Return to sport criteria following upper extremity surgery in athletes-part 4: shoulder arthroplasty procedures: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: To describe the reported return to sports (RTS) criteria following all types of shoulder arthroplasty procedures in athletes. METHODS: This scoping review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) as a guide. A comprehensive search was conducted in four electronic databases (Scopus, Pubmed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar Advanced Search) in the English Language that reported a minimum of 1 RTS criterion in athletes after shoulder arthroplasty. The data were aggregated and summarized as frequencies, means, and standard deviations. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included, with a total of 942 athletes with a mean age of 68.7 years. The most commonly used RTS criterion was time from surgery (range 3-6 months), reported by 7/13 (54%) of all studies, followed by restrictions on contact sports (36%). Other reported RTS criteria included no lifting/limited lifting (3/13, 23%), physician clearance based on assessment (3/13, 23%), return per patient tolerance (2/13, 15%), and upon return to full range of motion (ROM) and strength in the operated shoulder (1/13, 8%). Three studies (3/13, 23%) allowed for an unrestricted RTSpostoperatively. CONCLUSION: Thirteen studies reported one or more RTS criteria following shoulder arthroplasty, with time after surgery being the most common RTS criterion used. These results emphasise the need for interprofessional discussions and communication amongst surgeons, physical therapists, and athletic trainers to establish evidence-based RTS criteria following arthroplasty and promote a safe and effective return to sport.

Cartilage Matrix Degeneration Occurs within the First Year after ACLR and Is Associated with Impaired Clinical Outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has not been shown to decrease the risk for development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping can be used to assess cartilage compositional changes. This study tests whether (1) worse cartilage arthroscopic status at ACLR is reflected by higher cartilage T2 values in matched study regions 6 weeks and 1 year after ACLR, and (2) increasing cartilage T2 values between 6 weeks and 1 year after ACLR are associated with worsening patient-reported outcomes. DESIGN: Twenty-two participants with ACLR and 26 controls underwent 3T MRI. T2 values in medial and lateral femoral and tibial cartilage were measured at 6 weeks and 1 year after ACLR and compared with arthroscopic grades, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS), and control T2 values. RESULTS: Most (59%-86%) cartilage study regions examined by arthroscopy demonstrated intact articular surfaces. Average T2 value increased in 3 of 4 study regions between 6 weeks and 1 year after ACLR (P = .001-.011). T2 value increased (P < .013) even for participants whose cartilage had intact articular surfaces at ACLR. Participants with ACLR who showed greater increases in cartilage T2 values had less improvement to KOOS Quality of Life (P = .009, ρ = -0.62). DISCUSSION: Cartilage status assessed arthroscopically at ACLR and by MRI T2 maps 6 weeks later was healthier than cartilage status assessed by MRI T2 maps at 1-year follow-up. Progressive T2 elevations were observed over the first year after ACLR even in patients with arthroscopically intact cartilage at the time of surgery and were associated with reduced improvement in knee quality of life suggesting preosteoarthritis.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Musculoskeletal System: Clinician's Guide.

The global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, continues to impact all facets of daily life. Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 commonly include musculoskeletal symptoms such as myalgias, arthralgias, and neuropathies/myopathies. The inflammatory response and its impact on the respiratory system have been the focus of most studies. However, the literature is more limited regarding the inflammatory response and its implications for other organ systems, specifically the musculoskeletal system. Previous studies have described how systemic inflammation may play a role in bone and joint pathology. Furthermore, it is important to understand the effects current therapeutics used in the treatment of COVID-19 may have on the musculoskeletal system. In this study, we will review the current understanding of the effect COVID-19 has on the musculoskeletal system, provide an overview of musculoskeletal symptoms of patients infected with the virus, and address key issues for clinicians to address during the care of COVID-19 patients.