Surgeon Performance as a Predictor for Patient-Reported Outcomes After Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy.

Background: Surgeon performance has been investigated as a factor affecting patient outcomes after orthopaedic procedures to improve transparency between patients and providers. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to identify whether surgeon performance influenced patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) 1 year after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM). It was hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in PROMs between patients who underwent APM from various surgeons. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A prospective cohort of 794 patients who underwent APM between 2018 and 2019 were included in the analysis. A total of 34 surgeons from a large multicenter health care center were included. Three multivariable models were built to determine whether the surgeon-among demographic and meniscal pathology factors-was a significant variable for predicting the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)-Pain subscale, the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS), and a 10-point improvement in the KOOS-Pain at 1 year after APM. Likelihood ratio (LR) tests were used to determine the significance of the surgeon variable in the models. Results: The 794 patients were identified from the multicenter hospital system. The baseline KOOS-Pain score was a significant predictor of outcome in the 1-year KOOS-Pain model (odds ratio [OR], 2.1 [95% CI, 1.77-2.48]; P < .001), the KOOS-Pain 10-point improvement model (OR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.44-0.73), and the 1-year PASS model (OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.15-1.76]; P = .002) among articular cartilage pathology (bipolar medial cartilage) and patient-factor variables, including body mass index, Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey-Mental Component Score, and Area Deprivation Index. The individual surgeon significantly impacted outcomes in the 1-year KOOS-Pain mixed model in the LR test (P = .004). Conclusion: Patient factors and characteristics are better predictors for patient outcomes 1 year after APM than surgeon characteristics, specifically baseline KOOS-Pain, although an individual surgeon influenced the 1-Year KOOS-Pain mixed model in the LR test. This finding has key clinical implications; surgeons who wish to improve patient outcomes after APM should focus on improving patient selection rather than improving the surgical technique. Future research is needed to determine whether surgeon variability has an impact on longer-term patient outcomes.

Return to play following operative management of anterior shoulder instability in overhead athletes-A systematic review.

Background: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the rate and timing of return to play in overhead athletes following operative management of anterior shoulder instability. Methods: A systematic literature search based on PRISMA guidelines, utilizing the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and The Cochrane Library Databases. Eligible for inclusion were clinical studies reporting on return to play among overhead athletes following arthroscopic Bankart repair, open Latarjet procedure or Remplissage procedure. Results: There are 23 studies included with 961 patients. Among those undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair, the rate of return to play was 86.2%, with 70.6% returning to the same level of play and the mean time to return to play was 7.1 months. Among those undergoing an open Latarjet procedure, the rate of return to play was 80.9%, with 77.7% returning to the same level of play and the mean time to return to play was 5.1 months. Among those undergoing a Remplissage procedure, the rate of return to play was 70.6%, with 70.0% returning to the same level of play or mean time to return to play. Discussion: Overall, there were high rates of return to play following operative management of anterior shoulder instability in overhead athletes.

The Psychology of ACL Injury, Treatment, and Recovery: Current Concepts and Future Directions.

CONTEXT: Interest in the relationship between psychology and the outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) continues to grow as variable rates of return to preinjury level of activity continue to be observed. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Articles were collected from peer-reviewed sources available on PubMed using a combination of search terms, including psychology, resilience, mental health, recovery, and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Further evaluation of the included bibliographies were used to expand the evidence. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. RESULTS: General mental health and wellbeing, in addition to a host of unique psychological traits (self-efficacy, resilience, psychological readiness and distress, pain catastrophizing, locus of control, and kinesiophobia) have been demonstrated convincingly to affect treatment outcomes. Moreover, compelling evidence suggests that a number of these traits may be modifiable. Although the effect of resilience on outcomes of orthopaedic surgical procedures has been studied extensively, there is very limited information linking this unique psychological trait to the outcomes of ACLR. Similarly, the available information related to other parameters, such as pain catastrophizing, is limited with respect to the existence of adequately sized cohorts capable of accommodating more rigorous and compelling analyses. A better understanding of the specific mechanisms through which psychological traits influence outcomes can inform future interventions intended to improve rates of return to preinjury level of activity after ACLR. CONCLUSION: The impact of psychology on patients' responses to ACL injury and treatment represents a promising avenue for improving low rates of return to preinjury activity levels among certain cohorts. Future research into these areas should focus on specific effects of targeted interventions on known, modifiable risk factors that commonly contribute to suboptimal clinical outcomes. STRENGTH-OF-RECOMMENDATION TAXONOMY (SORT): B.

