The Effect of Casting Simulation on Maintenance of Fracture Alignment Following Closed Reduction of Pediatric Distal Radius Fractures: Does More Simulation Matter?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation curriculum on performance of closed reduction (CR) and casting of distal radius and distal both-bone forearm fractures by orthopaedic surgery residents. The secondary aim was to identify if repeated simulation training during the clinical rotation provided additional benefit. METHODS: Orthopaedic surgery residents performed simulated distal radius fracture (DRF) reduction and cast application near the beginning and end of their 6-month pediatric orthopaedic clinical rotation at a tertiary care children's hospital. A subgroup of trainees were randomly assigned additional simulation training halfway through their rotation. Clinically, 28 residents treated 159 distal radius and/or distal both-bone forearm fractures with CR and casting during the study period. Radiographic evaluations were performed comparing postreduction fracture angulation, displacement, cast index, and loss of reduction (LOR) rates at the beginning of a resident's rotation (presimulation cases) and at the end of the resident's rotation (postsimulation cases). Comparisons were also made between residents who had and did not have additional simulation training exposure during their rotation. RESULTS: Overall, postreduction radius angulation, maximal angulation, and cast index were lower in the postsimulation group than in the presimulation group with means 1.8°, 2.6°, and 0.75 vs 4.0°, 4.4° and 0.77, respectively. LOR rate was also lower (14% vs 30%). No significant differences were demonstrated for postreduction ulna angulation as well as for radius, ulna, or maximal displacement between these 2 groups. No significant differences were observed in radiographic parameters, cast indices, or LOR rates between residents who underwent additional mid-rotation training vs those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of a simulation training curriculum for CR and casting of pediatric distal forearm fractures resulted in statistically significant, however, marginally improved postreduction radiographic parameters and LOR rates among orthopaedic residents. The utility of repeated additional simulation training during the course of a clinical rotation remains unclear in the short term.

Tibial tubercle fractures in children and adolescents: a large retrospective case series.

To report patient characteristics, fracture types, treatment methods, early clinical outcomes and complications of children and adolescents treated for tibial tubercle fractures. Retrospective case series of patients 18 years old and younger treated for tibial tubercle fractures at a single institution from 1995 to 2015. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were reported at minimum six-month follow-up. In 228 patients, 236 tibial tubercle fractures were identified, of whom, 198 (87%) were males. Mean age and BMI was 14.3 years and 25.0, respectively. Pre-existing Osgood-Schlatter disease was identified in 31% cases and was most commonly associated with type I fractures (P < 0.001). Most fractures occurred while participating in athletics (86%). Initial treatment was surgical for 67% fractures. Type III fractures were most common (41%), followed by type I (29%). Type I fractures were most commonly treated nonoperatively (91%) and types II-V fractures were most commonly treated surgically (89%, P < 0.001). Compartment syndrome was identified in 4 (2%) patients, 3 of which had type IV fractures. Most patients returned to sports (88%). Tibial tubercle fractures are sports-related injuries and occur most commonly in adolescent males. They can be associated with pre-existing Osgood-Schlatter disease, a higher than average BMI, and a small but relevant risk of compartment syndrome. Following treatment, most patients return to sports participation.

Institutional Variation in Surgical Rates and Costs for Pediatric Distal Radius Fractures: Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) Database.

Background: Reduction of variations may streamline healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and minimize cost. The purpose of this study was to characterize variations in surgical rates and hospital costs for treatment of pediatric distal radius fractures (DRFs) using Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database. Methods: The PHIS database was queried from 2009-2013 for DRFs in patients 4-18 years of age. Patients who underwent surgical treatment with internal fixation were identified using surgical CPT codes and/or ICD-9 procedure codes. 25 children's hospitals were included. Surgical rates and hospital costs were modeled. Rates were adjusted and standardized for gender, age, presence of other diagnoses, and year. Results: The aggregate rate of surgery for treatment of DRF was 2.65% and for open surgery was 0.81%. The standardized surgical rates for the 25 hospitals ranged widely, from 1.45% to 13.8% and for open surgical treatment from 0.51% to 4.27%. Six of the 25 hospitals had rates significantly higher than the aggregate for surgical treatment. Standardized hospital costs per patient ranged from $361 to $1,088 (2013 US dollars) across the hospitals with fairly uniform distribution. Conclusions: In the United States, there is great variability in practice and hospital costs of treatment of distal radius fractures. Further characterization of the root causes of these variations, and the effect, if any, on patient outcomes, is needed to improve value delivery in pediatric orthopaedic care.Level of Evidence: II.

Follow-up Study on the Effects of Tendon Transfers and Open Reduction on Moderate Glenohumeral Joint Deformity in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury.

