Suture-Augmented Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair for Proximal Avulsion or High-Grade Partial Tears Shows Similar Side-to-Side Difference and No Clinical Differences at Two Years Versus Conventional Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction for Mid-Substance Tears or Poor Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tissue Quality.

PURPOSE: To compare objective and subjective clinical outcomes between suture-augmented anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair (SAACLR) and conventional ACL reconstruction (CACLR) with minimum 2-year follow-up. METHODS: In this nonrandomized, prospective study, 30 patients underwent SAACLR for proximal ACL avulsion or high-grade partial ACL tear (Sherman grade 1 or 2) and 30 patients underwent CACLR for proximal one-third/distal two-thirds junction tears and mid-substance tears (Sherman grade 3 or 4) tear types by 1 surgeon between 2018 and 2020. Failure was defined as ACL reinjury. Outcome measures were KT-1000 for side-to-side knee laxity evaluation, Visual Analog Scale for pain, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Form, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Severity Score (KOOS), Tegner Activity Scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was calculated for IKDC and KOOS subscores. RESULTS: Three failures (10%) occurred in the SAACLR group, with no failures in the CACLR group (P = .24). A total of 23 (85%) SAACLR patients and 27 (90%) CACLR patients had patient-reported outcomes and physical examination at minimum 2 years. Two-year KT-1000 testing with 20 lbs showed less than 1 mm side-to-side difference between the groups. No significant differences in the percentage of patients meeting the MCID were found between the SAACLR and CACLR groups at 2 years: IKDC, 10.81 (82%) versus 10.54 (93%) (P = .48); KOOS Pain, 11.55 (73%) versus 10.58 (78%) (P = .94); KOOS Symptoms, 8.15 (77%) versus 10.32 (74%) (P = 1.0); KOOS Activities of Daily Living, 12.19 (59%) versus 12.28 (70%) (P = .60); 18.99 (71%) versus 16.77 (86%) (P = .42). Significantly higher IKDC scores were observed with SAACLR versus CACLR at 3 months (P = .01) and 6 months (P = .02), and significantly higher Lysholm scale, Tegner Activity Scale, and all KOOS subscale scores were observed at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: At 2 years after surgery, KT-1000 testing showed less than 1 mm side-to-side difference and no differences were observed between the groups in the percentage of patients who met or exceeded the MCID. Significantly higher early patient-reported outcome scores were found with SAACLR versus CACLR. The rerupture rate between the groups was not significantly different. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Prospective cohort study.

Young or Old Age and Non-White Race Are Associated With Poor Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Response Compliance After Orthopaedic Surgery.

Purpose: To investigate orthopaedic patient compliance with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and identify factors that improve response rates. Methods: Our search strategy comprised a combination of key words and database-specific subject headings for the concepts of orthopaedic surgical procedures, compliance, and PROMs from several research databases from inception to October 11, 2022. Duplicates were removed. A total of 97 studies were included. A table was created for the remaining articles to be appraised and analyzed. The collected data included study characteristics, follow-up/compliance rate, factors that increase/decrease compliance, and type of PROM. Follow-up/compliance rate was determined to be any reported response rate. The range and average used for analysis was based on the highest or lowest number reported in the specific article. Results: The range of compliance reported was 11.3% to 100%. The overall response rate was 68.6%. The average baseline (preoperative/previsit) response rate was 76.6%. Most studies (77%) had greater than 50% compliance. Intervention/reminder of any type (most commonly phone call or mail) resulted in improved compliance from 44.6% to 70.6%. Young and elderly non-White male patients had the lowest compliance rate. When directly compared, phone call (71.5%) resulted in a greater compliance rate than electronic-based (53.2%) or paper-based (57.6%) surveys. Conclusions: The response rates for PROMs vary across the orthopaedic literature. Patient-specific factors, such as age (young or old) and race (non-White), may contribute to poor PROM response rate. Reminders and interventions significantly improve PROM response rates. Clinical Relevance: PROMs are important tools in many aspects of medicine. The data generated from these tools not only provide information about individual patient outcomes but also make hypothesis-driven comparisons possible. Understanding the factors that affect patient compliance with PROMs is vital to our accurate understanding of patient outcomes and the overall advancement of medical care.

