Nonoperative Versus Operative Treatment of Z-Type Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: A Prospective Substratified Cohort Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes of nonoperative and operative treatment of adolescents with comminuted "Z-type" midshaft clavicle fractures. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort. SETTING: Eight tertiary care pediatric centers. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients aged 10-18 years who were treated either operatively or nonoperatively for a diaphyseal clavicle fracture between 2013 and 2017 were screened/enrolled at the time of injury. The current subcohort analysis was derived from a larger adolescent clavicle study population of 907 patients. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND COMPARISONS: Complications and validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROs):(ASES, QuickDASH, Marx Shoulder Activity Score, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, and patient satisfaction score) were compared between operative and nonoperative cohorts. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients (69 male [85.2%], 12 female; average age 15 years [11.1-18.7]; 78 with sports participation [96.2%]) were followed through bony healing and return to sports, while 59 patients (73%) completed 2-year follow-up with PROs, 26 of whom were treated nonoperatively and 33 treated operatively. All demographic and fracture characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) between the 2-year follow-up cohorts except for fracture shortening, which was greater in the operative cohort (23 vs. 29 mm, P = 0.01). After controlling for this potential confounder through both regression and propensity matched subgroup analysis, nonoperative versus operative cohorts showed no difference in rates of nonunion (0%), delayed union (0% vs. 2.3%, P = 1.0), symptomatic malunion (2.7% vs. 0%, P = 0.4), refracture (2.7% vs. 2.2%, P = 1.0), unexpected subsequent surgery (5.4% vs. 11.4%, P = 0.45), or clinically significant complications (5.4% vs. 16%, P = 0.17). There were no differences in any PROs between cohorts, both before and after controlling for the difference in fracture shortening (all P-values >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective comparison of complications and 2-year PROs in adolescents with comminuted Z-type clavicle fractures, nonoperative and operative treatment yielded similar outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Assessment of Return to Sport After ACL Reconstruction With Soft Tissue Autograft in Adolescent Athletes: Quadriceps Versus Hamstring Tendon.

Background: Quadriceps tendon soft tissue autograft represents an increasingly popular graft option for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), particularly for adolescents, some of whom have an open physis, precluding use of graft options with bone plugs. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to quantify return-to-sport performance assessments in adolescents at 6 months after ACLR with all-soft tissue quadriceps tendon autograft (ACLR-Q) versus hamstring tendon autograft (ACLR-HS). It was hypothesized that ACLR-Q would be associated with improved hamstring strength and hamstring-to-quadriceps (HS:Q) ratios compared with ACLR-HS, albeit with decreased quadriceps strength. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Included were patients aged 12 to 19 years who underwent primary ACLR by a single surgeon and who completed a return-to-sport performance assessment between 5 and 9 months postoperatively. The performance assessment included manual muscle strength tests (hamstring, quadriceps, hip abductor and adductor), dynamic balance test (Y-balance), and functional hop tests (single hop, triple hop, crossover hop, 6-m timed hop). Data were converted to limb symmetry indices, and limb symmetry index deficits were compared between the ACLR-Q and ACLR-HS cohorts using the Student t test or Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Results: An initial cohort of 90 ACLR-Q patients was compared with 54 ACLR-HS patients, with no significant differences in patient characteristics. Differences in meniscal repair rates, however, prompted use of propensity score matching on age, sex, body mass index, meniscectomy, and meniscal repair to produce comparable subcohorts. The matching resulted in 67 ACLR-Q and 52 ACLR-HS patients. Hamstring strength deficits were significantly greater in ACLR-HS versus ACLR-Q patients (-40.5% vs -5.7%; P < .001). Quadriceps strength deficits were significantly greater in ACLR-Q versus ACLR-HS patients (-12.8% vs -0.4%; P < .001). ACLR-Q patients had a significantly greater HS:Q ratio on the operative knee (P < .001) and significantly higher Y-balance composite score deficits (-2.9% vs -0.4%; P = .01) than ACLR-HS patients. There were no significant differences in hop test performance between groups. Conclusion: Adolescent athletes who underwent ACLR-Q showed significantly greater quadriceps strength deficits but significantly smaller hamstring strength deficits than those who underwent ACLR-HS, leading to more favorable HS:Q ratios in ACLR-Q patients at 6 months postoperatively.

