Wearable Sensor Technology to Predict Core Body Temperature: A Systematic Review.

Heat-related illnesses, which range from heat exhaustion to heatstroke, affect thousands of individuals worldwide every year and are characterized by extreme hyperthermia with the core body temperature (CBT) usually > 40 °C, decline in physical and athletic performance, CNS dysfunction, and, eventually, multiorgan failure. The measurement of CBT has been shown to predict heat-related illness and its severity, but the current measurement methods are not practical for use in high acuity and high motion settings due to their invasive and obstructive nature or excessive costs. Noninvasive predictions of CBT using wearable technology and predictive algorithms offer the potential for continuous CBT monitoring and early intervention to prevent HRI in athletic, military, and intense work environments. Thus far, there has been a lack of peer-reviewed literature assessing the efficacy of wearable devices and predictive analytics to predict CBT to mitigate heat-related illness. This systematic review identified 20 studies representing a total of 25 distinct algorithms to predict the core body temperature using wearable technology. While a high accuracy in prediction was noted, with 17 out of 18 algorithms meeting the clinical validity standards. few algorithms incorporated individual and environmental data into their core body temperature prediction algorithms, despite the known impact of individual health and situational and environmental factors on CBT. Robust machine learning methods offer the ability to develop more accurate, reliable, and personalized CBT prediction algorithms using wearable devices by including additional data on user characteristics, workout intensity, and the surrounding environment. The integration and interoperability of CBT prediction algorithms with existing heat-related illness prevention and treatment tools, including heat indices such as the WBGT, athlete management systems, and electronic medical records, will further prevent HRI and increase the availability and speed of data access during critical heat events, improving the clinical decision-making process for athletic trainers and physicians, sports scientists, employers, and military officers.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Surgical Intervention for Pediatric Sports-Related Injuries to the Knee: a Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Increased sports participation and early specialization has contributed to an increase in surgically managed musculoskeletal injuries to the knee in youth athletes. Established patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures have been extensively reported in adult patients to assess outcomes following sports-related knee surgery. However, current PRO measures for pediatric patients undergoing surgery for sports-related injuries have not been well-described. RECENT FINDINGS: Strong emphasis has been placed on patient-reported outcomes in recent years, and surgeons have identified many different scoring systems that could be used for sports-related knee injuries in children and adolescents. Recent research has shown that substantial variability exists in the reporting of PRO measures assessing outcomes following surgical management of sports-related knee injuries in pediatric patients. With a paucity of studies using PRO measures in surgically managed pediatric knee injuries, only procedures involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) showed preference for particular systems. Pediatric ACL procedures predominantly use the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring system, while MPFL procedures predominantly use the Kujala scoring system. Further studies are necessary to determine preferred and appropriate patient-reported outcome measures for specific sports-related knee procedures in pediatric patients.

The modern reverse shoulder arthroplasty and an updated systematic review for each complication: part II.

BACKGROUND: Globally, reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has moved away from the Grammont design to modern prosthesis designs. The purpose of this study was to provide a focused, updated systematic review for each of the most common complications of RSA by limiting each search to publications after 2010. In this part II, the following were examined: (1) instability, (2) humerus/glenoid fracture, (3) acromial/scapular spine fractures (AF/SSF), and (4) problems/miscellaneous. METHODS: Four separate PubMed database searches were performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Overall, 137 studies for instability, 94 for humerus/glenoid fracture, 120 for AF/SSF, and 74 for problems/miscellaneous were included in each review, respectively. Univariate analysis was performed with chi-square and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: The Grammont design had a higher instability rate vs. all other designs combined (4.0%, 1.3%; P < .001), and the onlay humerus design had a lower rate than the lateralized glenoid design (0.9%, 2.0%; P = .02). The rate for intraoperative humerus fracture was 1.8%; intraoperative glenoid fracture, 0.3%; postoperative humerus fracture, 1.2%; and postoperative glenoid fracture, 0.1%. The rate of AF/SSF was 2.6% (371/14235). The rate for complex regional pain syndrome was 0.4%; deltoid injury, 0.1%; hematoma, 0.3%; and heterotopic ossification, 0.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Focused systematic reviews of recent literature with a large volume of shoulders demonstrate that using non-Grammont modern prosthesis designs, complications including instability, intraoperative humerus and glenoid fractures, and hematoma are significantly reduced compared with previous studies. As the indications continue to expand for RSA, it is imperative to accurately track the rate and types of complications in order to justify its cost and increased indications.

The modern reverse shoulder arthroplasty and an updated systematic review for each complication: part I.

