George F. Lebus

Predictors for Surgery in Shoulder Instability: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using the FEDS System

Background: Shoulder instability is a common cause of pain and dysfunction in young, active patients. While studies have analyzed risk factors for recurrent instability and failure after instability surgery, few have examined which variables are associated with initial surgery in this patient population. Purpose: To identify variables that may be associated with surgical intervention in patients with shoulder instability in the context of the FEDS (frequency, etiology, direction, severity) classification, a system that may be useful in the surgical treatment of shoulder instability patients. Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A database of patients treated for shoulder instability from 3 separate institutions from 2005 to 2010 was generated using International Classification of Diseases–9th Revision data. Data were collected via retrospective review. Injury data were categorized according to the FEDS system. Data were analyzed for significance, with the primary outcome of surgical intervention. Summary statistics were used to assess which variables were associated with eventual surgery. To test the unadjusted bivariate associations between shoulder surgery and each data point, Pearson chi-square tests were used for categorical variables and Wilcoxon tests were used for continuous variables. Results: Over the study time period, 377 patients were treated for shoulder instability. Patients who had surgery were more likely younger, had recurrent instability, and had their initial injury while playing a sport. Most patients had anterior instability; however, there was a greater proportion of posterior instability patients in the operative group. Severity of dislocation, measured by whether the patient required help to relocate the shoulder, was not significantly associated with eventual surgery. While imaging was not available for all patients, surgical patients were more likely to have magnetic resonance imaging findings of anterior labral injury and less likely to have a supraspinatus or subscapularis tear. Conclusion: Patients who underwent surgery for shoulder instability were younger, more likely to have experienced recurrent instability, and more likely to have sustained their original injury while playing sports. The FEDS classification, particularly the frequency and etiology of the patient’s shoulder instability, may be helpful in identifying patients with a higher likelihood of undergoing surgical treatment.

The Latarjet Procedure at the National Football League Scouting Combine: An Imaging and Performance Analysis

Background: The Latarjet procedure is commonly performed in the setting of glenoid bone loss for treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder instability; however, little is known regarding the outcomes of this procedure in elite American football players. Purpose: (1) Determine the prevalence, clinical features, and imaging findings of elite college football athletes who present to the National Football League (NFL) Combine with a previous Latarjet procedure and (2) describe these athletes’ performance in the NFL in terms of draft status and initial playing time. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: After review of all football players who participated in the NFL Combine from 2009 to 2016, any player with a previous Latarjet procedure was included in this study. Medical records, position on the field, and draft position were recorded for each player. In addition, imaging studies were reviewed to determine fixation type, hardware complications, and status of the bone block. For those players who were ultimately drafted, performance was assessed based on games played and started, total snaps, and percentage of eligible snaps in which the player participated during his rookie season. Results: Overall, 13 of 2617 (<1%) players at the combine were identified with a previous Latarjet procedure. Radiographically, 8 of 13 (61%) showed 2-screw fixation, while 5 of 13 (39%) had 1 screw. Of the 13 players, 6 (46%) players demonstrated hardware complications. All players had evidence of degenerative changes on plain radiographs, with 10 (77%) graded as mild, 1 (8%) as moderate, and 2 (15%) as severe according to the Samilson Prieto classification. Six of the 13 (46%) players went undrafted, while the remaining 7 (54%) were drafted; however, no player participated in more than half of the plays for which he was eligible during his rookie season. Conclusion: Only a small percentage of players at the NFL Combine (<1%) had undergone a Latarjet procedure. High rates of postoperative complications and radiographically confirmed degenerative change were observed. Athletes who had undergone a Latarjet procedure demonstrated a variable amount of playing time, but none participated in more than half of their eligible plays during their rookie season.

Anterior Capsular Reconstruction for Irreparable Subscapularis Tears

Chronic anterior shoulder instability due to structural failure of the subscapularis muscle and the anterior capsule is a rare and challenging diagnosis for surgeons to manage because poor-quality capsular, labral, and rotator cuff tissue often limits effective treatment options. If primary repair is not possible because of retraction and poor tissue quality, reconstruction with an allograft or autograft may be the only joint-preserving option. The purpose of this article is to describe a surgical technique for anterior capsular reconstruction using a human acellular dermal allograft for the treatment of irreparable subscapularis tears.