Transarticular Versus Retroarticular Drilling of Stable Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial by the ROCK Group.

BACKGROUND: When stable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the femoral condyle in a skeletally immature patient fail to heal with nonoperative methods, the standard of care treatment is condylar OCD drilling. Two primary OCD drilling techniques have been described, but no prospective studies have compared their relative effectiveness. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to compare the healing and function after transarticular drilling (TAD) with that after retroarticular drilling (RAD). It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in rate or time to healing, rate or time to return to sports, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), or secondary OCD-related surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Skeletally immature patients with magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed stable OCD lesions of the medial femoral condyle who did not demonstrate substantial healing after a minimum of 3 months of nonoperative treatment were prospectively enrolled by 1 of 17 surgeon-investigators at 1 of 14 centers. Patients were randomized to the TAD or RAD group. Tourniquet time, fluoroscopy time, and complications were compared between the treatment groups. Postoperatively, serial radiographs were obtained every 6 weeks to assess healing, and PROs were obtained at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were included, consisting of 51 patients in the TAD and 40 patients in the RAD group, who were similar in age, sex distribution, and 2-year PRO response rate. Tourniquet time and fluoroscopy time were significantly shorter with TAD (mean, 38.1 minutes and 0.85 minutes, respectively) than RAD (mean, 48.2 minutes and 1.34 minutes respectively) (P = .02; P = .004). In the RAD group, chondral injury from K-wire passage into the intra-articular space was reported in 9 of 40 (22%) patients, but no associated postoperative clinical sequelae were identified in these patients. No significant differences between groups were detected in follow-up Pediatric-International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, Marx Activity Scale, or Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Quality of Life scores. Healing parameters were superior at 6 months and 12 months in the TAD group, compared with the RAD group, and secondary OCD surgery occurred in 4% of patients who underwent TAD and 10% of patients who underwent RAD (P = .40). Patients in the TAD group returned to sports earlier than those in the RAD group (P = .049). CONCLUSION: TAD showed shorter operative time and fluoroscopy time and superior healing parameters at 6 and 12 months, but no differences were seen in 24-month healing parameters or PROs at all follow-up time points, when compared with RAD. REGISTRATION: NCT01754298 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Two-Year Functional Outcomes of Operative vs Nonoperative Treatment of Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: Results From the Prospective Multicenter FACTS Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures is controversial. Few previous comparative functional outcome studies have investigated these fractures in adolescents, the most commonly affected epidemiologic subpopulation. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to prospectively compare the outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment in adolescents with completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. The study hypothesis was that surgery would yield superior outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients aged 10 to 18 years treated for a midshaft clavicle fracture over a 5-year period at 1 of 8 pediatric centers were prospectively screened, with independent treatment decisions determined by individual musculoskeletal professionals. Demographics, radiographic clinical features, complications, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were prospectively recorded for 2 years. Regression and matching techniques were utilized to adjust for potential age- and fracture severity-based confounders for creation of comparable subgroups for analysis. RESULTS: Of 416 adolescents with completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, 282 (68) provided 2-year PRO data. Operative patients (n = 88; 31%) demonstrated no difference in sex (78% male) or athletic participation but were older (mean age, 15.2 vs 13.5 years; P < .001), had more comminuted fractures (49.4% vs 26.3%; P < .001), and had greater fracture shortening (25.5 vs 20.7 mm; P < .001) than nonoperative patients (n = 194; 69%). There was no difference in mean PRO scores or rates of "suboptimal" scores (based on threshold values established a priori) between the operative and nonoperative treatment groups (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, 96.8 vs 98.4; shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, 3.0 vs 1.6; EuroQol [EQ] visual analog scale, 93.0 vs 93.9; EQ-5 Dimensions index, 0.96 vs 0.98), even after regression and matching techniques adjusted for confounders. Operative patients had more unexpected subsequent surgery (10.4% vs 1.4%; P = .004) and clinically significant complications (20.8% vs 5.2%; P = .001). Overall, nonunion (0.4%), delayed union (1.9%), symptomatic malunion (0.4%), and refracture (2.6%) were exceedingly rare, with no difference between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Surgery demonstrated no benefit in patient-reported quality of life, satisfaction, shoulder-specific function, or prevention of complications after completely displaced clavicle shaft fractures in adolescents at 2 years after injury. REGISTRATION: NCT04250415 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Changes in superior displacement, angulation, and shortening in the early phase of healing for completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents: results from a prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Progressive displacement of diaphyseal clavicle fractures has been observed in adult patients, at times necessitating a change from nonoperative to operative treatment. Whether this occurs in adolescent patients has not been well investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the rate and extent of progressive clavicle fracture displacement in adolescent patients following injury and during the early stages of healing. METHODS: This was a multicenter study evaluating prospective data that had previously been collected as part of a larger study evaluating the functional outcomes of adolescent clavicle fractures. A consecutive series of completely displaced diaphyseal clavicle fractures in patients aged 10-18 years treated at 1 of 3 tertiary-care pediatric trauma centers was included; all fractures underwent standardized imaging within 2 weeks of the date of injury and during the course of healing (5-20 weeks after injury). Measurements of clavicle shortening, superior displacement, and angulation were performed using validated techniques. Progressive displacement and/or interval improvement in fracture alignment, as well as the subsequent need for surgical intervention, was noted. Patient demographic and radiographic parameters were assessed as possible risk factors for interval displacement. RESULTS: One hundred patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean end-to-end shortening, cortex-to-cortex shortening, superior displacement, and angulation at the time of injury were 24 mm, 15 mm, 15 mm, and 7°, respectively. At a mean of 10 weeks after injury, the fracture alignment improved across all 4 measurements for the overall cohort, with mean improvements of 3.5 mm in end-to-end shortening, 3.3 mm in cortex-to-cortex shortening, 2.1 mm in superior displacement, and 2° in angulation. By use of a clinical threshold of a change in shortening or displacement of 10 mm or change in angulation of 10°, 26% of fractures improved, 4% worsened, and 70% remain unchanged. Patients with more severe fractures were more likely to have improved alignment than were patients with less displaced fractures (P < .001). No patient underwent surgical intervention for progressive displacement. CONCLUSION: Significant early improvements in fracture alignment were observed in a substantial percentage of adolescent patients with completely displaced clavicle fractures. Among the most severely displaced fractures, shortening improved approximately 6 mm and angulation improved approximately 9°. In 4% of cases, increased displacement was observed, but this tended to be mild, and in no cases did it prompt surgical intervention. This finding indicates that the true final deformity after an adolescent clavicle fracture is commonly less than that present at the time of injury.

