Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Force plate-based jump testing may serve as a potential alternative to traditional return to sport (RTS) testing batteries. The purpose of our study was to identify force plate jump metrics that were predictive of RTS test findings in patients who were at least six months postoperative following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients who underwent ACLR at our center and were at least six months postoperative. Subjects completed a multimodal Institutional RTS (IRTS) testing battery which included range of motion (ROM) testing and isokinetic quadriceps strength testing. Subjects also completed a countermovement jump testing protocol on a commercially-available force plate. Jump metrics predictive of IRTS test findings were identified using multivariable linear and logistic regression with stepwise selection. Model significance was assessed at α=0.002. RESULTS:Sixteen patients (7M, 9F) were enrolled in our study with median age of 29 years (range 20-47). Relative concentric impulse was positively predictive of knee flexion active ROM (β=7.07, P=0.01) and passive ROM (β=9.79, P=0.003). Maximum power was positively predictive of quadriceps strength at 60 deg/s (β=3.27, P<0.001) and 180 deg/s (β=2.46, P<0.001). Center-of-pressure (COP) shift acceleration along the force plate X-axis was negatively predictive of Bunkie lateral test score (β=-945, P<0.001) and medial test score (β=-839, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS:Force plate-derived vertical jump testing metrics are predictive of certain components of a multimodal RTS physical assessment for ACLR patients, including knee flexion ROM, quadriceps strength on isokinetic testing, and Bunkie Test performance.

Chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee are a commonly occurring pathology that can pose challenges to the treating surgeon. For the appropriate cartilage injury, autologous cell-based articular cartilage repair techniques have shown promising results. However, these treatments traditionally require 2 separate surgical procedures. Recent advances in needle arthroscopy technology have made it possible to conduct the first stage of autologous chondrocyte implantation surgery in the wide-awake office setting, mitigating cost and resource utilization. The purpose of this technical note is to serve as a proof of concept and describe the process of obtaining a cartilage sample in the wide-awake patient using a needle arthroscope.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of fear of reinjury on return to sport (RTS), return to work (RTW), and clinical outcomes following autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). DESIGN/METHODS:A retrospective review of patients who underwent ACI with a minimum of 2 years in clinical follow-up was conducted. Patient-reported outcomes collected included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing was assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), respectively. Patients were surveyed on their RTS and RTW status. RESULTS:= 0.003). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Fear of reinjury decreases the likelihood that patients will return to sport after ACI. Patients that do not return to sport report significantly greater levels of fear of reinjury and pain catastrophizing and lower clinical knee outcomes. Nearly all patients were able to return to work after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:IV case series.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Lateral patellar instability is a debilitating condition not only to athletes, but also to a wide range of highly active individuals. Many of these patients experience symptoms bilaterally, though it is unknown how these patients fair with return to sports following a second medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of return to sport following bilateral MPFLR compared to a unilateral comparison group. METHODS:Patients who underwent primary MPFLR with minimum 2-year follow-up were identified from 2014 to 2020 at an academic center. Those who underwent primary MPFLR of bilateral knees were identified. Pre-injury sport participation and Tegner score, Kujala score, Visual Analog Score (VAS) for pain, satisfaction, and MPFL-Return to Sport after Injury (MPFL-RSI) scale were collected. Bilateral and unilateral MPFLRs were matched in a 1:2 ratio based on age, sex, body mass index, and concomitant tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO). A sub-analysis was performed regarding concomitant TTO. RESULTS:The final cohort consisted of 63 patients, including 21 patients who underwent bilateral MPFLR, matched to 42 unilateral patients at mean follow-up of 47 ± 27 months. Patients who underwent bilateral MPFLR returned to sport at a rate of 62% at a mean of 6.0 ± 2.3 months, compared to a unilateral rate of 72% at 8.1 ± 4.2 months (n.s.). The rate of return to pre-injury level was 43% among bilateral patients and 38% in the unilateral cohort. There were no significant differences in VAS pain, Kujala, current Tegner, satisfaction, and MPFL-RSI scores between cohorts. Approximately half of those (47%) who failed to return to sport cited psychological factors and had significantly lower MPFL-RSI scores (36.6 vs 74.2, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Patients who underwent bilateral MPFLR returned to sports at a similar rate and level compared to a unilateral comparison group. MPFL-RSI was found to be significantly associated with return to sport. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:III.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether pain, function, satisfaction, return to play (RTP), or psychological readiness to RTP differ between sexes post-operatively following SLAP repair. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:A retrospective review of patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of a SLAP tear was performed. The American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), patient satisfaction, willingness to undergo surgery again, revisions, and return to play (RTP) were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were compared between male and female patients. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:> 0.05). CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:There is no difference in clinical outcomes, function, satisfaction, or revision procedures in mid- to long-term follow-up after SLAP repair between male and female patients. This data is useful in the preoperative counselling of patients undergoing arthroscopic management of symptomatic superior labral pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/UNASSIGNED:III.

PURPOSE/UNASSIGNED:To evaluate the effects of socioeconomic factors on the operative treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries and outcomes following surgical reconstruction. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:A retrospective cohort study of primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgeries at a single institution performed from 2011 to 2015 with minimum 2-year follow-up was conducted. Patient demographics, insurance type, workers' compensation status, surgical variables, International Knee Documentation Committee score, and failure were recorded from chart review. Education level and income were obtained via phone interview. Differences between functional outcome were compared between Medicaid and non-Medicaid groups. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED: = .036). CONCLUSIONS/UNASSIGNED:Patients with Medicaid insurance were seen in the clinic significantly later after initial injury and had worse outcomes compared with patients with other insurance types. Also, patients in higher annual income brackets had significantly better clinical outcomes scores at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/UNASSIGNED:Level III, retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:The purpose of this study was to compare opioid analgesic use and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) between patients with and without cannabis use disorder (CUD). HYPOTHESIS/UNASSIGNED:We hypothesized that patients with CUD would have greater postoperative opioid usage with comparable improvement in PROs. STUDY DESIGN/UNASSIGNED:Retrospective matched-cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/UNASSIGNED:Level 3. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:= 0.94). CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:There were no significant differences detected in opioid usage or PRO improvement after ACLR between patients with CUD and those without. However, because a sample size was not determined a priori, a larger sample may show a difference. CLINICAL RELEVANCE/UNASSIGNED:CUD does not appear to correlate with inferior outcomes after ACLR.

BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study was to identify socioeconomic predictors of time to initial evaluation, time to surgery, and postoperative outcomes among lateral patellar instability patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR). METHODS:We conducted a retrospective review of patients at our institution who underwent primary MPFLR with allograft from 2011 to 2019 and had minimum 12-month follow-up. Patients were administered an email survey in January 2022 to assess symptom history, socioeconomic status, and postoperative outcomes including VAS satisfaction and Kujala score. Predictors of time to initial evaluation, time to surgery, and postoperative outcomes were identified using multivariable linear and logistic regression with stepwise selection. RESULTS:Seventy patients were included in the cohort (mean age 24.8 years, 72.9% female, mean follow-up time 45.7 months). Mean time to evaluation was 6.4 months (range 0-221) and mean time to surgery was 73.6 months (range 0-444). Having a general health check-up in the year prior to surgery was predictive of shorter time to initial evaluation (β = - 100.5 [- 174.5, - 26.5], p = 0.008). Home ownership was predictive of shorter time to surgery (β = - 56.5 [- 104.7, 8.3], p = 0.02). Full-time employment was predictive of higher VAS satisfaction (β = 14.1 [4.3, 23.9], p = 0.006) and higher Kujala score (β = 8.7 [0.9, 16.5], p = 0.03). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Markers of higher socioeconomic status including having a general check-up in the year prior to surgery, home ownership, and full-time employment were predictive of shorter time to initial evaluation, shorter time to surgery, and superior postoperative outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS: IV, retrospective case series.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The indications for surgical treatment of proximal hamstring ruptures are continuing to be refined. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between patients who underwent operative or nonoperative management of proximal hamstring ruptures. METHODS:A retrospective review of the electronic medical record identified all patients who were treated for a proximal hamstring rupture at our institution from 2013 to 2020. Patients were stratified into two groups, nonoperative or operative management, which were matched in a 2:1 ratio based on demographics (age, gender, and body mass index), chronicity of the injury, tendon retraction, and number of tendons torn. All patients completed a series of PROs including the Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool (PHAT), Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), and the Tegner Activity Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using multi-variable linear regression and Mann-Whitney testing to compare nonparametric groups. RESULTS:Fifty-four patients (mean age = 49.6 ± 12.9 years; median: 49.1; range: 19-73) with proximal hamstring ruptures treated nonoperatively were successfully matched 2:1 to 27 patients who had underwent primary surgical repair. There were no differences in PROs between the nonoperative and operative cohorts (n.s.). Chronicity of the injury and older age correlated with significantly worse PROs across the entire cohort (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:In this cohort of primarily middle-aged patients with proximal hamstring ruptures with less than three centimeters of tendon retraction, there was no difference in patient-reported outcome scores between matched cohorts of operatively and nonoperatively managed injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level III.