Considerations for revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A review of the current literature.

Background: Failure rates among primary Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction range from 3.2 to 11.1 %. Recently, there has been increased focus on surgical and anatomic considerations which predispose patients to failure, including excessive posterior tibial slope (PTS), unaddressed high-grade pivot shift, and improper tunnel placement. Methods: The purpose of this review was to provide a current summary and analysis of the literature regarding patient-related and technical factors surrounding revision ACLR, rehabilitation considerations, overall outcomes, and return to sport (RTS) for patients who undergo revision ACLR. Results: In revision ACLR patients, those receiving autografts are 2.78 times less likely to experience a re-rupture compared to patients who receive allografts. Additionally, individuals with properly positioned tunnels and removable implants are considered strong candidates for one-stage revision procedures. Conversely, cases involving primary tunnel widening of approximately 15 mm are typically indicative of two-stage revision ACLR. These findings underscore the importance of graft selection and surgical approach in optimizing outcomes for patients undergoing revision ACLR. Conclusion: Given the high rates of revision surgery in young, active patients who return to pivoting sports, the literature recommends strong consideration of a combined ACLR + anterolateral ligament (ALL) or lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) procedure in this population. Unrecognized posterolateral corner (PLC) injury is a common cause of ACLR failure and current literature suggests concurrent operative management of high-grade PLC injuries. Excessive PTS has been identified as an independent risk factor for ACL graft failure. Consider revision ACLR with combined slope-reducing tibial osteotomy in cases of posterior tibial slope greater than 12°.

Evaluation of Failed ACL Reconstruction: An Updated Review.

Failure rates among primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) range from 3.2% to 11.1%. Recently, there has been increased focus on surgical and anatomic considerations which predispose patients to failure, including excessive posterior tibial slope (PTS), unaddressed high-grade pivot shift, and improper tunnel placement. The purpose of this review was to provide a current summary and analysis of the literature regarding patient-related and technical factors surrounding revision ACLR, rehabilitation considerations, overall outcomes and return to sport (RTS) for patients who undergo revision ACLR. There is a convincingly higher re-tear and revision rate in patients who undergo ACLR with allograft than autograft, especially amongst the young, athletic population. Unrecognized Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PLC) injury is a common cause of ACLR failure and current literature suggests concurrent operative management of high-grade PLC injuries. Given the high rates of revision surgery in young active patients who return to pivoting sports, the authors recommend strong consideration of a combined ACLR + Anterolateral Ligament (ALL) or Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) procedure in this population. Excessive PTS has been identified as an independent risk factor for ACL graft failure. Careful consideration of patient-specific factors such as age and activity level may influence the success of ACL reconstruction. Additional technical considerations including graft choice and fixation method, tunnel position, evaluation of concomitant posterolateral corner and high-grade pivot shift injuries, and the role of excessive posterior tibial slope may play a significant role in preventing failure.

A systematic review of the biomechanical properties of suture materials used in orthopaedics.

Background: Soft tissue injuries are frequently repaired using various suture material. The ideal suture should have the biomechanical properties of low displacement, high maximum load to failure, and high stiffness to avoid deformation. Since tendon healing occurs over a period of months, it is important for the surgeon to select the proper suture with certain biomechanical properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to qualitative summarize the published literature on biomechanical properties of different suture materials used in orthopaedic procedures. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed and Cochrane databases were queried for original articles containing "biomechanic(s)" and "suture" keywords. Following screening for inclusion and exclusion, final articles were reviewed for relevant data and collected for qualitative analysis. Data collected from each study included the tissue type repaired, suture material, and biomechanical properties, such as elongation, maximum load to failure, stiffness, and method of failure. Results: 17 articles met final inclusion criteria. Two studies found No.2 Fiberwire™ to have the lowest elongation and 4 studies found No. 2 Ultrabraid™ to have the greatest. 12 studies reported Maximum load to failure was highest in No. 2 Fiberwire™, No. 2 Ultrabraid™, and FiberTape™ while No. 2 Ethibond ™ had the lowest in 5 studies. 3 of the 5 studies that evaluated No. 2 Fiberwire™ found it to have the highest stiffness. No. 2 Ethibond™, No. 2 Orthocord™, and No. 2 PDS™ were reported as the least stiff sutures in 2 studies each. Conclusion: Fiberwire™, FiberTape™, and Ultrabraid™ demonstrated the highest load to failure while Ethibond™ consistently was the weakest. Fiberwire™ was found to have the lowest elongation while Ultrabraid™ had the highest. Fiberwire™ was also noted to be the stiffest while PDS, Ethibond™, and Orthocord™ were found to be the least stiff. Final treatment decisions on which suture to utilize to optimize repair integrity and healing are complex, and rarely solely dependent upon the biomechanical properties of the materials used. Level of evidence: Systematic Review, Level IV.

