The Effect of Cautionary Versus Resiliency Spine Education on Maximum Deadlift Performance and Back Beliefs: A Randomized Control Trial.

ABSTRACT: Scott, KM, Kreisel, BR, Florkiewicz, EM, Crowell, MS, Morris, JB, McHenry, PA, and Benedict, TM. The effect of cautionary versus resiliency spine education on maximum deadlift performance and back beliefs: A randomized control trial. J Strength Cond Res 38(7): e341-e348, 2024-The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cautionary information about the spine vs. a message of spine resiliency on maximum deadlift (MDL) performance and beliefs regarding the vulnerability of the spine. This cluster randomized control trial involved 903 military new cadets (n = 903) during their mandatory fitness test in cadet basic training (mean age 18.3 years, body mass index 23.8 kg·m-2, 22% female). Subjects were cluster randomized to 3 groups. The cautionary group received a message warning them to protect their backs while deadlifting, the resiliency group received a message encouraging confidence while deadlifting, and the control group received the standardized Army deadlift education only. The outcome measures were MDL weight lifted and perceived spine vulnerability. Significance was set at alpha ≤0.05. There were no between-group differences in weight lifted (p=0.40). Most subjects believed that the spine is vulnerable to injury. Three times as many subjects who received the resiliency education improved their beliefs about the vulnerability of their spines compared with those receiving the cautionary education (p<0.001). This study demonstrated the potential for brief resiliency education to positively influence beliefs about spine vulnerability, whereas cautionary education did not impair performance.

Electrical Stimulation Use in Upper Extremity Peripheral Nerve Injuries.

Peripheral nerve injuries can be debilitating and often have a variable course of recovery. Electrical stimulation (ES) has been used as an intervention to attempt to overcome the limits of peripheral nerve surgery and improve patient outcomes after peripheral nerve injury. Little has been written in the orthopaedic literature regarding the use of this technology. The purpose of this review was to provide a focused analysis of past and current literature surrounding the utilization of ES in the treatment of various upper extremity peripheral nerve pathologies including compression neuropathies and nerve transection. We aimed to provide clarity on the clinical benefits, appropriate timing for its employment, risks and limitations, and the need for future studies of ES.

Mini All-Suture Anchors for Repairing the Central Slip of the Extensor Tendon at the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint: A Biomechanical Investigation.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated 1.0-mm mini suture anchors for repairing the central slip of the extensor mechanism at the proximal interphalangeal joint. Studies have reported a requirement for central slip fixation to withstand 15 N during postoperative rehabilitation exercises and 59 N during forceful contraction. METHODS: Index and middle fingers from 10 matched pairs of cadaveric hands were prepared with 1.0-mm mini suture anchors with 2-0 sutures or threaded with 2-0 sutures through a bone tunnel (BTP). In total, 10 index fingers from unmatched hands were prepared with suture anchors and fixed to the extensor tendons to evaluate the tendon/suture interface response. Each distal phalanx was secured to a servohydraulic testing machine, and ramped tensile loads were applied to suture or tendon until failure. RESULTS: All anchors for the all-suture bone tests failed because of pullout from the bone (Mean failure force = 52.5+/-17.3 N). Three anchors from the tendon-suture pull out test failed by pullout from the bone and seven failed at the tendon/suture interface (Mean failure force = 49.0+/-10.1 N). CONCLUSIONS: The 1.0-mm mini suture anchor provides enough strength for early short-arc motion, but it may not be adequate for forceful contraction in the early postoperative rehabilitation stage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The site of fixation, the type of anchor, and the type of suture used are key factors to consider for early range of motion, after surgery.

Nonmarinum, Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections of the Upper Extremity: A Multi-Institutional Descriptive Report.

