Resident Performance on the Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training (FAST) Workstation Does Not Predictably Improve With Postgraduate Year.

Purpose: To identify differences in performance on the Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training (FAST) workstation between residents across different postgraduate years and training sites. Methods: During the 2018-2019 academic year, 102 orthopaedic surgery residents from 4 training sites completed 6 FAST modules. Failure was defined as either completion time exceeding benchmark time or commission of task-specific errors. With the exception of knot tying, each module was completed by participants twice-once with each hand serving as the camera hand. Time to completion (except for knot tying) and errors were recorded for each of the modules. Completion times and failure rates were compared between postgraduate years, seniority groups, and training sites. Results: In all modules for which time was recorded, except for the suture-passage module, there was no significant difference in time to completion based on seniority (P < .01 for suture passage and P > .05 for all others). Significant differences in completion time were observed between sites for all modules except for the suture-passage module (P = .957 for suture passage and P < .05 for all others). Site predicted failure by at least 1 measure (time or technical error) for all modules (P < .05) except for number probing and suture passage. Failure rate across training years varied for each module. Conclusions: Time to completion and rate of failure did not predictably decrease with level of training. Training site proved to be a significant predictor of performance. Factors such as hand dominance and familiarity with the equipment proved to be important considerations for some modules. Clinical Relevance: Objective assessment of arthroscopic skills among orthopaedic trainees is difficult. Using reproducible methodology to assess trainees on specific skills at all postgraduate years and at multiple training sites may provide important information about orthopaedic training.

Outcomes of Activity-Related Lower Extremity Muscle Tears After Application of the British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Muscle injury classification and grading systems have been reported for >100 years; yet it offer limited evidence relating the clinical or radiological qualities of a muscle injury to the pathology or clinical outcome. The British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification (BAMIC) incorporates recent predictive features of muscle injuries and provides a precise radiographic framework for clinical prediction and management. OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical outcomes, particularly time to return to play (RTP), reinjury rate (RIR), and prognostic value of specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, of activity-related muscle injuries (tears) in athletes after application of the BAMIC. DATA SOURCES: A search of PubMed (NLM), EMBASE (Ovid), Web of Science (Clarivate), Cochrane Library (Wiley), and ClinicalTrials.gov from the inception date of each database through August 31, 2022, was conducted. Keywords included the BAMIC. STUDY SELECTION: All English language studies evaluating clinical outcomes of RTP and RIR after activity-related muscle injuries and where BAMIC was applied were included. A total of 136 articles were identified, and 11 studies met inclusion criteria. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42022353801). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility and extracted data. Methodological quality of included study was assessed independently by 2 reviewers with the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Scale (NOS); 11 good quality studies (4 prospective cohort studies, 7 retrospective cohort studies) with 468 athletes (57 female) and 574 muscle injuries were included. RESULTS: All studies reported a statistically significant relationship between BAMIC grade, BAMIC injury site, and/or combined BAMIC grade and injury site with RTP. A statistically significant increased RIR was reported by BAMIC grade and BAMIC injury site in 2 of 4 and 3 of 4 studies, respectively. The prognostic value of individual MRI criteria was limited. CONCLUSION: Consistent evidence suggests that BAMIC offers prognostic and therapeutic guidance for clinical outcomes, particularly RTP and RIR, after activity-related muscle injuries in athletes that may be superior to previous muscle injury classification and grading systems.

Return to Sports After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Validity and Reliability of the SPORTS Score at 6 and 12 Months.

Background: The Subjective Patient Outcome for Return to Sports (SPORTS) score is a single-item scale that measures athletes' ability to return to their preinjury sport based on effort and performance. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the SPORTS score and a modified score within the first year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The modified version replaced "same sport" with "any sport" in the answer choices. It was hypothesized that both versions of the SPORTS score would have acceptable floor and ceiling effects and internal responsiveness, moderate convergent validity, and excellent test-retest reliability. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients were recruited preoperatively from 2 academic medical centers. The authors collected responses to the 1-item SPORTS scores at 6 and 12 months after ACLR and the Tegner activity scale, Lysholm knee score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)-sport/recreation subscale, and Marx activity rating scale preoperatively and 6 and 12 months after ACLR. Ceiling and floor effects and responsiveness were assessed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations, respectively, at both follow-up time points. Spearman correlations and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to examine convergent validity and test-retest reliability, respectively. Results: Follow-up rates at 6 and 12 months were 100% and 99%, respectively. Test-retest follow-up was 77%. Floor effects for the SPORTS scores were not observed, while ceiling effects at 12 months ranged from 38% to 40%. Cross-tabulation of the SPORTS scores showed that 64% to 66% of patients reported a change in their score from 6 to 12 months, with significant differences noted between the proportions that improved versus worsened for return to any sport. Convergent validity was observed at 6 and 12 months via moderate correlations with the Tegner, Lysholm, KOOS-sport/recreation, and Marx scores (r = 0.31 to 0.47). Fair to good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.58 and 0.60) was found at 12 months after ACLR. Conclusion: The SPORTS score appears to be a reliable, responsive, and valid 1-item scale that can be used during the first year after ACLR. No differences in psychometric properties were found between the SPORTS score and the modified version.

