Simon, Karissa N.

Objectives: The number of medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstructions are increasing. The epidemiology surrounding revision MUCL reconstructions in professional baseball players has not been well defined. The purpose of this study was to report the epidemiology of revision MUCL reconstruction in professional baseball players. The authors hypothesized that the number of revision MUCL reconstructions would increase over time and that the return to sport rate at the same level of play would be less than 70%. Methods: All professional baseball pitchers who underwent revision MUCL reconstruction between 2010-2023 were identified using the MLB Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS). Rate of return and time to return to play (RTP) and return to same level of play (RTSL) was recorded and analyzed for pitchers with a minimum follow up of 2 years. Surgical variables including technique and graft choice were also recorded. Results: Overall, 191 pitchers (avg age 26.0 years), underwent revision MUCL reconstruction. The average time between primary and revision surgery was 1,381 days (45 months). 130 (68%) of these players were MLB pitchers and the other 61 (32%) were MiLB pitchers. 59% of pitchers were able to RTSL at an average of 604 ± 250 days after surgery. 2023 was the year with most revision MUCL reconstructions (n = 27) and the fewest reconstructions were performed in 2010 and 2011 (n = 4). Monthly distribution demonstrates the highest surgery months to be May (17%), June (20%), and July (17%). Hamstring tendon autograft was found to be the most commonly used graft source (n = 90, 47%), compared to palmaris longus autograft (n = 67, 35%). No significant differences were found in the types of grafts used over time ( P = .238 for palmaris and P = .133 for hamstring). In terms of tunnel configuration, both the Modified Jobe and Docking techniques were used in equal occurrence (n = 70, 37%) Conclusions: Following revision MUCL reconstruction, only 72% of professional baseball pitchers were able to return to play at any level at an average of 556 days (18 months), and only 59% were able to return to the same level of play at an average of 604 days (20 months). The average time between primary and revision MUCL reconstruction was 45 months (3.75 years). Pitchers should be counseled on the relatively low RTSL rate and the prolonged time to RTSL.

Purpose To evaluate the differences in clinical outcomes and complication rates between open and arthroscopic iliopsoas (IP) tenotomy between 1998 and 2023 at our institution. Methods Patients who underwent arthroscopic iliopsoas fractional lengthening (IPFL) or open tenotomy for IP tendinitis following total hip arthroplasty (THA) between 1988 and 2023 were identified. Patients were excluded if they underwent revision IP tendon release, had additional concomitant procedures, or had less than a 24‐month postoperative follow‐up. Patient records were reviewed, and patient‐reported outcomes were collected via electronic survey. Results Fifty‐two patients (36 arthroscopic, 16 open) were followed for an average of 68.7 (24.0‐203.7) months. Overall surgery satisfaction was 7.9 (scale 0‐10) following arthroscopic IPFL and 6.0 following open tenotomy ( P = .178). Eighty‐six percent of patients reported improvement in their anterior groin pain following arthroscopic IPFL, compared to 45% following open tenotomy ( P = .065). In the arthroscopic cohort, 64% reported improved hip flexion strength, compared to 36% in the open cohort ( P = .158). Visual analog scale for pain at rest was lower following arthroscopic IPFL (1.1 ± 2.2 vs 3.3 ± 3.2, P = .0092), while pain with use did not differ between cohorts (3.1 ± 1.3 vs 2.6 ± 1.1, P = .786). There were no differences in postoperative Tegner (3.1 ± 1.3 vs 2.6 ± 1.1, P = .302), modified Harris Hip Score (77.0 ± 19.0 vs 69.2 ± 26.9, P = .073), or Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (70.9 ± 28.7 vs 66.7 ± 31.8, P = .571) scores between arthroscopic and open cohorts. Revision THA rates did not differ following arthroscopic or open procedures (8.3% vs 25%, P = .104). Conclusions Patients have improved pain at rest following arthroscopic IPFL when compared to open tenotomy for IP tendinitis following THA. Overall complication and reoperation rates were low for both techniques. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Context: There is need for an up-to-date comprehensive review of baseball interval throwing programs in the literature. Objective: To (1) understand the origin and basis of interval throwing programs; (2) evaluate the content of programs in the peer-reviewed literature including target audience, initiation criteria, throwing specifics, arm care, and performance evaluation metrics; (3) classify these variables as well defined, ambiguous, or missing; and (4) analyze variability in key aspects including starting criteria, length, progression, and completion criteria. Data Sources: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Reviews, Web of Science, and Scopus Study Selection: The full text of studies, in English, had to be available. Included studies had to contain a complete interval throwing program designed for baseball players. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Data Extraction: Initial screening was conducted based on article title and abstract. Full text of the remaining articles was evaluated for fulfillment of inclusion criteria. Results: Nine studies initially met inclusion criteria. The programs’ comprehensiveness was poor, with a mean Interval Throwing Program Checklist score of 20 (range 14-23) on a scale of 0 to 30. There were a variety of components, including progressive long toss, weighted ball, and throwing mechanics exercises. The programs identified had significant heterogeneity in duration, intensity, progression, and focus. Overall, there was a significant lack of attempts at validation or formal study of efficacy for published throwing programs. Conclusion: Current published interval throwing programs are mostly variations of an original program published many years ago and were based on principles of progressive loading with pain as sign of injury that should be monitored carefully. However, these programs have minimal clinical validation and objective measures to quantify their effectiveness. This work identifies several limitations in the current literature and can serve as a foundation for future development of evidence-based interval throwing programs.

Background: The number of medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstructions is increasing. The epidemiology surrounding revision MUCL reconstructions in professional baseball players has not been well defined. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to report the epidemiology of revision MUCL reconstruction in professional baseball players. The authors hypothesized that the number of revision MUCL reconstructions has increased over time and that the rate of return to sport at the same level of play is <70%. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: All professional baseball pitchers who underwent revision MUCL reconstruction between 2010 and 2023 were identified using the Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System. Rates of return to play, time to return to play, and return to same level of play were recorded and analyzed for pitchers with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Surgical variables, including technique and graft choice, were also recorded. Results: Overall 191 pitchers (mean age, 26.0 years) underwent revision MUCL reconstruction. The mean time between primary and revision surgery was 1381 days (45 months). Of these players, 130 (68%) were Minor League Baseball pitchers. Hamstring tendon autograft was the most commonly used graft source (n = 90; 47%) when compared with palmaris longus autograft (n = 67; 35%). In terms of tunnel configuration, the modified Jobe and docking techniques were used in equal occurrence (n = 70; 37%). After revision MUCL reconstruction, only 72% of professional baseball pitchers were able to return to play at any level at a mean 556 days (18 months), and only 58% were able to return to the same level of play at a mean 604 days (20 months). The mean time between primary and revision MUCL reconstruction was 45 months (3.75 years). Conclusion: Revision MUCL surgery continues to be a challenging problem, where the procedure is complex, rehabilitation timelines are prolonged, and outcomes are not always optimal. Accordingly, the authors recommend that these procedures be performed by surgeons with high levels of experience.