Open Repair of Quadriceps Tendon With Suture Anchors and Semitendinosus Tendon Allograft Augmentation

Quadriceps tendinopathy in an increasingly recognized diagnosis can lead to quadriceps tendon rupture, especially in the older population. It can be caused by repeated micro trauma or also predisposed by systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and connective tissue disorders that can in turn lead to extensor mechanism deficits. Although a trial of conservative treatment is advocated, operative treatment should be performed in cases of persistent pain, extension deficit, or complete rupture of the tendon. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe in detail a procedure for open repair of a quadriceps tendon, with significant degeneration due to quadriceps tendinopathy, using suture anchors and semitendinosus tendon allograft augmentation.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation for Hip Arthroscopy

Biological augmentation and therapeutics are being increasingly used in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic care. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is produced from centrifugation of peripheral blood, a process that concentrates platelets within autologous plasma. The process of PRP preparation is fundamental in controlling the contents, and it influences its therapeutic potential. Platelets contain alpha granules that store and release a variety of growth factors and other proteins that may augment the healing environment; PRP also has the added benefit of promoting postsurgical hemostasis. The purpose of this report was to detail our institutional preparation protocol and method of administration of PRP during hip arthroscopy.

Iatrogenic Trochlear Chondral Defects After Anterolateral Placement of Retrograde Femoral Nails.

Femoral shaft fractures are common injuries with an incidence of 37.1 per 100,000 person-years in the United States. Retrograde femoral nailing is an increasingly used treatment strategy to manage these injuries, particularly in fractures below stemmed hip prostheses, in supracondylar or distal femur fractures, in fractures in pregnant or obese patients, and when concomitant ipsilateral acetabular/pelvic ring fractures are present. Retrograde fixation has been shown to be a viable option with union rates comparable to antegrade intramedullary nailing. Despite having excellent results in the treatment of femoral fractures, retrograde femoral nails have been associated with iatrogenic patellofemoral chondral damage that may occur because of malpositioning of the intramedullary nail at the entry point. The objective of this case report is to describe 2 patients who suffered iatrogenic trochlear chondral defects after retrograde femoral nailing and subsequently underwent osteoarticular allograft transplantation surgery.

Meniscectomy and Resultant Articular Cartilage Lesions of the Knee Among Prospective National Football League Players: An Imaging and Performance Analysis:

Background: The effect of prior meniscectomy and the resulting reduction in meniscal tissue on a potential National Football League (NFL) player’s articular cartilage status and performance remain poorly elucidated. Purpose/Hypothesis: (1) To determine the epidemiology, imaging characteristics, and associated articular cartilage pathology of the knee among players with a previous meniscectomy who were participating in the NFL Combine and (2) to evaluate the effect of these injuries on performance as compared with matched controls. The hypothesis was that players with less meniscal tissue would have worse cartilage status and inferior performance metrics in their first 2 NFL seasons. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All athletes with a history of a meniscectomy and magnetic resonance imaging scan of the knee who participated in the NFL Combine (2009-2015) were identified. Medical records and imaging were analyzed, and surgical history, games missed in college, position played, and draft position were documented. The conditions of the meniscus and cartilage were graded with modified ISAKOS scores (International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine) and ICRS scores (International Cartilage Repair Society), respectively. Players with a previous meniscectomy of at least 10% of total medial or lateral meniscal volume excised (ISAKOS meniscus grade ≤8) and matched controls without a significant pre-Combine injury were similarly evaluated and compared by position of play through analysis of draft position, number of games played and started, and how many eligible plays they participated in (snap percentage) within the first 2 NFL seasons. Results: Of the 2285 players who participated in the NFL Combine (2009-2015), 287 players (322 knees) had a prior meniscectomy (206 lateral, 81 medial). Among these players, 247 (85%) had a total of 249 chondral lesions, most commonly on the lateral femoral condyle (111 lesions, 45%). There was a significant inverse correlation found between the ISAKOS medial and lateral meniscus grade and the corresponding compartment chondral lesion grade (P = .001). A poorer meniscus score was also associated with worse chondral pathology, especially in the lateral compartment. After controlling for position of play, the injury-free control group had a significantly greater number of total games played and games started and higher snap percentage versus those with a prior meniscectomy of at least 10% volume (ISAKOS meniscus grade ≤8). Players with severe chondral lesions (ICRS grade 4) in the medial and lateral compartments had significantly worse performance metrics when compared with matched controls. Conclusion: Previous meniscectomy of at least 10% of total medial or lateral meniscus volume in prospective NFL players was significantly correlated with larger and more severe chondral lesions. Chondral and meniscal defects of the knee were found to result in a significant decrease in objective performance measures during a player’s initial NFL career versus matched controls. Given these findings, players with a prior meniscectomy with evidence of chondral damage should be evaluated carefully for their overall functional levels; however, additional work is needed to fully clarify the effect of prior knee meniscal surgery on overall NFL performance.