The Most Impactful Articles on the Shoulder Labrum From the United States or Europe, and Decreased Level of Evidence Is Associated With Increased Altmetric Attention Score.

Purpose: To use the top 100 articles pertaining to the shoulder labrum to understand the impact that social medial platforms have on the dissemination of shoulder research and to highlight bibliometric factors associated with Altmetric Attention Scores (AAS) to offer insight into the impact that social media platforms have on the dissemination, attention, and citation of shoulder research publications. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. In January 2023, the Altmetric database was searched using the PubMed Medical Subject Headings terms "shoulder labrum." Articles with the greatest AAS were screened to exclude other topics unrelated to the labrum of the shoulder. The top 100 articles that met inclusion criteria were used in the final analysis. Bibliometric factors pertaining to each study were collected for further analysis of article characteristics in accordance with previous studies. Results: The Altmetric Database query yielded 619 studies. The top 100 articles with highest AAS were identified, mean Attestation Score was 24.85 ± 55.51, with a range of 7 to 460. The included articles represented 35 journals, with 57 articles attributed to 3 journals: American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM; 29%), Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery (Arthroscopy; 19%), and the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (JSES; 9%). There was a significant increase in AAS for every decrease in the numerical Level of Evidence value for a study (P = .011) but no association between score and citation rate (P > 005). Conclusions: Top articles on the shoulder labrum, as defined by high AAS score, are most commonly original clinical research published in 1 of 3 sports medicine journals and performed in the United States or Europe. A decreased numerical Level of Evidence is associated with an increase in AAS score, but there is no association between AAS score and citation rate. Clinical Relevance: The increasing amount of science and health information shared freely through open-access journals, online servers, and numerous social media channels makes it difficult to measure the impact of research. Using measures such as the Altmetric Attention Score, in isolation or addition to measures of researcher or journal impact, has the potential to provide comprehensive information about the impact of research in the modern world.

Return to Sport After Fasciotomy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Forearm chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) can represent considerable functional impairment in certain active populations, particularly motorcycle racers. Patients with forearm CECS frequently require fasciotomy to relieve symptoms and return to sport (RTS). PURPOSE: To evaluate the rate at which athletes RTS after fasciotomy for forearm CECS and to compare RTS outcomes between fasciotomy techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Adhering to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a systematic review of the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was performed from database inception to December 2022 to identify all published reports of forearm CECS managed with fasciotomy. Included studies were analyzed for demographic information, surgical approaches, rehabilitation parameters, RTS rates, time from surgery at which athletes resumed sport, complications, and recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies (15 level 4 case series, 23 case reports) accounting for 500 patients (831 forearms) who underwent open fasciotomy (112 patients), minimally invasive fasciotomy (166 patients), and endoscopically assisted fasciotomy (222 patients) satisfied inclusion criteria. Most patients (88.0%) were motorcycle racers. The overall RTS rate at any level (RTS-A) was 94.2% (97.3%, 92.2%, and 98.5% for the open fasciotomy, minimally invasive fasciotomy, and endoscopically assisted fasciotomy groups, respectively; P = .010), and the overall RTS at preinjury level or higher was 86.8% (95.9%, 85.6%, and 95.2% for the open fasciotomy, minimally invasive fasciotomy, and endoscopically assisted fasciotomy groups, respectively; P = .132). There was a significant difference in RTS-A between the minimally invasive fasciotomy and endoscopically assisted fasciotomy groups (P = .004). The overall RTS time was 5.1 ± 2.3 weeks, patient satisfaction was 85.1%, and the recurrence rate was 2.4%, and there were no significant differences between fasciotomy approach groups (P = .456, P = .886, and P = .487, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent fasciotomy for forearm CECS had high rates of RTS, quick RTS time, high levels of satisfaction, and low rates of recurrence. Outcomes were largely similar between the 3 fasciotomy approaches.

