Prevalence of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum in elementary school baseball players based on ultrasonographic screening: a 15-year overview in Tokushima, Japan.

Background: Although several operative procedures have evolved for capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), the best outcome is achieved by early detection and conservative treatment. The objective of this study was to clarify changes in the prevalence of capitellar OCD in young baseball players over a long-term period based on consistent criteria in Tokushima, Japan between 2006 and 2020. Methods: The number of players who underwent screening and the discovery rate of capitellar OCD during the study period were investigated. School grade and radiographic stage were also evaluated. Results: The confirmation rate was significantly higher when ultrasonographic screening was performed than when screening was based on physical findings (65.8% vs. 1.9%, P < .001). The overall incidence of OCD in elementary school players based on ultrasonographic screening was 1.4% during the 10-year study period. Twenty-one (10.8%) of the 195 players identified to have OCD had experienced lateral elbow pain. When classified radiographically, the lesion was stage I in 73.3% of cases, stage II in 24.1%, and stage III in 2.6%. No cases of OCD were diagnosed before the fourth grade. The prevalence rates increased gradually from the fourth grade to the sixth grade. Conclusion: Ultrasonographic screening could be more effective for detecting capitellar OCD than screening based on physical findings. The overall prevalence of OCD among elementary school players was 1.4% over 10 years. The prevalence rates increased gradually from the fourth grade onwards.

Relationship between iliopsoas muscle surface pressure and implant alignment after total hip arthroplasty: a cadaveric study.

Iliopsoas impingement after total hip arthroplasty is caused by the implant irritating the iliopsoas muscle, but changes in the iliopsoas muscle have not been quantitatively evaluated. This study assessed changes in the surface pressure of the iliopsoas muscle when the implant alignment was varied. Total hip arthroplasty was performed in 10 fresh-frozen cadaveric hips. We evaluated the maximum and mean surface pressure of the iliopsoas muscle with the hip in 20° and 10° extension, the neutral position, and 10° flexion when the anterior cup protrusion length (ACPL), stem version, and stem offset were varied. When the ACPL was changed to 0, 3, and 6 mm in 20° extension, the maximum surface pressure was significantly increased for ACPL of 6 mm compared with 0 mm. Decreased stem anteversion resulted in a significant reduction in both the maximum and mean surface pressure compared with native anteversion from 20° extension to the neutral position. Increased stem offset resulted in significant increases in the maximum and mean surface pressure of the iliopsoas muscle compared with decreased stem offset in 20° extension. Not only large ACPL but also changes in stem version and offset affected the maximum surface pressure of the iliopsoas muscle.

Between-day reliability and minimum detectable change of the Conventional Gait Model 2 and Plug-in Gait Model during running.

BACKGROUND: The Plug-in Gait model (PiG) is commonly used in 3D motion analysis but has limited reliability. Although an improved version of PiG has been developed, called the Conventional Gait Model 2 (CGM2), there is limited evidence on its between-day reliability for running. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the between-day intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,k) and minimum detectable change (MDC) of lower limb kinematics and kinetics for CGM2 during running and does reliability differ between CGM2 and PiG. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy participants performed running at a comfortable speed in two identical test sessions at least 5 days apart. Lower limb kinematic and kinetic data in the three planes of motion were calculated using CGM2 and PiG. The ICC and MDC were calculated for the kinematic and kinetic parameters at initial contact and peak during the stance phase of running. RESULTS: CGM2 kinematics showed good-to-excellent reliability (ICC: 0.75-0.93), except for hip extension and ankle internal rotation, and less than 5° MDC (1.8°-4.9°) of the coronal and sagittal planes, except for hip extension. PiG showed poor-to-moderate reliability (ICC: -0.15 to 0.72) in the coronal and transverse planes and greater than 5° MDC (5.0°-21.8°), except for knee extension, adduction, and ankle dorsiflexion. CGM2 showed good-to-excellent reliability for peak kinetics (ICC: 0.75-0.97), except for hip internal rotation and knee extension. The ICC and MDC were higher for CGM2 than PiG, with significant differences in the coronal plane of the hip and knee joints and transverse plane of the hip joint in kinematics and in the sagittal and coronal plane of the hip and knee joints in kinetics. SIGNIFICANCE: The between-day reliability of CGM2 was mostly good to excellent for lower limb kinematics and kinetics during running. We believe that CGM2 can more accurately assess kinematic differences between the coronal and transverse planes than the PiG.

