Morgan H. Jones

Surgery versus Physical Therapy for a Meniscal Tear and Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Whether arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for symptomatic patients with a meniscal tear and knee osteoarthritis results in better functional outcomes than nonoperative therapy is uncertain. METHODS We conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial involving symptomatic patients 45 years of age or older with a meniscal tear and evidence of mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis on imaging. We randomly assigned 351 patients to surgery and postoperative physical therapy or to a standardized physical-therapy regimen (with the option to cross over to surgery at the discretion of the patient and surgeon). The patients were evaluated at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was the difference between the groups with respect to the change in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) physical-function score (ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms) 6 months after randomization. RESULTS In the intention-to-treat analysis, the mean improvement in the WOMAC score after 6 months was 20.9 points (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.9 to 23.9) in the surgical group and 18.5 (95% CI, 15.6 to 21.5) in the physical-therapy group (mean difference, 2.4 points; 95% CI, -1.8 to 6.5). At 6 months, 51 active participants in the study who were assigned to physical therapy alone (30%) had undergone surgery, and 9 patients assigned to surgery (6%) had not undergone surgery. The results at 12 months were similar to those at 6 months. The frequency of adverse events did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS In the intention-to-treat analysis, we did not find significant differences between the study groups in functional improvement 6 months after randomization; however, 30% of the patients who were assigned to physical therapy alone underwent surgery within 6 months. (Funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; METEOR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00597012.).

Complications and re-operations after Bristow-Latarjet shoulder stabilization: a systematic review

BACKGROUND Various methods of bony stabilization, including modifications of Bristow and Latarjet procedures, are considered gold-standard treatment for recurrent anterior shoulder instability but are associated with unique complications and risk of reoperation. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of these complications. We hypothesized that the Bristow-Latarjet procedure would be a successful technique for treatment of shoulder instability but associated with a risk of recurrent postoperative instability, reoperation, and other complications. METHODS A systematic review of multiple medical databases included studies reporting outcomes with complication and reoperation rates following original or modified versions of the Bristow or Latarjet shoulder stabilization surgeries. RESULTS Forty-five studies were analyzed (1,904 shoulders) (all Level IV evidence). Most subjects were male (82%). The dominant shoulder was the operative shoulder in 64% of cases. Mean subject age was 25.8 years. Mean clinical follow-up was 6.8 years. Ninety percent of surgeries were done open; 9.3% were all-arthroscopic. Total complication rate was 30%. Recurrent anterior dislocation and subluxation rates were 2.9% and 5.8%, respectively. When reported, most dislocations occurred within the first year postoperatively (73%). Nearly 7% of patients required an unplanned reoperation following surgery. CONCLUSION Osseous stabilization shoulder surgery using original or modified Bristow and Latarjet procedures has a 30% complication rate. Rates of recurrent dislocation and reoperation were 2.9% and 7%, respectively. Mild loss of external rotation is common. Reoperation rates were lower following all-arthroscopic techniques. There was a greater loss of postoperative external rotation with all-arthroscopic surgery.

The Influence of Hamstring Autograft Size on Patient- Reported Outcomes and Risk of Revision After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Cohort Study

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of graft size on patient-reported outcomes and revision risk after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS A retrospective chart review of prospectively collected cohort data was performed, and 263 of 320 consecutive patients (82.2%) undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft were evaluated. We recorded graft size; femoral tunnel drilling technique; patient age, sex, and body mass index at the time of ACL reconstruction; Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee score preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively; and whether each patient underwent revision ACL reconstruction during the 2-year follow-up period. Revision was used as a marker for graft failure. The relation between graft size and patient-reported outcomes was determined by multiple linear regression. The relation between graft size and risk of revision was determined by dichotomizing graft size at 8 mm and stratifying by age. RESULTS After we controlled for age, sex, operative side, surgeon, body mass index, graft choice, and femoral tunnel drilling technique, a 1-mm increase in graft size was noted to correlate with a 3.3-point increase in the KOOS pain subscale (P = .003), a 2.0-point increase in the KOOS activities of daily living subscale (P = .034), a 5.2-point increase in the KOOS sport/recreation function subscale (P = .004), and a 3.4-point increase in the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score (P = .026). Revision was required in 0 of 64 patients (0.0%) with grafts greater than 8 mm in diameter and 14 of 199 patients (7.0%) with grafts 8 mm in diameter or smaller (P = .037). Among patients aged 18 years or younger, revision was required in 0 of 14 patients (0.0%) with grafts greater than 8 mm in diameter and 13 of 71 patients (18.3%) with grafts 8 mm in diameter or smaller. CONCLUSIONS Smaller hamstring autograft size is a predictor of poorer KOOS sport/recreation function 2 years after primary ACL reconstruction. A larger sample size is required to confirm the relation between graft size and risk of revision ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Syndesmotic Ankle Sprains in Athletes