Lower Opioid Prescription Quantity Does Not Negatively Impact Pain Control or Patient Satisfaction After ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized, Prospective Trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different quantities of prescribed opioid tablets on patient opioid utilization, postoperative pain and function, and satisfaction after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized trial enrolling patients undergoing primary ACLR. Patients were assigned to 1 of 3 prescription groups: 15, 25, or 35 tablets containing 5-mg oxycodone. Patients completed visual analog scale (VAS) pain and medication logs, opioid medication satisfaction surveys, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaires postoperatively. RESULTS: Among the 180 patients included in the analysis, there was no significant difference in VAS pain scores (p > 0.05), IKDC scores (p > 0.05), morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) (p = 0.510) consumed, or patient satisfaction with regard to pain control (p = 0.376) between treatment groups. Seventy-two percent of opioids were consumed in the first 3 days postoperatively, and 83% of patients in the 15-tablet cohort felt that they received the "right amount" of or even "too many" opioids. CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of 15 opioid tablets resulted in equivalent pain control, patient satisfaction, and short-term functional outcomes as prescriptions of 25 or 35 opioid tablets after ACLR. Lower prescription quantities of opioid medication may provide equivalent postoperative pain and help to minimize the number of unused opioid doses at risk for possible diversion after ACLR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Patients With First-Time or Recurrent Patellar Dislocation Have a Similar High Rate and Extent of Articular Cartilage Injury Observed on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Purpose: To use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to compare the prevalence of articular cartilage damage in patients with a single patellar dislocation versus those with multiple dislocations and to compare the locations and severity of chondral injury between the groups. Methods: Patients with patellar dislocation between January 2017 and July 2021 were retrospectively identified. Patients with a documented history of patellar dislocation and an MRI scan of the affected knee were included. Patients with articular cartilage injury prior to the dislocation event were excluded. Articular cartilage injury was graded using a validated system: AMADEUS (Mean Total Area Measurement and Depth & Underlying Structures). Caton-Deschamps Index (CDI) scores and Dejour classifications of trochlear dysplasia were also collected. Data were calculated by performing t tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and χ2 or Fisher Exact tests to calculate P values for categorical data. Results: In total, 233 patients were included: 117 with primary dislocations and 116 with recurrent dislocations. Articular cartilage injuries were present in 51 patients with primary dislocations (43.6%) and 68 patients with recurrent dislocations (58.6%, P = .026). On comparison of the groups, the recurrent group contained a significantly larger proportion of female patients (65.5% vs 46.2%, P = .004). There was no difference in lesion size, subchondral bone defect, presence of bone edema, or total AMADEUS score between groups (P = .231). Caton-Deschamps Index scores were not significant when comparing between groups; however, the Dejour classifications showed higher grades in the recurrent group (P = .013 for A-D grading scale and P = .005 for high/low grading scale). Subgroup analysis revealed that when cartilage damage was present, patients from the primary group had significantly more full-thickness lesions (P < .001) and lower AMADEUS scores (P = .016). Conclusions: There was a similarly high prevalence of cartilage injury seen on MRI after both a primary patellar dislocation and a recurrent patellar dislocation. Chondral injury primarily affected the medial and lateral patellar facets and the lateral femoral condyle in both the primary and recurrent dislocation groups. However, the primary group showed an increased number of full-thickness lesions. There was no difference in lesion size, subchondral bone defect, presence of bone edema, or total AMADEUS score between the primary and recurrent groups. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative prognostic investigation.

Analyzing Resilience in the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Patient Population.

Little research has been done to compare resilience, as measured by the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), across common sports medicine patient populations. Our purpose was to investigate resilience levels across sports medicine patient populations. All patients who underwent reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACLR), partial meniscectomy (PM), meniscal repair (MR), rotator cuff repair (RCR), or shoulder stabilization (SS) between January 1 and June 30, 2020, were screened for inclusion. At our institution, BRS scores are routinely collected during the preoperative period. Patients with preoperative BRS scores available were included for analysis. Patients who were eligible on the basis of ACLR who underwent concomitant PM or MR were included in the ACL group. A total of 655 patients with a median age of 49 years were included in analysis. The median preoperative resilience score across all patients was 3.83 (interquartile range, 3.50-4.17), and the highest scores were seen in the ACLR group (median, 4.00; interquartile range, 3.67-4.17). On multivariate regression, scores were significantly and independently lower in the PM and RCR groups. Male patients were found to have significantly higher scores than female patients overall (P=.028), but in subgroup analysis by pathology, this effect was only seen in the SS and PM groups. Psychological factors are important to consider when surgically treating patients, and resilience specifically may play a role in predicting treatment success. Patients undergoing PM and RCR tend to report lower resilience scores than patients undergoing ACLR at preoperative baseline. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(2):95-100.].

