investigations evaluating the efficacy of nonsurgical modalities for a myriad of musculoskeletal conditions. Cupping may be an effective option with low risk in treating nonspecific, musculoskeletal pain. Studies comparing BFR with non-BFR controls suggest that it may increase muscle strength and endurance for individuals undergoing rehabilitation or sport-specific training by mimicking the low oxygen environment during exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Nonsurgical modalities are low-cost treatment strategies with rates of adverse outcomes as low as 0.008% that will likely continue to increase in popularity. Despite the paucity of recent research in cupping and BFR, evidence suggests benefits with use. High-quality studies are needed to effectively evaluate these treatments, so that care providers can provide appropriate guidance based on evidence-based medicine.

Quality and Variability of Online Physical Therapy Protocols for Isolated Meniscal Repairs.

The ideal meniscal repair postoperative rehabilitation protocol has yet to be determined. Further, patients are attempting to access health care content online at a precipitously increasing rate given the efficiency of modern search engines. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the quality and variability of meniscal repair rehabilitation protocols published online with the hypothesis that there would be a high degree of variability found across available protocols. To this end, Web-based meniscal repair physical therapy protocols from U.S. academic orthopaedic programs as well as the first 10 protocols identified by the Google search engine for the term "meniscal repair physical therapy protocol" were reviewed and assessed via a custom scoring rubric. Twenty protocols were identified from 155 U.S. academic orthopaedic programs for a total of 30 protocols. Twenty-six protocols (86.6%) recommended immediate postoperative bracing. Twelve (40.0%) protocols permitted immediate weight-bearing as tolerated (WBAT) postoperatively, while the remaining protocols permitted WBAT at an average of 4.0 (range, 1-7) weeks. There was considerable variation in range of motion (ROM) goals, with most protocols (73.3%) initiating immediate passive ROM to 90°. The types and timing of strength, proprioception, agility, and pivoting exercises advised were extremely diverse. Only five protocols (16.7%) employed functional testing as a marker for return to athletics. The results of this study indicate that only a minority of academic orthopaedic programs publish meniscal repair physical therapy protocols online and that within the most readily available online protocols there are significant disparities in regards to brace use, ROM, weight-bearing, and strengthening and proprioception exercises. These discrepancies reflect the fact that the best rehabilitation practices after a meniscal repair have yet to be elucidated. This represents a significant area for improved patient care through standardization.

Increasing Burden of Youth Baseball Elbow Injuries in US Emergency Departments.

BACKGROUND: Youth athletes are starting sports earlier and training harder. Intense, year-round demands are encouraging early sports specialization under the perception that it will improve the odds of future elite performance. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that early specialization is associated with increased risk of injury and burnout. This is especially true of pediatric and adolescent baseball players. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this investigation was to analyze national injury trends of youth baseball players. We hypothesized that while the total number of baseball injuries diagnosed over the past decade would decrease, there would be an increase in adolescent elbow injuries seen nationally. A further hypothesis was that this trend would be significantly greater than other injuries to the upper extremity and major joints. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Injury data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a United States Consumer Product Safety Commission database, were analyzed between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2016, for baseball players aged ≤18 years. Data were collected on the location of injury, diagnosis, and mechanism of injury. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2016, an estimated 665,133 baseball injuries occurred nationally. The mean age of the injured players was 11.5 years. The most common injuries diagnosed included contusions (26.8%), fractures (23.6%), and strains and sprains (18.7%). Among major joints, the ankle (25.6%) was most commonly injured, followed by the knee (21.3%), wrist (19.2%), elbow (17.7%), and shoulder (16.2%). The incidence of the ankle, knee, wrist, and shoulder injuries decreased over time, while only the incidence of elbow injuries increased. A linear regression analysis demonstrated that the increasing incidence of elbow injuries was statistically significant against the decreasing trend for all baseball injury diagnoses, as well as ankle, knee, wrist, hand, and finger injuries (P < .05). Additionally, the only elbow injury mechanism that increased substantially over time was throwing. CONCLUSION: The current investigation found that while the incidence of baseball injuries sustained by youth players is decreasing, elbow pathology is becoming more prevalent and is more commonly being caused by throwing. Given that the majority of elbow injuries among adolescent baseball players are overuse injuries, these findings underscore the importance of developing strategies to continue to ensure the safety of these youth athletes.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Suture Augmentation.

Reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) remains the gold standard for treating overhead throwing athletes with valgus instability secondary to UCL pathology. Although surgical techniques for reconstruction have evolved over time, current methods allow 90% of patients to return to their preinjury level of activity. Despite encouraging results with reconstruction, UCL repair remains a valuable treatment option for patients with UCL pathology fitting specific criteria. There are a number of advantages associated with a direct repair, and further, the development of collagen-coated sutures for ligament repair augmentation makes this procedure an attractive surgical option under the correct circumstances. This article provides a detailed description and video demonstration of the surgical steps used to perform a UCL repair with suture augmentation.

Elbow Arthroscopy for Treatment of Valgus Extension Overload.

Valgus extension overload syndrome (VEO) is the result of supraphysiologic stresses placed across the posterior elbow during pitching. Following failure of nonoperative measures, surgical options consist of arthroscopic or limited incision posteromedial decompression. Although technically challenging, arthroscopic treatment offers many advantages over open treatment, including improved joint visualization, decreased soft-tissue dissection, decreased postoperative pain, and quicker rehabilitation. Arthroscopic treatment of VEO consists of soft tissue and bony debridement, loose body removal, and osteophyte resection. This technique report details the steps of arthroscopic treatment of VEO in a patient with a subluxating ulnar nerve.

Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Young Athletes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture.

BACKGROUND: The risk of depression and the fear of reinjury were documented in recent investigations of patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. The extent of psychological trauma accompanying these injuries among young athletes, however, has never been assessed. HYPOTHESIS: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after ACL injury are present among young athletes with high athletic identities. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients ≤21 years of age who had suffered an acute ACL rupture were consecutively recruited at a tertiary care center. Patients completed the Horowitz Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) to analyze for PTSD symptomatology, the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale, and an athlete specialization instrument created at the authors' institution. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were consecutively recruited. The mean patient age was 14.5 ± 2.7 years, and 50% of patients were male. More than 87.5% of patients experienced avoidance symptoms, 83.3% acknowledged symptoms of intrusion, and 75% had symptoms of hyperarousal. Patients aged 15 to 21 years incurred a higher severity of PTSD symptoms than younger patients (P = .033). Female patients experienced greater emotional trauma than male patients (P = .017). Finally, patients with high athletic identities experienced greater emotional trauma than those with lesser athletic identities, but this finding was not statistically significant (P = .14). CONCLUSION: Following ACL rupture, young athletes experience significant emotional trauma, including symptoms of avoidance, intrusion, and hyperarousal. High school and college athletes, female athletes, and patients with high athletic identities may be most susceptible.

Fifty Most-cited Articles on Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow.

INTRODUCTION: Citation number can be used as a marker of a scientific article's influence. This study sought to determine and characterize the most-cited investigations on lateral epicondylitis and identify the most influential studies pertaining to this pathology. METHODS: The Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science database was queried for articles investigating lateral epicondylitis, and the 50 most-cited articles were selected. For each article, number of citations, citation density, journal, publication year, country of origin, language, article type, article subtype, and level of evidence were recorded. RESULTS: Citation numbers ranged from 72 to 332 (mean, 127.4), and densities ranged from 1.6 to 34.0 (mean, 9.4). Articles were published across 26 different journals. Most articles (41) were clinical, with randomized controlled trials (29.3%) being the most commonly cited articles. DISCUSSION: Compared with previous investigations looking at citation density within orthopaedics, the most commonly cited clinical articles on lateral epicondylitis had a high percentage of level I or II evidence (39.0%). This compilation of the literature can aid in establishing reading curriculums for trainees in both orthopaedic residencies and fellowships. This is a Level V study.

The Impact of Body Checking on Youth Ice Hockey Injuries.

