Bone filling decreases donor site morbidity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts.

PURPOSE: Bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft remains the most widely used graft source for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The drawback associated with BTB is increased donor-site morbidity, such as anterior knee pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare anterior knee pain after refilling the patella bony defect with bone substitute. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent BTB ACLR at a single institution between January 2015 and December 2020. The cohort was divided into two groups; one in which the patellar bony defect was refilled with bone substitute (Bone Graft group) and another in which this the bony defects were not treated (No Bone Graft group). Demographic variables, reported anterior knee pain, visual analog scale (VAS) score, complications, re-operation, and patient reported outcome measures, such as the IKDC, LYSHOLM and SF-12 scores, were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 286 patients who underwent BTB ACLR were included. The No Bone Graft group included 88 (30.7%) patients and the Bone Graft group included 198 (69.3%) patients. The Bone Graft group had less anterior knee pain at last clinic follow up (33.3% vs. 51.1% p = 0.004) as well as lower VAS anterior knee pain scores (2.18 vs. 3.13, p = 0.004). The Bone Graft group had lower complications rates (21.7% vs 34.1, p = 0.027). No differences were found in the LYSHOLM, IKDC, and SF-12 scores. CONCLUSION: Bone refilling in BTB ACLR significantly reduces prevalence and severity of anterior knee pain. Larger randomized trials are needed to confirm the benefits of bone refilling in ACLR patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective study-III.

The covid-19 pandemic did not affect rehabilitation following acl reconstruction / La pandemia de covid-19 no afectó a la rehabilitación tras la reconstrucción del lca / A pandemia de covid-19 não afetou a reabilitação depois de reconstrução do lca

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess postoperative rehabilitation patterns in patients who underwent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent primary isolated ACLR between February 2019 and July 2020. Two different periods were evaluated. The "COVID group" represents the period from February 1st to July 1st of 2020 and the "non-COVID group" represents the equivalent period in 2019. Rehabilitation features and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on rehabilitation habits were assessed. Patient outcome scores were assessed using the Lysholm, Tegner, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaires. Subjective satisfaction, post-operative complications, and subsequent surgeries were recorded. Results: The groups did not differ significantly in demographics, functional outcome scores, or subjective satisfaction. There was no significant difference in rehabilitation patterns between the groups. In the COVID group, only one patient (4%) reported participation in online physiotherapy. Conclusions: There were no differences in the post-operative rehabilitation patterns, including duration, length, and environment of the training, between patients who underwent primary isolated ACLR during the COVID-19 pandemic and those who underwent the treatment in the preceding non-COVID year. Patient outcome scores, subjective satisfaction, and subsequent surgery rates did not differ between the groups. Level of evidence IV; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar los patrones de rehabilitación postoperatoria en pacientes sometidos a una reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior (RLCA) durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a RLCA aislada primaria entre febrero de 2019 y julio de 2020 evaluados en dos períodos distintos. El "grupo COVID" representa el período comprendido entre el 1de febrero y el 1 de julio de 2020 y el "grupo pre-COVID" representa el período equivalente en 2019. Se evaluaron los recursos de rehabilitación y el efecto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en los patrones de rehabilitación. Las puntuaciones de los resultados de los pacientes se evaluaron mediante los cuestionarios de Lysholm, Tegner y del International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC). Se informaron datos de satisfacción subjetiva, complicaciones postoperatorias y cirugías posteriores. Resultados: En ambos grupos no se identificaron diferencias significativas en los datos demográficos, las puntuaciones funcionales y la satisfacción subjetiva, así como en los patrones de rehabilitación. En el "grupo COVID", sólo un paciente (4%) declaró haber participado en fisioterapia "online". Conclusiones: Los pacientes sometidos a RLCA aislada primaria durante la pandemia de COVID-19 no presentaron diferencias en los patrones de rehabilitación postoperatoria, incluida la duración, el alcance y el entorno del entrenamiento en comparación con los pacientes del grupo pre-COVID. Las puntuaciones de los resultados de los pacientes, la satisfacción subjetiva y las tasas de cirugía posterior no difirieron entre los grupos. Nivel de Evidencia IV; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar os padrões de reabilitação pós-operatória em pacientes submetidos à reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior (RLCA) durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo dos pacientes submetidos a RLCA isolada primária no período de fevereiro de 2019 a julho de 2020 avaliados em dois períodos distintos. O "grupo COVID" representa o período de 1 de fevereiro a 1 de julho 2020, e o "grupo pré-COVID" representa o período equivalente em 2019. Os recursos de reabilitação e o efeito da pandemia de COVID-19 sobre os padrões de reabilitação foram avaliados. Os escores dos resultados dos pacientes foram avaliados com os questionários Lysholm, Tegnes e pelo International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC). Foram relatados os dados de satisfação subjetiva, complicações pós-operatórias e cirurgias subsequentes. Resultados: Em ambos os grupos não foram identificadas diferenças significativas nos dados demográficos, escores funcionais e na satisfação subjetiva, assim como nos padrões de reabilitação. No "grupo COVID", somente um paciente (4%) reportou participação em fisioterapia "on-line". Conclusões: Os pacientes submetidos à RLCA isolada primária durante a pandemia COVID-19 não apresentaram diferença nos padrões de reabilitação pós-operatória, incluindo duração, extensão e ambiente de treinamento em comparação com pacientes do grupo pré-COVID no ano anterior. Os escores dos resultados dos pacientes, a satisfação subjetiva e as taxas de cirurgia subsequentes não diferiram entre os grupos. Nível de Evidência IV; Estudos terapêuticos - Investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Artificial Intelligence in the Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries.

