Refractory shoulder injury related to vaccine administration: correlation with culture presence of Cutibacterium acnes.

Background: Shoulder pain following intramuscular administration of vaccine is common. However, a small number of patients experience prolonged pain and dysfunction atypical to normal transient postvaccination shoulder pain. Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) remains incompletely understood, whether a robust immune response to vaccine antigen or inappropriate injection technique with needle placement in synovial or bursal tissue, or some combination of the two. Symptoms overlap with those of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) infection but the relationship between the two, if any, has not been evaluated. Methods: Clinical case files were reviewed for 3 cases of SIRVA with positive cultures for C. acnes were reviewed. Presentation, treatment, and clinical outcomes were compared. Results: In all cases, patients were thin (body mass index < 23), females, who had high injection placement of a vaccine, all patients had positive magnetic resonance imaging findings of increased signal in the subacromial bursa, and/or greater tuberosity. All patients underwent arthroscopic débridement and culture harvest and cultures were positive for C. acnes. A combination of oral and intravenous antibiotics was used, and all patients demonstrated clinical improvement from the preoperative state. Discussion: This case series presents 3 patients with refractory SIRVA who ultimately underwent arthroscopic irrigation and débridement with culture biopsy. Each case had culture results positive for C. acnes and all responded, at least partially, to arthroscopic débridement and intravenous antibiotic therapy. The purpose of this manuscript is to raise awareness of potential coexistence of SIRVA and C. acnes which may be of assistance to surgeons treating refractory cases of SIRVA.

Harvest of All-Soft Tissue Quadriceps Tendon Autograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With or Without Closure of Resulting Defect Has No Effect on Patellar Height.

Purpose: To evaluate the radiographic effect of quadriceps tendon harvest on patellar height and to determine whether closure of a quadriceps graft harvest defect resulted in a significant change in patellar height compared to nonclosure. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively enrolled patients. The institutional database was queried and all patients who underwent quadriceps autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between 2015 and March 2020 were included. Graft harvest length in millimeters and final graft diameter after preparation for implantation were obtained from the operative record and demographic data were obtained from the medical record. Radiographic analysis was performed of eligible patients using standard ratios of patellar height: Insall-Salvati (IS), Blackburn-Peele (BP), and Caton-Deschamps (CD). Measurements were performed using digital calipers on a digital imaging system by 2 postgraduate fellow surgeons. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were performed at 0° according to a standard protocol. Postoperative radiographs were performed 6 weeks postoperatively in all cases. Preoperative patellar height ratios were compared with postoperative patellar height ratios for all patients using t-tests. Subanalysis was then performed to compare the effect of closure of with nonclosure on patellar height ratios using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Interrater reliability between the 2 reviewers was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient calculation. Results: In total, 70 patients met final inclusion criteria. There were no statistically significant changes from pre- to postoperative values for either reviewer for IS (reviewer 1, P = .47; reviewer 2, P = .353), BP (reviewer 1, P = .98; reviewer 2, P = .907), or CD (reviewer 1, P = .107; reviewer, 2 P = .188). The closure and nonclosure groups were adequately powered and no statistically significant demographic differences between the closure and nonclosure groups was identified for sex (P = .066), age (P = .343), weight (P = .881), height (P = .42), laterality (P = 1), meniscal repair (P = .332), graft diameter (P = .068), or graft length (P = .183). According to the repeated measures analysis of variance, closure of the quadriceps defect had no significant impact on any of the knee ratios. However, reviewer identity had a significant influence on the CD ratio. Intraclass correlation coefficient analysis revealed excellent agreement between reviewers for the IS (0.982) and BP (0.954) ratios, but only moderate-to-good agreement for the CD (0.751) ratio. Conclusions: Harvest of quadriceps tendon graft does not result in radiographic changes in patellar height. Furthermore, closure of the quadriceps defect does not appear to result in radiographic changes in patellar height. Level of Evidence: III, retrospective comparative trial.

"Triple Package" Modified SpeedBridge Rotator Cuff Repair Technique.

Treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff repairs vary in surgical technique depending on many factors including tear geometry, delamination of soft tissue, tissue quality, and rotator cuff retraction. The described technique presents a reproducible method of addressing tear patterns where the tear may be larger laterally, but the medial footprint exposure is small. This can be addressed with a single medial anchor combined with a knotless lateral-row technique to provide compression for small tears or two medial row anchors for moderate to large tears. In this modification of the standard knotless double row (SpeedBridge) technique, 2 medial row anchors are used, with 1 augmented with additional fiber tape and an additional lateral row anchor to create a triangular repair construct, increasing the size and stability of the footprint of the lateral row.

Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation Of Posterior Femoral Condyle Lesions Utilizing An Open Posterior Approach To The Knee.

Osteochondral allograft transplantation is a viable option for large chondral defects >2 cm squared, as well as in a revision setting after failure of a previous surface chondral restoration procedure. Osteochondral lesions involving the posterior aspect of the femoral condyle, however, are less common and easily underappreciated. Treatment of posterior osteochondral lesions is more technically demanding because they cannot be adequately addressed through standard arthroscopic approaches or an anterior arthrotomy. The challenges of the posterior approach include the relative unfamiliarity for many surgeons and the inherent risks due to the proximity of the neurovascular structures. The following technique reviews relevant anatomy and approach to osteochondral allograft transplant involving the posterior femoral condyles.

Transtendinous Rotator Cuff Tear Repair with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Dermal Allograft Augmentation.

Rotator cuff tears involving the musculotendinous junction with a significant amount of tendon still attached to the footprint laterally represent a challenging scenario for shoulder arthroscopists. Because of these challenges, adjunctive techniques to bridge tissue gaps may be required, and biologic augmentation may be considered to improve the healing environment. The following technique presents a stepwise approach to accomplishing the dual goals of a stable anatomic repair and biologic augmentation of this difficult pattern of rotator cuff pathology.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Shoulder Arthroscopy Using a Small-Bore Needle Arthroscope.

