A High Rate of Return to Running Is Seen After Both Arthroscopic and Open Shoulder Surgery.

Purpose: To determine the percentage of patients who report the ability to run 1 mile at various time points after arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data for all active-duty military patients aged 18 to 45 years who underwent shoulder surgery at a single institution over a 2-year period. The rehabilitation protocol discouraged running before 3 months, but all patients were able to return to unrestricted running at 3 months postoperatively. Patients were excluded if they lacked 1-year follow-up data. Parameters collected included demographic information and validated patient-reported outcome measures at the preoperative and short-term postoperative visits, as well as patients' ability to run at least 1 mile postoperatively. Results: A total of 126 patients were identified who underwent shoulder surgery with return-to-running data. Compared with baseline, significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes were shown at 1 and 2 years postoperatively (P = .001). The percentage of patients reporting the ability to run 1 mile postoperatively was 59% at 3 months, 74% at 4.5 months, 79% at 6 months, 83% at 12 months, and 91% at 24 months. There was no significant difference in patients undergoing shoulder surgery for instability versus non-instability diagnoses or in patients undergoing open versus arthroscopic anterior stabilization. All 11 patients unable to return to running at final follow-up had chronic lower-extremity diagnoses limiting their running ability. Conclusions: Young military athletes undergoing arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery have a high rate of early return to running. Approximately 60% of patients report the ability to run 1 mile at 3 months postoperatively, and three-quarters of patients do so at 4.5 months. Age, sex, military occupation, underlying diagnosis or type of surgery did not influence the rate of return to running after shoulder surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic Surgery or Physical Therapy for Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial With 2-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic hip surgery has risen 18-fold in the past decade; however, there is a dearth of clinical trials comparing surgery with nonoperative management. PURPOSE: To determine the comparative effectiveness of surgery and physical therapy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Patients were recruited from a large military hospital after referral to the orthopaedic surgery clinic and were eligible for surgery. Of 104 eligible patients, 80 elected to participate, and the majority were active-duty service members (91.3%). No patients withdrew because of adverse events. The authors randomly selected patients to undergo either arthroscopic hip surgery (surgery group) or physical therapy (rehabilitation group). Patients in the rehabilitation group began a 12-session supervised clinic program within 3 weeks, and patients in the surgery group were scheduled for the next available surgery at a mean of 4 months after enrollment. Patient-reported outcomes of pain, disability, and perception of improvement over a 2-year period were collected. The primary outcome was the Hip Outcome Score (HOS; range, 0-100 [lower scores indicating greater disability]; 2 subscales: activities of daily living and sport). Secondary measures included the International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33), Global Rating of Change (GRC), and return to work at 2 years. The primary analysis was on patients within their original randomization group. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements were seen in both groups on the HOS and iHOT-33, but the mean difference was not significant between the groups at 2 years (HOS activities of daily living, 3.8 [95% CI, -6.0 to 13.6]; HOS sport, 1.8 [95% CI, -11.2 to 14.7]; iHOT-33, 6.3 [95% CI, -6.1 to 18.7]). The median GRC across all patients was that they "felt about the same" (GRC = 0). Two patients assigned to the surgery group did not undergo surgery, and 28 patients in the rehabilitation group ended up undergoing surgery. A sensitivity analysis of "actual surgery" to "no surgery" did not change the outcome. Twenty (33.3%) patients who underwent surgery and 4 (33.3%) who did not undergo surgery were medically separated from military service at 2 years. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between the groups at 2 years. Most patients perceived little to no change in status at 2 years, and one-third of military patients were not medically fit for duty at 2 years. Limitations include a single hospital, a single surgeon, and a high rate of crossover. Registration: NCT01993615 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Accuracy of Ultrasound-Guided Intra-articular Hip Injections Performed in the Orthopedic Clinic.