BACKGROUND: Soft-tissue contractures about the shoulder in patients with brachial plexus birth injury are common and can lead to progressive shoulder displacement and glenohumeral dysplasia. Open or arthroscopic reduction with musculotendinous lengthening and tendon transfers have become the standard of care. The clinical function and radiographic joint remodeling beyond the first 2 years after surgery are not well understood. METHODS: We performed a follow-up study of 20 patients with preexisting mild to moderate glenohumeral joint deformity who had undergone open glenohumeral joint reduction with latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfers and concomitant musculotendinous lengthening of the pectoralis major and/or subscapularis. Prospective collection of Modified Mallet and Active Movement Scale (AMS) scores and radiographic analysis of cross-sectional imaging for glenoid version, humeral head subluxation, and glenohumeral joint deformity classification were analyzed for changes over time. RESULTS: The average duration of radiographic follow-up was 4.2 years (range, 2 to 6 years). The mean glenoid version improved from -31.8° to -15.4° (p < 0.0001). The mean percentage of the humeral head anterior to the middle of the glenoid (PHHA) improved from 9.6% to 30.4% (p < 0.0001). The mean glenohumeral joint deformity score improved from 3.7 to 2.1 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: All parameters showed the greatest magnitude of improvement between preoperative measurements and 1 year of follow-up. There were no significant changes beyond the 1-year time point in the Mallet scores, AMS scores, or radiographic outcome measures, possibly because of insufficient power, although trends of improvement were noted for some outcomes. No decline in outcome measures was found during the study period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Adolescent Clavicle Fractures: Results From the FACTS (Function after Adolescent Clavicle Trauma and Surgery) Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The majority of previous investigations on operative fixation of clavicle fractures have been related to the adult population, with occasional assessments of the younger, more commonly affected adolescent population. Despite limited prospective data for adolescents, the incidence of operative fixation of adolescent diaphyseal clavicle fractures has increased. PURPOSE: To detail the demographic features and descriptive epidemiology of a large pooled cohort of adolescent patients with diaphyseal clavicle fractures presenting to pediatric tertiary care centers in the United States through an observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study (Function after Adolescent Clavicle Trauma and Surgery [FACTS]). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients aged 10 to 18 years who were treated for a diaphyseal clavicle fracture between August 2013 and February 2016 at 1 of 8 geographically diverse, high-volume, tertiary care pediatric centers were screened. Treatment was rendered by any of the pediatric orthopaedic providers at each of the 8 institutions, which totaled more than 50 different providers. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, fracture laterality, hand dominance, mechanism of injury, injury activity, athletic participation, fracture characteristics, and treatment decisions were prospectively recorded in those who were eligible and consented to enroll. RESULTS: A total of 545 patients were included in the cohort. The mean age of the study population was 14.1 ± 2.1 years, and 79% were male. Fractures occurred on the nondominant side (56%) more frequently than the dominant side (44%). Sport was the predominant activity during which the injury occurred (66%), followed by horseplay (12%) and biking (6%). The primary mechanism of injury was a direct blow/hit to the shoulder (60%). Overall, 54% were completely displaced fractures, defined as fractures with no anatomic cortical contact between fragments. Mean shortening within the completely displaced group was 21.9 mm when measuring the distance between fragment ends (end to end) and 12.4 mm when measuring the distance between the fragment end to the corresponding cortical defect (cortex to corresponding cortex) on the other fragment (ie, true shortening). Comminution was present in 18% of all fractures. While 83% of all clavicle fractures were treated nonoperatively, 32% of completely displaced fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation. CONCLUSION: Adolescent clavicle fractures occurred more commonly in male patients during sports, secondary to a direct blow to the shoulder, and on the nondominant side. Slightly more than half of these fractures were completely displaced, and approximately one-fifth were comminuted. Within this large cohort, approximately one-third of patients with completely displaced fractures underwent surgery, allowing for future prospective comparative analyses of radiographic, clinical, and functional outcomes.

The acetabulum in healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is cranially retroverted and associated with global reduction of femoral head coverage: a matched-cohort study.

