Comparison of Pain Scores and Functional Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Hip Labral Repair and Concomitant Capsular Repair or Plication Versus No Closure.

Background: The need for capsular closure during arthroscopic hip labral repair is debated. Purpose: To compare pain and functional outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic hip labral repair with concomitant repair or plication of the capsule versus no closure. Study Design: Cohort study. Methods: Outcomes were compared between patients undergoing arthroscopic hip labral repair with concomitant repair or plication of the capsule versus no closure at up to 2 years postoperatively and with stratification by age and sex. Patients with lateral center-edge angle <20°, a history of instability, a history of prior arthroscopic surgery in the ipsilateral hip, or a history of labral debridement only were excluded. Subanalysis was performed between patients undergoing no capsular closure who were propensity score matched 1:1 with patients undergoing repair or plication based on age, sex, and preoperative Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS). We compared patients who underwent T-capsulotomy with concomitant capsular closure matched 1:5 with patients who underwent an interportal capsulotomy with concomitant capsular repair based on age, sex, and preoperative MHHS. Results: Patients undergoing capsular closure (n = 1069), compared with the no-closure group (n = 230), were more often female (68.6% vs 53.0%, respectively; P < .001), were younger (36.4 ± 13.3 vs 47.9 ± 14.7 years; P < .001), and had superior MHHS scores at 2 years postoperatively (85.8 ± 14.5 vs 81.8 ± 18.4, respectively; P = .020). In the matched analysis, no difference was found in outcome measures between patients in the capsular closure group (n = 215) and the no-closure group (n = 215) at any follow-up timepoint. No significant difference was seen between the 2 closure techniques at any follow-up timepoint. Patients with closure of the capsule achieved the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) for the 1-year MHHS at a similar rate as those without closure (MCID, 50.3% vs 44.9%, P = .288; PASS, 56.8% vs 51.1%, P = .287, respectively). Patients with T-capsulotomy achieved the MCID and the PASS for the 1-year MHHS at a similar rate compared with those with interportal capsulotomy (MCID, 50.1% vs 44.9%, P = .531; PASS, 65.7% vs 61.2%, P = .518, respectively). Conclusion: When sex, age, and preoperative MHHS were controlled, capsular closure and no capsular closure after arthroscopic hip labral repair were associated with similar pain and functional outcomes for patients up to 2 years postoperatively.

Outcomes of Biceps Tenodesis Variations With Concomitant Rotator Cuff Repair: A Multicenter Database Analysis.

Background: Studies to date comparing biceps tenodesis methods in the setting of concomitant rotator cuff repair (RCR) have demonstrated relatively equivalent pain and functional outcomes. Purpose: To compare biceps tenodesis constructs, locations, and techniques in patients who underwent RCR using a large multicenter database. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A global outcome database was queried for patients with medium- and large-sized tears who underwent biceps tenodesis with RCR between 2015 and 2021. Patients ≥18 years of age with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were included. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, visual analog scale for pain, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) scores were compared at 1 and 2 years of follow-up based on construct (anchor, screw, or suture), location (subpectoral, suprapectoral, or top of groove), and technique (inlay or onlay). Nonparametric hypothesis testing was used to compare continuous outcomes at each time point. The proportion of patients achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at the 1- and 2-year follow-ups were compared between groups using chi-square tests. Results: A total of 1903 unique shoulder entries were analyzed. Improvement in VR-12 Mental score favored anchor and suture fixations at 1 year of follow-up (P = .042) and the onlay tenodesis technique at 2 years of follow-up (P = .029). No additional tenodesis comparisons demonstrated statistical significance. The proportion of patients with improvement exceeding the MCID did not differ based on tenodesis methods for any outcome score assessed at the 1- or 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: Biceps tenodesis with concomitant RCR led to improved outcomes regardless of tenodesis fixation construct, location, or technique. A clear optimal tenodesis method with RCR remains to be determined. Surgeon preference and experience with various tenodesis methods as well as patient clinical presentation should continue to guide surgical decision-making.

