Impact of Climate on Stress Ultrasound Findings of the Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament in Professional Baseball Pitchers: An 18-Year Study.

Background: The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the primary soft tissue stabilizer to valgus stress in the elbow and is placed under this valgus stress during the throwing motion. Although there are known risk factors for UCL injury, it is unknown whether the UCL undergoes adaptive changes in athletes from different climates. Purpose: To compare elbow stress ultrasound (SUS) findings between professional baseball pitchers from warm climates versus cold climates and assess significant differences in adaptive and morphologic changes in the UCL. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Dynamic SUS evaluations were performed over 18 years on the dominant and nondominant arms of 643 professional pitchers from warm and cold climates as determined by the player's country/state of origin. Studies were compared with respect to relative UCL thickness (dominant arm vs nondominant arm), relative glenohumeral joint laxity (joint space distance under stress vs joint space distance at rest), and the presence of morphologic changes such as tears or calcifications. In addition, a subgroup analysis was performed to compare the progression of SUS findings over 3 years in players with sequential yearly data. Results: Players from warmer climates had significantly greater relative UCL thicknesses than players from colder climates (1.75 vs 1.50 mm, respectively; P = .047). There were no differences between these 2 groups in terms of relative ulnohumeral joint laxity (P = .201), presence of morphologic changes (P = .433), 3-year progression of relative UCL thickness (P = .748), or relative joint laxity (P = .904). Conclusion: Professional pitchers from warm climates had a greater side-to-side difference in UCL thickness between the dominant and nondominant arms. This may be due to the potential for year-round throwing among baseball players from warm climates. There was no difference in laxity, thickness progression, laxity progression, or the presence of additional morphologic changes.

Dynamic Stress Ultrasound Assessment of Professional Baseball Players' Elbows After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data analyzing dynamic stress ultrasound (SUS) findings in elite pitchers who have undergone ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) and returned to sport. PURPOSE: To identify longitudinal, perioperative changes in the elbows of professional baseball pitchers who have undergone UCLR and to compare these findings with a matched cohort of healthy pitchers. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This study used prospectively collected data from dynamic elbow SUS analyses of professional baseball pitchers within a single Major League Baseball organization. Pitchers were divided into 2 cohorts: a UCLR cohort and healthy cohort. The UCLR cohort eligibility included availability of (1) SUS from preseason of injury/UCLR and (2) SUS from ≥2 years after surgery. These players were 1:1 matched to players with no history of upper extremity injury to form the healthy cohort. Ligament thickness and ulnohumeral joint space at rest and under stress were directly measured. Joint laxity was calculated by subtracting joint space at rest from joint space under stress. The term "relative" was used to describe calculated differences where nondominant measurements were subtracted from dominant-side measurements. RESULTS: Eight pitchers were included in the UCLR group and matched to 8 healthy pitchers (mean age at initial SUS examination, 19.6 years). At a minimum follow-up of 2 years, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of relative or dominant arm rest space, stress space, or laxity. Longitudinally (final measurements - baseline measurements), the mean relative ulnohumeral rest space decreased in the UCLR group and increased in the healthy group (-0.36 mm vs +0.50 mm; P = .032). The finding of increased UCL thickness in the UCLR group was expected, as UCL grafts are typically thicker than native ligaments. CONCLUSION: Ulnhohumeral joint stability was achieved after UCLR as indicated by similar rest space, stress space, and joint laxity in dominant arms compared with a matched healthy cohort. A significant decrease in relative rest space after UCLR may represent the achievement of stability in surgery patients. Alternatively, the increase in ulnohumeral rest space seen in the healthy cohort may represent adaptive changes from pitching at a professional level.

Association Between Draft Order and Stress Sonography of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow in Professional Baseball Pitchers: An 18-Year Study.

