Devin Peterson

Shoulder arthroscopy and nerve injury: Pitfalls and prevention

Shoulder arthroscopy has become a very useful diagnostic and therapeutic modality. Unfortunately, like many other invasive procedures it can have complications. One of the most worrisome complications, for both the patient and surgeon, is that of nerve injury. Nerve injury during shoulder arthroscopy is often a transient phenomenon although a more severe injury has been documented. We review much of the literature on this subject and discuss some of the many pitfalls and preventative strategies that have been reported.

The Structure and Function of the Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the anatomic structure and function of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee. METHODS The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were screened for all studies related to the ALL of the knee. Two reviewers independently reviewed all eligible articles and the references of these articles. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to all searched studies. Quality assessment was completed for the included studies. RESULTS Nineteen studies were identified for final analysis. Pooled analysis identified the ALL in 430 of 449 knees (96%) examined. The ligament was found to originate from the region of the lateral femoral epicondyle and insert on the proximal tibia midway between the Gerdy tubercle and the fibular head. The ALL was found to be 34.1 to 41.5 mm in length, 5.1 to 8.3 mm in width above the lateral meniscus, and 8.9 to 11.2 mm in width below the lateral meniscus. By use of magnetic resonance imaging, the ALL was identified in 93% of knees examined (clinical, 64 of 70; cadaveric, 16 of 16). In one case study the ligament was clearly visualized by ultrasound examination. Histologic analysis across 3 studies showed characteristics consistent with ligamentous tissue. Though not shown in biomechanical studies, it is hypothesized that the ALL provides anterolateral stability to the knee, preventing anterolateral subluxation of the proximal tibia on the femur. One study identified a network of peripheral nerves, suggesting a proprioceptive function of the ALL. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review shows the ALL to be a distinct structure with a consistent origin and insertion sites. The ALL is an extra-articular structure with a clear course from the lateral femoral epicondyle region, running anteroinferiorly, to the proximal tibia at a site midway between the Gerdy tubercle and the head of the fibula. The function of this ligament is theorized to provide anterolateral knee stability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, systematic review of cadaveric and imaging studies.

A Double-Blinded Placebo Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Short-term Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Reducing Postoperative Pain After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Pilot Study.

Background: We aimed to determine whether patients with arthroscopically repaired rotator cuff (RC) tears would have reduced pain and improved function after ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections compared with placebo injection. Hypothesis: PRP compared with placebo (saline) was more effective in reducing pain at the site of an RC injury that has undergone arthroscopic repair. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: We conducted a 2-centered, blinded, randomized controlled trial comparing the level of pain in patients undergoing arthroscopic repair. Patients were randomized to either PRP or saline (placebo). They received 2 ultrasound-guided injections of the randomized product: 1 intraoperatively and 1 at 4 weeks postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was shoulder pain demonstrated using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 6 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D); the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC); and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score (DASH), as well as adverse events and revision surgeries. Patients were assessed clinically preoperatively and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postsurgery. A prespecified interim analysis was conducted after 50% of patients were recruited and followed. Results: We recruited 25 patients when interim power analysis led to an early trial termination. Follow-up was 96%. The mean difference between groups was not statistically significant (–1.81; 95% CI, –4.3 to 1.2; P = 0.16). The EQ-5D, WORC, and DASH scores also did not show significant differences between groups at week 6 (P = 0.5, 0.99, and 0.9, respectively). There were no revision surgeries, and 4 adverse events (3 PRP, 1 saline). Conclusion: There was no statistical difference in outcome measures when augmenting arthroscopically repaired RC tears with PRP. Clinical Relevance: Identifying therapies that improve outcomes in patients with RC tears remains a challenge and deserves ongoing investigation.

