Predictors of Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Response Rates Among Patients With Rotator Cuff Repair.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) contribute to evaluating and improving the quality of patient care. Patient outcomes after rotator cuff repair (RCR) have been researched; however, the relationship between PROM response rates and individual and health care correlates has not been thoroughly investigated. PURPOSE: To examine differences in individual and health care factors among patients who had undergone RCR based on their PROM response rates. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Shoulder-specific and general PROMs were solicited via email and text message of all patients who underwent RCR between 2016 and 2020. Three subgroups were classified: (1) complete responders completed all 1-year postoperative PROMs, (2) partial responders answered enough questions to produce ≥1 usable score, and (3) nonresponders did not respond to a single measure. Correlates were assessed using analysis of variance and chi-square tests. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression models identified predictors of 1-year PROM response. RESULTS: Of 2195 patients included at the 1-year follow-up, 34% were complete responders; 11%, partial responders; and 55%, nonresponders. Patients had a mean age of 61.8 years, 63% were men, and 90% were White. Pre- and postoperative PROM scores were similar across responder groups. In stepwise selection, 1-year responses (complete or partial) were associated with older age, later year of surgery, White race, and having workers' compensation insurance. The strongest predictor of PROM response was having workers' compensation insurance. CONCLUSION: Patients with workers' compensation insurance compared with other insurance types responded to PROMs at disproportionately higher rates. This could distort postoperative PROM scores in the population studied because there are known differences among patients with this insurance status.

Factors Associated With Awareness, Adoption, and Implementation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention in Youth Sports.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common injuries in adolescent athletes and result in significant financial and physical morbidity. Evidence-based programs designed to prevent ACL injury are effective. However, their adoption remains low. We sought to evaluate the awareness, evidence-based implementation, and barriers to implementation of ACL injury prevention programs (ACL-IPP) among youth athletic coaches. HYPOTHESIS: Higher education level of the coach, higher level of training, number of teams coached, and coaching female teams would be associated with ACL-IPP implementation. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. METHODS: We conducted an email survey sent to all 63 school districts within Section VI of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. We employed descriptive statistics and tests of correlation to identify factors associated with ACL-IPP implementation. RESULTS: A total of 73% of coaches said they were aware of ACL-IPP, and only 12% of coaches implemented ACL-IPP according to best evidence. Coaches of higher competitive levels were more likely to adopt ACL-IPP (P = 0.01), more likely to use them multiple times per week (P = 0.03), and for ≥1 seasons (P = 0.02). Coaches of multiple teams were more likely to adopt ACL-IPP (P = 0.01). There were no differences in evidence-based implementation of ACL-IPP with gender coached or level of education of the coach. CONCLUSION: Overall awareness, adoption, and evidence-based implementation of ACL-IPP remain low. These results suggest that coaches at higher levels of play and multiple teams tend to use ACL-IPP more often. Gender coached and level of education do not appear to be associated with awareness or implementation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Evidence-based ACL-IPP implementation remains low. Targeting coaches of younger athletes and fewer teams with local outreach programs and ACL-IPP may increase the implementation of ACL-IPP.

Approximately One Half of Patients Greater Than 40 Years Old Achieve Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State 6 Months After Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to 1) calculate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in a population of patients undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) based on Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Scores (KOOS), 2) quantify the difference between the proportion of patients reaching MCID based on KOOS versus the proportion who considered surgery to be successful based on a "yes" answer to a patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) question, and 3) calculate the percentage of patients experiencing treatment failure (TF). Methods: A large, single-institution clinical database was queried for patients undergoing isolated APM (>40 years of age). Data were collected at regular time intervals, including KOOS and PASS outcome measures. Calculation of MCID using a distribution-based model was performed using preoperative KOOS scores as baseline. Comparison of the proportion of patients surpassing MCID was made to the proportion of patients answering "yes" to a tiered PASS question at 6 months after APM. Proportion of patients experiencing TF was calculated using patients who responded "no" to a PASS question and "yes" to a TF question. Results: Three-hundred and fourteen of 969 patients met inclusion criteria. At 6 months following APM, the percentage of patients meeting or exceeding the MCID for each respective KOOS subscore ranged from 64 to 72% compared to 48% who achieved a PASS (P < .0001 for each subscore). Fourteen percent of patients experienced TF. Conclusions: Six months after APM, approximately one half of the patients achieved a PASS and 15% experienced TF. The difference between achieving MCID based on each of the KOOS subscores and achieving success via PASS ranged from 16% to 24%. Thirty-eight percent of patients undergoing APM did not fit neatly into overt success or failure categorization. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Editorial Commentary: We Should Be Cautious About Using Catching and Locking as an Indication for Knee Arthroscopy: Mechanical Symptoms May Be Multifactorial in Their Causes.

