Clinical and radiological outcomes in lateralized versus nonlateralized and distalized glenospheres in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Lateralization in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has been used to theoretically offer the potential benefits of reduced scapular notching rates and improved stability and range of motion (ROM), particularly external rotation. The aim of this study was to compare ROM and clinical and radiographic outcomes between patients who underwent RTSA with a lateralized vs. a nonlateralized and distalized glenosphere. METHODS: A single-surgeon randomized control trial was conducted comparing 27 patients with a lateralized glenosphere and 26 patients with a nonlateralized and distalized glenosphere. A total of 66 patients were enrolled, 2 patients died before 2-year follow-up, 4 patients withdrew from the study, and 7 patients were lost to follow-up. All patients in the lateralized group received 6 mm of lateralization through the glenosphere. Participants represented a population presenting to an orthopedics sports medicine clinic with any indication for RTSA including revision arthroplasty. Patients completed preoperative and routine postoperative functional outcome measures 3, 6, 12, and a minimum of 24 months postoperatively, including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity, and Activities of Daily Living Requiring Active External and Internal Rotation assessments. Patients were also evaluated with ROM and radiographic measurements. The primary outcome of interest in this study was ROM, particularly external rotation. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, both groups had significant improvement in their American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity, and Activities of Daily Living Requiring Active External and Internal Rotation scores with no significant difference observed between the groups. There were no statistically significant differences in incidence of scapular notching or acromial stress fractures. ROM in both groups improved significantly at their 2-year assessment with the only exception to this being external rotation at 90° of abduction in the nonlateralized and distalized group (39° ± 31° vs. 48° ± 24°, P = .379). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of glenosphere lateralization status, patients in both groups had significant improvement in functional outcome scores and ROM, and there were no significant differences observed between the groups at 2-year follow-up. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the effect of implant design on late complications, long-term outcomes, and implant retention.

Graft choice or drilling technique does not influence outcomes of ACL reconstruction in patients over forty-five.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether graft-type and tunnel location in ACL reconstruction impact patient-reported outcomes in individuals over the age of 45. METHODS: From 2015 to 2018, patients over 45 years old undergoing primary ACL reconstruction without multi-ligamentous injuries were enrolled in an institutional registry. Baseline International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS), Marx Activity Scale, and patient characteristics were collected. Follow-up occurred at a minimum of two years to obtain patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients who qualified for the study, 44 (86.3%) patients were available at a minimum of two years after surgery date (range 24-60 months). Average age at time of surgery of the available patients was 51.6 ± 4.87 (range 45-66). Between femoral tunnel drilling methods, there were no differences in the proportion of patients achieving clinically significant improvement or post-operative outcome scores. While patients who received patellar tendon autografts were more likely to achieve clinically significant improvement in the KOOS sports subscale, there were no other differences in outcomes measures between graft types. Two patients had a retear of their graft, and an additional five patients complained of subjective instability. CONCLUSIONS: In patients over the age of 45, neither the method used to create the femoral tunnel nor the graft type used in ACL reconstruction caused a significant difference in post-operative PROMs with a minimum of two years of follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV, Case Series.

Physiological Monitoring Detected Changes During Women's Soccer Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

A growing number of studies utilizing wearable technologies are examining the influence of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) on intense training, recovery, and injury risk. Exercise biometric (EB) data were collected on collegiate, female soccer players during a preseason camp. One player sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Baseline anthropometric and EB data were compared to non-injured, position-matched teammates. All players had similar baseline testing. The injured athlete had a higher body mass index (BMI) and slower vision reaction time (RT). On the day of her injury (DOI), relative percentage heart rate recovery (tHRR) between intense training sets was calculated. Relative percentage tHRR was much lower for the injured athlete, indicating reduced recovery between training sets immediately prior to the injury. Also on DOI, the injured athlete had a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In addition to BMI and RT differences, the lower relative percentage tHRR and GFR on the DOI observed for the injured athlete may reflect an imbalanced ANS recovery, and potentially to risk factors leading to her ACL injury.

