The influence of posterior acromial morphology on outcomes and return to pushups in young patients undergoing arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair.

Background: Prior evidence has identified specific posterior acromial morphology as significantly associated with unidirectional posterior shoulder instability. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of posterior acromial morphology on the outcomes of arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair (APCLR) for unidirectional posterior shoulder instability. Additionally, we sought to determine the influence of posterior acromial morphology on the rate and time to return to pushups following APCLR. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. The study included consecutive patients undergoing APCLR. Data collected included demographics, radiographic measurements including posterior acromial height (PAH) and posterior acromial tilt on preoperative scapular-Y radiographs, and patient-reported outcome measures at the preoperative and postoperative visits. In addition, starting at 6 months postoperative, patients were asked if they could perform pushups defined as at least 10 repetitions. At the final follow-up, we collected the number of pushups patients were able to perform. Results: Thirty-two consecutive patients underwent APCLR with a mean follow-up of 26 months (range, 12-41). Significant improvement from preoperative to 2 years postoperative was demonstrated in Subjective Shoulder Value (50-85), VAS (6-2.5), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (48 to 83), and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) (1437-777), P = .001. The recurrent instability rate was 3/32 (9%). Patients with PAH > 23 (N = 17) had a recurrent instability rate of 18% (3/17) versus PAH ≤ 23 (N = 15) 0% (0/15), worse WOSI scores (P = .41), and a lower number of pushups (P = .48). The percentage of patients reporting the ability to perform pushups was (6 months/1 year/2 years) (50%/78%/95%). The mean number of pushups reported at the final follow-up was 33 (range, 1-60). Discussion: Following APCLR, approximately 50% of patients resume pushups at 6 months postoperatively, and 80% return at 1 year. Patients reported performing a mean of 33 pushups following APCLR at the final follow-up. Patients with a PAH greater than 23 on preoperative scapular-Y radiographs had a higher rate of recurrent posterior instability, worse WOSI scores, and lower return to pushups; however, the results did not meet statistical significance. Therefore, future larger studies are needed to determine if posterior acromial morphology is independently associated with worse outcomes and increased recurrent instability rates following APCLR.

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.

Autograft-Only and Allograft-Augmented Hamstring Autograft Have Similar Failure Rates After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Purpose: To compare failure rates and clinical outcomes after hamstring autograft anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with and without allograft augmentation by a single surgeon otherwise using the same surgical technique. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis with prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes of primary hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction with and without allograft augmentation performed in a military population by a single surgeon. The primary outcome measure was graft failure, defined as graft rupture confirmed by use of magnetic resonance imaging scans and/or revision ACL reconstruction. The secondary outcome measure was the postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Results: This study included 112 patients with a mean follow-up period of 65.3 months. In patients with a graft diameter of 8 mm or greater, there was no difference in failure rates (9.4% for autograft only vs 6.3% for hybrid, P = .59). There was a higher failure rate in patients in the autograft-only group with a graft diameter of less than 8 mm (29.4%) when compared with the hybrid graft group (6.3%, P = .008). There were no hybrid grafts less than 8 mm in diameter. There were no differences in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score between groups as long as the graft diameter was 8 mm or greater. Conclusions: In patients undergoing hamstring ACL reconstruction, there was no significant difference in graft failure rates or outcome scores between autograft only and autograft with allograft augmentation as long as grafts were 8 mm or greater. High failure rates were seen when the graft diameter was less than 8 mm. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Rate and time to return to shooting following arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery.