To evaluate the acetabular morphology in healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease after skeletal maturity using computed tomography (CT) scan and to compare with matched controls. We identified 33 (37 hips) patients with healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and closed triradiate cartilage who underwent pelvic CT scan. Each patient was matched based on sex, age and side to a subject with no history of hip disease who had undergone pelvic CT evaluation because of abdominal pain. Both cohorts had 23 (70%) males and mean age of 16.4-16.5 ± 3.6 years. Two independent readers assessed lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), acetabular inclination angle (IA), acetabular depth-width ratio (ADR), acetabular version 10 mm below the dome (cranial) and at the acetabular center and anterior (AASA) and posterior acetabular sector angles (PASA). All measurements had good to excellent interobserver agreement (intraclass coefficients ≥ 0.87). The hips in the Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease cohort had a smaller mean ± standard deviation (SD) superior, anterior and posterior acetabular coverage as assessed by LCEA (13.2° ± 10.7° versus 28.2° ± 3.4°; P < 0.0001), IA (11.6° ± 6.7° versus 3.5° ± 2.8°; P < 0.0001), AASA (52.4° ± 9.5° versus 59.3° ± 5.0°; P = 0.001) and PASA (79.3° ± 5.9° versus 92.3° ± 5.5°; P < 0.0001) compared with controls. The acetabulum was shallower (ADR 287 ± 45 versus 323 ± 28; P = 0.0002) and the acetabular version was decreased cranially (0.4°±9.2° versus 8.2°±6.8°; P = 0.0002) and at the acetabular center (13.7°±5.1° versus 17.2° ±3.8°; P = 0.004) in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease hips. After skeletal maturity, hips with healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease have shallower and more cranially retroverted acetabula, with globally reduced coverage of the femoral head compared with age-, sex- and side-matched control hips.

Complications of Bioabsorbable Tibial Interference Screws After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Pediatric and Adolescent Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Interference screw fixation using bioabsorbable implants has become the most common form of tibial-sided graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Complications related to implant use in the pediatric and adolescent population have not been well studied. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the complications associated with tibial bioabsorbable interference screw use in adolescents after ACLR. We hypothesized that complication rates would be low (<5%) and that different screw types would have similar complication rates and clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Included in this study were patients aged ≤18 years who underwent ACLR with a bioabsorbable tibial interference screw between 2000 and 2011 at a single institution. The subpopulation with screw-related symptoms or complications were identified through chart review. The following 2 outcomes were considered: screw-related symptoms and secondary surgery related to the screw. Multivariable logistic regression was used for adjusted analysis of any screw-related problem. RESULTS: There were 925 ACLR procedures in 858 patients (mean age, 15.7 years; range, 10-18 years) who met inclusion criteria. The median follow-up period was 32.0 months. Of the 925 knees, 89 (9.6%) developed a screw-related problem. In 44 (4.8%) cases, no surgery was required; in 45 (4.9%) cases, surgery for a screw-related problem occurred at a median of 24 months postoperatively. The most common surgical indication was pain at the tibial screw site (42/45, 93%), followed by intra-articular screw issues (3/45, 7%). In adjusted analysis, ACLR procedure performed by a "low-volume" ACL surgeon was the only significant predictor identified. After screw removal surgery, 25 of 27 (93%) patients with at least 12 months of follow-up had complete resolution of screw site symptoms, 18 of 23 (78%) evaluable patients returned to sports, while 8 of 27 (30%) patients underwent additional surgeries, 7 of which were unrelated to the screw procedure. CONCLUSION: The rate of clinical sequelae from bioabsorbable tibial interference screws was surprisingly high, with symptoms arising after approximately 1 of 10 ACLRs in adolescents. Reoperation for these symptoms was performed in approximately 5% of the knees in the study, at a median 2 years postoperatively. Most patients were able to return to sports after screw removal surgery.

Reconstruction of the Suprascapular Nerve in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: A Comparison of Nerve Grafting and Nerve Transfers.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder external rotation recovery in brachial plexus birth injury is often limited. Nerve grafting to the suprascapular nerve and transfer of the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve are commonly performed to restore shoulder external rotation, but the optimal surgical technique has not been clearly demonstrated. We investigated whether there was a difference between nerve grafting and nerve transfer in terms of shoulder external rotation recovery or secondary shoulder procedures. METHODS: This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 145 infants with brachial plexus birth injury who underwent reconstruction with nerve grafting to the suprascapular nerve (n = 59) or spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfer (n = 86) with a minimum follow-up of 18 months (median, 25.7 months [interquartile range, 22.0, 31.2 months]). The primary outcome was the Active Movement Scale (AMS) score for shoulder external rotation at 18 to 36 months. The secondary outcome was secondary shoulder surgery. Two-sample Wilcoxon and t tests were used to analyze continuous variables, and the Fisher exact test was used to analyze categorical variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative risk of subsequent shoulder procedures, and the proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: The grafting and transfer groups were similar in Narakas type, preoperative AMS scores, and shoulder subluxation. The mean postoperative shoulder external rotation AMS scores were 2.70 in the grafting group and 3.21 in the transfer group, with no difference in shoulder external rotation recovery between the groups (difference, 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.31 to 1.33]). A greater proportion of the transfer group (24%) achieved an AMS score of >5 for shoulder external rotation compared with the grafting group (5%) (odds ratio, 5.9 [95% CI, 1.3 to 27.4]). Forty percent of the transfer group underwent a secondary shoulder surgical procedure compared with 53% of the grafting group; this was a significantly lower subsequent surgery rate (HR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.35 to 0.95]). CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder external rotation recovery in brachial plexus birth injury remains disappointing regardless of surgical technique, with a mean postoperative AMS score of 3, 17% of infants achieving an AMS score of >5, and a high frequency of secondary shoulder procedures in this study. Spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfers were associated with a higher proportion of infants achieving functional shoulder external rotation (AMS score of >5) and fewer secondary shoulder procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Nonoperative treatment of stable juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the knee: effectiveness of unloader bracing.