BACKGROUND: The Major League Baseball (MLB) draft is a common route for players to enter professional baseball in the United States. Players taken in earlier rounds are typically higher-performing players. When looking at pitchers specifically, higher performance at the amateur level may be associated with an increased frequency of adaptive change in the throwing elbow. PURPOSE: To determine whether pitchers taken in earlier rounds of the MLB draft have a greater frequency or extent of pathological change in the elbow, as measured by dynamic stress ultrasound. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Dynamic stress ultrasounds (SUSs) were performed over 18 years on the dominant and nondominant arms of 651 professional pitchers. The 383 drafted players were grouped according to the round in which they were drafted (rounds 1-5, 6-10, 11-20, 21+). Groups were compared with respect to "relative" ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) thickness (dominant-nondominant), relative ulnohumeral joint laxity (joint space distance under stress minus joint space at rest), and the presence of pathology (calcifications, tears, hypoechoic foci, osteophytes). In addition, a subgroup analysis was done to compare the progression of SUS findings over 3 years in players for which data were available. RESULTS: Draft round groups did not differ by age, number of previous spring training, or handedness. Comparing baseline measurements, there was no significant relationship between draft round and relative UCL thickness (P = .932), relative laxity (P = .996), or presence of pathology detectable on SUS (P = .642). However, increased relative UCL thickness was significantly associated with the presence of pathology on SUS (odds ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.26-1.69; P < .001). Longitudinally, there was no significant relationship between draft round and 3-year progression of relative laxity, relative UCL thickness, or clinical progression of pathology. CONCLUSION: Higher-performing pitchers are drafted earlier in the MLB draft. This may be attributable to peak pitch velocity, in-game performance, visibility gained during player showcases, or any number of other sport-specific variables. However, despite this, there was no significant relationship between draft round and adaptive changes to the elbow or specific properties of the UCL on stress ultrasound.

Surgical Management of Traumatic Meniscus Injuries.

The menisci increase the contact area of load bearing in the knee and thus disperse the mechanical stress via their circumferential tensile fibers. Traumatic meniscus injuries cause mechanical symptoms in the knee, and are more prevalent amongst younger, more active patients, compared to degenerative tears amongst the elderly population. Traumatic meniscus tears typically result from the load-and-shear mechanism in the knee joint. The treatment depends on the size, location, and pattern of the tear. For non-repairable tears, partial or total meniscal resection decreases its tensile stress and increases joint contact stress, thus potentiating the risk of arthritis. A longitudinal vertical tear pattern at the peripheral third red-red zone leads to higher healing potential after repair. The postoperative rehabilitation protocols after repair range from immediate weight-bearing with no range of motion restrictions to non-weight bearing and delayed mobilization for weeks. Pediatric and adolescent patients may require special considerations due to their activity levels, or distinct pathologies such as a discoid meniscus. Further biomechanical and biologic evidence is needed to guide surgical management, postoperative rehabilitation protocols, and future technology applications for traumatic meniscus injuries.

Routine Preoperative Dental Clearance for Total Joint Arthroplasty: Is There a Benefit?

Background Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) place significant psychological and financial burdens on patients and healthcare systems. One measure to reduce the risk of PJIs is preoperative dental screening, for which there is no current consensus recommendation. This study aims to determine whether there is a difference in the rate of PJI and microorganism profile in patients who did and did not obtain preoperative dental clearance. Methodology A retrospective review was conducted among patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty from 2017 to 2021. A cohort of 8,654 patients who underwent routine dental clearance was matched with a cohort of patients who did not. Surgeons who changed their dental clearance protocol were also identified, and the rates of PJIs were compared before and after. Results No statistically significant difference was seen in the rate of PJIs between patients who did and did not undergo routine preoperative dental clearance. No statistically significant difference was seen in the rate of PJIs before and after for surgeons who changed their dental clearance protocol. The microorganism profile between the groups was also found to be without differences. Conclusions Eliminating dental clearance from routine preoperative clearance does not appear to increase the rates of acute PJIs following elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) or to change the organism profile of the infections that did occur. It may be reasonable to not require routine preoperative dental clearance or to practice selective dental clearance in patients undergoing elective TJA, especially given the increased financial cost and delay in care experienced by patients.

Biologic graft augmentation for glenoid bone loss in conversion of failed anatomic to reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review.