Novel repair of a quadriceps tendon rupture after a total knee arthroplasty using gracilis and semitendinosus autografts.

BACKGROUND: Multiple techniques have been described for repair of quadriceps tendon rupture after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with unsatisfactory outcomes. We present a novel technique for repair using hamstring tendon autografts. METHODS: A 54 year-old morbidly obese patient presented five months after quadriceps tendon rupture. Direct repair was performed using two anchors in the patella in addition to augmentation with semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autografts. RESULTS: Satisfactory outcomes were achieved with no residual pain and ability to perform a straight leg raise at three weeks postoperatively. There was no extensor lag at five weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Most previous reports of a similar complication were treated using synthetic materials. Using hamstring tendon autografts as described in this report provides an alternative surgical option for reconstruction of quadriceps tendon rupture in the setting of TKA, with potentially favorable outcomes and minimal donor site morbidity. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcome of this procedure and to delineate the gold standard of treatment.

The Mortality of Periviable and Extremely Premature Infants and Their Impact on the Overall Neonatal Mortality Rate.

To investigate mortality in periviable neonates ≤23 weeks gestational age and calculate its impact on overall neonatal mortality rate over a 12-year period (1998-2009). Verify if periviable mortality decreased in the period (2010-2015). Retrospective review. Neonatal mortality rate per 1000 live births was 11.4. Three hundred forty-nine live birth infants weighed ≤500 g and 336 died. Their proportion to the total neonatal mortality rate was 48.6%; out of 298 periviables 146 (43%) were ≤20 weeks gestational age. In 269 (80%) we could not determine the cause of death. Two hundred ninety-seven neonates (88.3%) died in the delivery room. Sixteen (5%) had an autopsy. Neonatal mortality rate from periviability was 96.2% and constituted half of the overall rate in the period (1998-2009). There was not significant reduction of periviable mortality between 2010 and 2015. Current live birth definition and a reporting system that considers a 100 g periviable live birth infant as a neonatal death has placed Ohio and the United States at a significant disadvantage compared to other countries using different reporting systems.

American Football Players in Preseason Training at Risk of Acute Kidney Injury Without Signs of Rhabdomyolysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to identify changes in blood biomarkers that would indicate excessive muscle breakdown during the initial 10 days of preseason training in collegiate American football players and subsequently increase their risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Preseason, heat acclimatization period. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five Division I American football players. INTERVENTION: Clinical biomarkers for muscle damage were measured during a preseason training camp. Samples were obtained before camp and approximately 5 and 10 days into camp after completion of heat acclimatization training. MAIN OUTCOMES: Creatine kinase, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine were measured. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated. Urine was collected at each blood draw to qualitatively identify hematuria and red blood cells. RESULTS: A high percentage of athletes had an asymptomatic reduction in kidney function over the 10-day period. Ten of 23 athletes did have a significant, 31.6%, mean reduction in GFR, placing each at risk of AKI according to Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) classification. The plasma myoglobin for the at risk of AKI group had a mean value 8× above their baseline mean on day 5 and statistically significant mean 13× higher on day 10 than baseline. The not at risk of AKI group did not have significant differences between days 0, 5, and 10. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively high percentage of athletes had an asymptomatic reduction in kidney function during the intense preseason training period. 43.4% of athletes in this study had a significant 31.6% mean reduction in GFR over the 10 days. According to RIFLE classification, this placed each athlete "at risk" of AKI.

