Faculty Bibliography

Purpose/UNASSIGNED:To characterize the volume and variation in orthopedic consults and surgeries that took place during a period of social distancing and pandemic. Methods/UNASSIGNED:All orthopedic consults and surgeries at an urban level 1 trauma center from 3/22/20-4/30/2020 were retrospectively reviewed (the social distancing period). Data from the same dates in 2019 were reviewed for comparison. Age, gender, Score for Trauma Triage in the Geriatric and Middle Aged (STTGMA) score and injury type were queried. Operating room data collected included: type of surgery performed, inpatient or outpatient status, and if the cases were categorized as elective, trauma or infectious cases. Results/UNASSIGNED:Compared to 2019, there was a 48.3% decrease in consult volume in 2020. The 2020 population was significantly older (44.0 vs 52.6 years-old, p = 0.001) and more male (65% vs 35%, p = 0.021). There were 23 COVID positive patients, 10 of which died within the collection period. Consult distribution dramatically changed, with decreases in ankle fractures, distal radius fractures and proximal humerus fractures of 76.5%, 77.4% and 55.0%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in volume of hip, tibial shaft and femoral shaft fractures (p > 0.05). In 2020, there was a 41.4% decrease in operating room volume, no elective cases were performed, and cases were primarily trauma related. Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:During a period of pandemic and social distancing, the overall volume of orthopedic consults and surgeries significantly declined. However, hip fracture volume remained unchanged. Patients presenting with orthopedic injuries were older, and at higher risk for inpatient mortality.

BACKGROUND:Lyme disease is the most common reportable zoonotic infection in the United States. Recent data suggest spread of the Ixodes tick vector and increasing incidence of Lyme disease in several states, including Pennsylvania. We sought to determine the clinical presentation and healthcare use patterns for pediatric Lyme disease in western Pennsylvania. METHODS:The electronic medical records of all patients with an International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, diagnosis of Lyme disease between 2003 and 2013 at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh were individually reviewed to identify confirmed cases of Lyme disease. The records of 773 patients meeting these criteria were retrospectively analyzed for patient demographics, disease manifestations, and healthcare use. RESULTS:An Lyme disease increased exponentially in the pediatric population of western Pennsylvania. There was a southwestward migration of Lyme disease cases, with a shift from rural to nonrural zip codes. Healthcare provider involvement evolved from subspecialists to primary care pediatricians and emergency departments (EDs). Patients from nonrural zip codes more commonly presented to the ED, while patients from rural zip codes used primary care pediatricians and EDs equally. CONCLUSIONS:The current study details the conversion of western Pennsylvania from a Lyme-naive to a Lyme-epidemic area, highlighting changes in clinical presentation and healthcare use over time. Presenting symptoms and provider type differed between those from rural and nonrural zip codes. By elucidating the temporospatial epidemiology and healthcare use for pediatric Lyme disease, the current study may inform public health measures regionally while serving as an archetype for other areas at-risk for Lyme disease epidemics.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the short-term results of meniscal root repair surgery, assessing clinical and radiographic outcomes, utilizing MRI to assess root healing and extent of post-operative extrusion. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study evaluating patients who had undergone a medial meniscus posterior root repair using a transtibial pullout technique with two locking cinch sutures. Demographic data were collected from patient charts. Clinical outcomes were assessed with pre- and post-operative IKDC and Lysholm scores. Pre-op scores were taken at the patients' initial clinical visit, mean 1.55 months prior to surgery (+/- 1.8 months, min 0.3, max 7.3). Radiographic outcomes were assessed with MRI evaluation of root healing, meniscal extrusion, and cartilage degeneration using ICRS criteria. Tunnel placement was evaluated and compared to the anatomic footprint. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (47.2 years +/- 11.9) were evaluated at mean follow-up of 24.9 months (+/- 7.2, min 18.4, max 35.6). The IKDC score significantly increased from 45.9 (+/- 12.6) pre-operatively to 76.8 (+/- 14.7) post-operatively (p < 0.001). Lysholm scores also increased from 50.9 (+/- 7.11) to 87.1 (+/- 9.8) (p < 0.001). Mean tunnel placement was 5.3 mm (+/- 3.5, range 0-11.8) away from the anatomic footprint. Mean extrusion increased from 4.74 mm (+/- 1.7) pre-operatively to 5.98 (+/- 2.8) post-operatively (p < 0.02). No patients with > 3 mm of extrusion on pre-operative MRI had < 3 mm of extrusion on post-operative MRI. Both medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau ICRS grades worsened significantly (p < 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively). On MRI, one root appeared completely healed, 16 partially healed, and one not healed. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with the transtibial suture pull-out technique with two locking cinch sutures had improved clinical outcomes, but only partial healing in the majority of cases, increased extrusion, and progression of medial compartment cartilage defect grade on follow-up MRI. Patients should be counseled that although clinical outcomes in the short term may be optimistic, long-term outcomes regarding progression to degenerative arthritis may not be as predictable. CLINICAL LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

While yoga has been widely studied for its benefits to many health conditions, little research has been performed on the nature of musculoskeletal injuries occurring during yoga practice. Yoga is considered to be generally safe, however, injury can occur in nearly any part of the body-especially the neck, shoulders, lumbar spine, hamstrings, and knees. As broad interest in yoga grows, so will the number of patients presenting with yoga-related injuries. In this literature review, the prevalence, types of injuries, forms of yoga related with injury, specific poses (asanas) associated with injury, and preventive measures are discussed in order to familiarize practitioners with yoga-related injuries.