Knee arthroscopy may be offered as a treatment for mechanical (catching/locking, grinding/clicking) and meniscal (pain with twisting/pivoting) symptoms. Recent studies have found that mechanical symptoms, particularly catching/locking, may be multifactorial in their causes (chondral lesions, meniscal tears, loose bodies) and less responsive to arthroscopic meniscectomy. Surgeons should be aware of this evidence and adjust their surgical indications appropriately.

Clinical implications of the distinct anatomy and innervation of the long head biceps tendon.

The proximal long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) has been recognized as a well-known cause of anterior shoulder pain. Previous studies have identified a heterogeneous distribution of nerve fibers in the tendon, with a higher abundance of fibers in the proximal and distal thirds of the tendon. This suggests that the proximal portion of the long head biceps tendon may have a different source of innervation than the distal portion. The purpose of this study was to review the innervation of the superior shoulder and identify the proximal source of sensory innervation of the LHBT. The relevant hypothesis was that the suprascapular nerve (SSN) was the proximal source of sensory innervation to the LHBT. Gross and microdissection of eight fresh human cadaver shoulders were performed, with a focus on the distal articular branches of suprascapular nerve (SSN). Utilizing 3.5× magnification loupes, the medial subacromial branch (MSAb), lateral subacromial branch (LSAb), and posterior glenohumeral branch (PGHb) were identified and followed distally to their terminal branches. In all specimens, terminal branches of the lateral subacromial branch supplied the proximal LHBT and the superior labrum. Terminal branches of the posterior glenohumeral branch supplied the posterosuperior labrum and, to a lesser extent, the labral attachment of the LHBT. These findings confirm branches of the suprascapular nerve as the proximal source of sensory innervation to the LHBT. Identification of the suprascapular nerve as a source of proximal innervation of the LHBT may influence clinical decisions related to nonsurgical and surgical intervention, nerve blocks, and nerve ablation procedures.

Isolated Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy Is More Effective at Improving Meniscal Symptoms in Comparison With Mechanical Symptoms in Patients With Concomitant Untreated Chondral Lesions.