Incidence and Predictors of Subsequent Surgery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A 6-Year Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND: The cause of subsequent surgery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction varies, but if risk factors for specific subsequent surgical procedures can be identified, we can better understand which patients are at greatest risk. PURPOSE: To report the incidence and types of subsequent surgery that occurred in a cohort of patients 6 years after their index ACL reconstruction and to identify which variables were associated with the incidence of patients undergoing subsequent surgery after their index ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients completed a questionnaire before their index ACL surgery and were followed up at 2 and 6 years. Patients were contacted to determine whether any underwent additional surgery since baseline. Operative reports were obtained, and all surgical procedures were categorized and recorded. Logistic regression models were constructed to predict which patient demographic and surgical variables were associated with the incidence of undergoing subsequent surgery after their index ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 3276 patients (56.3% male) with a median age of 23 years. A 6-year follow-up was obtained on 91.5% (2999/3276) with regard to information on the incidence and frequency of subsequent surgery. Overall, 20.4% (612/2999) of the cohort was documented to have undergone at least 1 subsequent surgery on the ipsilateral knee 6 years after their index ACL reconstruction. The most common subsequent surgical procedures were related to the meniscus (11.9%), revision ACL reconstruction (7.5%), loss of motion (7.8%), and articular cartilage (6.7%). Significant risk factors for incurring subsequent meniscus-related surgery were having a medial meniscal repair at the time of index surgery, reconstruction with a hamstring autograft or allograft, higher baseline Marx activity level, younger age, and cessation of smoking. Significant predictors of undergoing subsequent surgery involving articular cartilage were higher body mass index, higher Marx activity level, reconstruction with a hamstring autograft or allograft, meniscal repair at the time of index surgery, or a grade 3/4 articular cartilage abnormality classified at the time of index ACL reconstruction. Risk factors for incurring subsequent surgery for loss of motion were younger age, female sex, low baseline Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score symptom subscore, and reconstruction with a soft tissue allograft. CONCLUSION: These findings can be used to identify patients who are at the greatest risk of incurring subsequent surgery after ACL reconstruction.

Cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy to enhance return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: An open pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe feasibility, adherence, acceptability, and outcomes of a cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy (CBPT-ACLR) intervention for improving postoperative recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). DESIGN: Pilot study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Eight patients (mean age [SD] = 20.1 [2.6] years, 6 females) participated in a 7-session telephone-based CBPT-ACLR intervention beginning preoperatively and lasting 8 weeks after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At 6 months, patients completed Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) sports/recreation and quality of life (QOL) subscales, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Knee Self-Efficacy Scale (K-SES), return to sport (Subjective Patient Outcome for Return to Sports), and satisfaction. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was used for meaningful change. RESULTS: Seven (88%) patients completed all sessions. Seven (88%) patients exceeded MCID on the TSK, 6 (75%) on the PCS, 5 (63%) on the KOOS sports/recreation subscale, 4 (50%) on the IKDC, and 3 (38%) on the KOOS QOL subscale. Three (38%) patients returned to their same sport at the same level of effort and performance. All patients were satisfied with their recovery. CONCLUSIONS: A CBPT-ACLR program is feasible and acceptable for addressing psychological risk factors after ACLR.

Surgeon Agreement on the Presence of Pathologic Anterior Instability on Shoulder Imaging Studies.

BACKGROUND: In the setting of anterior shoulder instability, it is important to assess the reliability of orthopaedic surgeons to diagnose pathologic characteristics on the 2 most common imaging modalities used in clinical practice: standard plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PURPOSE: To assess the intra- and interrater reliability of diagnosing pathologic characteristics associated with anterior shoulder instability using standard plain radiographs and MRI. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patient charts at a single academic institution were reviewed for anterior shoulder instability injuries. The study included 40 sets of images (20 radiograph sets, 20 MRI series). The images, along with standardized evaluation forms, were distributed to 22 shoulder/sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons over 2 points in time. Kappa values for inter- and intrarater reliability were calculated. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 91%. For shoulder radiographs, interrater agreement was fair to moderate for the presence of glenoid lesions (κ = 0.49), estimate of glenoid lesion surface area (κ = 0.59), presence of a Hill-Sachs lesion (κ = 0.35), and estimate of Hill-Sachs surface area (κ = 0.50). Intrarater agreement was moderate for radiographs (κ = 0.48-0.57). For shoulder MRI, interrater agreement was fair to moderate for the presence of glenoid lesions (κ = 0.44), glenoid lesion surface area (κ = 0.35), Hill-Sachs lesion (κ = 0.33), Hill-Sachs surface area (κ = 0.28), humeral head edema (κ = 0.41), and presence of a capsulolabral injury (κ = 0.36). Fair agreement was found for specific type of capsulolabral injury (κ = 0.21). Intrarater agreement for shoulder MRI was moderate for the presence of glenoid lesion (κ = 0.59), presence of a Hill-Sachs lesion (κ = 0.52), estimate of Hill-Sachs surface area (κ = 0.50), humeral head edema (κ = 0.51), and presence of a capsulolabral injury (κ = 0.53), and agreement was substantial for glenoid lesion surface area (κ = 0.63). Intrarater agreement was fair for determining the specific type of capsulolabral injury (κ = 0.38). CONCLUSION: Fair to moderate agreement by surgeons was found when evaluating imaging studies for anterior shoulder instability. Agreement was similar for identifying pathologic characteristics on radiographs and MRI. There was a trend toward better agreement for the presence of glenoid-sided injury. The lowest agreement was observed for specific capsulolabral injuries.