Postoperative Rehabilitation of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

The incidence of ulnar collateral ligament injuries has increased over the past few decades with greater participation in overhead throwing sports; however, optimal postoperative management following surgery remains unclear. This systematic review summarizes the latest evidence, on postoperative rehabilitation protocols for patients undergoing ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR). Studies published in the English language from the year 2000 to 2019 with a level 1 to 4 grade of evidence and examined rehabilitation protocols following UCLR were eligible for inclusion. A multidatabase search was conducted. Two blinded reviewers screened and graded articles for inclusion and a third independent reviewer resolved any conflicts. Ten of the original 139 studies identified were used for analysis. Surgical techniques as well as rehabilitation protocols varied across studies. Analysis gave strong evidence that a 4-phase postoperative rehabilitation protocol utilizing milestone-based goals is effective in returning athletes back to preinjury levels of activity and sport within 1 year following UCLR.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair with Suture Augmentation for Proximal Avulsion Injuries.

PURPOSE: To assess failure rate, outcomes, and patient satisfaction in patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair with suture augmentation for clinical instability and proximal avulsion of the ACL. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive suture-augmented ACL repairs performed by a single surgeon between January 2014 and June 2016 for proximal ACL avulsion. Patients were included if they were at least 24 months postoperative from repair surgery. Patients were excluded from the study if they underwent primary ACL reconstruction instead of repair or if they had a concomitant multiligamentous knee injury. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), visual analog scale (VAS), Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12), Marx Activity, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation data were collected. RESULTS: Of 172 patients who underwent ACL surgery between January 2014 and June 2016, 28 (16%) with Sherman type I or II ACL tears or high-grade partial avulsion with clinical instability underwent ACL repair with suture augmentation. One patient was not available for follow-up. The 27 patients were age 27.4 ± 8.6 years, 18 males (66.7%), and 2.8 ± 0.7 years follow-up (range, 2.0-3.8 years). Of these 27 patients, 4 recurrent ACL injuries (14.8%) required revision to reconstruction. The remaining 23 patients had successful ACL repair with no clinical instability and no subjective complaints at final follow-up. Final scores were KOOS 83.7 ± 12.8, Marx 8.6 ± 4.0, VAS 1.1 ± 1.8, physical VR-12 53.6 ± 5.2, mental VR-12 53.1 ± 8.1, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation 83.0 ± 12.9. In the 11 patients with baseline data, significant improvements were observed in composite KOOS (50.4 ± 11.5 to 85.7 ± 8.4; P < .001; VAS: 3.9 ± 2.6 to 0.8 ± 0.8; P = .002; and physical VR-12: 39.9 ± 6.5 to 55.5 ± 3.3; P < .001). All 11 patients (100%) met or exceeded the KOOS composite minimum clinically important difference (mean 34.0 increase). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with proximal ACL avulsion, arthroscopic primary ACL repair with suture augmentation demonstrated high functional outcome and improved patient-reported outcomes at 2-year follow-up. The rate of graft failure was 15%. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Treatment of Acute Proximal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears-Part 1: Gap Formation and Stabilization Potential of Repair Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in primary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), with fixation techniques evolving. However, to date, there have been no biomechanical studies comparing fixed to adjustable fixation repair techniques. HYPOTHESIS: Adjustable ACL repair provides for improved stabilization compared with fixed techniques with respect to both gap formation and residual load-bearing capability. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: A total of 4 different ACL repair techniques (n = 5 per group), including single- and double-cinch loop (CL) cortical button fixation as well as knotless single-suture anchor fixation, were tested using a porcine model. For adjustable single-CL loop fixation, additional preconditioning (10 cycles at 0.5 Hz) was performed. The force after fixation and the actuator displacement to achieve a time-zero preload of 10 N were measured for fixed techniques. Incrementally increasing cycling (1 mm/500 cycles) from 1 to 8 mm was performed for 4000 cycles at 0.75 Hz before pull to failure (50 mm/min). The final residual peak load and gap formation for each test block were analyzed as well as ultimate strength. RESULTS: Knot tying of a single-CL over a button (mean ± SD, 0.66 ± 0.23 mm) and knotless anchor fixation (0.20 ± 0.12 mm) resulted in significant time-zero gaps (P < .001) and significantly higher overall gap formation at reduced residual loading (analysis of covariance, P < .001) compared with both the double-CL loop and adjustable fixation techniques. The adjustable group showed the highest failure load and stiffness, at 305.7 N and 117.1 N/mm, respectively. The failure load of the knotted single-CL group was significantly reduced compared with all other groups (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Adjustable single-CL cortical button fixation with intraoperative preconditioning optimized time-zero ACL tension and led to significantly improved stabilization and reduced gap formation, with the highest ultimate strength. Single-CL loop knot tying over the button and knotless anchor fixation resulted in time-zero gaps to achieve slight tension on the ACL and significantly higher gap formation at reduced load-bearing capability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the clinical relevance of gap formation is uncertain, a biomechanical understanding of the stabilization potential of current ACL repair techniques is pertinent to the continued evolution of surgical approaches to enable better clinical outcomes.

