Glenohumeral internal rotation deficits in baseball players with ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: The kinetic chain of the throwing motion functions to optimize efficiency of proximal segments to decrease force loads seen at smaller, distal segments such as the ulnar collateral ligament. Several studies have shown that shoulder internal rotation forms the physiologic counter to the valgus torque generated during the late cocking phase of throwing. Previous studies have implicated decreased glenohumeral internal rotation as a cause of shoulder internal impingement. To date, an association between pathologic glenohumeral internal rotation deficit and elbow injury has not been exhibited. HYPOTHESIS: Throwers with ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency will exhibit significantly increased glenohumeral internal rotation deficit. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Twenty-nine baseball players with ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency were demographically matched with 29 control baseball players who had no history of shoulder, elbow, or cervical spine injury. The investigators measured passive glenohumeral internal and external rotation, elbow flexion and extension, and forearm pronation and supination. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze continuous variables. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographics. There was a significant difference in dominant arm internal rotation, with injured players having significantly less (P < .004), and in glenohumeral internal rotation deficit between players with ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency and those who were asymptomatic (28.5 degrees vs 12.7 degrees ; P < .001). Also, total range of motion was significantly decreased in the injured group. There were no significant differences in elbow or forearm range of motion between the groups. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that pathologic glenohumeral internal rotation deficit may be associated with elbow valgus instability. This has important clinical implications both in terms of preventing ulnar collateral ligament injury and with regard to rehabilitating throwers after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.

Repair site integrity after arthroscopic transosseous-equivalent suture-bridge rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: Successful healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair remains a challenge. Earlier studies have shown a relatively high rate of failure. New surgical techniques may improve healing potential. The purpose of this study was to provide an objective evaluation of repair site integrity after arthroscopic transosseous-equivalent suture-bridge rotator cuff repair. HYPOTHESIS: Rotator cuff tears repaired using the transosseous-equivalent suture-bridge technique will show a higher intact rate on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: The first 25 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using the transosseous-equivalent suture-bridge technique underwent MRI evaluation of the postoperative shoulder. Minimum follow-up was 1 year. Demographic, clinical, and surgical factors, including tear size, were evaluated. RESULTS: Postoperative MRI demonstrated intact surgical repair sites in 22 of 25 patients (88%). Tears limited to the supraspinatus tendon were intact in 16 of 18 patients (89%). Tears of the supraspinatus involving part or all of the infraspinatus showed an 86% intact rate (6 of 7 patients). Of these tears, 3 were considered massive (complete 2-tendon or greater). These demonstrated an intact cuff on MRI. CONCLUSIONS: The transosseous-equivalent suture-bridge technique demonstrates a high healing rate on imaging studies at 1 year. Of the first 25 patients repaired with the technique, 88% had an intact rotator cuff repair on MRI evaluation. This indicates excellent cuff healing, as judged by the intact repair sites, compared with most standard arthroscopic rotator cuff repair series. In this early report of the technique, a persistent tear could not be correlated with age or initial tear size; however, this may be due to the relatively small sample size.

Revision surgery for failed elbow medial collateral ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Although excellent results can be achieved in up to 90% of primary elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions, retears of the ligament have been reported. As the number of primary reconstructions continues to increase, one could expect a commensurate increase in the number of revision medial collateral ligament reconstructions performed. HYPOTHESIS: Given the difficulty associated with revision procedures, the complication rate relative to primary reconstructions would increase while the percentage of athletes returning to their previous level of play would decrease. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence. 4. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 15 patients who underwent revision surgery for retear of a reconstructed elbow medial collateral ligament. All patients had undergone previous elbow medial collateral ligament reconstruction and had new history and physical examination findings consistent with medial collateral ligament injury. Twelve subjects were professional baseball players and 3 were college-level players at the time of their revision procedure. Patients were evaluated at a minimum of 2 years after revision surgery. Outcomes were classified using the Conway scale. RESULTS: Average time to revision was 36 months. The technique used in the revision was the Jobe technique in 11 cases, DANE TJ in 3, and primary repair in 1. Thirty-three percent (5/15 excellent) returned to their previous level of play for at least 1 season. Additionally, there were 4 good, 2 fair, and 4 poor results. The ligament repair had a good outcome. Forty percent (6/15) of patients had complications, 1 of whom required a subsequent surgery (lysis of adhesions). One subject experienced a retear of the medial collateral ligament. CONCLUSION: The rate of return to play after revision medial collateral ligament surgery is much lower than after primary reconstruction. As was expected, the complication rate of revision surgery is higher as well. This study should help physicians when counseling baseball players who suffer retears of their medial collateral ligament.

