Jonathan D. Hodax

National Football League Skilled and Unskilled Positions Vary in Opportunity and Yield in Return to Play After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries pose a significant risk to the careers of players in the National Football League (NFL). The relationships between draft round and position on return to play (RTP) among NFL players are not well understood, and the ability to return to preinjury performance levels remains unknown for most positions. Purpose: To test for differences in RTP rates and changes in performance after an ACL injury by position and draft round. We hypothesized that skilled positions would return at a lower rate compared to unskilled positions. We further hypothesized that early draft-round status would relate to a greater rate of RTP and that skilled positions and a lower draft round would correlate with decreased performance for players who return to sport. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Utilizing a previously established database of publicly available information regarding ACL tears among NFL players, athletes with ACL tears occurring between the 2010 and 2013 seasons were identified. Generalized linear models and Kaplan-Meier time-to-event models were used to test the study hypotheses. Results: The overall RTP rate was 61.7%, with skilled players and unskilled players returning at rates of 64.1% and 60.4%, respectively (P = .74). Early draft-round players and unskilled late draft-round players had greater rates of RTP compared to skilled late draft-round players and both unskilled and skilled undrafted free agents (UDFAs). Skilled early draft-round players constituted the only cohort that played significantly fewer games after an injury. Unskilled UDFAs constituted the only cohort to show a significant increase in the number of games started and ratio of games started to games played, starting more games in which they played, after an injury. Conclusion: Early draft-round and unskilled players were more likely to return compared to their later draft-round and skilled peers. Skilled early draft-round players, who displayed relatively high rates of RTP, constituted the only cohort to show a decline in performance. Unskilled UDFAs, who exhibited relatively low rates of RTP, constituted the only cohort to show an increase in performance. The significant effect of draft round and position type on RTP may be caused by a combination of differences in talent levels and in opportunities given to returning to play.

Readability of Online Sources Regarding Meniscal Tears

Abstract Meniscal injuries are extremely common, with an incidence of 8.3 per 1,000 person/years in young, active individuals. Patients often turn to the internet to glean information about their injuries, and even to guide decision making about treatment. Much research has been done demonstrating that a reading level of eighth grade or lower is appropriate for accurately communicating written information to patients, yet medical practitioners often fail to meet this requirement. To better examine the information patients receive about meniscal injuries, we set out to evaluate the reading level and content of three commonly used search terms on the three search engines with the largest market share. The authors examined the keywords “meniscus tear,” “meniscus tear treatment,” and “knee pain meniscus” on the three highest market share search engines. The top 10 results from each search were included, and redundancies identified. Unique Web sites were evaluated for source, word count, reading level, and content including advertisements, diagrams, photographs, nonoperative and operative options, and accurate medical information. A total of 23 unique Web sites were identified in our search, including 13 public education sources, 6 academic institutions, and 4 private physicians/groups. Average grade levels of articles ranged from 9.4 to 14.2 (mean, 11.14; standard deviation [SD] 1.46), and Flesch‐Kincaid reading ease scores ranged from 23.9 to 68.7 (mean, 55.31; SD, 10.11). Pages from public sources required the highest level of readability (11.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.8‐13.2), which was significantly higher than private (11.0, 95% CI: 9.3, 12.7]) and academic (10.9, 95% CI: 8.9‐12.9), p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively. Further efforts to make appropriate health information available to patients are needed.

Patellar Fractures and Extensor Mechanism Injuries

Comprehensive workup for patellar fracture (Fig. 46.1) or other extensor mechanism injury includes evaluation of open vs. closed injury, neurovascular status, associated injuries, and displacement.

Tibial Eminence Fracture Repair With Double Hewson Suture Passer Technique

Displaced tibial eminence fractures are commonly encountered in pediatric patients and are often considered to be functionally equivalent to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. While a variety of techniques are available for fixation of this injury, we describe an anchorless technique relying on suture fixation tied over a bone bridge. This technique also relies on two intra-articular Hewson suture passers to quickly and effectively pass and shuttle sutures through the ACL and tibial bone tunnels in order to reduce and fix the fracture fragment. We also briefly review various types of fixation used for tibial eminence fractures.

