Faculty Bibliography

Osteotomies around the knee are an effective procedure that shifts the weight-bearing axis from the pathologic side to the uninvolved side to alleviate pain, unload cartilage transplantations, slow down the progression of arthritis, and protect ligament reconstructions. The advancement in plates from nonlocking to locking have increased the stability of constructs to allow for early mobilization and maintained corrections. Further developments with patient-specific instrumentation have made these techniques more reproducible and accurate. Bone grafting and biologics remain a topic of debate but likely a helpful adjuvant in the context of larger corrections or joint preservation surgeries.

BACKGROUND:To compare clinical outcomes, return to activities, and rates of revision surgery following arthroscopic glenoid labral repair in patients who were prescribed NSAIDs as part of their postoperative pain management regimen versus those who were not. METHODS:Patients aged 18-55 who underwent primary arthroscopic labral repair at a single academic institution from the years 2016-2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent concomitant rotator cuff repair, remplissage, or did not have minimum 2-year postoperative follow-up were excluded. Patients who were prescribed postoperative NSAIDs were matched 1:1 to those who were not based on age, sex, BMI, and number of suture anchors. Outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score (ASES), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation rating (SANE), and satisfaction. Pre-injury sport and work activity information were recorded. RESULTS:Of 269 eligible patients, 224 patients were included. Patients prescribed NSAIDs postoperatively had similar levels of pain (1.2 vs 1.0, p=0.527) and function (ASES: 90.8 vs 89.9, p=0.824; SST: 91.9 vs 90.6, p=0.646; SANE: 83.8 vs 85.3, p=0.550) compared to those who were not. Rates of revision surgery (2.7% vs 0.9%, p=0.622) and recurrent instability (5.4% vs 8.0%, p=0.594) were similar between NSAID and non-NSAID groups. Rates of return to sport (83.5% vs 77.8%, p=0.318) and return to pre-injury level (59.3% vs 61.6%, p=0.177) were similar between NSAID and non-NSAID groups. Prescription of postoperative NSAIDs was not associated with delayed return to sport (OR:1.47, 95%CI [0.68,3.18], p=0.327) or return to work (OR:0.56, 95%CI [0.14,2.28], p=0.416). CONCLUSIONS:Patients who were prescribed NSAIDs as a part of a postoperative pain management regimen following primary arthroscopic labral repair for glenohumeral instability had similar patient-reported outcomes, revision rates, and rates of return to pre-injury activities compared to those who were not prescribed NSAIDs.

BACKGROUND:Risks associated with graft transplantation due to donor-recipient sex differences have been reported in whole organ transplantation literature but are not well-described in meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). This study assessed the effect of donor-recipient sex mismatch on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following MAT. METHODS:A retrospective review of patients <50 years of age that underwent unicompartmental MAT from 2010 to 2023 at a single institution with minimum 2-year follow up was conducted. Exclusion criteria were revision procedures or insufficient donor information. PROs collected included: Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis and Outcome Score (KOOS), Visual Analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction, and return to sport (RTS). PROs were compared between donor-recipient graft matching groups (same-sex (SS) or different-sex (DS)) and by donor sex. RESULTS:, and follow up of 73.4 ± 29.2 months. Donors were mostly male (77.2 %). Thirty-six patients (63.3 %) received SS grafts and 21 (36.8 %) received DS grafts. There were no significant differences between groups in KOOS subscores, VAS pain, satisfaction scores, or RTS rates (P > 0.05). Donor sex also showed no association with PROs. Linear and logistic regression models controlling for age, BMI, and average follow up demonstrated that graft mismatch was not associated with KOOS scores, RTS, or graft failure. Decreasing patient age was associated with improved KOOS-pain (β: -0.376; 95 % CI (-1.892, -0.155); P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS:Patients that undergo MAT with grafts from a different sex had similar outcomes to patients receiving grafts from a donor of the same sex. Sex-mismatch was not associated with functional outcomes or RTS. The results of this paper support the use of geometrically matched donor grafts, independent of donor sex, which should expand available graft options when matching a patient for MAT.