Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Versus Soft-Tissue Allograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To describe the outcomes of bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and soft-tissue allografts in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with respect to graft failure risk, physical examination findings, instrumented laxity, and patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: A search of the PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) Complete, Cochrane Collaboration, and SPORTDiscus databases was performed. English-language studies with outcome data on primary ACL reconstruction with nonirradiated BPTB and soft-tissue allografts were identified. Outcome data included failure risk, physical examination findings, instrumented laxity measurements, and patient-reported outcome scores. RESULTS: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 11 reported on BPTB allografts exclusively, 5 reported on soft-tissue allografts exclusively, and 1 compared both types. The comparative study showed no difference in failure risk, Lachman grade, pivot-shift grade, instrumented laxity, or overall International Knee Documentation Committee score between the 2 allograft types. Data from all studies yielded a failure risk of 10.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5% to 18.1%) in the soft-tissue group and 15.2% (95% CI, 11.3% to 19.6%) in the BPTB group. The risk of a Lachman grade greater than 5 mm was 6.4% (95% CI, 1.7% to 13.7%) in the soft-tissue group and 8.6% (95% CI, 6.3% to 11.2%) in the BPTB group. The risk of a grade 2 or 3 pivot shift was 1.4% (95% CI, 0.3% to 3.3%) in the soft-tissue group and 4.1% (95% CI, 1.9% to 7.2%) in the BPTB group. CONCLUSIONS: One comparative study showed no difference in results after ACL reconstruction with nonirradiated BPTB and soft-tissue allografts. Inclusion of case series in the analysis showed qualitatively similar outcomes with the 2 graft types.

The hypermobile lateral meniscus: a retrospective review of presentation, imaging, treatment, and results.

PURPOSE: Hypermobility of the posterior portion of the lateral meniscus has been reported in several recent case reports and small case series. Pathophysiology and optimal treatment have not been fully elucidated. Our purpose was to evaluate results following arthroscopic stabilization. METHODS: Over a 10-year period, 13 knees were diagnosed at the time of arthroscopy as having hypermobility of the posterior portion of the lateral meniscus in the absence of a discrete tear or discoid morphology. Clinical presentation, pre-operative MRI findings, arthroscopic findings, and repair technique were retrospectively reviewed. Most recent outcomes data were gathered via a telephone interview utilizing the IKDC-9 questionnaire. RESULTS: Eleven of 12 patients presented primarily with mechanical symptoms. Duration of symptoms ranged from 7 months to over 10 years. Eight of 12 patients did not recall any history of trauma. Twelve of 13 pre-operative MRIs did not identify a meniscal tear. Stabilization was obtained by fixation of the meniscus to the posterior capsule by various techniques. Average follow-up was 4 years (range 6 months to 10.7 years). Subjective current knee function averaged 8.0 (range 3.5-10) on a scale of 0-10. Knee pain severity averaged 2.2 (range 0-4) on a scale of 0-10. Pain frequency averaged 3.3 (range 0-9) on a scale of 0-10. Better results were seen in younger patients. CONCLUSION: Hypermobility of the posterior portion of the lateral meniscus can successfully be treated with arthroscopic repair to the posterior capsule. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

How much hamstring graft needs to be in the femoral tunnel? A MOON cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence that smaller hamstring graft diameter is associated with increased failure risk following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has increased the popularity of graft configurations that increase graft diameter at the expense of graft length. A key question is how much graft needs to be in contact with the femoral tunnel to ensure that healing occurs. We hypothesize that no difference in two-year patient-reported outcomes or failure risk exists based on the amount of graft in the femoral tunnel. METHODS: Through the use of prospectively collected cohort data augmented with retrospective chart review, 120 of 181 consecutive patients (66.3 %) undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft were evaluated. Patient and surgical factors along with pre-operative and two-year postoperative knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores and whether each patient underwent revision ACL reconstruction during the two-year follow-up period were recorded. RESULTS: No differences in two-year patient-reported outcome scores were noted between patients with graft length in the femoral tunnel less than 25 mm and those with graft length in the femoral tunnel of at least 25 mm. Controlling for age, sex, BMI, and femoral tunnel technique, no correlation was noted between KOOS or IKDC scores and either the length of graft in the femoral tunnel or the contact area between the graft and the tunnel. CONCLUSIONS: Variation of the length of hamstring autograft in the femoral tunnel between 14 and 35 mm does not predict KOOS or IKDC scores at 2 years postoperative.