Background: There is limited information on return to shooting following shoulder surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine the rate and timing for resuming shooting a rifle following shoulder surgery. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. The study included patients undergoing arthroscopic and open shoulder stabilization for unidirectional shoulder instability, and arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff tears, SLAP lesions, biceps tendinopathy, and acromioclavicular pathology. Data collected included the laterality of surgery, shooting dominance, and patient-reported outcome measures at the preoperative and postoperative visits. Starting at the 4.5-month clinic visit, patients were asked if they could shoot a military rifle. Results: One hundred patients were identified with arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery with a mean age of 30 years (range, 18-45) and a mean follow-up of 24 months (range, 12-32). The cohort consisted of patients undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair (n = 23), arthroscopic posterior labral repair (n = 18), open Latarjet (n = 16), mini-open subpectoral biceps tenodesis (OBT) (n = 25), OBT with open distal clavicle resection (DCR) (n = 10), open DCR (n = 4), and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with concomitant OBT (n = 4). Significant improvement in SSV, VAS, ASES, and WOSI was shown at 1-year postoperative, SSV 85, VAS 2, ASES 85, WOSI 239, P = .001. The percentage of patients reporting the ability to shoot a military rifle postoperatively were 47%, 63%, 85%, and 94% at 4.5 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. At 4.5 months postoperatively, patients who underwent surgery ipsilateral to their shooting dominance (n = 59) had a rate of return to shooting (33%) versus shoulder surgery on the contralateral side of shooting dominance (n = 41) (60%), P = .04. However, there was no significant difference in the groups at 6 months and 1 year. Additionally, there was a significant difference in the rate of return to shooting at 6 months in patients undergoing arthroscopic posterior labral repair versus the remainder of the cohort (posterior instability (33%) vs. (69%), P = .016), and a significant difference between posterior shoulder stabilization and anterior shoulder stabilization (70%), P = .03. Conclusion: Patients undergoing arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery have a high rate of return to shooting. Approximately 60% of patients resume shooting at 6 months postoperatively and 85% return at 1 year. Patients undergoing shoulder surgery on the contralateral side of their shooting dominance return to shooting significantly faster than those with shoulder surgery ipsilateral to their shooting dominance. Additionally, those undergoing arthroscopic posterior shoulder stabilization return to shooting at a slower rate than anterior stabilization surgery.

High Incidence of Anterior Shoulder Pain in Young Athletes Undergoing Arthroscopic Posterior Labral Repair for Posterior Shoulder Instability.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to determine the incidence of anterior shoulder pain in young athletes undergoing arthroscopic posterior labral repair for symptomatic unidirectional posterior shoulder instability and in patients with preoperative anterior shoulder pain treated without biceps tenodesis at the time of arthroscopic posterior labral repair who underwent a revision biceps tenodesis procedure at short-term follow up. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at a single institution over a 24-month period. The study included young patients who underwent an arthroscopic posterior labral repair for symptomatic unidirectional posterior shoulder instability. The electronic medical record, magnetic resonance arthrograms, and arthroscopic images were reviewed to exclude patients with posterior labral tears with anterior labral tear or SLAP (superior labrum anterior-to-posterior) tear extension on advanced imaging and arthroscopic examination. Data collected included the presence of preoperative tenderness to palpation of the biceps tendon in the groove, the results of a preoperative Speed test, postoperative Subjective Shoulder Value, the presence of postoperative anterior shoulder pain, and the need for a secondary biceps tenodesis. RESULTS: We identified 65 patients who underwent arthroscopic labral repair for posterior shoulder instability. From this cohort, 26 patients with symptomatic unidirectional posterior shoulder instability underwent an arthroscopic posterior labral repair. The incidence of preoperative anterior shoulder pain with Zone 2 biceps groove tenderness and a positive Speed test was identified in 20 of 26 patients (76.9%). Of 26 patients, 5 (19%) had concomitant biceps tenodesis. The median postoperative Subjective Shoulder Value was 80 (interquartile range, 60-90) at median follow-up of 2.1 years. Of the 20 patients with preoperative anterior shoulder pain, 8 of 20 (40%) reported persistent anterior pain. One patient (4.7%) underwent a secondary biceps tenodesis. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of anterior shoulder pain and Zone 2 biceps groove tenderness in patients undergoing isolated arthroscopic posterior labral repair for unidirectional posterior shoulder instability. At short-term follow-up, few patients required a secondary biceps tenodesis procedure; however, 30% of patients had persistent anterior shoulder pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective diagnostic case series.

