Variation in the Cost of Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Pathological Conditions: A Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing interest in delivering high-value orthopaedic care, the costs associated with hip arthroscopy remain poorly understood. By employing time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC), we aimed to characterize the cost composition of hip arthroscopy for labral pathological conditions and to identify factors that drive variation in cost. METHODS: Using TDABC, we measured the costs of 890 outpatient hip arthroscopy procedures for labral pathological conditions across 5 surgeons at 4 surgery centers from 2015 to 2022. All patients were ≥18 years old and were treated by surgeons who each performed ≥20 surgeries during the study period. Costs were normalized to protect the confidentiality of internal hospital cost data. Descriptive analyses and multivariable linear regression were performed to identify factors underlying cost variation. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 515 women (57.9%) and 375 men (42.1%), with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 37.1 ± 12.7 years. Most of the procedures were performed in patients who were White (90.6%) or not Hispanic (93.4%). The normalized total cost of hip arthroscopy per procedure ranged from 43.4 to 203.7 (mean, 100 ± 24.2). Of the 3 phases of the care cycle, the intraoperative phase was identified as the largest generator of cost (>90%). On average, supply costs accounted for 48.8% of total costs, whereas labor costs accounted for 51.2%. A 2.5-fold variation between the 10th and 90th percentiles for total cost was attributed to supplies, which was greater than the 1.8-fold variation attributed to labor. Variation in total costs was most effectively explained by the labral management method (partial R2 = 0.332), operating surgeon (partial R2 = 0.326), osteoplasty type (partial R2 = 0.087), and surgery center (partial R2 = 0.086). Male gender (p < 0.001) and younger age (p = 0.032) were also associated with significantly increased costs. Finally, data trends revealed a shift toward labral preservation techniques over debridement during the study period (with the rate of such techniques increasing from 77.8% to 93.2%; Ptrend = 0.0039) and a strong correlation between later operative year and increased supply costs, labor costs, and operative time (p < 0.001 for each). CONCLUSIONS: By applying TDABC to outpatient hip arthroscopy, we identified wide patient-to-patient cost variation that was most effectively explained by the method of labral management, the operating surgeon, the osteoplasty type, and the surgery center. Given current procedural coding trends, declining reimbursements, and rising health-care costs, these insights may enable stakeholders to design bundled payment structures that better align reimbursements with costs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic and Decision Analysis Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Association Between Chondrolabral Junction Breakdown and Conversion to Total Hip Arthroplasty After Hip Arthroscopy for Symptomatic Labral Tears: Minimum 8-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and symptomatic labral tears confers short- to midterm benefits, yet further long-term evidence is needed. Moreover, despite the physiological and biomechanical significance of the chondrolabral junction (CLJ), the clinical implications of damage to this transition zone remain understudied. PURPOSE: To (1) report minimum 8-year survivorship and patient-reported outcome measures after hip arthroscopy for FAI and (2) characterize associations between outcomes and patient characteristics (age, body mass index, sex), pathological parameters (Tönnis angle, alpha angle, type of FAI, CLJ breakdown), and procedures performed (labral management, FAI treatment, microfracture). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for symptomatic labral tears secondary to FAI by a single surgeon between 2002 and 2013. All patients were ≥18 years of age with minimum 8-year follow-up and available preoperative radiographs. The primary outcome was conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA), and secondary outcomes included revision arthroscopy, patient-reported outcome measures, and patient satisfaction. CLJ breakdown was assessed using the Beck classification. Kaplan-Meier estimates and weighted Cox regression were used to estimate 10-year survivorship (no conversion to THA) and identify risk factors associated with THA conversion. RESULTS: In this study of 174 hips (50.6% female; mean age, 37.8 ± 11.2 years) with mean follow-up of 11.1 ± 2.5 years, the 10-year survivorship rate was 81.6% (95% CI, 75.9%-87.7%). Conversion to THA occurred at a mean 4.7 ± 3.8 years postoperatively. Unadjusted analyses revealed several variables significantly associated with THA conversion, including older age; higher body mass index; higher Tönnis grade; labral debridement; and advanced breakdown of the CLJ, labrum, or articular cartilage. Survivorship at 10 years was inferior in patients exhibiting severe (43.6%; 95% CI, 31.9%-59.7%) versus mild (97.9%; 95% CI, 95.1%-100%) breakdown of the CLJ (P < .001). Multivariable analysis identified worsening CLJ breakdown (weighted hazard ratio per 1-unit increase, 6.41; 95% CI, 3.11-13.24), older age (1.09; 95% CI, 1.04-1.14), and higher Tönnis grade (4.59; 95% CI, 2.13-9.90) as independent negative prognosticators (P < .001 for all). CONCLUSION: Although most patients achieved favorable minimum 8-year outcomes, several pre- and intraoperative factors were associated with THA conversion; of these, worse CLJ breakdown, higher Tönnis grade, and older age were the strongest predictors.

