Faculty Bibliography

Tibial spine fractures are uncommon injuries affecting the insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament on the tibia. They typically occur in skeletally immature patients aged 8 to 14 years and result from hyperextension of the knee with a valgus or rotational force. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination, and standard radiographs. The use of MRI can identify entrapped soft tissue that may prevent reduction. Open or arthroscopic repair is indicated in patients with partially displaced fractures (>5 mm) with one third to one half of the avulsed fragment elevated, in patients who have undergone unsuccessful nonsurgical reduction and long leg casting or bracing, and in patients with completely displaced fractures. Arthroscopy offers reduced invasiveness and decreased morbidity. Suture fixation and screw fixation have produced successful results. Suture fixation can eliminate the risk of fracture fragment comminution during screw insertion, the risk of neurovascular injury, and the need for hardware removal. Suture fixation is ideal in cases in which existing comminution prevents screw fixation.

Shoulder and elbow injuries have been described in baseball players as early as the 1940s. Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears have been recognized as a significant source of disability for baseball players and have been seen in increasing frequency as training regimens and level of play have become more intense and rigorous. Our understanding and treatment of these injuries have also evolved over time. This article summarizes the evolution of the treatment of UCL tears and discusses future directions for the treatment and prevention of these injuries.

Emerging musculoskeletal applications for local administration of autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) include treatment of fractures, osteonecrosis, osteochondral injuries, osteoarthritis, ligament injury, tendon injury, and tendonopathies. Ultrasound-guided technique for various BMAC injection sites is detailed in this technical report and our preliminary clinical experience outlined.Five patients, 1 woman and 4 men, were treated with 6 peri/intratendinous (n = 4) or intraarticular (n = 2) BMAC injections between July 5, 2015 and December 31, 2016 for the clinical indications of common hamstrings origin tendinosis (n = 4), hip labral tear (n = 1), and osteochondral lesion of the talus (n = 1).All procedures were technically successful, with BMAC locally administered to the therapeutic target and no procedural complications observed. Clinical follow-up was available for 5 of 6 procedures. Four of 5 injections resulted in self-reported symptomatic improvement (clinical follow-up range, 2-12 months). One 72-year-old man with right common hamstrings origin tendinosis reported no improvement after BMAC injection.The technology is now available to support ultrasound-guided, autologous BMAC administration by the musculoskeletal interventionalist for common indications. Our initial clinical experience is consistent with early reports in the literature. This technique is well tolerated by symptomatic patients on an outpatient basis, and rates of self-reported symptomatic relief are high. Mechanism of action, long-term safety, and long-term clinical efficacy remain largely undefined.

OBJECTIVE:To review the MRI appearance of medial patellofemoral capsuloligamentous plication (also known as reefing or imbrication) for proximal patellar realignment in patients with patellofemoral instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Retrospective analysis of our surgical and PACS databases identified cases of medial plication performed between June 2011 and July 2016. Pre- and postoperative MRI characteristics were reviewed. Correlation was made with operative reports and clinical records to define postoperative appearances on MRI. RESULTS:Forty-one patients underwent medial plication during the study period; 29 were excluded owing to a lack of postoperative imaging. Ultimately, 12 knees were included in 11 patients who had postoperative MRI studies available (8 women and 3 men, mean age 27.3 ± 10.2 years). Ten (83%) of the surgeries were performed open and 2 (17%) arthroscopically. There were differences in the post-surgical MRI appearance of medial plications carried out after surgery using the open and arthroscopic techniques. The open technique produces a "heaped up" distal vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) with centralized patellar insertion (100%), which was absent in the case of arthroscopic plication, where subtle medial retinaculum thickening was demonstrated without alteration of its patellar insertion. The mean postoperative lateral patellar and patellofemoral congruence angles measured 2.5° ± 5.6° and 12.4° ± 19.9° respectively. A significant association was found regarding change in patellofemoral alignment (p = 0.018 and p = 0.004 respectively). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The MRI appearance of medial plication is not well described in the radiology literature; radiologists should be familiar with anticipated post-plication findings to avoid potential confusion for pathology and allow more accurate interpretation of postoperative imaging findings from this common surgery.

This report describes the case of a 29 year-old female with a history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and on combined oral contraceptives who presents with an acute, CT confirmed pulmonary embolus of the right lower lobe, one week following arthroscopic labral repair of the right shoulder. This patient's relevant risk factors including obesity, oral contraceptive use, PCOS, and surgical positioning are discussed. Literature surrounding venous thromboembolism (VTE) following shoulder arthroscopy is also reviewed.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to quantify the regional histology of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) and compare the histopathology present to clinical findings in patients with rotator cuff tears and SLAP lesions. METHODS:Prospectively enrolled patients undergoing an open subpectoral LHBT tenodesis in the setting of a rotator cuff (RTC) tear or SLAP lesion. Perioperative data were collected and the excised LHBT was analyzed by a fellowship trained pathologist. Tendons were sectioned into proximal (biceps anchor), middle (bicipital groove), and distal (myotendinous junction) portions. Sections were stained with Movat's pentachrome stain and digitized for analysis. Comparisons were made between the histologic findings present in the setting of a rotator cuff tear with those seen in the setting of a SLAP tear. RESULTS:39 tendons were analyzed: 20 from patients with SLAP lesions (mean age of 44.7 years, range 23-60 years) and 19 from patients with rotator cuff tears (mean age of 58.7 years, range 43-71). Patients with the most pathologic tendons in the bicipital groove were significantly older (59.4 vs. 50.4 years; p < 0.05), reported higher pre-operative VAS scores (6.6 vs. 5.0; p < 0.02), and demonstrated lower pre-operative ASES scores (41.6 vs. 50.7; p < 0.05). The RTC group showed significantly more mucinous degeneration at both the proximal (p < 0.03) and the middle (p < 0.01) tendon portions compared to the SLAP group. In both groups, the portions of proximal tendon showed significantly (p < 0.05) more mucinous degeneration than distal portions. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Regional histologic differences exist in the LHBT. Rotator cuff patients showed the most degenerated tendon in the bicipital groove and these patients tended to be older and have higher VAS and lower ASES scores. Surgeons should consider performing a subpectoral biceps tenodesis as the bicipital groove portion of the tendon may be very degenerated, especially in patients with rotator cuff disease. Additional research is warranted to distinguish whether treating the biceps differently in distinct geographic regions affects patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:II.

