King, Alexander H.

Purpose To determine whether the amount of pain relief after preoperative intra‐articular (IA) anesthetic injection predicts clinical and functional outcomes after hip arthroscopy, especially when controlling for the presence of chondral degeneration. Methods We identified patients who underwent IA injection and subsequent hip arthroscopy for labral pathology between 2007 and 2013 performed by a single surgeon. Inclusion criteria were ultrasound‐ or fluoroscopic‐guided IA anesthetic injection performed at our institution, prospectively documented pre‐ and postinjection numerical rating scale pain scores, and minimum 1‐year follow‐up postoperatively. Patients were divided into 2 groups, those who received >50% pain relief from preoperative IA anesthetic injection and those who received ≤50% relief. Preoperative radiographs were reviewed, and degree of osteoarthritis was determined using the Tonnis classification system. Outcomes were assessed with Modified Harris Hip Score and Hip Outcome Score (HOS). Univariate and multivariate models were performed to assess whether percent pain relief correlated with outcome. Results Of the 319 arthroscopic hip surgeries performed between 2007 and 2013, 115 (37%) patients were lost to follow‐up, 16 (5%) patients did not receive an IA injection, 16 (5%) patients had an injection containing gadolinium, and 40 (13%) patients completed injections at an outside institution. Five (2%) patients were excluded for a history of ipsilateral hip surgery, and 3 (1%) for a history of contralateral hip surgery, leaving 96 hips in 96 patients. There were 71 females (74%) and 25 males (26%) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 14.0 years. Tonnis was grade 0, 1, and 2 for 26 (27%), 55 (56%), and 16 (17%) patients, respectively. Fifty‐one (53%) of the injections contained a corticosteroid. The mean pain relief after IA injection was 73% ± 36% (range, 0% to 100%). Twenty‐six hips (26%) had ≤50% pain relief, whereas 70 (73%) had >50% pain relief, and the median time interval from injection to surgery was 3 (range, <1 to 20) months. Outcome scores were obtained at a mean 14.8 (range, 11 to 30) months after arthroscopic surgery. Postoperative mean Modified Harris Hip Score, HOS activities of daily living, and HOS‐Sport scores were 79.2 ± 17.3, 82.6 ± 17.3, and 67.4 ± 28.2, respectively. There was no statistical correlation between percent pain relief and outcome. There was no significant difference in outcome scores between those with ≤50% and >50% pain relief. Multivariate regression analysis showed no significant predictors of outcome, including age, gender, Tonnis grade, percent relief with IA injection, or type of surgery. Conclusions In this study of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for labral pathology, our data indicate that the amount of pain relief from IA injection may be a poor predictor of short‐term outcome, even when adjusting for chondral degeneration. Although anesthetic injections can be an important diagnostic tool in select patients, a combination of the clinical history, physical examination, and imaging findings is fundamental. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Purpose To compare clinical and functional outcomes of surgically treated medial and lateral knee dislocations. Methods A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who presented with knee dislocations was conducted. We identified patients who underwent surgical treatment of KDIII‐M (anterior cruciate ligament/posterior cruciate ligament/medial collateral ligament) or KDIII‐L (anterior cruciate ligament/posterior cruciate ligament/lateral collateral ligament) knee dislocation as documented by the Schenck classification. Minimum 2‐year follow‐up with Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) outcome scores was required for inclusion. Postoperative range of motion, ligamentous examination, and conversion to total knee arthroplasty were also collected. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical models with P < .05 considered significant. Results A total of 56 patients met the inclusion criteria, 24 with the KDIII‐M injury pattern (43%) and 32 with the KDIII‐L injury pattern (57%), with a mean age of 34 years (range, 16 to 62 years) and a mean follow‐up of 6.5 years (range, 2 to 20 years). Patients undergoing medial repairs had worse outcomes for both the Lysholm score ( P = .008) and IKDC score ( P = .003). In addition, female sex was linked to worse outcomes (Lysholm score, 58.8 ± 21.5 v 77.8 ± 21.1, P < .01; IKDC score, 54.9 ± 23.7 v 75.2 ± 20.2, P < .01). No differences in outcome were found between patients with and patients without peroneal nerve injury (Lysholm score, P = .81; IKDC score, P = .77). No difference in laxity testing was found between the 2 groups. Conclusions In patients undergoing multiligament knee reconstruction, our data suggest that those who undergo medial repair for knee dislocations are not as likely to achieve positive results as those who undergo reconstruction or lateral reconstruction/repair, regardless of the status of the peroneal nerve. In addition, medial reconstruction had comparable outcomes to those in patients treated with lateral reconstruction/repair. Lastly, female patients showed less favorable clinical outcomes than male patients. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Purpose Several bioabsorbable and metal options are available for internal fixation of an unstable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion, but currently there are little data on outcomes with metal headless compression screws in the adult knee. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the radiographic healing rates, (2) midterm clinical outcomes, and (3) comparison between healed and unhealed OCD fragments after use of headless metal compression screws for the treatment of unstable OCD lesions in the knees of skeletally mature patients. Methods Retrospective chart review for all skeletally mature patients who presented with unstable femoral condyle OCD lesions of the knee was conducted. All patients underwent open or arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation using headless metal compression screws. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were reviewed with healing defined as radiographic evidence of union of the OCD progeny fragment with the condyle. Clinical outcome data were collected retrospectively using 3 validated outcome scores: International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Marx. Results Twenty-two knees in 22 patients with a mean age of 21 years (range= 14-37 years) were followed for an average of 8.7 years (range = 2-22 years). Metal, headless, cannulated compression screws were used in all 22 cases. At a mean of 31 months postoperatively (range = 2-262), fragment union was observed in 18 knees (82%). The remaining 4 knees (18%) required loose fragment excision and hardware removal at a mean of 9 months (range = 2-16 months) postoperatively. Mean postoperative Marx score was 7 (range = 0-16), the mean postoperative IKDC score was 85 (range = 62-100), and mean KOOS scores included KOOS Pain (93; range = 69-100), KOOS Symptoms (86; range = 71-100), KOOS ADL (98; range = 90-100), KOOS Sports (82; range = 50-100), and KOOS QOL (76; range = 50-100). Conclusion Headless metal compression screws provide a satisfactory union rate for treatment of unstable OCD lesions of the femoral condyles in skeletally mature patients. Patients achieving union have good knee function, maintain satisfactory activity levels, and have superior knee outcomes compared with those that failed to heal after fixation at mid to long-term follow-up.

