Recurrent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in the National Football League: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in American football players. The risk of subsequent ACL reinjury to either the ipsilateral or the contralateral knee in National Football League (NFL) draftees with a history of successful ACL reconstruction before entering the NFL remains unknown. HYPOTHESIS: NFL athletes with a history of successful ACL reconstruction before being drafted will likely demonstrate increased risk of subsequent ACL injury when compared with a control cohort consisting of players of similar positions and draft class. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Detailed orthopaedic evaluations of NFL Combine participants from 2006 to 2012 were obtained to identify players entering the NFL draft with a history of successful ACL reconstruction. A control cohort was created in a 2:1 ratio, consisting of players matched by position and draft class. RESULTS: Of the 2016 players invited to the NFL Combine during the study period, 100 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 26 subsequent ACL reinjuries (12 ipsilateral, 14 contralateral) occurred in 25 players (25%) while playing in the NFL, with injuries occurring at a mean of 22.1 months after the NFL draft. In comparison, 18 of the 200 (9%) carefully matched cohort players without history of prior ACL injury sustained a new ACL injury during this time period (P < .001). CONCLUSION: NFL athletes with a history of successful ACL reconstruction before being drafted into the NFL have a significantly higher rate of subsequent ACL reinjury while playing in the NFL when compared with a carefully matched cohort of players without a history of prior ACL injury.

Long-stemmed humeral components in primary shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Long-stemmed humeral components are often associated with revision shoulder arthroplasty. However, long-stemmed humeral components will likely prove useful in selected patients with extra large shoulders and in those with bone loss from nonarthroplasty causes and in humeral fractures. This study was developed to examine the frequency of use of longer humeral stems, identify the indications for their use, define the results, and enumerate the complications encountered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five primary shoulder arthroplasties were followed-up clinically and radiographically for at least 2 years or until revision surgery. The primary indications for use of an intermediate or long stem were a large humeral canal in 18 shoulders and severe preoperative metaphyseal or diaphyseal bone loss in 17. Average clinical follow-up was 6.5 years. RESULTS: Excellent or satisfactory results were achieved in 21 of 35 shoulders. No components met criteria to be considered radiographically at risk for clinical loosening. Intraoperative complications included an unrecognized nondisplaced diaphyseal fracture that later displaced in 1 shoulder. Late complications included deep infection in 1 and fracture nonunion in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate or long-stemmed humeral components proved useful in obtaining a secure distal fit in patients with a large humeral canal or in those with significant proximal bone loss. Worse clinical results were achieved in those with bone loss. Radiographic follow-up shows these components are at a low risk for loosening.

Utility and complications of long-stem humeral components in revision shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is little information on the benefits and problems associated with long-stem humeral components in shoulder arthroplasty. This study examined the frequency of use, indications, complications, and security of fixation using a long-stem humeral component in revision shoulder arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty revision shoulder arthroplasties were monitored clinically for at least 2 years or until repeat revision surgery. The primary indications for use of an intermediate or long stem were proximal bone loss in 40, nonunion in 14, a malpositioned previous stem with bone loss in 10, an acute intraoperative fracture in 7, an acute preoperative periprosthetic fracture in 5, diaphyseal bone loss in 2, and a box-shaped osteotomy to remove a well-fixed stem in 2. Clinical follow-up was an average of 5.9 years, and radiographic follow-up was an average of 4.7 years. RESULTS: Intraoperative complications included fracture removing the previous stem in 5, a cortical perforation in 6, and cement extrusion in 7. Late complications included fracture nonunion in 5, deep infection in 2, and component loosening in 1. One component met criteria to be considered radiographically "at risk" for clinical loosening. CONCLUSIONS: Long-stem humeral components are useful to obtain secure fixation in healthy bone in revision shoulder arthroplasty in patients with proximal bone loss, diaphyseal fracture, or a previously malpositioned stem. Complications are frequent, and caution should be taken to avoid intraoperative fractures, distal cortical perforation, or cement extrusion. These components are at low risk for loosening.

Arthroscopic labral repair in the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement.

Labral repair has become an essential technique in the arthroscopic surgical management of femoroacetabular impingement. Several clinical studies suggest that labral repair results in superior patient outcomes in comparison to labral debridement alone. The repair procedure requires accurate evaluation of labral tissue quality, precise placement of sutures and anchors, and careful re-tensioning of the labrum. We present our preferred technique for labral repair.