Song, Bryant M.

Background: Prospective studies evaluating second-look imaging of meniscus root repair using a transtibial pull-out technique are limited; therefore, optimal surgical indications and the technique for meniscus root repair remain uncertain. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that there would be a high rate of healing, improvement in meniscal extrusion, and prevention of articular cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone abnormalities after meniscus root repair. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing transtibial root repair were prospectively enrolled at 2 orthopaedic centers between March 2017 and January 2019. Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were reviewed by a musculoskeletal radiologist in a blinded fashion for meniscal healing, quantification of extrusion, articular cartilage grade, subchondral bone changes, and coronary/meniscotibial ligament abnormalities. Given persistent extrusion observed on postoperative MRI scans, an additional 10 patients gave consent and were enrolled for immediate (before weightbearing) postoperative MRI scans. Results: A total of 45 patients (16 male, 29 female; mean ± standard deviation age, 42.3 ± 12.9 years; body mass index, 31.6) were prospectively enrolled in the study; there were 47 meniscus root repairs: 29 medial and 18 lateral (2 with both). Postoperative MRI was obtained at an average of 6.3 months (range, 5.1-8 months); 98% of meniscal repairs had evidence of healing. Mean extrusion increased significantly, from 1.9 ± 1.5 mm preoperatively to 2.6 ± 1.4 mm postoperatively ( P = .03). There was no significant progression of chondromalacia grade, subchondral edema, insufficiency fracture, subchondral cysts, or subchondral collapse. In the additional 10-patient cohort, the mean preoperative extrusion (1.6 ± 1.2 mm) was not significantly different from that immediately postoperatively (2.0 ± 1.0 mm; P = .23). Conclusion: Prospective MRI analysis of transtibial meniscus root repair confirmed a high rate of meniscal healing and no observable progression of cartilage degeneration or subchondral bone abnormalities at the short-term follow-up. However, meniscal extrusion worsened in the first 6 months after surgery. Registration: NCT03037242 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Objectives: Meniscus root tears are increasingly being recognized. Meniscus extrusion has previously been associated with medial root tears; however, the relationship between secondary meniscus restraints, such as the meniscotibial (MT) ligament, extrusion, and root tears has yet to be formally evaluated. The purpose of this study was to better understand the association between MT ligament competence, medial meniscus extrusion, and medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRT), as well as to determine the progression of meniscus extrusion over time. Methods: Serial MRI’s from our institution were reviewed for patients who showed evidence of medial meniscus extrusion and MMPRT on at least one of 2+ available MRI’s. All patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. All MRI’s were analyzed independently by two board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists. MT ligament disruption, medial meniscus extrusion, and MMPRT presence was recorded for each MRI. The time between MRI’s, presence of insufficiency fractures, and Outerbridge classification for the medial femur and tibia were also evaluated. Results: 27 knees in 26 patients were included in this study, with a total of 63 MRI’s analyzed (21 knees with 2 MRI’s, 3 with 3 MRI’s, and 3 with 4 MRI’s). All patients demonstrated clear medial meniscus extrusion and meniscotibial ligament disruption prior to the subsequent development of MMPRTs (p < 0.001). Mean extrusion at the time of initial MRI was 3.3 ± 1.1 mm, and increased significantly to 5.5 ± 1.8 mm at the time of first imaging with an identified MMPRT (p < 0.001). The average time between initial MRI and the first identification of MMPRT on a later MRI was 1.7 ± 1.6 years. Conclusions: In a sample of 27 symptomatic knees with serial MRI’s both before and after MMPRT diagnosis, all patients demonstrated MT ligament disruption and associated meniscus extrusion prior to the development of subsequent medial meniscus root tears. These findings suggest that MT ligament disruption and medial meniscus extrusion represent early and predisposing events contributing to MMPRT. Therefore, this provides a possible explanation of why meniscus extrusion is not corrected with medial meniscus root repair.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to determine the sex differences in the overall prevalence of radiographic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) deformity patients presenting with hip pain and to identify the most common radiographic findings in male and female patients. A geographic database was used to identify patients between the age of 14 and 50 years with hip pain from 2000 to 2016. A chart and radiographic review was performed to identify patients with cam, pincer and mixed-type FAI. A total of 374 (449 hips) out of 612 (695 hips) male patients and 771 (922 hips) out of 1281 (1447 hips) female patients had radiographic features consistent with FAI. Ninety-four male hips (20.9%) and 45 female hips (4.9%) had cam type, 20 male hips (4.5%) and 225 female hips (24.4%) had pincer type and 335 male hips (74.6%) and 652 female hips (70.7%) had mixed type. The overall prevalence of radiographic findings consistent with FAI in male and female patients with hip pain was 61.1% and 60.2%, respectively. Mixed type was the most prevalent. The most common radiographic finding for cam-type FAI was an alpha angle &gt;55°, and the most common radiographic finding for pincer-type FAI was a crossover sign. Male patients were found to have a higher prevalence of cam-type deformities, whereas female patients were found to have a higher prevalence of pincer-type deformities.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of the Nonoperative Instability Severity Index Score (NISIS) criteria on an established US‐geographic population‐based cohort of patients with anterior shoulder instability. Methods An established geographically based medical record system was used to identify patients <40 years of age with anterior shoulder instability between 1994 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed to obtain patient demographics and instability characteristics. Patient‐specific risk factors were individually incorporated into the 10‐point NISIS criteria: age (>15 years), bone loss, type of instability (dislocation vs subluxation), type of sport (collision vs noncollision), male sex, and dominant arm involvement. High risk was considered a score of ≥7 points and low risk as <7 points. Failure was defined as either progression to surgery or recurrent instability diagnosed by a consulting physician at any point after initial consultation. Results The study population consisted of 405 patients with a mean follow‐up time of 9.6 ± 5.9 years. Failure was defined as recurrent instability or progression to surgery, and the overall failure rate was 52.8% (214/405). The rate of recurrent instability after initial consultation was 34.6% (140/405), and the rate of conversion to surgery was 37.8% (153/405). A total of 264 (65.2%) patients were considered low risk (NISIS < 7), and 141 (34.8%) patients were considered high risk (NISIS ≥ 7). Patients in the high‐risk group were more likely to fail nonoperative management than those in the low‐risk group (60.3% vs 48.9%; P = .028). Conclusions The NISIS has been proposed as a potentially useful tool in clinical decision‐making regarding the appropriate use of nonoperative treatment in scholastic athletes. When applied to an established US‐geographic population‐based cohort consisting of competitive and recreational athletes under the age of 40 with longer‐term follow‐up, the NISIS high‐risk cutoff was able to predict overall failure with 60.3% accuracy. Level of Evidence III, retrospective observation trial

