Health-related quality of life does not deteriorate while waiting for anterior cruciate reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine how preoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is affected by the duration of the wait time (WT) for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) once a decision is made to proceed with surgery. METHODS: This was a multi-centre prospective cohort study. One hundred and twenty-two patients 14 years of age and above waiting for ACLR completed the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) demographic, current health assessment and subjective knee evaluation (SKF) forms on the day of decision to operate and the day of surgery. Changes in scores were analyzed for the entire cohort, adjusted for WTs and a subset was compared for patients with isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and ACL tears with concurrent meniscal involvement. Changes in HRQoL scores from the day of the decision to operate to the 9-month postoperative appointments were also assessed. RESULTS: Energy/Fatigue (p < 0.05), Pain (p < 0.05), General Health (p < 0.05) and the IKDC-SKF Score (p < 0.05) significantly increased between the day of the decision to operate and the day of surgery. Only the change in IKDC-SKF score remained significantly higher after adjusting for WT. Baseline HRQoL scores significantly improved by the 9-month postoperative appointment. CONCLUSION: The length of time waiting for ACLR did not adversely influence HRQoL in this study. However, low preoperative HRQoL and the significant improvement in HRQoL of patients followed postoperatively suggest that timely surgery is beneficial for this patient population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Tendon cross-sectional area on magnetic resonance imaging and anthropometric characteristics can be used to predict insufficient four-strand hamstring autograft diameter in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of semitendinosus tendon (ST) and gracilis tendon (GT) cross-sectional area (CSA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anthropometric characteristics in preoperative estimation of graft diameter in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with four-strand hamstring autografts. METHODS: Three databases were searched on 29 August 2023. The authors adhered to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and R-AMSTAR (Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Review) guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on demographics, anthropometric characteristics, imaging techniques, tendon CSA, correlation coefficients, sensitivities, specificities, regression models and cutoffs for predicting intraoperative graft diameters above 8 mm were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-six studies comprising 4140 patients were included. Twelve of 19 (63.2%) studies reporting on ST + GT CSA found a moderate to very high correlation with intraoperative graft diameter. Five of 10 (50%) and one of seven (14.3%) studies reporting on ST CSA and GT CSA, respectively, found a moderate to high correlation with intraoperative graft diameter. Cutoffs of ST + GT CSA for predicting graft diameters above 8 mm ranged from 15.8 to 31.2 mm2. Nine of 35 (25.7%) studies that reported on height found a moderate to very high correlation with graft diameter. Seven of 33 (21.2%) studies reporting on weight found a moderate correlation with graft diameter. CONCLUSION: Of the MRI parameters assessed, ST + GT CSA was the most reliable predictor of graft diameter. However, cutoffs, sensitivities, and specificities for predicting diameters above 8 mm were highly variable. Anthropometric characteristics in general were less predictive of graft diameter than MRI parameters. This information can be used by clinicians to predict patients at risk for ACLR failure due to insufficient graft size. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Evaluating the quality of systematic reviews of comparative studies in autograft-based anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the AMSTAR-2 tool: A systematic umbrella review.