Treatment of Acute Proximal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears-Part 2: The Role of Internal Bracing on Gap Formation and Stabilization of Repair Techniques.

BACKGROUND: The latest biomechanical studies on some form of internal bracing have shown improved stabilization for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair, but gap formation and load-sharing function have not yet been reported. HYPOTHESIS: Internal bracing of an adjustable ACL repair construct provides improved stabilization with reduced gap formation and higher residual loading on the ACL. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Internally braced ACL repair constructs with single- and double-cinch loop (CL) cortical buttons, a knotless suture anchor, and a single-CL cortical button with adjustable loop fixation (CLS-ALD) were tested (n = 20 each) in a porcine model at 4 different loads (n = 5 each) over 4000 cycles at 0.75 Hz (n = 80 total). The CLS-ALD technique allowed for additional preconditioning (10 cycles at 0.5 Hz). Test results of the isolated internal brace groups served as a baseline for comparison. Lastly, specimens were pulled to failure (50 mm/min) with a cut internal brace. Final loading and gap formation on the ACL repair construct as well as ultimate strength were analyzed. RESULTS: A statistical significance for peak loads over peak elongation was found between the CLS-ALD and all other reinforced groups (analysis of covariance, P < .001). Accordingly, the adjustable repair technique showed improved load-bearing capability with the internal brace compared with all other fixed repair groups and revealed significantly higher loads than the knotted single-CL group. Also, significantly reduced gap formation was found for the CLS-ALD compared with all other groups (P < .001), with no gap formation up to 150 N with a final gap of 0.85 ± 0.31 mm at 350 N. A significantly higher ultimate failure load (866.2 ± 104.0 N; P < .001) was found for the button-fixed internal brace group compared with all other groups. CONCLUSION: Internal bracing had a crucial role in improving the stabilization potential of ACL repair at loads occurring during normal daily activity. The added strength of the internal brace allowed for reducing peak loads on the ACL repair construct as well as restricting gap formation to below 3 mm at loads up to 350 N. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Improvements in the mechanical characteristics of current ACL repair techniques that enable reduced gap formation and allow for early range of motion and accelerated rehabilitation may strengthen the self-healing response with the formation of stable scar tissue.