Narcotic Use and Resiliency Scores Do Not Predict Changes in Sleep Quality 6 Months After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

BACKGROUND: Patients with rotator cuff disease commonly complain of difficulty sleeping. Arthroscopic repair has been associated with improved sleep quality in many patients with rotator cuff tears; however, some individuals continue to suffer from sleep disturbance postoperatively. PURPOSE: To determine whether changes in sleep quality following rotator cuff repair are predicted by a patient's narcotic use or ability to cope with stress (resilience). STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A total of 48 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were prospectively enrolled and completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) preoperatively. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was administered preoperatively and at multiple intervals postoperatively for 6 months. Narcotic utilization was determined via a legal prescriber database. Pre- and postoperative sleep scores were compared using paired t tests and the McNemar test. Linear regression was used to determine whether narcotic use or CD-RISC score predicted changes in sleep quality. RESULTS: An increased number of patients experienced good sleep at 6 months postoperatively (P < .01). Mean ± SD nocturnal pain frequency improved from 2.5 ± 1.0 at baseline to 0.9 ± 1.1 at 6 months. CD-RISC score had a positive predictive value on changes in PSQI score (R 2 = 0.09, P = .028) and nocturnal pain frequency (R 2 = 0.08, P = .041) at 2 weeks. Narcotic use did not significantly predict changes in PSQI score or nocturnal pain frequency (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Most patients with rotator cuff disease will experience improvement in sleep quality following arthroscopic repair. Patients demonstrated notable improvements in nocturnal pain frequency as soon as 6 weeks following surgery. CD-RISC resiliency scores had a significant positive predictive value on changes in sleep quality and nocturnal pain frequency at 2 weeks. Narcotic use was not associated with change in sleep quality.

A Case Report of Acute Exertional Compartment Syndrome with Peroneal Nerve Palsy in an Adolescent Athlete.

INTRODUCTION: Acute following a chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a known but uncommonly encountered complication of sports activity and its physiologic profile remains unclear to date. Failure to recognize and promptly treat this condition can lead to disastrous sequelae. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 13-year-old lacrosse player with a history of CECS who developed unprovoked acute compartment syndrome. Despite emergent fasciotomy, she experienced intermittent episodes of peroneal nerve deficits. A peroneal nerve neurolysis was later performed which resulted in full resolution of her symptoms. CONCLUSION: This case stresses the importance of a high index of suspicion for compartment syndrome which if not treated in a timely fashion can have devastating consequences.

Risk factors associated with ACL registry compliance: can we predict who will follow-up?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine patient factors that influence patient compliance to fill out anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) registry forms. METHODS: Patients prospectively enrolled in the ACLR registry at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who were followed up for at least 6 months were included. Patients who did not fill out initial registry forms were excluded. Patients were asked to fill out forms preoperatively and at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. The impacts of age, race, employment status, medical insurance, smoking status, driving distance to the hospital and importance to return to the same level of sporting activity were analyzed against patient compliance (yes/no) to complete registry forms at the respective follow-ups. Multivariate analysis was performed to analyze variables at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The numbers of patients who were followed up for more than 24 months were too low to run a multivariate analysis, so only univariate analysis was performed on this cohort. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients filled out the initial preoperative forms at least 6 months before data gathering was commenced and were included. At 6 months postoperatively, none of the variables significantly influenced patient compliance. At 12 months, younger age and longer driving distance to the hospital had a significant negative impact on compliance [OR per year: 0.92 (0.85-0.99), p = 0.0237; OR per mile: 1.01 (1, 1.01), p = 0.0297]. Patients who filled out registry forms at 6 months were significantly more compliant at 12 months postoperatively (p < 0.0001). At 24 months, the influence of age remained significant (p = 0.0262) and, additionally, patients who initially noted that it was important for them to return to the same level of sports were significantly less compliant (p = 0.0367). CONCLUSION: Younger age and longer driving distance to the hospital were significantly associated with less compliance to fill out ACLR registry forms at 12 months postoperatively. Patient perspectives on the importance to return to the same level of sports were inversely related to compliance at 24 months postoperatively. This information can be utilized to improve compliance in future studies as we have potentially identified patients that can be viewed as "at-risk" for registry noncompliance.

Lack of eye discipline during headers in high school girls soccer: A possible mechanism for increased concussion rates.