Editorial Commentary: Radiographic Measurements of Knee Joint Space Are Inadequate for Demonstrating Chondral Restoration.

Orthopaedic advancements into the 21st century will increasingly focus on chondral restoration to either halt or reverse degenerative processes. Researchers and clinicians will need tools beyond patient-reported outcomes to measure the effectiveness of these treatment efforts. The use of joint space width (JSW) as a surrogate for chondral restoration is inadequate. At a minimum, such observations must standardize load transmission across the joint to be useful. Simple, readily available, standardized, and clinically useful measures of knee chondral restoration would facilitate and accelerate advances in the field. For now, it may be that improvement in JSW after chondral restoration could be attributable to changes in mechanical alignment of the knee and not the chondral restoration. JSW is an inadequate surrogate for chondral restoration, and anyone doing a stress radiograph of a unicompartmental degenerative knee recognizes this point.

Intraoperative Identification of Clavicle Fracture Patterns: Do Clavicles Fail in a Predictable Pattern?

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the fracture pattern and pattern of fragmentation for displaced, midshaft clavicle fractures undergoing operative management. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Two institutions. Level 1 and Level 2 Trauma Centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three patients who underwent operative repair of midshaft clavicle fracture. INTERVENTION: All clavicles were treated by operative open reduction internal fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: All clavicles were categorized by the Robinson classification based on injury plain film bilateral upright clavicle radiographs. In addition, intraoperative fracture characteristics of fragment length and location were measured and recorded to evaluate the fracture pattern. All fractures were analyzed to determine the frequency of segmental comminution versus length-stable patterns, analyze characteristics of butterfly fragment size, number and location as well as the location of the cortical read for those length-stable fractures. RESULTS: Analysis revealed 55% were Robinson 2B2 based on preoperative radiographs. Length-stable, anatomic reduction was achievable in 83%. For those in which an anatomic cortical read was achievable, 97.7% had a read present in the posterior-superior aspect of the clavicle. CONCLUSIONS: Midshaft clavicle fractures that meet conventional criteria for operative repair occur in a predictable manner with butterfly fragments generated from anterior-inferior compression and simple fracture line generated from tension along the posterior-superior aspect of the clavicle. Understanding this pattern can assist in the in surgical planning.

High Resiliency Linked to Short-Term Patient Reported Outcomes and Return to Duty Following Arthroscopic Knee Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Resilience is a psychometric construct of a patient's ability to recover from adversity and has been used to predict outcomes but its use in orthopedics has been limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between resilience and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patient who underwent sports knee surgery at a single institution performed by 6 orthopedic surgeons from January 2017 to December 2017. We included active-duty patients with complete preoperative outcomes and a minimum of 6 month follow-up. All patients completed the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Veteran's Rand-12 (VR-12), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 43 (PROMIS-43), International Knee Documentation Committee function score (IKDC), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Patients were divided into low resilience (LR) and high resilience (HR) groups based on a score of less than 24 for low and greater than or equal to 24 according to BRS. Outcomes were then compared. RESULTS: We identified 50 active-duty patients who had complete preoperative and postoperative outcomes at a minimum of 6 months. Mean preoperative and postoperative BRS were significantly different (25.8 HR v 18.6 LR, p < 0.001). We found a difference in postop KOOS in pain, sports, and short form (pain 70.9 HR v 55.7 LR, p = 0.03; sports 50.3 HR v 32.2 LR, p = 0.03; short form (72.1 HR v 62.5 LR, p = 0.04). Similarly, there was a significant difference in postoperative IKDC score (58.0 HR v 44.0 LR, p = 0.03). Similarly we found significant differences in postoperative PROMIS-43 (anxiety 44.4 HR v 60.3 LR, p = 0.004; depression 41.6 HR v 58.1 LR, p = 0.004; fatigue 45.1 HR v 58.6 LR, p = 0.001; sleep 52.6 HR v 62.5 LR, p = 0.02; social participation 36.2 HR v 47.6 LR, p < 0.001). Postoperative VR-12 mental was also statistically different between the two groups (53.5 HR v 41.6 LR; p = 0.01). In addition, 2.3% of the HR group changed MOS as a result of their sports knee surgery compared to 22.2% of the LR group. CONCLUSIONS: Active-military patients with high preoperative resilience appear to have significantly better early postoperative outcomes following sports knee surgery in terms of PROMIS-43, KOOS, and IKDC. There was also a lower rate of changing MOS secondary to sports knee surgery in patients with high resilience.

