Minimum 2-Year Clinical Outcomes of Medial Meniscus Root Tears in Relation to Coronal Alignment.

BACKGROUND: The effect of coronal plane alignment on the outcomes of repairs of the medial meniscus root remains unclear. HYPOTHESIS: Increased preoperative varus alignment is associated with higher failure rates and lower patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after isolated repair of the medial meniscus root. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients aged 18 years or older who underwent arthroscopy-assisted repair of the medial posterior meniscus root over a 7-year period were included. The mechanical axis of the knee was measured preoperatively. Osteoarthritis was assessed radiographically preoperatively and at the final follow-up according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale. Failure was defined as any patient having to undergo revision root repair, partial meniscectomy of the previously repaired meniscus, debridement, lysis of adhesions, or conversion to arthroplasty. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients (29 women, 24 men) with a mean age of 51.3 years were included in the follow-up analysis. The mean time of follow-up after surgery was 3.3 years (range, 22-77 months). Significant improvements were observed in all PROs analyzed. Decreased varus as measured by alignment percentage was correlated with baseline Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Pain (P = .023) and WOMAC Stiffness (P = .022). Alignment percentage was also significantly negatively correlated with postoperative WOMAC Stiffness (P = .005) and positively correlated with Lysholm (P = .003) and International Knee Documentation Committee (P = .009) scores. Higher baseline Kellgren-Lawrence grade was correlated with worse postoperative PROs (P < .05), except 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Mental Component Summary and satisfaction. Eight patients who underwent a concomitant high tibial osteotomy (HTO) achieved lower PROs in all scales analyzed, regardless of their alignment. When excluding patients who underwent HTO, postoperative Lysholm score (P = .004) and postoperative WOMAC Stiffness (p = 0.014) were inferior among the patients with >5° of varus. CONCLUSION: Lower extremity alignment closest to neutral correlated with improved PROs. Patients who underwent a concurrent HTO had worse PROs than those who did not undergo HTO.

Efficacy of Antibiotics in Supracondylar Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists surrounding antibiotic use in the setting of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures treated with closed reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation. While the reported incidence of infection in the literature is low, surgeons frequently administer preoperative antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review preoperative antibiotic use and incidence of infection in children with supracondylar humerus fractures treated with closed reduction and K-wire fixation. It was hypothesized that antibiotic administration will not affect the incidence of infection following this procedure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 1053 patients with supracondylar humerus fractures treated with closed reduction and K-wire fixation at 3 institutions between 2006 and 2016. Patient demographics, antibiotic administration and follow-up data were reviewed in 905 patients. RESULTS: Of 905 patients, 755 patients received preoperative antibiotics and 150 patients did not. The incidence of infection was 2.5% (n=22) in the group that received preoperative antibiotics and 2.0% in the group that did not receive antibiotics with an overall incidence of infection of 2.4%. The difference between groups did not reach significance (P>0.5). The majority of infections were treated with oral antibiotics with or without early pin removal. Four patients, all in the preoperative antibiotic group, required surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective review of the incidence of infection in closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of supracondylar humerus fractures found no difference between patients who received preoperative antibiotics and those who did not receive preoperative antibiotics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-therapeutic.

Medial Biplanar Closing-Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy Using an Articulated Tensioning Device for Controlled Osteotomy Closure.

Isolated lateral compartment arthritis or focal chondral defects in the setting of genu valgum in young, active individuals can be treated with a varus-producing distal femoral osteotomy with or without cartilage treatment. Both medial closing-wedge and lateral opening-wedge techniques have been described, with neither demonstrating clear superiority. The objective of this Technical Note is to describe a technique of biplanar medial opening-wedge with controlled reduction using an articulated tensioning device to achieve a safe, reproducible result.