Glenoid bone loss presents a challenging dilemma, particularly in the setting of failed arthroplasty requiring conversion to a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). The aim of our systematic review was to examine the success and failure of biologic glenoid bone grafting to address vault deficiencies in the setting of shoulder arthroplasty conversion to rTSA. Twelve articles were included and a complete PUBMED search. Inclusion criteria included glenoid bone grafting for conversion of failed arthroplasty and a minimum of 12 months follow-up. Exclusion criteria included grafting for primary rTSA, and re-revision for infection or humeral loosening. Failures were defined as failure of the graft to radiographically incorporate, symptomatic base plate loosening, and need for further surgical re-revision. Two hundred patients were identified across the 12 articles. Eighteen percent (36/200) of all cases demonstrated failure to radiographically incorporate. Thirteen percent (25/200) of all grafting cases required re-revision due to symptomatic failure (pain or functional deterioration). Femoral shaft demonstrated the highest failure rate at 88% (7/8). Grafting for glenoid bone loss in the setting of conversion to rTSA has an 82% rate of success across autograft and allograft utilization. Further studies are needed to better define the success of autografting versus allografting in the setting of shoulder arthroplasty conversion to rTSA with glenoid bone loss.

Mechanical Complications of Hip and Knee Spacers Are Common.

Introduction Two-stage revision is frequently used for the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Because antibiotic-loaded cement spacers are constructed and implanted as temporary devices, mechanical complications are possible. The purpose of our study was to define the incidence of such mechanical complications, determine associated risk factors, and establish if such complications influence the subsequent success of PJI treatment. Methods We identified patients who received an antibiotic spacer for the treatment of PJI at a single center over a six-year timeframe. Medical records and all radiographs were collected and reviewed. Radiographic changes over time were recorded, and mechanical complications were noted. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess risk factors for mechanical spacer complications and assess whether such complications influence the likelihood of subsequent reimplantation and ultimate component retention. Results A total of 236 patients were included in the study. There were 82 hip spacers (28% dynamic and 72% static) with a mechanical complication rate of 8.5% and 154 knee spacers (44% dynamic and 56% static) with a mechanical complication rate of 18.2%. Knee spacers were significantly more likely to have mechanical complications than hip spacers. Other risk factors for mechanical complications included bone loss and elevated body mass index (BMI). Bone loss and advanced age were found to be independent risk factors for failure to undergo second-stage reimplantation. Mechanical spacer failure was not an independent risk factor for the likelihood of subsequent reimplantation or ultimate component retention. Conclusions Mechanical complications of antibiotic spacers are common but do not appear to negatively impact the likelihood of subsequent reimplantation or component retention. In knee spacers and in patients with bone loss or elevated BMI, appropriate patient counseling and strategies to prevent such complications are recommended.

Patient Preferences in Short-Interval Staged Bilateral Rotator Cuff Repair.

The decision to seek and undergo treatment for bilateral rotator cuff tears is often complex. The purpose of this study was to investigate patient preferences for undergoing short-interval staged bilateral rotator cuff repair; timing of surgeries; and order of surgeries. A retrospective analysis was performed for patients who underwent bilateral arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs within 12 months at a single institution. Postoperative patient-reported outcomes, satisfaction, and decision-making factors were collected via REDCap surveys. Ninety patients were included (63 men and 27 women; mean age, 58.1 years). The mean time between surgeries was 7.33 months. Forty-two percent of patients had left rotator cuff repair first. Patients reported a mean satisfaction score of 91.6 of 100 with the order of the surgeries and 87.3 of 100 with the timing of the surgeries. Mean postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons standardized assessment scores were 94.6 and 93.7 (left vs right shoulder first, respectively) for left shoulders and 94.2 and 93.9 (left vs right shoulder first, respectively) for right shoulders. Mean postoperative Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores were 86.5 and 83.9 (left vs right shoulder first, respectively) for left shoulders and 87.3 and 86.0 (left vs right shoulder first, respectively) for right shoulders. Decision-making factors noted as highly important included night pain, function, surgeon recommendation, and daily pain. Most patients who undergo short-interval staged bilateral rotator cuff repair are satisfied with the order and timing of their surgery. Decision-making factors such as night pain and functional limitation play a key role in the timing and order of bilateral rotator cuff repairs. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(6):e347-e352.].