Epidemiology of Existing Extensor Mechanism Pathology in Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures in an Active-Duty Population.

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of potential graft-influencing pathologies of the extensor mechanism of the knee in patients presenting with a primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. We performed a retrospective review of the plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of all active-duty patients presenting with a primary ACL rupture at our institution between July 2006 and February 2009. Imaging was reviewed to determine the presence of a multipartite patella, unresolved Osgood-Schlatter's disease, and/or radiographic evidence suggestive of patella tendinopathy. A total of 197 patients were reviewed, including 27 females and 170 males. One patient (0.5%) had a bipartite patella and 4 patients (2%) had free-floating ossicles about the tibial tuberosity consistent with unresolved Osgood-Schlatter's disease. A total of 15 patients (7.6%) showed MRI evidence suggestive of patella tendinopathy. This study revealed 20 patients out of 197 (10.1%) who presented with existing extensor mechanism pathologies in radiologic studies. While preoperative imaging is routinely used to confirm clinical suspicion of ACL rupture or identify associated injuries, this study shows that it can also identify existing extensor mechanism pathologies that could ultimately influence the use of an extensor mechanism graft.

Accuracy of radiographic determination of the posterior femoral wall integrity in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of radiographs in determining integrity of the posterior femoral cortex following ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Fifty adult volunteers undergoing primary arthroscopic transtibial ACL reconstructions were prospectively enrolled into this study. Plain radiographs and fine-cut CT of the operative knee were obtained post-operatively. Three blinded orthopaedic surgeons were asked to measure the distance from the femoral tunnel to the posterior cortex on lateral radiographs. Inter/intra-observer reliabilities were assessed with the interclass correlation coefficient. The true measurement of the posterior wall was determined on CT. For each, a measurement was made at the aperture, 5 mm, and 10 mm along the tunnel. Plain radiographic measurements were compared to the CT measurement of back wall using a paired t-test. RESULTS: All measurements made on the lateral radiograph were significantly different from those from the respective CT scans for each surgeon (p < 0.0001) at all points. When radiographic measurements were compared to CT at the level of the intra-articular aperture, 29 subjects showed violation of the posterior cortex, with only one being identified on plain films. At 5 mm, 7 subjects demonstrated posterior cortical violation, and none were identified on lateral radiographs. The posterior cortex remained intact in all cases at 10 mm. CONCLUSION: Lateral radiographs of the knee are insufficient for evaluation of the posterior cortical integrity following primary ACL reconstruction. Direct visualization of the femoral tunnel remains the gold standard for evaluation of the posterior wall and may be supplemented by CT scan if there remains concern over graft fixation.

Pectoralis Major Tendon Insertion Anatomy and Description of a Novel Anatomic Reference.

Pectoralis major rupture is an uncommon injury often treated surgically, requiring anatomic knowledge of the tendon insertion. This study defines the pectoralis major tendon insertion footprint and a novel anatomic relationship. Twelve cadaver shoulders were evaluated andmeasured using a standard surgical ruler to demonstrate the normal anatomic footprint. Measurements were taken from the anterior medial margin of the articular surface of the humeral head to the superior margin of the pectoralis major insertion and its relation to the latissimus dorsi tendon insertion. The average length and width of the pectoralis major insertion were 73.3 ± 10.0 mm and 3.3 ± 0.54 mm, respectively, consistent with previous publications. On average, the superior margin of the pectoralis tendon was within 1 mm of the latissimus dorsi insertion and 41.2 ± 9.27 mm from the articular margin. These points form a new anatomic reference of the latissimus dorsi, providing an intraoperative reference point when performing pectoralis major muscle tendon repair. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(1):39-41, 2018).