Greater Patient Satisfaction With Use of Nonabsorbable Sutures Compared to Absorbable Sutures for Skin Closure Following Knee Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient outcomes and satisfaction after arthroscopic portal closure with absorbable versus nonabsorbable sutures after knee arthroscopy. Methods: Patients undergoing primary knee arthroscopy were identified during procedure scheduling. Exclusion criteria included revision procedures, concomitant ligament reconstruction, or meniscal repair surgery. Before surgery, enrolled patients were randomly assigned to undergo closure with either 3-0 Monocryl absorbable or 3-0 nylon non-absorbable sutures. Postoperative evaluation at 2, 6, and 12 weeks included a Visual Analogue Cosmesis scale, a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, patient scar assessment, and customized questionnaire assessing scar satisfaction. Results: Between January 2019 and August 2022, 247 were included for analysis: 145 in the absorbable group and 129 in the non-absorbable group. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of age, sex, body mass index, race, smoking status, or laterality of procedure. Patients in the nonabsorbable group reported higher overall satisfaction at week 6 follow-up (9.12 ± 1.85 vs 8.44 ± 2.49, P = .019) and week 12 follow-up (9.13 ± 1.76 vs 8.54 ± 2.50, P = .048). There was no difference in pain, swelling, itching, numbness, incisional pain, or burning at any time. Patients in the nonabsorbable group observed more skin discoloration at 2 weeks (3.00 ± 2.33 vs 2.41 ± 1.80, P = .026) and 6 weeks (3.74 ± 2.82 vs 2.98 ± 2.45, P = .032) follow-up with no significant difference at 12 weeks. Conclusion: In this study, patients were more satisfied with nonabsorbable sutures for portal wound closure after knee arthroscopy despite early reporting of increased skin discoloration relative to absorbable sutures. Level of Evidence: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

Similar Outcomes Are Found Between Quadriceps Tendon Repair With Transosseous Tunnels and Suture Anchors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and biomechanical performance of transosseous tunnels compared with suture anchors for quadriceps tendon repair. Methods: In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic search was performed in April 2021 in the following databases: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed (1980-2021), MEDLINE (1980-2021), Embase (1980-2021), and CINAHL (1980-2021). Level I-IV studies were included if they provided outcome data for surgical repair of the quadriceps tendon using transosseous tunnels or suture anchors with minimum 1-year follow-up. Biomechanical studies comparing transosseous tunnels and suture anchors were separately analyzed. Results: The systematic search yielded 1,837 citations, 23 of which met inclusion criteria (18 clinical, 5 biomechanical). In total, 13 studies reported results for transosseous repair and 7 studies reported results for repair with suture anchors. There were results for 508 patients from clinical studies. The average postoperative Lysholm score ranged from 88 to 92 for suture anchor repairs and 72.8 to 94 for transosseous repairs with range of motion ranging from 117° to 138° and 116° to 135°, respectively. Synthesis of the biomechanical data revealed the mean difference in load to failure was not significant between constructs (137.21; 95% confidence interval -10.14 to 284.57 N; P = .068). Conclusions: Transosseous and suture anchor techniques for quadriceps tendon repair result in similar biomechanical and postoperative outcomes. No difference between techniques in regard to ultimate load to failure among comparative biomechanical studies were observed. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review level III-IV studies.

Workman's compensation as exclusion criteria in rotator cuff repair literature - are we inadvertently excluding race?