The purpose of this study was to compare the treatment outcomes of stable juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) of the knee in a large cohort treated nonoperatively with unloader bracing versus other nonoperative treatment modalities without unloader bracing. This retrospective study assessed the clinical course of skeletally immature patients who underwent a minimum of 3 months nonoperative treatment for stable JOCD of the femoral condyle at a single institution (2001-2014). Treatment was based on physician preference. Unloader bracing was compared with other 'non-unloader' modalities, with successful nonoperative treatment defined as the avoidance of subsequent surgical intervention. Two hundred ninety-eight patients were included, 219 (73%) of whom were male. The mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 11.5 ± 1.6 years. Thirty-five patients were diagnosed with bilateral OCD, resulting in 333 knees in total. One hundred eighty-seven (56%) knees were treated with unloader bracing for a minimum of 3 months, whereas 146 (44%) were treated with other nonoperative modalities. All patients were treated with activity restrictions. Weight-bearing restrictions were applied for a total of 83 (25%) cases, for durations ranging from 19 to 196 days (median: 46 days) and at similar rates across groups. Nonoperative treatment was successful in 189 (57%) knees with a median follow-up of 9.5 months (interquartile range: 5.9-15.7 months). Surgical intervention was required in 144 (43%) knees at a median time of 6.0 months (interquartile range: 4.1-10.5 months). The unloader bracing group more often required surgical intervention when compared with the nonunloader group [93/187 (50%) vs. 51/146 (35%) knees, respectively; P = 0.02]. Male sex (P = 0.05) and Hefti stage I (P = 0.05) showed possible associations with nonoperative treatment success. Nonoperative treatment for stable JOCD of the knee leads to the avoidance of subsequent surgical intervention in 57% of cases. Unloader bracing is not associated with significantly improved outcomes when compared with other nonoperative modalities. Level of Evidence: III Retrospective Comparative Case Series.

Microsurgery for Brachial Plexus Injury Before Versus After 6 Months of Age: Results of the Multicenter Treatment and Outcomes of Brachial Plexus Injury (TOBI) Study.

BACKGROUND: Infants with more severe brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) benefit from primary nerve surgery to improve function. The timing of the surgery, however, is controversial. The Treatment and Outcomes of Brachial Plexus Injury (TOBI) study is a multicenter prospective study with the primary aim of determining the optimal timing of this surgical intervention. This study compared outcomes evaluated 18 to 36 months after "early" microsurgery (at <6 months of age) with the outcomes of "late" microsurgery (at >6 months of age). METHODS: Of 216 patients who had undergone microsurgery, 118 were eligible for inclusion because they had had a nerve graft and/or transfer followed by at least 1 physical examination during the 18 to 36-month interval after the microsurgery but before any secondary surgery. Patients were grouped according to whether the surgery had been performed before or after 6 months of age. Postoperative outcomes were measured using the total Active Movement Scale (AMS) score as well as the change in the AMS score. To address hand reinnervation, we calculated a hand function subscore from the AMS hand items and repeated the analysis only for the subjects with a Narakas grade of 3 or 4. Our hypothesis was that microsurgery done before 6 months of age would lead to better clinical outcomes than microsurgery performed after 6 months of age. RESULTS: Eighty subjects (68%) had early surgery (at a mean age of 4.2 months), and 38 (32%) had late surgery (at a mean age of 10.7 months and a maximum age of 22.0 months). Infants who underwent early surgery presented earlier in life, had more severe injuries at baseline, and had a significantly lower postoperative AMS scores in the unadjusted analysis. However, when we controlled for the severity of the injury, the difference in the AMS scores between the early and late surgery groups was not significant. Similarly, when we restricted our multivariable analysis to patients with a Narakas grade-3 or 4 injury, there was no significant difference in the postoperative AMS hand subscore between the early and late groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that surgery earlier in infancy (at a mean age of 4.2 months) does not lead to better postoperative outcomes of BPBI nerve surgery than when the surgery is performed later in infancy (mean age of 10.7 months). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Comparative Sacral Morphology in Spondylolisthesis Patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative case series. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of sacral morphology in spondylolisthesis patients compared with asymptomatic controls. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with spondylolisthesis are known to differ from asymptomatic controls in sagittal plane anatomy, but few studies examine the coronal and axial plane differences in these cohorts. METHODS: This is a retrospective evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine in 29 spondylolisthesis patients and an asymptomatic cohort (n = 154). Measurements of the linear distance and angular position of L5 and sacrum were performed in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis quantified these associations. High- and low-grade spondylolisthesis patients were compared with two-sample t-tests. All p-values are two-sided and considered significant when p < .05. RESULTS: Axial measurements showed the distance of the right to left anterior ala and the L5 body width did not differ between the cohorts. Sacroiliac (SI) joint angles in the spondylolisthesis cohort were closer to the true sagittal plane than in the controls 109° versus 121° (p < .001). In the sagittal plane, the linear measurement of the ratio of the midpoint anteroposterior width L5 to the sacral end plate was larger in the high-grade patients than the low-grade patients and controls. In addition, the kyphosis between S1-S2 and S2-S3 was larger in the spondylolisthesis cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The SI joints in patients with spondylolisthesis were orientated closer to the sagittal plane than in the controls. An awareness of this positioning may be important in surgical implant insertion as well as rehabilitation of hip extensor weakness. The main anatomical differences found in this study were in the sagittal plane. Sacral end plate abnormalities were well visualized and consistent with radiographic findings in the literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic.

