Evidence Guiding Commercial Payer Coverage Criteria for Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), first developed as an alternative to ankle arthrodesis, has become an increasingly popular management option for end-stage ankle arthritis. Prior studies have shown commercial insurance payers base their coverage criteria on limited and low level of evidence research. This study aims to quantify and describe the evidence insurance companies use to support TAA coverage policies. Methods: The top 11 national commercial health insurance payers for TAA were identified. A google search was performed to identify payer coverage policies. Policy documents were examined and cited references were classified by type of reference as well as reviewed for level of evidence (LOE). Specific coverage criteria for each individual payer were then extracted. Criteria were compared to assess for similarities among commercial payers. Finally, all references cited by each payer were examined to determine whether they mentioned the specific payer criteria. Results: Six of the 11 payers had accessible coverage policies. The majority of cited references were primary journal articles (145, 60.9%) and the majority of references cited (179, 75.2%) were level III or level IV evidence. We found significant homogeneity in coverage criteria among payers. In addition, cited sources inconsistently mentioned specific payer coverage criteria. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that commercial insurance payers rely on the relatively low level of currently available scientific evidence when formulating coverage policies for TAA use and adopt criteria that have not been thoroughly analyzed in the literature. More high level of evidence research is needed to help clinicians and insurance companies further refine indications for TAA so that patients who might benefit from the procedure are adequately covered. Level of Evidence: Level IV, review.

Evaluation of Spin in the Clinical Literature of Suture Tape Augmentation for Ankle Instability.

Background: Spin is defined as the use of specific reporting strategies to highlight the beneficial effect of a treatment despite nonsignificant results. The presence of spin in peer-reviewed literature can negatively impact clinical and research practices. The purpose of this study was to identify the quantity and types of spin present in primary studies and systematic reviews using suture tape augmentation for ankle instability as a model. Methods: This study was conducted per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Each abstract was assessed for the presence of the 15 most common types of spin. Extracted data included study title, authors, publication year, journal, level of evidence, study design, funding, reported adherence to PRISMA guidelines, and PROSPERO registration. Full texts of systematic reviews were used in the assessment of study quality per A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews Version 2 (AMSTAR 2). Results: Nineteen studies were included in the final sample. At least 1 type of spin was identified in each study except one (18 of 19, 94.7%). The most common type of spin observed was type 3 ("selective reporting or overemphasis on efficacy outcomes or analysis favoring the beneficial effect of the experimental intervention") (6 of 19, 31.6%), The second most reported category of spin was type 4 ("the conclusion claims safety based on non-statistically significant results with a wide confidence interval") (4 of 19, 21.1%). Among systematic reviews, we identified type 5 ("the conclusion claims the beneficial effect of the experimental treatment despite a high risk of bias in primary studies") in 4 out of 6 (66.7%) of the articles that were included. No significant associations were found between study characteristics and type of spin. Conclusion: In this exploration of the introduction of a new technology, we identified spin to be highly present in the abstracts of primary studies and systematic reviews concerning suture tape augmentation for ankle instability. Steps should be taken by scientific journals to ensure that spin is minimized in the abstract to accurately reflect the quality of the intervention.

Return to Sport Following Operative Treatment of Displaced Medial Sesamoid Fractures in NCAA Division I Football Players.

Level of Evidence: Level V.

Minimally Invasive Dorsal Cheilectomy and Hallux Metatarsal Phalangeal Joint Arthroscopy for the Treatment of Hallux Rigidus.

BACKGROUND: Hallux rigidus (HR) is a common source of forefoot pain and disability. For those who fail nonoperative treatment, minimally invasive dorsal cheilectomy (MIDC) is an increasingly popular alternative to the open approach with early positive results. Early failures may be due to lose bone debris from the MIDC as well as other intra-articular pathology that cannot be addressed with MIDC alone. Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthroscopy can be used in addition to MIDC to assess the joint after MIDC and address any intra-articular pathology while still maintaining the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. We report our clinical outcomes following MIDC combined with MTP arthroscopy. METHODS: From November 2017 to July 2020, a retrospective analysis of all MIDC cheilectomies with MTP arthroscopy performed by the 2 senior authors was done. Wound complications, infections, revision rates, need for future surgery, conversion to fusion rates, pre- and postoperative range of motion, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, time to return to normal shoe, intraoperative arthroscopic findings, and operative time were collected. Follow-up average was 16.5 months (range 3-33 months). RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were included with an average follow-up of 16.5 months. The average VAS score improved from 7.05 preoperatively to 0.75 postoperatively (P < .05). Average range of motion in dorsiflexion increased from 32 to 48 degrees (P < .05) and plantarflexion increased from 15 to 19 degrees plantarflexion (P < .05). All patients were weightbearing as tolerated immediately after surgery in a postoperative shoe and transitioned to a regular shoe at average of 2.1 weeks. We had no wound infections, wound complications, revision surgeries, tendon injuries or nerve damage. One patient required conversion to a fusion 3 years after the index procedure. Average tourniquet time was 30.39 minutes (range 17-60 minutes) and total average operating room time was 59.7 minutes (range 40-87 minutes). On arthroscopic evaluation of the MTP joint after MIDC, 100% of patients had bone debris, 100% had synovitis, 10% had loose bodies, and 30% had large cartilage flaps within the joint. CONCLUSION: MIDC and first MTP joint arthroscopy for treatment of hallux rigidus provide improved pain relief with minimal complications while still maintaining the benefits touted for minimally invasive operative procedures. Additionally, we have shown a high rate of intra-articular debris along with intra-articular pathology such as synovitis, loose chondral flaps, and loose bodies that exist after MIDC. This combined procedure has the potential for improving patient outcomes and may minimize risk of future revision surgeries compared with MIDC alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series study.

Suture Tape Augmentation in Lateral Ankle Ligament Surgery: Current Concepts Review.

Chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) is a condition that is characterized by persistent disability and recurrent ankle sprains while encompassing both functional and mechanical (laxity) instability. Failure of conservative treatment for CLAI often necessitates operative intervention to restore the stability of the ankle joint. The traditional or modified Broström techniques have been the gold standard operative approaches to address CLAI with satisfactory results; however, patients with generalized ligament laxity (GLL), prior unsuccessful repair, high body mass index, or high-demand athletes may experience suboptimal outcomes. Synthetic ligament constructs have been tested as an adjunct to orthopedic procedures to reinforce repaired or reconstructed ligaments or tendons with the hope of early mobilization, faster rehabilitation, and long-term prevention of instability. Suture tape augmentation is useful to address CLAI. Multiple operative techniques have been described. Because of the heterogeneity among the reported techniques and variability in postoperative rehabilitation protocols, it is difficult to evaluate whether the use of suture tape augmentation provides true clinical benefit in patients with CLAI. This review aims to provide a comprehensive outline of all the current techniques using suture tape augmentation for treatment of CLAI as well as present recent research aimed at guiding evidence-based protocols.

Posterior shoulder tightness can be a risk factor of scapular malposition: a cadaveric biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: Scapular malposition and posterior shoulder tightness are key pathologic processes in the shoulder of throwing athletes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of posterior capsule tightness, posterior rotator cuff muscle tightness, or both on scapular position. METHODS: Ten shoulders from 5 fresh frozen cadaveric male torsos were tested in maximum internal, neutral, and maximum external shoulder rotations at 0°, 45°, and 90° of shoulder abduction. Scapular rotation-namely, upward and downward rotation, internal and external rotation, and anterior and posterior tilt-and the scapula-spine distance were measured by using a MicroScribe digitizer (Revware, Raleigh, NC, USA). Each shoulder underwent 4 experimental stages: intact; isolated posterior rotator cuff muscle (infraspinatus and teres minor) tightness; both posterior rotator cuff muscle and capsule tightness; and isolated posterior capsule tightness. RESULTS: Posterior muscle tightness significantly decreased upward rotation (P< .05) only in maximum shoulder internal rotation at 45° or 90° of shoulder abduction, whereas posterior capsule tightness did not affect upward rotation (P= .09 to .96). Posterior capsule tightness significantly increased scapular internal rotation (P< .01), but posterior muscle tightness did not change scapular internal rotation (P= .62 to .89). Posterior capsule tightness significantly increased both the superior and inferior scapula-spine distance (ie, caused scapular protraction) in maximum shoulder external rotation at 90° of abduction (P< .01). CONCLUSION: Posterior shoulder tightness resulted in scapular malposition. However, the muscular and capsular components of that tightness affected the scapular position differently. For the treatment of scapula malposition, stretching of the posterior shoulder capsule and muscles is recommended.

A biomechanical cadaveric study comparing superior capsule reconstruction using fascia lata allograft with human dermal allograft for irreparable rotator cuff tear.

BACKGROUND: Biomechanical and clinical success of the superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) using fascia lata (FL) grafts has been reported. In the United States, human dermal (HD) allograft has been used successfully for SCRs; however, the biomechanical characteristics have not been reported. METHODS: Eight cadaveric shoulders were tested in 5 conditions: (1) intact; (2) irreparable supraspinatus tear; (3) SCR using FL allograft with anterior and posterior suturing; (4) SCR using HD allograft with anterior and posterior suturing; and (5) SCR using HD allograft with posterior suturing. Rotational range of motion, superior translation, glenohumeral joint force, and subacromial contact were measured at 0°, 30°, and 60° of glenohumeral abduction in the scapular plane. Graft dimensions before and after testing were also recorded. Biomechanical parameters were compared using a repeated-measures analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc test, and graft dimensions were compared using a Student t-test (P < .05). RESULTS: Irreparable supraspinatus tear significantly increased superior translation, superior glenohumeral joint force, and subacromial contact pressure, which were completely restored with the SCR FL allografts. Both SCR HD allograft repairs partially restored superior translation and completely restored subacromial contact and superior glenohumeral joint force. The HD allografts significantly elongated by 15% during testing, whereas the FL allograft lengths were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Single-layered HD SCR allografts partially restored superior glenohumeral stability, whereas FL allograft SCR completely restored the superior glenohumeral stability. This may be due to the greater flexibility of the HD allograft, and the SCR procedure used was developed on the basis of FL grafts.

Knotless Transosseous-Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair Improves Biomechanical Self-reinforcement Without Diminishing Footprint Contact Compared With Medial Knotted Repair.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of medial-row knots on self-reinforcement and footprint contact characteristics for transosseous-equivalent repair compared with the same construct without knots. METHODS: In 8 fresh-frozen human shoulders, transosseous-equivalent repairs with and without medial-row mattress knots were performed in each specimen. A pressure sensor was fixed at the tendon-footprint interface for all repairs. Parameters measured included footprint contact area, force, and pressure. The supraspinatus tendon was loaded sequentially from 0 to 60 N at 0° and 30° of abduction. RESULTS: Both repairs provided a linear progression (slope) of footprint force and pressure as increasing tendon loads were applied. However, the knotless repair had a significantly higher progression ("self-reinforcement" effect) than the knotted repair at both abduction angles (P = .006 at 0° and P = .021 at 30°). The addition of medial-row knots did not significantly change the footprint contact area (in square millimeters), contact force (in newtons), contact pressure (in kilopascals), or peak pressure (in kilopascals) at each load tested, as well as at both abduction angles. For a given repair, only the knotless repair had significant decreases in contact area, contact force, contact pressure, and peak pressure with increasing abduction angles from 0° to 30° (P = .004 and P = .048). CONCLUSIONS: Knotless transosseous-equivalent repair shows an improved self-reinforcement effect, without diminishing footprint contact, compared with the same repair with medial knots. Although knotless repair itself can show diminished footprint contact with abduction, medial knots show an adverse biomechanical effect by inhibiting self-reinforcement, without improving contact characteristics compared with knotless repair at each abduction angle tested. Clinical outcomes with specific indications, on the basis of these findings, require further investigation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study biomechanically helps to validate studies that have shown clinical success with knotless transosseous-equivalent repair. The inhibition of self-reinforcement may provide a quantified biomechanical rationale for medial tear patterns seen with knotted repairs.

Partial-thickness tears involving the rotator cable lead to abnormal glenohumeral kinematics.

HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to determine the biomechanical function of the rotator cable when a partial-thickness (>50%) tear is present. We compared intact specimens with partial tears of the anterior cable followed by partial anterior and posterior tears in regard to glenohumeral kinematics and translation. The hypothesis was that partial-thickness tears will lead to abnormal glenohumeral biomechanics, including glenohumeral translation and path of glenohumeral articulation. METHODS: Five fresh frozen cadaveric shoulders with intact labrum, rotator cuff, and humerus were tested using a custom shoulder testing system in the scapular plane. Glenohumeral translation was measured after applying an anterior load of 30 N at different angles of external rotation. The path of glenohumeral articulation was measured by calculating the humeral head center with respect to the glenoid articular surface at 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of external rotation. RESULTS: With an anterior force of 30 N, there was a significant increase in anterior and total translation at 30° of external rotation after the anterior cable was cut (P < .05). When the tear was extended to the posterior cable, there was a significant increase in anterior, inferior, and total translation at 30° and 120° of external rotation (P < .05). With respect to the path of glenohumeral articulation , the humeral head apex was shifted superiorly at 90° and 120° of external rotation after the posterior cable was cut (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Partial-thickness articular-sided rotator cuff tears with a thickness >50% involving the rotator cable increased glenohumeral translation and changed kinematics in our cadaveric biomechanical model.

Biomechanical Effects of Capsular Shift in the Treatment of Hip Microinstability: Creation and Testing of a Novel Hip Instability Model.

BACKGROUND: A capsular shift procedure has been described for the treatment of hip instability; however, the biomechanical effects of such a shift are unknown. PURPOSE: To create a cadaveric model of hip capsule laxity and evaluate the biomechanical effects of a capsular shift used to treat hip instability on this model. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eight cadaveric hips with an average age of 58.5 years were tested with a custom hip testing system in 6 conditions: intact, vented, instability, capsulotomy, side-to-side repair, and capsular shift. To create the hip model, the capsule was stretched in extension under 35 N·m of torque for 1 hour in neutral rotation. Measurements included internal and external rotation with 1.5 N·m of torque at 5 positions: 5° of extension and 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° of flexion for each of the above conditions. The degree of maximum extension with 5 N·m of torque and the amount of femoral distraction with 40 N and 80 N of force were measured. Statistical analysis was performed by use of repeated-measures analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc analysis. RESULTS: The instability state significantly increased internal rotation at all flexion angles and increased distraction compared with the intact state. The capsulotomy condition resulted in significantly increased external rotation and internal rotation at all positions, increased distraction, and maximum extension compared with the intact state. The side-to-side repair condition restored internal rotation back to the instability state but not to the intact state at 5° of extension and 0° of flexion. The capsular shift state significantly decreased internal rotation compared with the instability state at 5° of extension and 0° and 15° of flexion. The capsular shift and side-to-side repair conditions had similar effects on external rotation at all flexion-extension positions. The capsular shift state decreased distraction and maximum extension compared with the instability state, but the side-to-side repair state did not. CONCLUSION: The hip capsular instability model was shown to have significantly greater total range of motion, external rotation, and extension compared with the intact condition. The greatest effects of capsular shift are seen with internal rotation, maximum extension, and distraction, with minimal effect on external rotation compared with the side-to side repair state. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The biomechanical effects of the capsular shift procedure indicate that it can be used to treat hip capsular laxity by decreasing extension and distraction with minimal effect on external rotation.

Intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia induce pulmonary artery atherosclerosis and ventricular dysfunction in low density lipoprotein receptor deficient mice.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea, who experience episodic hypoxia and hypercapnia during sleep, often demonstrate increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and dyslipidemia. We hypothesized that sleep apnea patients would be predisposed to the development of atherosclerosis. To dissect the mechanisms involved, we developed an animal model in mice whereby we expose mice to intermittent hypoxia/hypercapnia (IHH) in normobaric environments. Two- to three-month-old low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (Ldlr(-/-)) mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8 or 16 wk while being exposed to IHH for either 10 h/day or 24 h/day. Plasma lipid levels, pulmonary artery and aortic atherosclerotic lesions, and cardiac function were then assayed. Surprisingly, atherosclerosis in the aorta of IHH mice was similar compared with controls. However, in IHH mice, atherosclerosis was markedly increased in the trunk and proximal branches of the pulmonary artery of exposed mice; even though plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were lower than in controls. Hemodynamic analysis revealed that right ventricular maximum pressure and isovolumic relaxation constant were significantly increased in IHH exposed mice and left ventricular % fractional shortening was reduced. In conclusion, 1) Intermittent hypoxia/hypercapnia remarkably accelerated atherosclerotic lesions in the pulmonary artery of Ldlr(-/-) mice and 2) increased lesion formation in the pulmonary artery was associated with right and left ventricular dysfunction. These findings raise the possibility that patients with obstructive sleep apnea may be susceptible to atherosclerotic disease in the pulmonary vasculature, an observation that has not been previously recognized.