ABSTRACTPurposeDouble‐level osteotomies (DLOs) have shown promising results for knee joint preservation, however, most ultimately progress in terms of degenerative disease resulting in conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the time to TKA conversion, long‐term clinical outcomes and revision rates of patients who have undergone TKA after prior ipsilateral DLO.MethodsPatients who underwent simultaneous or staged DLO and subsequently underwent conversion to TKA at a single academic institution from 1997 to 2022 were evaluated. The type of osteotomy performed (opening‐ vs. closing‐wedge), osteotomy hardware fixation, when and if osteotomy hardware was removed, implanted TKA components and revision rates were recorded. Postoperative outcomes, including Forgotten Joint Score‐12 (FJS‐12), Tegner Activity Scale score and subjective knee preference were also obtained.ResultsA total of 22 patients (24 knees) underwent TKA following DLO and were followed for an average of 26.1 ± 7.7 years. The average time from DLO to TKA conversion was 14.1 ± 6.5 years, with 70.8% of knees converting to TKA more than 10 years after DLO. The mean follow‐up after conversion to TKA was 12.0 ± 7.7 years. Only 12.5% of patients received a varus‐valgus or hinged‐constrained TKA. At the final follow‐up, the mean FJS‐12 was 75.8 ± 23.1, while the mean Tegner Activity Scale score was 2.5 ± 1.1. Seventy‐seven percent of patients had no subjective knee preference or preferred their DLO‐TKA knee. Only two knees (7.4%) underwent subsequent revision after index arthroplasty at a mean of 9.3 years postoperatively.ConclusionsA majority of DLOs (70.8%) converted to TKA after more than a decade. Subsequent TKA function was favorable as most patients had either no subjective knee preference or preferred their DLO‐TKA knee. This study demonstrates both long‐term joint preservation and uncompromised TKA function after prior DLO.Level of EvidenceLevel IV.

Background: Patients with persistent symptomatic iliopsoas tendonitis following total hip arthroplasty may benefit from iliopsoas fractional lengthening. We present an arthroscopic approach utilizing an air bursogram that provides safe and predictable access to the iliopsoas tendon for efficient tendon lengthening without violating the capsule or unintentional instrumentation of the nearby medial neurovascular bundle. Indications: Arthroscopic iliopsoas fractional lengthening is indicated for patients with clinical evidence of symptomatic iliopsoas tendonitis following total hip arthroplasty and have no radiographic evidence of frank acetabular malpositioning. A diagnosis of iliopsoas tendinitis amenable to surgical management can be established with substantial but nondurable relief following image-guided anesthetic injection to the iliopsoas bursa. Technique Description: Under fluoroscopic guidance, an air bursogram is employed in the anatomic plane of the iliopsoas tendon to accurately identify its course. This allows for hip portal placement with precise subsequent instrumentation. This technique is preferred in the setting of postarthroplasty anatomy because it avoids capsular violation and the challenge of working in an altered anatomic space with a nearby, medially based neurovascular bundle. Results: Arthroscopic and endoscopic approaches to iliopsoas release have been shown to provide excellent functional and patient-reported outcomes in >85% of patients, and several studies have shown that an arthroscopic approach not only provides a less invasive technique but also results in comparable or improved clinical outcomes with lower revision rates compared to open release or acetabular cup revision. Our technique for arthroscopic iliopsoas fractional lengthening using the air bursogram is both safe and reproducible and offers distinct advantages, including maintenance of an intact capsule, visual confirmation of the correct anatomic structure to be released, and percutaneous access with standard arthroscopic access cannulas without the need for hip distraction. Conclusions: Arthroscopic fractional iliopsoas lengthening is a minimally invasive and successful treatment option for patients with persistent groin pain after total hip arthroplasty, especially without substantial acetabular component malpositioning. This technique includes using an air bursogram to safely identify and navigate to the iliopsoas tendon without violating the hip capsule, thereby reducing the risk of inadvertent instrumentation of adjacent critical neurovascular structures. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Background There is a paucity of literature analyzing data for return to sport (RTS) and return to work (RTW) in the setting of direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty (THA). Objective The aims of this systematic review are to identify existing literature and to aggregate rates of RTS/RTW following DAA THA in a meta-analysis. Methods A query of major databases yielded 1819 initial studies. A random-effects model approach was implemented for meta-analysis. Moderator effects were assessed with respect to patient demographics and functional outcomes. Results Five studies reporting RTS after DAA THA were identified, representing a total of 204 patients with a mean age of 60.2±7.5 years and mean follow up of 31.8±9.5 months. Pooled rate of RTS was 76%(95% confidence interval [CI], 63%-86%;range 58%-100%). Pooled rate of return to the same sport was 77%(95%CI, 64%-86%;range of 62%-100%). Pooled rate of RTS to the same intensity was 58%(95%CI, 48%-68%;range of 41%-68%). Meta-regression demonstrated no significant correlations between independent variables and RTS characteristics. Three studies reported RTW rates. Rates of RTW within 3-months were 30%, 45%, and 60%. One study reported rate of RTW of 79% at 6-months and 87% at 12-months. One study demonstrated a mean time to RTW of 38±24.8 days. Conclusion Pooled rate of RTS is satisfactory following DAA THA and are comparable to rates of RTS aggregated without delineating surgical approach. Data supporting RTW rates following DAA THA limited, and thus more primary studies are needed to establish if this approach confers an advantage of faster RTS/RTW.