The Effect of Pelvic Incidence on Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement and Acetabular Labral Tears.

BACKGROUND: In the setting of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), decompression osteoplasties reconcile deleterious loading patterns caused by cam and pincer lesions. However, native variations of spinopelvic sagittal alignment may continue to perpetuate detrimental effects on the labrum, chondrolabral junction, and articular cartilage after hip arthroscopy. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of pelvic incidence (PI) on postoperative outcomes after hip arthroscopy for acetabular labral tears in the setting of FAI. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A retrospective query of prospectively collected data identified patients ≥18 years of age who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAI and acetabular labral tears between February 2014 and January 2022, with 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-ups. Measurements for PI, pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and acetabular version were obtained via advanced diagnostic imaging. Patients were stratified into low-PI (<45°), moderate-PI (45°≤ PI ≤ 60°), and high-PI (>60°) cohorts. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), clinically meaningful outcomes (ie, minimal clinically important difference, Patient Acceptable Symptom State, substantial clinical benefit, and maximal outcome improvement), visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and patient satisfaction were compared across cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients met eligibility criteria and were stratified into low-PI (n = 28), moderate-PI (n = 31), and high-PI (n = 15) cohorts. Correspondingly, patients with high PI displayed significantly greater values for PT (P = .001), SS (P < .001), acetabular version (P < .001), and acetabular inclination (P = .049). By the 12- and 24-month follow-ups, the high-PI cohort was found to have significantly inferior PROMs, VAS pain scores, rates of clinically meaningful outcome achievement, and satisfaction relative to patients with moderate and/or low PI. No significant differences were found between cohorts regarding rates of revision arthroscopy, subsequent spine surgery, or conversion to total hip arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: After hip arthroscopy, patients with a high PI (>60°) exhibited inferior PROMs, rates of achieving clinically meaningful thresholds, and satisfaction at 12 and 24 months relative to patients with low or moderate PI. Conversely, the outcomes of patients with low PI (<45°) were found to match the trajectory of those with a neutral spinopelvic alignment (45°≤ PI ≤ 60°). These findings highlight the importance of analyzing spinopelvic parameters preoperatively to prognosticate outcomes before hip arthroscopy for acetabular labral tears and FAI.