Prospective Outcomes of Cryopreserved Osteochondral Allograft for Patellofemoral Cartilage Defects at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical outcomes, knee function, and activity level of patients after treatment of full-thickness cartilage defects involving the patellofemoral compartment of the knee with cryopreserved osteochondral allograft. DESIGN: Nineteen patients with cartilage defects involving the patellofemoral compartment were treated. The average age was 31 years (range 15-45 years), including 12 females and 7 males. Patients were prospectively followed using validated clinical outcome measures including Veterans RAND 12-item Health Survey (VR-12), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Tegner activity scale. Graft incorporation was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or second-look arthroscopy. RESULTS: The cartilage defects included the patella (n = 16) and the femoral trochlea (n = 3). Mean VR-12 scores increased from 31.6 to 46.3 (P < 0.01), mean IKDC increased from 40.0 to 69.7 (P < 0.01), mean KOOS increased from 53.9 to 80.2 (P < 0.01), and mean Tegner scores increased from 3.0 to 4.9 (P < 0.01), at average follow-up of 41.9 months (range 24-62 months). Of the 3 patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy, all demonstrated a well-incorporated graft. Mean MOCART score for the 6 patients with follow-up MRI was 62.5 (range 25-85). The reoperation rate was 21.1% and 2 patients (12.5%) experienced progressive patellofemoral osteoarthritis requiring conversion to patellofemoral arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: Patients with unipolar cartilage defects involving the patellofemoral compartment of the knee can have positive outcomes at minimum 2-year follow-up after surgical treatment with a cryopreserved osteochondral allograft when concomitant pathology is also addressed, but the reoperation rate is high and bipolar cartilage lesions may increase the failure rate.

Arthroscopic Labral Repair of the Hip Using a Self-Grasping Suture-Passing Device: Maintaining the Chondrolabral Junction.

In the setting of femoroacetabular impingement, the acetabular labrum may be torn or pathologic, and it must be surgically repaired to restore the native suction seal and hip function. However, the current methods of arthroscopic suture passage commonly result in some degree of disruption of the chondrolabral junction, with penetration and shuttling of the repair sutures. Novel instrumentation and surgical techniques have aimed to repair the acetabular labrum with decreased violation of the intrasubstance fibers to provide anatomic eversion/inversion of the labrum to restore the suction seal. In this Technical Note, we describe a method of suture passage through the use of a self-grasping suture-passing device that allows for anatomic labral repair while maintaining the chondrolabral junction as well as minimizing iatrogenic damage the labrum intrasubstance fibers.

The Proportion of Abstracts Presented at the 2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting Ultimately Published.

As attendees of orthopedic meetings consider how to integrate presented information into their practice, it is helpful to consider the quality of the data presented. One surrogate metric is the proportion of and changes to presented abstracts that become journal publications. With this study, using the 2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting abstracts, the authors sought to answer the following questions: Did the publications following abstract presentations differ in terms of the conclusions, study subjects, or coauthors? What proportion of abstracts was published? What are the most common subtopics and journals, and what is the most common author country? Keywords and authors from the 2010 AAOS Annual Meeting proceedings program (698 podium and 548 poster abstracts) were searched in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. If a publication resulted, differences in the conclusion, number of study subjects, and authorship between the abstract and the journal publication were tabulated. The proportion of abstracts published, specialty subtopics, authorship country, and journals of publication were collected. At journal publication, 1.7% of podium and 1.7% of poster conclusions changed. Mean number of authors for podium and poster increased significantly (P<.001), and 30% of podium and 44% of poster had a change in the number of study subjects. The overall journal publication percentage was 61% (68% podium and 53% poster). The majority of the authors were from the United States. The most common journal was The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. It is important to evaluate the usefulness and clinical applicability of meetings, especially the final disposition of conference abstracts, from various angles to ensure that they are as worthwhile and educational as possible. [Orthopedics. 2020;xx(x):xx-xx.].

Meniscal Repair in Pediatric Populations: A Systematic Review of Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Loss of meniscal tissue in the pediatric population can have long-term consequences on joint health, highlighting the importance of meniscal preservation in this group. PURPOSE: To systematically review reported knee outcome measures and complication rates after repair of meniscal tears in children and adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A review of the literature regarding the existing evidence for pediatric meniscal tear outcomes was performed through use of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed (1980-present), and MEDLINE (1980-present). Included were articles in English that reported the outcomes of meniscal tears in the pediatric population (<18 years old) with a follow-up of more than 12 months. Clinical outcome scores were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 1003 total studies were initially retrieved, with 8 meeting the inclusion criteria. The review included 287 patients (165 male, 122 female), mean age 15.1 years (range, 4-18 years), with 301 meniscal tears (reported: 134 medial, 127 lateral, and 32 both medial and lateral, 8 location unspecified). Concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed in 52% (158/301) of meniscal repairs. The average reported postoperative Lysholm scores ranged from 85.4 to 96.3, and the average reported postoperative Tegner activity scores ranged from 6.2 to 8. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic repair of a meniscal tear in the pediatric and adolescent population is an effective treatment option that has a low failure rate, enhances postoperative clinical outcomes, and preserves meniscal tissues.

