Management of Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Critical Analysis.

¼ Overall evidence for the treatment of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a pediatric or skeletally immature patient remains lows.¼ An ACL reconstruction is recommended with concomitant repairable chondral and meniscus injury or with symptoms of persistent instability despite high-quality rehabilitation.¼ Treatment decision for pediatric ACL reconstruction should use a shared decision-making model weighing the risks and benefits of both a nonoperative vs. surgical treatment.

Can Laser-Assisted Indocyanine Green Angiography Be Used to Quantify Perfusion Changes During Staged Fixation of Pilon Fractures? A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify soft tissue perfusion changes in pilon fractures during staged treatment using laser-assisted indocyanine green angiography (LA-ICGA). SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Twelve patients with 12 pilon fractures participated in the study. Seven patients had OTA/AO classification of 43-C3, 3 had 43-C2, and 2 had 43-B2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: LA-ICGA was performed with the SPY fluorescence imaging platform. Analysis via ImageJ was used to generate a fractional area of perfusion (FAP) based on fluorescent intensity to objectively quantify soft tissue perfusion. Anterior, medial, and lateral measurements were performed at the time of initial external fixation (EF) application and then at the time of definitive fixation. RESULTS: FAP within the region of interest was on average 64% medially, 61% laterally, and 62% anteriorly immediately before EF placement. Immediately before definitive open reduction internal fixation, fractional region of interest perfusion was on average 86% medially, 87% laterally, and 86% anteriorly. FAP increased on average 24% medially ( P = 0.0004), 26% laterally ( P = 0.001), and 19% anteriorly ( P = 0.002) from the time of initial EF to the time of definitive open reduction and internal fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative improvement in soft tissue perfusion was identified through the course of staged surgical management in pilon fractures. LA-ICGA potentially may be used to determine appropriate timing for definitive surgical intervention based on the readiness of the soft tissue envelope. Ultimately, these findings may influence clinical outcomes with respect to choice of surgical approach, soft tissue management, surgical timing, and wound healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Hydration Strategies for the Female Tactical Athlete.

With unprecedented expansion of the roles of women in the military and the longest period of continuous active combat in US history, it is time that research expanded, including the nutritional and hydration requirements of the female tactical athlete. Dehydration has a negative effect on athletic performance, most significantly in high intensity, aerobic endurance activities. There is evidence female athletes may be more prone to the potentially lethal effects of over hydration. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the literature to ascertain optimal hydration strategies for the female tactical athlete.