Patient Resilience Does Not Conclusively Affect Clinical Outcomes Associated With Arthroscopic Surgery but Substantial Limitations of the Literature Exist.

Purpose: To determine whether low resilience is predictive of worse patient-reported outcomes (PROs) or diminished improvements in clinical outcomes after joint preserving and arthroscopic surgery. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Science Direct was performed on September 28, 2022, for studies investigating the relationship between resilience and PROs after arthroscopic surgery in accordance with the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Results: Nine articles (level II-IV studies) were included in the final analysis. A total of 887 patients (54% male, average age 45 years) underwent arthroscopic surgery, including general knee (n = 3 studies), ACLR-only knee (n = 1 study), rotator cuff repair (n = 4 studies), and hip (n = 1 study). The Brief Resilience Scale was the most common instrument measuring resilience in 7 of 9 studies (78%). Five of 9 studies (56%) stratified patients based on high, normal, or low resilience cohorts, and these stratification threshold values differed between studies. Only 4 of 9 studies (44%) measured PROs both before and after surgery. Three of 9 studies (33%) reported rates of return to activity, with 2 studies (22%) noting high resilience to be associated with a higher likelihood of return to sport/duty, specifically after knee arthroscopy. However, significant associations between resilience and functional outcomes were not consistently observed, nor was resilience consistently observed to be predictive of subjects' capacity to return to a preinjury level of function. Conclusions: Patient resilience is inconsistently demonstrated to affect clinical outcomes associated with joint preserving and arthroscopic surgery. However, substantial limitations in the existing literature including underpowered sample sizes, lack of standardization in stratifying patients based on pretreatment resilience, and inconsistent collection of PROs throughout the continuum of care, diminish the strength of most conclusions that have been drawn. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of level II-IV studies.

In-Game Workload Demands of Position Players in Major League Baseball.

BACKGROUND: Athletes who are well prepared for the physical demands of competition are less susceptible to injury. Defining and then preparing athletes for these in-game demands is critical to athlete health and performance. The injury burden within Major League Baseball (MLB) is significant and differs by position. Despite its importance, the workload demands have not been described for position players in MLB. HYPOTHESIS: That running demands would be significantly higher for outfielders, followed by infielders, and catchers, respectively, while batting and baserunning metrics would be similar across positions. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Total and high-speed running distance (>75% Vmax), high-speed running count, hard accelerations (>2.78 m/s/s), defensive and baserunning minutes, total and hard throws (>75% max), and bat swing counts were calculated from Statcast data. Players with 100 games or more in the 2018 season (n = 126) were included for analysis. RESULTS: All offensive and baserunning metrics were similar across positions; however, significant positional differences were observed for defensive and overall workload metrics. High-speed running was highest among outfielders (F1,7 = 27.1, P < 0.01), followed by infielders, then catchers. Hard accelerations (F1,7 = 12.9, P < 0.01) were highest among first basemen, then outfielders, remaining infielders, and catchers. Total throws (F1,7 = 17.7, P < 0.01) were highest among middle infielders. Hard throws (P < 0.01) were highest among shortstops and third basemen. CONCLUSION: In-game workloads differ significantly by defensive position in MLB. These differences in running, throwing, and hitting volumes have significant implications for physical preparation and injury return-to-play progressions to optimize performance and minimize injury and reinjury risk for these athletes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data provide insight into how best to prepare athletes of different positions for the demands of the game both in terms of preseason preparation as well as return-to-play benchmarks following injury. These data should also serve as a platform for future research into the relationship between workload and injury among professional baseball players.