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To determine whether chondroplasty for isolated medial patellar facet lesions produces similar clinical outcomes compared to patients without patellofemoral cartilage lesions in the setting of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for patellar instability. METHODS:We retrospectively identified patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction with or without tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) from 2015 to 2020 with minimum 2-year follow-up. Operative reports detailed patellofemoral articular surfaces and Outerbridge grade. Exclusion criteria were: prior knee surgery, multiple lesions, concomitant cartilage repair, trochleoplasty, or meniscus repair. Patients with isolated medial facet lesions (case) were propensity matched to patients without patellofemoral cartilage injury (control) by age, sex, BMI, and concomitant TTO. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Kujala score, Tegner activity scale, and the Visual Analog Score (VAS) for pain. RESULTS:Of 79 eligible patients, 59 (74.7%) completed all surveys, and 40 patients (8 M and 32 F) were matched 1:1 with mean 4.1-year (range: 2.1-8.5) follow-up, including 20 patients with medial facet lesions (5 grade II, 6 grade III, and 9 grade IV). There were no significant differences between groups with respect to Kujala score (85.2 vs 84.6, p = 0.906), Tegner (5.7 ± 2.6 vs 4.9 ± 3.0, p = 0.924), or VAS pain score (12.4 ± 20.1 vs 16.5 ± 23.9, p = 0.718). Chondral lesion size at the index procedure was not significantly correlated with pain (R = - 0.06, p = 0.816) or Kujala score (R = - 0.67, p = 0.779). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Chondroplasty for isolated medial patellar facet lesions led to similar clinical outcomes to patients with intact patellofemoral articular cartilage at a minimum of 2 years following MPFL reconstruction. These findings support conservative management of isolated medial facet lesions without need for cartilage restoration procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III/METHODS:Retrospective comparative cohort study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To identify demographic or radiographic predictors of sagittal tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (sTT-TG) distance utilizing a cohort of patellofemoral surgical patients. METHODS:Patients who underwent an osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation or autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) from 2010 to 2020 were included if they had patellofemoral high-grade lesions and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patient demographics, radiographic measurements such as coronal TT-TG, Caton-Deschamps index (CDI), and trochlear dysplasia were recorded. The preoperative sTT-TG distance was measured independently on axial T2-weighted MRI sequences by two authors at least two weeks apart. An interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess intra- and inter-rater reliability of sTT-TG measurements, and univariate and multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between sTT-TG and any demographic or radiographic predictors. RESULTS:Seventy-three knees composed of 44 females and 29 males with a mean age of 31.0 ± 10.1 years, a mean BMI of 26.8 ± 6.1, and a mean follow-up of 60.4 ± 21.0 months were included. Thirty-four of these (46.6 %) underwent OCA transplantations and 39 (53.4 %) underwent ACI/MACIs. Thirty-one (42.4 %) knees were determined to have evidence of trochlear dysplasia. Twenty-four patients were found to have high grade trochlear dysplasia (grades B, C and D) and 7 patients were found to have low grade trochlear dysplasia (grade A). The mean sTT-TG of the entire cohort was -5.3 ± 4.9 mm. Interobserver reliability for sTT-TG measurements was excellent with an ICC of 0.95 (0.927-0.969, p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in sTT-TG between patients who had no trochlear dysplasia, low-grade trochlear dysplasia and high grade trochlear dysplasia (-3.51 ± 3.96 vs. -6.17 ± 4.29 vs. -9.25 ± 5.32, p < 0.001). On multivariate regression, trochlear dysplasia remained the only significant predictor of sTT-TG (β = -2.25, p = 0.005). Post-hoc analysis showed that both low- and high-grade dysplasia were associated with significantly more negative sTT-TG values compared to patients without dysplasia, though no significant difference was observed between the low- and high-grade groups. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Trochlear dysplasia was associated with a more negative sagittal tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (sTT-TG) distance, with increasing severity of trochlear dysplasia correlated with a relatively more posterior tibial tuberosity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level III; diagnostic cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:ACL tears are among the most common injuries in active individuals, with Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone (BTB) autograft being the gold-standard treatment for reconstruction. Despite excellent outcomes, complications such as patella fractures, reported as high as 1.8%, remain a concern. This study aimed to update the incidence of patella fractures after BTB ACL reconstruction at a high-volume center and compare patient outcomes with isolated ACL rupture or patella fracture. We hypothesized a lower incidence than previously reported and comparable post-operative outcomes across groups. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing BTB ACL reconstruction (2012-2022) who sustained harvest site patella fractures. Cases were 2:1 propensity score-matched with patients having isolated ACL rupture or patella fracture. Inclusion criteria were age > 18, ≥ 1-year follow-up, and post-op patella fracture diagnosis. Data collected included demographics, surgical details, bone plug dimensions, and patient-reported outcomes (Lysholm, IKDC, Tegner Activity Scale). Treatment strategies and healing outcomes for patella fractures were also recorded. RESULTS:Among 5770 BTB ACL reconstructions, 12 patients (0.21%) sustained post-op patella fractures. They were matched to 24 with isolated ACL rupture and 24 with patella fracture. Average follow-up was 6.4 years. Pre-op scores demonstrated significant differences: ACL + patella fracture group had lower Lysholm (62.8), IKDC (48.1), and Tegner scores (7.1) compared to isolated ACLR and patella fracture groups. Post-op scores in the ACL + patella fracture group improved significantly (Lysholm 84.4, IKDC 72.0). CONCLUSIONS:Patella fracture incidence after BTB ACL reconstruction is lower than previously reported (0.21%). Patients with this complication still achieve excellent outcomes comparable to those with isolated ACL or patella injuries.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:The utility and safety of patient-specific cutting guides (PSCGs) in osteotomies about the knee is uncertain. PURPOSE/UNASSIGNED:To compare the cost, accuracy of radiographic correction, and safety of PSCG versus standard cutting guide (SCG) corrective osteotomies about the knee. STUDY DESIGN/UNASSIGNED:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:Patients undergoing high tibial osteotomy (HTO) or distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) were retrospectively reviewed from 2017 to 2022. Those who underwent 3-dimensional PSCG osteotomy were propensity matched to patients undergoing traditional osteotomies. Procedure time and fluoroscopic details were extracted from operative notes. Hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, posterior tibial slope (PTS), and mechanical axis deviation were measured on pre- and postoperative radiographs. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the reliability between the intended and resultant correction of HKA. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) analysis was performed to compare procedure costs. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:= .01) were lower in the PSCG group. TDABC analysis demonstrated a total cost of $27,026 for PSCG and $27,100 for SCG. The rate of hinge fractures (9.5% vs 33.3%) and return to the operating room (4.8% vs 19.0%) were lower in the PSCG group, although these differences were nonsignificant. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:Both traditionally guided osteotomies and PSCG-guided osteotomies accurately corrected lower extremity malalignment. Utilization of PSCG resulted in similar procedure times and cost, as well as less fluoroscopy and lower tourniquet time, compared with conventional osteotomy. PSCG trended toward a decreased rate of postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND:This study aims to investigate the effect of donor-recipient sex-mismatch on graft survival, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and return to sport (RTS) following knee osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation. METHODS:Patients who underwent knee OCA transplantation between 2011 and 2022 with minimum 2-year clinical follow-up were divided into two cohorts (same-sex (SS) and different-sex (DS) donor). Cumulative survival was compared via multivariable Cox regression analyses controlling for age, graft size, and body mass index (BMI). A sub-analysis comparing PROs between groups was performed, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and RTS rates. RESULTS:285 patients were included (189 SS, 96 DS) with mean follow-up of 4.8 ± 2.0 years. There was a graft failure rate of 6.0% with no significant difference in graft survival rate between DS and SS groups (p = 0.70). Sub-analyses between the four donor-recipient groups (male-male, female-male, male-female, and