The sport of soccer is the fastest growing and most popular sport worldwide. With this growth and popularity, attention needs to be given to this athletic population. Sports related concussions is a topic that has gained attention both in the media and by governmental organizations, with growing initiatives in diagnosis, prevention and treatment. The act of soccer heading is thought to contribute to increased concussion incidence. Current evidence reveals that within the high school soccer athletic population, female athletes incur a higher concussion rate than males. This is often attributed to many things including differing cervical spinal musculature, skull thickness, etc., but a definitive reason has not yet been found. Other behaviors, such as field awareness and eye discipline™ on the field of play, may also be contributing factors that result in females incurring a greater concussion rate than males. For the purposes of this paper we define eye discipline™ as the ability to keep the eyes engaged in sporting activity with high risk potential. We present our hypothesis that high school female soccer players are more likely to have their eyes closed when in position for heading the ball as compared to high school male soccer players and this lack of visual awareness may increase the risk of concussion. Should these differences be substantiated between males and females, it may initiate and promote discussion of the need for vision training in the high school athletic setting. As a tool for injury prevention, vision training may improve specific visual parameters improving athletes' abilities to process the field of play and prepare for or avoid injury causing situations. Through ocular motor and visual conditioning, an athlete may become more eye disciplined™, and more likely to have their eyes open during heading of the ball, and more likely to avoid concussions.

Effects of postural control manipulation on visuomotor training performance: comparative data in healthy athletes.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Visuomotor ability is an important parameter for neurologic function and effective sport performance. Adding a balance challenge during a structured eye-hand coordination task, such as hitting lights on a light board (Dynavision™), has not been previously reported. Using Division I football players, the aim of this study was to determine normative data on a dual-task performance regimen combining a visuomotor light board task with a balance task. The intent is to use such normative data and baseline data as part of a concussion management program. METHODS: Division I college football team members, n=105, were consented. Subjects first performed Dynavision™ D2™ Visuomotor Training Device (D2™) eye-hand coordination tasks, the A* and the RT; they then performed the same tasks with an added balance challenge, standing on a BOSU® ball. RESULTS: Ninety-four athletes completed the full testing procedure on the D2™ system. The mean score of the A* test was 93 ± 11.0 hits per minute; and the mean on the A* test with the added BOSU® balance challenge was 83.7 ± 9.2 hits per minute. The mean RT time was 0.33 ± 0.036 seconds. Mean reaction time increased to 0.38 ± 0.063 while the subject stood on the BOSU® ball. Performance on the D2™ A* and RT were both statistically significantly different in the dual task condition (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results show an approximate 10% decline in D2™ performance when healthy individuals stand on a BOSU® ball. From the data presented here, the authors determined that there is a 10% decrement in performance when one's balance is challenged on the BOSU® ball. A fall in performance of substantially greater than 10% may indicate abnormal vestibulocerebellar regulatory processing of balance and motion. Further research, using these normative data is needed to determine more specific parameters for definitions of impairment and return-to-play and if there is utility for such studies as part of a concussion management program. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

"Retrograde technique" for drilling the femoral tunnel in an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Recent literature has led some surgeons to drill the femoral tunnel in an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction through an accessory anteromedial portal. Several techniques have been reported for the safe, effective drilling of the femoral tunnel by this approach. This technical note presents a new "retrograde technique" in which all instruments are passed independently into the notch and across the medial compartment. This technique is safe and reproducible and allows for meticulous evaluation and creation of the femoral tunnel(s) while minimizing steps.