Management of proximal and distal biceps tendon pathology is evolving. The long head of the biceps tendon, if inflamed, may be a pain-producing structure. In appropriately indicated patients, a symptomatic long head of the biceps tendon can be surgically managed via tenotomy, tenodesis, and/or superior labrum anterior to posterior repair. In some patients, primary superior labrum anterior to posterior pathology can be managed via biceps tenodesis. Determining which procedure is most appropriate and which technique and implant are preferred for a given patient with biceps tendon pathology is controversial. Less debate exists with regard to the timing of distal biceps tendon repair; however, considerable controversy exists with regard to selection of an appropriate surgical technique and implant. In addition, the treatment of patients with a chronic and/or retracted distal biceps tendon tear and patients in whom distal biceps tendon repair fails is extremely challenging. Orthopaedic surgeons should understand the anatomy of, nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for, and outcomes of patients with proximal or distal biceps tendon pathology.

BACKGROUND:We sought to determine whether professional baseball positional players who underwent medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstruction demonstrate decreases in performance on return to competition compared with preoperative performance metrics and their control-matched peers. METHODS:Data for 35 Major League Baseball positional players who underwent MUCL reconstruction during 31 seasons were obtained. Twenty-six players met inclusion criteria. Individual statistics for the 2 seasons immediately before injury and the 2 seasons after injury included wins above replacement (WAR), on-base plus slugging (OPS), and isolated power (ISO). Twenty-six controls matched by player position, age, plate appearances, and performance statistics were identified. RESULTS:Of the 35 athletes who underwent surgery, 7 did not return to their preinjury level of competition (return to play rate of 80%). In comparing preinjury with postinjury statistics, players exhibited a significant decrease in plate appearances, at-bats, and WAR 2 seasons after injury but did not demonstrate declines in WAR 1 season after injury. Compared with matched controls, athletes who underwent MUCL reconstruction did not demonstrate significant decline in statistical performance, including OPS, WAR, and ISO, after return to play from surgery. Of all positional players, catchers undergoing surgery demonstrated lowest rates of return to play (56%) along with statistically significant decreases in home run rate, runs batted in, and ISO. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Major League Baseball positional players undergoing MUCL reconstruction can reasonably expect to return to their preinjury level of competition and performance after surgery compared with their peers. Positional players return to play at a rate comparable to that of pitchers; catchers may experience more difficultly in returning to preinjury levels of play.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To compare patellar instability with magnetic resonance imaging analysis using continuous real-time radial gradient-echo (GRE) imaging in the assessment of symptomatic patients and asymptomatic subjects. METHODS:Symptomatic patients with suspected patellofemoral maltracking and asymptomatic volunteers were scanned in real time by a radial 2-dimensional GRE sequence at 3 T in axial orientation at the patella level through a range of flexion-extension. The degree of lateral maltracking, as well as the associated tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance and trochlea depth, was measured. Patellar lateralization was categorized as normal (≤2 mm), mild (>2 to ≤5 mm), moderate (>5 to ≤10 mm), or severe (>10 mm). The patellofemoral cartilage was also assessed according to the modified Outerbridge grading system. RESULTS:The study included 20 symptomatic patients (13 women and 7 men; mean age, 36 ± 12.8 years) and 10 asymptomatic subjects (3 women and 7 men; mean age, 33.1 years). The mean time to perform the dynamic component ranged from 3 to 7 minutes. Lateralization in the symptomatic group was normal in 10 patients, mild in 1, moderate in 8, and severe in 1. There was no lateral tracking greater than 3 mm in the volunteer group. Lateral maltracking was significantly higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic subjects (4.4 ± 3.7 mm vs 1.5 ± 0.71 mm, P = .007). Lateral tracking significantly correlated with tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance (r = 0.48, P = .006). There was excellent agreement on lateral tracking between the 2 reviewers (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.979; 95% confidence interval, 0.956-0.990). CONCLUSIONS:The inclusion of a dynamic radial 2-dimensional GRE sequence is a rapid and easily performed addition to the standard magnetic resonance imaging protocol and allows dynamic quantitative assessment of patellar instability and lateral maltracking in symptomatic patients. With a paucity of reported data using this technique confirming that these results reach clinical significance, future work is required to determine how much lateral tracking is clinically significant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level III, case control.

The controversy regarding the existence and function of the anterolateral ligament or anterolateral complex has reinvigorated interest in rotational stability of the knee joint. This is particularly true of anterolateral rotary instability, as many patients, despite anatomic reconstruction of their anterior cruciate ligament, continue to experience instability. Many experts point toward compromised anterolateral restraints as the underlying culprit, namely, the anterolateral complex, which includes the iliotibial band, anterolateral capsule, lateral meniscus, and lateral collateral ligament. This article provides a breakdown of these structures, their function, biomechanical properties, and clinical importance, based on a thorough review of available literature.