As resolution and image quality improve, several potential advantages make needle arthroscopy (NA) appealing for broader therapeutic applications in the operating room. Smaller camera size and weight allow for a minimally invasive approach with smaller incisions than standard arthroscopy and decreased use of arthroscopic fluid. Differences in the technology, such as a 0° optic and less rigid instrumentation, necessitate a modified technique to accommodate thorough diagnostic arthroscopy as well as modified approaches to therapeutic procedures. This article introduces our preferred approach to diagnostic arthroscopy of the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space with needle arthroscopy and small-bore instruments. This technique could increase efficiency and decrease operative time with certain arthroscopic procedures, and it may improve patient outcomes.

A Dual-Motor Drill Reduces Plunge, Simultaneously Gauges Depth, and Saves Time When Placing Orthopedic Screws.

The technique for placement of orthopedic hardware remains unchanged despite technological advances. The surgeon controls drill bit speed and advancement, which risks drill bit overpenetration, or plunge. Measurement is performed as an additional step, introducing measurement error and increasing operative time. A dual-motor drill was created to control drill variables and combine drilling and measurement into a single step. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a dual-motor drill could reduce drilling and measurement errors while increasing the speed of placement of orthopedic hardware. Five orthopedic surgeons drilled and measured 10 holes with a standard drill and a dual-motor drill in randomized bicortical bone blocks. The bone blocks were placed on standard ballistic gels, which left a defect from drill bit overpenetration that could be measured with a calibrated gauge. The accuracy of drilling was determined by the depth of the defect in the ballistic gel and was compared between groups. Finally, time for drilling and measurement was collected and compared between groups. Overpenetration for the dual-motor drill (0.5±0.3 mm) was significantly less than for the standard drill (8.4±1.9 mm) (P<.0001). Depth measurement error for the dual-motor drill (0.6±0.3 mm) was significantly less than for the standard drill (2.6±0.5 mm) (P<.0001). Drilling and measurement time for the dual-motor drill (6.0±2.2 seconds) was significantly less than for the standard drill (13.4±3.9 seconds) (P<.0001). Use of a dual-motor drill reduced overpenetration, improved measurement accuracy, and reduced time spent during placement of orthopedic hardware. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(5):e465-e470.].

Diagnostic Needle Arthroscopy and Partial Medial Meniscectomy Using Small Bore Needle Arthroscopy.

As resolution and image quality improve, several potential advantages make needle arthroscopy (NA) appealing for broader therapeutic applications in the operating room. The smaller camera size and weight allow for a minimally invasive approach with smaller incisions than standard arthroscopy and decreased arthroscopic fluid use. Differences in the technology, such as a 0-degree optic and less rigid instrumentation necessitate a novel technique to accommodate thorough diagnostic arthroscopy as well as new approaches to therapeutic procedures. This manuscript introduces our preferred approach to diagnostic arthroscopy and partial medial meniscectomy with NA and small-bore instruments. The minimally invasive nature of this technology may decrease postoperative pain and improve return of comfort and function.

A Modified SpeedBridge Technique for Retracted or Delaminated Rotator Cuff Repairs.

Treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears vary in surgical technique dependent on the amount of retraction of the rotator cuff and/or delamination of the soft tissue. The described technique addresses both of those concerns. We present a modification of the SpeedBridge technique used to address retracted or delaminated repairs and effectively expand the indications for use of the double-row knotless technique. In this modification, the reduction is performed by an initial anchor with several stay sutures providing provisional reduction of the tissue in a controlled fashion. This is followed by compression through a standard double-row technique.

Dual Motor Drill Continuously Measures Drilling Energy to Calculate Bone Density and Screw Pull-out Force in Real Time.

INTRODUCTION: Low bone density complicates the surgical management of fractures. Screw stripping in osteoporotic bone leads to decreased fixation strength and weakening of the fixation construct. If low density could be detected during drilling, augmentation may be performed to prevent screw stripping. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of the drill bit depth and bone density can allow detection of the far cortex where density suddenly increases, providing immediate and accurate screw length measurement and reducing the risk of overpenetration or plunge in osteoporotic bone. Therefore, a dual motor drill was created to calculate bone density and pull-out force in real time. The purpose of this study was to determine whether real-time monitoring of drill bit torque and depth could be used to estimate bone density and pull-out force. We hypothesized that the calculated drilling energy could be used to determine density and would correlate with pull-out force. METHODS: Drilling and screw insertion were performed using a validated composite unicortical bone model. Screws of 5-, 10-, and 20-mm length were placed into blocks of known densities (10, 20, 30, and 40 pounds per cubic foot). During creation of holes by the dual motor drill, drilling energy was recorded and used to calculate density. Calculated bone density was then compared with the known density of the block. The drill bit was exchanged for a screwdriver, and screw insertion energy was recorded in a similar fashion during screw placement. Screws were then subjected to maximal axial pull-out force testing with a material testing device. Recorded drilling energy and screw insertion energy were then correlated with the measured pull-out force. RESULTS: Calculated bone density correlated very strongly with the known control density, confirming the accuracy of density calculations in real time. Drilling energy and screw insertion energy correlated very strongly with the measured pull-out force by destructive testing confirming ultimate pull-out force could be quantified during drilling or placement of a screw. DISCUSSION: Our results confirmed that a dual motor drill can accurately and immediately allow determination of bone density and screw pull-out force before placing a screw. This knowledge could allow a surgeon to perform augmentation or alter surgical technique to prevent screw stripping and loss of fixation as well as detect the far cortex and prevent overpenetration in osteoporotic bone.