Ankle sprains are among the most common athletic injuries and represent a significant source of persistent pain and disability. Despite the high incidence of ankle sprains in athletes, syndesmosis injuries have historically been underdiagnosed, and assessment in terms of severity and optimal treatment has not been determined. More recently, a heightened awareness in sports medicine has resulted in more frequent diagnoses of syndesmosis injuries. However, there is a low level of evidence and a paucity of literature on this topic compared with lateral ankle sprains. As a result, no clear guidelines are available to help the clinician assess the severity of injury, choose an imaging modality to visualize the injury, make a decision in terms of operative versus nonoperative treatment, or decide when the athlete may return to play. Increased knowledge and understanding of these injuries by clinicians and researchers are essential to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this significant condition. This review will discuss the anatomy, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, and treatment of syndesmosis sprains of the ankle while identifying controversies in management and topics for future research.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee (nonarthroplasty).

The clinical practice guideline was explicitly developed to include only treatments less invasive than knee replacement (ie, arthroplasty). Patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee are to be encouraged to participate in self-management educational programs and to engage in self-care, as well as to lose weight and engage in exercise and quadriceps strengthening. The guideline recommends taping for short-term relief of pain as well as analgesics and intra-articular corticosteroids, but not glucosamine and/or chondroitin. Patients need not undergo needle lavage or arthroscopy with débridement or lavage. Patients may consider partial meniscectomy or loose body removal or realignment osteotomy, as conditions warrant. Use of a free-floating interpositional device should not be considered for symptomatic unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. Lateral heel wedges should not be prescribed for patients with symptomatic medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. The work group was unable either to recommend or not recommend the use of braces with either valgus- or varus-directing forces for patients with medial unicompartmental osteoarthritis; the use of acupuncture or of hyaluronic acid; or osteotomy of the tibial tubercle for isolated symptomatic patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons clinical practice guideline on the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Summary of Recommendations The following is a summary of the recommendations in the AAOS’ clinical practice guideline, The Treatment of Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee. This guideline was explicitly developed to include only treatments less invasive than knee replacement (arthroplasty). This summary does not contain rationales that explain how and why these recommendations were developed nor does it contain the evidence supporting these recommendations. All readers of this summary are strongly urged to consult the full guideline and evidence report for this information. We are confident that those who read the full guideline and evidence report will also see that the recommendations were developed using systematic evidence-based processes designed to combat bias, enhance transparency, and promote reproducibility. This summary of recommendations is not intended to stand alone. Treatment decisions should be made in light of all circumstances presented by the patient. Treatments and procedures applicable to the individual patient rely on mutual communication between patient, physician and other healthcare practitioners. Patient Education and Lifestyle Modification

EFFECT OF HUMERAL HEAD DEFECT SIZE ON GLENOHUMERAL STABILITY: A CADAVERIC STUDY OF SIMULATED HILL-SACHS DEFECTS

Background Hill-Sachs lesions are often present with recurrent shoulder instability and may be a cause of failed Bankart repair. Hypothesis Glenohumeral joint stability decreases with increasingly larger humeral head defects. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods Humeral head defects, 1/8, 3/8, 5/8, and 7/8 of the humeral head radius, were created in 8 human cadaveric shoulders, simulating Hill-Sachs defects. Testing positions included 45° and 90° of abduction and 40° of internal rotation, neutral, and 40° of external rotation. Testing occurred at each defect size sequentially from smallest to largest for all abduction and rotation combinations. The humeral head was translated at 0.5 mm/s 45° anteroinferiorly to the horizontal glenoid axis until dislocation. Distance to dislocation, defined as humeral head translation until it began to subluxate, was the primary outcome measure. Results Significant factors by ANOVA were rotation (P < .001) and defect size (P < .001). There was no difference for the 2 abduction angles. External rotation of 40° significantly reduced distance to dislocation compared with neutral and 40° internal rotation (P < .001). Osteotomies of 5/8 and 7/8 radius significantly decreased distance to dislocation over the intact state (P = .009 and P < .001, respectively). Post hoc analysis determined significant differences for the rotational positions. Decreased distance to dislocation occurred at 5/8 radius osteotomy at 40° external rotation with 90° of abduction (P = .008). For the 7/8 radius osteotomy at 90° abduction, there was a decreased distance to dislocation for neutral and 40° external rotation (P < .001); at 45° abduction, there was a decreased distance to dislocation at 40° external rotation (P < .001). With the humerus internally rotated, there was no significant change in distance to dislocation. Conclusion Glenohumeral stability decreases at a 5/8 radius defect in external rotation and abduction. At 7/8 radius, there was a further decrease in stability at neutral and external rotation. Clinical Relevance Defects of 5/8 the humeral head radius may require treatment to decrease the failure rate of shoulder instability repair.

