Is fantasy baseball score a viable outcome measure for professional baseball pitchers after undergoing Tommy John surgery?

Hypothesis and Background: Although on-field performance metrics are useful in measuring overall success of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) in professional baseball pitchers, they may not comprehensively quantify athletic performance after returning to playing in the league. To utilize fantasy baseball score (FBS) as a novel and objective outcome to assess the quality of return to play in major league baseball (MLB) pitchers who went back to professional pitching after UCLR. Methods: This is a retrospective observational cohort study of 216 established MLB pitchers who underwent UCLR while in the MLB between the years 1974 and 2018. Pitchers who either started in at least 45 games or pitched 90 relief games in the 3 years leading up to injury were included. FBS was calculated using 3 different scoring methods: ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) (FBS-ESPN), Yahoo (FBS-Yahoo), and CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) (FBS-CBS). Return to play, games played, innings pitched, earned runs, strikeouts, walks, hits allowed, hit batsman, and quality starts were also collected. Performance records were compiled for 3 years prior to and after the return to MLB. Players' pre-injury performance was used as a historic control group. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to detect trends between seasons, controlling for year of surgery, and number of games. Results: The mean age of the cohort at the time of surgery was 30.0 ± 3.5 years. One hundred seventy-nine of 216 players (83%) returned to MLB play, taking an average of 16.6 ± 5.8 months. One hundred thirty-six of 179 (76%) remained in the league for 3 seasons. After adjusting for year of surgery, pitchers earned significantly fewer points for FBS-CBS (616.45 ± 332.42 vs. 389.12 ± 341.06; P < .001), FBS-Yahoo (801.90 ± 416.88 vs. 492.57 ± 428.40; P < .001), and FBS-ESPN (552.76 ± 275.77 vs. 344.19 ± 300.45; P < .001) after their injury. Also pitchers played in fewer games, pitched fewer innings, and had a decline in all measured on-field performance statistics. Conclusion: FBS may represent a useful outcome measure to objectively assess the quality of return to play in a professional baseball pitcher who returned to play in MLB after UCLR.

Current Relative Value Unit Scale Does Not Appropriately Compensate for Longer Orthopedic Sports Surgeries.

PURPOSE: To assess whether reimbursement for orthopaedic sports procedures adequately compensates for operative time and surgical complexity. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried for all orthopedic sports medicine procedures performed greater than 150 times from 2016 to 2018 with regard to operative time, preoperative risk factors, morbidity, and mortality data. Physician work relative value units (wRVU) data were obtained from the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fee schedule. The primary outcome was wRVU per minute operative time (wRVU/min). Linear regressions were used to assess wRVU, operative time, and wRVU/min. RESULTS: A total of 42 CPT codes, including 84,966 cases, were stratified into the top and bottom 50%, according to mean operative time, complications, mortality, reoperations, and readmissions. Mean wRVU/min was significantly lower for longer procedures (.153 vs .187; P = .02), and comparable with regard to ASA score, complications, mortality, readmissions, and reoperations. Arthroscopy reimbursed more (.187 vs .148 wRVU/min; P = .008), with lower complications (1.5 vs 2.6%; P = .115) and operative time (56.1 vs 82.8 min; P = .001) compared to open. Multivariate linear regression revealed that after adjusting for complication rate, there was a decrease of .054 wRVU/h (P = .026) and $116.90/hour less for every additional hour of operative time. CONCLUSION: The current 2020 RVU scale does not fairly compensate sports procedures with longer operative times. When examining the hourly reimbursement rates for the most commonly performed sports procedures, there is a significant trend toward lower reimbursement for longer procedures even after accounting for complication rates. Furthermore, procedures of the knee reimbursed at higher rates relative to the general pool of sports procedures and open procedures are compensated at a lower rate compared to arthroscopic procedures.

Golf Injuries: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment.

Increasing numbers of people are playing golf. Golf is a unique sport in that the ability to participate at a high level is not limited by age. In addition, participants tend to play more rather than less as they grow older. Injuries can occur at any point during the golf swing, from takeaway through follow-through. Upper extremity injuries can affect the hands, elbow, and shoulder and are usually a result of the golf swing at impact. Injuries are also common in the lower back as well as the lower extremities. Most injuries are the result of overuse and poor swing mechanics. When treating golfers, it is important to have a good understanding of the biomechanics and forces of the golf swing to diagnose and manage the vast spectrum of injuries incurred in this sport.

Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in the Knee.

The technique of osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation has been used to treat a wide spectrum of cartilage deficiencies in the knee. Its use has been supported by basic science and clinical studies that show it is a safe and effective treatment option. What sets fresh OCA transplantation apart from other cartilage procedures in the knee, is the ability to treat large defects with mature hyaline cartilage. Studies looking at transplantation of fresh OCAs in the general population have shown reliable pain relief and return to activities of daily living. Reports of cartilage injuries in athletes have risen over the years and more research is needed in evaluating the successfulness of OCA transplantation in the athletic population.