Subacromial-Subdeltoid Bursitis With Rice Bodies After Rotator Cuff Repair With a Collagen Scaffold Implant: A Case Report.

CASE: We report the second-known case of subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis with rice bodies after rotator cuff repair with a Smith + Nephew REGENETEN bovine-derived bioinductive collagen scaffold implant. After the removal of rice bodies and a portion of implant that had not incorporated, the patient recovered well and made a full return to work and recreational activities. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that persistent pain, swelling, or decreased range of motion for several months after rotator cuff repair with the use of a collagen implant may warrant a relatively early magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate for underlying pathology. It also provides a framework for physicians who may see similar patients in the future.

Outcomes of Biceps Tenotomy Versus Tenodesis During Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: An Analysis of Patients From a Large Multicenter Database.

Background: Studies to date evaluating biceps tenotomy versus tenodesis in the setting of concomitant rotator cuff repair (RCR) have demonstrated relatively equivalent pain and functional outcomes. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that a significant difference could be demonstrated for pain and functional outcome scores comparing biceps tenotomy versus tenodesis in the setting of RCR if the study was adequately powered. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The Arthrex Surgical Outcomes System database was queried for patients who underwent arthroscopic biceps tenotomy or tenodesis and concomitant RCR between 2013 and 2021; included patients had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Outcomes between treatment types were assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) scores preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Results were stratified by age at surgery (3 groups: <55, 55-65, >65 years) and sex. Results: Overall, 1936 primary RCRs were included for analysis (1537 biceps tenodesis and 399 biceps tenotomy patients). Patients who underwent tenotomy were older and more likely to be female. A greater proportion of female patients aged <55 years and 55 to 65 years received a biceps tenotomy compared with tenodesis (P = .012 and .026, respectively). All scores were comparable between the treatment types preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. At 2-year follow-up, patients who received a biceps tenodesis had statistically more favorable ASES, SANE, VAS pain, and VR-12 scores (P ≤ .031); however, the differences did not exceed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for these measures. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that surgeons are more likely to perform a biceps tenotomy in female and older patients. Biceps tenodesis provided improved pain and functional scores compared with tenotomy at 2-year follow-up; however, the benefit did not exceed previously reported MCID for the outcome scores. Both procedures provided improvement in outcomes; thus, the choice of procedure should be a shared decision between the surgeon and patient.

Management of bipolar shoulder injuries with humeral head allograft in patients with active, uncontrolled seizure disorder: case series and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to present surgical outcomes after humeral head allograft augmentation and glenoid-based procedures in patients with active, uncontrolled seizure activity and anterior shoulder instability. METHODS: A retrospective review of a surgical database for patients with active seizure disorder and with recurrent shoulder instability managed with humeral head augmentation was performed. All patients underwent surgical intervention. Postoperative outcomes including Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were recorded at a minimum of 2 years. We hypothesized that appropriate management of the bony defects in these bipolar injuries would result in low recurrence and satisfactory outcomes. RESULTS: Ten patients including 8 males and 2 females (15 shoulders) with active seizure-related shoulder instability underwent surgical intervention including allograft bone grafting of the Hill-Sachs lesion for anterior shoulder instability. The average age was 27 years. All patients reported recurrent seizures postoperatively, but only one sustained a shoulder dislocation after surgery that was unrelated to seizure activity.Self-reported satisfaction was "much better" or "better" in 92% of shoulders. Average outcome scores were as follows: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score = 67 (33-100), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index = 32.5 (0-83), Simple Shoulder Test = 9.4 (5-12), SF-12 PCS = 44.1 (21-65), and SF-12 MCS = 50.6 (21-61). The average follow-up was 4.8 years. CONCLUSION: Management of bipolar shoulder injuries with humeral head allograft augmentation and glenoid based surgery leads to low recurrence rates and good clinical outcomes in patients with uncontrolled, seizure-related shoulder instability.