BACKGROUND: Technological innovation is a key component of orthopaedic surgery. With the integration of powerful technologies in surgery and clinical practice, artificial intelligence (AI) may become an important tool for orthopaedic surgeons in the future. Through adaptive learning and problem solving that serve to constantly increase accuracy, machine learning algorithms show great promise in orthopaedics. PURPOSE: To investigate the current and potential uses of AI in the management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A systematic review of the PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus databases between their start and August 12, 2020, was performed by 2 independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria included application of AI anywhere along the spectrum of predicting, diagnosing, and managing ACL injuries. Exclusion criteria included non-English publications, conference abstracts, review articles, and meta-analyses. Statistical analysis could not be performed because of data heterogeneity; therefore, a descriptive analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: A total of 19 publications were included after screening. Applications were divided based on the different stages of the clinical course in ACL injury: prediction (n = 2), diagnosis (n = 12), intraoperative application (n = 1), and postoperative care and rehabilitation (n = 4). AI-based technologies were used in a wide variety of applications, including image interpretation, automated chart review, assistance in the physical examination via optical tracking using infrared cameras or electromagnetic sensors, generation of predictive models, and optimization of postoperative care and rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: There is an increasing interest in AI among orthopaedic surgeons, as reflected by the applications for ACL injury presented in this review. Although some studies showed similar or better outcomes using AI compared with traditional techniques, many challenges need to be addressed before this technology is ready for widespread use.

Does hip morphology correlate with proximal femoral fracture type?

PURPOSE: To determine if boney morphology influences the anatomic location of hip fractures in elderly patients. METHODS: All patients with hip fractures between 2008 and 2012 who had hip radiographs taken prior to the fracture were reviewed. Fractures were classified as intracapsular or extracapsular and hip morphology was measured on the pre-fracture x-rays. Hip morphology was determined by alpha angle, lateral central edge angle, acetabular index, neck-shaft angle, hip axis length, femoral neck diameter, Tönnis classification for hip osteoarthritis (OA) and the presence of a crossover sign. RESULTS: 148 subjects (78.4% female, age 83.5 years) with proximal femur fractures were included. 44 patients (29.7%) had intracapsular fractures and 104 (70.3%) had extracapsular fractures. 48% of patients had previous hip fractures on the contralateral side and 74.6% had the same type of fracture bilaterally. The rates of bilateral intracapsular and extracapsular fractures were similar (33.7% vs. 40.9% respectively, p = 0.39). Extracapsular fractures had a statically significant higher neck-shaft angle, a shorter hip axis length, a narrower femoral neck diameter and a higher grade of Tönnis classification of OA (p = 0.04, 0.046, 0.03, 0.02 respectively). Acetabular coverage and the proximal femoral head-neck junction, which were evaluated by lateral centre-edge angle (LCEA), acetabular index and the presence of a crossover sign, did not correlate with fracture type. The alpha angle > 40° had a statistically significant higher likelihood for extracapsular fractures (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Acetabular coverage and proximal femoral head-neck junction morphology, were found to partially correlate with the location of hip fractures and do not fully elucidate fracture type susceptibility.

Financial impact and effect on the outcome of preoperative tests for at-risk older hip fracture patients.

AIM: Older patients with proximal femoral fractures often undergo preoperative tests due to coexisting morbidities. Our aim was to evaluate these tests and their impact on patient outcome and medical expenses. METHODS: This retrospective study includes data on head computed tomography, carotid ultrasound, echocardiography and pulmonary functional tests calculated according to the type of surgery (osteosynthesis or hip arthroplasty) carried out on 2798 patients. Time-to-surgery, test repeated postoperatively, American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status score, additional procedures, hospitalization time, 30-day mortality and associated medical expenses were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 921 preoperative tests were carried out in 780 (28%) patients, and 375 postoperative tests were carried out in 329 (12%) patients (P < 0.001). A total of 23 procedures were carried out after surgery, none related to the originally carried out tests. Significant group differences were found for American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status score, days to surgery, hospitalization time (days) and mortality rates. The medical expenses of these tests were 1.3% of the average income per case, and 0.6% of the average study group income. CONCLUSIONS: Non-routine preoperative tests prolong time-to-surgery, increased hospitalization time and contribute to 30-day mortality. No postoperative procedure was related to preoperative test findings. The financial cost for these tests does not burden the medical expenses per procedure. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 937-942.