Preoperative Paralabral Cysts Predict More Significant Chondral Damage but Not 2-Year Functional Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Labral Repair.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether paralabral cysts identified incidentally on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI/MRA) predict 2-year functional outcomes after arthroscopic acetabular labral repair. METHODS: Prospectively collected data for patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy by a single surgeon from 2014 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Included patients were ≥18 years and completed baseline patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) with additional follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Exclusion criteria were labral debridement, hip dysplasia, advanced hip osteoarthritis (Tönnis >1), or previous ipsilateral hip surgery. Patients were stratified based on the presence of paralabral cysts identified on MRI/MRA. Primary outcomes were International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33) and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Secondary outcomes included other PROMs and the visual analog pain scale. Outcomes were compared between cohorts using linear mixed-effects models and Fisher's exact tests. Sensitivity analyses accounted for preoperative PROMs, nonlinear improvement trajectories, and relevant baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 182 included hips (47.8% female; mean ± standard deviation age, 36.9 ± 11.4), 30 (16.4%) had paralabral cysts. During the 2-year study period, there were no significant differences between patients with and without paralabral cysts in terms of iHOT-33 scores (weighted difference = 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.09, 8.28; P = .64), mHHS scores (weighted difference = 0.56; 95% CI, -4.16, 5.28; P = .82), or any secondary outcomes (except for HOS-Sports Subscale at 3 months [mean difference = -11.85; 95% CI, -22.85, -0.84; P = .035]). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in clinically meaningful outcomes (P > .05 for all), revision rates (P = 1.00), or conversion to total hip arthroplasty between cohorts (P = 1.00). These results held across all sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Although preoperative paralabral cysts were associated with worse cam impingement and more severe chondral damage observed intraoperatively, they did not predict 2-year functional outcomes or clinically meaningful improvements, suggesting that incidentally discovered paralabral cysts are not a contraindication for arthroscopic labral repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy in the Setting of Concomitant Symptomatic Lumbosacral Spine Pathology: A Matched Control Study With Minimum 24-Month Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The overlapping biomechanical relationship between the lumbosacral spine and pelvis poses unique challenges to patients with concomitant pathologies limiting spinopelvic range of motion. PURPOSE: To assess the influence of concomitant, symptomatic lumbosacral spine pathology on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and symptomatic labral tears. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A retrospective query of prospectively collected data identified patients aged ≥18 years with a minimum 24-month follow-up who underwent hip arthroscopy by a single surgeon for the treatment of symptomatic labral tears secondary to FAI. Patients were stratified into cohorts based on the presence (hip-spine [HS]) or absence (matched control [MC]) of symptomatic lumbosacral spine pathology. Inclusion within the HS cohort required confirmation of lower back pain/symptoms on preoperative surveys plus a diagnosis of lumbosacral spine pathology verified by radiology reports and correlating clinical documentation. Patients with previous spine surgery were excluded. PROMs were compared between groups, along with rates of achieving minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds, Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) thresholds, revision arthroscopy, and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). RESULTS: A total of 70 patients with lumbosacral pathology were coarsened exact matched to 87 control patients without spinal pathology. The HS cohort had preoperative baseline scores that were significantly worse for nearly all PROMs. Follow-ups at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months displayed similar trends, with the HS cohort demonstrating significantly worse scores for most collected outcomes. However, at every time point, HS and MC patients exhibited similar magnitudes of improvement across all PROM and pain metrics. Furthermore, while significantly fewer HS patients achieved PASS for nearly all PROMs at 12- and 24-month follow-ups, MCID thresholds were reached at similar or greater rates across all PROMs relative to the MC cohort. Finally, there were no significant differences in rates of revision or THA between cohorts at maximum available follow-up. CONCLUSION: After hip arthroscopy to address labral tears in the setting of FAI, patients with symptomatic lumbosacral pathologies and no history of spine surgery were found to exhibit inferior pre- and postoperative PROMs but achieved statistically similar clinical benefit and rates of PROM improvement through 24-month follow-up compared with the MC cohort with isolated hip disease. These findings aid in providing a realistic recovery timeline and evidence that coexisting hip and spine disorders are not a contraindication for arthroscopic hip preservation surgery.

Labral Reconstruction via Capsular Augmentation Maintains Perfusion to the Acetabular Labrum and Locally Transferred Autograft: An in Vivo Laser Doppler Flowmetry Analysis.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of arthroscopic labral repair with capsular augmentation on blood flow in vivo with use of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to measure microvascular perfusion of the labrum and autograft tissue. Methods: The present prospective case series included patients ≥18 years old who underwent arthroscopic acetabular labral repair with capsular augmentation; all procedures were performed by a single surgeon between 2018 and 2022. The LDF probe measured microvascular blood flow flux within 1 mm3 of the surrounding labral and capsular tissue of interest. Mean baseline measurements of flux were compared with readings immediately following capsular elevation and after completing labral augmentation. Blood flux changes were expressed as the percent change from the baseline measurements. Results: The present study included 41 patients (24 men [58.5%] and 17 women [41.5%]) with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 31.3 ± 8.4 years, a mean BMI of 24.6 ± 3.4 kg/m2, a mean lateral center-edge of angle 35.3° ± 4.9°, a mean Tönnis angle of 5.8° ± 5.8°, and a mean arterial pressure of 93.7 ± 10.9 mm Hg. Following capsular elevation, the mean percent change in capsular blood flow flux was significantly different from baseline (-9.24% [95% confidence interval (CI), -18.1% to -0.04%]; p < 0.001). Following labral augmentation, the mean percent change in labral blood flow flux was significantly different from baseline both medially (-22.3% [95% CI, -32.7% to -11.9%]; p < 0.001) and laterally (-32.5% [95% CI, -41.5% to -23.6%]; p = 0.041). There was no significant difference between the changes in medial and lateral perfusion following repair (p = 0.136). Conclusions: Labral repair with capsular augmentation sustains a reduced blood flow to the native labrum and capsular tissue at the time of fixation. The biological importance of this reduction is unknown, but these findings may serve as a benchmark for other labral preservation techniques and support future correlations with clinical outcomes. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Using a Combined All-Inside, Inside-Out, and Outside-In Technique to Repair Bucket-Handle Medial Meniscal Tears Without a Safety Incision.