Differences in Glenohumeral Range of Motion and Humeral Torsion Between Right-Handed and Left-Handed Professional Baseball Pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Elite pitchers have demonstrated significant differences in glenohumeral range of motion and humeral torsion compared with the nonthrowing population. Furthermore, abnormal shoulder range of motion measurements have been associated with different injury risks and challenges in assessing rehabilitation progress. Variations in range of motion and torsion due to handedness in the asymptomatic professional population have yet to be investigated in the literature. HYPOTHESIS: No significant differences in glenohumeral range of motion and humeral torsion would exist between asymptomatic right- and left-handed professional pitchers. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: 217 Major League Baseball pitchers from a single organization were evaluated over a 7-year period between 2013 and 2020. Range of motion was measured with a standard goniometer. Ultrasound scanning was used to determine neutral position of the shoulder, and the degree of humeral torsion was measured with a goniometer. RESULTS: Right-handed pitchers demonstrated significantly greater values of glenohumeral external rotation (118.5° vs 112.7°; P < .001) in their throwing arms compared with their left-handed counterparts. Right-handed pitchers also showed greater values of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (13.9° vs 4.8°; P < .001) and side-to-side differences in humeral retrotorsion (-23.1° vs -2.2°; P < .001). Left-handed pitchers demonstrated significantly greater flexion deficits in the throwing arm compared with their right-handed counterparts (7.5° vs 0.0°; P < .001). CONCLUSION: In the throwing arm, right-handed pitchers demonstrated significantly greater measures of external rotation, glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, and humeral retrotorsion compared with left-handed counterparts. Furthermore, right-handed pitchers demonstrated a significant side-to-side difference in retrotorsion, whereas left-handed pitchers did not. However, left-handed pitchers demonstrated a side-to-side shoulder flexion deficit that was not present in the cohort of right-handed pitchers. The correlation between humeral retrotorsion and increased external rotation indicates that osseous adaptations may play a role in range of motion differences associated with handedness. Additionally, these findings may explain observed differences in several throwing metrics between right- and left-handed pitchers. Knowledge of these differences can inform rehabilitation programs and shoulder maintenance regimens.

Pectoralis muscle injuries in Major and Minor League Baseball.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Although shoulder and elbow injuries in professional baseball players have been thoroughly studied, little is known about the frequency and impact of pectoralis muscle injuries in this population. The purpose of this study was to use the official league injury surveillance system to describe pectoralis muscle injuries in professional baseball players in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB). Specifically, (1) player demographic characteristics, (2) return to play (RTP), (3) injury mechanism, (4) throwing- and batting-side dominance, and (5) injury rate per athlete exposure (AE) were characterized to guide future injury prevention strategies. METHODS: The MLB Health and Injury Tracking System database was used to compile all pectoralis muscle injuries in MLB and MiLB athletes in the 2011-2017 seasons. Injury-related data including diagnosis (tear or rupture vs. strain), player demographic characteristics, injury timing, need for surgical intervention, RTP, and mechanism of injury were recorded. Subanalyses of throwing- and batting-side dominance, as well as MLB vs. MiLB injury frequency, were performed. RESULTS: A total of 138 pectoralis muscle injuries (32 MLB and 106 MiLB injuries) were reported in the study period (5 tears or ruptures and 133 strains), with 5 of these being recurrent injuries. Operative intervention was performed in 4 athletes (2.9%). Of the 138 injuries, 116 (84.1%) resulted in missed days of play, with a mean time to RTP of 19.5 days. Starting pitchers sustained the greatest proportion of pectoralis injuries (48.1%), with pitching being the most common activity at the time of injury (45.9%). A majority of injuries (86.5%) were sustained during non-contact play. Overall, 87.5% of injuries occurred on the player's dominant throwing side and 81.3% occurred on the player's dominant batting side. There was no significant difference in the rate of pectoralis injuries in the MLB regular season (0.584 per 10,000 AEs) vs. the MiLB regular season (0.425 per 10,000 AEs) (P = .1018). CONCLUSION: Pectoralis muscle injuries are most frequently non-contact injuries, most commonly sustained by pitchers. An understanding of these injuries can guide athletic trainers and management in expectation management and decision making, in addition to directing future efforts at injury prevention.

Management of common upper extremity injuries in throwing athletes: a critical review of current outcomes.

Given the rising incidence and prevalence of shoulder injuries in throwing athletes, this review aims to evaluate management options and outcomes of common shoulder injuries in overhead throwers. Laxity of the glenohumeral joint is often adaptive for overhead athletes to achieve the velocity necessary to compete in the professional ranks. Surgical repair of the stabilizers of the humeral head-specifically the labrum and rotator cuff-often causes inflammation, scarring, and overtensioning of the glenohumeral joint which lead to poor postoperative performance. Thus, nonsurgical management should be exhausted in this population before considering surgical intervention.