PURPOSE: We analyzed patient demographic factors involved in the development of nonmarinum, nontuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTMI) involving the upper extremity, and assessed diagnostic and prognostic values of commonly used preoperative laboratory and imaging studies, as well as factors related to recurrence of disease and patient outcomes. METHODS: Patients from 2 academic, tertiary facilities with culture-proven, nonmarinum NTMI involving the upper extremity were reviewed. Patient-related factors and clinical outcomes were extracted. The analysis was based on pathogen identification (rapid- vs slow-growing subspecies) and immune status. RESULTS: Our 76 patients had a mean age of 59 years, and 65% were male. Forty-eight percent reported an injury, and hands were frequently involved (58%). Forty-one percent were immunosuppressed (19% organ transplant recipients). The mean symptom duration prior to presentation was 203 days. The culture identification took a mean of 33 days, with 25 different species identified (subcategorized as rapid or slow growers). Seventy-seven percent had solitary lesions, with a cutaneous or subcutaneous location most common. Immunosuppressed patients were treated longer with antibiotics (243 vs 155 days in immunocompetent patients) and experienced higher rates of side effects, complications, and recurrence. All patients underwent debridement to control infection, including 4 individuals who required amputations. One-third experienced complications and/or recurrence, regardless of the organism type. CONCLUSIONS: Upper-extremity nonmarinum NTMI is often misdiagnosed, causing management delays. Early consideration in differential diagnoses of chronic, painful swelling, nodular or inflammatory lesions, or septic arthritis is crucial. Tissue biopsy with specimens for histopathology and microbiological analysis (mycobacterial smear, cultures, and broad range polymerase chain reaction) and early involvement with an infectious disease specialist are recommended. Empiric antibiotic therapy is not standard. Debridement and prolonged, directed combination antimicrobial therapy is required; however, adverse reactions are commonly encountered. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

Embedded Palliative Care for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Pilot Program and Lessons Learned.

Background and Objectives: Palliative care (PC) is recommended for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but there is scant literature about how to best provide this care. We describe the structure and impact of a pilot program that integrates longitudinal, interdisciplinary PC into the care of patients with ALS. Methods: Observational cohort study of patients with ALS referred to outpatient PC and seen for at least 3 PC visits October 2017-July 2020. Results: Fifty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Three-quarters (74.5%) were Caucasian, and 78.2% spoke English. Patients were referred for advance care planning (58.2%), support for patient/family (52.7%), and symptoms other than pain (50.9%). Patients had a mean of 5 scheduled PC visits, the majority occurred by video. A PC physician, nurse, social worker, and chaplain addressed pain (for 43.6% of patients), nonpain symptoms (94.5%), psychosocial distress (78.2%), spiritual concerns (29.1%), care planning (96.4%), and supported family caregivers (96.4%). With PC, the rate of completion of advance directives increased from 16.4% to 36.4% (p = 0.001) and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment forms from 10.9% to 63.6% (p < 0.001). Of the 27 patients who died, 77.8% used hospice, typically for more than 30 days. Eleven patients obtained aid-in-dying prescriptions, and 8 took these medications, accounting for 29.6% of the deaths. Discussion: Integrating longitudinal, interdisciplinary PC into the care of patients with ALS is feasible, addresses needs in multiple domains, and is associated with increased rates of advance care planning. Controlled studies are needed to further elucidate the impact of PC on patients with ALS, their families, and clinicians.

Avoiding articular breakthrough in screw fixation of radial head fractures.

Background: The radial head is anatomically complex, making fracture fixation challenging because of the difficult visualization of the articular surface. As a result, screw penetration into the radiocapitellar joint can often occur. To facilitate safe placement of screws tangential to the joint surface, we define an approximate and reliable distance from the articular rim of the radial head that can minimize the risk of articular breach. Methods: A Kirschner wire for cannulated drilling was placed tangential to the articular surface in 15 cadaveric proximal radii. The distance from the wire to the articular rim was measured 3 times. After insertion of a 3.5-mm compression screw, the radial head was divided in the coronal plane, bisecting the screw track, to visualize the cross section of the screw's position. Headless compression screws of 3.5 mm were placed the distance from the most proximal edge of the screw track to the radial head's articular surface was measured 3 times. Results: The average distance from the articular rim to the distal surface of the Kirschner wire was 5.1 mm. The average distance from the articular rim to the proximal edge of the cavity was 1.7 mm. The screw placement was subchondral and extra-articular in all cases. Conclusion: When fixing Mason type 2 articular radial head fractures with 3.5-mm headless compression screws placed tangential to the articular surface, maintaining a screw entry point about 5 mm distal to the articular surface of the radial head will minimize the possibility of articular screw breach. This position also places the screw into subchondral bone, providing the best bone quality for mechanical support.