We describe a combined all-inside, inside-out, and outside-in technique for the repair of unstable bucket-handle medial meniscal tears. Notably, a greater incidence of neurovascular complications has been associated with meniscal repair techniques that employ an accessory skin incision, especially when damage involves the body of the medial meniscus. However, with the operative knee in relative extension, passing inside-out needles anteromedial to the posterior horn and posterior to the semitendinosus tendon and saphenous nerve allows for the needles to exit the posteromedial knee through a "safe zone." Therefore, we reduce iatrogenic damage by avoiding the necessity of a large safety incision while still maintaining suture placement versatility and meniscal fragment stabilization. Thus, the objective of this Technical Note is to outline an efficient technique for treating bucket-handle medial meniscal tears that yields a strong, durable repair while avoiding damage to adjacent neurovascular structures and eliminating the need for a posteromedial safety incision.

Operative management of rotator cuff tears: identifying disparities in access on a national level.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify nationwide disparities in the rates of operative management of rotator cuff tears based on race, ethnicity, insurance type, and socioeconomic status. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with a full or partial rotator cuff tear from 2006 to 2014 were identified in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis codes. Bivariate analysis using chi-square tests and adjusted, multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate differences in the rates of operative vs. nonoperative management for rotator cuff tears. RESULTS: This study included 46,167 patients. When compared with white patients, adjusted analysis showed that minority race and ethnicity were associated with lower rates of operative management for Black (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-0.33; P < .001), Hispanic (AOR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.45-0.52; P < .001), Asian or Pacific Islander (AOR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61-0.84; P < .001), and Native American patients (AOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50-0.86; P = .002). In comparison to privately insured patients, our analysis also found that self-payers (AOR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.07-0.10; P < .001), Medicare beneficiaries (AOR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.72-0.81; P < .001), and Medicaid beneficiaries (AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.36; P < .001) had lower odds of receiving surgical intervention. Additionally, relative to those in the bottom income quartile, patients in all other quartiles experienced nominally higher rates of operative repair; these differences were statistically significant for the second quartile (AOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.16; P = .004). CONCLUSION: There are significant nationwide disparities in the likelihood of receiving operative management for rotator cuff tear patients of differing race/ethnicity, payer status, and socioeconomic status. Further investigation is needed to fully understand and address causes of these discrepancies to optimize care pathways.

Building the foundation for a community-generated national research blueprint for inherited bleeding disorders: research priorities to transform the care of people with hemophilia.

BACKGROUND: Decades of research have transformed hemophilia from severely limiting children's lives to a manageable disorder compatible with a full, active life, for many in high-income countries. The direction of future research will determine whether exciting developments truly advance health equity for all people with hemophilia (PWH). National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) and American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network conducted extensive inclusive all-stakeholder consultations to identify the priorities of people with inherited bleeding disorders and those who care for them. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Working group (WG) 1 of the NHF State of the Science Research Summit distilled the community-identified priorities for hemophilia A and B into concrete research questions and scored their feasibility, impact, and risk. RESULTS: WG1 defined 63 top priority research questions concerning arthropathy/pain/bone health, inhibitors, diagnostics, gene therapy, the pediatric to adult transition of care, disparities faced by the community, and cardiovascular disease. This research has the potential to empower PWH to thrive despite lifelong comorbidities and achieve new standards of wellbeing, including psychosocial. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative research and care delivery will be key to capitalizing on current and horizon treatments and harnessing technical advances to improve diagnostics and testing, to advance health equity for all PWH.

Hemophilia is the best known of the inherited bleeding disorders (BD). This is a rare condition that causes disproportionate bleeding, often into joints and vital organs. Factor replacement, injecting recombinant or plasma-based clotting factor products directly into the vein, became commonplace to control the disorder in the 1990s and 2000s. Prophylaxis, or injecting replacement factor every few days into people with hemophilia (PWH), has revolutionized patients' lives. In the last few years, other advances in new therapies have entered this space, such as non-factor replacement therapies and gene therapy. With many more research advances on the horizon, the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) initiated a State of the Science Research Summit in 2020. This event was attended by over 880 interested parties to help design an agenda of research priorities for inherited BDs for the next decade, based on community consultations. NHF formed multiple Working Groups (WG), each exploring a theme resulting from the community consultations, and presenting their results at the Summit. Led by 2 hematologists who manage and treat PWH daily, the 21-community member WG1 assigned to hemophilia A and B divided into 7 subgroups to identify and organize research priorities for different topic areas. The outcomes focused on prioritizing patients' needs, technological advances, and research in the areas of greatest potential for PWH and those who care for them. The results are a roadmap for the future execution of a research plan that truly serves the community.