Early Predictors of Microsurgical Reconstruction in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy.

Background: Microsurgical reconstruction is indicated for infants with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) that demonstrate limited spontaneous neurological recovery. This investigation defines the demographic, perinatal, and physical examination characteristics leading to microsurgical reconstruction. Methods: Infants enrolled in a prospective multicenter investigation of BPBP were evaluated. Microsurgery was performed at the discretion of the treating provider/center. Inclusion required enrollment prior to six months of age and follow-up evaluation beyond twelve months of age. Demographic, perinatal, and examination characteristics were investigated as possible predictors of microsurgical reconstruction. Toronto Test scores and Hospital for Sick Children Active Movement Scale (AMS) scores were used if obtained prior to three months of age. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: 365 patients from six regional medical centers met the inclusion criteria. 127 of 365 (35%) underwent microsurgery at a median age of 5.4 months, with microsurgery rates and timing varying significantly by site. Univariate analysis demonstrated that several factors were associated with microsurgery including race, gestational diabetes, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal intensive care unit admission, Horner's syndrome, Toronto Test score, and AMS scores for finger/thumb/wrist flexion, finger/thumb extension, wrist extension, elbow flexion, and elbow extension. In multivariate analysis, four factors independently predicted microsurgical intervention including Horner's syndrome, mean AMS score for finger/thumb/ wrist flexion <4.5, AMS score for wrist extension <4.5, and AMS score for elbow flexion <4.5. In this cohort, microsurgical rates increased as the number of these four factors present increased from zero to four: 0/4 factors = 0%, 1/4 factors = 22%, 2/4 factors = 43%, 3/4 factors = 76%, and 4/4 factors = 93%. Conclusions: In patients with BPBP, early physical examination findings independently predict microsurgical intervention. These factors can be used to provide counseling in early infancy for families regarding injury severity and plan for potential microsurgical intervention.Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level I.

Predictors of Healing Ligament Size and Magnetic Resonance Signal Intensity at 6 Months After Bridge-Enhanced Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair.

BACKGROUND: Primary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) augmented with a tissue engineered scaffold to facilitate ligament healing is a technique under development for patients with ACL injuries. The size (the amount of tissue) and signal intensity (the quality of tissue) of the healing ligament as visualized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been shown to be related to its strength in large animal models. HYPOTHESIS: Both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors could influence the size and signal intensity of the repaired ligament in patients at 6 months after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: 62 patients (mean age, 19.4 years; range, 14-35 years) underwent MRI of the knee 6 months after ACL repair augmented with an extracellular matrix scaffold. The signal intensity (normalized to cortical bone) and average cross-sectional area of the healing ligament were measured from the MRI stack obtained by use of a gradient echo sequence. Associations between these 2 measures and patient characteristics, which included demographic, clinical, and anatomic features, were determined by use of multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: A larger cross-sectional area of the repaired ligament at 6 months was associated with male sex, older age, and the performance of a larger notchplasty ( P < .05 for all associations). A lower signal intensity at 6 months, indicating greater similarity to normal ligament, was associated with a smaller tibial slope and greater side-to-side difference in quadriceps strength 3 months after surgery. Other factors, including preoperative body mass index, mechanism of injury, tibial stump length, and Marx activity score, were not significantly associated with either MRI parameter at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Modifiable factors, including surgical notchplasty and slower recovery of quadriceps strength at 3 months, were associated with a larger cross-sectional area and improved signal intensity of the healing ACL after bridge-enhanced ACL repair in this preliminary study. Further studies to determine the optimal size of the notchplasty and the most effective postoperative rehabilitation strategy after ACL repair augmented by a scaffold are justified. REGISTRATION: NCT02664545 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Bridge-Enhanced Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair: Two-Year Results of a First-in-Human Study.