Early Outcomes of Adolescent ACL Reconstruction With Hybrid Hamstring Tendon Autograft-Allograft Versus Hamstring Tendon Autograft Alone.

BACKGROUND: Small-diameter semitendinosus-gracilis tendon autografts may be encountered intraoperatively during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR); these have been shown to be at increased risk of graft rupture. One option that surgeons have pursued to reduce the theoretical failure rate of these smaller-diameter grafts is augmenting them with allograft material, thereby forming a larger-diameter hybrid autograft-allograft construct. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in adolescent athletes of primary ACLR using a hybrid autologous hamstring tendon and soft tissue allograft construct versus ACLR using small-diameter hamstring tendon autograft. The hypothesis was that the hybrid hamstring autograft-allograft construct would provide superior short-term results. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 47 patients aged between 12 and 20 years who underwent hybrid graft ACLR (mean diameter, 9.1 mm) at a single institution. Electronic medical records including clinic notes, radiographic images, operative notes, and pathology reports were reviewed for study analysis. A control group of 64 patients who underwent small-diameter hamstring reconstruction (mean diameter, 7.1 mm) without allograft supplementation was compiled. Corresponding clinical, radiographic, and surgical characteristics were collected for the control group to allow for comparative analysis. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 2.7 years for the hybrid cohort and 2.3 years for the control group. Despite a significantly larger mean graft diameter in the hybrid group as compared with the control group (P < .001), no significant difference in retear rate was seen between cohorts (hybrid, 9%; control, 13%; P = .554). Patients with hybrid anterior cruciate ligament constructs also underwent a comparable number of reoperations overall (P = .838). Functionally, all patients with adequate follow-up returned to sports, with no significant difference in time to return to sports between the groups (P = .213). Radiographically, hybrid graft constructs did not undergo a significantly larger degree of tunnel lysis (P = .126). CONCLUSION: A cohort of adolescents with hybrid anterior cruciate ligament grafts was shown to have retear rates and overall clinical results comparable with those of a control group that received small-diameter hamstring tendon autografts alone.