Efficacy of Hip Arthroscopy for the Management of Septic Arthritis: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE This systematic review assessed the role of hip arthroscopic irrigation and debridement for eradication of infection in native joints to ascertain outcomes and complications associated with this surgical approach. METHODS The Medline, Embase, and PubMed databases were searched on July 20, 2014, for English-language studies that addressed arthroscopic treatment of native septic hip arthritis. The studies were systematically screened and data abstracted in duplicate, with qualitative findings presented. RESULTS There were 11 eligible studies (1 case-control study, 8 case series, and 2 case reports) reporting on 65 patients (65 hips) treated by arthroscopic irrigation and debridement for septic hip arthritis. The mean length of patient follow-up was 19.1 months (range, 6 to 84 months). The indications for surgery were as follows: pyrexia, anterior groin or hip pain with limited hip range of motion and an inability to bear weight, associated leukocytosis, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein level, and/or hip imaging or aspiration results consistent with infection. Specific contraindications for surgery reported across studies included tuberculous of fungal infection, coexistence of osteomyelitis, immunocompromised individuals, and pre-existing surgery on the affected hip. The initial rate of infection eradication was 100%. All studies reported significant improvements in patient pain and function. Improvements were also observed in range of motion, as well as across both the Bennett radiographic and clinical assessments and Harris Hip Score. No complications, major or minor, were reported, and only 1 of 65 hips (1.5%) required revision arthroscopy for recurrence because of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopic native hip irrigation and debridement for septic arthritis appear to comprise a safe and effective treatment option for selected patients (e.g., no deformity, no bacterial infections, and not immunocompromised). Timely diagnosis and intervention, however, remain the most critical prognostic factors for successful outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, systematic review of Level IV and V studies.

Suture Repair versus Arrow Repair for Symptomatic Meniscus Tears of the Knee: A Systematic Review

A healthy meniscus is important for normal function of the knee. Numerous studies support that the repair of a torn meniscus is important to prevent degenerative changes in the knee. The ability to repair torn menisci is based on several factors including location, tear orientation, chronicity, and concomitant ligamentous knee injuries. In this systematic review, meniscal repair technology is evaluated. Specifically, the retear rates are compared between the arrow repair and the suture repair techniques. After searching three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase) and reviewing annual meeting abstracts from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (2005 to 2010), four studies (two observational and two randomized controlled trials) were selected for this systematic review. Due to the limited study number and variability between studies (study design, sample population, outcome measures, and surgical technique), a meta-analysis was not performed. The overall quality of the literature was poor and thus conclusions are limited. No clear superiority of one technique was determined by this review.

Evidence-Based Practice to Improve Outcomes of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Recent studies of anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have considered native knee anatomy and biomechanical function, and emphasized the long-term goals of protecting knee health and preventing the development of symptomatic ACL-deficient degenerative arthrosis. Validated and reproducible examination maneuvers are necessary for accurate diagnosis and appraisal of surgical interventions. Appropriately powered expertise-based trials should be emphasized to minimize bias, enhance validity, and reduce crossover. Best practice rehabilitation protocols can guide postoperative care while minimizing heterogeneity within studies. Functional outcome scores should be sensitive, responsive, and able to reliably detect small changes.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Stress Fractures in Military Personnel A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels have been associated with stress fractures in various physically active populations such as the military. Purpose: To examine the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and stress fractures in the military. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Relevant studies were identified through searching multiple databases and manually screening reference lists. Two reviewers independently selected the included studies by applying the eligibility criteria to the title, abstract, and/or full text of the articles yielded in the search. Two reviewers also independently conducted the methodological quality assessment and data extraction. A random-effects model was used to calculate the mean difference (MD) with 95% CI in serum 25(OH)D levels between stress fracture cases and controls. Results: Nine observational studies on lower extremity stress fractures were eligible, and 1 was excluded due to inadequate data. A total of 2634 military personnel (age, 18-30 years; 44% male) with 761 cases (16% male) and 1873 controls (61% male) from 8 studies were included in the analysis. Three of the 8 studies measured serum 25(OH)D levels at the time of stress fracture diagnosis, and the 5 remaining studies measured serum 25(OH)D levels at the time of entry into basic training. The mean serum 25(OH)D level was lower in stress fracture cases than in controls at the time of entry into basic training (MD, −2.63 ng/mL; 95% CI, –5.80 to 0.54; P = .10; I2 = 65%) and at the time of stress fracture diagnosis (MD, −2.26 ng/mL; 95% CI, −3.89 to −0.63; P = .007; I2 = 42%). Conclusion: Despite the inherent limitations of the included studies, the study results suggest some association between low serum 25(OH)D levels and lower extremity stress fractures in military personnel. Given the rigorous training of military personnel, implementing strategies to ensure sufficient 25(OH)D levels may be beneficial for reducing the risk of stress fractures.