BACKGROUND: Bridge-enhanced anterior cruciate ligament repair (BEAR) combines suture repair of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with a specific extracellular matrix scaffold (the BEAR scaffold) that is placed in the gap between the torn ends of the ACL to facilitate ligament healing. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to report the 12- and 24-month outcomes of patients who underwent the BEAR procedure compared with a nonrandomized concurrent control group who underwent ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with an autograft. We hypothesized that the BEAR group would have physical examination findings, patient-reported outcomes, and adverse events that were similar to those of the ACLR group. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Ten patients underwent BEAR, and 10 underwent ACLR with a 4-stranded hamstring autograft. At 24 months, 9 of the 10 BEAR patients and 7 of the 10 ACLR patients completed a study visit. Outcomes reported included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective results, knee anteroposterior (AP) laxity findings via an arthrometer, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: There were no graft or repair failures in the first 24 months after surgery. The IKDC subjective scores in both groups improved significantly from baseline (P < .0001) at 12 and 24 months, to 84.6 ± 17.2 in the ACLR group and to 91.7 ± 11.7 in the BEAR group. An IKDC objective grade of A (normal) was found in 44% of patients in the BEAR group and in 29% of patients in the ACLR group at 24 months; no patients in either group had C (abnormal) or D (severely abnormal) grades. Arthrometer testing demonstrated mean side-to-side differences in AP laxity that were similar in the 2 groups at 24 months (BEAR, 1.94 ± 2.08 mm; ACLR, 3.14 ± 2.66 mm). Functional hop testing results were similar in the 2 groups at 12 and 24 months after surgery. Hamstring strength indices were significantly higher in the BEAR group compared with the ACLR group (P = .0001). CONCLUSION: In this small, first-in-human study, BEAR produced similar outcomes to ACLR with a hamstring autograft. BEAR may result in knee stability and patient-reported outcomes at 2 years sufficient to warrant longer term studies of efficacy in larger groups of patients.

Outcomes After the Operative Treatment of Bucket-Handle Meniscal Tears in Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Bucket-handle meniscal tears (BHMTs), which we define as vertical longitudinal tears of the meniscus with displacement of the torn inner fragment toward the intercondylar notch region, are a well-recognized tear pattern. Optimizing the management of BHMTs in younger patients is important, as preserving meniscal tissue may limit future joint degeneration. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to review the patient demographics, clinical presentation, operative details, outcomes, and risk factors for a reoperation associated with operatively treated BHMTs in a pediatric population. We hypothesized that the repair of BHMTs in adolescents would yield a higher reoperation rate than meniscectomy in our population. STUDY DESIGN: Case-series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A departmental database was queried to identify all patients 19 years or younger who presented with a BHMT and underwent surgery between October 2002 and February 2013. Clinical, radiological, and surgical data were retrospectively collected, and risk factors for a reoperation and persistent pain were assessed in all patients with longer than or equal to 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 280 BHMTs were treated arthroscopically by 1 of 8 sports medicine fellowship-trained surgeons. The mean age at surgery was 15.5 ± 2.5 years (range, 2.1-19.2 years), and most patients were male (177/280; 63%). Most injuries occurred during sports (203/248; 82%) and involved the medial meniscus (157/280; 56%). Concurrent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery was performed in 103 cases (37%). Meniscal repair was performed in 181 cases (65%) and was more common in younger patients (P = .01) and for the lateral meniscus (P < .001). Among 185 (66%) cases with longer than or equal to 6 months of adequate follow-up data (which included 126 meniscal repairs [68%]), a meniscus-related reoperation occurred in 45 (24%) cases. A reoperation related to the original BHMT injury or surgery was more common after meniscal repair than after meniscectomy (40/126 [32%] vs 5/59 [8%], respectively) (P = .001) and less common with concurrent ACL surgery (P = .07), although this was not statistically significant. Among patients injured during sports and with adequate follow-up, all but 1 patient (176/177; 99%) returned to sports; a slower rate of return was seen in those undergoing meniscal repair (P = .002) and concurrent ACL surgery (P < .001). At final follow-up, 170 of 185 patients (92%) were pain free. For the 15 patients with persistent pain at final follow-up, no identifiable risk factors for persistent pain were identified. CONCLUSION: Most BHMTs in younger patients occurred in males and during sports and affected the medial meniscus. Concurrent ACL surgery was indicated in approximately one-third of cases and was associated with a lower reoperation rate and slower return to sports. Two-thirds of patients underwent meniscal repair, over two-thirds of whom did not require a reoperation during the study period, despite the high activity levels in this age group.