Controlled cardiac reoxygenation does not improve myocardial function following global myocardial ischemia.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that abrupt re-exposure of ischemic myocardium to oxygen can lead to increased peroxidative damage to myocytes (oxygen paradox). Controlled cardiac reoxygenation, as an adjunct to substrate-enhanced cardioplegia, has been shown to improve myocardial function and limit reperfusion injury when utilizing standardized hyperoxic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of controlled reoxygenation on myocardial function following global ischemia employing normoxic CPB. STUDY DESIGN: Nineteen female swine (30-40kg) were placed on vented, normoxic CPB. They were subjected to 45-50min of unprotected global ischemia (aortic cross clamping) followed by 30min of controlled cardiac reperfusion utilizing substrate-enhanced cardioplegia. Group 1 maintained normoxic pO(2) (O(2) tension of 90-110mmHg). In Group 2, reoxygenation was titrated gradually and increased from venous to arterial levels (O(2) tensions from 40 to 110mmHg over 15min). We measured coronary sinus blood samples for CK, CK-MB, nitric oxide, and conjugated dienes at baseline, 5min into the cardioplegic resuscitation, 5min after the cross clamp removal, and just prior to the termination of the study. Hearts were pathologically studied and scored for evidence of tissue peroxidation. RESULTS: Although not significantly different, Group 1 (normoxic reperfusion) animals were more likely to wean from CPB (p=0.141) and had a higher mean arterial pressure (p=0.556). In Group 1, conjugated dienes were significantly higher 5min into the resuscitative protocol (p=0.018) and at the termination of bypass (p=0.035). Five of six animals in Group 1 eventually attained normal sinus rhythm as opposed to three out of 13 in Group 2 (p=0.041). There was no significant difference in histology scoring between the two groups for tissue peroxidation. CONCLUSION: This study of controlled cardiac reoxygenation in a lethal ischemic swine model failed to demonstrate that the use of controlled reoxygenation on the myocardial function following global ischemia was better with maintained normoxic pO(2) (with O(2) tensions of 90-110mmHg) than when reoxygenation was titrated gradually and increased from venous to arterial levels (O(2) tensions from 40 to 110mmHg over 15min).

Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: does the pump influence outcome?

BACKGROUND: This study assessed hospitalization outcome differences for patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting compared with patients having coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a nested case-control study from an 8-year, hospitalization cohort (n = 7,905) in which the data were collected prospectively. Inclusion criteria included a coronary artery bypass graft only and age greater than 18 years. Cases were patients undergoing OPCAB (n = 360) and controls were patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 1,080). Cases were matched to controls 1:3 on five variables: age (+/- 3 years), gender, diabetes, New York Heart Association Functional Classification, and surgical year (+/- 3 years). The 13 outcomes of interest were mortality, length of hospitalization, ICU length of stay, return to ICU, ventilator time, intraoperative complications, pulmonary complications, neurologic complications, renal complications, gastrointestinal complications, sternal wound infections, highest postoperative creatine kinase level, and units of blood products given during the procedure. Using logistic regression we controlled for eight confounding variables. RESULTS: Patients undergoing OPCAB had a significantly shorter length of hospitalization (relative risk [RR] = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-0.99%), fewer pulmonary complications (RR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.88%), fewer intraoperative complications (RR = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.0048-0.31%) fewer blood product units given (RR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.14-0.42%) and lower postoperative creatine kinase (RR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99%). There were no considerable differences for the remaining nine outcomes, including mortality and neurologic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing OPCAB had a considerably shorter length of hospitalization, had fewer pulmonary and intraoperative complications, and received a lower volume of blood products.

Correlation of the change in the International Normalized Ratio and decreasing the Coumadin dosage following total joint arthroplasty.

This retrospective pilot study determined whether a change in the daily International Normalized Ratio (INR) correlates with a decrease in Coumadin (DuPont Pharma, Wilmington, Del) dosage. Four hundred seventeen patients yielded 1167 pairs of INR values and Coumadin doses. An increase in INR > 0.4 units correlated 81% with a decrease in the Coumadin dose (P < .05). In patients aged > or = 70 years, the correlation fell to 70% compared to an 89% correlation in patients aged < 70 years (P < .05). The correlation fell to 78% in women, while men exhibited an increase to 87% (P < .05). Although this is a pilot study, when managing postoperative Coumadin anticoagulation for orthopedic patients, an increase in INR > 0.4 units correlates highly with the need to decrease the Coumadin dose. A prospective study is needed to test the usefulness of this parameter.