Acetabular Labral Reconstruction: Development of a Tool to Predict Outcomes:

Background: Acetabular labral reconstruction has demonstrated good results for labral lesions not amenable to labral repair. Purpose: To determine the predictors of outcomes at a minimum 2 years after labral reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients included in the study underwent labral reconstruction with a minimum 2-year follow-up. The primary outcome variable was the Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL). Secondary outcome measures included the 12-item Short Form Health Survey physical component summary (SF-12 PCS) and patient satisfaction with surgical outcomes. Preoperative and intraoperative variables assessed included demographics, prior surgery, chronicity of symptoms, radiographic measurements, preoperative outcome scores, and findings at arthroscopic surgery. Predictors were assessed using logistic regression with restricted cubic splines. Bivariate statistics assessed risk factors for reoperation including revision arthroscopic surgery and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Results: Three hundred seventeen of 368 labral reconstructions were available for follow-up (86.1%). Of these, 42 were converted to THA (13.2%) and 35 required revision arthroscopic surgery after labral reconstruction (11.0%). Factors associated with THA included older age, ≥2 previous surgeries, ≤2 mm of joint space, and lateral center edge angle (LCEA) <25°. Factors associated with revision included female sex, ≥2 previous surgeries, and LCEA <25°. Six patients refused to participate (1.9%), leaving 234 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years (mean, 3.7 years [range, 2.0-11.3 years]). These patients had significant improvement in HOS-ADL (71 to 90; P < .001), HOS-Sport (47 to 75; P < .001), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (27 to 9; P < .001), modified Harris Hip Score (65 to 85; P < .001), and SF-12 PCS scores (41.6 to 53.1; P < .001). Median postoperative satisfaction was 9. Predictors of improvement for the HOS-ADL included higher preoperative HOS-ADL scores (P < .001), joint space >2 mm (P = .004), and no prior surgery (P = .039). Predictors of improvement for the SF-12 PCS included higher preoperative SF-12 PCS scores (P < .001), subacute chronicity (3 months to 1 year) of symptoms (P = .013), and joint space >2 mm (P = .046). Joint space >2 mm (P < .001) and higher preoperative SF-12 scores (PCS: P = .034; mental component summary: P = .039) predicted higher satisfaction. Conclusion: At a minimum 2 years’ follow-up, patients who did not undergo conversion to THA (13.2%) or require revision (11.0%), reported significant improvement in outcome scores and high satisfaction with outcomes. Predictors of revision or THA included ≥2 previous surgeries, low LCEA, female sex for revision, and narrowed joint space for THA. Higher preoperative outcome scores were the most significant predictors of improvement after labral reconstruction. Lower preoperative scores, joint space narrowing, and history of surgery were predictive of an inferior result and decreased postoperative satisfaction.

Snapping Scapula Syndrome

Snapping scapula syndrome (SSS) is a rare diagnosis but one that can cause severe morbidity. A typical presentation is that of chronic periscapular pain with or without mechanical crepitus. Most commonly, young, active patients who perform repetitive overhead activities are affected. Causes of SSS include chronic overuse, predisposing scapular or thoracic anatomical variants, muscle abnormalities, and bony or soft tissue masses. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been shown to be the most useful techniques to diagnose this pathology and guide management. Nonoperative management consists of scapular stabilization, postural exercises, and injections and is considered to be first-line treatment for patients with symptoms of this disorder. If these measures fail, open or endoscopic surgery is indicated. The threshold for surgical intervention may be lower for patients with a primary anatomic variant as a contributor for their symptoms. Irrespective of whether surgery is open or endoscopic, a comprehensive knowledge of the neuroanatomic structures surrounding the scapula is crucial to avoid iatrogenic injury. Postoperative outcomes in the literature thus far have been promising both for operative and nonoperative management approaches; however, these reports are limited by the low prevalence of the condition and resulting small patient cohorts. Higher levels of evidence are necessary to determine the best treatment strategies definitively.

Operative Treatment of Symptomatic Meso-Type Os Acromiale

Os acromiale occur frequently in the population and can be a cause of significant shoulder dysfunction and rotator cuff impingement. When symptomatic os acromiale fail conservative management, surgical intervention may become necessary. The purpose of this article is to describe our preferred surgical technique for osteosynthesis of os acromiale using cannulated screws and tension-band wiring.