Surgical Treatment of Developmental Spondylolisthesis: Contemporary Series With a Two-Surgeon Team.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVES: To report operative outcomes of contemporary surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis in the pediatric population. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgical treatment of developmental spondylolisthesis is controversial, with limited data on complication and reoperation rates. METHODS: A retrospective study followed pediatric patients with either L5-S1 high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS) or L5-S1 symptomatic low-grade spondylolisthesis (LGS) for a minimum of two years. All patients underwent a contemporary, single-stage decompression, partial reduction, and posterior instrumented fusion (DRPF) or in situ stabilization by a combined orthopedic and neurosurgeon team at a single institution during 2005-2015. Clinical examination and radiographic data were collected preoperatively and at discharge, 1 year, 2 years, and terminal visit (defined as the last follow-up at >2 years). RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (79% HGS), mean (±standard deviation) age at surgery 13.5 (±3.3) years, were followed for 4.8 (±2.3) years. The patients who underwent DRPF (n = 26) had mean lumbosacral angle increase from 79.8° (±20.8) to 92.5° (±16.1) (p < .001) and mean listhesis reduce from 63.2% (±21.9) to 26.0% (±20.1) (p < .001). Preoperatively, 18 (53%) had neurologic symptoms. At one- and two-year follow-up, new or residual neurologic symptoms were present in four patients (12%) (p < .001). Postoperative symptoms were not significantly related to amount of reduction. Sixteen (47%) underwent reoperation at an average of 24.8 months, 10 for planned prominent instrumentation removal, and 6 for true complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical reduction and decompression of spondylolisthesis in the pediatric population restores spinopelvic alignment. We found no evidence that a greater amount of reduction was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications. However, patients should be advised that prominent instrumentation may require future removal. Although previous reports suggest complication rates and permanent neurologic sequelae in up to 20% after operative treatment of spondylolisthesis, our results suggest that a contemporary approach with a two-surgeon team may provide improved results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat: Which Patients Undergo Serial Joint Irrigation in Pediatric Septic Hip Arthritis?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors associated with repeat surgical irrigation in pediatric septic hip arthritis. METHODS: A single center retrospective case-control study was performed. Patients who underwent ≥2 washouts (cases) were compared with those who had only 1 washout (controls). Demographic, clinical, laboratory, microbial, and magnetic resonance imaging data were compared between cases and controls and a prediction model was developed using logistic regression. A risk score was then constructed by counting the number of risk factors from the model that were present in each patient. RESULTS: We identified 26 patients between 1994 and 2015 who underwent ≥2 washouts for septic hip arthritis, and 63 control patients who had only a single washout. Twenty-two patients had 2 washouts, 3 had 4 washouts, 1 had 5 washouts. Median number of days between first and second washout was 5 (interquartile range, 4 to 8). The most common reason for repeat washout was persistent fever (N=21), followed by persistently elevated laboratory values (N=13), abnormal magnetic resonance imaging findings (N=12), and continued pain (N=12). Repeat washout cases demonstrated higher temperature preoperatively (P<0.001), had more frequent initial misdiagnosis (P=0.002), and had a longer time from symptom onset to surgery (P=0.02). Laboratory values in these cases showed higher C-reactive protein (P=0.003), and more frequent left shift (P=0.03) at presentation, with a greater proportion of positive cultures (P<0.001). Postoperatively, repeat washout cases had higher temperatures (P<0.001), more frequent wound drainage (P=0.02), and complications (P=0.001). A risk score for predicting the likelihood of undergoing repeat washout was constructed by counting the number of the following factors present: presence of left shift in CBC, positive blood or synovial fluid cultures, and postoperative temperature over 39°C. Seventy percent of cases had ≥2 of these risk factors and 80% of controls had ≤1 risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Cases of pediatric septic arthritis which undergo repeat washout are associated with left shift, high postoperative temperatures, and positive cultures. They have more frequent misdiagnosis leading to delayed treatment and subsequent medical complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Role of Genetic Susceptibility in the Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess heritable contributions to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) risk in a twin cohort restricted to gestational age at birth <29 weeks. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 250 twin pairs (192 dichorionic, 58 monochorionic) born <29 weeks gestational age with known BPD status were identified. Three statistical methods applicable to twin cohorts (χ2 test, intraclass correlations [ICCs], and ACE modeling [additive genetic or A, common environmental or C, and unique environmental or E components]) were applied. Heritability was estimated as percent variability from A. Identical methods were applied to a subcohort defined by zygosity and to an independent validation cohort. RESULTS: χ2 analyses comparing whether neither, 1, or both of monochorionic (23, 19, 16) and dichorionic (88, 56, 48) twin pairs developed BPD revealed no difference. Although there was similarity in BPD outcome within both monochorionic and dichorionic twin pairs by ICC (monochorionic ICC = 0.34, 95% CI [0.08, 0.55]; dichorionic ICC = 0.39, 95% CI [0.25, 0.51]), monochorionic twins were not more likely than dichorionic twins to have the same outcome (P = .70). ACE modeling revealed no contribution of heritability to BPD risk (% A = 0.0%, 95% CI [0.0%, 43.1%]). Validation and zygosity based cohort results were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that heritability is not a major contributor to BPD risk in preterm infants <29 weeks gestational age.

