Chronic lateral epicondylitis: challenges and solutions.

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a significant source of pain and dysfunction resulting from repetitive gripping or wrist extension, radial deviation, and/or forearm supination. Although most cases are self-limiting over several years, controversy exists regarding the best treatment strategy for chronic LE. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy (PT), shockwave therapy, and injections with corticosteroids or biologics are all conservative treatment options for LE. For refractory cases, surgical options include open, arthroscopic, and percutaneous techniques. In this review, the current evidence behind these treatment strategies is presented. The data demonstrate that NSAIDs, PT, bracing, and shockwave therapy provide limited benefit for treating LE. Biologics such as platelet-rich plasma and autologous whole-blood injections may be superior to steroid injections in the long-term management of LE. Although the initial results are promising, larger comparative studies on stem cell injections are needed. For refractory LE, open, arthroscopic, and percutaneous techniques are all highly effective, with no method seemingly superior over another. Arthroscopic and percutaneous approaches may result in faster recovery and earlier return to work.

Hip and Groin Injuries in Baseball Players.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the clinical significance of the most common hip and groin injuries in baseball players, as well as an algorithmic approach to diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. RECENT FINDINGS: (a) Limitations in throwing velocity, pitch control, and bat swing speed may be secondary to decreased mobility and strength within the proximal kinetic chain, which must harness power from the lower extremities and core. (b) Approximately 5.5% of all baseball injuries per year involve the hip/groin and may lead to a significant amount of time spent on the disabled list. Injuries involving the hip and groin are relatively common in baseball players. Our knowledge of the mechanics of overhead throwing continues to evolve, as does our understanding of the contribution of power from the lower extremities and core. It is paramount that the team physician be able to accurately diagnose and treat injuries involving the hip/groin, as they may lead to significant disability and inability to return to elite levels of play. This review focuses on hip- and groin-related injuries in the baseball player, including femoroacetabular impingement, core muscle injury, and osteitis pubis.

Shoulder Injuries in the Overhead Throwing Athlete.

The overhead pitching motion is a coordinated sequence of movements that subjects the shoulder to extreme forces. The ultimate goal of this complex, dynamic activity is to generate high ball velocity and accuracy. In doing so, repetitive throwing can cause adaptive and pathologic changes in the thrower's shoulder. This article reviews the relevant shoulder anatomy, the kinetic chain, and throwing mechanics, as well as common shoulder injuries and surgical options for the treating orthopedic surgeon.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Orthopedic Sports Medicine.

The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions has become more prevalent in recent years. Current literature has exhibited that PRP injections are relatively safe and can potentially accelerate or augment the soft tissue healing process. This review presents the most current literature update on the use of PRP in the treatment of rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis of the knee, ulnar collateral ligament tears, lateral epicondylitis, hamstring injuries, and Achilles tendinopathy.

Evaluation of Quality of Lower Limb Arthroplasty Observational Studies Using the Assessment of Quality in Lower Limb Arthroplasty (AQUILA) Checklist.

UNLABELLED: This study used the assessment of quality in lower limb arthroplasty (AQUILA) checklist to assess the quality of lower limb arthroplasty observational studies. Among 132 studies the mean reporting quality score was 5.4 (SD=1.2) out of 8 possible points. Most studies adequately reported reasons for revisions (98%) and prosthesis brand and fixation (95%) in sufficient detail. Only 3% of studies adequately reported the number of patients unwilling to participate, 15% stated a clear primary research question or hypothesis, 11% reported a worst-case analysis or competing risk analysis for endpoints, and 42% reported more than 5% of patients were lost to follow-up. There is significant room for improvement in the reporting and methodology of lower limb arthroplasty observational studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Factors affecting umbilical cord blood stem cell suitability for transplantation in an in utero collection program.

BACKGROUND: The greatest limiting factor in the use of umbilical cord blood (UCB) for transplantations is the number of stem cells available in any given collected unit. This study examines maternal, neonatal, and obstetric factors that influence the suitability for banking and transplantation of UCB units collected in utero. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study examined 7839 UCB units collected in utero at two hospitals from August 1, 2008, to August 31, 2011. The variables were collected from cord blood records, patient charts, delivery records, and data processed by StemCyte, Inc. (Covina, CA), our parent bank. The mean total nucleated cell (TNC) count between units selected for transplant and those banked but not selected for transplant were also compared. RESULTS: Of the 11 variables evaluated, six had a significant influence on the acceptable banking TNC count of at least 90 × 10(7) . Of these, cord blood volume was the best predictor. The other variables that were predictors of the acceptable TNC count of significance were gestational age, infant race, parity, birthweight, and infant sex. The minimal bankable TNC count for banking is considerably lower than the mean TNC count of units actually selected for transplantation. CONCLUSION: Maternal, neonatal, and obstetric factors can all influence the acceptability of a cord blood unit collected in utero for banking. Furthermore, units with high TNC counts are more likely to be selected for banking. Identifying these variables in potential donors can likely increase the number of adequate collections.

Cardiac catheterization within 24 hours of valve surgery is significantly associated with acute renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: Acute renal failure after valve surgery carries significant morbidity and mortality. Preoperative cardiac catheterization is the standard of care. For convenience, catheterization just before surgery is simplest for patients. However, it is not known if this timing of radiocontrast administration significantly affects renal function. We hypothesized that preoperative cardiac catheterization within 24 hours of valve surgery is associated with the development of acute renal failure. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed of all patients undergoing valve surgery between 2003 and 2008 at the University of Virginia. Patients with preoperative renal dysfunction were excluded. Patients with postoperative acute renal failure were matched to those without acute renal failure according to age, gender, year of surgery, New York Heart Association functional class, elective status, concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting, and type of valve procedure. A logistic regression model examined the effects of perioperative risk factors on the development of acute renal failure. RESULTS: Of 1287 patients undergoing valve surgery, 61 with acute renal failure were matched to 136 without acute renal failure. Cardiac catheterization within 24 hours of surgery was significantly greater in patients with acute renal failure (31.2% vs 8.8%, P = .013). The risk of acute renal failure was more than 5 times higher for patients undergoing catheterization within 24 hours of surgery (odds ratio, 5.3; P = .004). The number of postoperative vasopressors was significantly associated with acute renal failure (odds ratio, 1.7; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Although catheterization is often performed for patient convenience, catheterization within 24 hours of valve surgery is significantly associated with the development of acute renal failure. Current practices should be adjusted to ensure that more than 24 hours have passed from the time of cardiac catheterization to valve surgery in elective settings.