Intra-articular hip injections have proven clinical value for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Historically, these injections have been performed by radiologists using fluoroscopic guidance. This necessitates a radiology referral, delays the injection, and represents lost productivity for the orthopedist. Ultrasound-guided intra-articular hip injections have been described in the radiology literature with excellent accuracy. These injections were performed by radiologists. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of ultrasound-guided hip injections performed in the orthopedic clinic by orthopedic surgeons and orthopedic physician assistants. Fifty ultrasound-guided hip injections were performed using a standard technique. Contrast was included, and an anteroposterior pelvis radiograph was obtained immediately following injection. Diagnosis, body mass index, procedure time, and visual analog scale scores were recorded. Radiographs were reviewed independently by a musculoskeletal radiologist and an orthopedic surgeon to determine intra-articular placement of the injection. A total of 50 hips were injected. There was no identifiable contrast in 2 patients, leaving 48 hips for analysis. Of these, contrast was injected intra-articularly in 46 hips for an accuracy of 96%. Average procedural time was 2.6 minutes, and the average visual analog scale score was 1.9 during the procedure. Revenue value units ranged from 1.72-2.55 for ultrasound-guided hip injections. These findings indicate ultrasound-guided intra-articular hip injections performed in the orthopedic clinic by surgeons or physician assistants are accurate, efficient, and patient-friendly. Additionally, they preserve patient continuity and maintain productivity within the orthopedic clinic. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):96-100.].

Two-year outcomes after arthroscopic surgery compared to physical therapy for femoracetabular impingement: A protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: As the prevalence of hip pathology in the younger athletic population rises, the medical community continues to investigate effective intervention options. Femoracetabular impingement is the morphologically abnormal articulation of the femoral head against the acetabulum, and often implicated in pre-arthritic hip conditions of musculoskeletal nature. Arthroscopic surgical decompression and non-surgical rehabilitation programs focused on strengthening and stability are common interventions. However, they have never been directly compared in clinical trials. The primary purpose of this study will be to assess the difference in outcomes between these 2 commonly utilized interventions for femoracetabular impingement. METHODS: The study will be a single site, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial comparing two different treatment approaches (surgical and nonsurgical) for FAI. The enrollment goal is for a total of 80 subjects with a diagnosis of Femoracetabular impingement that are surgical candidates and have failed 6 weeks of conservative treatment. This will be a convenience sample of consecutive patients that are Tricare beneficiaries and seeking care at Madigan Army Medical Center. Patients that meet the criteria will be screened, provide written consent before enrollment, and then randomized into one of two arms (Group I = hip arthroscopy, Group II = physical therapy). Group I will undergo hip arthroscopy with or without labral repair. Group II will follow an impairment based physical therapy program consisting of 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks. The primary outcome will be the Hip Outcome Score and secondary measures will include the International Hip Outcome Tool and the Global Rating of Change. Measures will be taken at baseline, 6 months, 1 and 2 years. Hip-related healthcare utilization between both groups will also be assessed at the end of 2 years. DISCUSSION: The current evidence to support both surgical and conservative interventions for femoroacetabular impingement is based on low-level research. To date, none of these interventions have been directly compared in a randomized clinical trial. Clinical trials are needed to help establish the value of these interventions in the management of femoracetabular impingement and to help define appropriate clinical pathways. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01993615 30 October 2013.

Intrasubstance ruptures of the biceps brachii: diagnosis and management.

Traumatic intrasubstance ruptures of the biceps brachii are rare and historically specific to military static line parachute jumps; however, these injuries have recently been reported in the civilian literature. Diagnosis is made by history, clinical weakness in supination and elbow flexion, extensive ecchymosis and edema, and a palpable defect. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are useful to confirm the diagnosis and injury severity. Nonoperative treatment involves splinting in acute flexion. Percutaneous hematoma aspiration has been described. Early surgical intervention with primary repair has been shown to be more successful than late reconstruction. Studies comparing operative and nonoperative treatment are lacking.