OBJECTIVE: Despite an equal willingness to participate in clinical trials, there is evidence that several minority populations are systematically under-represented in studies. One potential cause and frequently used exclusionary criterion in orthopedic trials is patients with active workman's compensation (WC) insurance claims. The purpose of this study is to determine demographic differences in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with commercial and government insurance vs workers compensation claims. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at a single institution in the northeastern United States from 2018 to 2019. Patients undergoing revision cases were excluded. Chart review was used to extract demographic data such as age, gender, insurance, and reported race. RESULTS: A total of 4553 patient records were reviewed and included. There were 742 WC patients and 3811 non-WC patients. Two hundred and forty-four patients did not report their race. Overall, WC patients differed from non-WC with respect to race (P < 0.001). One hundred and eleven (15.0%) of WC and 293 (7.7%) non-WC patients reported being 'Black' or 'African American' (P = 0.002). This compares to 368 (49.6%) WC and 2788 (73.2%) non-WC patients who reported 'White' (P < 0.001). About 16.8% of WC patients were identified as 'Hispanic or Latino,' compared to 5.2% of non-WC (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: African American and Hispanic/Latino patients are over-represented in workman's compensation patient populations relative to non-workman's compensation. Conversely, white patients are over-represented in non-WC patient populations, which serve as the basis for the majority of clinical study populations. Excluding workman's compensation patients from clinical trials may lead to an underrepresentation of African American and Hispanic/Latino patient populations in orthopedic clinical trials. In doing so, the generalizability of the results of rotator cuff repair clinical outcomes research to all races and ethnicities may be compromised.

Incidence of Repeat Elbow Capsular Release After Arthroscopic Elbow Capsular Release.

Background: Elbow capsular release can be performed arthroscopically or through an open method to improve range of motion (ROM). However, it is unclear how frequently patients require an open capsular release after unsatisfactory results from an arthroscopic release. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of patients who underwent an arthroscopic elbow release for loss of motion who then required a repeat elbow capsular release or other subsequent surgery on the same elbow. It was hypothesized that patients who underwent arthroscopic elbow release would rarely (<5%) require a subsequent elbow release. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic elbow capsular release from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019, were identified by chart review and procedure code. Demographic parameters, pre- and postoperative ROM, and surgical history were collected by chart review. Follow-up data included patient satisfaction and the Timmerman-Andrews (TA) elbow score. Data were compared between patients who did and those who did not require subsequent elbow surgery. Results: Overall, of 140 study patients (116 male, 24 female; mean age, 49.6 years), 18 (12.9%) required subsequent surgery, including 6 capsular releases (4.3%; 1 open and 5 arthroscopic). The most common follow-up procedure was ulnar nerve releases/transpositions (n = 7). Total arc of elbow motion (flexion to extension) improved by a mean of 51.4°. The mean TA score was 76.5 ± 20.4 at a mean of 5.25 years postoperatively. Mean satisfaction score was 77.6 ± 26.3. In this study, 82.4% of patients stated that their symptoms either improved or resolved completely. Patients who required subsequent surgery had a significantly lower preoperative total arc of elbow motion versus those who did not require subsequent surgery (P = .046). There was no difference between the groups in symptom resolution, satisfaction, ROM, or TA score (P ≥ .279 for all). Conclusion: After arthroscopic elbow release, <5% of patients required a repeat elbow capsular release, 12.9% required some form of follow-up elbow surgery, and 4.3% had a new injury of the elbow. Overall, patients saw improvement in elbow ROM, but many still had residual symptoms from their underlying disease after arthroscopic elbow capsular release.

Differences in the Severity and Location of Patellofemoral Cartilage Damage Between Instability Patients With and Without Patella Alta.

Background: Patella alta is a risk factor for recurrent patellar instability. Differences in chondral injury in patients with patellar instability between patella alta and patella norma have not been evaluated. Purpose: To analyze whether preoperative cartilage damage differs in severity and location between patellar instability patients with and without patella alta. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients with patellar instability who underwent patellar realignment surgery at a single institution with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were included. After measurement of Caton-Deschamps index (CDI) on MRI, patients were divided into patella alta (CDI ≥1.3) and patella norma groups. The area measurement and depth and underlying structures (AMADEUS) score was used to quantify cartilage defect severity on MRI. Results: A total of 121 patients were divided into patella alta (n = 50) and patella norma (n = 71) groups. The groups did not differ significantly in sex ratio, age at MRI, body mass index, mean reported number of previous dislocations, or mean interval between first reported dislocation and date of MRI. A total of 34 (68%) of the patella alta group and 44 (62%) of the patella norma group had chondral defects (P = .625) with no significant between-group differences in defect size (P = .419). In both groups, chondral injuries most affected the medial patellar facet (55% in patella alta vs 52% in patella norma), followed by the lateral facet (25% vs 18%), and lateral femoral condyle (10% vs 14%). A smaller proportion of patients had full-thickness defects in the patella alta compared with the patella norma group (60% vs 82%; P = .030). The overall AMADEUS score was higher for the patella alta versus the patella norma group (68.9 vs 62.1; P = .023), indicating superior articular cartilage status. Conclusion: Patients with patella alta had less severe cartilage injury after patellar instability, including a lower proportion with full-thickness defects and better overall cartilage grade. The location of injury when present was similar between alta and norma, with most defects affecting the medial facet, lateral facet, and lateral femoral condyle in descending frequency.

