RESUMEN
PURPOSE: There has been a recent increase in the use of intramedullary screws (IMS) for the surgical treatment of metacarpal fractures. While IMS fixation has been shown to produce excellent functional outcomes, postoperative complications have yet to be fully explored in a comprehensive way. This systematic review quantified the incidence, treatment, and results of complications following IMS fixation for metacarpal fractures. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Central, EBSCO, and EMBASE databases. All clinical studies that documented IMS complications following metacarpal fracture fixation were included. Descriptive statistics were analyzed for all available data. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included: 2 randomized trials, 4 cohort studies, 19 case series, and 1 case report. Among the 1,014 fractures studied, 47 complications were reported across all studies (4.6%). Stiffness was the most common, followed by extension lag, loss of reduction, shortening, and complex regional pain syndrome. Other complications included screw fracture, bending, and migration; early-onset arthrosis; infection; tendon adhesion; hypertrophic scar; hematoma; and nickel allergy. Eighteen of the 47 (38%) patients with complications underwent revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Complications following IMS fixation of metacarpal fractures are relatively uncommon. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors commonly used to determine readiness for return to sport (RTS) in the ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) patient population and assess which were most influential to successfully returning to sport and avoiding re-tear. METHODS: The PUBMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were queried for studies related to RTS in ACL-R. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify studies with greater than 1-year outcomes detailing the rate of return and re-tear given a described RTS protocol. Data of interest were extracted, and studies were stratified based on level of evidence and selected study features. Meta-analysis or subjective synthesis of appropriate studies was used to assess more than 25 potentially significant variables effecting RTS and re-tear. RESULTS: After initial search of 1503 studies, 47 articles were selected for inclusion in the final data analysis, including a total of 1432 patients (31.4% female, 68.6% male). A meta-analysis of re-tear rate for included Level of Evidence 1 studies was calculated to be 2.8%. Subgroups including protocols containing a strict time until RTS, strength testing, and ≥2 dynamic tests demonstrated decreased RTS and re-tear heterogeneity from the larger group. Time to RTS, strength testing, dynamic functional testing, and knee stability were also found to be among the most prevalent reported criteria in RTS protocol studies. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a multifactorial clinical algorithm for successful evaluation of RTS. The "critical criteria" recommended by the authors to be part of the postoperative RTS criteria include time since surgery of 8 months, use of >2 functional tests, psychological readiness testing, and quadriceps/hamstring strength testing in addition to the modifying patient factors of age and female gender. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level I-IV studies.