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.

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.

Arthroscopic SLAP tear repair has become an increasingly used treatment for patients presenting with symptomatic SLAP tears after failed nonoperative management. Debridement, SLAP repair, and open or arthroscopic biceps tenodesis or tenotomy have been used for the treatment of SLAP tears. Various techniques for repair have been described, and furthermore, there is a high incidence of concomitant pathology of the shoulder. Repair remains an excellent option in isolated SLAP tears amenable to repair, with excellent outcomes in well-indicated patients. We present a method for repairing a SLAP tear using standard suture anchor fixation, anterior and posterior portals, and an accessory portal of Wilmington. Adequate labral repair can be achieved with this technique in patients with no concomitant biceps pathology. This report highlights this technique for SLAP repair in patients with isolated symptomatic SLAP tears that have failed conservative management.

Over recent years, appreciation for the critical role of the meniscus in joint biomechanics has led to an emphasis on meniscal preservation. Meniscal allograft transplant (MAT) is a promising biological solution for the symptomatic young patient with a meniscus-deficient knee that has not developed advanced osteoarthritis. As surgical techniques are refined and outcomes continue to improve, it is vital to consider the utility of such procedures and offer a straightforward approach to MAT. This article and accompanying video provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to perform a MAT using the bridge and slot technique, its key pearls and pitfalls as well as the relevant advantages and disadvantages of MAT.

The acetabular labrum and the transverse acetabular ligament form a continuous ring of tissue on the periphery of the acetabulum that provides a seal for the hip joint and increases the surface area to spread load distribution during weight-bearing. When a labral tear is suspected, the treatment algorithm always begins with conservative management, including physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When conservative management fails, patients become candidates for arthroscopic labral repair. In the last 2 decades, the rate of hip arthroscopy has increased nearly 4-fold. However, as hip arthroscopy is performed more frequently, there is a need for a proper technique to minimize morbidity, because hip arthroscopy has been known to have a steep learning curve. We present a method for arthroscopic hip labral repair using suture anchors without a capsular repair. This Technical Note highlights our technique for labral repair, along with pearls and pitfalls of hip arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: Injury to the anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee has recently received attention as a potential risk factor for failure of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, evaluation of the anterolateral ligament is currently difficult, and radiologic data are sparse with regard to the normal appearance of this ligament. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the ALL could be identified and visualized using ultrasonography. METHODS: Ten non-paired, fresh-frozen cadaveric knees underwent ultrasound by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist using a Siemens S2000 Acuson Ultrasound machine with a 14-MHz linear transducer. After first identifying anatomical landmarks by palpation, a thin band of tissue originating in the vicinity of the fibular collateral ligament (FCL) origin was identified and followed up distally. The tibia was held at 30 degrees of flexion and internally rotated to verify tightening of the structure. Under ultrasound guidance, 25-gauge hypodermic needles were placed at what were sonographically determined to be the origin and insertion points of the ligament. One-tenth of a CC of aniline blue dye was injected. The specimens were then dissected to confirm the presence and location of the ALL. If an ALL was found, distances between the epicentre of the injected dye and the actual origin and insertion points were calculated. Additionally, ligament length based on dissection images and ultrasound images was calculated. RESULTS: Eight of ten specimens had an anterolateral structure that originated from the lateral femoral epicondyle just posterior and superior to the origin of the FCL and inserted on the lateral plateau approximately halfway between Gerdy's tubercle and the fibular head. The average length based on ultrasound was 3.8 cm (+/-.7; range 3.1-4.7) and 4.1 cm (+/-1.1; range 2.6-6.1) based on dissection. Length based on dissection and ultrasound had minimal agreement (ICC = .308; 95 % confidence interval .257-.382, p = .265). The average width of the structure on dissection was .8 cm (+/-.24; range .5-1.2). The mean distance from ultrasound-determined origin and insertion points to anatomical origin and insertion based on dissection was 10.9 mm (+/-2.9, range 7.0-15.8) and 12.5 mm (+/-5.7 range 3.2-19.3), respectively. Inter-observer reliability was excellent for all measurements based on dissection and ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound was unable to reliably identify the anterolateral structure from its femoral to tibial attachment sites. Distinguishing it from the posterior IT band and anterolateral capsule was challenging, and it is possible that the structure is a thickened band of fascia rather than a true ligament. As a clinical diagnostic tool, ultrasound likely offers little utility in the evaluation of the ALL for injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.