Surgical management of acute, high-grade acromioclavicular joint separations: a systematic review.

Background: While a number of treatment options exist for repair of acute, high-grade acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) separation, none have emerged as the standard of care. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on surgical treatment of acute, high-grade (Rockwood grades III-V) ACJ separations in order to compare outcomes between direct fixation and tendon graft ligament reconstruction. Methods: A systematic review of the literature evaluating outcomes for acute ACJ separation treatment with direct fixation or free biologic tendon graft reconstruction was performed. The following databases were examined: the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed (1980-2021), and Embase (1980-2021). Studies were included if they reported a mean time to surgery as <6 weeks, contained >10 patients with a minimum 1-year follow-up, and reported clinical or radiographic outcomes. Results: A total of 52 studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies reported outcomes following tendon graft ligament reconstruction (n = 128 patients). There were multiple methods of direct fixation. Thirty-three studies utilized suture button constructs (n = 1138), 16 studies used hook plates (n = 567), 2 studies used coracoclavicular screws (n = 94), 2 studies used suture fixation (n = 93), 2 studies used suture anchor (n = 55), 2 studies used suture cerclage fixation (n = 87), 1 used single multistrand titanium cable (n = 24), and 1 used K wire (n = 11). The mean follow-up Constant scores ranged from 77.5 to 97.1 in the fixation group compared to 90.3-96.6 in the tendon graft group. The mean visual analog scale scores ranged from 0 to 4.5 in the fixation group and 0.1-1 in the tendon graft group. Net CC distance ranged from 17.5 to 3.6 mm in the fixation group and 7.4-4 mm in the tendon graft group. The revision rates ranged from 0.0% to 18.18% in the direct fixation group and 5.88%-17% in the tendon graft group. Conclusion: Direct fixation and tendon graft reconstruction for management of acute, high-grade ACJ separations have similar patient subjective and radiographic outcomes, as well as complication and revision rates at a minimum 1-year follow-up.

Outcomes and Complications Following Chronic Patellar Tendon Repair: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this systematic review is to report outcomes and complications following the reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon ruptures. Four databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE) were searched from inception to July 2021. Inclusion criteria included articles that (1) analyzed outcomes and complications following chronic patellar tendon reconstruction (>4 weeks from injury to repair), (2) were written in English, (3) greater than five patients, and (4) a minimum 2-year follow-up. Exclusion criteria included (1) non-original research and (2) patellar tendon repair/reconstruction with prior total knee arthroplasty. Data on outcome metrics and complications were extracted from the included studies and reported in a qualitative manner. Nine studies (number of patients = 96) were included after screening. Seven studies analyzed autograft reconstruction, and three of those seven studies analyzed reconstructions with additional augmentation. The remaining two studies evaluated reconstruction utilizing a bone-tendon-bone (BTB) allograft. Four of the autograft studies (n=40 patients) showed a range of post-operative mean Lysholm scores of 74-94. Additionally, four studies reported a post-operative extensor lag of 0-3°. Post-operative protocol for autograft studies included delayed motion and was either contained to a bivalved cast or a hinged knee brace for six weeks. The two allograft studies reported a range of mean Lysholm scores from 62 to 67, and each immobilized the leg in full extension until six weeks. While chronic patellar tendon ruptures are a rare injury of the extensor mechanism, there are viable options for reconstruction. Overall, chronic patellar tendon ruptures reconstructed with both autograft and allograft will provide fair to good outcomes with low complication rates. Following surgery, immobilization for at least six weeks should be emphasized to protect the graft and optimize patient outcomes.

Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Shows High Rates of Return to Activity and Low Rates of Recurrent Valgus Instability: An Updated Systematic Review.

Purpose: To examine the clinical outcomes and return to sport rates after treatment of combined, complete (grade III) injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). Methods: A literature search of the following databases was completed using key words related to combined ACL and (MCL) tears: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and SPORTDiscus. Level I-IV studies that examined patients with complete tears of the ACL and grade III tears of the MCL, diagnosed by either magnetic resonance imaging or clinical examination of valgus instability, were included. Study inclusion was determined by 2 independent reviewers. Patient demographics, treatment choices, and patient outcomes, including clinical examination (i.e., range of motion, hamstring strength) and subjective assessments (i.e., International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm scores, Tegner activity scores) were collected. Results: Six possible treatment combinations were assessed. Good or excellent outcomes related to range of motion, knee stability, subjective assessments, and return to play were reported after ACL reconstruction regardless of MCL treatment. Those with combined ACL and MCL reconstruction returned to their previous level of activity at a high rate (range, 87.5%-90.6%) with low rates of recurrent valgus instability. Triangular MCL reconstruction with a posterior limb that serves to reconstruct the posterior-oblique ligament best-restored anteromedial rotatory stability of the knee when compared with anatomic MCL reconstruction (90.6% and 65.6%, respectively). Nonsurgical management of the ACL injury, regardless of MCL treatment, demonstrated low return to activity (29%) and frequent secondary knee injuries. Conclusions: High rates of return to sport with low risk of recurrent valgus instability have been demonstrated after MCL reconstruction, and triangular MCL reconstruction can more effectively restore anteromedial rotatory instability compared with MCL repair. Restoration of valgus stability can be common after reconstruction of the ACL with or without surgical management of the MCL, although patients with grade III tibial-sided or mid-substance injuries were less likely to regain valgus stability with nonoperative treatment than femoral-sided injuries. Level of Evidence: Level IV; systematic review of Level I-IV studies.

Disruptions in Standard Care in Patients After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to disruptions in care for orthopaedic patients who underwent surgery just before the outbreak, rendering some unable to participate in standard postoperative care. Many of these patients underwent clinical follow-up and physical therapy via telehealth. Purpose: To evaluate the methods of postoperative care in patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) and had follow-ups during the height of the pandemic versus those who received prior standard of care. We aimed to compare the 1-year outcomes between these cohorts. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective chart review was used to identify patients who underwent primary RCR in February and March 2020 (COVID cohort) and the same period in 2019 (control cohort) at a single institution. Excluded were patients who underwent revision RCR, used workers' compensation, or were incarcerated or deceased. The included patients reported the postoperative care received, their satisfaction with care, physical therapy appointment type (in person, home based, telehealth, or self-guided), satisfaction with physical therapy, and minimum 1-year postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and Penn Shoulder Score (PSS) outcomes. Results: Overall, 428 patients were included for final analysis--199 in the COVID cohort and 229 controls. Follow-up data were collected for 160 patients in the COVID group (80.4%) and 169 control patients (73.8%). In the COVID group, 110 patients (68.8%) had ≥1 clinical visit conducted via telehealth, compared with zero in the control group. There were no differences between the COVID and control groups in the ASES (84.2 ± 16.5 vs 86.5 ± 17; P = .27 ), SANE (83.9 ± 15.4 vs 84.8 ± 17.5; P = .66), PSS (84.8 ± 15.3 vs 87.1 ± 15.1; P = .22), or patient satisfaction with the care received (81.7 ± 22.6 vs 86.3 ± 23.5; P = .09). Satisfaction with physical therapy was significantly higher in the control group (88.3 ± 18.9 vs 81.9 ± 22.5; P = .01). Conclusion: Despite disruptions in care, RCR patients had comparable 1-year outcomes during the pandemic versus before the pandemic. Telehealth clinical follow-up appointments did not adversely affect patient-reported outcome measures and may be appropriate for RCR patients beyond the pandemic.

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.].