Preoperative physical therapy treatment did not influence postoperative pain and disability outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature investigating preoperative physical therapy (pre-op PT) treatment on pain intensity and disability after musculoskeletal surgery. The purposes of the present cohort study were to describe patient characteristics for those who had and did not have pre-op PT treatment and determine whether pre-op PT influenced the length of postoperative physical therapy (post-op PT) treatment (number of sessions) and 3-month and 6-month postsurgical outcomes, such as pain intensity and disability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 124 patients (mean age =43 years, 81 males) with shoulder pain were observed before and after shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Demographic data, medical history, and validated self-report questionnaires were collected preoperatively and at 3 months and 6 months after surgery. Analysis of variance models were performed to identify differences across measures for patients who had pre-op PT treatment and those who did not and to examine outcome differences at 3 months and 6 months. Alpha was set at the 0.05 level for statistical significance. RESULTS: Males had less participation in pre-op PT than females (P=0.01). In contrast, age, pain intensity, disability, and pain-associated psychological factors did not differ between pre-op PT treatment groups (P>0.05). Subacromial bursectomies were more commonly performed in patients having pre-op PT treatment (P<0.05). Pre-op PT treatment did not influence length of post-op PT treatment and did not affect 3-month and 6-month pain intensity and disability outcomes. Differences in distribution of pre-op PT for males and females and subacromial bursectomy did not influence 3-month or 6-month postsurgical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Receiving pre-op PT treatment did not influence post-op PT treatment or pain and disability outcomes at 3 months and 6 months. This prospective cohort study provides no evidence of benefit for pre-op PT on post-op PT treatment or postsurgical outcomes. Females or patients receiving certain surgical procedures are more likely to undergo pre-op PT treatment. However, these differences did not influence postoperative outcomes in this cohort.

Biopsychosocial Influence on Shoulder Pain: Influence of Genetic and Psychological Combinations on Twelve-Month Postoperative Pain and Disability Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To identify novel combinations of genetic and psychological factors that predicted 12-month postoperative pain and disability outcomes following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS: A prospective presurgical cohort (n = 150) was recruited to complete validated psychological questionnaires and have their DNA collected from saliva. DNA was genotyped for a priori selected genes involved with pain modulation (ADRB2, OPRM1, AVPR1A, GCH1, and KCNS1) and inflammation (IL1B, TNF/LTA, and IL6). The outcome measures of interest were the Brief Pain Inventory and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire. Followup for the cohort was at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. After controlling for age, sex, race, and preoperative status, genetic and psychological factors were entered as main effects and interaction terms in separate general linear models for predicting postoperative pain and disability outcomes. RESULTS: Seven interactions involving pain-modulatory genes were identified. Three provided strong statistical evidence for different outcomes, including KCNS1 and kinesiophobia for preoperative pain intensity, ADRB2 and depressive symptoms for postoperative course, and GCH1 and anxiety symptoms for 12-month pain-intensity outcome. Ten interactions involving inflammatory genes were identified. Three provided strong statistical evidence for the 12-month postoperative course outcome, including 2 different IL6 single-nucleotide polymorphism and pain catastrophizing, and IL6 and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The current study identified novel genetic and psychological interactions that can be used in future studies to further understand the development of persistent postoperative pain and investigate the effectiveness of tailored treatment.