PURPOSE: There remains a lack of consensus around autograft selection in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), though there is a large body of overlapping systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Systematic reviews and their methodological quality were aimed to be further assessed, using a validated tool known as assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews (AMSTAR-2). METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL were searched from inception to 23 April 2023 for systematic reviews (with/without meta-analysis) comparing primary ACLR autografts. A final quality rating from AMSTAR-2 was provided for each study ('critically low', 'low', 'moderate' or 'high' quality). Correlational analyses were conducted for ratings in relation to study characteristics. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred and ninety-eight studies were screened, and 50 studies were ultimately included. Twenty-four studies (48%) were rated as 'critically low', 17 (34%) as 'low', seven (14%) as 'moderate' and two (4%) as 'high' quality. The least followed domains were reporting on sources of funding (1/50 studies), the impact of risk of bias on results of meta-analyses (11/36 studies) and publication bias (17/36 studies). There was a significant increase in the frequency of studies graded as 'moderate' compared to 'low' or 'critically low' quality over time (p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: The methodological quality of systematic reviews comparing autografts in ACLR is low, with many studies being rated lower due to commonly absent aspects of systematic review methodology such as investigating sources of funding and publication bias. More recent studies were generally more likely to be of higher quality. Authors are advised to consult AMSTAR-2 prior to conducting systematic reviews in ACLR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Approximately half of pediatric or adolescent patients undergoing revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction return to the same level of sport or higher: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To summarise the surgical techniques and clinical outcomes in paediatric and adolescent patients undergoing revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (r-ACLR). METHODS: Three databases (MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE) were searched from inception to 29 July 2023. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on demographics, surgical details, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), rates of instability, rupture and return to sport (RTS) were extracted. RESULTS: Eight studies comprising 706 (711 knees) patients were included (48.7% female). The mean age at r-ACLR was 17.1 years (range: 16.5-18.0). Autografts (67.5%) were more common than allografts (32.2%) in revision, with bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) being the most prevalent autograft source (59.6%). Bone grafts were used in seven patients (4.8% of 146 patients). The most common femoral and tibial fixation techniques were interference screws (37.6% and 38.1%, of 244 patients, respectively). The most common tunnelling strategy was anatomic (69.1% of 236 patients), and meniscus repairs were performed in 39.7% of 256 patients. The re-rupture rate was 13.0% in 293 patients. RTS at the same level or higher was 51.6% in 219 patients. The mean (SD) Lysholm score was 88.1 (12.9) in 78 patients, the mean (SD) Tegner score was 6.0 (1.6) in 78 patients, and the mean (SD) IKDC score was 82.6 (16.0) in 126 patients. CONCLUSION: R-ACLR in paediatric and adolescent patients predominantly uses BPTB autografts and interference screw femoral and tibial fixation with concomitant meniscal procedures. Rates of re-rupture and RTS at the same level or higher were 13.0% and 51.6%, respectively. Information from this review can provide orthopaedic surgeons with a comprehensive understanding of the most commonly used operative techniques and their outcomes for revision ACLR in this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Decreased posterior tibial slope is a risk factor for primary posterior cruciate ligament rupture and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction failure: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To determine bony knee morphological factors associated with primary posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture or PCL graft failure after PCL reconstruction. METHODS: Three databases, namely MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE, were searched on 30th May 2023. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data such as receiver operating characteristic curve parameters, as well as p-values for comparisons of values between patients with PCL pathology and control patients, were recorded. RESULTS: Nine studies comprising 1054 patients were included. Four studies reported that patients with PCL injury had flatter medial posterior tibial slopes (MTS) than controls, with mean values of 4.3 (range: 3.0-7.0) and 6.5 (range: 5.0-9.2) degrees, respectively. Two studies reported an MTS cutoff value ranging below 3.90-3.93° being a significant risk factor for primary PCL rupture or PCL graft failure. Two studies reported that shallow medial tibial depths were associated with primary PCL rupture, with mean values of 2.1 (range: 2.0-2.2) and 2.6 (range: 2.4-2.7) mm in PCL injury and control groups, respectively. Stenotic intercondylar notches and femoral condylar width were not consistently associated with PCL injuries. CONCLUSION: Decreased MTS is associated with primary PCL rupture and graft failure after PCL reconstruction with values below 3.93° being considered as a significant risk factor. Less common risk factors include shallow medial tibial depth, while femoral condylar width and parameters with regards to the intercondylar notch, such as notch width, notch width index and intercondylar notch volume, demonstrated conflicting associations with primary or secondary PCL injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