Abstract Injuries to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posteromedial corner can occur in isolation or in the setting of multiligamentous knee injuries. Reconstruction of the MCL and posteromedial corner is indicated in the setting of a multiligamentous knee injury. Isolated cases failing nonoperative treatment may also undergo surgical treatment. Our preferred technique for anatomic medial‐sided knee reconstruction is an open anatomic MCL reconstruction using an Achilles tendon allograft along with direct repair of all associated medial and posteromedial structures. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

Background: The outcome for arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) can worsen with increasing arthritis. However, there remains a subset of hips with relatively maintained joint space but with acetabular subchondral edema and cystic change with unknown outcome on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Purpose: (1) To correlate MRI findings of subchondral acetabular edema/cystic change with arthroscopy grading of articular cartilage and (2) to determine whether postoperative outcome was worse for patients with subchondral edema/cystic change compared with a matched control group. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The records of all patients who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery for FAI at a single institution between 2007 and 2013 were reviewed for subchondral edema/cyst on preoperative MRI. Lesions were characterized by grade using an established classification system and were correlated with arthroscopic articular cartilage changes. A matched cohort of patients without evidence of subchondral edema or cyst was identified. Minimum 2-year outcomes were compared using prospectively collected Hip Outcome Score (HOS) activities of daily living and sport subscales as well as the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Results: Overall, 104 patients were included. Thirty-six patients (18 men, 18 women) with a mean age of 41 years (range, 19-67 years) had subchondral edema, with or without the presence of cystic acetabular changes, at minimum 2-year follow-up (range, 24-60 months). Two patients who underwent total hip replacement were excluded in the outcome score comparison. Thirty-one of 34 patients (91%) had a grade 4 full-thickness cartilage lesion at the time of diagnostic arthroscopy. The mean mHHS was inferior for all patients with subchondral edema/cystic change (79.9 ± 18.7 vs 86.6 ± 12.5; P = .03), and the HOS was also lower (69.1 ± 27.0 vs 79.5 ± 21.4; P = .02). The overall success rate was 67% for all patients with subchondral edema/cystic change compared with 85% in the control group ( P = .04). Conclusion: The presence of a subchondral edema with an acetabular cyst on MRI is indicative of a full-thickness cartilage lesion at the time of arthroscopy. These patients have inferior outcomes for arthroscopic treatment of FAI compared with patients with similar age and activity level without MRI subchondral cystic changes.