Publicly Available Pricing Information for Orthopaedic Upper Extremity Procedures in the United States Lacks Transparency and Consistency Between Major Hospitals.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the price variation of various Medicare severity diagnosis-related group codes for orthopaedic upper extremity procedures for the top 20 orthopaedic hospitals using chargemaster price listings from each hospital. Methods: The top 20 orthopaedic hospitals in the United States were determined by querying the U.S. News and World Report's 2020 orthopaedic hospital ranking. This report ranks orthopaedic hospitals according to 4 major domains: outcomes, structure, process/expert opinion, and patient experience. Chargemaster data for the top 20 orthopaedic hospitals was compiled from their websites. Five DRG codes that represented orthopaedic upper extremity procedures were selected, and the pricing information for each was extracted from hospital chargemasters. The median income and cost-of-living index were also compiled for the county that each hospital is located in so that pricing data could be compared to economic measures through regression analysis. Results: Of the top 20 orthopaedic hospitals, 18 had publicly available pricing information in DRG format on their websites. The DRG code with the highest pricing variability was Hand Injury Procedures (DRG 906; range, $12,832-$253,633). The procedure with the least pricing variability was Hand or Wrist Procedures (DRG 514; range, $24,533-$128,403). Additionally, only the cost of living index was a statistically significant predictor of procedure pricing with a weak correlation. Conclusion: Hospital chargemaster listings are lacking in 2 major areas: true price transparency and standardization/consistency between hospitals. Chargemaster data are often difficult to find, confusing to patients, and inaccurate. Additionally, the price range for a single DRG code can also vary substantially depending on the hospital. It is possible that hospitals located in areas with high costs of living and median incomes would charge higher prices, but these factors were not found to support this hypothesis.

Breast conservation therapy versus mastectomy in the surgical management of invasive lobular carcinoma measuring 4 cm or greater.

BACKGROUND: The safety of breast conservation therapy (BCT) has not been demonstrated in large ILC tumors, potentially contributing to the higher mastectomy rates seen in ILC. METHODS: We queried a prospectively maintained database to identify patients with ILC measuring ≥4 cm and evaluated difference in recurrence free survival (RFS) between those treated with BCT versus mastectomy using a multivariate model. RESULTS: Of 180 patients, 30 (16.7%) underwent BCT and 150 (83.3%) underwent mastectomy. Patients undergoing mastectomy were younger (56.6 vs. 64.3 years, p = 0.003) and had larger tumors (7.2 vs. 5.4 cm, p < 0.001). While tumor size, nodal stage, receptor subtype, and margin status were significantly associated with RFS, there was no difference in RFS at 5 (p = 0.88) or 10 (p = 0.65) years for individuals undergoing BCT versus mastectomy. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with ILC ≥4 cm, BCT provides similar tumor control as mastectomy, provided that negative margins are achieved.

Hand and Wrist Injuries in Men's and Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball.

BACKGROUND: Hand and wrist injuries (HWIs) are common in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball players and can negatively affect performance. There is limited literature available on this topic. PURPOSE: To open a discussion on prevention strategies and encourage future research on HWIs in basketball athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: HWIs sustained by male and female NCAA basketball players during the 2009-2010 through 2013-2014 academic years and reported to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP) database were utilized to characterize the epidemiology thereof. Rates and distributions of HWIs were identified within the context of mechanism of injury, injury recurrence, and time lost from sport. RESULTS: Over the 5-year period, 81 HWIs in women and 171 HWIs in men were identified through the NCAA-ISP database. These were used to estimate 3515 HWIs nationally in women's basketball athletes and 7574 HWIs nationally in men's basketball athletes. The rate of HWIs in women was 4.20 per 10,000 athlete-exposures (AEs) and in men was 7.76 per 10,000 AEs, making men 1.85 times more likely to sustain HWIs compared with women. In men, HWIs were 3.31 times more likely to occur in competition compared with practice, while in women, HWIs were 2.40 times more likely to occur in competition than in practice. Based on position, guards, both men and women, were the most likely to suffer HWIs. CONCLUSION: HWIs were common in collegiate basketball players. Most injuries were new, and the majority of players were restricted from participation for less than 24 hours. Men were more likely to be injured compared with women, and injuries were most common in the setting of competition for both sexes. The majority of injuries was considered minor and did not extensively limit participation; however, prevention and detection remain important for optimal performance.