High rates of return to sport following management of osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral trochlea: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To summarize management strategies and associated clinical outcomes in patients with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the femoral trochlea. METHODS: Three databases were searched from inception to 2 October 2023, for studies describing outcomes posttreatment for femoral trochlear OCD. The authors adhered to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and revised assessment of multiple systematic reviews guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on demographics, injury characteristics, and operative details were extracted. Outcomes included patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), complications, and revision and return to sport (RTS) rates. RESULTS: Twenty studies comprising 105 patients (119 knees) were included. Females comprised 10.1% (range: 0%-100%) of patients and the mean age of patients was 14.5 (range: 11-28) years. A total of 89 (74.7%) of knees received operative management, with 28 of 34 (82.4%) known open procedures being open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), and nine of 29 (31%) known arthroscopic procedures receiving arthroscopic reduction internal fixation (ARIF) or drilling. Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores in 20 patients each ranged from 93.4 to 100 and 74.7 to 96.6, respectively. The revision rate for operative procedures was 9.0%, and the overall RTS rate was 93.3%. CONCLUSION: There is very little high quality evidence investigating patients with femoral trochlear OCD lesions. Drilling, ARIF, and ORIF were the most common surgical options for this patient population. Patients treated with either nonoperative or operative management returned to sport at a high rate, and those requiring operative management had a low revision rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Contralateral hamstring autografts do not provide benefit compared to ipsilateral hamstring autografts in primary or revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of primary or revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR) after contralateral hamstring autografts versus ipsilateral hamstring autograft harvest. METHODS: Three databases (MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE) were searched from inception to April 27th, 2023 for studies investigating contralateral hamstring autografts in primary or revision ACLR. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on demographics, strength measures, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and rates of positive Lachman test, positive pivot-shift test and graft rupture were extracted. PROMs included Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Tegner scores. RESULTS: Nine studies comprising 371 patients were included in this review. In primary ACLR, there were no significant differences between contralateral and ipsilateral groups in isokinetic hamstring torque in the non-ACLR limb or isokinetic quadriceps torque in both limbs when tested at 60, 90, 120 or 180 degrees/second. Isokinetic hamstring torque in the non-ACLR limb was significantly weaker in the contralateral group at six months for primary ACLR; however, these deficits did not persist. There were no significant differences in postoperative median Tegner scores and Lysholm scores between contralateral and ipsilateral groups in primary ACLR. There were no significant differences in postoperative median Tegner, mean Lysholm and IKDC scores between groups in revision ACLR. There were no significant differences in positive Lachman, positive pivot-shift and rupture rates in primary ACLR between groups. Rates of positive Lachman and pivot-shift were slightly higher in the contralateral than ipsilateral group for revision ACLR. CONCLUSION: Contralateral hamstring autografts results in comparable muscle strength to ipsilateral hamstring autografts, with the exception of weaker hamstring strengths in the early postoperative period. Patient-reported outcome measures were similar between the two groups across both primary and revision ACLR, with rates of instability and failure being similar between groups for primary ACLR. Contralateral hamstring grafts do not provide additional benefit when compared to ipsilateral options for either primary or revision ACLR, and should be used only in select circumstances including insufficient ipsilateral hamstring grafts or situations where quadriceps or patella autografts are not optimal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Attitudes and Practices Surrounding Opioid Prescriptions following Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Distal Radius and Ankle Fractures: A Survey of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association Membership.

Background: The past two decades have seen a significant increase in consequences associated with nonmedical misuse of prescription opioids, such as addiction and unintentional overdose deaths. This study aimed to use an electronic survey to assess attitudes and opioid-prescribing practices of Canadian orthopaedic surgeons and trainees following open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of distal radius and ankle fractures. This study was the first to assess these factors following ORIF of distal radius and ankle fractures using a survey design. Methods: A 40-item survey was developed focusing on four themes: respondent demographics, opioid-prescribing practice, patients with substance use disorders, and drug diversion. The survey was distributed among members of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize respondent demographics and outcomes of interest. A Chi-square test was used to determine if proportion of opioid prescriptions between attending surgeons and surgeons in training was equal. Results: 191 surveys were completed. Most respondents prescribed 10-40 tabs of immediate-release opioids, though this number varied considerably. While most respondents believed patients consumed only 40-80% of the prescribed opioids (73.6%), only 28.7% of respondents counselled patients on safe storage/disposal of leftover opioids. 30.5% of respondents felt confident in their knowledge of opioid use and mechanisms of addiction. Most respondents desired further education on topics such as procedure-based opioid-prescribing protocols (74.2%), alternative pain management strategies (69.7%), and mechanisms of opioid addiction (49.0%). Conclusions: The principle finding of this study is the lack of a standardized approach to postoperative prescribing in distal radius and ankle fractures, illustrated by the wide range in number of opioids prescribed by Canadian orthopaedic surgeons. Our data suggest a trend towards overprescription among respondents following distal radius and ankle ORIF. Future studies should aim to rationalize interventions targeted at reducing postoperative opioid prescribing for common orthopaedic trauma procedures.

