Dahm, Diane L.

Background: There are limited data comparing the outcomes of all-inside versus inside-out meniscal repair techniques. Purpose: To assess failure rates and clinical outcomes after the surgical repair of bucket-handle meniscal tears utilizing either an all-inside or inside-out technique. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients with bucket-handle meniscal tears undergoing all-inside or inside-out repair at a single institution between 2003 and 2013 were analyzed. A total of 28 mensici repaired utilizing second-generation all-inside suturing devices and 42 menisci repaired using an inside-out technique were eligible for inclusion. Rigorous propensity matching was performed on the basis of age, sex, tear laterality, rim width, and concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), resulting in a total of 40 patients equally distributed between the 2 repair techniques for comparison. Retear-free survival as well as preoperative and postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Tegner scores and physical examination findings were subsequently analyzed. Results: Twenty patients who underwent all-inside repair (14 male; mean age, 23.7 ± 6.7 years) were successfully propensity matched to 20 patients who underwent inside-out meniscal repair (15 male; mean age, 22.5 ± 7.6 years), with a mean retear-free follow-up of 4.4 years (range, 2.5-7.4 years). Four (20%) all-inside repairs and 4 (20%) inside-out repairs failed over the course of follow-up ( P > .999), with a mean time to failure of 2.7 years (range, 1.3-4.4 years) and 5.0 years (range, 0.8-7.5 years), respectively ( P = .25). Increasing patient age trended toward a decreased clinical retear rate, independent of the repair technique (hazard ratio, 0.86; P = .056). There were no significant differences in the Tegner scores, IKDC scores, or range of motion between the groups as a whole or when subcategorizing by age, sex, body mass index, tear complexity, rim width, isolated versus concomitant ACLR, or medial- versus lateral-sided repair. There were no complications in the all-inside group, while there was a 10% rate of minor complications in the inside-out group ( P = .49). Conclusion: Overall, satisfactory clinical outcomes are achievable at short-term to midterm follow-up with both inside-out and all-inside repair techniques of bucket-handle meniscal tears in rigorously matched patients with similar meniscal tear patterns.

Purpose To report the outcomes for combined tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and assess for potential risk factors for recurrent instability and/or poor outcomes. Methods The medical record at our institution was reviewed for patients treated with MPFL reconstruction and TTO for recurrent lateral patellar instability from 1998 to 2014. Preoperative imaging was assessed for trochlear dysplasia according to the Dejour classification (high grade = B, C, D) and the presence of patella alta using the Caton‐Deschamps ratio (>1.2). The indication for combined MPFL reconstruction and TTO was MPFL insufficiency and a lateralized tibial tubercle. Outcomes were determined by recurrent instability, return to sport, and Kujala and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. Results Thirty knees in 28 patients (14 M, 14 F) with a mean age of 22.6 ± 9.1 years (range, 13‐51 years) were included with a mean follow‐up of 48 ± 28 months (24‐123 months). Seventy‐three percent (22/30) had high‐grade trochlear dysplasia, and 63% (19/30) had patella alta. One patient had a postoperative dislocation and 1 had a subluxation event. The Caton‐Deschamps ratio decreased by a mean of 0.2 ( P = .001), leaving 30% with postoperative patella alta. The mean postoperative scores were as follows: Tegner = 5 ± 2, Kujala = 89 ± 16 (45‐100), and IKDC = 85 ± 17 (44‐100). Eighty‐three percent (15/18) returned to their preoperative sport. Female gender was a risk factor for lower IKDC (77.3 vs. 92.6, P = .01) and Kujala (82.2 vs. 95.0, P = .03) scores. Medialization greater than 10 mm was directly correlated to lower IKDC ( P = .02) and Kujala ( P = .01) scores. Conclusions The combination of MPFL reconstruction and TTO in patients with trochlear dysplasia results in low recurrence of instability. Patients on average had good subjective outcomes and were able to return to sport. Female gender and tibial tubercle medialization greater than 10 mm were associated with worse outcomes. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.