Epidemiology of acromioclavicular joint injuries in professional baseball: analysis from the Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder injuries account for a large portion of all recorded injuries in professional baseball. Much is known about other shoulder pathologies in the overhead athlete, but the incidence and impact of acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries in this population are unknown. We examined the epidemiology of AC joint injuries in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players and determined the impact on time missed. METHODS: The MLB Health and Injury Tracking System was used to compile records of all MLB and MiLB players from 2011 to 2017 with documented AC joint injuries. These injuries were classified as acute (sprain or separation) or chronic (AC joint arthritis or distal clavicular osteolysis), and associated data extracted included laterality, date of injury, player position, activity, mechanism of injury, length of return to play, and need for surgical intervention. RESULTS: A total of 312 AC joint injuries (183 in MiLB players and 129 in MLB players; range, 39-60 per year) were recorded: 201 acute (64.4%) and 111 chronic (35.6%). A total of 81% of acute and 59% of chronic injuries resulted in time missed, with a mean length of return to play of 21 days for both. Of the injuries in outfielders, 79.6% were acute (P < .0001), as were 66.3% of injuries in infielders (P = .004). Pitchers and catchers had more equal proportions of acute and chronic AC injuries (P > .05 for all). Acute AC injuries occurred most often while fielding (n = 100, 84.7%), running (n = 25, 80.6%), and hitting (n = 19, 61.3%), whereas chronic injuries tended to be more common while pitching (n = 26, 68.4%). Of contact injuries, 82.5% were acute (P < .0001), whereas 59.0% of noncontact injuries were chronic (P = .047). MLB players showed consistently higher regular-season rates of both acute and chronic AC injuries than MiLB players (P < .0001 for each). CONCLUSION: Acute AC joint injuries are contact injuries occurring most commonly among infielders and outfielders while fielding that result in 3 weeks missed before return to play, whereas chronic AC joint injuries occur more commonly in pitchers and catchers from noncontact repetitive overhead activity. Knowledge of these data can better guide expectation management in this elite population to better elucidate the prevalence of 2 common injury patterns in the AC joint.

Diagnosis and Management of Subcoracoid Impingement.

Impingement of the subcoracoid space is a poorly understood pathologic cause of anterior shoulder pain. Because of its relative rarity in isolation and nonspecific presentation, diagnosis and management are often challenging for orthopaedic surgeons and their patients. Stenosis of the subcoracoid space between the lesser tuberosity and the coracoid process <6 mm can lead to anterior shoulder pain and associated rotator cuff and biceps pathology. Multiple imaging modalities are available to assess narrowing of the coracohumeral interval, each with its strengths and limitations. If the patient can be accurately diagnosed with subcoracoid impingement, both conservative and surgical management options are available. Despite earlier case series demonstrating promising results with arthroscopic treatment, comparative studies have yet to support these initial claims.

Machine Learning Outperforms Regression Analysis to Predict Next-Season Major League Baseball Player Injuries: Epidemiology and Validation of 13,982 Player-Years From Performance and Injury Profile Trends, 2000-2017.

BACKGROUND: Machine learning (ML) allows for the development of a predictive algorithm capable of imbibing historical data on a Major League Baseball (MLB) player to accurately project the player's future availability. PURPOSE: To determine the validity of an ML model in predicting the next-season injury risk and anatomic injury location for both position players and pitchers in the MLB. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Using 4 online baseball databases, we compiled MLB player data, including age, performance metrics, and injury history. A total of 84 ML algorithms were developed. The output of each algorithm reported whether the player would sustain an injury the following season as well as the injury's anatomic site. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) primarily determined validation. RESULTS: Player data were generated from 1931 position players and 1245 pitchers, with a mean follow-up of 4.40 years (13,982 player-years) between the years of 2000 and 2017. Injured players spent a total of 108,656 days on the disabled list, with a mean of 34.21 total days per player. The mean AUC for predicting next-season injuries was 0.76 among position players and 0.65 among pitchers using the top 3 ensemble classification. Back injuries had the highest AUC among both position players and pitchers, at 0.73. Advanced ML models outperformed logistic regression in 13 of 14 cases. CONCLUSION: Advanced ML models generally outperformed logistic regression and demonstrated fair capability in predicting publicly reportable next-season injuries, including the anatomic region for position players, although not for pitchers.