Kinesiophobia contributes to worse functional and patient-reported outcome measures in Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of kinesiophobia or fear of reinjury on patient-reported outcome measures and physical performance measures in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy (AT). METHODS: Three databases were systematically screened for studies from inception to May 22nd, 2023 for literature investigating the impact of kinesiophobia on PROMs or physical performance metrics in AT. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on demographics, pain, level of activity, self-reported injury severity, quality of life, single-leg hop performance, and heel-raise performance were recorded. Data was presented primarily in a narrative summary fashion. The MINORS score was used for all studies to perform a quality assessment of included studies. RESULTS: Six studies comprising 705 patients were included in this review. Variations of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11 or TSK-17) were used in all studies. TSK scores were strongly correlated with the Pain Catastrophizing Score (PCS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and were correlated with decreased Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment Achilles (VISA-A) and Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores Quality of Life (FAOS-QoL) subscale scores. Kinesiophobia was associated with heel raise completion with conflicting evidence on correlations with hop test performance. CONCLUSION: Increased kinesiophobia scores (> 35 points), measured by TSK are associated with worse PROMs, including increased pain, decreased quality of life, increased self-reported severity, and is also associated with poorer physical performance measures in patients with AT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Though five-strand hamstring autografts demonstrate greater graft diameter, postoperative outcomes are equivocal to four-strand hamstring autograft preparations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of level I and II studies.

PURPOSE: To compare graft dimensions, functional outcomes, and failure rates following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with either five-strand or four-strand hamstring autograft options. METHODS: Three databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE) were searched from inception to 22 April 2023 for level I and II studies comparing five- and four-strand hamstring autografts in ACLR. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on demographics, surgical details and rehabilitation, graft diameter, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and rates of positive Lachman test, positive pivot shift test, and graft rupture were extracted. PROMs included Knee Osteoarthritis and Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC). RESULTS: One randomized controlled trial (RCT) and four prospective cohort studies with 572 patients were included. Graft diameters were larger in the five-strand group with a mean difference of 0.93 mm (95% CI 0.61 to 1.25, p < 0.001, I2 = 66%). The five-strand group reported statistically higher KOOS ADL subscale and Lysholm scores with a mean difference of 4.85 (95% CI 0.14 to 9.56, p = 0.04, I2 = 19%) and 3.01 (95% CI 0.48 to 5.53, p = 0.02, I2 = 0%), respectively. There were no differences in KOOS symptoms, pain, quality of life, or sports subscales, or IKDC scores. There were no differences in rates of positive Lachman test, positive pivot shift test, or graft rupture with pooled odds ratios of 0.62 (95% CI 0.13 to 2.91, n.s., I2 = 80%), 0.94 (95% CI 0.51 to 1.75, n.s., I2 = 31%), and 2.13 (95% CI 0.38 to 12.06, n.s., I2 = 0%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although five-stranded hamstring autografts had significantly larger graft diameters compared to four-stranded grafts with a mean difference of 0.93 mm, similar graft rupture rates and clinical laxity assessments were identified following ACLR. While some PROMs were statistically superior in the five-stranded hamstring groups, the threshold for the minimal clinical important difference was not reached indicating similar clinical outcomes overall. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Surgical techniques for medial Patellofemoral ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of level I and II studies.