We studied retrospectively the results in 24 patients (25 feet) who had been treated by subtalar arthrodesis with internal compression for post-traumatic arthritis from 1988 to 1992. Fifteen patients were men (16 feet) and nine (9 feet) were women. Their mean age was 43 years (22 to 68), and the average duration of follow-up was four years (2 to 6). A single compression screw was used in all feet and iliac-crest bone grafting in ten. Union was achieved in 24 of the 25 feet (96%). Based on a clinical scale the results were excellent in 10 feet, good in 7, fair in 6, and poor in 2 and on the Angus and Cowell score they were good in 19 feet, fair in 4, and poor in 2. The two poor results were due to nonunion in one patient and reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the other. One reoperation was performed for nonunion. Eighteen patients (18 feet) were satisfied with the results, four were satisfied with reservations, and three were dissatisfied. Progressive ankle and midfoot arthritis did not occur in the absence of pre-existing degenerative changes in these joints. We conclude that isolated subtalar arthrodesis with internal compression was effective treatment for post-traumatic subtalar arthritis. Iliac-crest bone grafting was not routinely required.

Background: Patellar height has long been considered a risk factor for patellofemoral instability. However, recent pediatric literature demonstrated a reduction in patellar height measurements following medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. Purpose: To assess the mean change in patellar height and the percentage of skeletally mature patients with patellar height ratios reduced to within-normal limits following MPFL reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Adult patients undergoing primary MPFL reconstruction for recurrent lateral patellar instability between 2005 and 2013 were identified. Pre- and postoperative (within 1 year of surgery) lateral knee radiographs were assessed for patellar height indices, including Caton-Deschamps, Blackburne-Peel, and Insall-Salvati ratios. The change in patellar height and the number of patients reduced from abnormal to normal patellar height ratios following MPFL reconstruction were assessed. Results: Overall, 32 adult patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 25.7 years (range, 18-55 years). There were 21 women (66%) and 11 men (34%). Insall-Salvati, Blackburne-Peel, and Caton-Deschamps ratios all demonstrated significant reductions in patellar height between pre- and postoperative lateral knee radiographs ( P < .001). All 3 indices showed a reduction in the number of patients meeting the criteria for patella alta following MPFL reconstruction. A total of 64% of patients had an abnormal preoperative Caton-Deschamps ratio reduced to within normal limits postoperatively. Conclusion: MPFL reconstruction provides a consistent reduction in patellar height measurements. The Caton-Deschamps ratio was reduced to the reference range following MPFL reconstruction in 64% of patients with preoperative patella alta. Surgeons treating patellofemoral instability should expect a reduction in patellar height after ligament reconstruction, which may affect the need for more invasive distalization procedures.

Background: First-time lateral patellar dislocation is a common orthopaedic injury. The purposes of this study were to (1) evaluate the incidence of first-time lateral patellar dislocation in a geographically-determined population, (2) report trends over time in the incidence of dislocation, and (3) describe the rate of surgical treatment. Hypothesis: The rate of patellar dislocation is highest among adolescent patients. Study Design: Cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: The study population included 609 individuals identified through a multidisciplinary geographic cohort county database who were diagnosed with first-episode lateral patellar dislocation between 1990 and 2010. The complete medical records were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and to evaluate details of injury and treatment. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated and adjusted to the 2010 US population. Poisson regression analyses were performed to examine incidence trends by age, sex, and calendar period. Results: The overall age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence of patellar dislocation was 23.2 (95% CI, 21.2-24.9) per 100,000 person-years. The annual incidence was similar between male and female patients and highest among adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (147.7/100,000 person-years). The mean age at dislocation was 21.4 ± 9.9 years, and 331 patients (54.4%) were female. During the study period, there was a significant decline in the incidence of patellar dislocation among men aged 19 to 25 years ( P = 0.002) and girls aged 14 to 18 years ( P = 0.025). Eighty patients received surgical treatment during the study period, including 66 patients (10.8%) for recurrent instability and 14 patients (2.3%) for acute osteochondral injury. Conclusion: With an annual incidence of 23.2 per 100,000 person-years, lateral patellar dislocation is a frequently encountered orthopaedic injury. The incidence of dislocation among adolescent patients in this cohort is higher than previously reported. Despite a decrease in the annual incidence of dislocation in adolescent girls, the overall incidence of patellar dislocation remained relatively constant over a 21-year observation period. Clinical Relevance: This study demonstrates that the incidence of patellar dislocation in adolescents is greater than previously reported.