Autograft versus nonirradiated allograft tissue for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: An autograft has traditionally been the gold standard for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but the use of allograft tissue has increased in recent years. While numerous studies have demonstrated that irradiated allografts are associated with increased failure rates, some report excellent results after ACLR with nonirradiated allografts. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether the use of nonirradiated allograft tissue is associated with poorer outcomes when compared with autografts. HYPOTHESIS: Patients undergoing ACLR with autografts versus nonirradiated allografts will demonstrate no significant differences in graft failure risk, laxity on postoperative physical examination, or differences in patient-oriented outcome scores. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identify prospective or retrospective comparative studies (evidence level 1, 2, or 3) of autografts versus nonirradiated allografts for ACLR. Outcome data included graft failure based on clinical findings and instrumented laxity, postoperative laxity on physical examination, and patient-reported outcome scores. Studies were excluded if they did not specify whether the allograft had been irradiated. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed by 2 examiners. RESULTS: Nine studies comparing autografts and nonirradiated allografts were included. Six of the 9 studies compared bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts with BPTB allografts. Two studies compared hamstring tendon autografts to hamstring tendon allografts, and 1 study compared hamstring tendon autografts to tibialis anterior allografts. The mean patient age in 7 of 9 studies ranged from 24.5 to 32 years, with 1 study including only patients older than 40 years and another not reporting patient age. The mean follow-up duration was 24 to 94 months. Six of 9 studies reported clinical graft failure rates, 8 of 9 reported postoperative instrumented laxity measurements, 7 of 9 reported postoperative physical examination findings, and all studies reported patient-reported outcome scores. This review demonstrated no statistically significant difference between autografts and nonirradiated allografts in any outcome measure. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found in graft failure rate, postoperative laxity, or patient-reported outcome scores when comparing ACLR with autografts to nonirradiated allografts in this systematic review. These findings apply to patients in their late 20s and early 30s. Caution is advised when considering extrapolation of these findings to younger, more active cohorts.

The influence of hamstring autograft size on patient-reported outcomes and risk of revision after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of graft size on patient-reported outcomes and revision risk after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of prospectively collected cohort data was performed, and 263 of 320 consecutive patients (82.2%) undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft were evaluated. We recorded graft size; femoral tunnel drilling technique; patient age, sex, and body mass index at the time of ACL reconstruction; Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee score preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively; and whether each patient underwent revision ACL reconstruction during the 2-year follow-up period. Revision was used as a marker for graft failure. The relation between graft size and patient-reported outcomes was determined by multiple linear regression. The relation between graft size and risk of revision was determined by dichotomizing graft size at 8 mm and stratifying by age. RESULTS: After we controlled for age, sex, operative side, surgeon, body mass index, graft choice, and femoral tunnel drilling technique, a 1-mm increase in graft size was noted to correlate with a 3.3-point increase in the KOOS pain subscale (P = .003), a 2.0-point increase in the KOOS activities of daily living subscale (P = .034), a 5.2-point increase in the KOOS sport/recreation function subscale (P = .004), and a 3.4-point increase in the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score (P = .026). Revision was required in 0 of 64 patients (0.0%) with grafts greater than 8 mm in diameter and 14 of 199 patients (7.0%) with grafts 8 mm in diameter or smaller (P = .037). Among patients aged 18 years or younger, revision was required in 0 of 14 patients (0.0%) with grafts greater than 8 mm in diameter and 13 of 71 patients (18.3%) with grafts 8 mm in diameter or smaller. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller hamstring autograft size is a predictor of poorer KOOS sport/recreation function 2 years after primary ACL reconstruction. A larger sample size is required to confirm the relation between graft size and risk of revision ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of meniscal tears in older patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing meniscal tears in older patients and the frequency with which abnormal MRI findings correlate with degeneration, fraying, and tears at arthroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-two patients 50 years old or older who had undergone knee MRI followed by knee arthroscopy within 6 months were selected. Menisci were graded on a 5-point scale: 1, definitely no tear; 2, probably no tear; 3, indeterminate or equivocal; 4, probably a tear; and 5, definitely a tear. Meniscal signal changes, meniscal surface morphology, and extrameniscal abnormalities were noted. Operative notes were reviewed, and the sensitivity and specificity of MRI results were calculated. RESULTS: For medial tears, MRI had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.91 and 0.94, respectively, when grade 5 was considered a tear, 0.96 and 0.76 when grades 4 and 5 were considered a tear, and 0.99 and 0.47 when grades 3-5 were considered a tear. For lateral tears, MRI had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.73 and 0.91 when grade 5 was considered a tear, 0.88 and 0.80 when grades 4 and 5 were considered a tear, and 1.0 and 0.61 when grades 3-5 were considered a tear. The positive predictive values (PPVs) of MRI for the medial meniscus were 99%, grade 5; 57%, grade 4; 29%, grade 3; 25%, grade 2; and 0%, grade 1. For the lateral meniscus, the PPVs of MRI were 76%, grade 5; 36%, grade 4; 19%, grade 3; and 0%, grades 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of MRI for diagnosing meniscal tears in older patients is high and similar to that in younger patients when only definitive findings are considered a tear. The specificity decreases if equivocal or probable findings are considered a tear.