PURPOSE: To determine the most optimal surgical technique for medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR). METHODS: Three databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE were searched from inception to December 13th, 2022, for level I or II studies comparing MPFLR techniques. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on patient-reported outcome measures were recorded. Quality assessment was carried out using the MINORS and Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tools. Certainty of evidence was carried out with the GRADE assessment tool. RESULTS: Ten studies comprising 723 patients (723 knees) were included in this review. The weighted mean difference in Kujala, Lysholm, and IKDC scores comparing single- and double-tunnel patellar drilling techniques was 2.66 (95% CI -1.05-6.37, p = 0.16, I2 = 0%) with moderate certainty, 0.78 (95% CI -9.02-10.58, p = 0.88, I2 = 87%) with low certainty, and 1.71 (95% CI -2.43-5.86, p = 0.42, I2 = 0%) with low certainty, respectively. Double-suture anchor patellar fixation demonstrated greater Kujala scores than transpatellar fixation (87.1 ± 2.8 vs 84.0 ± 3.8, p < 0.001) with moderate certainty. Y-shaped graft patellar fixation demonstrated superior Kujala scores to C-shaped graft patellar fixation (95.9 ± 4.7 vs 91.3 ± 9.7, p = 0.001) with moderate certainty. Augmentation of femoral fixation with polyester sutures demonstrated superior Kujala scores (97.8 ± 6.4. vs 88.0 ± 6.3, p < 0.005) with low certainty. Four-stranded grafts demonstrated greater Kujala scores than two-stranded grafts (93.5 ± 2.6 vs 91.6 ± 3.5, p = 0.01) with low certainty. CONCLUSION: The optimal MPFLR surgical technique is likely to utilize a four-stranded graft using either endobutton, double-suture anchor, or transosseous suture patellar fixation with polyester suture augmented interference screw femoral fixation. Orthopedic surgeons can consider employing such a technique to improve patient outcomes by conferring greater graft stability, strength, and function. Level of evidence Level II.

Technology-assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction improves tunnel placement but leads to no change in clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of technology-assisted Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) on post-operative clinical outcomes and tunnel placement compared to conventional arthroscopic ACLR. METHODS: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched from January 2000 to November 17, 2022. Articles were included if there was intraoperative use of computer-assisted navigation, robotics, diagnostic imaging, computer simulations, or 3D printing (3DP). Two reviewers searched, screened, and evaluated the included studies for data quality. Data were abstracted using descriptive statistics and pooled using relative risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD), both with 95% confidence intervals (CI), where appropriate. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included with total 775 patients and majority male participants (70.7%). Ages ranged from 14 to 54 years (391 patients) and follow-up ranged from 12 to 60 months (775 patients). Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores increased in the technology-assisted surgery group (473 patients; P = 0.02; MD 1.97, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.66). There was no difference in objective IKDC scores (447 patients; RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.06), Lysholm scores (199 patients; MD 1.14, 95% CI - 1.03 to 3.30) or negative pivot-shift tests (278 patients; RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.18) between the two groups. When using technology-assisted surgery, 6 (351 patients) of 8 (451 patients) studies reported more accurate femoral tunnel placement and 6 (321 patients) of 10 (561 patients) studies reported more accurate tibial tunnel placement in at least one measure. One study (209 patients) demonstrated a significant increase in cost associated with use of computer-assisted navigation (mean 1158€) versus conventional surgery (mean 704€). Of the two studies using 3DP templates, production costs ranging from $10 to $42 USD were cited. There was no difference in adverse events between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes do not differ between technology-assisted surgery and conventional surgery. Computer-assisted navigation is more expensive and time consuming while 3DP is inexpensive and does not lead to greater operating times. ACLR tunnels can be more accurately located in radiologically ideal places by using technology, but anatomic placement is still undetermined because of variability and inaccuracy of the evaluation systems utilized. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Partial debridement is the most commonly reported treatment option for mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To determine clinical outcomes and risks of various management strategies for mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (MD-ACL). METHODS: Three databases MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to January 29th, 2023 for literature outlining clinical outcomes for various management strategies of MD-ACL. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on satisfaction scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, Knee Osteoarthritis and Outcome Scores (KOOS), range of motion and Lachman test were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies comprising 776 patients (782 knees) were included in this review. Partial debridement was reported in ten (71.4%) studies comprising 446 patients, showing significant improvements in VAS, Lysholm, IKDC scores and range of motion. Complete debridement was reported by two (14.2%) studies comprising 250 patients, and resulted in increases in Lysholm scores, KOOS, and range of motion. Reduction plasty was reported in two (14.2%) studies comprising 26 patients and showed improvements in VAS and Lysholm scores, and range of motion. Other methods of treatment included conservative management and ultrasound decompression. Complete debridement resulted in 10/23 (43%) patients with a positive Lachman test. This was followed by reduction plasty and partial debridement, with 5/26 (19.2%) and 45/340 (13.2%) patients respectively having positive Lachman or elevated knee arthrometer scores. Pivot shifting was only reported in studies on partial debridement and reduction plasty, with 14/93 (15.1%) and 1/21 (4.8%) patients have positive results, respectively. CONCLUSION: The most commonly reported management strategy for MD-ACL is partial debridement with complete debridement, reduction plasty and conservative management as alternative options. Current operative management strategies place individuals at risk for ACL insufficiency. Information from this review can aid surgeons and clinicians in understanding what treatment options are best for this patient population, by understanding the reported clinical benefits and risks of each strategy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

A guide to appropriately planning and conducting meta-analyses: part 3. Special considerations-the network meta-analysis.