Low- Versus High-Intensity Plyometric Exercise During Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Plyometric exercise is used during rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction to facilitate the return to sports participation. However, clinical outcomes have not been examined, and high loads on the lower extremity could be detrimental to knee articular cartilage. PURPOSE: To compare the immediate effect of low- and high-intensity plyometric exercise during rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction on knee function, articular cartilage metabolism, and other clinically relevant measures. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Twenty-four patients who underwent unilateral ACL reconstruction (mean, 14.3 weeks after surgery; range, 12.1-17.7 weeks) were assigned to 8 weeks (16 visits) of low- or high-intensity plyometric exercise consisting of running, jumping, and agility activities. Groups were distinguished by the expected magnitude of vertical ground-reaction forces. Testing was conducted before and after the intervention. Primary outcomes were self-reported knee function (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] subjective knee form) and a biomarker of articular cartilage degradation (urine concentrations of crosslinked C-telopeptide fragments of type II collagen [uCTX-II]). Secondary outcomes included additional biomarkers of articular cartilage metabolism (urinary concentrations of the neoepitope of type II collagen cleavage at the C-terminal three-quarter-length fragment [uC2C], serum concentrations of the C-terminal propeptide of newly formed type II collagen [sCPII]) and inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α), functional performance (maximal vertical jump and single-legged hop), knee impairments (anterior knee laxity, average knee pain intensity, normalized quadriceps strength, quadriceps symmetry index), and psychosocial status (kinesiophobia, knee activity self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing). The change in each measure was compared between groups. Values before and after the intervention were compared with the groups combined. RESULTS: The groups did not significantly differ in the change of any primary or secondary outcome measure. Of interest, sCPII concentrations tended to change in opposite directions (mean ± SD: low-intensity group, 28.7 ± 185.5 ng/mL; high-intensity group, -200.6 ± 255.0 ng/mL; P = .097; Cohen d = 1.03). Across groups, significant changes after the intervention were increased the IKDC score, vertical jump height, normalized quadriceps strength, quadriceps symmetry index, and knee activity self-efficacy and decreased average knee pain intensity. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were detected between the low- and high-intensity plyometric exercise groups. Across both groups, plyometric exercise induced positive changes in knee function, knee impairments, and psychosocial status that would support the return to sports participation after ACL reconstruction. The effect of plyometric exercise intensity on articular cartilage requires further evaluation. REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01851655.

Predicting Pain and Disability After Shoulder Arthroscopy: Rotator Cuff Tear Severity and Concomitant Arthroscopic Procedures.

OBJECTIVES: Study the influence of concomitant arthroscopic procedures and rotator cuff tear (RCT) severity on daily pain intensity and disability after shoulder arthroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 145 patients (mean age, 42.66±17.6; number of males=96) completed daily pain intensity and disability measures before shoulder arthroscopy. RCT severity was assessed on a 7-point scale based on operative report. Operative procedures were categorized based on anatomic location and invasiveness to calculate a weighted concomitant procedure estimate. Postoperative daily pain and disability were assessed 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year status after surgery. RESULTS: Only concomitant procedures were associated with 3-month daily pain intensity after adjusting for age, sex, pain duration, and baseline daily pain intensity (R=0.03; standardized ß=0.203; P=0.036). Moreover, post hoc analysis revealed concomitant procedures remained predictive of 3-month daily pain intensity when the estimate was calculated independent of RCT procedures (R=0.05; standardized ß=0.233; P=0.007), and when accounting for postoperative factors of physical therapy and analgesic medication (R=0.05; standardized ß=0.237; P=0.007). Neither RCT severity nor concomitant procedures were predictive of daily pain intensity at 6 months and 1 year, or disability at any time-point, in the adjusted models (P>0.05). DISCUSSION: This study introduces a novel means for estimating concurrent procedures for use as a prognostic factor. Our findings are similar to previous research of RCT severity that was found to have limited influence on postoperative outcomes. In contrast, this study highlights the potential importance of accounting for concomitant arthroscopic procedures as a predictor of early postoperative pain intensity outcomes.

Older Age as a Prognostic Factor of Attenuated Pain Recovery After Shoulder Arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain and surgery are common among older adults. However, the extent to which older age affects recovery after shoulder surgery is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To assess influence of older age on postoperative recovery factors 3 and 6 months after shoulder arthroscopy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University-affiliated outpatient orthopedic surgical center. PATIENTS: A convenience sample of 139 persons between 20 and 79 years of age who experienced shoulder pain, had musculoskeletal dysfunction based on imaging and physician assessment, and were scheduled for an arthroscopic shoulder procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative outcomes were compared among younger, middle-aged, and older adults before surgery and at 3 and 6 months after surgery using analysis of variance modeling. Movement-evoked pain and an experimental laboratory correlate of pain processing were assessed at each time point. The influence of older age on 3- and 6-month pain outcomes were determined via multivariate regression analyses after accounting for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative prognostic factors. RESULTS: Older adults had higher movement-evoked pain intensity (F2,108 = 5.18, P = .007) and experimental pain response (F2,111 = 7.24, P = .001) at 3 months compared with young and middle-aged adults. After controlling for key prognostic factors, older age remained a positive predictor of 3-month movement-evoked pain (R(2) = 0.05; standardized [St.] ß = 0.263, P = .031) and experimental pain response (R(2) = 0.07; St. ß = 0.295, P = .014). Further, older age remained a positive predictor of movement-evoked pain at 6 months (R(2) = 0.04; St. ß = 0.231, P = .004), despite no age group differences in outcome. Older age was found to be the strongest predictor of 3- and 6-month movement-evoked pain. CONCLUSION: Older adults may experience more pain related to movement, as well as endogenous pain excitation, in the first few months after shoulder arthroscopy. Future age-related research should consider use of movement-evoked pain intensity and experimental pain response as pain outcomes, as well as the utility of such measures in clinical care.