BACKGROUND: Globally, reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has moved away from the Grammont design to modern prosthesis designs. The purpose of this 2-part study was to systematically review each of the most common complications of RSA, limiting each search to publications in 2010 or later. In this part (part I), we examined (1) scapular notching (SN), (2) periprosthetic infection (PJI), (3) mechanical failure (glenoid or humeral component), and (4) neurologic injury (NI). METHODS: Four separate PubMed database searches were performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Overall, 113 studies on SN, 62 on PJI, 34 on mechanical failure, and 48 on NI were included in our reviews. Univariate analysis was performed with the χ2 or Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The Grammont design had a higher SN rate vs. all other designs combined (42.5% vs. 12.3%, P < .001). The onlay humeral design had a lower rate than the lateralized glenoid design (10.5% vs. 14.8%, P < .001). The PJI rate was 2.4% for primary RSA and 2.6% for revision RSA. The incidence of glenoid and humeral component loosening was 2.3% and 1.4%, respectively. The Grammont design had an increased NI rate vs. all other designs combined (0.9% vs. 0.1%, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Focused systematic reviews of the recent literature with a large volume of RSAs demonstrate that with the use of non-Grammont modern prosthesis designs, complications including SN, PJI, glenoid component loosening, and NI are significantly reduced compared with previous studies. As the indications for RSA continue to expand, it is imperative to accurately track the rates and types of complications to justify its cost and increased indications.

Contralateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Following Index Reconstruction in the Pediatric Athlete.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to discuss relevant anatomy and pathoanatomy in the knee following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, risk factors for contralateral ACL tear, and mechanisms of contralateral injuries in the pediatric population. RECENT FINDINGS: Contralateral ACL rupture rates following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) range from 4% to 42%. Pediatric patients show increased risk compared with adults, likely due to inherent anatomical differences along with biomechanical and neuromuscular changes that occur in both the operative and contralateral knees following index ACLR. Pediatric athletes who return to sport more quickly have been found to be at increased risk for contralateral tears, as have athletes who participate in cutting and pivoting sports. Contralateral tears tend to occur via non-contact mechanisms. Pediatric patients are at increased risk of contralateral ACL injury following index ACL reconstruction compared with adults. Further study is warranted to determine appropriate biologic, functional, and rehabilitative parameters gauged toward preventing contralateral ACL tear while minimizing time lost from sport.

Mechanical Prophylaxis after Lower Extremity Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Review.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication that can occur after total hip and knee arthroplasty, and can potentially lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. While various modalities have been used to prevent VTE development, the medications can be associated with a number of adverse events. Therefore, mechanical prophylaxis with pumps and compressive devices has been used more frequently alone, or in combination, with medications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the current literature on mechanical prophylaxis for VTEs after lower extremity total joint arthroplasty. Specifically, we reviewed mechanical prophylaxis after: 1) total hip arthroplasty and 2) total knee arthroplasty.

A Case for the Brace: A Critical, Comprehensive, and Up-To-Date Review of Static Progressive Stretch, Dynamic, and Turnbuckle Braces for the Management of Elbow, Knee, and Shoulder Pathology.

BACKGROUND: Non-operative management of the elbow, shoulder, and knee typically includes braces, such as the: static progressive stretch (SPS), turnbuckle, and dynamic. However, a paucity of literature exists comparing these three bracing modalities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the current literature on the various bracing modalities for physicians and patients managing elbow, shoulder, or knee joint complications. Specifically, we compared the use of 1) static progressive stretch, 2) dynamic, and 3) turnbuckle braces for the a) elbow, b) knee, and c) shoulder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed search on dynamic, SPS, and turnbuckle bracing for the elbow, knee, and shoulder joints was performed. Studies that addressed clinical outcomes and relied primarily on the brace for improvement of patient outcomes and not on surgery were included. Because individually-fabricated braces are extremely costly, require great fabrication skill, and are unique to the patient they were specifically designed for, their results are not generalizable to the greater patient population and were, therefore, not included in this analysis. A total of 14 elbow, 24 knee, and 4 shoulder studies met criteria. RESULTS: Elbow-Patients wore the SPS brace for 90 minutes, compared to 8 hours for the turnbuckle and 20 hours for the dynamic brace. The SPS and turnbuckle brace had similar increases in range of motion (ROM) of 37°. The SPS brace was found to provide patients with the greatest reduction in flexion contracture, 26°. There are similar increases in flexion ROM between the SPS and dynamic elbow bracing modalities. Shoulder- The mean duration of use for an SPS was only six weeks compared to the two months required for the dynamic shoulder brace. The dynamic shoulder brace protocol involved upwards of 24 hours per day or night as patients were instructed to wear the brace at all times. Patients treated with both the SPS and dynamic braces had excellent pain outcomes. Knee-The most commonly followed SPS knee brace protocol was one to three sessions per day which lasted from seven to nine weeks, while for the dynamic brace the time period ranged from six to eight weeks. The SPS brace reported a mean increase in ROM of 31°. There was a lack of evidence for the dynamic and turnbuckle knee braces for their accurate assessment. The SPS studies reported the greatest response to flexion improvement with a mean increase of flexion by 22°. Meanwhile, the reported mean flexion increase with a dynamic knee brace was only 7°. CONCLUSION: Based on the most current literature available, the authors highly recommend the use of SPS for the elbow, shoulder, and knee. Static progressive stretch bracing has an easy patient protocol, a short duration of use, and excellent outcomes. Additionally, the lack of evidence for turnbuckle and dynamic braces is concerning. Overall, the static progressive stretch brace has shown excellent results in the outcomes assessed in this review and should be a first recommendation for patients suffering from elbow, knee, and/or shoulder pathology.