Osteochondral Allograft Cartilage Transplantation for a Full-Thickness Femoral Condyle Chondral Lesion.

Cartilage lesions of the knee pose a difficult challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Osteochondral allograft transplantation is an option in the setting of large chondral or osseous defects, or after failure of other treatment options1-3. The use of allograft offers the benefit of utilizing both viable hyaline cartilage and bone4. Fresh allografts are usually transplanted into the femoral condyle, although they can also be used in the patella, tibial plateau, or femoral trochlea1. Research has shown that patients who undergo this procedure for the treatment of focal and diffuse chondral defects have favorable outcomes and satisfaction scores1. The procedure is performed as follows. (1) Preoperative evaluation: patients are evaluated for a cartilage procedure after obtaining history, examination, and imaging (radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging). (2) Approach: a longitudinal parapatellar tendon arthrotomy is performed. (3) Debridement: the lesion is identified, and unstable cartilage is debrided back to stable cartilage. (4) Measure defect: the recipient site depth is measured in 4 positions, as on the face of a clock (12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock). (5) Template allograft: a sizer is used to template the allograft hemicondyle. (6) Secure and harvest allograft: the allograft is secured in the Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation Surgery (OATS) Workstation (Arthrex) and harvested from cadaver bone. (7) Measure depth: the recipient depth measurements are marked on the allograft. (8) Cut graft: the graft is held with allograft-holding forceps while graft is cut with a saw. (9) Check measurements: allograft measurements are checked to ensure that they match recipient measurements. (10) Round edges: the osseous ends are rounded to assist with insertion of graft. (11) Irrigate: the allograft is irrigated after final cuts. (12) Graft insertion: the graft is inserted after lining up the 12-o'clock position recipient and donor reference marks and is held in place with a press fit. (13) Closure: standard closure in layers is performed.

Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction with Semitendinosus Tendon Allograft.

BACKGROUND: Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is recommended to surgically stabilize the patella against excessive lateral patellar translation. It is currently the cornerstone of treatment for recurrent lateral patellar instability. The MPFL is often disrupted during acute patellar dislocations but may also be attenuated in the setting of recurrent lateral instability. Numerous techniques have been developed with the primary goal of restoring the static function of the MPFL in resisting lateral translation of the patella during early flexion of the knee. There are now numerous options for the surgical technique, fixation devices, and graft choice, with equal clinical results as long as key surgical principles are maintained1. This article provides a step-by-step description of our preferred technique as well as offering technical pearls and a review of patient outcomes. DESCRIPTION: The MPFL is reconstructed anatomically using a hamstring allograft or autograft with an ideal width of 4 to 5 mm. The graft is secured to the femur with an interference screw at its anatomic insertion point, which can be defined by radiographic or anatomic landmarks, is passed through the soft tissues between the capsule and the medial retinaculum/vastus medialis oblique muscles, and is secured to the superomedial patellar border. ALTERNATIVES: Nonoperative treatment of lateral patellar dislocations is associated with recurrent dislocation rates of 35% to 50%; surgical treatment for recurrent dislocations has afforded improved patient outcomes2,3. In general, there are 3 surgical options to restore the function of the MPFL. Historically, acute repair was thought to offer the MFPL a chance to "heal" and resume its function; however, the literature has failed to support this as a reliable option in the setting of lateral patellar instability4. Similarly, delayed tightening or imbrication of the MPFL in the setting of chronic laxity has not demonstrated worthwhile clinical results5. MPFL reconstruction with a graft, as described here, has provided the most consistent outcomes. RATIONALE: Isolated reconstruction of the MPFL is indicated for patients with a history consistent with recurrent lateral patellar instability and a physical examination demonstrating excessive lateral patellar translation. Patients with high-grade trochlear dysplasia and patella alta may be better treated with concomitant osseous procedures such as trochleoplasty or tibial tubercle osteotomy.