Acetabular Global Insufficiency in Patients with Down Syndrome and Hip-Related Symptoms: A Matched-Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of hip instability in Down syndrome is not completely understood. We investigated the morphology of the acetabulum and femur in patients with Down syndrome and compared measurements of the hips with those of matched controls. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) images of the pelvis of 42 patients with Down syndrome and hip symptoms were compared with those of 42 age and sex-matched subjects without Down syndrome or history of hip disease who had undergone CT for abdominal pain. Each of the cohorts had 23 male and 19 female subjects. The mean age (and standard deviation) in each cohort was 11.3 ± 5.3 years. The lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), acetabular inclination angle (IA), acetabular depth-width ratio (ADR), acetabular version, and anterior and posterior acetabular sector angles (AASA and PASA) were compared. The neck-shaft angle and femoral version were measured in the patients with Down syndrome only. The hips of the patients with Down syndrome were further categorized as stable (n = 21) or unstable (n = 63) for secondary analysis. RESULTS: The hips in the Down syndrome group had a smaller LCEA (mean, 10.8° ± 12.6° compared with 25.6° ± 4.6°; p < 0.0001), a larger IA (mean, 17.4° ± 10.3° compared with 10.9° ± 4.8°; p < 0.0001), a lower ADR (mean, 231.9 ± 56.2 compared with 306.8 ± 31.0; p < 0.0001), a more retroverted acetabulum (mean acetabular version as measured at the level of the centers of the femoral heads [AVC], 7.8° ± 5.1° compared with 14.0° ± 4.5°; p < 0.0001), a smaller AASA (mean, 55.0° ± 9.9° compared with 59.7° ± 7.8°; p = 0.005), and a smaller PASA (mean, 67.1° ± 10.4° compared with 85.2° ± 6.8°; p < 0.0001). Within the Down syndrome cohort, the unstable hips showed greater femoral anteversion (mean, 32.7° ± 14.6° compared with 23.6° ± 10.6°; p = 0.002) and worse global acetabular insufficiency compared with the stable hips. No differences between the unstable and stable hips were found with respect to acetabular version (mean AVC, 7.8° ± 5.5° compared with 7.6° ± 3.8°; p = 0.93) and the neck-shaft angle (mean, 133.7° ± 6.7° compared with 133.2° ± 6.4°; p = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Down syndrome and hip-related symptoms had more retroverted and shallower acetabula with globally reduced coverage of the femoral head compared with age and sex-matched subjects. Hip instability among those with Down syndrome was associated with worse global acetabular insufficiency and increased femoral anteversion, but not with more severe acetabular retroversion. No difference in the mean femoral neck-shaft angle was observed between the stable and unstable hips in the Down syndrome cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Ultrasound Screening for Posterior Shoulder Dislocation in Infants with Persistent Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of posterior shoulder dislocation in infants with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) is essential, but it may be difficult to accomplish with physical examination alone. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of shoulder dislocation in patients with BPBP using ultrasound and to identify which physical examination measurements correlated most with dislocation in these patients. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of data obtained in an ultrasound screening program of infants with BPBP born from January 2011 to April 2014. Physical examination included the use of the Active Movement Scale (AMS) and measurement of passive external rotation of the shoulder. Ultrasound measurements included PHHD (percentage of the humeral head displaced posterior to the axis of the scapula) and the alpha angle (intersection of the posterior scapular margin with a line tangential to the humeral head through the glenoid). Shoulder dislocation was defined as both a PHHD of >0.5 and an alpha angle of >30°. RESULTS: Of sixty-six infants who had undergone a total of 118 ultrasound examinations (mean, 1.8; range, 1 to 5), 19 (29%) demonstrated shoulder dislocation with the shoulder positioned in internal rotation; the dislocation was first detected between 2.1 and 10.5 months of age. Infants with a dislocated shoulder demonstrated significantly less mean passive external rotation in adduction (mean, 45.8° versus 71.4°, p < 0.001) and a greater difference between internal rotation and external rotation AMS scores (mean, 5.5-point versus 3.3-point difference, p < 0.001) than those without shoulder dislocation. Passive external rotation in adduction was a better measure for discriminating between dislocation and no dislocation (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.89) than was the difference between internal and external rotation AMS scores (AUC = 0.73). A cutoff of 60° of passive external rotation in adduction (≤60° versus° >60) yielded a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 69%. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder dislocation is common in infants with BPBP; 29% of the infants presenting to our tertiary care center had a dislocation during their first year of life. Ultrasound shoulder screening is appropriate for infants with BPBP. If passive external rotation in adduction is used to determine which infants should undergo ultrasound, ≤60° should be utilized as the criterion to achieve appropriate sensitivity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.