Early- and Late-Stage Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Knee Strength in Adolescents After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is rising in popularity because of its benefits in reducing muscle atrophy and mitigating knee strength deficits. Purpose: To investigate the impact BFRT has on adolescent knee strength after ACLR at 2 postoperative time points: at 3 months and the time of return to sport (RTS). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A prospective intervention (BFRT) group was compared to an age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched retrospective control group. Patients aged 12 to 18 years who underwent primary ACLR with a quadriceps tendon autograft were included. Along with a traditional rehabilitation protocol, the BFRT group completed a standardized BFRT protocol (3 BFRT exercises performed twice weekly for the initial 12 weeks postoperatively). Peak torque values for isometric knee extension and flexion strength (at 3 months and RTS) and isokinetic strength at 180 deg/s (at RTS) as well as Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC) scores were collected. Differences between the BFRT and control groups were compared with 2-way mixed analysis of variance and 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The BFRT group consisted of 16 patients (10 female; mean age, 14.84 ± 1.6 years) who were matched to 16 patients in the control group (10 female; mean age, 15.35 ± 1.3 years). Regardless of the time point, the BFRT group demonstrated significantly higher isometric knee extension torque compared to the control group (2.15 ± 0.12 N·m/kg [95% CI, 1.90-2.39] vs 1.74 ± 0.12 N·m/kg [95% CI, 1.49-1.98], respectively; mean difference, 0.403 N·m/kg; P = .024). The BFRT group also reported significantly better Pedi-IKDC scores compared to the control group at both 3 months (68.91 ± 9.68 vs 66.39 ± 12.18, respectively) and RTS (89.42 ± 7.94 vs 72.79 ± 22.81, respectively) (P = .047). Conclusion: In adolescents, the addition of a standardized BFRT protocol to a traditional rehabilitation protocol after ACLR significantly improved knee strength and patient-reported function compared to a traditional rehabilitation program alone.

Variability in Pain Management Practices for Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The opioid epidemic in the United States is a public health crisis. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons must balance adequate pain management with minimizing the risk of opioid misuse or dependence. There is limited data available to guide pain management for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to survey current pain management practices for ACLR among pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted, in which orthopaedic surgeons were asked about their pain management practices for pediatric ACLR. The voluntary survey was sent to members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. Inclusion criteria required that the surgeon perform anterior cruciate ligament repair or reconstruction on patients under age 18. Responses were anonymous and consisted of surgeon demographics, training, practice, and pain management strategies. Survey data were assessed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of 64 included responses, the average age of the survey respondent was 48.9 years, 84.4% were males, and 31.3% practiced in the southern region of the United States. Preoperative analgesia was utilized by 39.1%, 90.6% utilized perioperative blocks, and 89.1% prescribed opioid medication postoperatively. For scheduled non-narcotic medications postoperatively 82.8% routinely advocated and 93.8% recommended cryotherapy postoperatively.Acetaminophen was the most used preoperative medication (31.3%), the most common perioperative block was an adductor canal block (81.0%), and the most common postoperative analgesic medication was ibuprofen (60.9%). Prior training or experience was more frequently reported than published research as a primary factor influencing pain management protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variability exists in pain management practices in pediatric ACLR. There is a need for more evidence-based practice guidelines regarding pain management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Orthopaedic Surgery Pediatric Sports Medicine: Characterizing Practice Patterns and Subspecialization.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric sports medicine is a new and rapidly growing subspecialty within orthopaedic surgery. However, there is very limited literature on the practice of pediatric sports medicine in North America. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and describe the current practice patterns of orthopaedic surgeons specializing in pediatric sports medicine. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to orthopaedic surgeons specializing in pediatric sports medicine through the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society. The purpose of the survey was to characterize (1) surgeon demographics, (2) the breakdown of different joint specialization, and (3) the specific procedures for joints that the surgeons specialize in. RESULTS: Responses from 55 orthopaedic surgeons were collected and analyzed. Most respondents considered pediatric sports medicine as the primary focus of their practice (89.1%, n=49/55). The number of fellowships completed was almost evenly split between either a single fellowship (52.7%, n=29/55) or 2 or more (47.3%, n=26/55). The most common combination of fellowships was pediatric orthopaedics and adult sports medicine (32.7%, n=18/55). Most survey respondents had been in practice for <10 years (69.0%, n=38/55) and were affiliated with an academic center (61.8%, n=34/55). On average, 77.5% of the patients treated were <18 years old. The knee joint was the most specialized joint, with 98.2% (n=54/55) respondents reporting that the knee joint constituted ≥25% of their practice. The knee joint constituted a mean of 52.1% of the respondents' overall practice, followed by the shoulder (15.2%), hip (13.9%), ankle (7.5%), elbow (7.1%), and wrist (4.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric sports medicine practices are variable and have distinct practice patterns in pediatric, orthopaedic, and adult sports practices. In the current study, most surgeons are less than 10 years into practice, affiliated with academic centers, and have typically completed either 1 or 2 fellowships after residency. Surgeons were most commonly specialized in the knee joint and cared for patients <18 years old. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level of evidence IV.

