MRI Features That Contribute to Decision-Making for Treatment of Capitellar OCD Lesions: An Expert Consensus Using the Delphi Method.

Background: Most healthcare providers utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assist in diagnosing and treating osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum. However, consensus on imaging features that portend clinically relevant information in the care of these lesions has not been determined. Purpose: To conduct a survey on the MRI features of a capitellar OCD that are salient for clinical decision-making using a classic Delphi protocol. Study Design: A consensus statement. Methods: Invitations to participate were sent to 33 healthcare providers identified as capitellar OCD experts. A classic 3-round survey method was used to gather agreement and consensus on the level of importance for clinical decision-making on 33 MRI features. A concise list of features that guide decision-making on the stability of an OCD lesion and the ability of an OCD lesion to heal with nonoperative care was also identified. Agreement and consensus were determined a priori as ≥66%. Results: Of the 33 identified experts, 20 agreed to participate, and 17 (52%) completed all 3 rounds. Of the 33 MRI features evaluated, 17 reached agreement as important for clinical decision-making by the experts. Consensus was reached for a concise list of MRI features that were significant to decision-making (94%), suggestive of a stable lesion (100%), had the potential to heal with nonoperative treatment (94%), were suggestive of an unstable lesion (100%), and had low potential to heal with nonoperative treatment (88%). Conclusion: This 3-round Delphi process produced consensus on clinically relevant MRI features that contribute to clinical decision-making for capitellar OCD. The results of this study will be used as the basis for an interrater reliability assessment of the identified salient features, creating the foundation for developing a reliable MRI assessment tool rooted in clinical experiences. The development of a standardized assessment of capitellar OCD is intended to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Performance-Based Outcomes after Revision Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Professional Pitchers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare performance in baseball pitchers before and after revision ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery using performance metrics. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Public online database. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Players who underwent revision UCL surgery between 2015 and 2021 were identified. Players were included if they were Minor League (MiLB) or Major League (Major League baseball [MLB]) pitchers. Players were excluded if they were not pitchers, if they underwent their revision surgery as an amateur, or if there is no record of their primary reconstruction surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Revision UCL surgery (repair or reconstruction). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Return to sport (RTS) rate, RTS time, pitch velocity, and pitch spin rate. RESULTS: Sixty-five pitchers underwent revision UCL surgery. MiLB pitchers had a shorter RTS time after their primary surgery (15.62 vs 20.77 months, P < 0.01) compared with MLB pitchers but similar RTS times after their revision reconstruction (19.64 vs 18.48 months, P = 0.44). There was also no difference in return to play (RTP) rate overall after primary versus revision reconstruction ( P = 1.00). Major League baseball pitchers also had decreased RTS time after primary compared with revision reconstruction (15.62 vs 19.64 months, P < 0.01) but similar RTP rates ( P = 0.28). Finally, MLB pitchers had similar pitch breakdowns, velocities, and spin rates before and after their primary and revision repair or reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Both revision UCL repair and reconstruction can return pitchers to preinjury performance levels. Pitchers and teams should be properly counseled on realistic RTP times and postsurgery performance when discussing revision UCL surgeries.

Reliability of Radiographic Imaging Characteristics for Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum.

BACKGROUND: A primary challenge in the treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is accurate imaging assessment. Radiographic classification consensus is not available in the current literature, and correlation of radiographs with lesion stability and resultant best treatment is lacking. PURPOSE: To determine the inter- and intrarater reliability of the presence or absence and common radiographic characteristics of capitellar OCD lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique radiographs for 29 cases were reviewed by 7 orthopaedic surgeons. Images were assessed for elbow anthropometry and morphology, OCD presence, lesion characteristics, the presence of progeny bone and progeny features, and radial head abnormalities. Intra- and interrater reliability was assessed using Fleiss and Cohen kappa for nominal variables and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for continuous variables. RESULTS: Surgeons demonstrated substantial to excellent inter- and intrarater reliability when assessing elbow characteristics: anthropometric (interrater ICC, 0.94-0.99; intrarater ICC, 0.82-0.96) and morphologic (Fleiss, 0.61-0.76; Cohen, 0.68). When the OCD lesion was assessed, fair to moderate interrater agreement was found for classifying the absence or presence of a lesion (Fleiss, 0.28-0.46) and the location of the OCD (Fleiss, 0.24-0.52), poor agreement for assessing the contour of the lesion (Fleiss, 0.00-0.09), and excellent agreement for measuring the size of the lesion (ICC, 0.82-0.94). Poor to fair interrater agreement was found for radial head abnormalities (Fleiss, 0.00-0.27). Progeny bone visualization and fragmentation demonstrated moderate interrater agreement (Fleiss, 0.43-0.47) where displacement of the bone demonstrated poor interrater agreement (Fleiss, 0.11-0.16). Intrarater agreement for OCD lesion characteristics, progeny bone visualization, and progeny bone features was moderate to excellent. CONCLUSION: Given only the fair to moderate agreement among raters for identifying OCD on radiographs, this imaging modality may not serve as a dependable screening tool in isolation. Additional imaging should be obtained if the clinical presentation suggests capitellar OCD and a definitive diagnosis is not possible with radiographs. However, clinicians can reliability measure the size of radiographically apparent OCD, suggesting that radiographs may serve as an appropriate imaging modality for follow-up care.

Prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement in elite baseball players.

CAM-type femoroacetabular impingement continues to be an underrecognized cause of hip pain in elite athletes. Properties inherent to baseball such as throwing mechanics and hitting may enhance the risk of developing a cam deformity. Our goal is to gain an appreciation of the radiographic prevalence of cam deformities in elite baseball players. Prospective evaluation and radiographs of 80 elite baseball players were obtained during the 2016 preseason entrance examination. A sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with experience treating hip disorders used standard radiographic measurements to assess for the radiographic presence of cam impingement. Radiographs with an alpha angle >55° on modified Dunn views were defined as cam positive. Of the 122 elite baseball players included in our analysis, 80 completed radiographic evaluation. Only 7.3% (9/122) of players reported hip pain and 1.6% (4/244) had a positive anterior impingement test. The prevalence of cam deformities in right and left hips were 54/80 (67.5%) and 40/80 (50.0%), respectively. The mean alpha angle for cam-positive right and left hips were 64.7 ± 6.9° and 64.9 ± 5.8°, respectively. Outfielders had the highest risk of right-sided cam morphology (Relative Risk (RR) = 1.6). Right hip cam deformities were significantly higher in right-handed pitchers compared with left-handed pitchers (P = 0.02); however, there was no significant difference in left hip cam deformities between left- and right-handed pitchers (P = 0.307). Our data suggest that elite baseball players have a significantly higher prevalence of radiographic cam impingement than the general population.

Comparison of Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes Between Renal Transplant and End Stage Renal Disease Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have increased risk for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) due to their predisposition for bacteremia and subsequent implant inoculation secondary to dialysis. PJI risk is also elevated in transplant patients secondary to chronic immunosuppressive therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare medical and surgical complications after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with ESRD or renal transplant (RT). METHODS: This was a retrospective review from the PearlDiver database. International Classification of Diseases and Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify patients with ESRD or RT who underwent primary TKA for osteoarthritis from 2015 to 2019. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done for medical complications up to 90 days and surgical complications up to 2 years. RESULTS: Within 90 days of TKA, patients with RT were less likely to develop pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23 to 0.84, P = 0.018) and wound dehiscence (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.90, P = 0.015). Patients with RT had a lower risk for PJI at 1 year (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.99, P = 0.017) and at 2 years (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.88, P = 0.017) after primary TKA. DISCUSSION: Consideration should be given to delaying TKA in patients with ESRD who are RT candidates.

Effect of Patient Height and Sex on the Patellar Tendon and Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

BACKGROUND: Graft-tunnel mismatch is an avoidable complication in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Patient height and sex may be predictors of patellar tendon length (PTL) and intra-articular ACL length (IAL). Understanding these relationships may assist in reducing graft-tunnel mismatch during ACL reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft. PURPOSE: To determine the association of patient height and sex with PTL and IAL. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were obtained on the healthy knees of 100 male and 100 female patients. Patients with prior surgery, open physes, significant degenerative changes, ACL rupture, or extensor mechanism injury were excluded. Three independent readers measured PTL, IAL, and Caton-Deschamps Index (CDI) on MRI. Bivariate and linear regression analysis was performed to detect the association of anthropometric data with anatomic parameters measured on MRI studies. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index were not significantly different between the male and female patients; however, male patients were significantly taller than female patients (1.75 vs 1.72 m, respectively; P < .001). There was a substantial agreement between the 3 readers for all parameters (κ > 0.75). Overall, female patients had significantly longer PTL (47.38 vs 43.92 mm), higher CDI (1.146 vs 1.071), and shorter IAL (33.05 vs 34.39 mm) (P < .001 for all). Results of the linear regression analysis demonstrated that both height and female sex were predictive of longer PTL. Further, height was independently predictive of IAL but sex was not. CONCLUSION: PTL was correlated more with patient sex than height. IAL was also correlated with patient sex. Longer BTB grafts are expected to be harvested in female patients compared with male patients of the same height despite shorter IAL. These associations should be considered during BTB ACL reconstruction to minimize graft-tunnel mismatch.