Predictive Modeling to Determine Functional Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic surgical procedures; however, patient-reported outcomes have varied greatly in the literature. PURPOSE: To identify preoperative factors that affect outcomes and to develop prognostic tools for predicting functional outcomes in future ARCR cases. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients were included who underwent ARCR for repairable full-thickness rotator cuff tears with at least 2 years of follow-up. Twelve predictors were entered as candidate predictors in each model: age, sex, workers' compensation (WC) status, previous cuff repair, tear size, tear shape, multiple-tendon involvement, tendon stump length, Goutallier classification, critical shoulder angle, length of follow-up, and baseline subjective outcomes score. Postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Summary (SF-12 PCS), QuickDASH (short version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand), and patient satisfaction were each modeled through proportional odds ordinal logistic regression. Model results were presented with marginal covariate effect plots and predictive nomograms. RESULTS: Overall, 552 shoulders fit inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery was 60.2 years (range, 23-81 years). Twenty-five (4.5%) shoulders underwent revision cuff repair or reverse arthroplasty at a mean 1.9 years (range, 0.1-7.9 years) postoperatively. Overall, 509 shoulders were eligible for follow-up, and minimum 2-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes were obtained for 449 (88.2%) at a mean 4.8 years (range, 2-11 years). The ASES score demonstrated significant improvement from pre- to postoperative median (interquartile range): 58 (44.9-71.6) to 98.3 (89.9-100; P < .001). Women demonstrated significantly higher 2-year reoperation rates than men (5.8% vs 1.6%; odds ratio, 2.8 [95% CI, 0.73-9.6]; P = .023). Independently significant predictors for lower postoperative ASES scores included previous ARCR (P < .001), female sex (P < .001), and a WC claim (P < .001). Significant predictors for worse QuickDASH scores included WC claim (P < .001), female sex (P < .001), previous ARCR (P = .007), and ≥7 years of follow-up time. Significant predictors for lower SF-12 PCS scores included WC claim (P < .001), female sex (P = .001), and lower baseline SF-12 PCS. Last, significant independent predictors of patient satisfaction included previous ARCR (P = .004), WC claim (P = .011), female sex (P = .041), and age (P = .041). CONCLUSION: Excellent clinical outcomes and low failure rates were obtained after ARCR by using careful patient selection and modern surgical techniques for ARCR. Female sex, WC claim, and previous ARCR were significant predictors of poorer outcomes in at least 3 patient-reported outcome models. Prognostic nomograms were developed to aid in future patient selection, clinical decision making, and patient education.

Review of Anatomy of the Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Complex of the Elbow.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The importance of both the static and dynamic stabilizers of the medial elbow for the throwing athlete has been demonstrated in recent studies. Furthermore, recent anatomic studies have demonstrated the insertion of the anterior bundle (UCL) to be more distal and elongated, which has implications for surgical reconstruction of the UCL. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent anatomic and biomechanical studies evaluating the anatomy and reconstructions of the medial elbow. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature has highlighted the crucial role of the dynamic stabilizers in resisting valgus force, especially during the throwing motion. The dynamic stabilizers of the medial elbow include the flexor pronator mass, specifically the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS). The clinical importance of these findings cannot be under stated, as unrecognized dynamic stabilizer injury can lead to increased stress on a native or reconstructed UCL in the throwing athlete. The medial ulnar collateral ligament complex of the elbow has a crucial role in providing both static and dynamic elbow stability. Most notably, the anterior bundle (UCL) provides the primary resistance to valgus and rotational stresses, especially during throwing motion. An understanding of the humeral and ulnar footprints and their relationships with surrounding structures is necessary to restore the native isometry of the medial complex of the elbow during UCL reconstruction. The flexor pronator musculature plays an essential role in dynamic stability, and the intimate relationship of the FCU and FDS with the ulnar insertion of the UCL should be considered to optimize recovery and outcomes with repair or reconstruction.