Purpose To evaluate both the potential causes and resultant outcomes in patients in whom subchondral insufficiency fracture of the knee (SIFK) develops after arthroscopy. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients with a magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of SIFK after arthroscopic meniscectomy and chondroplasty over a 12‐year period. Results A total of 28 patients were included, with a mean age of 61 years and mean follow‐up period of 5.7 years. SIFK showed a predilection for the medial compartment (n = 25, 89%), specifically the medial femoral condyle (n = 21, 75%). In 7 patients (25%), SIFK developed in both the femoral condyle and tibial plateau in the ipsilateral compartment. Fifteen patients (54%) went on to conversion to arthroplasty at a mean of 0.72 years. The rate of survival free of conversion to arthroplasty was 57%, 45%, and 40% at 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years, respectively. Furthermore, 63% of patients with a meniscal tear and SIFK in the same compartment went on to arthroplasty ( P = .04). There was an increased risk of conversion to arthroplasty if SIFK was present in both the femur and tibia in the same compartment ( P = .04). A higher Kellgren‐Lawrence grade at the time of the SIFK diagnosis increased the likelihood of eventual arthroplasty ( P = .03). The presence of SIFK in both the femur and tibia in the ipsilateral compartment, an increased Kellgren‐Lawrence grade, and a meniscal tear or prior meniscectomy in the same compartment as SIFK were associated with an increased risk of eventual arthroplasty. Conclusions Post‐arthroscopic SIFK most commonly occurs in the medial compartment, particularly in patients who underwent a prior meniscectomy. The presence of meniscal root and radial tears in these patients is notable (75%). Ultimately, there is a high rate of progression of arthrosis (33%) and eventual conversion to arthroplasty. Level of Evidence Level IV, case series.

Background: The medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) is the primary restraint to valgus force on the elbow. Since the first description of MUCL reconstruction by Jobe et al in 1986, many technical advancements have been implemented to improve outcomes and reduce complications. The docking technique has emerged as one of the most commonly used techniques. Indications: Following repetitive stress on the elbow during the overhead throwing motion, the MUCL may become attenuated, insufficient, or rupture completely. Although nonoperative treatment with rest and therapy is often the initial treatment of choice, individuals who fail conservative measures may require MUCL reconstruction. Technique Description: The major steps of the procedure are (1) harvesting of palmaris longus autograft, (2) incision and exposure, (3) preparation of ulnar tunnel, (4) preparation of docking site on medial epicondyle, (5) graft passage, (6) graft tensioning and length determination, (7) final fixation, and (8) closure. Results: This procedure allows for reconstruction of the MUCL, restoration of valgus stability to the elbow, and return to play rates of 80% to 95%. The docking technique has advantages over previously described MUCL reconstruction techniques in that it minimizes injury to the flexor pronator mass, avoids the ulnar nerve, allows for robust graft tensioning, and reduces the amount of bone removed from the medial epicondyle. Discussion/Conclusion: The docking technique, as described in this video demonstration, is the most common MUCL reconstruction technique used today. When precise surgical steps are followed, complication rates are low and patient outcomes are favorable.