Technique Using Isoelastic Tension Band for Treatment of Olecranon Fractures.

The isoelastic ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene tension band may be considered an alternative to stainless steel wire for tension band fixation of olecranon fractures. In this article, we present our technique using this isoelastic tension band and describe the outcomes of 7 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of closed, displaced olecranon fractures with minimal or no articular surface comminution. We reviewed medical records and performed physical examinations and functional assessments. Anatomical reduction was maintained in all elbows through union. Physical examination measurements indicated nominal side-to-side differences in motion and strength. Mean Broberg and Morrey elbow score was good (92/100), and mean (SD) Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 12.6 (17.2). One patient had a minor degree of hardware irritation at longest follow-up but did not request hardware removal. One patient underwent implant removal for a symptomatic implant 5 years after surgery. This easily reproducible technique yields excellent physical and functional outcomes.

Volar plate capsulodesis for metacarpophalangeal hyperextension with basal joint arthritis.

Basal joint arthritis leads to thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) hyperextension that may prevent physiologic pinch. Various techniques have been used to address this hyperextension, but most are technically challenging, time-consuming, and not supported by long-term follow-up results. Furthermore, few groups have reported subjective, patient-based outcomes after such procedures. In a retrospective study, we evaluated a cohort of 14 patients who underwent a novel technique of thumb MCP capsulodesis in conjunction with basal joint arthroplasty. A mean of 4.74 years after surgery, subjective outcome measures (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; visual analog scale for pain; patient satisfaction) and objective outcome measures (range of motion, grip and pinch strengths) all reflected excellent function. The described technique for MCP capsulodesis is an attractive adjunct to basal joint arthroplasty, but further prospective studies are needed to establish specific operative indications.

A primer for physical examination of the elbow.

The elbow is a complex joint consisting of 3 separate but important articulations: the ulnohumeral, radiohumeral, and proximal radioulnar joints. The elbow assists in positioning the hand in space through 2 important motions, flexion-extension and pronation-supination. Although the elbow is not a weightbearing joint, it is subjected to significant loads, especially in overhead and throwing athletes. An accurate knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the elbow joint is critical for conducting a focused physical examination and arriving at an accurate diagnosis. The goal of this article is to review general and focused physical examination of the elbow in a systematic manner based on medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior aspects.

Treatment of hyperextension deformity of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint in basal joint arthritis: a novel technique based on an anatomic study.

Advanced stages of basal joint arthritis are sometimes characterized by an adduction deformity of the first metacarpal and a hyperextension deformity of the unstable metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. Stabilizing the MCP joint in these patients is critical to ensure a pain-free repair and efficient pinch mechanism. This study presents the anatomic basis for a novel capsulodesis technique using the volar plate that can be incorporated into any reconstructive basal joint procedure when clinically indicated. Eleven normal cadavers were dissected to expose the volar plate. The dimensions of the volar plate, relationship of the sesamoid bones to the oblique pulley, and the distance from the sesamoids to the base of the proximal phalanx were compared between specimens. The radial border of the volar plate measured 8.5 ± 1.3 mm, ulnar border 8.8 ± 1.0 mm, proximal border 7.5 ± 1.0 mm, and distal border 7.8 ± 0.6 mm. The distance between the ulnar sesamoid bone and the oblique pulley measured 12.1 ± 1.1 mm and from the radial sesamoid to the oblique pulley measured 16.6 ± 0.2 mm. The distance between the sesamoids and the base of the phalanx measured 2.2 ± 0.2 mm. The anatomic studies provide a foundation on which the surgeon can understand the complex nature of the MCP joint. This study describes a novel technique for MCP capsulodesis of the thumb in which volar plate flaps are imbricated to provide stability to the MCP joint, obviating the need for suture anchors and tendon grafts.

Medial collateral ligament reconstruction in the baseball Pitcher's elbow.

Pitchers are prone to elbow injuries because of high and repetitive valgus stresses on the elbow. The anterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament (MCL) of the elbow is the primary restraint and is often attenuated with time, leading to functional incompetence and ultimate failure. Pitchers with a history of medial elbow pain, reduced velocity, and loss of command may have an MCL injury in evolution. Physical examination and imaging can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment begins with rest and activity modification. All medial elbow pain is not MCL injury. Surgery is considered only for talented athletes who wish to return to competitive play and may include elite scholastic and other collegiates and professionals. The technique for MCL reconstruction was first described in 1986. Many variations have been offered since then, which can result in predictable outcomes, allowing many to return to the same level of competitive play.