Impact of Age and Subscapularis Tendon Reparability on Return to Recreational Sports Activities and 2-Year Outcomes After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: As the indications for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) have continued to expand, the average age of patients undergoing RTSA has decreased. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to report the minimum 2-year outcomes after RTSA and to evaluate the impact of surgical variables on outcomes. We hypothesized that younger patients, patients with larger glenosphere, and patients with irreparable subscapularis tendons would experience worse subjective patient-reported outcome scores (PROS) and that younger patients and those with a reparable subscapularis would demonstrate a higher rate of return to recreational sports activities. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients who underwent RTSA by a single surgeon between November 2005 and September 2014 were considered for this study. Patient characteristics, surgical details, PROS, and rates of return to recreational sports activity were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. We assessed correlations between PROS and both patient age and subscapularis reparability. PROS collected included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Short Form 12 (SF-12), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and postoperative patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients with an average age of 68.0 years (range, 45-87 years) were included. Minimum 2-year follow-up was obtained in 94 patients (85.4%), with a mean follow-up of 3.6 years (range, 2.0-9.3 years). The subscapularis was reparable in 58 patients (57.4%). All PROS significantly improved from pre- to postoperatively (P < .001). The median patient postoperative satisfaction was 9 out of 10 (range, 1-10). Increasing patient age was correlated with significant improvements in QuickDASH and ASES scores. Postoperatively, 76.1% (67/88) of patients were able to return to recreational sports activity. However, of those who did return, 68.2% indicated that they had to modify their activity in some way. Glenosphere size was not significantly associated with PROS or the rate of return to recreational sports activity, but patients with reparable subscapularis tendons demonstrated higher PROS and return to activity rates. CONCLUSION: Patients who had a reparable subscapularis tendon showed a significantly higher rate of return to recreational sports activity than patients who had a irreparable subscapularis tendon. Older age was correlated with greater improvement in several, although not all, patient-reported outcome measures. Glenosphere size was not significantly associated with higher PROS or rate of return to recreational sports activity.

Establishing Safe Extra-articular Parameters for Cortical Button Distal Fixation During Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: A variety of methods exist for fixation during ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction on the ulna for the overhead throwing athlete. Current biomechanical evidence suggests that cortical button fixation may fail at a higher load and under more cycles than interference screw fixation alone, while also minimizing the risk of fracture. A safe angle for placement of this cortical button has not yet been determined. PURPOSE: To define a safe angle for cortical button deployment during UCL reconstruction to avoid violation of the proximal radioulnar joint (PRUJ). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Measurements on 100 cadaveric ulna bones, 50 women and 50 men, were obtained referencing the entry point for ulnar fixation, which is 1 cm distal to the ulnar humeral joint line along the medial UCL ridge. Ulnar width at the entry point and distance to the PRUJ were obtained to calculate safe distal angulation, while distance from the entry point to the posterior ulnar crest ulnarly and distance from the PRUJ to the posterior ulnar crest radially were obtained to calculate safe posterior angulation. Ten bony measurements on the same group of specimens were performed by 3 authors to establish an interobserver reliability. Means, quartiles, and outliers were obtained for the calculated angles. Finally, recommended angles of entry were determined to be approximately 1 interquartile range above the upper limit. RESULTS: The mean distal angle of entry that was obtained was 11.32° (SD, ±4.80°; 95% CI, 10.37°-12.27°; P < .001). Three upper limit outliers were discovered: 24.20°, 23.4°, and 21.1°. The mean posterior angle of entry was 40.44° (SD, ±6.18°; 95% CI, 39.22°-41.67°; P < .001). There were no outliers for the posterior angle of entry. Interobserver reliabilities were strong for the 4 measurements. CONCLUSION: To be safely outside of the PRUJ utilizing a cortical button construct, we recommend 30° distal angulation and 60° posterior angulation for ulnar fixation during UCL reconstruction. Both parameters are 1 quartile above the highest calculated angle of entry. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data define safe parameters for distal fixation during UCL reconstruction and highlight a clear entry point for reference.