Puncture Capsulotomy Technique for Hip Arthroscopy: Midterm Functional Outcomes.

Background: The most common surgical approaches in hip arthroscopy are interportal and T-capsulotomy. However, these methods may introduce capsular instability. Puncture capsulotomy preserves capsuloligamentous integrity by avoiding iatrogenic transection of the iliofemoral capsular ligament. Purpose: To present minimum 2-year functional outcomes for patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for acetabular labral tears and concomitant femoroacetabular impingement using the puncture capsulotomy technique. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on patients who underwent arthroscopic acetabular labral tear treatment between December 2013 and May 2019. Included were patients aged ≥18 years who underwent hip arthroscopy by a single surgeon and completed a minimum of 2 years of patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) surveys. Intraoperatively, patients underwent hip arthroscopy via puncture capsulotomy to treat labral tears and any concomitant femoroacetabular impingement. Clinical outcome data consisted of PROMs. Results: A total of 163 hips were included; the mean patient follow-up was 30.4 months (range, 24-60 months; 95% CI, 28.5-32.3 months). Patients had a mean age of 37.9 years (range, 36.1-39.6 years), with a mean body mass index of 25.9 (range, 25.2-26.5). There were significant improvements in mean [95% CI] baseline to final follow-up scores for the 33-Item International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33) (39.6 [36.8-42.4] vs 76.1 [72.7-79.6]), Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (70.0 [67.0-73.0] vs 89.3 [87.3-91.3]), modified Harris Hip Score (60.1 [57.9-62.4] vs 84.9 [82.5-87.2]), and Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific Subscale (41.8 [37.9-45.6] vs 75.7 [71.7-79.7]) (P < .001 for all). Additionally, the mean [95% CI] visual analog scale pain scores were noted to significantly improve throughout the duration of the postoperative period (from 6.3 [5.9-6.7] to 2.2 [1.8-2.6]; P < .001). There were no incidences of infection, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, dislocation/instability, or femoral neck fracture. At the 2-year follow-up, 81.0%, 62.0%, and 58.9% of hips achieved previously published clinically meaningful iHOT-33 thresholds for minimally clinically important difference, Patient Acceptable Symptom Score, and substantial clinical benefit, respectively. Conclusion: Puncture capsulotomy demonstrated significantly improved functional and clinically meaningful outcomes at a minimum 2-year follow-up, along with a minimal complication rate.

Racial disparities in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: an analysis of utilization and perioperative outcomes.

Background: There remains a paucity of literature addressing racial disparities in utilization and perioperative metrics in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair procedures. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to evaluate patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from 2010 to 2019. Baseline demographics, utilization trends, and perioperative measures, including adverse events, operative time, length of hospital stay, days from operation to discharge, and readmission, were analyzed. Results: Of 42,443 included patients, 38,090 (89.7%) were White, and 4353 (10.3%) were Black or African American. Black or African American patients had a significantly higher percentage of diabetes mellitus (23.6% vs. 15.6%), smoking (16.9% vs. 14.8%), congestive heart failure (0.3% vs. 0.1%), and hypertension (59.2% vs. 45.9%). In addition, logistic regression showed that Black or African American patients had increased odds of longer operative time (adjusted rate ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.08) and time from operation to discharge (adjusted rate ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.37). Disparities in relative utilization decreased as the proportion of Black or African American patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair increased (7.4% in 2010 vs. 10.4% in 2019) compared with White patients (P trend < .0001). Conclusion: Racial disparities exist regarding baseline comorbidities and perioperative metrics in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Further investigation is needed to fully understand and address the causes of these inequalities to provide equitable care.

