Dharmesh Vyas

What does it take to have a high-grade pivot shift?

AbstractThe pivot shift is the most specific clinical test to assess pathological knee joint rotatory laxity following ACL injury. This article attempts to describe the anatomic structures responsible for creating a high-grade pivot shift and their potential role in customizing ACL reconstruction. A review of the literature demonstrates that disruption of the secondary stabilizers of anterior translation of the lateral compartment including the lateral meniscus, anterolateral capsule, and IT band contributes to a high-grade pivot shift in the ACL-deficient knee. The morphology of the lateral tibial plateau, including increased posteroinferior tibial slope and small size, can also contribute to high-grade pivot shift. Factors that may decrease the grade of the pivot shift include medial compartment injury, MCL injury, patient guarding, and osteoarthritis. In conclusion, a high-grade pivot shift in the ACL-deficient knee is often associated with incompetence of the lateral soft tissue envelope. Rotatory laxity as assessed by the pivot shift may also be falsely underestimated by concomitant injuries. Level of evidence IV.

Functional Results and Outcomes After Repair of Proximal Hamstring Avulsions

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess postsurgical outcomes in active patients after primary repair of acute and chronic proximal hamstring tears. Hypothesis: Surgical treatment of both acute and chronic proximal hamstring avulsion injuries would result in improved patient outcomes using validated outcome scores and a hamstring-specific questionnaire, and operative repair of these injuries results in excellent outcomes with a high level of patient satisfaction, pain relief, and return to function. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Fifty-two patients who underwent proximal hamstring repair (26 male and 26 female; average age, 47.7 years) completed the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), a custom LEFS, the Marx Activity Scale, a custom Marx scale, a proximal hamstring score (which combines the sum of the custom LEFS and Marx), and a proximal hamstring questionnaire with subjective questions. Forty patients were characterized as having acute repairs, and 12 patients had chronic repairs. All patients underwent surgical repair with 5 suture anchors on the ischial tuberosity through a transverse incision. The rehabilitation protocol was also similar with the use of a hip orthosis for 6 to 8 weeks, allowing progressive weightbearing and range of motion. Results: The mean follow-up in our study was 33 months (range, 12-76 months). The mechanism of injury in 28 patients was eccentric hip flexion and knee extension in the ipsilateral knee typically caused by a slip and fall accident. One patient’s injury was caused by trauma to the proximal hamstring. In 23 patients, hamstring injuries were sports related. Overall, 51 (98%) were satisfied with their outcome after surgery. The LEFS, Marx, custom LEFS, custom Marx, and proximal hamstring scores for patients with acute injuries were 76.2, 10.0, 71.4, 20, and 91.7, respectively. For those with chronic injury, the scores were 71.5, 10.4, 70.8, 18.7, and 89.8, respectively. The scores were not statistically different for LEFS, Marx, custom LEFS, and proximal hamstring scores (P = .22, P = .6, P = .72, and P = .6, respectively). Patients with acute injury did have a greater custom Marx score (P = .001). Postoperatively, 5 patients (9.6%) had burning pain or numbness in the posterior thigh or foot, and 25 (48%) had at least some discomfort sitting. Thirty-five patients (67%) reported they could participate in strenuous activities at their latest follow-up. All patients estimated their strength recovery at ≥75%. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate successful outcomes for both acute and chronic repairs, although patients with the acute repairs had higher functional and hamstring scores, and estimated hamstring strength.

Meniscus Root Repair

Root tears are a subset of meniscal injuries that result in significant knee joint pathology. Occurring on either the medial or lateral side, root tears are defined as radial tears or avulsions of the posterior horn attachment to bone. After a root tear, there is a significant increase in tibio-femoral contact pressure concomitant with altered knee joint kinematics. Previous cadaver studies from our institution have shown that root repair of the medial meniscus is successful in restoring joint biomechanics to within normal limits. Indications for operative management of meniscal root tears include (1) a symptomatic medial meniscus root tear with minimal arthritis and having failed non-operative treatment, and (2) a lateral root tear in associated with an ACL tear. In this review, we describe diagnosis, imaging, patient selection, and arthroscopic surgical technique of medial and lateral meniscus root injuries. In addition we highlight the pearls of repair technique, associated complications, post-operative rehabilitation regimen, and expected outcomes.