Cup arthroplasty for rotator cuff tear arthropathy.

Cup arthroplasty is a conservative bone-sparing option for resurfacing of the humeral head. Earlier reports have shown its effectiveness in appropriately selected patients with osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, and severe rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with cuff tear arthropathy may also benefit from a modified cup arthroplasty technique. The purpose of this article is to describe the surgical technique involved in humeral cup arthroplasty in cuff tear arthropathy patients. We will review the indications, contraindications, complications, and postoperative rehabilitation.

Upper extremity injuries in the adolescent athlete.

There has been a significant increase in youth sports participation and athletic activities over the past 3 decades. With the increase in participation, there has been a commensurate rise in the number of sports-related injuries. A majority of these injuries are due to overuse as athletes frequently compete in multiple sports with year round competition and training. As higher demands are placed on these young athletes, the likelihood of injury during and individual's playing career continues to increase. This review will focus on both overuse and traumatic injuries of the upper extremity in the adolescent athlete. A significant emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and management of soft tissue and bony injuries in the overhead throwing athlete. The review will conclude with a discussion on common wrist and hand injuries seen in this population.

Radiation exposure to the surgeon during open lumbar microdiscectomy and minimally invasive microdiscectomy: a prospective, controlled trial.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective in vivo study comparing radiation exposure to the surgeon during 10 minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy cases with 10 traditional open discectomy cases as a control. OBJECTIVE: Radiation exposure to the eye, chest, and hand of the operating surgeon during minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open lumbar microdiscectomy were measured. The Occupational Exposure Guidelines were used to calculate the allowable number of cases per year from the mean values at each of the 3 sites. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Fluoroscopy is a source of ionizing radiation and as such, is a potential health hazard with continued exposure during surgery. Presently, radiation exposure to the surgeon during MIS lumbar microdiscectomy is unknown. METHODS: Radiation exposure to the surgeon (millirads [mR]) per case was measured by digital dosimeters placed at the level of the thyroid/eye, chest, and dominant forearm. Other data collected included operative side and level, side of the surgeon, side of the x-ray source, total fluoroscopy time, and energy output. RESULTS: The average radiation exposure to the surgeon during open cases was thyroid/eye 0.16 ± 0.22 mR, chest 0.21 ± 0.23 mR, and hand 0.20 ± 0.14 mR. During minimally invasive cases exposure to the thyroid/eye was 1.72 ± 1.52 mR, the chest was 3.08 ± 2.93 mR, and the hand was 4.45 ± 3.75 mR. The difference between thyroid/ eye, chest, and hand exposure during open and minimally invasive cases was statistically significant (P = 0.010, P = 0.013, and P = 0.006, respectively). Surgeons standing in an adjacent substerile room during open cases were exposed to 0.2 mR per case. CONCLUSION: MIS lumbar microdiscectomy cases expose the surgeon to significantly more radiation than open microdiscectomy. One would need to perform 1623 MIS microdiscectomies to exceed the exposure limit for whole-body radiation, 8720 cases for the lens of the eye, and 11,235 cases for the hand. Standing in a substerile room during x-ray localization in open cases is not fully protective.