Objectives: Medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) are recognized as a source of pain and dysfunction, but treatment options remain a clinical challenge. Currently, outcomes are unknown following partial meniscectomy for these lesions. To determine (1) the efficacy of partial meniscectomy to treat MMPRTs compared to a matched group of non-operatively treated MMPRTs, and (2) risk factors for worse clinical and radiographic outcome. Methods: This retrospective comparative study was performed to include 27 patients with MMPRTs that were treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (PMM) and a minimum 2-year follow-up. These patients were then matched by age, gender, and BMI to a group of 27 patients with MMPRTs treated non-operatively (control group). Demographic data, radiographic findings, final Tegner and IKDC scores were obtained and compared between the two groups. Risk factors for worse clinical and radiographic outcome in the PMM group alone, including age, sex, BMI, initial K-L grade, subchondral edema, and insufficiency fracture on MRI were determined. Results: Overall, 54 patients were included in the study. 27 patients (10M: 17F) with a mean age of 55±9 and a mean BMI of 32.8±5.3 were treated with PMM and followed for a mean of 5.5±2 years (range 2.3-9.3 years). In the PMM group, final median Tegner score was 3, mean IKDC scores were 67.8±20, median KL grades on weight-bearing AP films demonstrated progressive arthritis (median grade 1 to 2, p=0.001) and more patients had grade II or higher arthritis at final follow-up than baseline (91.3% vs. 36% p<0.01. Overall, 14 of the 27 patients (52%) treated operatively progressed to total knee arthroplasty at a mean of 54.3 months. When comparing the PMM and control groups, there was no significant difference in final median Tegner scores, mean IKDC, median K-L grades, progression to arthroplasty, or overall failure rate. Following PMM, female patients had lower final IKDC scores (74.6±16.7 vs. 44.00±2.8, p=0.02) compared to males, as well as a higher rate of arthroplasty (70.6% vs, 20.0%, p=0.009). Higher BMI correlated with lower IKDC scores (r=-0.91, p=0.01) and meniscal extrusion was associated with higher rate of arthritis at final follow-up (100% vs. 57%, p=0.02). Conclusion: Partial meniscectomy for a MMRT provides no benefit in halting arthritic progression. Patients who undergo arthroscopic debridement for MMPRTs still progress to significant arthritis, poor clinical outcomes and a high arthroplasty rate (52%) at over 5-year follow-up. Compared to a non-operative control group, there was no benefit in any subjective or objective outcome measures from the arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Female patients, higher BMI, and presence of meniscus extrusion were associated with worse outcomes and a higher rate of subsequent knee arthroplasty.

Objectives: Patellar dislocation can occur in isolation or be associated with chronicinstability. The goals of this study are to describe the rate and factors associated with additional patellar instability events (ipsilateral recurrence and contralateral dislocation), as well as the incidence of patellofemoral arthritis among skeletally immature patients following patellar dislocation. Methods: The study included a population-based cohort of 232 skeletally immature patients who experienced a first-time lateral patellar dislocation between 1990 and 2010. A chart review was performed to collect information related to the initial injury, treatment, and outcomes. Subjects were followed for a mean of 12.1 years to determine the rate of subsequent patellar dislocation (ipsilateral recurrence or contralateral dislocation) as well as clinically significant patellofemoral arthritis. Results: 104 patients had ipsilateral recurrent patellar dislocation. The cumulative incidence of recurrent dislocation was 11% at 1 year, 21.1% at 2 years, 37.0% at 5 years, 45.1% at 10 years, 54.0 % at 15 years, and 54.0% at 20 years. Patella alta (HR: 10.6, 95% CI: 3.6, 36.1), increased TT-TG distance (HR 18.7, 95% CI: 1.7, 228.2), and trochlear dysplasia (HR 23.7, 95% CI: 1.0, 105.2) were associated with recurrence. Similarly, 18 patients (7.8%) had contralateral patellar dislocation. The cumulative incidence of patellofemoral arthritis was 0% at 2 years, 1.0% at 5 years,2.0% at 10 years, 10.1% at 15 years, 17%% at 20 years, and 39.0% at 25 years. Osteochondral injury was associated with arthritis (HR 25.7, 95% CI: 6.2, 143.8). Conclusion: Skeletally immature patients have a high rate of recurrent patellarinstability that is associated with structural abnormalities such as patella alta and trochlear dysplasia. In contrast, the rate of subsequent contralateral dislocation is low. Osteochondral injury is associated with arthritis after patellar dislocation, but the overall incidence of symptomatic arthritis with advanced radiographic changes in pediatric patients is low at 12-year follow-up.