Spencer-Gardner, Luke

Introduction: Golf is a widely played recreational sport, but degenerative osteoarthritis in older adults can limit participation and performance. This study prospectively evaluates recreational golfers’ performance metrics of play, and clinical outcomes before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: A prospective cohort of 10 recreational golfers undergoing primary TKA were assessed at a professional golf performance center preoperatively and at 3 months, and 1-year postoperatively. The mean age was 72 years, 90% were men, and 50% underwent TKA on the lead leg. . Participants averaged 67 rounds in the year prior to surgery, maintained a handicap index (HCP) of 18. Golf performance metrics (driver and 7-iron), force-plate biomechanics, return-to-play timing, quality of play, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior (KOOS-JR) were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: At 1-year postoperatively, the mean changes in driver and 7-iron swing speed (+1.3 and -1.5 miles per hour (mph), respectively, 95% CI: -5, 4.7), ball speed (+3.5 and -2.6 mph, 95% CI: -12.9, 12.3), carry distance (-0.8 and +6.2 yards, 95% CI: -17.7, 17.1), maximum torque (+43 and +85 pounds per foot (lbs/ft), 95% CI: -30, 259), and vertical force (+93 and +119 lbs/ft, 95% CI: -175, 412). All patients returned to full golf rounds playing a mean 8 (SD: +5.7) and 44 (SD: +29.7) rounds by 3- and 12-months, respectively, with no change in HCP (P = 0.9). The KOOS-JR significantly improved (57 to 80, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Recreational golfers safely returned to play after TKA with no significant changes in swing performance or handicap, while patient-reported outcomes improved. These findings suggest TKA enables resumption of golf without compromising performance.

Abstract Purpose Iliopsoas tendinitis following total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been described to result from acetabular component overhang as well as prominent femoral collars. Yet, a portion of patients experience iliopsoas tendinitis in the setting of well-positioned components. The purpose of this study was to assess anatomic factors predisposing to iliopsoas tendinitis after THA. Methods Patients with THAs performed at three academic institutions who subsequently underwent arthroscopic iliopsoas release were retrospectively reviewed from 2015 to 2025 and propensity matched in a 1:3 fashion to a control group of THAs without subsequent iliopsoas release. Controls were matched by age, surgery date, laterality, sex, surgical approach, and implanted femoral component. Patients with iliopsoas tendinitis and subsequent release (THA-IP) were evaluated for anterior acetabular component overhang and femoral collar overhang, when a collar was present. We also evaluated the absolute and relative profile of the lesser trochanter on anteroposterior radiographs, understanding that when less of the lesser trochanter is visualized, the trochanter is anatomically displaced posterolaterally, resulting in a more arduous route from the inner pelvic origin of the iliopsoas to its insertion on the femur. Results Forty-five patients (mean age: 57±11; 71% female; 19 direct anterior, 10 anterolateral, 16 posterior approach) undergoing THA-IP were analyzed and matched to 135 controls. Both groups demonstrated a median cup size of 54 mm and head size of 36 mm. Average time to iliopsoas release after THA was 4 years. Anterior cup overhang of >2 mm was present in 49% of THA-IP patients, with 18% having collared femoral components, and 9% demonstrating collar overhang of >2 mm. Overall, 19 THA-IP patients had <2 mm of cup and collar overhang and 26 patients had >2 mm of overhang. THA-IP patients with <2 mm of cup and collar overhang had significantly greater relative posterolateralization of the lesser trochanter compared to those with overhang of >2 mm (p=0.010) and to controls (p=0.037). Conclusion Visualizing “Less of the Lesser” on anteroposterior hip radiographs and associated posterolateralization of the lesser trochanter may be an anatomic risk factor for iliopsoas tendinitis following THA, even in the presence of satisfactorily positioned components.

Abstract Introduction Abductor tendon pathology is a common cause of greater trochanteric pain syndrome. The gluteus minimus tendon inserts on the anterior facet of the greater trochanter; the gluteus medius tendon inserts at both the lateral and posterosuperior facets. The Dunn view brings the anterior facet into profile and allows for differentiation of the anterior facet and the insertion of the gluteus minumus from the insertion site of gluteus medius. We hypothesize isolated enthesophytes at the anterior facet best seen on the Dunn view are associated with gluteus minimus tendon pathology. Methods Fifty patients with a history of lateral hip pain with hip radiographs and ipsilateral hip MRI were reviewed. Patients were excluded if the time between radiographs and MRIs >6months or if the patient had prior surgery on the affected side. The radiographs were reviewed by a single-reader to identify enthesophytes (≥ 2mm) at the anterior facet on the Dunn views and lateral facet on the AP view. MRIs were reviewed to categorize the gluteus minimus and medius tendons into the following: normal, tendinopathy, partial thickness tear and full thickness tear. Results The mean age of the fifty patients was 62 (range 19-79; 80% were females). 28 patients had left hip pathology and 22 had right hip. The mean difference between the time between radiograph and MRI was 53 days. Out of the 50 patients, 38 had anterior facet enthesophytes on Dunn views. 97% of these patients had gluteus minimus tendon pathology on MRI, including 76% with tendon tears (positive predictive value [PPV] of 89%). 30 patients had lateral enthesophytes on AP views. 87% of these patients had gluteus medius pathology, including 70% tears (PPV of 83%). Only 3 out of 50 patients had posterosuperior facet enthesophytes. All 3 of these patients had abductor pathology (PPV of 67%). Conclusion There is a correlation between enthesophytes at the greater trochanter anterior facet and lateral facet with respective gluteus minimus and medius tendon pathology. Dunn views add value in detecting anterior facet enthesophytes not visible on AP views and are highly predictive of gluteus minimus tendon pathology.