PURPOSE: To rank Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questions from most to least improvement after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) and compare improvement of meniscal versus mechanical symptoms. METHODS: A secondary analysis of the Chondral Lesions and Meniscus Procedures (ChAMP) Trial was performed. Inclusion criteria were age 30 years or older with degenerative meniscal tear failing nonoperative management, with or without associated unstable chondral lesions. No chondral debridement was performed. Responses to the 42 KOOS questions ranged from 0 (extreme problems) to 4 (no problems), and were answered preoperatively and at 1 year after isolated APM. The 1-year mean change, or delta (Δ), was calculated for each KOOS question and the Δ for meniscal and mechanical symptoms were statistically compared. RESULTS: Greatest improvement in 135 eligible patients was observed for questions about (1) awareness of knee problems (Δ = 1.93, standard deviation [SD] = 1.38), (2) frequency of knee pain (Δ = 1.93, SD = 1.29), (3) degree of difficulty while twisting/pivoting on the injured knee (Δ = 1.88, SD = 1.13), (4) degree of difficulty while running (Δ = 1.67, SD = 1.30), and (5) being troubled by lack of confidence in the knee (Δ = 21.67, SD = 1.11). Least improvement was observed for questions about: (1) degree of difficulty while getting on/off the toilet (Δ = 0.94, SD = 0.96), (2) feel grinding or hear clicking when the knee moves (Δ= 0.90, SD = 1.25), 3) degree of difficulty while getting in/out of the bath (Δ= 0.88, SD = 1.00), (4) knee catches/hangs up during movement (Δ= 0.80, SD = 1.09), and (5) the ability to straighten the knee fully (Δ= 0.54, 1.44). There was greater improvement for the KOOS questions pertaining to meniscal versus mechanical symptoms (P < .00001). CONCLUSIONS: KOOS symptoms as reported by subjects' responses to the questions pertaining to the frequency of knee pain, twisting/pivoting, running, squatting, and jumping showed the most improvement 1 year after isolated APM, whereas those relating to mechanical symptoms improved the least. Focusing on meniscal rather than mechanical symptoms may help surgeons better identify patients expected to benefit from APM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Better Outcomes but No Difference in Joint Space Narrowing at Five Years Among Patients Without Unstable Chondral Lesions Versus Those With Unstable Chondral Lesions (Left In Situ) at the Time of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare 5-year outcomes among patients with and without unstable chondral lesions undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM). METHODS: Using data from the Chondral Lesions And Meniscal Procedures (ChAMP) Trial, we compared outcomes for patients with unstable chondral lesions found at the time of APM and left in situ (CL-noDeb, N = 71) versus patients without unstable chondral lesions (NoCL, N = 47) at 5 years after APM. Outcomes included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), visual analog pain scale, Short-form Health Survey (SF-36), physical knee measurements, progressive joint space narrowing on radiographs, and the rate of additional knee surgery. Multivariate linear regression was used to obtain mean differences (MDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, body mass index, and preoperative score (for postoperative scores). RESULTS: Compared with CL-noDeb, NoCL subjects had significantly greater improvement at 5 years in the KOOS score for function in sport and recreation (MD = 9.9 [95% CI, 0.7-19.1]), SF-36 pain (MD = 13.9 [95% CI, 5.5-22.3]), knee extension (MD = 0.8 [95% CI, 0.1-1.5]), and decreased quadriceps circumference at the mid-portion of the patella (MD = -1.5 [95% CI, -2.7 to -0.3). A greater proportion of patients in the NoCL group achieved the MCID for all outcome scores except for the WOMAC pain score (89% CL-NoDeb vs 87% NoCL) and SF-36 general (29% CL-NoDeb vs 23% NoCL). There were no significant group differences in measures of progressive radiographic joint space narrowing in any compartments of the operative knee and no significant difference in the rate of additional knee surgery within 5 years of the initial APM. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing APM without unstable chondral lesions had statistically significantly better outcomes than patients with unstable chondral lesions at 5 years after surgery; however, there were no group differences in progressive radiographic joint space narrowing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

A Comprehensive Summary of Systematic Reviews on Sports Injury Prevention Strategies.

BACKGROUND: A large volume of systematic reviews and meta-analyses has been published on the effectiveness of sports injury prevention programs. PURPOSE: To provide a qualitative summary of published systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have examined the effectiveness of sports injury prevention programs on reducing musculoskeletal injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases for systematic reviews and meta-analyses that evaluated the effectiveness of sports injury prevention programs. We excluded published abstracts, narrative reviews, articles not published in English, commentaries, studies that described sports injury prevention strategies but did not assess their effectiveness, studies that did not assess musculoskeletal injuries, and studies that did not assess sports-related injuries. The most relevant results were extracted and summarized. Levels of evidence were determined per the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, and methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews, revised version). RESULTS: A total of 507 articles were retrieved, and 129 were included. Articles pertaining to all injuries were divided into 9 topics: sports and exercise in general (n = 20), soccer (n = 13), ice hockey (n = 1), dance (n = 1), volleyball (n = 1), basketball (n = 1), tackle collision sports (n = 1), climbing (n = 1), and youth athletes (n = 4). Articles on injuries by anatomic site were divided into 11 topics: general knee (n = 8), anterior cruciate ligament (n = 34), ankle (n = 14), hamstring (n = 11), lower extremity (n = 10), foot (n = 6), groin (n = 2), shoulder (n = 1), wrist (n = 2), and elbow (n = 1). Of the 129 studies, 45.7% were ranked as evidence level 1, and 55.0% were evidence level 2. Based on the AMSTAR-2, 58.9% of the reviews reported a priori review methods, 96.1% performed a comprehensive literature search, 47.3% thoroughly described excluded articles, 79.1% assessed risk of bias for individual studies, 48.8% reported a valid method for statistical combination of data (ie, meta-analysis), 45.0% examined the effect of risk of bias on pooled study results, and 19.4% examined the risk for publication bias. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive review provides sports medicine providers with a single source of the most up-to-date publications in the literature on sports injury prevention.