BACKGROUND: Body checking is a common cause of youth ice hockey injuries. Consequently, USA Hockey raised the minimum age at which body checking is permitted from the Pee Wee level (11-12 years old) to the Bantam level (13-14 years old) in 2011. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of body checking on the distribution of injuries reported in youth ice hockey players. We hypothesized that the elimination of body checking at the Pee Wee level would lower the frequency of serious injuries, particularly concussions. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Injury data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a United States Consumer Product Safety Commission database, were analyzed for Pee Wee and Bantam players between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010 and again between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015. Data on the location of injury, diagnosis, and mechanism of injury were collected. The location of injury was categorized into 4 groups: head and neck, upper extremity, lower extremity, and core. Diagnoses investigated included concussions, fractures, lacerations, strains or sprains, internal organ injuries, and other. The mechanism of injury was broken down into 2 categories: checking and other. RESULTS: Between the 2008-2010 and 2013-2015 seasons, overall injuries decreased by 16.6% among Pee Wee players, with injuries caused by body checking decreasing by 38.2% (P = .012). There was a significant change in the distribution of diagnoses in the Pee Wee age group during this time frame (P = .007): strains or sprains, internal organ injuries, and fractures decreased in frequency, while the number of concussions increased by 50.0%. In the Bantam age group, recorded injuries decreased by 6.8%, and there was no change in the distribution of the location of injury, diagnosis, or mechanism of injury (P > .05). CONCLUSION: There was an observed reduction in the total number, mechanism, and type of injuries when body checking was eliminated from the Pee Wee level. There was, however, an unexpected increase in the number of concussions.

Arthroscopic Elbow Osteocapsular Arthroplasty.

Treatment of primary elbow osteoarthritis in the young active patient less than 50 years old presents a treatment challenge to the practicing orthopaedic surgeon. Following failure of nonoperative management, surgical goals are aimed at reducing pain and improving joint mobility from bony impingement. Arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty is a viable treatment option with few post-operative limitations. In contrast, total elbow arthroplasty is considered a salvage option in this patient population given the activity restrictions imposed. Osteocapsular arthroplasty combines soft tissue and bony debridement, osteophyte/loose body removal, synovectomy, capsular release, and bony contouring of the humerus and ulna to allow impingement-free range of motion.

The Youth Throwing Score: Validating Injury Assessment in Young Baseball Players.

BACKGROUND: Epidemic levels of shoulder and elbow injuries have been reported recently in youth and adolescent baseball players. Despite the concerning frequency of these injuries, no instrument has been validated to assess upper extremity injury in this patient population. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to validate an upper extremity assessment tool specifically designed for young baseball players. We hypothesized that this tool will be both reliable and valid. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: The Youth Throwing Score (YTS) was constructed by an interdisciplinary team of providers and coaches as a tool to assess upper extremity injury in youth and adolescent baseball players (age range, 10-18 years). The psychometric properties of the test were then determined. RESULTS: A total of 223 players completed the final survey. The players' mean age was 14.3 ± 2.7 years. Pilot analysis showed that none of the 14 questions received a mean athlete importance rating less than 3 of 5, and the final survey read at a Flesch-Kincaid level of 4.1, which is appropriate for patients aged 9 years and older. The players self-assigned their injury status, resulting in a mean instrument score of 59.7 ± 8.4 for the 148 players "playing without pain," 42.0 ± 11.5 for the 60 players "playing with pain," and 40.4 ± 10.5 for the 15 players "not playing due to pain." Players playing without pain scored significantly higher than those playing with pain and those not playing due to pain ( P < .001). Psychometric analysis showed a test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.90 and a Cronbach alpha intra-item reliability coefficient of 0.93, indicating excellent reliability and internal consistency. Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.65, 0.62, and 0.31 were calculated between the YTS and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument sports/physical functioning module, the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow score, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, respectively. Injured players scored a mean of 9.4 points higher after treatment ( P < .001), and players who improved in their self-assigned pain categorization scored 16.5 points higher ( P < .001). CONCLUSION: The YTS is the first valid and reliable instrument for assessing young baseball players' upper extremity health.