Failure of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

The present review classifies and describes the multifactorial causes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery failure, concentrating on preventing and resolving such situations. The article particularly focuses on those causes that require ACL revision due to recurrent instability, without neglecting those that affect function or produce persistent pain. Although primary ACL reconstruction has satisfactory outcome rates as high as 97%, it is important to identify the causes of failure, because satisfactory outcomes in revision surgery can drop to as much as 76%. It is often possible to identify a primary or secondary cause of ACL surgery failure; even the most meticulous planning can give rise to unexpected findings during the intervention. The adopted protocol should therefore be sufficiently flexible to adapt to the course of surgery. Preoperative patient counseling is essential. The surgeon should limit the patient's expectations for the outcome by explaining the complexity of this kind of procedure. With adequate preoperative planning, close attention to details and realistic patient expectations, ACL revision surgery may offer beneficial and satisfactory results for the patient.

CHANGES IN HIP RANGE OF MOTION AND STRENGTH IN COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PITCHERS OVER THE COURSE OF A COMPETITIVE SEASON: A PILOT STUDY.

BACKGROUND: Adaptations in hip range of motion (ROM) and strength have been shown to influence performance and injury risk in overhead athletes. These adaptations in hip ROM and strength have not been examined longitudinally, and little is known regarding whether these changes are a result of pitching workload. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The authors hypothesized that hip rotation ROM and strength would change over the course of a season, and would be associated with pitching workload (number of pitches over the course of a season). The purpose of this exploratory, pilot study was twofold: 1) to examine changes in hip external rotation (ER) ROM, internal rotation (IR) ROM, isometric hip abduction and hip extension strength in pitchers occurring over the course of a competitive season, and 2) to determine the association between changes in hip ROM, strength, and pitching volume. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort (longitudinal) study. METHODS: Bilateral hip rotation ROM and hip isometric strength was tested pre- and post-season in fourteen collegiate baseball pitchers. Pearson correlations were calculated to determine the association between changes in hip ROM, strength, and pitching workload. RESULTS: Trail and lead hip ER, trail and lead hip total rotational ROM, and trail and lead hip abduction strength in all pitchers decreased from preseason to postseason (p < 0.01). However, these changes were not significantly associated with pitching workload (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that changes occur in hip ROM and strength in collegiate pitchers over the course of a season. These changes were not associated with pitching workload. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Biopsychosocial influence on shoulder pain: risk subgroups translated across preclinical and clinical prospective cohorts.

Tailored treatment based on individual risk factors is an area with promise to improve options for pain relief. Musculoskeletal pain has a biopsychosocial nature, and multiple factors should be considered when determining risk for chronic pain. This study investigated whether subgroups comprised genetic and psychological factors predicted outcomes in preclinical and clinical models of shoulder pain. Classification and regression tree analysis was performed for an exercise-induced shoulder injury cohort (n = 190) to identify high-risk subgroups, and a surgical pain cohort (n = 150) was used for risk validation. Questionnaires for fear of pain and pain catastrophizing were administered before injury and preoperatively. DNA collected from saliva was genotyped for a priori selected genes involved with pain modulation (COMT and AVPR1A) and inflammation (IL1B and TNF/LTA). Recovery was operationalized as a brief pain inventory rating of 0/10 for current pain intensity and <2/10 for worst pain intensity. Follow-up for the preclinical cohort was in daily increments, whereas follow-up for the clinical cohort was at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Risk subgroups comprised the COMT high pain sensitivity variant and either pain catastrophizing or fear of pain were predictive of heightened shoulder pain responses in the preclinical model. Further analysis in the clinical model identified the COMT high pain sensitivity variant and pain catastrophizing subgroup as the better predictor. Future studies will determine whether these findings can be replicated in other anatomical regions and whether personalized medicine strategies can be developed for this risk subgroup.