Three-Year Analysis of Value and Utilization After Development of an Ultrasound-Based Orthopedic Injection Clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Sonography is an effective method of diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, and the use of ultrasound has been shown to improve the accuracy, safety, and efficacy of both therapeutic and diagnostic injections. In 2012, we established an injection clinic at our institution to address our growing need for diagnostic and therapeutic injections. METHODS: We performed an analysis of value and utilization following the development of an orthopedic injection clinic. This included an evaluation of the cost of materials, equipment, and training required to develop and run the clinic, and an analysis of the services rendered and relative value units (RVUs) generated over 3 fiscal years (FYs). RESULTS: The cost to develop the clinic was $42,498.30. The cost to run the clinic thereafter was $16.90 to $21.60 per injection. By the end of FY 2012, 60% of providers performed at least 1 injection under ultrasound guidance. Every successive year thereafter, 100% of providers were using ultrasound guidance. In FY 2012, we performed 738 injections, 5.4% used ultrasound guidance and generated a total of 1,786.36 RVUs. In FY 2013, we performed 1,814 injections, 17.6% used ultrasound guidance, and generated a total of 7,224.5 RVUs. In FY 2014, we performed 2,821 injections, 25.2% used ultrasound guidance, and generated 13,786.82 RVUs. RVUs generated solely from ultrasound guided injections were 463.2 (2012), 3,694 (2013), 8,221.8 (2014). Injection accuracy was at least 98%. Average time until injection was 0 days. CONCLUSION: The cost to start an injection clinic is modest, with the potential for large annual growth and early return on investment, and can generate significant revenue by recapturing RVUs that would otherwise be lost to outside referrals. Furthermore, it helps to increase clinic throughput, maximize services rendered during a single patient visit improving the overall quality of their encounter, expands the clinical practice of our midlevel providers, offloads clinical time for surgical providers, and can help expedite clinical decision making.

Biomechanical Evaluation of Unicortical Stress Risers of the Proximal Humerus Associated With Pectoralis Major Repair.

Proximal humerus fracture after pectoralis major tendon repair has been recently reported. Although this complication is rare, it may be possible to decrease such risk using newer techniques for myotenodesis. This study was designed to evaluate various unicortical stress risers created at the proximal humeral metadiaphysis during myotenodesis for repair of pectoralis major ruptures. A simulated pectoralis major myotenodesis was performed using fourth-generation Sawbones (N=30). Using previously described anatomic landmarks for the tendinous insertion, 3 repair techniques were compared: bone trough, tenodesis screws, and suture anchors (N=10 each). Combined compression and torsional load was sequentially increased until failure. Linear and rotational displacement data were collected. The average number of cycles before reaching terminal failure was 383 for the bone trough group, 658 for the tenodesis group, and 832 for the suture anchor group. Both the tenodesis and the suture anchor groups were significantly more resistant to fracture than the bone trough group (P<.001). The suture anchor group was significantly more resistant to fracture than the tenodesis group (P<.001). All test constructs failed in rotational stability, producing spiral fractures, which incorporated the unicortical defects in all cases. When tested under physiologic parameters of axial compression and torsion, failure occurred from rotational force, producing spiral fractures, which incorporated the unicortical stress risers in all cases. The intramedullary suture anchor configuration proved to be the most stable construct under combined axial and torsional loading. Using a bone trough technique for proximal humerus myotenodesis may increase postoperative fracture risk. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):e801-e805.].