Favorable Patient-Reported Outcomes and High Return to Sport Rates Following Hip Arthroscopy in Adolescent Athletes: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the existing literature surrounding hip arthroscopy in the adolescent athlete population to determine patient-reported outcomes, return to sport rates, complications, and reoperations associated with this intervention. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, and Embase according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they were published in English with greater than 2 participants, contained patients aged 10-19 years old or classified as "high school athletes" or "middle school athletes," and reported postoperative patient-reported outcomes and return to sport. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and their associated P values were recorded. Finally, return-to-sport outcomes and sports played were also extracted from the included studies. Weighted kappa was used to assess inter-reviewer agreement. RESULTS: Eleven studies included in the final analysis, resulting in 344 patients and 408 hips were analyzed by this review. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were reported in all studies. The modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) was used in all but 1 study. Six of the 11 studies reported a 100% return-to-sport rate, for a total of 98/98 athletes returning to sport. Fabricant et al. did note that a majority of athletes who returned to sport were able to do so at a subjective "nearly normal" level. Only 4 of the studies reported complications, with the majority being transient neuropraxias. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent athletes who undergo hip arthroscopy demonstrate favorable postoperative patient-reported outcome scores, high rates of return to sport, and an overall low complication rate. The heterogeneity in both surgical methodology and outcome measures used for evaluation and treatment leads to continued ambiguity with regard to the optimal method for managing adolescent athletes with hip pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, systematic review of Level II-V studies.

Short-term isokinetic and isometric strength outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To examine differences in knee strength outcomes after ACL reconstruction according to quadriceps tendon (QT) or hamstring tendon (HT) autograft in adolescents. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. METHODS: Surgical and clinical outcome data were collected. Analyses were conducted separately for female and male cohorts and grouped by graft type (HT or QT). A Mann-Whitney U test of independent samples was used to examine group differences according to graft type. RESULTS: 107 females (age = 15.6 ± 1.5 years) and 94 males (age = 15.7 ± 1.5 years) were included. Mean time since surgery ranged from 7.2 to 7.9 months. Those with a QT autograft had decreased normalized isokinetic quadriceps peak torque on the involved limb compared to the HT group (p < 0.01, ES = 0.71-0.89). Normalized isometric hamstring peak torque was decreased for those with HT autograft in the female cohort (p = 0.02, ES = 0.57). CONCLUSION: Normalized isokinetic quadriceps peak torque was reduced by 18-20% on the involved limb in those with a QT autograft. Normalized isometric hamstring peak torque was decreased by 13% for those with HT autograft in the female cohort. Method of strength testing may be an important consideration to fully appreciate strength deficits after ACL reconstruction according to graft type.

Traumatic Patellar Dislocations in Childhood and Adolescents.

Patellar instability and associated patellar dislocation can result in significant pain, disability, and associated injuries in young athletes. The patellofemoral joint is a complex articulation with stabilizing restraints, both medially and laterally, that help guide the patella into the corresponding trochlear groove as the knee cycles through an extension-to-flexion arc. In addition to soft tissue injuries, many osseous aberrancies can contribute to patellar instability in young athletes, including trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, and axial and coronal plane abnormalities. There is a role for nonoperative treatment in these young athletes; however, if recurrent or associated injuries are identified surgical intervention is warranted. Correct diagnosis of the underlying cause of the patellar instability is paramount to developing a surgical plan that will yield the most favorable outcome for these young athletes.

Radius crossover sign: an indication of malreduced radius shaft greenstick fractures.

BACKGROUND: Radius shaft greenstick fractures in children can be a challenging injury to treat because angulation and rotational alignment are difficult to assess. METHODS: In this report, we describe a simple method for analyzing the deformity and identifying rotational and angular malalignment. This technique involves analyzing the forearm radiographs as 2 segments, proximal and distal, and assuring that the rotational position of each matches the other. RESULTS: We present 3 cases of proximal radius greenstick fractures in malalignment to demonstrate the radius crossover sign. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the radius crossover sign, and proceeding with further closed reduction may prevent deformity that could otherwise result in a significant loss of forearm motion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Prospective evaluation of patient comprehension of informed consent.

BACKGROUND: Physicians and society may overestimate the level of patient comprehension during the process of obtaining informed consent for medical and surgical treatment. The purpose of this study was to prospectively measure the immediate level of patient comprehension at the time that surgical consent is obtained and the effect of time on this level of understanding. In addition, we studied the effect of sex, education level, and age on comprehension. METHODS: One hundred patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic surgery were enrolled voluntarily into this study. Following discussion of risks and benefits with the surgeon and a reading and explanation of the entire consent form, each patient immediately completed a questionnaire to test recall of the information that had just been reviewed. The same questionnaire was administered to each patient at the first postoperative visit and, if applicable, again at the second postoperative visit. Age, sex, education level, and questionnaire scores were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients completed the questionnaire preoperatively and scored an average of 70.7% correct answers. Seventy-five patients completed the first postoperative questionnaire, scoring an average of 59.5%. Thirty-nine patients completed the second postoperative questionnaire, scoring an average of 60.8%. The decline between the preoperative and the first postoperative score was significant. The mean score did not differ significantly according to sex at any time point. College-educated patients scored higher than patients without a college education did on both the preoperative and postoperative questionnaires, with the difference in the preoperative score being significant. Patients who were less than fifty years old scored higher than older patients did, with the difference in the postoperative score being significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patient comprehension and recall immediately following a thorough discussion of the consent form was unexpectedly low. This poor recall deteriorated further between the preoperative visit and the first postoperative visit (a period of no more than two weeks). Greater age and lower education level were associated with poorer comprehension. Sex did not affect any of the scores.