Bacterial Contamination of a Marking Pen in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: A sterile surgical marking pen is commonly used during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to outline the proposed skin incision and then to mark the graft during preparation. Once in contact with the skin, the pen is a potential source of bacterial transmission and subsequent infections after ACLR. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to assess whether the skin marking pen is a fomite for contamination during arthroscopic ACLR. We hypothesized that there would be a difference in the rate of culture-positive pens between control pens and the study pens used to delineate the proposed skin incision. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Twenty surgical marking pens were collected prospectively from patients undergoing ACLR over a 12-month period. All patients underwent standard preoperative sterile preparation and draping procedures. Proposed incisions were marked with a new sterile pen, and the pen tip was immediately sent for a 5-day inoculation in broth and agar. Negative controls (unopened new pen) and positive controls (used to mark the skin incisions preoperatively) were also cultured. Additionally, blank culture dishes were observed during the growth process. All pens were removed from the surgical field before incision, and new marking pens were used when needed during the procedure. RESULTS: Three of the 20 study pens (15%) demonstrated positive growth. All 3 pens grew species of Staphylococcus. None of the negative controls demonstrated growth, 6 of the 12 positive controls showed growth, and none of the blank dishes exhibited growth. CONCLUSION: This study found a 15% rate of surgical marking pen contamination by Staphylococcus during ACLR. It is recommended that the skin marking pen not be used for any further steps of the surgical case and be discarded once used. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Infections after ACLR are rare but may result in significant morbidity, and all measures to reduce them should be pursued. Surgeons performing ACLR should dispose of the surgical marking pen after skin marking and before intraoperative use such as graft markup.

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of the Medial Patellar Ligaments: An Anatomic and Radiographic Study.

BACKGROUND: The qualitative and quantitative anatomy of the medial patellar stabilizers has been reported; however, a quantitative analysis of the anatomic and radiographic attachments of all 4 ligaments relative to anatomic and osseous landmarks, as well as to one another, has yet to be performed. PURPOSE: To perform a qualitative and quantitative anatomic and radiographic evaluation of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), medial patellotibial ligament (MPTL), medial patellomeniscal ligament (MPML), and medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament (MQTFL) attachment sites, with attention to their relationship to pertinent osseous and soft tissue landmarks. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Ten nonpaired fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees were dissected, and the MPFL, MPTL, MPML, and MQTFL were identified. A coordinate measuring device quantified the attachment areas of each structure and its relationship to pertinent bony landmarks. Radiographic analysis was performed through ligament attachment sites and relevant anatomic structures to assess their locations relative to pertinent bony landmarks. RESULTS: Four separate medial patellar ligaments were identified in all specimens. The center of the MPFL attachments was 14.3 mm proximal and 2.1 mm posterior to the medial epicondyle and 8.3 mm distal and 2.7 mm anterior to the adductor tubercle on the femur and 8.9 mm distal and 19.9 mm medial to the superior pole on the patella. The MQTFL had a mean insertion length of 29.3 mm on the medial aspect of the distal quadriceps tendon. The MPTL and MPML shared a common patellar insertion and were 9.1 mm proximal and 15.4 mm medial to the inferior pole. The MPTL attachment inserted on a newly identified bony ridge, which was located 5.0 mm distal to the joint line. The orientation angles of the MPTL and MPML with respect to the patellar tendon were 8.3° and 22.7°, respectively. CONCLUSION: The most important findings of this study were the correlative anatomy of 4 distinct medial patellar ligaments (MPFL, MPTL, MPML, MQTFL), as well as the identification of a bony ridge on the medial proximal tibia that consistently served as the attachment site for the MPTL. The quantitative and radiographic measurements, while comparable with current literature, detailed the meniscal insertion of the MPML and defined a patellar insertion of the MPTL and the MPML as a single attachment. The data allow for reproducible landmarks to be established from previously known bony and soft tissue structures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this study provide the anatomic foundation needed for an improved understanding of the role of medial-sided patellar restraints. This will help to further refine injury patterns and/or soft tissue deficiencies that result in lateral patellar instability, which can then be addressed with an anatomic-based reconstruction or repair technique and potentially lead to improved outcomes.

Severe Metal Hypersensitivity Following Internal Fixation of an Ankle Fracture: A Case Report.