Refuting the lipstick sign.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic examination of the tendon has been described as the "gold standard" for diagnosis of tendinitis of the long head of the biceps (LHB). An arthroscopic finding of an inflamed and hyperemic LHB within the bicipital groove has been described as the "lipstick sign." Studies evaluating direct visualization in diagnosis of LHB tendinitis are lacking. METHODS: During a 1-year period, 363 arthroscopic shoulder procedures were performed, with 16 and 39 patients prospectively selected as positive cases and negative controls, respectively. All positive controls had groove tenderness, positive Speed maneuver, and diagnostic ultrasound-guided bicipital injection. Negative controls had none of these findings. Six surgeons reviewed randomized deidentified arthroscopic pictures of enrolled patients The surgeons were asked whether the images demonstrated LHB tendinitis and if the lipstick sign was present. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity and specificity were 49% and 66%, respectively, for detecting LHB tendinitis and 64% and 31%, respectively, for erythema. The nonweighted κ score for interobserver reliability ranged from 0.042 to 0.419 (mean, 0.215 ± 0.116) for tendinitis and from 0.486 to 0.835 (mean, 0.680 ± 0.102) for erythema. The nonweighted κ score for intraobserver reliability ranged from 0.264 to 0.854 (mean, 0.615) for tendinitis and from 0.641 to 0.951 (mean, 0.783) for erythema. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the lipstick sign performed only moderately well in a rigorously designed level III study to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity. There is only fair agreement among participating surgeons in diagnosing LHB tendinitis arthroscopically. Consequently, LHB tendinitis requiring tenodesis remains a clinical diagnosis that should be made before arthroscopic examination.

The Wiese Knot: A Sliding-Locking Arthroscopic Knot.

Despite recent advances in knotless suture devices for arthroscopic surgical procedures, arthroscopic knot tying remains a necessary skill for the arthroscopic surgeon. Successful completion of arthroscopic knot tying relies on a thorough understanding of the chosen technique, proper suture management, adequate knot tensioning and securement, and the ability to reproducibly create the knot. We introduce a technique that serves as both a sliding and locking knot while being simple to master and reproducible to perform.

Return to Duty Rates Following Meniscal Repair Surgery in an Active Duty Military Population.

Meniscal injury is a common knee injury in a young athletic population. Maintaining the integrity of the meniscus is critical to reducing contact pressures on the tibiofemoral articulation. The purpose of this study is to analyze the outcomes of meniscal repair in a young military population. We conducted a retrospective review of all meniscal repairs performed on active duty Army personnel at a Military Medical Center from January 2002 to December 2012. One hundred seventy-eight active duty patients, mean age 28 (19-48) years underwent 178 meniscal repairs. Postoperatively, 33 (18.5%) patients were medically separated from the military at an average time of 29 months. Fifty (28%) patients required a permanent duty restricting profile. Ninety-five (53.5%) patients required no profile after meniscal repair at an average follow-up of 5 (1.5-12.3) years. Meniscal repair in this young military population allowed 81.5% of patients to return to duty; however, 34% of those required a permanent duty restricting profile. Approximately 20% of patients required medical separation from the military after meniscal repair. Older age was significantly associated with the ability to remain on active duty (p = 0.01).

Biomechanical analysis of intramedullary vs. superior plate fixation of transverse midshaft clavicle fractures.

BACKGROUND: Middle-third clavicle fractures represent 2% to 4% of all skeletal trauma in the United States. Treatment options include intramedullary (IM) as well as plate and screw (PS) constructs. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biomechanical stability of a specific IM system compared with nonlocking PS fixation under low-threshold physiologic load. METHODS: Twenty fourth-generation Sawbones (Pacific Research Laboratories, Vashon, WA, USA) with a simulated middle-third fracture pattern were repaired with either an IM device (n = 10) or superiorly positioned nonlocking PS construct (n = 10). Loads were modeled to simulate physiologic load. Combined axial compression and torsion forces were sequentially increased until failure. Data were analyzed on the basis of loss of rotational stability using 3 criteria: early (10°), clinical (30°), and terminal (120°). RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between constructs in early loss of rotational stability (P > .05). The PS group was significantly more rotationally stable than the IM group on the basis of clinical and terminal criteria (P < .05 for both). All test constructs failed in rotational stability. CONCLUSIONS: When tested under physiologic load, fixation failure occurred from loss of rotational stability. No statistical difference was seen between groups under early physiologic loads. However, during load to failure, the PS group was statistically more rotationally stable than the IM group. Given the clavicle's function as a bony strut for the upper extremity and the biomechanical results demonstrated, rotational stability should be carefully considered during surgical planning and postoperative advancement of activity in patients undergoing operative fixation of middle-third clavicle fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Basic Science Study; Biomechanics.