Concussion in American Versus European Professional Soccer: A Decade-Long Comparative Analysis of Incidence, Return to Play, Performance, and Longevity.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and effect of sports-related concussions (SRCs) within the global sport of professional soccer is poorly described. PURPOSE: To comparatively examine the effects of SRC on athletes in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the English Premier League (EPL) in terms of incidence, return to play (RTP), performance, and career longevity. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Contracts, transactions, injury reports, and performance statistics from 2008 to 2017 were obtained and cross-referenced across 6 publicly available websites detailing MLS and EPL data, including official league publications. For each league, players who sustained a concussion were compared with the 2008-2017 uninjured player pool. RTP and games missed were analyzed and compared. Career length was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Player performance changes were evaluated before and after concussion. RESULTS: Of the 1784 eligible MLS and 2001 eligible EPL players evaluated over the 10-year period, the incidence of publicly reported concussions per 1000 athlete-exposures was 20.22 and 18.68, respectively (P = .53). The incidence of reported concussions steadily increased in both leagues. MLS players missed a mean 7.3 games after concussion (37.0 days missed); EPL players missed a mean 0.6 games after concussion (10.9 days missed) (P < .0001, P < .0001). Statistical performance in terms of games started, assists, shots on goal, and total shots after concussion was significantly reduced at all nongoalie positions for players in the EPL; however, MLS nongoalie positions with concussion had no significant decreases in these categories. Goalies in both leagues had no significant change in performance or games started. The probability of playing a full season after concussion was not significantly decreased when compared with the uninjured pool in both leagues. CONCLUSION: This study established the SRC incidence among elite soccer players in 2 international professional leagues and identified major RTP and performance differences between EPL and MLS players. While career longevity was unaffected, the approach to managing concussion as in MLS may better promote player safety and preserve on-field performance.

Epidemiology and Impact of Prior Musculoskeletal Injury and Orthopaedic Surgery on Draft Rank, Availability, and Short-term Performance in Major League Baseball: A Summary Analysis and Matched Cohort of 1890 Predraft Players.

BACKGROUND: Despite the many reports of injury rates in Major League Baseball (MLB), little is known about the epidemiology or impact of prior musculoskeletal injuries and surgical procedures among players entering the MLB draft. PURPOSE: To determine the (1) epidemiology of all musculoskeletal injuries and surgical procedures among players entering the MLB draft, (2) impact of injury or surgery on draft rank, (3) impact of injury or surgery on availability within the first 2 years of play in the MLB, and (4) impact of injury or surgery on performance. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1890 medical records that were completed by MLB team physicians as preparticipation physical assessment prior to the draft from 2014 to 2018. Players were divided into 3 groups: noninjured, nonoperative, and operative. Draft status, overall draft rank, missed games, batting average, and earned run average for the first 2 seasons of MLB play were obtained for all available players. Players across all 3 groups were compared with linear, logistic, and beta regression models, controlling for age, position, injury status, and draft rank. Unadjusted differences among groups were assessed with 1-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Overall, 750 position players and 1140 pitchers were included, of whom 22.8% had no reported injury history; 48.8% reported injury treated nonoperatively; and 28.5% were treated operatively. The most common predraft injuries were elbow tendinitis (n = 312), ulnar collateral ligament injury (n = 212), and shoulder labral tear (n = 76). The most common predraft treatments were physical therapy (n = 922), ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (n = 115), and fracture fixation (n = 69). Of the 1890 players, 719 were drafted and played for at least 2 years. No difference was found among noninjured, nonoperative, and operative groups in terms of draft rank, games missed, or performance. Players with a nonoperative injury had a decreased odds ratio of being drafted (0.738; P = .017). CONCLUSION: More than half of the players entering the MLB reported a history of musculoskeletal injury requiring treatment, and the most commonly affected joints were the shoulder and elbow. Musculoskeletal history did not affect draft rank, short-term availability, or performance for MLB prospects.