Risk Factors for Readmission following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for readmission after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to determine costs associated with readmission. Using a private insurance claims' database, we identified patients who underwent ACL reconstruction from 2010 to 2015 using the International Classification of Diseases, Version 9 (ICD-9) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Univariate analysis was performed on demographic data, surgical characteristics, and comorbidities. Variables with p < 0.10 were added to a multivariate logistic regression model which was created to identify independent risk factors for all-cause readmission within 90 days postoperatively. Significance was considered at p < 0.05. Overall, 90,263 patients were included (average age: 29 ± 13 years, 44% female), and 1,066 (1.2%) of patients had a hospital readmission within 90 days following surgery. Risk factors for hospital readmission included cerebrovascular disease (odds ratio [OR] = 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9, 6.2), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.9, 3.5), concomitant medial collateral ligament (MCL) or lateral collateral ligament (LCL) reconstruction (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.9, 3.3), concomitant posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.3), age between 44 and 65 years (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.6, 2.9), and depression (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.49, 2.38, p < 0.001). Female sex was associated with decreased odds of 90-day hospital readmission (OR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.7, 0.9). Each hospital readmission accounted for an estimated $17,841 (95% CI: $17,173, 18,509) in gross health care payments, and patients with readmissions had substantially higher 1-year cumulative health care costs. Readmission after ACL reconstruction was 1.2%. The strongest risk factors for 90-day readmission include cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, concomitant MCL/LCL reconstruction, concomitant PCL reconstruction, and age between 44 and 65 years. Readmission was associated with substantial health care costs.

Evidence-Based Hamstring Injury Prevention and Risk Factor Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Hamstring injuries are common among athletes. Considering the potentially prolonged recovery and high rate of recurrence, effective methods of prevention and risk factor management are of great interest to athletes, trainers, coaches, and therapists, with substantial competitive and financial implications. PURPOSE: To systematically review the literature concerning evidence-based hamstring training and quantitatively assess the effectiveness of training programs in (1) reducing injury incidence and (2) managing injury risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A computerized search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus with manual screening of selected reference lists was performed in October 2020. Randomized controlled trials investigating methods of hamstring injury prevention and risk factor management in recreational, semiprofessional, and professional adult athletes were included. RESULTS: Of 2602 articles identified, 108 were included. Eccentric training reduced the incidence of hamstring injury by 56.8% to 70.0%. Concentric hamstring strength increased with eccentric (mean difference [MD], 14.29 N·m; 95% CI, 8.53-20.05 N·m), concentric, blood flow-restricted, whole-body vibration, heavy back squat, FIFA 11+ (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), and plyometric training methods, whereas eccentric strength benefited from eccentric (MD, 26.94 N·m; 95% CI, 15.59-38.30 N·m), concentric, and plyometric training. Static stretching produced greater flexibility gains (MD, 10.89°; 95% CI, 8.92°-12.86°) than proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (MD, 9.73°; 95% CI, 6.53°-12.93°) and dynamic stretching (MD, 6.25°; 95% CI, 2.84°-9.66°), although the effects of static techniques were more transient. Fascicle length increased with eccentric (MD, 0.90 cm; 95% CI, 0.53-1.27 cm) and sprint training and decreased with concentric training. Although the conventional hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio was unchanged (MD, 0.03; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.06), the functional H/Q ratio significantly improved with eccentric training (MD, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.16). In addition, eccentric training reduced limb strength asymmetry, while H/Q ratio and flexibility imbalances were normalized via resistance training and static stretching. CONCLUSION: Several strategies exist to prevent hamstring injury and address known risk factors. Eccentric strengthening reduces injury incidence and improves hamstring strength, fascicle length, H/Q ratio, and limb asymmetry, while stretching-based interventions can be implemented to improve flexibility. These results provide valuable insights to athletes, trainers, coaches, and therapists seeking to optimize hamstring training and prevent injury.

Harvest and Application of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate to Address Acetabular Chondral Damage During Hip Arthroscopy.