Which Factors may reduce the Health-Related Quality of Life of Ecuadorian Patients with Diabetes?

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in Ecuador and to determine its association, or lack thereof, with demographic and clinical variables, particularly with the comorbidities and complications of DM. METHODS: This was an analytical cross-sectional study with 325 patients attending regular care at a primary health care center in Quito, Ecuador. HRQoL was measured using the EuroQol 5-dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. The patients were screened for diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Clinical files were reviewed to obtain data regarding gender, age, time since diagnosis, type of treatment, glycemic control, and history (if any) of hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. Associations were verified using the Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis test, and the confounding effects of the variables "age" and "gender" were controlled for using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean HRQoL for the population was 0.844 (±0.215) on the EQ-5D-3L index (EQ-Index) and 80.6 (±18.8) on the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). The prevalence of DM complications was 1.8% for nephropathy, 14.8% for retinopathy, and 14.5% for PAD. Of the participating patients, 66.8% presented hypertension and 91.4%, dyslipidemia. Significant associations were found between lower scores on the EQ-Index and age (≥65 years) (0.84 vs. 0.87; p = 0.016), time since diagnosis (≥10 years) (0.81 vs. 0.87; p = 0.005), presence of hypertension (0.83 vs. 0.88; p = 0.017), and, after controlling for age and gender, presence of nephropathy. For the EQ-VAS, only time since diagnosis (≥10 years) was associated with a lower score (77.99 vs. 82.97; p = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Older age, longer disease duration, hypertension, and nephropathy are associated with having a lower HRQoL, in patients with type 2 DM in Quito, Ecuador.

Maximizing outcomes in the treatment of radial head fractures.

The radial head plays a critical role in the stability of the elbow joint and its range of motion. Injuries may occur across a spectrum of severity, ranging from low energy non-displaced fractures to high energy comminuted fractures. Multiple classification systems exist to help characterize radial head fractures and their associated injuries, as well as to guide treatment strategies. Depending on the type of fracture, non-operative management may be possible if early range of motion is initiated. Other options include open reduction and internal fixation or excision followed by arthroplasty. A lateral approach is typically used for adequate surgical exposure. Controversy still remains regarding operative management of more severe fractures, but studies have shown good outcomes after radial head replacement for these fractures. We will review the current treatments available for radial head fractures, highlighting gaps in knowledge, as well as providing recommendations for the care of these injuries.Level of evidence: Level V.

Suture Tape Augmentation of the Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair: A Biomechanical Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the biomechanical strength of repair of the thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) alone and repair augmented with suture tape. METHODS: Twelve fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens (6 matched pairs) had the UCL divided at its attachment on the base of the proximal phalanx and repaired with or without suture tape augmentation. A material testing machine was used to provide valgus stress at a rate of 0.1 mm/s until failure. The maximum load, load at clinical failure, and mode of failure were recorded. RESULTS: In the specimens with UCL repair augmented with suture tape, the maximum load (46.6 N [SD, 25.6 N]) and load at clinical failure (25.3 N [SD, 18.3 N]) were significantly higher than in the repair-only group (8.02 N [SD, 2.24 N]) and (6.00 N [SD, 2.39 N], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this model, thumb UCL repair with suture tape augmentation demonstrated greater maximum and clinical failure loads compared with nonaugmented repair at time 0, that is, without any biological healing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Suture tape augmentation of UCL repair may be valuable in the setting of acute tears by decreasing the time of postoperative cast immobilization and, therefore, allowing for earlier thumb metacarpophalangeal joint motion and overall faster clinical recovery.

Biomechanical Evaluation of a Single- Versus Double-Tunnel Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction With Acromioclavicular Stabilization for Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries.

BACKGROUND: An anatomic double-tunnel (DT) reconstruction technique has been widely adopted to reconstruct the ruptured coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments seen with high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries. However, the anatomic DT reconstruction has been associated with the risk of clavicle fractures, which may be problematic, particularly for contact athletes. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to compare a single-tunnel (ST) CC ligament reconstruction for AC joint injuries with the native state as well as with the more established anatomic DT CC ligament reconstruction. The hypothesis was that ST CC ligament reconstruction would demonstrate biomechanical properties similar to those of the native state and the DT CC ligament reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eighteen fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders (9 matched pairs) with mean ± SD age of 55.5 ± 8.5 years underwent biomechanical testing. One specimen of each matched pair underwent a ST CC ligament reconstruction and the second, a DT CC ligament reconstruction. The ST and DT CC ligament reconstruction techniques involved a 5-mm distal clavicle excision, avoided coracoid drilling, and utilized a 3.0-mm suture anchor to fix the excess lateral limb to reconstruct the superior AC joint capsule. The ST CC ligament reconstruction technique additionally included a 1.3-mm suture tape to help avoid a sawing effect, as well as a dog-bone button over the clavicular tunnel to increase stability of the construct. All specimens were tested to 70 N in 3 directions (superior, anterior, and posterior) in the intact and reconstructed states. The ultimate load, yield load, stiffness, and mode of failure of the reconstructed specimens were tested. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in translation at 70 N in the superior ( P = .31), anterior ( P = .56), and posterior ( P = .35) directions between the ST CC ligament reconstruction and the intact state. The ultimate load to failure, yield load, and stiffness in the ST and DT groups were also not significantly different. There were no distal clavicle fractures in load-to-failure testing in the ST or DT group. CONCLUSION: In this biomechanical study, ST CC ligament reconstruction demonstrates biomechanical properties comparable to the intact state. Additionally, use of the ST CC ligament reconstruction shows biomechanical properties similar to the DT CC ligament reconstruction technique while theoretically posing less risk of clavicle fracture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests that the ST CC ligament reconstruction has biomechanical properties equivalent to the DT CC ligament reconstruction with less theoretical risk of clavicle fracture.

Contact Analysis of Horizontal Cleavage Tear Treatment.

Horizontal cleavage tears (HCT) commonly occur in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus due to aging and degeneration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the surgical treatment of HCTs and their effect on dynamic tibiofemoral contact mechanics. The tibiofemoral contact mechanics of 10 cadaver knees were investigated using a custom dynamic loading apparatus, pressure sensor, and motion sensing camera. Three loading conditions were analyzed: 500 N compressive load, 500 N compressive load with 100 N posterior shear, and 500 N compressive load with 2.5 Nm of internal torque. Real-time peak contact pressures and contact areas were recorded throughout the full range of motion. After testing the intact meniscal state, a horizontal cleavage tear was created and included 50% of the width of the meniscus. The following procedures were performed, and the loading conditions described above were analyzed: HCT superior flap removal (5 specimens), HCT inferior flap removal (remaining 5 specimens), and both flaps removed (all 10 specimens). Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed linear effects model using the R-statistical package. The mixed linear effects statistical model identified statistically significant differences between independent variables, including the procedure performed, meniscal flap removed, meniscal region, loading condition, and knee flexion angle with respect to contact area and peak contact pressure. Peak contact pressure and contact area were not affected by selective flap removal (superior vs. inferior) or removal of both flaps of the HCT. We recommend that in the treatment of horizontal cleavage tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, the outer 50% of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus should be maintained for load transmission.

Coronal Malalignment in the Adult Knee.

Coronal plane deformity in the adult patient is a complex clinical problem. Once the hip, knee, and ankle joint centers lose collinerarity, the knee is exposed to abnormal loads across its tibiofemoral compartments, leading to early degenerative changes. Malalignment can coexist with arthrosis and ligamentous instability. High tibial osteotomy and distal femoral osteotomy have been useful tools to realign the adult knee. They can be performed along with ligament reconstruction and cartilage restoration procedures with high success rates. Despite novel techniques and fixation methods, principles of deformity correction should be followed to maximize clinical outcomes.

Total Hip Arthroplasty After Proximal Femoral Osteotomy: A Technique That Can Be Used to Address Presence of a Retained Intracortical Plate.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be challenging in the setting of internal fixation devices previously placed in the proximal femur. When these devices are used in adolescent patients, endosteal hypertrophy can lead to significant bony overgrowth. Removal of these implants can result in significant cortical defects that may compromise the results of THA. This article describes a technique that can be used when a plate applied to the lateral femoral cortex has become "intracortical" as a result of extensive bony overgrowth. In using this technique to avoid plate removal, the surgeon eliminates the need for more extensive procedures aimed at compensating for deficiency of the femoral cortex in the area of plate removal.