Contributions of the ischiofemoral ligament, iliofemoral ligament, and conjoined tendon to hip stability after total hip arthroplasty: A cadaveric study.

An adequate soft tissue balance is important in total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study assessed the contribution of the iliofemoral ligament, ischiofemoral ligament, and conjoined tendon to the range of hip rotation after THA and hip stability in response to axial traction. THA was performed in eight fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens via an anterolateral approach using a navigation system. The ischiofemoral ligament, the medial arm of the iliofemoral ligament, and the conjoined tendon were resected in that order. The ranges of external and internal rotation and the amount of movement of the femoral head in response to axial traction were measured with the hip in 10° of extension, the neutral position, and in 10°, 30°, and 60° of flexion. Resection of the medial arm of the iliofemoral ligament significantly increased the range of external rotation in 10° of extension, the neutral position, and in 10°, 30°, and 60° of flexion. The conjoined tendon was the most important inhibitor of internal rotation from 10° of extension to 30° of flexion. Although each single element had a minor role in stabilizing the hip when axial traction was applied, resection of two or more elements significantly affected joint stability. The iliofemoral ligament and conjoined tendon are the main inhibitors of external rotation and internal rotation, respectively, when THA is performed using an anterior or anterolateral approach. Resection of two or more elements could greatly affect hip stability when axial traction is applied.

One-year follow-up ultrasonographic study of the subchondral bone surface of the distal femoral epiphysis in children aged 9-11 years.

The aim of this study was to investigate the subchondral bone surface of the distal femoral epiphysis and monitor the morphologic changes on ultrasonography (US) in growing children. A total of 160 football players aged 9-11 years underwent ultrasonographic examination of both knees. The regularity of the subchondral bone surface of the femoral condyles was classified as grade 0 (smooth), 1 (focal semilunar depression or indentation) or 2 (broad irregularity). The relationship between age and frequency of irregularity was analyzed. Children with a grade 2 were referred for radiography and MRI to check for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). All players underwent repeat examination 1 year later. On initial examination, 82/320 knees (25.6%) were categorized as grade 0, 237/320 (74.1%) as grade 1 and 1 (0.3%) as grade 2. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of increasing age with decreased irregularity of subchondral bone in the lateral and medial condyles (P = 0.019 and P < 0.001 for trend, respectively). One year later, logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age was significantly associated with decreased appearance of subchondral bone irregularity in the medial condyle (P = 0.005 for trend) and a greater likelihood of disappearance of irregularity in both condyles (P < 0.001 for trend). Of five knees classified as grade 2, four had evidence of OCD on radiography and MRI. Subchondral bone surface irregularity of the distal femoral epiphysis was more common on US in growing children aged 9-11 years, and transition from an irregular to a smooth outline accelerated after age 10 years. US is a reliable method for assessing the morphology of the distal femoral epiphysis and could be a useful screening tool for detecting OCD.

Insufficient Postoperative Rehabilitation in Patients with Both Proximal Femoral Fracture and Antecedent Mental Illness.

INTRODUCTION: Though a combination of proximal femoral fracture and mental illness is likely, the management of this combination is not well established. The aim of this study was to clarify the current disposition of acute care and rehabilitation for patients with this combination of conditions at our institution. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 192 patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward who present with a proximal femoral fracture and an antecedent mental illness. We investigated walking ability prior to injury and after surgery, at discharge from our institution, using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score. RESULTS: Although patients in the psychiatric ward demonstrated postoperative hospital stays approximately 10 days longer than those in the orthopedic ward, more than half of the patients in the psychiatric ward were discharged from our institution with a functional level of complete dependence for walking ability. In addition, nearly 90% of the patients studied were transferred to a psychiatric hospital where no physical therapy or rehabilitation was provided to the inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: At our institution, patients with proximal femoral fracture and antecedent mental illness tended to be discharged with complete dependence in walking ability, often to a psychiatric hospital without physical therapy or rehabilitation. We hope this paper will draw attention to the need for rehabilitation in these patients.