Army orthopaedic surgery residency program directors' selection criteria.

Factors associated with successful selection in U.S. Army orthopaedic surgical programs are unreported. The current analysis includes survey data from all Army orthopaedic surgery residency program directors (PDs) to determine these factors. PDs at all Army orthopaedic surgery residency programs were provided 17 factors historically considered critical to successful selection and asked to rank order the factors as well as assign a level of importance to each. Results were collated and overall mean rankings are provided. PDs unanimously expressed that performance during the on-site orthopaedic surgery rotation at the individual program director's institution was most important. Respondents overwhelmingly reported that Steps 1 and 2 licensing exam scores were next most important, respectively. Survey data demonstrated that little importance was placed on letters of recommendation and personal statements. PDs made no discriminations based on allopathic or osteopathic degrees. The most important factors for Army orthopaedic surgery residency selection were clerkship performance at the individual PD's institution and licensing examination score performance. Army PDs consider both USMLE and COMLEX results, because Army programs have a higher percentage of successful osteopathic applicants.

Infection Rate of Intramedullary Nailing in Closed Fractures of the Femoral Diaphysis After Temporizing External Fixation in an Austere Environment.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the infection rate of intramedullary (IM) nailing of closed diaphyseal femur fractures after temporary stabilization with external fixation in an austere combat environment. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Iraq and Afghanistan Theater and Military Medical Treatment Centers in the United States and Landstuhl, Germany. PATIENTS: Military personnel who underwent temporizing external fixation of a closed diaphyseal femur fracture (OTA 32) with later conversion to an IM nail between 2003 and 2012. INTERVENTION: Patients were identified from the Joint Theater Trauma Registry and Department of Defense electronic medical record, and a retrospective review was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Variables measured included age, gender, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score, associated injuries (to include thoracic and abdominal injuries), base deficit, history of massive transfusion, date of injury, date and place of external and IM fixations, time to conversion procedure, report of superficial or deep infection, report of fracture union, and date of last follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two patients, mean age 25 (18-43) years, sustained 125 closed femoral diaphyseal fractures from May 2003 to July 2012. External fixation was performed at a mean of 0.2 days (median of the day of injury) and a range of 0-3 days. Mean time to IM nail conversion procedure was 6.9 (1-20) days. Infection rate was 2.5%, with a P of 0.188. Average follow-up was 41.4 (12-119) months. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptable low infection rates can be achieved after IM nailing of closed diaphyseal femur fractures treated with initial external fixation in an austere combat environment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Arthroscopic Anatomic Coracoclavicular Ligament Repair Using a 6-Strand Polyester Suture Tape and Cortical Button Construct.

Acromioclavicular separations are common injuries. Low-grade separations are typically managed with nonoperative treatment. However, surgical treatment is recommended for high-grade separations, as well as for chronic low-grade separations that remain symptomatic. Multiple fixation techniques have been described over the past several decades, including Kirschner wires, hook plates, and coracoclavicular screws. More recently, a single-tunnel suture-graft repair and an anatomic reconstruction reproducing both the conoid and trapezoid ligaments have been described. All described techniques have reported complications, including implant migration, need for implant removal, clavicle or coracoid fracture, and loss of reduction. As a result, there is no single optimal method of operative fixation. We describe our technique for an arthroscopically assisted anatomic coracoclavicular repair using a 6-strand suture tape and cortical button construct.