AbstractMany different techniques with multiple graft types have been described for the reconstruction of the injured posterior cruciate ligament (PCL); autograft versus allograft, single- versus double-bundle, open inlay versus arthroscopic inlay versus arthroscopic transtibial, and recently described the arthroscopic “all-inside” socket technique. Reported clinical outcomes have demonstrated no significant difference in any of these PCL reconstruction techniques, likely because of the heterogeneity in injury characteristics and patient population. The ideal surgical technique should be safe, simple, and reproducible while allowing treatment of concomitant knee injuries resulting and return to function.

AbstractPurposeOvernight admission following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has implications on clinical outcomes as well as cost benefit, yet there are few validated risk calculators for reliable identification of appropriate candidates. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a machine learning algorithm that can effectively identify patients requiring admission following elective anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MethodsA retrospective review of a national surgical outcomes database was performed to identify patients who underwent elective ACL reconstruction from 2006 to 2018. Patients admitted overnight postoperatively were identified as those with length of stay of 1 or more days. Models were generated using random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), linear discriminant classifier (LDA), and adaptive boosting algorithms (AdaBoost), and an additional model was produced as a weighted ensemble of the four final algorithms.ResultsOverall, of the 4,709 patients included, 531 patients (11.3%) required at least one overnight stay following ACL reconstruction. The factors determined most important for identification of candidates for inpatient admission were operative time, anesthesia type, age, gender, and BMI. Smoking history, history of COPD, and history of coagulopathy were identified as less important variables. The following factors supported overnight admission: operative time > 200 min, age < 35.8 or > 53.5 years, male gender, BMI < 25 or > 31.2 kg/m2, positive smoking history, history of COPD and the presence of preoperative coagulopathy. The ensemble model achieved the best performance based on discrimination assessed via internal validation (AUC = 0.76), calibration, and decision curve analysis. The model was integrated into a web‐based open‐access application able to provide both predictions and explanations.ConclusionModifiable risk factors identified by the model such as increased BMI, operative time, anesthesia type, and comorbidities can help clinicians optimize preoperative status to prevent costs associated with unnecessary admissions. If externally validated in independent populations, this algorithm could use these inputs to guide preoperative screening and risk stratification to identify patients requiring overnight admission for observation following ACL reconstruction.Level of evidenceIV.

AbstractPurposeThere is limited data comparing the outcomes of knee arthroplasty for arthritis secondary to meniscus root tear versus primary osteoarthritis. The aim of this 2:1 matched case control series was to compare outcomes in patients who underwent arthroplasty for arthritis following a meniscus root tear (root tear cohort—“RTC”) with a control group of patients with primary osteoarthritis (primary osteoarthritis—“controls”). The authors hypothesized that the meniscus root tear patients would have similar clinical outcomes, return to activity, complication and reoperation rates as their matched controls.MethodsA consecutive series of patients who had a clinically and radiographically confirmed meniscus root tear between 2002 and 2017 at a mean 4.8 year follow‐up that developed secondary arthritis were matched 2:1 by laterality, surgery, age at surgery, date of surgery, sex, and surgeon to a control group of patients with primary osteoarthritis, without a root tear, who underwent arthroplasty. No patients were lost to follow‐up. Patient demographics, Kellgren–Lawrence grades at the time of surgery, pre‐ and post‐operative Knee Society Score pain and function scores, Tegner score, complications, and survival free of reoperation were analyzed between groups.ResultsA total of 225 subjects were identified, including 75 root tear cohort patients (13 UKA, 62 TKA) and 150 control patients. The root tear cohort had significantly lower Kellgren–Lawrence grades than the control group at the time of arthroplasty (p ≤ 0.001), but similar baseline pre‐operative Knee Society Score pain, Knee Society Score function, and Tegner activity scale score. Post‐operatively, Knee Society Score pain scores were comparable, and root tear cohort Knee Society Score function scores statistically significantly improved (p ≤ 0.007). Complication rates and survival free of reoperation at final follow‐up were not statistically significantly different between groups.ConclusionPatients treated with arthroplasty for secondary arthritis after a meniscus root tear demonstrated less severe radiographic arthritis, but similar pre‐operative pain levels compared to matched controls with primary osteoarthritis. The root tear cohort patients demonstrated improved outcomes with respect to function, and similar outcomes with respect to pain, activity level, complication rates, and reoperation rates. The authors conclude that arthroplasty can be a reliable option for selected patients with an irreparable root tear and ongoing pain and dysfunction refractory to non‐operative management, even in the setting of less advanced osteoarthritis on X‐ray.Level of evidenceIII.