Background: During hip arthroscopy, managing concomitant cartilage damage and chondrolabral junction breakdown remains an ongoing challenge for orthopaedic surgeons, as previous studies have associated such lesions with inferior postoperative outcomes1-7. Although higher-level studies are needed to fully elucidate the benefits, recent literature has provided supporting preliminary evidence for the utilization of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in patients with moderate cartilage damage and full-thickness chondral flaps undergoing acetabular labral repair7,8. Thus, as the incorporation of orthobiologics continues to advance, there is a clinical demand for an efficient and reliable BMAC-harvesting technique that utilizes an anatomical location with a substantial concentration of connective tissue progenitor (CTP) cells, while avoiding donor-site morbidity and minimizing additional operative time. Thus, we present a safe and technically feasible approach for harvesting bone marrow aspirate from the body of the ilium, followed by centrifugation and application during hip arthroscopy. Description: After induction of anesthesia and appropriate patient positioning, a quadrilateral arrangement of arthroscopic portals is established to perform puncture capsulotomy9. Upon arthroscopic visualization of cartilage/chondrolabral junction injury, 52 mL of whole venous blood is promptly obtained from an intravenous access site and combined with 8 mL of anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution A (ACD-A). The mixture is centrifuged to yield approximately 2 to 3 mL of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and 17 to 18 mL of platelet-poor plasma (PPP). Then, approaching along the coronal plane and aiming toward the anterior-superior iliac spine under fluoroscopic guidance, a heparin-rinsed Jamshidi bone marrow biopsy needle is driven through the lateral cortex of the ilium just proximal to the sourcil. Under a relative negative-pressure vacuum, bone marrow is aspirated into 3 separate heparin-rinsed 50 mL syringes, each containing 5 mL of ACD-A. Slow and steady negative pressure should be used to pull back on the syringe plunger to aspirate a total volume of 40 mL into each syringe. To avoid pelvic cavity compromise and minimize the risk of mobilizing marrow-space contents, care should be taken to ensure that no forward force or positive pressure is applied during the aspiration process. A total combined bone marrow aspirate/ACD-A mixture of approximately 120 mL is consistently harvested and subsequently centrifuged to yield roughly 4 to 6 mL of BMAC. The final mixture containing BMAC, PRP, and PPP is combined with thrombin to generate a megaclot, which is then applied to the central compartment of the hip. Alternatives: Currently, strategies to address acetabular cartilage lesions may include microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation, matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation, autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis, osteochondral allografts, and orthobiologics10. Orthobiologics have shown mixed yet promising results for addressing musculoskeletal injuries and may include bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, adipose tissue derivatives, and PRP7,8,11,12. Specifically, bone marrow aspirate can be harvested from numerous locations, such as the iliac crest, the proximal aspect of the humerus, the vertebral body, and the distal aspect of the femur. Moreover, alternative approaches have utilized multiple-site and/or needle-redirection techniques to optimize cellular yield16,17, while also appreciating the potentially variable cellular characteristics of aspirated and/or processed samples18. However, previous literature has demonstrated that the body of the ilium contains a CTP cell concentration that is similar to or greater than other harvest locations when utilizing this outlined single-site and unidirectional aspirating technique13,14. Rationale: This versatile and updated technique is a safe and reproducible method for BMAC harvesting, processing, and application that avoids donor-site morbidity, obtains a substantial concentration of CTP cells, minimizes additional operative time, and limits the hip arthroscopy and aspiration to a single procedure15. Specifically, this technique details an evidence-supported approach to addressing chondral injury in patients undergoing acetabular labral repairs7,8. Expected Outcomes: Patients with moderate cartilage damage treated with BMAC at the time of labral repair experienced significantly greater improvements in functional outcomes at 12 and 24 months postoperatively compared with similar patients without BMAC augmentation7. Furthermore, patients with full-thickness chondral flaps treated with BMAC at the time of arthroscopic labral repair demonstrated significantly greater improvements in functional outcomes at 12 months compared with microfracture. Moreover, 77.6% of the BMAC cohort reached the minimal clinically important difference threshold for the International Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33) compared with 50.0% in the microfracture group8. Important Tips: Utilize the previously established Dienst arthroscopic portal for the bone marrow aspiration in order to avoid secondary donor site morbidity.Under fluoroscopic guidance, approach the ilium along the coronal plane, aiming toward the anterior superior iliac spine.With a heparin-rinsed Jamshidi bone marrow biopsy needle, penetrate the lateral cortex of the ilium just proximal to the sourcil in order to consistently harvest a total combined bone marrow aspirate/ACD-A volume of approximately 120 mL.Simultaneously perform the bone marrow aspirate and whole venous blood centrifugation during the hip arthroscopy procedure in order to minimize additional operative time.Bone marrow aspiration should be performed without applied traction in order to minimize the risk of neurovascular complications associated with extended traction time. Acronyms and Abbreviations: ACD-A = anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution AADSCs = adipose-derived stem cellsASIS = anterior superior iliac spineBMAC = bone marrow aspirate concentrateCI = confidence intervalCTP = connective tissue progenitorDVT = deep vein thrombosisHOS-ADL = Hip Outcome Score, Activities of Daily LivingiHOT-33 = International Hip Outcome Tool-33MCID = minimal clinically important differenceMRA = magnetic resonance arthrogramMSCs = mesenchymal stromal cellsPPP = platelet-poor plasmaPRP = platelet-rich plasmaRBCs = red blood cellsSD = standard deviationT1 = longitudinal relaxation timeT2 = transverse relaxation timeWBCs = white blood cells.