Understanding the role of the immune system in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Immunometabolic CONnections to Scoliosis (ICONS) study protocol

Introduction Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects up to 3% of children around the world. There is limited knowledge of AIS aetiopathogenesis, and this evidence is needed to develop new management strategies. Paraspinal muscle in AIS demonstrates evidence of differential fibrosis based on curve sidedness. Fibrosis is the hallmark of macrophage-driven inflammation and tissue remodelling, yet the mechanisms of fibrosis in paraspinal muscle in AIS are poorly understood. Objectives The primary objective of this study is to determine the influence of curve sidedness on paraspinal muscle inflammation. Secondary objectives include defining the mechanisms of macrophage homing to muscle, and determining muscle–macrophage crosstalk in muscle fibrosis in AIS. Methods and analysis This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary paediatric centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We will recruit boys and girls, 10–17 years of age, who are having surgery to correct AIS. We will exclude children who have an active infection or are on immunosuppressive therapies within 2 weeks of surgery, smokers and pregnant girls. Paraspinal muscle biopsies will be obtained at the start of surgery. Also, blood and urine samples will be collected from participants, who will fill questionnaires about their lifestyle. Anthropometric measures will also be collected including height, weight, waist and hip circumferences. Ethics and dissemination This study has received ethics authorisation by the institutional review board. This work will be published in peer-reviewed journals and will be presented in oral and poster formats at scientific meetings. Discussion This study will explore the mechanisms of paraspinal muscle inflammation, remodelling and fibrosis in AIS. This will help identify pathways and molecules as potential therapeutic targets to treat and prevent AIS. It may also yield markers that predict scoliosis progression and response to treatment in these children.

Management of the Contaminated Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft

PURPOSE This systematic review explores management strategies for intraoperative anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft contamination. METHODS Two databases (Medline and EMBASE) were screened for studies involving ACL graft contamination published between 1946 and April 2013. We included studies evaluating the management of a contaminated graft and excluded small case-series studies. We conducted a full-text review of eligible studies, and the references were searched for additional eligible studies. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the searched studies. RESULTS Our search yielded 6 laboratory investigations with a total of 495 graft samples used. These samples were contaminated and cleansed by various methods. The most successful sterilization protocols used chlorhexidine or mechanical agitation with a polymyxin B-bacitracin solution to achieve sterility in 100% of their respective experimental graft tissues. A chlorhexidine soak and plain bacitracin soak were also effective, at 97.5% and 97%, respectively. Povidone-iodine and an antibiotic soak of polymyxin-bacitracin were the least effective, with sterility rates of 48% and 57%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The results of this review suggest that the optimal agent for sterilizing a dropped graft is chlorhexidine. A protocol of mechanical agitation and serial dilution with a polymyxin B-bacitracin solution was also highly effective; however, the sample size was too small to realistically recommend its use. Bacitracin alone was also found to be an effective sterilization agent, as was a combined solution of neomycin and polymyxin B. Pooled results showed that normal saline solution, povidone-iodine, and a polymyxin B-bacitracin solution all yielded suboptimal sterilization. The available evidence, however, is laboratory based and may not accurately reflect clinical conditions; moreover, there is a lack of biomechanical studies evaluating sterilized grafts. As a result, the findings should be interpreted with caution. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, systematic review of basic science studies.

Indications for surgical management of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee in the pediatric population: a systematic review.

Several case series have been published exploring the surgical management of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee in pediatric patients. This systemic review was performed to identify the surgical indications for this condition. A search of the Embase and Ovid Medline databases was performed to identify clinical studies reporting outcomes of surgical management of OCD in the knee in this patient population. A quality assessment of the included articles was conducted independently by two reviewers using a quality assessment tool developed by Yang et al. A total of 25 articles met the eligibility criteria and were reviewed; 40% of studies did not clearly describe their surgical indications. The remainder of the studies had a failure of nonoperative management with or without the concomitant use of imaging as their indication for surgery, or used lesion stability itself as the indication for surgery. This review outlines several surgical indications presented in the literature for the treatment of OCD lesions of the knee in the pediatric population. The most common indication for surgery was a failure of a trial of nonoperative treatment with or without the concomitant use of serial imaging. Although the quality of the case series was high, inconsistencies in reporting radiographic and arthroscopic classification of the OCD lesion were common.