Faculty Bibliography

Objectives: Tenodesis of the long head of the biceps is one of many options to reduce pain caused by proximal long head insertional tendinopathy, tendon instability, or part of a superior labrum anterior-posterior lesion. This technique can be performed either as an open or arthroscopic procedure. The purpose of this study is to compare the relative incidence and demographics of patients who underwent either an arthroscopy or open biceps tenodesis procedure in New York State from 2002-2010. Methods: Retrospective review of patients who underwent open or arthroscopic biceps tenodesis surgery were identified from the New York State Statewide Planning and Research Commission (SPARCS) ambulatory surgery database, which includes all outpatient surgeries performed at hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and rural clinics in New York State. Cases of open and arthroscopic biceps tenodesis were identified by unique Current Procedural Terminology codes (23430, 29828). Data from 2002 to 2010 were available for open procedures and from 2008 to 2010 for arthroscopic procedures. Chi-square test and student's t-test were used to analyze the data. Variables measured included incidence, age, gender, race, ethnicity, type of operating facility, and primary payor. Results: From 2002 to 2010 the incidence of biceps tenodesis rose over 600%. From 2008 to 2010 there were 2672 open biceps tenodesis procedures and 3289 arthroscopic biceps tenodesis procedures performed in New York State. The arthroscopic group contained significantly more women (33%) than the open group (25%, P<.0001). The average age arthroscopic patients was slightly higher (55.33 years) than that of open patients (54.45 years, P<.01). There was a significantly greater proportion of African- American patients in the arthroscopic group. Patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery were more likely to be treated at a hospital as opposed to a free standing clinic. The most common primary payor for open cases was worker's compensation at 22% of all cases. Of arthroscopic patients, 18% listed worker's compensation as the primary payor. Medicare patients accounted for 16% of open cases and 19% of arthroscopic patients (P<.001). Conclusion: Incidence of biceps tenodesis surgery has increased steadily from 2002 to 2010. There were 23% more arthroscopic procedures performed in 2010 than there were in 2008. Arthroscopic patients are more likely to be older, female, and African American. Arthroscopic biceps tenodeis, which require additional skill and training, were more likely to be performed in a hospital setting

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate cartilage repair and native tissue using a three-dimensional (3D), radial, ultra-short echo time (UTE) (23)Na MR sequence without and with an inversion recovery (IR) preparation pulse for fluid suppression at 7 Tesla (T). METHODS: This study had institutional review board approval. We recruited 11 consecutive patients (41.5 +/- 11.8 years) from an orthopaedic surgery practice who had undergone a knee cartilage restoration procedure. The subjects were examined postoperatively (median = 26 weeks) with 7-T MRI using: proton-T2 (TR/TE = 3,000 ms/60 ms); sodium UTE (TR/TE = 100 ms/0.4 ms); fluid-suppressed, sodium UTE adiabatic IR. Cartilage sodium concentrations in repair tissue ([Na(+)](R)), adjacent native cartilage ([Na(+)](N)), and native cartilage within the opposite, non-surgical compartment ([Na(+)](N2)) were calculated using external NaCl phantoms. RESULTS: For conventional sodium imaging, mean [Na(+)](R), [Na(+)](N), [Na(+)](N2) were 177.8 +/- 54.1 mM, 170.1 +/- 40.7 mM, 172.2 +/- 30 mM respectively. Differences in [Na(+)](R) versus [Na(+)](N) (P = 0.59) and [Na(+)](N) versus [Na(+)](N2) (P = 0.89) were not significant. For sodium IR imaging, mean [Na(+)](R), [Na(+)](N), [Na(+)](N2) were 108.9 +/- 29.8 mM, 204.6 +/- 34.7 mM, 249.9 +/- 44.6 mM respectively. Decreases in [Na(+)](R) versus [Na(+)](N) (P = 0.0.0000035) and [Na(+)](N) versus [Na(+)](N2) (P = 0.015) were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium IR imaging at 7 T can suppress the signal from free sodium within synovial fluid. This may allow improved assessment of [Na(+)] within cartilage repair and native tissue. KEY POINTS : * NaIR magnetic resonance imaging can suppress signal from sodium within synovial fluid. * NaIR MRI thus allows assessment of sodium concentration within cartilage tissue alone. * This may facilitate more accurate assessment of repair tissue composition and quality.

Most patients experience pain relief and functional improvement following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, but some continue to experience symptoms postoperatively. Patients with so-called failed rotator cuff syndrome, that is, with continued pain, weakness, and limited active range of motion following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A thorough patient history, physical examination, and imaging studies (eg, plain radiography, MRI, magnetic resonance arthrography, ultrasonography) are required for diagnosis. Management is determined based on patient age, functional demands, rotator cuff competence, and the presence or absence of glenohumeral arthritis. Treatment options include revision repair, nonanatomic repair with or without biologic or synthetic augmentation, tendon transfer, and arthroplasty.

Benign extraosseous cartilage tumours of the hand and wrist comprise soft tissue chondromas, synovial chondromatosis and tenosynovial chrondromatosis. These tumours can significantly affect patients as they are often painful, functionally limiting and cosmetically displeasing. Although each tumour is generally considered to be a distinct entity, they share radiological and histopathological similarities. Occasionally, all three tumours may be seen in the same patient. This is an important consideration because of the risk of recurrence that may not necessarily occur at the same anatomical site but instead extend to different sites, such as a tendon sheath and/or joint

Indications for the use of osteochondral allografts for orthopaedic surgical applications are increasing with improved surgical techniques and advancing experience. Modern tissue banks have developed harvesting, processing, and storage methods that ensure an adequate, safe supply of grafts. Continued research is necessary to find a technique that maximizes chondrocyte viability and metabolism both during storage and implantation. The majority of published data on the use of osteochondral allografts has focused on the management of osteochondral defects about the knee. Successful outcomes following these procedures have led to increased interest in their application to pathology affecting other joints including the shoulder and ankle. The current paper aims to review the basic science and clinical applications of osteochondral allografts.

Iliotibial band syndrome is a common overuse injury typically seen in runners, cyclists, and military recruits. Affected patients report lateral knee pain associated with repetitive motion activities. The diagnosis is usually made based on a characteristic history and physical examination, with imaging studies reserved for cases of recalcitrant disease to rule out other pathologic entities. Several etiologies have been proposed for iliotibial band syndrome, including friction of the iliotibial band against the lateral femoral epicondyle, compression of the fat and connective tissue deep to the iliotibial band, and chronic inflammation of the iliotibial band bursa. The mainstay of treatment is nonsurgical; however, in persistent or chronic cases, surgical management is indicated

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a multifactorial disease that can result in significant clinical morbidity and affects patients of any age, including young and active patients. Late sequelae of femoral head osteonecrosis include femoral head collapse and subsequent degeneration of the hip joint. A high index of suspicion and improved radiographic evaluation allow orthopedic surgeons to identify this disease at an earlier stage. Current management options for hip osteonecrosis have results that vary according to patient population and disease stage. Modifications of older techniques, as well as emerging technologies, have led to the development of management strategies that may be able to alter the course of femoral head osteonecrosis.

BACKGROUND: Full-thickness chondral defects and early osteoarthritis continue to present major challenges for the patient and the orthopaedic surgeon as a result of the limited healing potential of articular cartilage. The use of bioactive growth factors is under consideration as a potential therapy to enhance healing of chondral injuries and modify the arthritic disease process. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We reviewed the role of growth factors in articular cartilage repair and identified specific growth factors and combinations of growth factors that have the capacity to improve cartilage regeneration. Additionally, we discuss the potential use of platelet-rich plasma, autologous-conditioned serum, and bone marrow concentrate preparations as methods of combined growth factor delivery. METHODS: A PubMed search was performed using key words cartilage or chondrocyte alone and in combination with growth factor. The search was open for original manuscripts and review papers and open for all dates. From these searches we selected manuscripts investigating the effects of growth factors on extracellular matrix synthesis and excluded those investigating molecular mechanisms of action. RESULTS: By modulating the local microenvironment, the anabolic and anticatabolic effects of a variety of growth factors have demonstrated potential in both in vitro and animal studies of cartilage injury and repair. Members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, fibroblast growth factor family, insulin-like growth factor-I, and platelet-derived growth factor have all been investigated as possible treatment augments in the management of chondral injuries and early arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: The application of growth factors in the treatment of local cartilage defects as well as osteoarthritis appears promising; however, further research is needed at both the basic science and clinical levels before routine application.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a multifactorial disease that can result in significant clinical morbidity and affects patients of any age, including young and active patients. Late sequelae of femoral head osteonecrosis include femoral head collapse and subsequent degeneration of the hip joint. A high index of suspicion and improved radiographic evaluation allow orthopedic surgeons to identify this disease at an earlier stage. Current management options for hip osteonecrosis have results that vary according to patient population and disease stage. Modifications of older techniques, as well as emerging technologies, have led to the development of management strategies that may be able to alter the course of femoral head osteonecrosis.