Sex differences in utilization and perioperative outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Background: As the volume and proportion of patients treated arthroscopically for rotator cuff repair increases, it is important to recognize sex differences in utilization and outcomes. Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between 2010 and 2019 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and information concerning utilization, operative time, length of hospital stay, days from operation to discharge, readmission, and adverse events were analyzed by sex. Results: Of 42,443 included patients, 57.7% were male and 42.3% were female. Comparably, females were generally older (P < .001) and less healthy as indicated by American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P < .001) and rates of obesity (52.0% vs. 47.8%, P < .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4.0% vs. 2.7%, P < .001), and steroid use (2.7% vs. 1.6%, P < .001). Females experienced shorter operative times (mean difference [MD] 11.5 minutes, P < .001), longer hospital stays (MD 0.03 days, P < .001), longer times from operation to discharge (MD 0.03 days, P < .001), and more minor adverse events (odds ratio [OR], 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.47) after baseline adjustment. Conversely, rates of serious adverse events (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55-0.86) and readmissions (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.66-0.97) were lower among females. Disparities in utilization increased over the study period (P = .008), whereas length of stay (P = .509) and adverse events (P = .967) remained stable. Conclusion: Sex differences among patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair are evident, indicating the need for further research to understand and address the root causes of inequality and optimize care for all.

Return to Full Function in Patient with Nonoperative Management of a Comminuted, Displaced Clavicle Fracture: A Case Report.

Case: Clavicle fractures are common skeletal injuries that account for 2%-10% of adult fractures. Surgical indications include presence of an open fracture, severe angulation, comminution, displacement, skin tenting with a threat of skin perforation, neurovascular compromise, symptomatic nonunion, or fracture shortening >1.5-2cm. In this case, the patient had a comminuted, displaced fracture - thus meeting criteria for operative treatment. However, the patient opted for nonoperative management. Conclusion: After 3 months, the patient regained full strength and range-of-motion. This case highlights the current heterogenous mixture of studies in the literature surrounding the best management for midshaft clavicle fractures. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication and provided consent.

Adhesive Capsulitis of the Hip: A Case Presentation and Review.

There remains a paucity of literature addressing adhesive capsulitis of the hip (ACH), making the diagnosis and treatment a continued challenge for healthcare providers. ACH encompasses restricted hip range-of-motion and pain that progresses through analogous Stages (1-4) to adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. We report a case presentation of a middle-aged man that illustrates the significance of certain patient factors and provide a review of current literature to aid in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment for addressing ACH. Initial conservative treatment of ACH includes the appropriate management of associated comorbidities, oral and/or injectable pharmacologics, and physical therapy. While frequently resolving with time, refractory cases of ACH may require more aggressive approaches including pressure dilation, manipulation under anesthesia, synovectomy, capsular release and, for select patients, total hip arthroplasty. Given the limited available literature addressing ACH, healthcare providers may be forced to rely on a small number of published case reports and outdated review articles to guide their diagnostic evaluation and treatment approaches. Thus, this case presentation and review provides an updated approach to better diagnose and manage patients with ACH.

Acetabular Labral Tear with a Missed Posterior Wall Fracture in an Adolescent Athlete: A Case Report.

CASE: We present an adolescent contact-sport athlete presenting with hip pain after a traumatic in-play event. After delayed clinical improvement, a magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) revealed a posterior acetabular labral tear and the patient was referred for arthroscopic repair. However, subsequent critical interpretation of the MRA demonstrated a missed concomitant posterior acetabular wall fracture, which was later confirmed with computed tomography. CONCLUSION: Despite the low incidence of acetabular fractures in adolescents, this case report highlights the importance of maintaining clinical suspicion in young athletes after a traumatic injury, recognizing the association with labral tears, and acknowledging the limitations of certain imaging modalities.