Conjoined Tendon Transfer for Traumatic Anterior Glenohumeral Instability in Patients With Large Bony Defects and Anterior Capsulolabral Deficiency.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of a conjoined tendon transfer procedure in a small case series of young active patients of various activity levels with recurrent traumatic anterior shoulder instability. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified 10 consecutive patients who underwent conjoined tendon transfer (8 open and 2 arthroscopic) for anterior glenohumeral instability from January 2009 through December 2012. The indications were traumatic anterior shoulder instability with 25% or greater anterior glenoid bone loss, engaging Hill-Sachs lesion, or absent anterior-inferior labral tissue with anterior capsular tissue that did not readily hold sutures or a combination of these deficiencies. Patients did not undergo the procedure if they had healthy capsulolabral tissue and small bony defects or if they competed in high-level collision sports or were overhead throwers. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) questionnaire and a physical examination were completed preoperatively. Postoperatively, patients answered questions about shoulder stability and completed ASES and Western Ontario Shoulder Index questionnaires. A physical examination was performed postoperatively to assess range of motion. RESULTS: Of 10 patients, 9 were available for follow-up. The mean age was 33.0 years (range, 18-51 years) at the time of surgery. Eight of nine patients underwent a physical examination at 31.3 ± 10.5 months (range, 24-58 months) postoperatively. There were no revisions or complications except for recurrent instability in 1 patient who underwent the arthroscopic procedure and reported gross deviation from the postoperative protocol. The ASES score improved significantly (62.8 ± 21.2 at baseline vs 89.2 ± 11.5 at final follow-up, P = .01). The postoperative Western Ontario Shoulder Index score was 74.5 ± 19.7. No significant change was found in external rotation in 90° of abduction (80.6° ± 12.9° at baseline vs 88.4° ± 6.1° at final follow-up, P = .11) or in flexion (145.6° ± 14.9° at baseline vs 153.1° ± 16.4° at final follow-up, P = .19). All patients returned to their previous activity level. CONCLUSIONS: Stability was restored and no significant range-of-motion loss was observed in noncollision athletes who underwent conjoined tendon transfer. Recurrent instability occurred in 1 patient who underwent the arthroscopic procedure. There were no other complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Early Cocking Phase Mechanics and Upper Extremity Surgery Risk in Starting Professional Baseball Pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Early cocking phase pitching mechanics may affect risk of upper extremity injury requiring surgery in professional baseball players. PURPOSE: To assess the occurrence of inverted-W arm positioning and early trunk rotation in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers and to determine whether this throwing position is associated with upper extremity injury requiring surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: For 250 MLB pitchers in the 2010 season, 15 to 20 pitches from the start and end of an outing were reviewed using slow-motion game video for presence of an inverted-W position and early trunk rotation. Previous or current incidence of upper extremity injury requiring surgery for each player was determined using the MLB injury database, minor league injury records, available collegiate data, and publicly available online injury databases. Upper extremity surgery associated with an injury was considered to result from pitching. RESULTS: Consensus between investigators was achieved for 99% of players for inverted-W positioning (248 players) and in 97% of players for early trunk rotation (243 players) for videos reviewed independently. Rate of surgery with and without inverted-W position was 28 of 93 (30%) and 42 of 155 (27%), respectively. Rate of surgery with and without early trunk rotation was 37 of 111 (33%) and 30 of 132 (23%), respectively. Using a Cox proportional hazards model for risk analysis using the measured number of innings pitched at time of surgery as an approximate index of exposure and adjusting for age and fastball speed at time of surgery, early trunk rotation was associated with significantly increased risk of shoulder and/or elbow surgery with hazard ratio estimate of 1.69 (95% CI, 1.02-2.80). Presence of the inverted-W position was not associated with significantly increased risk (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.79-2.14). CONCLUSION: The inverted-W throwing position was not associated with significantly greater risk of upper extremity injury requiring surgery in MLB pitchers. Early trunk rotation was associated with significantly elevated risk of injury requiring surgery.

Effect of distal ulnar collateral ligament tear pattern on contact forces and valgus stability in the posteromedial compartment of the elbow.