Gustilo Type III Open and Comminuted Tibial Fractures Managed by Simultaneous Combination of a Free Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap and Ilizarov External Fixation: A Case Report.

CASE: A 70-year-old woman who sustained Gustilo type III open and comminuted tibial fractures presented with extensive soft-tissue defect. Definitive surgery was performed using a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap for the extensive soft-tissue defect and Ilizarov external fixation (IEF) to stabilize the fractures and arthrodese the ankle. Ankle arthrodesis was accomplished by the wires penetrating the implanted muscle flap. CONCLUSION: The combined free flap and IEF management protocol described in this report was effective in achieving early weight-bearing and prompt bone healing in an elderly patient with poor bone quality and extensive open and comminuted fractures.

Factors correlating with recovery of quadriceps strength after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts.

PURPOSE: Recovery of quadriceps strength after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the criteria used to promote rehabilitation and return to play. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with recovery of quadriceps strength after ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts. METHODS: Isokinetic quadriceps strength at 60°/s was measured preoperatively and 6 months after surgery in 101 patients (54 males and 47 females) who underwent double-bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts. The quadriceps strength index (%) was calculated by normalizing the peak torque of the operated leg with that of the contralateral leg. Details on age, sex, body mass index, time from injury to surgery, pre-injury Tegner activity scale score, previous meniscus repair, and preoperative quadriceps strength index were recorded. The factors associated with the postoperative quadriceps strength index were investigated in univariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis showed that preoperative quadriceps strength index (p = 0.001) was independently associated with the quadriceps strength index at 6 months after surgery. There was a marginally significant inverse association between age and postoperative quadriceps strength, but no statistically significant association was found for any of the other factors investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative quadriceps strength index at 6 months after double-bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts was affected by preoperative quadriceps strength index. Adequate preoperative quadriceps strength may need to be considered in order to facilitate better recovery of quadriceps strength after ACL reconstruction and to support an earlier return to sports activities.

Factors Associated With Knee Pain and Heel Pain in Youth Soccer Players Aged 8 to 12 Years.

BACKGROUND: Soccer is played by many children younger than 12 years. Despite its health benefits, soccer has also been linked to a high number of sport-related injuries. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between clinical factors and knee or heel pain in youth soccer players. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Study participants included 602 soccer players aged 8 to 12 years who were asked whether they had experienced episodes of knee or heel pain. Data were collected on age, body mass index, years of playing soccer, playing position, and training hours per week. Associations of clinical factors with the prevalence of knee or heel pain were examined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Episodes of knee and heel pain were reported by 29.4% and 31.1% of players, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that older age and more years of playing soccer were significantly and positively associated with the prevalence of knee pain (P = .037 and P = .015 for trend, respectively) but did not identify any significant associations for heel pain. CONCLUSION: In this study of youth soccer players, knee pain was associated with older age and more years of play, but heel pain was not significantly associated with any factor.

Two Years of Follow-up Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Osteochondral Injury of the Lateral Femoral Condyle in an Adolescent Basketball Player.

Chondral and osteochondral injuries of the femoral condyle are rare, and relatively few cases have been reported. Therefore, the mechanism, treatment, and findings on follow-up of these injuries are not well described. Here, we report the case of an adolescent basketball player who sustained a sports-related traumatic osteochondral injury of the lateral femoral condyle. He was treated with open reduction and internal fixation with the pull-out suture technique. Two years later, he was able to resume sporting activities at his pre-injury level with no symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed survival of the fixed osteochondral fragment and restoration of the congruity of the articular cartilage with no sign of delamination. This report describes the clinical outcome of this osteochondral injury of the lateral femoral condyle as seen on MRI at the 2-year follow-up and discuss the mechanism and treatment of this injury. J. Med. Invest. 66 : 213-217, February, 2019.