The Association Between Patient Satisfaction and Mode of Visit (Telemedicine Versus In-Person) in a Large Orthopaedic Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: During the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telemedicine was rapidly adopted to provide continued, efficient, and safe medical care. Little is known about patient satisfaction with telemedicine in orthopedics or the factors associated with selection of telemedicine versus face-to-face care. Thus, we examined (1) the association between patient satisfaction and mode of visit (telemedicine versus in-person) and (2) predictors of patient satisfaction in a large orthopedic practice during the onset of the pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of in-person and telemedicine visits within a large, university-affiliated orthopaedic practice between March 2020 and April 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who completed a patient satisfaction survey were included. Demographic and other office visit (eg, type of provider and type of visit) data were collected. A Patient Satisfaction Aggregate (PSA, range 0 to 1) score was calculated by taking the average of five patient satisfaction questions. Linear regression was used to examine (1) the association between PSA score and mode of visit and (2) predictors of PSA score. RESULTS: A total of 2,049 of 6,515 patient satisfaction surveys were completed and included for analysis, of which 748 had telemedicine visits and 1,301 had in-person visits. No association was found between PSA score and mode of visit with and without adjustment for duration of patient-physician relationship, appointment type (new versus follow-up), provider type (physician versus nonphysician), and provider subspecialty (ßunadjusted = 0.004 [SE = 0.01], P = 0.44; ßadjusted = 0.001 [SE = 0.01], P = 0.92). Predictors of increased PSA score were White race (P = 0.001), >1 year relationship with provider (P1-3 years = 0.01, P3-5 years = 0.04, and P5+ years = 0.002), physician provider (P = 0.004), and foot/ankle provider (P = 0.04), whereas predictors of decreased PSA score were oncology provider (P = 0.02) and spine provider (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found no association between PSA score and mode of visit. Predictors of PSA score included race, duration of patient-physician relationship, provider type, and provider subspecialty.

Observation Versus Debridement of Unstable Chondral Lesions During Partial Meniscectomy: Analysis of Patient Outcomes and Degenerative Joint Disease at 5 Years in the Chondral Lesions And Meniscus Procedures (ChAMP) Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of debridement (CL-Deb) versus observation (CL-noDeb) of unstable chondral lesions on knee pain 5 years after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) in patients enrolled in the Chondral Lesions And Meniscus Procedures (ChAMP) Trial. Secondarily, other knee symptoms, function, general health, and the rate of additional surgery on the affected knee were examined. METHODS: Patients aged ≥30 years who had an unstable Outerbridge grade-II, III, or IV chondral lesion when undergoing APM were randomly allocated to the CL-Deb (n = 98) or CL-noDeb (n = 92) group; ∼80% in each group completed a 5-year follow-up. Outcomes were measured preoperatively and at 5 years postoperatively, and included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Short Form-36 (SF-36), physical knee measurements, knee radiographs, and rate of additional knee surgery at 5 years. The primary outcome was the 5-year WOMAC pain score. Group comparisons were made using the t test for continuous outcomes and the Fisher exact test for categorical outcomes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to the primary outcome, the WOMAC pain score (CL-Deb: 86.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 82.9 to 89.1]) versus CL-noDeb: 88.3 [95% CI: 85.5 to 91.1]; p = 0.27), or secondary outcomes at 5 years. There were also no differences in radiographic measurements of joint-space narrowing in any compartment (medial or lateral tibiofemoral or medial, central, or lateral patellofemoral) as well as no difference in the rate of additional knee surgery within 5 years after APM between the CL-Deb and CL-noDeb groups. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes for the CL-Deb and CL-noDeb groups did not differ at 5 years postoperatively, suggesting that there is no long-term benefit of arthroscopic debridement of chondral lesions encountered during APM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Collaborative Creation of Regional Opioid-Prescribing Guidelines in Orthopaedics: Description of a Process, Measurement of Its Effectiveness, and Impact on Patient Satisfaction at a Participating Institution.