Evaluating the impact of axillary dissection on recurrence-free survival by extent of nodal disease in invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

PURPOSE: Clinical trials have shown that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be avoided for many breast cancer patients with limited nodal involvement. However, whether its omission is safe for those with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is still questioned. We sought to evaluate the impact of ALND on recurrence-free survival (RFS) by extent of nodal disease in patients with ILC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of ILC patients treated between 1990 and 2019 at our institution. Patients underwent either breast conservation surgery (BCS) or mastectomy. We used univariate and multivariate statistics in Stata 14.2 to evaluate associations between extent of axillary surgery and time to recurrence stratified by nodal burden. RESULTS: Of 520 cases, 387 (78.4%) were node negative, 74 (14.9%) had 1-2 positive nodes, and 59 (11.4%) had three or more positive nodes. Most patients (93.3%) had hormone receptor-positive disease, and 94.8% had low or intermediate-grade tumors. The rate of ALND significantly decreased over time (p < 0.002). Using a multivariate model, there was no significant difference in RFS estimates based on receipt of ALND (HR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.17-1.64, p = 0.27), which also held true for patients with 1-2 positive nodes using a test of interaction (HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.12-6.76, p = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the safety of omitting ALND in selected patients with ILC. Further studies of axillary management in ILC and imaging tools to predict nodal involvement and therapeutic response are warranted.

Minimally Invasive Robotic-Assisted Patellofemoral Arthroplasty.

Isolated patellofemoral arthritis is a common debilitating condition in adults older than 40 years of age. Surgical options such as patellofemoral arthroplasty exist for those who failed to respond to nonoperative treatment. However, early patellofemoral arthroplasty techniques often resulted in poor outcomes due to mal-tracking and malalignment of components. Robotic-assisted surgery recently has been introduced as an alternative to classic patellofemoral arthroplasty, with the potential to improve the anatomical fit and reproducibility of implant positioning. We present the technique for minimally invasive robotic-assisted patellofemoral arthroplasty system.

Disruption of the CCL5/RANTES-CCR5 Pathway Restores Immune Homeostasis and Reduces Plasma Viral Load in Critical COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is now pandemic with nearly three million cases reported to date1. Although the majority of COVID-19 patients experience only mild or moderate symptoms, a subset will progress to severe disease with pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring mechanical ventilation2. Emerging results indicate a dysregulated immune response characterized by runaway inflammation, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), as the major driver of pathology in severe COVID-193,4. With no treatments currently approved for COVID-19, therapeutics to prevent or treat the excessive inflammation in severe disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection are urgently needed. Here, in 10 terminally-ill, critical COVID-19 patients we report profound elevation of plasma IL-6 and CCL5 (RANTES), decreased CD8+ T cell levels, and SARS-CoV-2 plasma viremia. Following compassionate care treatment with the CCR5 blocking antibody leronlimab, we observed complete CCR5 receptor occupancy on macrophage and T cells, rapid reduction of plasma IL-6, restoration of the CD4/CD8 ratio, and a significant decrease in SARS-CoV-2 plasma viremia. Consistent with reduction of plasma IL-6, single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed declines in transcriptomic myeloid cell clusters expressing IL-6 and interferon-related genes. These results demonstrate a novel approach to resolving unchecked inflammation, restoring immunologic deficiencies, and reducing SARS-CoV-2 plasma viral load via disruption of the CCL5-CCR5 axis, and support randomized clinical trials to assess clinical efficacy of leronlimab-mediated inhibition of CCR5 for COVID-19.

Mitotic score and pleomorphic histology in invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast: impact on disease-free survival.

PURPOSE: Pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) has long been thought to have worse outcomes than classic ILC and is therefore often treated with chemotherapy. However, recent data question the utility of the pleomorphic designation, as the poor outcomes seen may be related to other associated high-risk features. Importantly, mitotic count may better define a subset of ILC with high risk of recurrence. We sought to determine the impact of pleomorphic histology versus mitotic count on disease-free survival (DFS) in pure ILC. Additionally, we evaluated whether pleomorphic histology was associated with receipt of chemotherapy when adjusting for other factors. METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of 475 patients with stage I-III pure ILC. We used Kaplan-Meier estimates, and Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression for multivariate analyses. Pleomorphic histology was confirmed by central pathology review. RESULTS: In a multivariate model, pleomorphic histology was not associated with reduced DFS. Only mitotic score, receptor subtype, and pathologic stage were independently and significantly associated with DFS. Patients with pleomorphic ILC were significantly more likely to receive chemotherapy than patients with classic ILC (adjusted odds ratio 2.96, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The pleomorphic designation in ILC does not have clinical utility and should not be used to determine therapy. Rather, mitotic count identified clear prognostic groups in this cohort of pure ILC.