MRI evaluation and complications of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is a relatively new surgical technique for the treatment of recurrent patellar instability and dislocation. Radiologic findings following MPFL reconstruction are not well described in the existing literature. Here, we review the anatomy and biomechanics of the MPFL, review imaging findings following double-bundle MPFL reconstruction, and show examples of complications arising from reconstruction.

Allograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important stabilizer of the knee against translational and rotational forces. The goal of anatomic reconstruction of the ACL-deficient knee is to re-create a stable knee that will allow for return to sport and prevent recurrent injury. Multiple graft options exist for ACL reconstruction, and each option has unique advantages and disadvantages. With appropriate patient selection, each graft can be utilized to optimize patient outcomes. Allograft options limit morbidity following ACL reconstruction, but care must be taken with surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation to allow for graft incorporation. An understanding of the surgical technique and differences between graft options will allow the patient, surgeon, and physical therapist to maximize outcomes following ACL reconstruction.

Pain Management After Hip Arthroscopy: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Cohort Studies:

Background: Hip arthroscopy is often associated with significant postoperative pain and opioid-associated side effects. Effective pain management after hip arthroscopy improves patient recovery and satisfaction and decreases opioid-related complications. Purpose: To collect, examine, and provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence from randomized controlled trials and comparative studies on pain control after hip arthroscopy. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, a systematic review of the literature for postoperative pain control after hip arthroscopy was performed using electronic databases. Only comparative clinical studies with level 1 to 3 evidence comparing a method of postoperative pain control with other modalities or placebo were included in this review. Case series and studies without a comparative cohort were excluded. Results: Several methods of pain management have been described for hip arthroscopy. A total of 14 studies met our inclusion criteria: 3 on femoral nerve block, 3 on lumbar plexus block, 3 on fascia iliaca block, 4 on intra-articular injections, 2 on soft tissue surrounding surgical site injection, and 2 on celecoxib (4 studies compared 2 or more methods of analgesia). The heterogeneity of the studies did not allow for pooling of data. Single-injection femoral nerve blocks and lumbar plexus blocks provided improved analgesia, but increased fall rates were observed. Fascia iliaca blocks do not provide adequate pain relief when compared with surgical site infiltration with local anesthetic and are associated with increased risk of cutaneous nerve deficits. Patients receiving lumbar plexus block experienced significantly decreased pain compared with fascia iliaca block. Portal site and periacetabular injections provide superior analgesia compared with intra-articular injections alone. Preoperative oral celecoxib, compared with placebo, resulted in earlier time to discharge and provided significant pain relief up to 24 hours. Conclusion: Perioperative nerve blocks provide effective pain management after hip arthroscopy but must be used with caution to decrease risk of falls. Intra-articular and portal site injections with local anesthetics and preoperative celecoxib can decrease opioid consumption. There is a lack of high-quality evidence on this topic, and further research is needed to determine the best approach to manage postoperative pain and optimize patient satisfaction.

Effect of patient age on accuracy of primary MRI signs of long head of biceps tearing and instability in the shoulder: an MRI-arthroscopy correlation study

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of patient age on the accuracy of primary MRI signs of long head of biceps (LHB) tendon tearing and instability in the shoulder using arthroscopy as a reference standard.Materials and methodsSubjects with MRI studies and subsequent arthroscopy documenting LHB tendon pathology were identified and organized into three age groups (18–40, 41–60, 61–87). Normal and tendinopathic tendons were labeled grade 0, partial tears grade 1 and full tears grade 2. Two radiologists blinded to arthroscopic data graded MRI studies independently. Prevalence of disease, MRI accuracy for outcomes of interest, and inter-reader agreement were calculated.ResultsEighty-nine subjects fulfilled inclusion criteria with 36 grade 0, 36 grade 1 and 17 grade 2 tendons found at arthroscopy. MRI sensitivity, regardless of age, ranged between 67–86% for grade 0, 72–94% for grade 1 and 82–94% for grade 2 tendons. Specificity ranged between 83–96% for grade 0, 75–85% for grade 1 and 99–100% for grade 2 tendons. MRI accuracy for detection of each LHB category was calculated for each age group. MRI was found to be least sensitive for grade 0 and 1 LHB tendons in the middle-aged group with sensitivity between 55–85% for grade 0 and 53–88% for grade 1 tendons. Agreement between MRI readers was moderate with an unweighted kappa statistic of 62%.ConclusionMRI accuracy was moderate to excellent and agreement between MRI readers was moderate. MRI appears to be less accurate in characterizing lower grades of LHB tendon disease in middle-aged subjects.