BACKGROUND: Interventions designed to decrease opioid prescribing in orthopaedics have been effective when employed by specific institutions, subspecialties, and procedures. The objectives of this study were to examine the effectiveness of developing regional guidelines on opioid-prescribing practices after common orthopaedic surgical procedures, to determine whether compliance with the guidelines varied by procedure, and to measure the effect of the guidelines on patient satisfaction. All objectives were assessed at 1 participating institution. METHODS: In February 2018, 53 orthopaedic surgeons representing 8 practices in Western New York attended a summit meeting to collaboratively create regional opioid-prescribing guidelines for 70 common orthopaedic procedures; these guidelines were later distributed electronically to all orthopaedists in Western New York. We retrospectively examined opioid-prescribing practices for adults undergoing an orthopaedic surgical procedure performed by 1 large practice in October 2017, 4 months before the summit meeting (776 patients), and in July 2018, 5 months after the summit meeting (653 patients). The number of opioid pills prescribed postoperatively and patient satisfaction were compared before and after the summit meeting using t tests. RESULTS: The overall mean number of opioid pills (and standard deviation) prescribed postoperatively decreased from 69.5 ± 45.5 pills before the summit to 43.3 ± 28.0 pills after the summit (p < 0.0001). Sports medicine surgeons reduced the number of pills prescribed for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, knee arthroscopy with meniscectomy, and shoulder arthroscopy with decompression; and adult reconstruction surgeons reduced the number of pills prescribed for total hip and knee arthroplasty. There was no change in the number of pills prescribed for lumbar spine fusion or implant removal. Satisfaction with the provider did not differ from before to after the summit; 75% of patients in the pre-summit group and 76% of patients in the post-summit group reported receiving excellent service (p = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: The creation of regional opioid-prescribing guidelines in a collaborative fashion was assessed at 1 participating institution and was found to be effective at reducing the number of opioid pills prescribed by the orthopaedic surgeons participating in the project without affecting patient satisfaction, but adherence to the guidelines varied by procedure.

Computed Tomography Imaging of BioComposite Interference Screw After ACL Reconstruction With Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Graft.

BACKGROUND: Bioabsorbable interference screws tend to have high resorption rates after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; however, no studies have examined screws composed of 30% biphasic calcium phosphate and 70% poly-d-lactide (30% BCP/70% PLDLA). PURPOSE: To evaluate femoral and tibial tunnel widening and resorption of 30% BCP/70% PLDLA interference screws and replacement with bone at 2 to 5 years after ACL reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Included were 20 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction using BTB autograft and were reevaluated 2 to 5 years after surgery using computed tomography scans. Tunnel measurements were obtained from computed tomography scans in the sagittal and coronal planes and were compared with known tunnel measurements based on operative reports. These images and measurements were used to assess tunnel widening, resorption of the 30% BCP/70% PLDLA screw, its replacement with bone, and possible cyst formation. Paired t tests were used to compare initial and final femoral and tibial tunnel measurements. RESULTS: The cross-sectional area of the femoral tunnel decreased at the aperture (P = .03), middle (P = .0002), and exit (P < .0001) of the tunnel compared with the initial femoral tunnel size, and the tibial tunnel cross-sectional area decreased at the aperture (P < .0001) and exit (P = .01) of the tunnel compared with the initial tibial tunnel size. Bone formation was observed in 100% of femoral tunnels and 94.7% of tibial tunnels. Screw resorption was 100% in the femur and 94.7% in the tibia at the final follow-up. Cysts were noted around the femoral tunnel in 2 patients (5.1%). CONCLUSION: The 30% BCP/70% PLDLA interference screws used for ACL reconstruction using BTB autograft had high rates of resorption and replacement with bone, and there were no increases in tunnel size at 2 to 5 years postoperatively. The authors observed a low rate of cyst formation and no other adverse events stemming from the use of this specific biointerference screw, suggesting that this type of screw is a reasonable option for graft fixation with minimal unfavorable events and a reliable resorption profile.

Editorial Commentary: Quadriceps Tendon All-Soft-Tissue Graft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: More Information About A Newer Surgical Nail.

Many different autografts are available for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Although patellar tendon graft and hamstrings are most commonly used, quadriceps tendon with or without a bone plug is gaining popularity. Preliminary evidence suggests that quad tendon without a bone plug performs at least as well as with a plug, although more comparative information is needed. In the meantime, surgeons should strive to gain experience with multiple anterior cruciate ligament grafts.

Changes in Neuromuscular Status Across a Season of Professional Men's Ice Hockey.

ABSTRACT: Gannon, EA, Higham, DG, Gardner, BW, Nan, N, Zhao, J, and Bisson, LJ. Changes in neuromuscular status across a season of professional men's ice hockey. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1338-1344, 2021-To quantify changes in neuromuscular function over a full professional men's ice hockey season, 27 players (n = 18 forwards and 9 defensemen) performed 3 countermovement jumps (CMJ) each week over 30 sessions separated into 4 phases: preseason, early-season, midseason, and late-season. Outcome variables represented jump performance (jump height), kinematics (mean velocity and peak velocity), and movement strategy (countermovement depth). Mixed models characterized relationships between positional group, season phase, and CMJ outcomes. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Concentric peak velocity (p = 0.02), jump height (p = 0.001), and countermovement depth (p < 0.001) displayed a significant reduction across the season. Peak velocity was lower during the early-season than the preseason (-0.10 ± 0.06 m·s-1, mean change ± 95% confidence limit, p = 0.05). Countermovement depth was reduced during the early-season (-0.06 ± 0.03 m, p = 0.02), midseason (-0.10 ± 0.04 m, p = 0.002), and late-season (-0.15 ± 0.04 m, p < 0.001) relative to the preseason. Reductions in CMJ variables from preseason to in-season ranged from trivial to large. Changes in countermovement depth differed for forwards and defensemen by the season phase (p = 0.04). A professional ice hockey season decreases CMJ performance, with the effects of fatigue most prominent during the late-season phase. Countermovement depth was most sensitive to fatigue and differentiated positional-group responses. Frequent CMJ testing is useful for identifying the neuromuscular status of team-sport athletes relative to season-specific phases. Fatigue monitoring should incorporate movement-strategy variables alongside traditional measures of performance and kinematics.

An Up-to-Date Review of the Meniscus Literature: A Systematic Summary of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: A large number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding the meniscus have been published. PURPOSE: To provide a qualitative summary of the published systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding the meniscus. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic search of all meta-analyses and systematic reviews regarding the meniscus and published between July 2009 and July 2019 was performed with PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and the Cochrane database. Published abstracts, narrative reviews, articles not written in English, commentaries, study protocols, and topics that were not focused on the meniscus were excluded. The most pertinent results were extracted and summarized from each study. RESULTS: A total of 332 articles were found, of which 142 were included. Included articles were summarized and divided into 16 topics: epidemiology, diagnosis, histology, biomechanics, comorbid pathology, animal models, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), meniscal repair, meniscal root repairs, meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT), meniscal implants and scaffolds, mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors, postoperative rehabilitation, postoperative imaging assessment, patient-reported outcome measures, and cost-effectiveness. The majority of articles focused on APM (20%), MAT (18%), and meniscal repair (17%). CONCLUSION: This summary of systematic reviews and meta-analyses delivers surgeons a single source of the current evidence regarding the meniscus.

The influence of suture materials on the biomechanical behavior of suture-meniscal specimens: a comparative study in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: Repair of a meniscal tear is indicated in certain conditions. Despite extensive research on the biomechanics of various repair methods, there has been minimal investigation of whether the suture material influences the meniscal-suture construct. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of nine different suture materials under cyclic and load-to-failure conditions. METHODS: Ninety porcine menisci were randomly allocated to simple suture placement using either Ultrabraid®, Ultratape®, Magnum Wire®, TigerWire®, TigerTape®, LabralTape®, Orthocord®, 0 FiberWire®, or 2-0 FiberWire®. Each suture-meniscus specimen underwent cyclic loading followed by load-to-failure testing. Elongation, maximum load to failure, stiffness, and mode of failure were recorded and compared between each suture type using non-parametric testing. Mean ± standard deviation was reported and the statistical significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Elongation during cyclic loading was lowest with 2-0 FiberWire (0.95 ± 0.17 mm); this value was statistically significantly different than the results for all other sutures except 0 FiberWire® (1.09 ± 0.17 mm, p = 0.79), TigerWire® (1.09 ± 0.29 mm, p = 0.85), TigerTape® (1.39 ± 0.29 mm, p = 0.08), and LabralTape® (1.20 ± 0.33 mm, p = 0.41). The highest elongation was seen with Ultrabraid® (1.91 ± 0.34 mm); this value was statistically significantly greater than the results for all other suture materials except Orthocord® (1.59 mm ± 0.31 mm, p = 0.46) and Magnum Wire® (1.43 ± 0.25 mm, p = 0.14). Load to failure was highest for TigerTape® (287.43 ± 41.15 N), and this result was statistically significantly different than the results for all other sutures except LabralTape® (271.34 ± 48.48 N, p = 0.99) and TigerWire® (251.03 ± 25.8 N, p = 0.51). Stiffness was highest for LabralTape® (195.77 ± 49.06 N/mm), and this result was statistically significantly different than the results for all other sutures except TigerWire® (186.49 ± 19.83 N/mm, p = 0.45) and TigerTape® (173.35 ± 15.60 N/mm, p = 0.19). The majority of sutures failed by pullout (n = 46, 51%) or tearing (n = 40, 45%). CONCLUSION: Suture design and material affect the biomechanical behavior of porcine meniscal-suture specimens. LabralTape®, TigerWire®, and TigerTape® demonstrated better overall combinations of low elongation, high maximum load to failure, and high stiffness.

Prevalence of Undiagnosed Subchondral Insufficiency Fractures of the Knee in Middle Age Adults with Knee Pain and Suspected Meniscal Tear.

OBJECTIVE: Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and meniscal tear are often treated with weight-bearing exercises and without ordering advanced imaging (e.g. MRI). This may lead to missed diagnoses of subchondral insufficiency fracture of the knee (SIFK). Failure to diagnose SIFK has treatment implications, as patients with SIFK are typically managed with a period of reduced weight-bearing. The primary objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed SIFK among persons treated non-operatively for knee pain and suspected meniscal tear(s). METHODS: The randomized controlled trial, TeMPO (Treatment of Meniscal Problems and Osteoarthritis), enrolls subjects whose clinicians suspect concomitant meniscal tear and knee OA. TeMPO participants undergo MRI ordered by the study to confirm meniscal tear. All study-ordered MRIs revealing a fracture were reviewed by two study radiologists who noted features of the fracture and joint. We report prevalence of SIFK and clinical and imaging features on these subjects with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Ten of the 340 study-ordered MRIs had SIFK, resulting in an estimated prevalence of 2.94% (95% CI: 1.15%, 4.71%). Eight of the ten participants with SIFK had fractures located medially. The femur was involved in five of these participants, tibia in four, and both in one. Five of the ten participants did not have meniscal tears. CONCLUSIONS: This is the only reported estimate of undiagnosed SIFK in adults with knee pain, to our knowledge. Approximately 3% of patients managed with weight-bearing exercise for suspected meniscal tear may have SIFK, a diagnosis typically treated with reduced weight-bearing approaches.

Estimation of data adaptive minimal clinically important difference with a nonconvex optimization procedure.

Understanding the limitation of solely relying on statistical significance, researchers have proposed methods to draw biomedical conclusions based on clinical significance. The minimal clinically important significance is one of the most fundamental concepts to study clinical significance. Based on an anchor question usually available in the patients' reported outcome, Hedayat et al. presented a method to estimate minimal clinically important significance using the classification technique. However, their method implicitly requires that the binary outcome of the anchor question is equally likely, i.e. the balanced outcome assumption. This assumption cannot be guaranteed a priori when one designs the study; hence, it cannot be satisfied in general. In this paper, we propose a data adaptive method, which can overcome this limitation. Compared to Hedayat et al., our method uses a faster gradient based algorithm and adopts a more flexible structure of the minimal clinically important significance at the individual level. We conduct comprehensive simulation studies and apply our method to the chondral lesions and meniscus procedure study to demonstrate its usefulness and also its outperformance.

Postoperative radiographic observations following transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the changes to bone tunnels, graft fixation devices, and physes that occur on radiographs of skeletally immature individuals at least 2 years after transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skeletally immature patients who underwent transphyseal ACLR were recruited to complete postoperative assessment at ≥ 2 years. The dimensions of tibial and femoral bone tunnels, position of graft fixation devices, and presence of growth arrest were assessed on radiographs, and pain visual analog and International Knee Documentation Committee scores were obtained. Paired t tests were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Nine patients were included with an average follow-up of 4.6 years postoperatively. There were no cases of premature physeal closure postoperatively and clinical outcome measures were excellent in all patients. The length of the intra-articular portion of anterior cruciate ligament graft increased postoperatively (P = 0.01). Distance between the tibial hardware and proximal tibial physis also increased over time on anteroposterior (P = 0.001) and lateral (P = 0.003) radiographs. However, the distance between the femoral hardware and distal femoral physis was unchanged and in five patients was associated with proximal femoral tunnel enlargement. CONCLUSION: Proximal femoral tunnel expansion and lack of proximal migration of the femoral button were seen in more than half of our patients. However, these findings had no detrimental effects on clinical outcome measures or remaining skeletal growth.