An Anatomic Evaluation of Arthroscopic Access to the Radial Head

PURPOSE To determine the area of the radial head accessible for visualization and screw placement from the standard anteromedial and anterolateral portals used in elbow arthroscopy. METHODS Five cadaveric elbows were arthroscopically evaluated using standard anteromedial and anterolateral portals. Markers (pins) were placed into the accessible portions of the radial head at maximal pronation and supination. Specimens were then evaluated by computed tomography, and the arc of the radial head accessible from each portal was determined. RESULTS A continuous 220.04° ± 37.58° arc of the radial head was accessible from the combination of the anterolateral and anteromedial portals. From the anteromedial portal, the arc obtained measured 147.96° ± 21.81°, and from the anterolateral portal, the arc obtained measured 156.02° ± 33.32°. Using the radial styloid as a marker for 0°, the mean total arc ranged from 92.3° ± 34.06° dorsal to 127.74° ± 23.65° volar relative to the radial styloid. CONCLUSIONS Standard anteromedial and anterolateral portals used for elbow arthroscopy allow access to an average 220° area of the radial head. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study defines the area of the radial head that can be contacted using commonly used, safe, and simple portals.

Orthopaedic Resident Preparation and Confidence in Treating On-Field Injuries

Background: Orthopaedic surgery residents may cover athletic events, although the training provided to prepare residents for this role and oversight from attending physicians during these activities is not well understood. Purpose: To survey orthopaedic residents about the training provided by their residency program for on-field athletic coverage and to understand their levels of preparation for this role and confidence in treating commonly encountered on-field conditions. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: An anonymous survey was emailed to residents in all American College of Graduate Medical Education–accredited, allopathic, nonmilitary orthopaedic surgery residency programs. This survey queried residents about their demographics, the opportunities their residencies require or allow for athletic coverage, their level of preparation for serving an on-field physician, and their comfort level with treating a number of on-field conditions. Likert-type scales were used to assess resident comfort level for treating 13 orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic conditions as well as their perceived level of preparedness. Results: Of 148 residency programs contacted, 57 programs responded (39%). Of the 57 programs responding, 51 (89.5%) allowed or required residents to cover athletic events, and 27 of 51 (52.9%) reported that training to prepare for this role was provided. Only 6 of 24 programs without training available (25%) had direct attending supervision of residents at all athletic events. Residents who answered that their residency programs mandate training prior to their participation in athletic coverage activities reported a higher level of preparation for this role than those with no training, optional training, or those who were unsure of their training requirement (P < .0001, P = .035, and P = .013, respectively). In addition, the more senior the resident was, the higher the level of confidence was in treating all orthopaedic and some nonorthopaedic conditions. Residents who had mandatory training displayed a higher comfort level in treating on-field orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic conditions than those without training. Conclusion: Formal training of orthopaedic residents prior to their covering athletic events can improve confidence in treating orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic conditions. Many programs do not ensure that residents are familiar with key and potentially life-saving equipment. An opportunity exists to improve resident education.

Traction Pin Placement

Traction pin placement is used to reduce unstable fractures and dislocations and temporize certain fractures pending definitive fixation. Although traction pin technique varies slightly depending on the area of the body being placed in traction, the following should serve as general guidelines.

Clavicle Fractures and Dissociations

Thorough evaluation of fractured (see Fig. 24.1) or dislocated clavicle includes assessment of open vs. closed, neurovascular status, location of fracture, status of overlying skin, associated injuries, and displacement.

Splinting and Casting Techniques

The initial treatment of many orthopedic injuries relies upon casting and splinting of the affected limb to mitigate pain, maintain reduction, and prevent further damage to soft tissues. However, these tools are not without their associated caveats. A poorly applied splint can cause further injury to the patient including pressure sores and thermal burns. The following should serve as general guidelines; however, institutional variance may apply.

Pediatric Femur Fractures

Pediatric femur fracture (Fig. 42.1) workup includes evaluation of open vs. closed, neurovascular compromise, degree of shortening, associated injuries, displaced/non-displaced, and physeal involvement.