The Tibial Tubercle-to-Trochlear Groove Distance Is Reliable in the Setting of Trochlear Dysplasia, and Superior to the Tibial Tubercle-to-Posterior Cruciate Ligament Distance When Evaluating Coronal Malalignment in Patellofemoral Instability.

PURPOSE: To determine best practices for consistent and accurate evaluation of coronal alignment in patients with patellofemoral (PF) instability. METHODS: Six reviewers examined 239 knee magnetic resonance images (MRIs) in patients with PF instability and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Measurements included tibial tubercle-to-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance measured at the most proximal and distal portions of the trochlea, tibial tubercle-to-PCL (TT-PCL) distance, and Dejour classification of trochlear dysplasia. RESULTS: Interrater reliability was low for Dejour classification (k = 0.289), but improved to moderate (k = 0.448) when patients were separated into normal/Dejour A and Dejour B/C/D. Interrater reliability was high for proximal and distal TT-TG measurements (interclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] = 0.807 and 0.936, respectively). TT-PCL was moderately reliable (ICC = 0.625), and correlated with TT-TG (r = 0.457, P < .001 proximal and r = 0.451, P < .001 distal). No significant difference was found between the proximal and distal measurements of TT-TG in each patient, though the PF group exhibited higher values than the ACL group (P < .001 for both). TT-PCL was significantly higher for the PF group than the ACL group (P = .015), but this difference lost significance when the group was divided by the TT-PCL cutoff of 24 mm (P = .371). CONCLUSIONS: The proximal and distal techniques for measuring the TT-TG distance are similar to each other, and reliable despite level of reviewer training or presence of dysplasia. The TT-TG distance was predictive of patellofemoral instability. The TT-PCL distance was found to be less reliable than either method of measuring the TT-TG distance. Thus, this study demonstrated TT-TG to be superior to TT-PCL as a measurement of coronal malalignment. Given the variability in Dejour classification in this and other studies, a more reliable classification system for trochlear dysplasia as defined on cross-sectional imaging is warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective clinical trial.

Patellar Articular Overlap on MRI Is a Simple Alternative to Conventional Measurements of Patellar Height.

BACKGROUND: Patella alta describes an abnormally high-riding patella in relationship to the femur and has been shown to correlate with patellofemoral pain, instability, chondromalacia, and arthrosis. Conventional measurements of patella alta involve multiple measurements and are often not defined on cross-sectional imaging as related to radiographs. HYPOTHESIS: Patellar articular overlap on sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will correlate well with conventional measurements of patella alta as measured by a standardized technique defined by our group. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: MRIs of 239 knees were reviewed by 3 attending surgeons with practices focusing on patellofemoral disease, as well as 2 sports medicine fellows and 1 musculoskeletal radiologist. Measurements included articular overlap, percentage of articular coverage, Caton-Deschamps index, Blackburne-Peel index, and modified Insall-Salvati index. RESULTS: Interrater reliability was high for Caton-Deschamps, Blackburne-Peel, and modified Insall-Salvati indices (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.877, 0.828, and 0.787, respectively). Articular overlap and percentage articular coverage correlated well with each other (ICC, 0.961; P < .001) and with the Caton-Deschamps (overlap r = -0.271, P < .001; coverage r = -0.131, P = .037) and Blackburne-Peel (overlap r = 0.343, P < .001; coverage r = -0.238, P < .001) indices. Articular overlap and percentage coverage failed to correlate with the modified Insall-Salvati index (overlap r = -0.117, P = .091; coverage r = 0.007, P = .918). CONCLUSION: Patellar articular overlap and percentage of patellar articular coverage show promise as a simpler alternative to conventional, ratio-based measurements of patellar height. Future studies are needed to evaluate the range of normal and the relationship to our traditionally used measurements.