Objectives: Medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) render the meniscus essentially non-functional, resulting in increased peak contact pressures, reduced forced dissipation, and increased risk of early osteoarthritis. Transtibial root repair has shown promise at restoring meniscus function and improving clinical outcomes; however, a paucity of literature exists evaluating the prognostic clinical and radiographic factors for poor outcomes following isolated meniscus root repair. The purpose of this study was to 1) describe the patient reported clinical outcomes after isolated MMPRT repair at minimum 2-year follow-up, 2) determine the retear and conversion to arthroplasty rates, and 3) identify prognostic factors for clinical outcomes and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) achievement. Methods: Isolated MMPRT repairs from 2010-2020 at three institutions in Rochester, MN; Jacksonville, FL; and Phoenix, AZ were followed prospectively for postoperative Tegner Activity Scale, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, IKDC, Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), subjective improvement and knee preference, and subsequent surgeries at minimum 2-year follow up. PASS for IKDC was set at 69. Demographics, injury characteristics, and surgical details were collected. Results: Eighty-four patients were included in this study (age: 49.7 ± 11.0 years [range: 13-76]; sex: 75.0% female; BMI: 31.6 ± 6.9 kg/m 2 [MH1] ). Forty-five patients (53.6%) had BMI >30 kg/m 2 , and 14 patients (16.7%) reported a history of active smoking (Table 1). Mean medial compartment Outerbridge grade was 2.0 ± 1.1, with 73.8% of patients having grade ≥2 changes. Mean preinjury Tegner score, preoperative VAS at rest, and preoperative VAS with use were 4.6 ± 2.4, 3.6 ± 2.7, and 6.5 ± 2.5, respectively. At final follow-up (mean 3.9 ± 2.0 years), mean Tegner score was 4.3 ± 1.8, mean VAS at rest was 1.2 ± 2.0, and mean VAS with use was 2.3 ± 2.2. There was no significant difference in preinjury vs. postoperative Tegner scores (p = 0.208), and preinjury Tegner was significantly positively correlated with postoperative Tegner (p < 0.001). Significant (p < 0.001) postoperative improvements in both VAS at rest and with use were observed. Mean postoperative IKDC score was 73.3 ± 17.0, and mean FJS was 59.6 ± 27.9 at final follow-up. When asked to rate their knee at final follow-up compared to before surgery on a scale from 0-5 (0 = “significantly worse”, 1 = “mildly worse”, 3 = “unchanged”, 4 = “mildly improved”, 5 = “significantly improved”), the mean score 4.6 ± 0.8. Forty-one patients (74.5%) reported significant improvement, 8 (14.5%) reported mild improvement, 3 (5.5%) reported no change, and 3 (5.5%) reported mild worsening. No patients reported significant worsening. When asked which knee they preferred, 13 patients (26.0%) reported preferring their operated knee, compared to 18 (36.0%) who preferred their nonoperated knee. The remaining 19 patients (38.0%) had no preference for one knee over the other. A summary of all patient reported outcomes is reported in Table 2. At the time of final follow-up, 16 (19.0%) of patients had reached a clinical endpoint. Twenty-nine patients (34.5%) underwent postoperative MRIs at an average of 1.5 ± 1.7 years (range: 0.3-5.9 years) after surgery[MH1] . Twelve of the MRIs (41.4%) were ordered for evaluation of continued pain, while 7 (24.1%) were ordered for new pain or injury, and 10 (34.5%) were ordered for research purposes. Five patients (6.0%) had MRI-confirmed retears of the MMPRT repair at an average of 1.1 ± 1.3 years (range: 0.3-3.4) after surgery[HMMP2] , one of which was in an asymptomatic patient who received a follow-up MRI for research purposes. No patients underwent revision MMPRT repair surgery, and 7 patients (8.3%) progressed to arthroplasty (6 TKA, 1 UKA) at an average of 3.4 ± 4.3 years (range 0.6-12.6), one of whom also sustained a root retear. Therefore, the surgical failure was noted in 11 patients, corresponding to a surgical failure rate of 13.1% in this cohort. Of note, three of the five patients with MRI-confirmed retears had not received any further surgical intervention[MH3] [BA(M4] at the time of final follow-up 2.7, 3.8, and 8.5 years after surgery. Additionally, there were six non-MMPRT revision, non-arthroplasty subsequent surgeries in five patients, and there were three patients (3.6%) who sustained new medial meniscus tears 2.8-, 3.6-, and 5.9-years postoperatively, respectively. A concise summary of clinical endpoints can be found in Table 3 and Table 4. Significantly more females experienced surgical failures than males (17.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.040), and significantly more patients with medial compartment Outerbridge grades ≥2 experienced surgical failure than those with grades <2 (17.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.034). Additionally, patients who failed did have significantly higher mean KL grades than those who did not (1.4 ± 0.9 vs. 0.7 ± 0.7, p = 0.012). There were no other significant differences in the demographic or pathologic characteristics of patients who experienced surgical failure and those who did not. Of note, 37% of patients failed to achieve IKDC PASS, with smoking status associated with a 15-point reduction in IKDC (p=0.010) Conclusions: Patients undergoing transtibial root repair demonstrate restoration of pre-injury activity levels, significant clinical improvements in pain and function, and low surgical failure rates at minimum 2-year follow-up, with 89% of patients reporting subjective improvement after surgery. However, only 63% of patients were able to achieve PASS thresholds, suggesting that while effective, additional research on root repair technical and clinical optimization is warranted.

Abstract In the standard approach to hip arthroscopy, access to the joint is achieved using fluoroscopic guidance to enter the central compartment of the hip using the Seldinger technique, penetrating the capsule with a needle and subsequently cannulating and obtaining direct visualization of the joint. In such a way, arthroscopists then proceed with accessory portal creation and capsulotomy, as desired, under direct intra‐articular visualization. In cases with severe pincer morphology or coxa profunda, it may not be possible to safely access the central compartment under fluoroscopic guidance due to significant lateral overcoverage of the femoral head. We present an outside‐in arthroscopic approach for accessing the hip joint in such patients, allowing for safe visualization, osseous pincer resection, and improved central compartment access while minimizing the risk to cartilage and labral tissue. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

Abstract A broad range of shoulder pathologies are treated with shoulder arthroscopy due to its minimally invasive nature. Mastering the fundamentals is critical for high‐quality care; this includes patient positioning. Surgeons must consider the advantages and disadvantages of the 2 most prominent patient positions: lateral decubitus and beach chair. The beach‐chair position offers an intuitive anatomic view with the advantage of shoulder maneuverability. Understanding the associated pitfalls related to patient hemodynamics; head, neck, and shoulder positioning; and protection of bony prominences can guide the operative care team to obtaining a safe position for the patient. The purpose of this Technical Note and video is to present and demonstrate a reproducible and teachable method for safely positioning a patient in the beach‐chair position for shoulder arthroscopy, as well as to describe the associated advantages and disadvantages. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.