Postoperative pain control after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) can provide excellent clinical results for patients who fail to respond to conservative management of symptomatic rotator cuff tears. ARCR, however, can be associated with severe postoperative pain and discomfort that requires adequate analgesia. As ARCR continues to shift toward being performed as an outpatient procedure, it is incumbent on physicians and ambulatory surgical centers to provide appropriate pain relief with minimal side effects to ensure rapid recovery and safe discharge. Although intravenous and oral opioids are the cornerstone of pain management after orthopedic procedures, they are associated with drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and increased length of hospital stay. As health care reimbursements continue to become more intimately focused on quality, patient satisfaction, and minimizing of complications, the need for adequate pain control with minimal complications will continue to be a principal focus for providers and institutions alike. We present a review of alternative modalities for pain relief after ARCR, including cryotherapy, intralesional anesthesia, nerve blockade, indwelling continuous nerve block catheters, and multimodal anesthesia. In choosing among these modalities, physicians should consider patient- and system-based factors to allow the efficient delivery of analgesia that optimizes recovery and improves patient satisfaction.

Everything Achilles: Knowledge Update and Current Concepts in Management: AAOS Exhibit Selection.

Achilles tendon pathology is common and affects athletes and nonathletes alike. The cause is multifactorial and controversial, involving biological, anatomical, and mechanical factors. A variety of conditions characterized by Achilles tendon inflammation and/or degeneration can be clinically and histologically differentiated. These include insertional Achilles tendinopathy, retrocalcaneal bursitis, Achilles paratenonitis, Achilles tendinosis, and Achilles paratenonitis with tendinosis. The mainstay of treatment for all of these diagnoses is nonoperative. There is a large body of evidence addressing treatment of acute and chronic Achilles tendon ruptures; however, controversy remains.

Tibiofemoral contact mechanics following a horizontal cleavage lesion in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a horizontal cleavage lesion (HCL) of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus would result in changes to tibiofemoral contact mechanics, as measured by peak contact pressure and contact area, which can lead to cartilage degeneration. To study this, 10 cadaveric knees were tested in a rig where forces were applied (500 N Compression, 100 N shear, 2.5 Nm Torque) and the knee dynamically flexed from -5° to 135°, as peak contact pressure and contact area were recorded. After testing of the intact knee, a horizontal cleavage lesion was created arthroscopically and testing repeated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine if there were differences in peak contact pressure and contact area between the intact knee and that with the HCL. A statistically significant increase in peak contact pressure of 13%, on average, and a decrease in contact area of 6%, on average, was noted following the HCL. This suggests that a horizontal cleavage lesion will result in small but statistically significant changes in tibiofemoral contact mechanics which may lead to cartilage degeneration.

Osteotomies about the knee: AAOS exhibit selection.

Varus or valgus malalignment of the lower extremity can alter the load distribution across the knee and hasten the development of focal osteoarthritis. Although knee arthroplasty remains an effective option for end-stage arthritis, it is not typically recommended in the young, active patient. In the setting of painful unicompartmental cartilage injury in a mechanically malaligned limb, alignment correction by osteotomy has been shown to slow the progression of osteoarthritis and lessen pain. In this review, we will discuss the different options, indications, and techniques for osteotomies about the knee.

Current trends in the management of recurrent anterior shoulder instability.

The glenohumeral joint is innately complex and comprised of both static and dynamic stabilizers. Anterior glenohumeral instability has been estimated to have an incidence of 11.2 cases per 100,000 persons and typically follows a traumatic injury. Although there are specific instances when conservative management is advocated, a majority of these patients are treated with operative stabilization. Recent advancements in arthroscopy have created a shift from the traditional open stabilization procedures towards more minimally invasive arthroscopic stabilization procedures. This comprehensive review will summarize current concepts involved in evaluating patients with anterior glenohumeral instability and specifically focus on those patients who suffer from recurrent instability.

The arthroscopic-assisted removal of a distal femoral condylar locking plate--a case report.

We describe a minimally invasive procedure for removal of a distal femur locking plate using arthroscopic assistance. Using lateral accessory portals, we performed arthroscopically-assisted removal of distal locking screws. Under fluoroscopic image, proximal screws were removed from the diaphysis. The accessory lateral portal sites used to remove the distal screws were connected. Through this arthrotomy, the plate was elevated from the distal femur and removed without difficulty. With this method we were able to concomitantly visualize the intra-articular regions while accomplishing the hardware removal.