Posterolateral corner injuries of the knee.

The posterolateral region of the knee is an anatomically complex area that plays an important role in the stabilization of the knee relative to specific force vectors at low angles of knee flexion. A renewed interest in this region and advanced biomechanical studies have brought additional understanding of both the anatomy and the function of posterolateral structures in knee stabilization and kinematics. Through sectioning and loading studies, the posterolateral corner has been shown to play a role in the prevention of varus angulation, external rotation, and posterior translation. The potential for long-term disability from these injuries may be related to increased articular pressure and chondral degeneration. The failure of the reconstruction of cruciate ligaments may be due to unrecognized or untreated posterolateral corner injuries. Various methods of repair and reconstruction have been described and new research is yielding superior results from reconstruction of this region.

Lower extremity injuries in the skeletally immature athlete.

The heightened intensity of training and competition among young athletes places them at increased risk for both acute and chronic injuries. Prompt recognition and treatment of such injuries are critical to prevent long-term functional disability and deformity. These injuries occur in patterns unique to the skeletally immature athlete, given their developing epiphyses and ossification centers and supporting ligamentous structures. Children and adolescents who participate in recreational and organized sports are particularly susceptible to a broad spectrum of lower extremity injuries involving both the osseous and soft-tissue structures. Fundamental knowledge of the pathophysiology of injury helps the clinician in determining management. Early recognition of acute traumatic injuries, along with preventive regimens and knowledge of both nonsurgical and surgical treatment protocols, has helped to restore and maintain normal lower extremity function in the skeletally immature athlete.

Osteochondral fracture of the distal lateral femoral condyle: a report of two cases.

Osteochondral fractures of the lateral femoral condyle are uncommon injuries. These fractures often are misdiagnosed, and the majority of the cases reported have been managed with surgical excision. We present 2 cases of osteochondral fractures of the lateral femoral condyle. Both patients were treated with open reduction internal fixation of their fractures. A lateral approach to the posterolateral aspect of the distal femur is described.

The efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric cervical spine clearance.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart analysis of pediatric trauma patients with suspected cervical spine injury was performed. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and cost-efficiency of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for cervical spine clearance in pediatric trauma patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The evaluation of cervical spine injury in the pediatric trauma population can be difficult. In obtunded or uncooperative children, MRI can be valuable in defining injuries of the cervical spine not detected by plain radiographs and computed tomography. METHODS: In 1993, a protocol was instituted at a pediatric trauma center using MRI to evaluate the cervical spine of children who could not be cleared within 72 hours. Using the trauma registry from February 1989 through September 1996, children with suspected cervical spine injury who were intubated at the time of hospital admission and who remained in the intensive care unit for at least 3 days were identified. The patients were divided into two cohorts: a "preprotocol group" and a "postprotocol group," consisting of patients before or after institution of the MRI protocol in September 1993. Medical records were reviewed to determine the time to cervical spine clearance, the number of days in the intensive care unit, and hospital days for each group. Biostatistical analysis was performed by an independent professional statistician. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients in each group met the inclusion criteria. In the preprotocol group, 19 patients underwent MRI at an average of 6.8 days after admission. In the postprotocol group, 31 MRIs were performed at an average of 2.5 days from admission. Time to cervical spine clearance decreased from 5.1 days in the preprotocol group to 3.2 days in the postprotocol group (P = 0.003). The average intensive care unit stay decreased from 9.2 days in the preprotocol group to 7.3 days in the postprotocol group (P = 0.122). The average hospital stay decreased from 20.1 days in the preprotocol group to 15.5 days in the postprotocol group (P = 0.106). Factoring charges for MRI, intensive care unit beds, and hospital beds, savings of $7,700 per patient were estimated. CONCLUSIONS: In obtunded and intubated pediatric trauma patients with suspected cervical spine injury, the clearance protocol using cervical spine MRI was effective and cost-efficient.