CASE: A 67-year-old woman underwent internal fixation of an ankle fracture. Ten days postoperatively, the patient developed systemic hives, difficulty breathing, and oral swelling. At 8 weeks postoperatively, the hardware was removed because of a suspected metal hypersensitivity. Despite experiencing perioral edema and difficulty breathing after the hardware removal, she had complete resolution of the symptoms at the 2-week, 6-week, and 12-month follow-up appointments. CONCLUSION: Hypersensitivities to metal-based implants can develop and cause local and systemic reactions. Orthopaedic surgeons should inquire about a history of metal allergies, and possibly perform allergy testing for patients with a history suggestive of metal hypersensitivities. Consideration should be given for hospital admission following hardware removal for patient monitoring.

Patellofemoral Articulating Osteochondral (Kissing) Lesion Treated with Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is an effective treatment for chondral defects of the knee; however, its use in kissing lesions is less well documented. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old female with a kissing lesion of the patellofemoral compartment on magnetic resonance imaging underwent two-stage ACI to her medial patella (20 mm × 22 mm) and medial trochlea (27 mm × 18 mm). At 1-year follow-up, the patient had returned to all activities with near-complete resolution of symptoms and substantial improvement in clinical outcome scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with kissing lesions of the knee can be treated successfully with ACI performed to multiple sites.

Single-Bundle and Double-Bundle Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 441 Patients at a Minimum 2 Years' Follow-up.

PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review on the techniques and a meta-analysis on the functional and objective outcomes after single-bundle (SB) versus double-bundle (DB) posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstructions. METHODS: A systematic review of the techniques, as well as functional and objective outcomes of clinical studies comparing SB versus DB PCL reconstruction with a mean follow-up of at least 24 months and minimum level of evidence of III were performed. After review of the literature, a quality analysis of the studies (Detsky score) and a meta-analysis comparing raw mean differences in data between SB and DB PCL groups were performed. Clinical outcome measures included in the meta-analysis were functional outcomes (Lysholm, Tegner, and objective International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] scores) and objective measurements (arthrometer and stress radiographs). RESULTS: The systematic search identified 11 studies (441 patients). Three studies were prospective randomized controlled trials and the other 8 studies were case-control studies. Two hundred thirty-two patients were treated with SB PCL reconstruction, whereas 209 were treated with DB PCL reconstruction. Only 4 studies satisfied the threshold for a satisfactory level of methodologic quality (>75%). There were no significant differences between SB and DB PCL reconstructions in postoperative Lysholm (P = .6, 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.98, 2.18) or Tegner scores (P = .37, 95% CI, -0.19, 0.92). DB PCL reconstruction provided significantly better objective posterior tibial translation stability than the SB technique using the Telos technique at 90° (P = -.58, 95% CI, -1.06, -0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Improved patient-reported outcomes and knee stability were achieved with both SB and DB PCL reconstruction surgery. DB PCL reconstruction provided significantly improved objective posterior tibial stability and objective IKDC scores when compared with SB PCL reconstruction in randomized clinical trials. No significant difference was found for the other patient-reported outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, systematic review and meta-analysis of Level II and III studies.

Incidence of Treatment for Infection of Buried Versus Exposed Kirschner Wires in Phalangeal, Metacarpal, and Distal Radial Fractures.

PURPOSE: To determine whether there is a difference in the incidence of infection between exposed and buried K-wires when used to treat phalangeal, metacarpal, and distal radius fractures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review identifying all patients aged greater than 16 years who underwent fixation of phalangeal, metacarpal, or distal radius fractures with K-wires between 2007 and 2015. We recorded patient demographic data, fracture location, number of K-wires used, whether K-wires were buried or left exposed, and duration of K-wire placement. RESULTS: A total of 695 patients met inclusion criteria. Surgeons buried K-wires in 207 patients and left K-wires exposed in 488. Infections occurred more frequently in exposed K-wire cases than in buried K-wire ones. Subgroup analysis based on fracture location revealed a significantly increased risk of being treated for infection when exposed K-wires were used for metacarpal fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with exposed K-wires for fixation of phalangeal, metacarpal, or distal radius fractures were more likely to be treated for a pin-site infection than those with K-wires buried beneath the skin. Metacarpal fractures treated with exposed K-wires were 2 times more likely to be treated for a pin-site infection (17.6% of exposed K wire cases vs 8.7% of buried K wire cases). TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.