Preoperative Patella Alta on Caton-Deschamps Index Is a Predictor of Outcome Following Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a preoperative Caton-Deschamps index (CDI) ≥ 1.30, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging, is associated with rates of postoperative instability, revision knee surgery, and patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing isolated medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. Methods: Patients who underwent primary medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) between 2015 and 2019 at a single institution were assessed. Only those with at least 2 year follow up were included. Patients who had undergone a previous ipsilateral knee surgery, concomitant tibial tubercle osteotomy and/or ligamentous repair/reconstruction at the time of MPFL reconstruction were excluded from the study. CDIs were evaluated by three investigators based on magnetic resonance imaging measurement. Patients with a CDI ≥ 1.30 were included in the patella alta group, while those with a CDI between 0.70 and 1.29 served as controls. A retrospective review of clinical notes was used to evaluate the number of postoperative instability episodes and revisions. Functional outcomes were measured by the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical and mental scores. Results: Overall, 49 patients (50 knees, 29 males, 59.2%) underwent isolated MPFLR. Nineteen (38.8%) patients had a CDI ≥ 1.30 (mean: 1.41, range: 1.30-1.66). The patella alta group was significantly more likely to experience a postoperative instability episode (36.8% vs 10.0%; P = .023) and was more likely to return to the operating room for any reason (26.3% vs 3.0%; P = .022) compared to those with normal patellar height. Despite this, the patella alta group had significantly greater postoperative IKDC (86.5 vs 72.4; P = .035) and SF-12 physical (54.2 vs 46.5; P = .006) scores. Pearson's correlation showed a significant association between CDI and postoperative IKDC (R 2 = 0.157; P = .022) and SF-12P (R 2 = .246; P = .002) scores. There was no difference in postoperative Lysholm (87.9 vs 85.1; P = .531). and SF-12M (48.9 vs 52.5; P = .425) scores between the groups. Conclusion: Patients with preoperative patella alta, as measured by CDI had higher rates of postoperative instability and return to the OR with isolated MPFL reconstruction for patellar instability. Despite this, higher preoperative CDI was associated with greater postoperative IKDC scores and SF-12 physical scores in these patients. Level of Evidence: Retrospective cohort study, Level IV.

Return to recreational sports participation following rotator cuff repair in adults over 40 Years of age: outcomes and return to play analysis.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of rotator cuff (RTC) tears in older adults, there is limited literature evaluating the return to recreational sport after repair. The purpose of this study was (1) to assess the patient-reported outcomes and return to sport rates following rotator cuff repair in patients aged more than 40 years with minimum 2-year follow-up; (2) to compare baseline, preoperative and postoperative outcomes, and level of play following repair of self-reported athletes with nonathletes; and (3) to compare return to sport rates in overhead athletes compared to nonoverhead athletes. Methods: Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between January 2016 and January 2019 were screened for inclusion. Inclusion criteria included (1) age more than 40 years at the time of surgery, (2) arthroscopic repair of a full thickness RTC tear, and (3) preoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES) available. Eligible patients were contacted and invited to fill out a custom return to sport and patient-reported outcome survey. Results: Overall, 375 of the 1141 eligible patients completed the survey instrument. There were 210 self-reported athletes (mean age 59.2 ± 9.55 years) and 165 nonathletes (mean age 62.0 ± 8.27 years) (P = .003). Of the athletes, 193 (91.9%) returned to sport. The average age of athletes was 59.4 ± 9.33 years for those who returned to sport and 57.9 ± 12.0 years for those who did not (P = .631). Athletes reported higher ASES scores than nonathletes both preoperatively (49.8 ± 20.3 vs. 44.8 ± 18.9, P = .015) and postoperatively (87.6 ± 16.7 vs. 84.9 ± 17.5, P = .036), but there was no difference in mean ASES improvement between groups (37.7 ± 23.0 vs. 40.3 ± 24.5, P = .307). There was no difference in postoperative Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores when comparing self-reported athletes to nonathletes (85.4 ± 17.5 vs. 85.0 ± 18.7, P = .836). After controlling for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status using a multivariate analysis, there was no difference in mean ASES improvement when comparing athletes to nonathletes. Conclusion: There is a high rate of return to sport activities (> 90%) in older adult recreational athletes following arthroscopic repair of full thickness RTC tears and rates of return to sport did not significantly differ for overhead and nonoverhead athletes. Self-reported athletes were noted to have higher baseline, preoperative, and postoperative ASES scores than nonathletes, but the mean ASES improvement following repair did not significantly differ between groups.