Comparison of physical impairment, functional, and psychosocial measures based on fear of reinjury/lack of confidence and return-to-sport status after ACL reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Fear of reinjury and lack of confidence influence return-to-sport outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The physical, psychosocial, and functional recovery of patients reporting fear of reinjury or lack of confidence as their primary barrier to resuming sports participation is unknown. PURPOSE: To compare physical impairment, functional, and psychosocial measures between subgroups based on return-to-sport status and fear of reinjury/lack of confidence in the return-to-sport stage and to determine the association of physical impairment and psychosocial measures with function for each subgroup at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Physical impairment (quadriceps index [QI], quadriceps strength/body weight [QSBW], hamstring:quadriceps strength ratio [HQ ratio], pain intensity), self-report of function (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC]), and psychosocial (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-shortened form [TSK-11]) measures were collected at 6 months and 1 year after surgery in 73 patients with ACL reconstruction. At 1 year, subjects were divided into "return-to-sport" (YRTS) or "not return-to-sport" (NRTS) subgroups based on their self-reported return to preinjury sport status. Patients in the NRTS subgroup were subcategorized as NRTS-Fear/Confidence if fear of reinjury/lack of confidence was the primary reason for not returning to sports, and all others were categorized as NRTS-Other. RESULTS: A total of 46 subjects were assigned to YRTS, 13 to NRTS-Other, and 14 to NRTS-Fear/Confidence. Compared with the YRTS subgroup, the NRTS-Fear/Confidence subgroup was older and had lower QSBW, lower IKDC score, and higher TSK-11 score at 6 months and 1 year; however, they had similar pain levels. In the NRTS-Fear/Confidence subgroup, the IKDC score was associated with QSBW and pain at 6 months and QSBW, QI, pain, and TSK-11 scores at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Elevated pain-related fear of movement/reinjury, quadriceps weakness, and reduced IKDC score distinguish patients who are unable to return to preinjury sports participation because of fear of reinjury/lack of confidence. Despite low average pain ratings, fear of pain may influence function in this subgroup. Assessment of fear of reinjury, quadriceps strength, and self-reported function at 6 months may help identify patients at risk for not returning to sports at 1 year and should be considered for inclusion in return-to-sport guidelines.

Speed, not magnitude, of knee extensor torque production is associated with self-reported knee function early after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To examine the magnitude and speed of knee extensor torque production at the initiation of advanced anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction rehabilitation and the associations with self-reported knee function. METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects who were 12 weeks post-ACL reconstruction and 28 age- and sex-matched physically active controls participated in this study. Knee extensor torque was assessed bilaterally with an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s. The variables of interest were peak torque, average rate of torque development, time to peak torque and quadriceps symmetry index. Knee function was assessed with the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF). RESULTS: Peak torque and average rate of torque development were lower on the surgical side compared to the non-surgical side and controls. Quadriceps symmetry index was lower in subjects with ACL reconstruction compared to controls. On the surgical side, average rate of torque development was positively correlated with IKDC-SKF score (r = 0.379) while time to peak torque was negatively correlated with IKDC-SKF score (r = -0.407). CONCLUSIONS: At the initiation of advanced ACL reconstruction rehabilitation, the surgical side displayed deficits in peak torque and average rate of torque development. A higher rate of torque development and shorter time to peak torque were associated with better self-reported knee function. The results suggest that the rate of torque development should be addressed during advanced ACL reconstruction rehabilitation and faster knee extensor torque generation may lead to better knee function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Observational ratings of frontal plane knee position are related to the frontal plane projection angle but not the knee abduction angle during a step-down task.