Individualized pelvic physical therapy for the treatment of post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence and pelvic pain.

BACKGROUND: The rehabilitation of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence has traditionally focused on pelvic floor strengthening exercise. The goal of this study was to determine whether an individualized pelvic physical therapy (PT) program aimed at normalizing both underactive and overactive pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) can result in improvement in post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic pain. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 136 patients with post-prostatectomy SUI and treated with pelvic PT. Patients were identified as having either underactive, overactive, or mixed-type PFD and treated accordingly with a tailored program to normalize pelvic floor function. Outcomes including decrease in SUI as measured in pad usage per day and pain rated on the numeric pain rating scale. RESULTS: Twenty five patients were found to have underactive PFD and were treated with strengthening. Thirteen patients had overactive PFD and were treated with relaxation training. Ninety eight patients had mixed-type PFD and were treated with a combination of relaxation training followed by strengthening. Patients demonstrated statistically significant decrease in pad usage per day (p < 0.001), decreased pelvic pain (p < 0.001), and increased pelvic floor strength (p = 0.049), even in patients who received predominantly pelvic floor relaxation training to normalize pelvic floor overactivity. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of post-prostatectomy men with SUI have pelvic floor overactivity in addition to pelvic floor underactivity. An individualized pelvic PT program aimed at normalizing pelvic floor function (as opposed to a pure Kegel strengthening program) can be helpful in reducing SUI and pelvic pain.

Analysis of 90-Day Readmissions After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The number of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) procedures performed annually is increasing as a result of an aging population and an increased access to subspecialty-trained upper extremity arthroplasty surgeons. An up-to-date analysis of the incidence of, risk factors for, and reasons for 90-day readmissions in primary anatomic TSA has yet to be performed. PURPOSE: To characterize 90-day readmissions on a national level. An understanding of these data will help to predict resource utilization and expenses in shoulder arthroplasty. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: All adult patients undergoing elective primary TSA in 2014 who were included in the National Readmission Database were included in the analysis. Two cohorts were created according to 90-day readmission status. Multivariable analysis was then performed to determine predictors of 90-day readmissions. Reasons for 30-, 60-, and 90-day readmissions were identified, and total hospital resource utilization was calculated. RESULTS: An estimated 26,023 patients were identified. The 30-, 60-, and 90-day rates of readmissions were 0.6%, 1.2%, and 1.7%, respectively. There was no difference in comorbidity burden between the cohorts. Medicare payer status (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.00-2.65; P = .05), transfer to a skilled nurse facility (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.05-2.14; P = .02), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.66; P = .02) were identified as predictors of 90-day readmission. Female sex decreased odds of 90-day readmission (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59-0.87; P = .001). Ninety-day readmissions were associated with significant cost increases (P < .001). The most common identifiable reason for related readmissions was a hardware-related complication at all time points. CONCLUSION: While uncommon, 90-day readmissions after primary TSA are associated with significant patient morbidity and ultimately substantial hospital costs. Truncating readmission analysis at a 30-day period will miss most arthroplasty-related hospital readmissions.

Success rates of re-excision after positive margins for invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

Rates of positive margins after surgical resection of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) are high (ranging from 18 to 60%), yet the efficacy of re-excision lumpReceptor subtypeectomy for clearing positive margins is unknown. Concerns about the diffuse nature of ILC may drive increased rates of completion mastectomy to treat positive margins, thus lowering breast conservation rates. We therefore determined the success rate of re-excision lumpectomy in women with ILC and positive margins after surgical resection. We identified 314 cases of stage I-III ILC treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS) at the University of California, San Francisco. Surgical procedures, pathology reports, and outcomes were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistics and Cox-proportional hazards models. We evaluated outcomes before and after the year 2014, when new margin management consensus guidelines were published. Positive initial margins occurred in 118 (37.6%) cases. Of these, 62 (52.5%) underwent re-excision lumpectomy, which cleared the margin in 74.2%. On multivariate analysis, node negativity was significantly associated with successful re-excision (odds ratio [OR] 3.99, 95% CI 1.15-13.81, p = 0.029). After 2014, we saw fewer initial positive margins (42.7% versus 25.5%, p = 0.009), second surgeries (54.6% versus 20.2%, p < 0.001), and completion mastectomies (27.7% versus 4.5%, p < 0.001). In this large cohort of women with ILC, re-excision lumpectomy was highly successful at clearing positive margins. Additionally, positive margins and completion mastectomy rates significantly decreased over time. These findings highlight improvements in management of ILC, and suggest that completion mastectomy may not be required for those with positive margins after initial BCS.