Abstract Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries account for nearly 20% of knee ligament injuries. PCL injuries can occur in isolation or, more commonly, in the setting of multiligamentous knee injuries. Isolated PCL disruptions are commonly treated nonoperatively; however, symptomatic grade III injuries, as well as PCL injuries found in multiligamentous injuries, are frequently treated surgically. Several reconstructive techniques exist for the treatment of PCL deficiency without a clear optimal approach. We describe our preferred operative technique to reconstruct the PCL using an all‐inside arthroscopic approach with a quadrupled tibialis anterior or peroneus longus allograft with both tibial and femoral suspensory fixation. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

Objectives: Female athletes are an at-risk population for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, with rates of injury significantly higher than the general population. Few studies have reported on a second ACL injury for female athletes. The purpose of this study was to (1) report the rate of subsequent ACL injury (ACL graft rupture or contralateral ACL tear) in competitive female soccer players, (2) compare these rates to those of other female athletes of similar competitive level, and (3) determine risk factors for second ACL injury in this athletic population. Methods: The medical record at our institution was reviewed for patients treated with primary ACL reconstruction between 1998 and 2013. Female patients injured during a competitive athletic event were included for further review, and followed for an average of 7.1 years postoperatively (range 1.0 - 17.7 years). Chi-square analysis was used to compare rate of graft rupture and contralateral ACL injury based on pre-operative Tegner score, graft type, and injury side for soccer players vs. other female athletes. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare rate of subsequent ACL injury to patient age. Results: 337 patients met our inclusion/exclusion criteria (90 soccer players; 247 non-soccer playing athletes) with a mean age of 24.0 years. Of the 337 athletes, 6 were injured during professional competition, 43 were injured during collegiate athletics, 184 during high school play, and 136 during recreational athletics. No patient demographical differences were found at baseline between the soccer group and non-soccer group, including Tegner scores. Overall, 21 soccer players (23.3%) sustained a second ACL injury compared to 21 (8.5%) non-soccer athletes (P < 0.001). Soccer players had significantly more graft ruptures (10.0% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.003) and more contralateral ACL tears (13.3% vs. 6.5%, P = 0.04). Risk factors for ACL graft tear included young age (mean 16.0 vs 24.3 years; P < 0.0001) and higher Tegner Activity Level scores (mean 8.1 vs. 7.4, P = 0.049), but were not risk factors for contralateral ACL injury. Graft selection and injury side showed no statistical significance on graft rupture or contralateral injury. Conclusion: Female soccer players treated with ACL reconstruction had an increased rate of second ACL injury, including graft tear and contralateral ACL injury, compared to a similar group of non-soccer female athletes (23.3% vs. 8.5%, P < 0.001). In addition, young age and higher activity level were risk factors for graft rupture in this population.

Objectives: Arthroscopic treatment for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) generally has good results, but the outcome can worsen with increasing arthritis, largely defined as joint space narrowing. There remains a subset of hips with maintained joint space but with subchondral edema and cystic change of the acetabulum on MRI, with unknown outcome. Therefore, the purpose of this study was (1) to determine if postoperative outcome was worse for patients with subchondral edema on preoperative MRI compared to a matched control group and (2) to identify risk factors on MRI leading to inferior outcome. Methods: A review of patients who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery for FAI between 2007 and 2013 identified 530 patients. Of these, 39 patients had evidence of subchondral edema or subchondral cyst on the preoperative MRI with maintained joint space on preoperative radiographs. Lesions were characterized by grade, location and type using an established radiographic MRI classification system. A matched cohort of patients without evidence of subchondral edema or cyst was identified, and 2:1 matching was based on patient age, surgeon, surgery year within one year, surgical procedure, Tegner activity score, and Tonnis grade osteoarthritis changes on preoperative x-ray. Outcome was compared using the Hip Outcome Score and Modified Harris Hip Score between the two groups. Risk factors were then analyzed for type of lesion, grade and location of bone marrow lesion. Results: Thirty-nine patients (20 males, 19 females) showed preoperative MRI evidence of subchondral edema, and were followed for a mean of 23 months postoperatively (range, 12 - 60 months). Patients had an average age of 41 years (range, 19 - 67) and a preoperative Tegner score of 3.8 (range, 1 - 9). 87% of patients with subchondral cystic change had evidence of a grade IV full thickness cartilage lesion at the time of hip arthroscopy. Average Modified Harris Hip Scores were inferior for the subchondral group (79.9 ± 18.7) compared to the control group (86.6 ± 12.5; p = 0.027). In addition, Sport sub-scales of the Hip Outcome Score showed significantly lower scores for the subchondral group for both score (69.1 ± 27.0 vs. 79.5 ± 21.4, p = 0.018) and rating (66.7 ± 27.5 vs. 78.0 ± 20.8, p = 0.044). No radiographic risk factors, including type, location, or size of lesion were significant predictors of outcome. Two patients in the subchondral group were later converted to a total hip replacement. Conclusion: The presence of a subchondral acetabular cyst on MRI is indicative of a full thickness cartilage lesion at the time of arthroscopy. These patients have inferior outcomes for arthroscopic treatment of FAI compared to patients with similar age and activity level without MRI subchondral changes. Therefore, we recommend caution with consideration of hip arthroscopy in this patient subset.