female-female) and between female and male donor groups demonstrated no significant differences in graft survival. Among patients who failed the procedure, time to failure was significantly shorter for those with sex-mismatched grafts (353 days vs. 864 days, p = 0.002). Sub-analysis of a 71-patient cohort with two-year PROs demonstrated no differences between SS and DS groups with respect to satisfaction, pain, or KOOS scores after controlling for sex (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Patients undergoing knee OCA transplantation demonstrated no observable differences in graft survivorship based on donor-recipient graft sex-matching, suggesting that surgeons can use sex-mismatched grafts and expect limited effect on graft survivorship. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:IV.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Multiple modalities exist for diagnosing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE), including electrodiagnostic testing (EDX), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with no consensus on the optimal strategy. This study's objective was to determine the most cost-effective diagnostic strategy in patients with suspected UNE. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:We developed a decision analytic model from the U.S. healthcare perspective over a 1-year time horizon. Our hypothetical population comprised 56-year-old males with medial elbow pain and/or paresthesias radiating to the hand, without weakness. We compared incremental cost-effectiveness and total net monetary benefit (NMB) of single-modality strategies (EDX, US, MRI) and multimodality strategies (combinations of US/MRI, EDX/US, EDX/MRI). Input probabilities and utility values were obtained from the literature, and costs from Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services and institutional data. The primary outcome was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Willingness-to-pay threshold was $100,000. RESULTS:The diagnostic strategy utilizing US first, followed by MRI, was favored with the highest total QALYs, .935, and total NMB, $92,667. EDX and US single-modality strategies were less favorable, with lower total QALYs, .894 and .906, respectively, and lower total NMB, $88,866 and $90,022. Other diagnostic strategies were excluded by absolute or extended dominance. One-way sensitivity analyses found model results sensitive to the utility of UNE recovery, but otherwise robust over a range of costs/probabilities. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Our cost-effectiveness analysis suggests an initial US, then MRI is the most cost-effective strategy in the workup of patients with suspected UNE.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Bone Marrow Lesions (BMLs) have a strong correlation to patient reported pain, functional limitations, joint deterioration, and rapid progression to total knee arthroplasty. The Subchondroplasty® (SCP) Procedure uses AccuFill®, a calcium phosphate bone substitute material (BSM), to treat bone defects such as microtrabecular fractures and BML. METHODS:This observational, prospective, multicenter, cohort study evaluated the effect of the SCP Procedure at two-year follow-up for 70 patients with knee BML. Under arthroscopic and fluoroscopic guidance, the BML was injected with AccuFill®. Patient reported outcomes, including Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and modified Knee Society Score (mKSS) were collected through 24 months postoperatively. Radiographs and magnetic resonance images (MRI) were performed at baseline and up to 24 months post-operatively. Patient selection was not limited based on degree of osteoarthritis (OA) as determined radiologically by Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade. For a subset of subjects, patient reported outcomes were collected up to five years including pain evaluation, patient knee global assessment, and satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS:Pre-operative radiographs indicated moderate to severe osteoarthritis (K-L grades 2-4) in 65 subjects (92.8%). Significant improvements (p<0.0001) in mean VAS Pain, IKDC, mKSS and KOOS scores were observed compared with baseline. Kaplan-Meier survivorship free from conversion to knee arthroplasty was 76.2% at two years. The subset of subjects followed for five years demonstrated low pain scores and high procedure satisfaction. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This study presents statistically significant and clinically meaningful evidence of improvement in clinical outcomes following SCP for BMLs of the knee after two years. The survivorship rate from arthroplasty at two years was 76.2%. SCP for BMLs can relieve pain with a minimally invasive procedure and may delay the need for knee arthroplasty.