Elbow Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Players: An Epidemiological Study Spanning 5 Academic Years.

BACKGROUND: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football players are at a high risk of injuries. Elbow injuries are uncommon, but there are insufficient data specifically on elbow injuries sustained in NCAA football players. PURPOSE: To define the epidemiology of elbow injuries in NCAA football players during the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 seasons using data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Using the NCAA-ISP database, a convenience sample of NCAA football athletes was reviewed to determine the types, rates, and trends in elbow injuries. Several factors were examined, including the diagnosis, injury setting, time lost from sport, surgical necessity, and injury recurrence. Raw injury data were obtained as well as weighted totals from the NCAA-ISP to generate national estimates and adjust for underreporting. Injury rates were calculated by dividing the number of injuries by the total number of athlete-exposures (AEs). The rate ratios of injuries during competition versus practice were compared, as were the rate ratios of preseason, regular-season, and postseason injuries by type. RESULTS: We identified 4874 total elbow injuries from the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 seasons. The rate of injuries overall was 1.892 per 10,000 AEs. The rate for competition was 9.053 per 10,000 AEs and 1.121 per 10,000 AEs for practice. The rate ratio between competition and practice was 8.08 (95% CI, 6.04-10.80). Injury rates for the preseason, regular season, and postseason were 1.851, 1.936, and 1.406 per 10,000 AEs, respectively. Acute elbow instability was the most common injury type (65.43%). The most common mechanism was a contact injury (86.77%); 96.82% of injuries did not require surgery, and most elbow injuries required less than 24 hours of participation restriction (67.33%). CONCLUSION: Although elbow injuries in NCAA football players are uncommon, it is important to recognize and treat these injuries appropriately. Dislocations and ulnar collateral ligament injuries caused athletes to miss extended periods of play. Fortunately, a majority of injuries resulted in less than 24 hours of participation restriction. Particular attention should be given to preventing elbow injuries, especially ulnar collateral ligament strains, hyperextension injuries, and acute instability.

Role of 3 Tesla MR Neurography and CT-guided Injections for Pudendal Neuralgia: Analysis of Pain Response.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has an increasing role in the diagnosis and management of pudendal neuralgia, a neurogenic cause of chronic pelvic pain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to determine the role of MRN in predicting improved pain outcomes following computed tomography (CT)-guided perineural injections in patients with pudendal neuralgia. STUDY DESIGN: This study used a retrospective cross-sectional study design. SETTING: The research was conducted at a large academic hospital. METHODS: Patients: Ninety-one patients (139 injections) who received MRN and CT-guided pudendal blocks were analyzed. INTERVENTION: A 3Tesla (T) scanner was used to evaluate the lumbosacral plexus for pudendal neuropathy. Prior to receiving a CT-guided pudendal perineural injection, patients were given pain logs and asked to record pain on a visual analog scale. MEASUREMENT: MRN findings for pudendal neuropathy were compared to the results of the CT-guided pudendal nerve blocks. Injection pain responses were categorized into 3 groups - positive block, possible positive block, and negative block.Statistical Tests: A chi-square test was used to test any association, and a Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to test any trend. Significance level was set at .05. All analyses were done in SAS Version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). RESULTS: Ninety-one patients (139 injections) who received MRN were analyzed. Of these 139 injections, 41 were considered positive (29.5%), 52 of 139 were possible positives (37.4%), and 46 of 139 were negative blocks (33.1%). Of the patients who had a positive pudendal block, no significant difference was found between the MRN result and the pudendal perineural injection response (P = .57). Women had better overall response to pudendal blocks, but this response was not associated with MRN findings (P = .34). However, positive MRN results were associated with better pain response in men (P = .005). Patients who reported bowel dysfunction also had a better response to pudendal perineural injection (P = .02). LIMITATIONS: Some limitations include subjectivity of pain reporting, reporting consistency, absence of a control group, and the retrospective nature of the chart review. CONCLUSION: Pudendal perineural injections improve pain in patients with pudendal neuralgia and positive MRN results are associated with better response in men. KEY WORDS: MRI, MRN, CT injection, pudendal neuralgia, pudendal nerve, pelvic pain, chronic pelvic pain, pudendal neuropathy.