Unicompartmental arthritis in the aging athlete: osteotomy and beyond

The vitality of the aging athlete is largely dependent on continued mobility and pain-free motion. The early onset of osteoarthritis often has devastating consequences for these athletes and if left untreated, mobility declines and eventually prevents sporting activities all together. Recent advances in operative treatment for unicompartmental arthritis of the knee aim to delay the need for total joint arthroplasty by preserving or restoring the form and function of the knee to allow for continued sport participation. This review focuses on the recent literature of several surgical treatment options for unicompartmental disease including cartilage procedures, osteotomy, and unicompartmental arthroplasty.

Acute Response of the Infraspinatus and Biceps Tendons to Pitching in Youth Baseball

Purpose Youth baseball frequently results in repetitive strain injuries. Quantitative ultrasound allows real-time imaging with the ability to identify acute markers of tendon change. The study objective was to determine acute quantitative ultrasound changes in the long head of the biceps and infraspinatus tendons of the throwing and nonthrowing shoulders during a pitching performance. We hypothesized the tendons of the pitching arm would exhibit an increased width and decreased echogenicity after pitching and that tendons of the nonpitching arm would not demonstrate such changes. Methods Fifty youth baseball players, ages 9–14 yr, engaged in a simulated pitching performance that consisted of 50 pitches. Subjects underwent serial quantitative ultrasound imaging of the infraspinatus and the long head of the biceps before pitching and after 25 and 50 pitches were thrown. Results Testing of the change in tendon width revealed the infraspinatus (0.21 mm) and long head of the biceps tendons (0.18 mm) in the throwing shoulder had statistically significant increases (P = 0.03) in tendon width as an acute response to throwing 50 pitches, without such changes in the nonthrowing shoulder (P > 0.05). No tendon width change was found at 25 pitches in either arm or tendon (P > 0.05). No associated changes in echogenicity were found at any time point (P > 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study suggest that pitching acutely increases tendon width in two biomechanically important tendons of the shoulder as early as the 50 pitch mark. This change could be a normal physiological response or a potential warning sign of future pathology and requires further study.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear: Surgical Reconstruction Versus Nonsurgical Management

S.K. is a 23-year-old club basketball player who injured her knee from a noncontact injury while playing basketball. Immediately after the injury, she had profound swelling and difficulty weight-bearing, particularly with twisting motions. She initially reported to her primary care physician, who recommended ice, compression, and elevation. The swelling improved, but, because the symptoms persisted, the primary care physician ordered a magnetic resonance image of the knee. The knee imaging demonstrated an isolated complete tear of both bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament, with some intrasubstance degeneration of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, without any concomitant injury to the lateral menisci or other ligaments, and no other injuries were noted except for a “kissing contusion” laterally of the posterior tibial plateau and anterior femoral condyle, without any associated fracture. On her examination 2 weeks after the injury, she still has a mild effusion, with some decreased range on flexion secondary to pain. She is able to weight-bear with an antalgic gait. She does not have any distal neurovascular injury. Her Lachman test reveals 10 mm of displacement with a soft end point, and her pivot shift test was difficult to perform secondary to guarding. The remainder of her knee examination was normal. She initially was prescribed physical therapy, icing, and use of a Lenox Hill brace while weight-bearing. When she returned 4 weeks later, she was able to walk with a nonantalgic gait, was able to shoot free throws without pain, and her effusion had subsided. The patient has asked for your opinion on whether her injury is best managed surgically, with a goal of returning to her regular weekly basketball game and with a goal of competing into her 50s and 60s. How do you advise her? Arguing for the position that this patient should have anterior cruciate ligament surgery is Dharmesh Vyas, MD, PhD. Arguing for the position that the patient is best managed nonoperatively are Barbara Semakula, MD, and Lauren E. Elson, MD. Guest Discussants: