Biomechanical evaluation of the risk of secondary fracture around short versus long cephalomedullary nails.

INTRODUCTION: For proximal femur fractures, long cephalomedullary nails (CMNs) are often selected to avoid a diaphyseal stress riser at the tip of a shorter nail. Secondary peri-implant fracture rates for long and short CMN have not been shown to differ clinically. This study biomechanically compares both CMN in a cadaveric model. METHODS: Ten matched pairs of cadaveric femora with short or long CMN were axially loaded and internally rotated to failure. RESULTS: Resulting fractures involved distal interlocking screws of the short and long CMN. Energy and rotation to failure were significantly greater for short CMN. Torque at failure trended higher for short CMN but not significantly. No statistical difference was detected in stiffness of the short and long CMN. DISCUSSION: A greater risk of secondary fracture is not indicated for short versus long CMN under torsional stress. Short CMN may be suitable in the younger patient.

Acetabular Dysplasia in Middle-Aged Patients: Periacetabular Osteotomy or Total Hip Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Treatment of middle-aged patients with acetabular dysplasia is challenging because of mild osteoarthritis, long life span, high activity level, and sports participation. Both periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) provide pain relief, improve function, and can last over 2 decades. We compare the 2 procedures for functional outcome (including sports participation), pain relief, and morbidity. METHODS: We compared patients in the 30-50 years age group with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia who underwent PAO (n = 14) or THA (n = 14) with minimum 4-year follow-up. We compared postoperative activity (modified Harris Hip Score, high activity arthroplasty score, and modified Merle d'Aubigné-Postel Score) and sports participation (Tegner and University of California Los Angeles activity scores) in the 2 groups. Morbidity was compared by durations of postoperative pain >4/10, narcotic use, use of gait aids, and time to return to normal activities. RESULTS: Sports participation and function scores improved after surgery in both groups without significant intergroup difference at minimum 4-year follow-up. Patients with PAO had longer duration of postoperative pain (P = .01) and used gait aids longer (P = .04) than patients with THA. There were 3 minor reoperations in the PAO group and none in the THA group. CONCLUSIONS: PAO and THA both produce comparable improvement in sports participation and function. PAO was associated with longer durations of pain and use of gait aids. These findings may be important in the decision-making process in middle-aged patients with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia.

There is No Difference in Return to Duty Following the Latarjet With Subscapularis Split Versus Tenotomy Technique in the Military Population.

Purpose: To evaluate the return to duty rates between subscapularis split versus subscapularis tenotomy approach to the Latarjet procedure in an active-duty military population. Methods: A total of 46 patients were identified. Thirty-six (87.8%) were able to be contacted and included in the study. Operative technique, time to return to duty, and postoperative range of motion were collected. Patients were contacted telephonically to collect information on recurrent dislocation and time to pass first physical fitness test postoperatively. The primary outcome was time to return to full-duty status designated by passing a Physical Fitness Test. Secondary outcomes were redislocations and final range of motion. Results: In total, 36 of 41 (87.8%) patients were able to be contacted. There was no difference in return to duty rates designated by completion of first Physical Fitness Test for both groups (P = .23). In the subscapularis split group, 22 of 23 patients returned to full-duty at an average of 8.0 months versus the tenotomy group, with 12 of 13 patients returned to full-duty at an average of 8.7 months. There was also no difference with re-dislocation incidence for both groups of 0.08 (P = .45). Both groups had one patient each who was unable to return to full duty. There were no differences in postoperative forward flexion and external rotation, but abduction was 9° higher in the split compared to the tenotomy group (P = .03). Conclusions: In the military patient with anterior glenohumeral instability, the Latarjet using the subscapularis split and subscapularis tenotomy approach demonstrate similar return to duty rates and similar duration to pass a standardized fitness assessment. There was no clinically significant difference in postoperative range of motion. Both approaches produce similar results clinically; and should be chosen based on surgeon preference. Level of Evidence: III, retrospective cohort study.

2-year postoperative evaluation of a patient with a symptomatic full-thickness patellar cartilage defect repaired with particulated juvenile cartilage tissue.

This case report describes the early results of a 36-year-old man who underwent repair of a symptomatic full-thickness patellar cartilage defect with transplanted particulated juvenile articular cartilage. At 2 years postoperatively, the patient has experienced substantial clinical improvement in both pain and function when evaluated with both International Knee Documentation Committee subjective evaluation and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score outcome measures. Two-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates fill of the defect with repair tissue and near complete resolution of preoperative subchondral bone edema. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this case report is the first to report clinical results of this new technique at 2 years postoperatively.

Closed rupture of flexor digitorum profundus in zone III.

Closed ruptures of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon cause a loss of active flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint. Commonly referred to as a 'jersey finger' because of its association with tackling sports, the distal aspect of FDP is avulsed from its insertion on the distal phalanx in zone I, with or without a fragment of bone. Because of this classic injury mechanism and pattern, providers may not seek advanced imaging beyond plain radiographs. Although rare, injury to FDP more proximally may occur. More often this injury is associated with a weak underlying tendon because of repetitive microtrauma or anomalous anatomy, for example. We present a case of a closed rupture of the FDP in zone III, and stress the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion and the potential use of adjunct ultrasound imaging to localise the site of injury.

Introduction of neurosupportive cells into processed acellular nerve allografts results in greater number and more even distribution when injected compared to soaking techniques.

OBJECTIVES: Processing necessary to remove immunogenic components of nerve allograft renders it acellular. Seeding with supportive cells may improve axon regeneration. We aim to identify the method associated with implantation of the greatest volume and most even distribution of cells. METHODS: Hypodermic needle injection was compared to soaking in solution under both normal and pressurized conditions after micropuncture of the allograft. Distribution within the allograft was measured using an in vitro model of fluorescent beads, as well as cultured Schwann cells. RESULTS: Injection treatment resulted in larger volumes and a more uniform cross-sectional distribution of implanted cells. Beads and cells behaved similarly relative to the measured outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Injection instills more cells in a more uniform distribution. In vivo testing may evaluate whether these techniques vary relative to cell survival, cell migration, and clinical outcomes. Size- and concentration-matched fluorescent beads may represent a viable model for analyzing cell implantation.

Group B Streptococcal Septic Arthritis of the Shoulder and Potential Association with Pelvic Examination and PAP Smear.

Group B streptococcal (GBS) infection of a native joint in a nonpregnant adult is uncommon. While many women are colonized with this flora, it rarely becomes pathogenic in its adult host. GBS associated joint infections have been reported, most of which have been related to hematogenous seeding from unknown sources. To our knowledge, there are no published case reports of a GBS joint infection in association with a pelvic exam and Papanicolaou (PAP) smear. In this case report, we present a case of GBS sepsis of a native shoulder, possibly resulting from a routine pelvic exam and PAP smear.