The meta-analysis has become one of the predominant studies designs in orthopaedic literature. Within recent years, the network meta-analysis has been implicated as a powerful approach to comparing multiple treatments for an outcome of interest when conducting a meta-analysis (as opposed to two competing treatments which is typical of a traditional meta-analysis). With the increasing use of the network meta-analysis, it is imperative for readers to possess the ability to independently and critically evaluate these types of studies. The purpose of this article is to provide the necessary foundation of knowledge to both properly conduct and interpret the results of a network meta-analysis.

Posterior tibial slope, notch width index and tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance contribute to development of mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To determine what knee morphological factors are associated with the development of mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). METHODS: Three databases MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to January 29th, 2023 for literature outlining knee morphological factors that potentially lead to the development of mucoid degeneration of the ACL. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve parameters such as area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity, odds ratios, as well as p values for comparisons of values between mucoid degeneration of the ACL and control patients were recorded. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) score was used for all studies to perform a quality assessment of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 7 studies comprising 1326 patients (1330 knees) were included in this review. Four studies reported a significant association between increasing posterior tibial slope angles and mucoid degeneration of the ACL presence, with one study specifying that posterolateral tibial slope had a greater association than posteromedial tibial slope. Two studies reported a significant association between lower notch width index values and mucoid degeneration of the ACL presence. One study found that the presence of trochlear dysplasia was correlated with mucoid degeneration of the ACL and two studies found that increased tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) was associated with mucoid degeneration of the ACL. CONCLUSION: Increased posterior tibial slope, decreased notch width index, and elevated TT-TG and trochlear dysplasia were associated with the presence of mucoid degeneration of the ACL. Information from this review can aid surgeons in understanding what morphological features predispose their patients to the development of mucoid degeneration of the ACL. Identifying what features predispose patients to mucoid degeneration of the ACL can help determine if regular screening or preventative strategies are necessary. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Patellofemoral Instability in the Pediatric Population.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review focuses on the etiology, diagnosis, and management of patellar instability in pediatric patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Radiological outcomes such as tibial-tubercle to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance used in diagnosis are subject to factors of influence such as femoral anteversion and knee flexion angle, and new measure such as tibial-tubercle to posterior cruciate ligament distance as well as TT-TG/trochlear width (TT-TG/TW) are under investigation. To prevent recurrent instability, surgical intervention for acute patellar dislocations may be advantageous compared to conservative management. Patellar instability is a common pathology found in pediatric cohorts. Diagnosis can be performed via a combination of history, physical examination maneuvers, and radiological risk factors such as patella alta, patellar tilt, trochlear dysplasia, and elevated TT-TG distances. Current literature advocates the usage of additional radiological measures to TT-TG such as TT-TG/TW, especially as TT-TG varies with age in younger patients. Recent literature potentially suggests the utilization of surgical procedures such as MPFL reconstruction or repair for acute dislocations in the hope of preventing recurrent instability. Special indications for pediatric patients include osteochondral fracture identification to help prevent patellofemoral osteoarthritis. A comprehensive workup and understanding of current literature can aid clinicians in aiming to prevent recurrent patellar dislocation in pediatric patients.