Abstract Introduction Understanding factors that impact outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) can aid clinical decision-making and patient counselling. The purpose of this study was to investigate functional outcomes, complications, and reoperation rates among patients undergoing primary THA after hip arthroscopy (HA-THA) compared to a matched cohort of primary THA patients without prior arthroscopy (THA-only). Methods A retrospective review was performed to identify all patients who underwent primary THA after prior hip arthroscopy from 2009-2022 at a single institution. Patients with a history of revision arthroscopy were excluded. Cases were propensity-matched with primary THA controls in a 1:4 ratio by age at time of THA, sex, body mass index, surgical approach, and year of surgery. At minimum 2-year follow-up, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Pain (HOOS pain), and Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) were analyzed. Results Sixty-three hips in 60 patients (age: 47.3±9.4 years, BMI: 29.8±6.2 kg/m2) were matched to 252 THA-only hips, with patients converting to THA at a mean 3.1 years (range 0.3-10.3) following hip arthroscopy. While both HA-THA and THA patients demonstrated significant (p<0.001) postoperative improvements in PROs, HA-THA patients reported significantly lower postoperative FJS, mHHS, HOOS pain, and VAS pain scores (p<0.001) as compared to THA-only controls. At mean 6.6±3.2 years follow-up, HA-THA patients with preoperative Tönnis grades 2-3 reported significantly increased FJS, mHHS, and HOOS pain compared to those with preoperative Tönnis grades of 0-1 (p≤0.03). Additionally, HA-THA patients with preoperative Tönnis grades 0-1 exhibited worse PROs (p<0.001) as compared to THA-only controls. While there were no differences in complication rates between HA-THA patients and THA-only controls (8% vs. 5%, p=0.49), all-cause reoperation was greater amongst HA-THA patients compared to THA-only (10% vs. 2%, p=0.01). Conclusion While improved compared to preoperatively, patients undergoing THA after prior hip arthroscopy demonstrated inferior outcomes at mid-term follow up as compared to a demographically age-matched cohort without prior arthroscopy. When considering conversion to THA following arthroscopy, clinicians should consider counseling patients regarding improved outcomes in the setting of advanced radiographic osteoarthritis, and potentially increased all-cause reoperation.

Abstract External coxa saltans, or lateral snapping hip arises from the abnormal movement of the iliotibial band (ITB) over the greater trochanter. The ITB has two major muscular components: the tensor fascia lata and the gluteus maximus. Thickening of the posterior aspect of the ITB or the anterior aspect of the gluteus maximus as it traverses over the greater trochanter perpetuates the snapping phenomenon. Several open and endoscopic techniques have been described to successfully treat external coxa saltans, with release of the iliotibial band being the accepted treatment approach. This case report presents a previously undescribed etiology of coxa saltans externa whereby trochanteric enthesopathy in the setting of chronic abductor tendinopathy and tendon tearing resulted in pathologic snapping of the iliotibial band over the enthesopathic prominences on the greater trochanter (Video 1). This novel etiology required a novel approach to address the pathologic snapping. Rather than iliotibial band release, the appropriate treatment in this case required resection of the trochanteric enthesopathy with abductor tendon repair followed by complete closure of the iliotibial band which resulted in the resolution of the patient’s symptoms (Figure 1, Video 2). Patient reported outcomes measures (pre/post) including HOOS, PROMIS pain interference, PROMIS physical function and global pain scores demonstrated significant improvement 33 months post-surgery. Recognition of this unique etiology of external coxa saltans ensures the appropriate treatment is employed to address the underlying pathology. The ITB is an important stabilizer of the hip and the tensor fascia lata an important accessory abductor of the hip. Release of the iliotibial band in the setting of underlying abductor dysfunction could potentially lead to further dysfunction and ongoing mechanical symptoms. When patients present with external coxa saltans in the setting of underlying abductor dysfunction and trochanteric enthesopathy, consideration should be given to resection of the enthesophytes with abductor tendon repair as opposed to open or endoscopic ITB release alone.

Abstract Purpose Recent advancements in the understanding of hip biomechanics have led to the development of techniques to remove bony impingement and repair and/or preserve the labrum during hip arthroscopy. Although much attention in the literature is devoted to diagnosis and treatment, there is little information about post‐operative rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to (1) provide a five‐phase rehabilitation protocol following arthroscopic treatment for FAI and (2) report clinical and functional outcomes of patients following this protocol at minimum 1‐year follow‐up, in order to provide the surgeon and therapist with a protocol that is supported by clinical data. Methods All consecutive patients undergoing hip arthroscopy and subsequent five‐phase rehabilitation protocol at a single institution from 1 April 2011 to 1 April 2012 were analysed. Inclusion criteria were as follows: no prior ipsilateral hip surgery, completion of the five‐phase rehabilitation protocol, minimum 1‐year follow‐up, and documented outcome scores. Prospective outcomes were assessed with modified Harris hip score (MHHS) and hip outcome score (HOS). Results Fifty‐two patients (19 male and 33 female) met the inclusion criteria with a median age of 42 (range 16–59) years. Mean MHHS, HOS‐ADL, and HOS‐sport scores at a mean 12.5 (range 12–15) months were 80.1 ± 19.9 (0–100), 83.6 ± 19.2 (13.2–100), and 70.3 ± 27.0 (0–100), respectively. Conclusion This five‐phase rehabilitation programme provides a framework where progression from surgery to increasing post‐operative activity level can take place in a predictable manner. Patients following this rehabilitation protocol after hip arthroscopy demonstrated satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes, validating its implementation. Level of evidence Case series, Level IV.