STUDY DESIGN: Laboratory study, cross-sectional. OBJECTIVES: To determine if the magnitude of frontal plane knee angle, as determined with a 3-D motion-capture system (knee abduction angle [KAA]) or digital video (frontal plane projection angle [FPPA]), varies among groups of individuals with different frontal plane knee position, as determined by observational ratings. BACKGROUND: Performing functional tasks with the knee positioned medial to the foot may increase the risk for knee injury. The KAA and FPPA are commonly used in research settings to determine injury risk. However, observational ratings of frontal plane knee position are easier to perform in the clinical setting. It is not clear whether observational ratings of knee position can be used as a surrogate for the KAA or FPPA. METHODS: Eighty-one female collegiate athletes performed a lateral step-down task. Participants were rated as good, fair, or poor based on observation of their knee position relative to the foot in the frontal plane and assigned to observational rating groups. Movement was concurrently recorded with a 3-D motion-capture system and a digital video camera to calculate KAA and FPPA, respectively. RESULTS: Knee abduction angle did not differ among participants assigned to the different observational rating groups (P = .265). In contrast, FPPA values differed between groups (P<.001), with the highest values in the poor group and the lowest values in the good group. CONCLUSION: Observational ratings of frontal plane knee position relative to the foot are an appropriate clinical substitute for FPPA but not KAA. Therefore, observational ratings of medial knee position may be more suitable as a clinical screening tool when FPPA is the measure of interest.

Glenoid fracture after arthroscopic Bankart repair: case series and biomechanical analysis.

To examine whether anchors used in arthroscopic Bankart repair increased the risk of subsequent fracture, six intact polyurethane scapulae and six with three 3.0-mm suture anchors placed along the anteroinferior glenoid were compared. An axial load of 1 mm/s was applied to the anteroinferior glenohumeral joint with a prosthetic humeral head. Outcome measures were force needed for initial fracture and catastrophic failure, percent of anterior glenoid bone loss, and fracture length. With the numbers available, no significant differences could be detected between groups in yield load or maximum load. The anchor group had a significantly larger percentage of bone loss (p < .01) and fracture length (p < .01) compared to the intact group. In this study, anchors did not decrease force needed to fracture but did lead to significantly larger fractures of the anterior glenoid during a simulated dislocation event. Further study using various anchors and techniques is warranted.

Normalization considerations for using the unilateral seated shot put test in rehabilitation.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of different normalization methods on unilateral seated shot put test results. BACKGROUND: The unilateral seated shot put test could assist clinical decision making in upper extremity rehabilitation, but test results must be normalized to compare across patients. The effect of normalization methods based on body size and upper-limb dominance is unknown. METHODS: One hundred twenty-five collegiate athletes (63 males) performed the unilateral seated shot put test with each upper extremity. Anthropometric measures (height, body mass, arm length) and distance thrown were recorded. Normalization based on body size included ratio scaling and allometric scaling. Ratio scaling was performed with the anthropometric measure having the highest correlation to distance thrown (distance/anthropometric measure). Allometric scaling was performed with body mass raised to the theoretical exponent 0.67 (distance/body mass(0.67)) and a derived exponent. Correlations of nonnormalized and normalized values with body mass were then determined. The limb symmetry index [(dominant-side distance/nondominantside distance) × 100] was used for normalization based on limb dominance. Sex differences were examined. RESULTS: Body mass was selected for ratio scaling, and 0.35 was the derived allometric-scaling exponent. Across sexes, only allometric scaling with the exponent 0.35 removed the correlation with body mass. The mean limb symmetry index exceeded 100% in males (108.7%) and females (104.4%). All normalized test results were higher in males. CONCLUSION: When using the unilateral seated shot put test in rehabilitation, allometric scaling with the exponent 0.35 is preferable, limb comparisons should account for 5% to 10% better performance on the dominant side, and performance benchmarks should be set within sex. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2014;44(7):518-524. Epub 10 May 2014. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.5004.