Variation in Treatment Approaches to Adolescent Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Pediatric Versus Adult Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to identify differences in the treatment approach for isolated, displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescent patients 15-18 years of age at adult versus pediatric hospitals. The secondary objective of this study was to identify factors associated with the surgical treatment of these fractures in this age group. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Two adult and one pediatric tertiary care referral hospitals. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Adolescent patients 15-18 years of age with isolated, displaced midshaft clavicle fractures treated at 2 adult tertiary care referral hospitals and one pediatric tertiary care referral hospital were identified. A total of 214 patients, 105 from the adult hospitals and 109 from the pediatric hospital, were included. INTERVENTION: Nonoperative versus surgical treatment of clavicle fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Surgical treatment. RESULTS: A multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that superior-inferior fracture displacement [odds ratio (OR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.20], dominant upper extremity injury (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.19-5.67), and treatment at an adult hospital (OR 5.28, 95% CI 2.28-12.2) were independently associated with the surgical treatment of adolescent displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for relevant demographic and fracture characteristics, adolescent patients treated at adult hospitals for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures have more than 5 times the odds of surgical treatment than those treated at a pediatric hospital. Significant practice variation across institutions reflects ongoing controversy in surgical indications and underscores the need for high-quality prospective outcome studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Long-Term Follow-up of Skeletally Immature Patients With Physeal-Sparing Combined Extra-/Intra-articular Iliotibial Band Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A 3-Dimensional Motion Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The physeal-sparing iliotibial band (ITB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) is a well-established technique for treating skeletally immature patients with ACL rupture. However, the long-term implications of the procedure on the intricacies of kinetic and kinematic function of the knee have not been comprehensively investigated. PURPOSE: To assess the short-, mid-, and long-term effects of ITB ACLR on kinetic and kinematic parameters of knee functions. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A total of 38 patients who had undergone an ITB ACLR as a skeletally immature child were recruited to participate in a 3-dimensional (3D) motion analysis testing protocol at an institutional injury prevention center between 1 and 20 years after reconstruction. Exclusion criteria were congenital ACL deficiency and any other major knee injury (defined as an injury requiring surgery or rehabilitation >3 months) on either knee. 3D and force plate parameters included in the analysis were knee moment, ground-reaction force, and vertical jump height measured during drop vertical jump and vertical single-limb hop. Paired t tests and equivalency analyses were used to compare the parameters between cases (ITB ACLR limb) and controls (contralateral/nonsurgical limbs). RESULTS: Paired t tests showed no statistically significant differences between limbs, and equivalency analyses confirmed equivalency between limbs for all tested outcome variables. CONCLUSION: The ITB ACLR appears to restore normal, symmetric, physiologic kinetic and kinematic function in the growing knee by 1 year after reconstruction, with maintenance of normal parameters for up to 20 years.

Outcomes of Meniscus Repair in Children and Adolescents.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this study was to review the clinical and functional outcomes of meniscus repair in children and adolescents. RECENT FINDINGS: The sequel of meniscal tears and the outcome of meniscus repair have been well studied in adults. However, these topics have received less attention in the pediatric population despite the high prevalence and potentially critical effect on long-term knee function in children. Meniscus repair has a healing rate ranging from 33 to 100% with less than 40% reoperation rate. Several factors have been suggested to play a role in healing, such as concomitant ACL reconstruction and complexity of the tear. There is a lack of standardization among the utilization of functional outcome and activity level questionnaires across studies; however, most report improved function postoperatively. Other important considerations include bucket handle tears, the discoid meniscus, rehabilitation and return to sports, and alternatives after failed meniscus repair. Based on the favorable outcomes reported, meniscus repair should be attempted in most meniscus tears in children.