Clinical Utility of an MRI-Based Classification System for Operative Versus Nonoperative Management of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears: A 2-Year Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND: A recently introduced classification system of medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears accounting for location and severity has demonstrated high interobserver and intraobserver reliability, but little is known about its clinical utility. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based classification system in predicting which athletes had success with nonoperative versus operative treatment after completing a standardized rehabilitation program. A secondary objective included return to play (RTP) and return to prior performance (RPP) analyses of baseball players. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: After an a priori power analysis, 58 consecutive patients with UCL tears and a minimum of 2-year follow-up were retrospectively divided into 2 groups: those who successfully completed operative treatment and those who completed nonoperative treatment. The MRI-based classification stages accounting for UCL tear location and severity were compared between the nonoperative and operative groups. A subanalysis for baseball players, including RTP and RPP, was performed. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients (40 baseball players [34 pitchers]) met inclusion criteria. Of these patients 35 (32 baseball players [27 pitchers]) underwent surgery, and 23 (8 baseball players [7 pitchers]) underwent nonoperative management. No patients in the nonoperative arm crossed over to surgery after completing the rehabilitation program. Patients with distal tears (odds ratio, 48.0; P = .0004) and complete tears (odds ratio, 5.4; P = .004) were more likely to undergo surgery. Baseball players, regardless of position, were confounding determinants of operative management, although there was no difference in RTP and RPP between treatment arms. CONCLUSION: A 6-stage MRI-based classification system addressing UCL tear location and severity may help early decision making, as patients likely to fail nonoperative treatment have complete, distal tears, whereas those with proximal, partial tears may be more amenable to nonoperative management.

Prognostic utility of an magnetic resonance imaging-based classification for operative versus nonoperative management of ulnar collateral ligament tears: one-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: A recently introduced classification of medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears has demonstrated high interobserver and intraobserver reliability, but little is known about its prognostic utility. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based classification system and nonoperative vs. operative management. Secondary objectives included subanalysis of baseball players. METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive patients with UCL tears after a standardized treatment paradigm were categorized as operative vs. nonoperative. UCL tears of patients with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were retrospectively classified using the MRI-based classification system. Subanalyses for baseball players included return-to-play and return-to-prior performance. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients (62 baseball players, 54 pitchers) met inclusion criteria. A total of 51 patients underwent surgery, and 29 patients completed nonoperative management. In baseball players, 59% of the proximal tears were treated nonoperatively and 97% of the distal tears were treated operatively; 100% of the proximal partial-thickness tears and 100% of the distal complete tears were treated nonoperatively and operatively, respectively. Patients with distal (odds ratio: 48.4, P < .0001) and complete (odds ratio: 5.0, P = .004) tears were more likely to undergo surgery. Baseball players, regardless of position, were determinants of operative management, and there was no difference in return-to-play clearance and return-to-prior performance between the operative and nonoperative groups. CONCLUSION: A reliable 6-stage MRI-based classification addressing UCL tear grade and location may confer decision making between operative and nonoperative management. Complete and distal tears carry a markedly increased risk of failing nonoperative care compared with proximal, partial tears.

Variations in Blood Supply From Proximal to Distal in the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow: A Qualitative Descriptive Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND: The vascular supply of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is unknown. Previous studies reported varying success in return-to-play rates after nonoperative management of partial UCL tears and suggested a varying healing capacity as possibly related to the location of the UCL injury. PURPOSE: To analyze the macroscopic vascular anatomy of the UCL of the elbow. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Eighteen fresh-frozen male cadaveric elbows from 9 donors were sharply dissected 15 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle. Sixty milliliters of India ink was injected through the brachial artery of each elbow. Arms were then frozen at -10°C, radial side down, in 15° to 20° of elbow flexion. A band saw was used to section the frozen elbows into 5-mm coronal or sagittal sections. Sections were cleared for visualization with the modified Spalteholz technique. Images of the specimens were taken, and qualitative description of UCL vascularity was undertaken. RESULTS: The authors consistently found a dense blood supply to the proximal UCL, while the distal UCL was hypovascular. They also observed a possible osseous contribution to the proximal UCL from the medial epicondyle in addition to an artery from the flexor/pronator musculature that consistently appeared to provide vascularity to the proximal UCL. The degree of vascular penetration from proximal to distal in the UCL ranged from 39% to 68% of the overall UCL length, with a 49% mean length of vascular penetration of the UCL. CONCLUSION: This study found a difference in the vascular supply of the UCL. The proximal UCL was well vascularized, while the distal UCL was hypovascular. This difference in vascular supply may be a factor in the differential healing capacities of the UCL based on the location of injury. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An improved understanding of the macroscopic vascular supply of the UCL may aid in the clinical management of partial UCL tears and suggests an indication for these treatments with respect to location of UCL injuries.