BACKGROUND: It is not known whether the pattern of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear affects elbow biomechanics. HYPOTHESIS: There will be a significant change in elbow biomechanics with 50% proximal but not 50% distal simulated rupture of the UCL. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Pressure sensors in the posteromedial elbow joint of 25 male cadaveric elbows (average age, 54.9 years; range, 26-66 years) were used to measure contact area, pressure, and valgus torque at 90° and 30° of elbow flexion. Thirteen specimens were tested with the UCL intact, then with proximal-to-distal detachment of 50%, and then with proximal-to-distal detachment of 100% of the anterior band of the UCL from the ulnar attachment. This method was repeated in the remaining 12 specimens in a distal-to-proximal direction. RESULTS: With 50% proximal-to-distal detachment, contact area decreased significantly versus intact at 90° (91.3 ± 23.6 vs 112.2 ± 26.0 mm(2); P < .001) and 30° (69.3 ± 14.8 vs 83.1 ± 21.6 mm(2); P < .001) of elbow flexion; the center of pressure (COP) moved significantly proximally versus intact at 90° (3.8 ± 2.5 vs 5.4 ± 2.3 mm; P < .001) and 30° (5.9 ± 2.8 vs 7.4±1.9 mm; P < .001). With 50% distal-to-proximal UCL detachment versus intact, no significant change was observed in contact area, movement of the COP, or valgus laxity at either flexion position. With 100% proximal-to-distal and distal-to-proximal detachment, significant change in contact area, movement of the COP, and valgus laxity versus intact was found at 90° and 30° of elbow flexion (P < .05). No significant difference in contact pressure was observed in any test conditions. CONCLUSION: Significant change in contact area and proximal movement of the COP with 50% proximal UCL detachment and the lack of significant change with 50% distal UCL detachment suggest that the proximal half of the UCL ulnar footprint has a primary role in maintaining posteromedial elbow biomechanics. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings suggest that surgical reconstruction should aim to reestablish at least the proximal 50% of the UCL ulnar footprint.

Anterior shoulder instability with Bristow procedure versus conjoined tendon transfer alone in a simple soft-tissue model.

PURPOSE: We compared the Bristow procedure with a conjoined tendon transfer to investigate the role of the sling alone in restoring anterior translation in a simple soft-tissue instability model without bony defects. METHODS: Ten matched cadaveric shoulder pairs were randomly assigned to receive a Bristow procedure or a conjoined tendon transfer alone. Specimens were tested in a simple soft-tissue model with low load simulating anterior translation of the glenohumeral joint. The conditions (intact, cut, and repaired) and treatments (Bristow and conjoined tendon transfer alone) were compared for anteroposterior translation. RESULTS: Anterior translation increased from 3.4 +/- 0.6 mm (mean +/- SEM) to 12.0 +/- 1.3 mm after the cut and decreased to 5.2 +/- 0.7 mm with the Bristow procedure. Anterior translation increased from 2.8 +/- 0.4 mm to 12.2 +/- 1.9 mm after the cut and decreased to 4.9 +/- 0.5 mm after conjoined tendon transfer alone. Although the repair increased the stability of the glenohumeral joint as reflected in significantly decreased anterior translation, anterior translation in the repaired joint was significantly greater than that in the intact condition for both procedures (P < .05). There were no significant differences in anterior translation between the 2 treatments at any test stage. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference between the Bristow procedure and conjoined tendon transfer alone in restoring anteroposterior translation in a simple soft-tissue shoulder instability model with low load and no bony defect. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Further investigation of the described conjoined tendon procedure should be done to evaluate the procedure with significant bony defects.

Epidemiology of lacrosse injuries in high school-aged girls and boys: a 3-year prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To report the types, mechanisms, and circumstances of lacrosse injuries incurred by high school-aged girls and boys during organized interscholastic and summer camp games. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: For 3 years, the authors gathered data on girls' and boys' lacrosse injuries for 359 040 high school and 28 318 summer camp athletic exposures using a lacrosse-specific computerized injury surveillance system. The most prevalent injuries were organized into multifactorial injury scenarios. RESULTS: In high school play, the injury rate for adolescent boys (2.89 per 1000 athletic exposures) was slightly higher than that for girls (2.54 per 1000 athletic exposures) (incidence rate ratio = 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.30). The most prevalent injuries for adolescent girls and boys were knee and ankle sprains resulting from noncontact mechanisms. Male players had significantly higher rates of shoulder, neck, trunk, and back injuries and higher game-to-practice injury ratios. In addition, they had higher rates of concussive events from player-to-player contact. Female players had higher rates of overall head injuries, many involving contusions and abrasions from stick and ball contact. CONCLUSIONS: The overall injury rates for boys' and girls' high school lacrosse were significantly lower than those for collegiate play. Significant differences existed between adolescent boys and girls with respect to injury mechanisms, body parts injured, and player and team activity at the time of injury.