Patients with discoid menisci have similar clinical outcomes to those without discoid menisci when undergoing surgical intervention: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To compare post-operative clinical outcomes of discoid meniscus tear procedures such as saucerization with or without repair with those of non-discoid meniscus tears such as meniscectomy or repair in skeletally mature patients with no concomitant injuries. METHODS: Three databases MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to July 3rd, 2022 for literature describing patient-reported outcome measures after meniscus surgery in discoid or non-discoid meniscus tears. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Clinical outcome data on Lysholm, Tegner, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), revision rates, and complications were recorded, with MINORS and Detsky scores used for quality assessment. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies comprising 2213 patients were included with a mean age of 38.6 years (range: 9.0-64.4). The mean follow-up time was 54.1 months (range: 1-234) and the average percentage of female participants was 46.8% (range: 9.5-95.5). The mean change between pre-operative and post-operative Lysholm scores ranged from 21.0-39.0, 7.4-24.1, and 24.2-48.4 in the discoid, non-discoid meniscectomy, and non-discoid repair groups, respectively. The mean change in Tegner scores ranged from 0.0 to 2.3, 1.3, and 0.4-1.3 in the discoid, non-discoid meniscectomy, and non-discoid repair groups, respectively. Pre-operative IKDC scores were not reported, however mean post-operative IKDC scores ranged from 77.4 to 96.0, 46.9 to 85.7, and 63.1 to 94.0 in discoid, non-discoid meniscectomy, and non-discoid repair groups, respectively. Revision rates for discoid procedures, non-discoid meniscectomies, and non-discoid meniscus repairs ranged from 3.2 to 44.0%, 8.3 to 56.0%, and 5.9 to 28.0%, respectively. The most common reasons for revision were acute trauma and persistent pain. CONCLUSION: Discoid saucerization procedures with or without repair leads to similar Lysholm scores as non-discoid repair procedures, and similar IKDC scores and revision rates compared to non-discoid meniscectomy or repair procedures. Patients undergoing discoid procedures appeared to have slightly higher Tegner activity scores compared to patients undergoing non-discoid procedures; however this is to be considered in the context of a younger population of patients undergoing discoid procedures than non-discoid procedures. This information can help guide surgeons in the decision-making process when treating patients with discoid menisci, and should guide further investigations on this topic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance versus tibial tubercle to posterior cruciate ligament distance for predicting patellar instability: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance versus tibial tubercle-posterior cruciate ligament (TT-PCL) distance, and to determine cutoff values of these measurements for pathological diagnosis in the context of patellar instability. METHODS: Three databases MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to October 5, 2022 for literature outlining comparisons between TT-TG and TT-PCL in patellar instability patients. The authors adhered to the PRISMA and R-AMSTAR guidelines as well as the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data on inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve parameters such as area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity, as well as odds ratios, cutoff values for pathological diagnosis and correlations between TT-TG and TT-PCL were recorded. The MINORS score was used for all studies in order to perform a quality assessment of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies comprising 2839 patients (2922 knees) were included in this review. Inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.71 to 0.98 and 0.55 to 0.99 for TT-TG and TT-PCL, respectively. Intra-rater reliability ranged from 0.74 to 0.99 and 0.88 to 0.98 for TT-TG and TT-PCL, respectively. AUC measuring diagnostic accuracy of patellar instability for TT-TG ranged from 0.80 to 0.84 and 0.58 to 0.76 for TT-PCL. Five studies found TT-TG to have more discriminatory power than TT-PCL at distinguishing patients with patellar instability from patients who do not. Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 21 to 85% and 62 to 100%, respectively, for TT-TG. Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 30 to 76% and 46 to 86%, respectively, for TT-PCL. Odds ratio values ranged from 1.06 to 14.02 for TT-TG and 0.98 to 6.47 for TT-PCL. Proposed cutoff TT-TG and TT-PCL values for predicting patellar instability ranged from 15.0 to 21.4 mm and 19.8 to 28.0 mm, respectively. Eight studies reported significant positive correlations between TT-TG and TT-PCL. CONCLUSION: TT-TG resulted in overall similar reliability, sensitivity and specificity as TT-PCL; however, TT-TG has better diagnostic accuracy than TT-PCL in the context of patellar instability as per AUC and odds ratio values. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

A guide to appropriately planning and conducting meta-analyses: part 2-effect size estimation, heterogeneity and analytic approaches.

Meta-analyses by definition are a subtype of systematic review intended to quantitatively assess the strength of evidence present on an intervention or treatment. Such analyses may use individual-level data or aggregate data to produce a point estimate of an effect, also known as the combined effect, and measure precision of the calculated estimate. The current article will review several important considerations during the analytic phase of a meta-analysis, including selection of effect estimators, heterogeneity and various sub-types of meta-analytic approaches.