Effect of Graft Choice on the Outcome of Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the Multicenter ACL Revision Study (MARS) Cohort

Background: Most surgeons believe that graft choice for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is an important factor related to outcome; however, graft choice for revision may be limited due to previously used grafts. Hypotheses: Autograft use would result in increased sports function, increased activity level, and decreased osteoarthritis symptoms (as measured by validated patient-reported outcome instruments). Autograft use would result in decreased graft failure and reoperation rate 2 years after revision ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction were identified and prospectively enrolled by 83 surgeons at 52 sites. Data collected included baseline demographics, surgical technique, pathologic abnormalities, and the results of a series of validated, patient-reported outcome instruments (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC], and Marx activity rating score). Patients were followed up at 2 years and asked to complete the identical set of outcome instruments. Incidences of additional surgery and reoperation due to graft failure were also recorded. Multivariate regression models were used to determine the predictors (risk factors) of IKDC, KOOS, WOMAC, Marx scores, graft rerupture, and reoperation rate at 2 years after revision surgery. Results: A total of 1205 patients (697 [58%] males) were enrolled. The median age was 26 years. In 88% of patients, this was their first revision, and 341 patients (28%) were undergoing revision by the surgeon who had performed the previous reconstruction. The median time since last ACL reconstruction was 3.4 years. Revision using an autograft was performed in 583 patients (48%), allograft was used in 590 (49%), and both types were used in 32 (3%). Questionnaire follow-up was obtained for 989 subjects (82%), while telephone follow-up was obtained for 1112 (92%). The IKDC, KOOS, and WOMAC scores (with the exception of the WOMAC stiffness subscale) all significantly improved at 2-year follow-up (P < .001). In contrast, the 2-year Marx activity score demonstrated a significant decrease from the initial score at enrollment (P < .001). Graft choice proved to be a significant predictor of 2-year IKDC scores (P = .017). Specifically, the use of an autograft for revision reconstruction predicted improved score on the IKDC (P = .045; odds ratio [OR] = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01-1.70). The use of an autograft predicted an improved score on the KOOS sports and recreation subscale (P = .037; OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02-1.73). Use of an autograft also predicted improved scores on the KOOS quality of life subscale (P = .031; OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.03-1.73). For the KOOS symptoms and KOOS activities of daily living subscales, graft choice did not predict outcome score. Graft choice was a significant predictor of 2-year Marx activity level scores (P = .012). Graft rerupture was reported in 37 of 1112 patients (3.3%) by their 2-year follow-up: 24 allografts, 12 autografts, and 1 allograft and autograft. Use of an autograft for revision resulted in patients being 2.78 times less likely to sustain a subsequent graft rupture compared with allograft (P = .047; 95% CI, 1.01-7.69). Conclusion: Improved sports function and patient-reported outcome measures are obtained when an autograft is used. Additionally, use of an autograft shows a decreased risk in graft rerupture at 2-year follow-up. No differences were noted in rerupture or patient-reported outcomes between soft tissue and bone–patellar tendon–bone grafts. Surgeon education regarding the findings of this study has the potential to improve the results of revision ACL reconstruction.

Acute treatment of inversion ankle sprains : Immobilization versus functional treatment

Inversion ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in sports. Although these injuries are often considered minor, they can lead to persistent disability in athletes. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effect of immobilization versus early functional treatment on time to return to preinjury activity after inversion ankle sprain. Residual subjective instability, recurrent injury, and patient satisfaction were secondary outcomes. A systematic review identified 9 randomized controlled trials. Return to preinjury activity was less with early functional treatment in 4 of 5 studies that evaluated this outcome. Subjective instability was less in 3 of 5 studies. Similarly, reinjury rate was less in 5 of 6 studies. Patient satisfaction was not substantially different in the two studies that evaluated this outcome. Limitations of the identified trials included small sample size, heterogeneity of treatment methods, and lack of standardized outcome measures. However, based on our review the current best evidence suggests a trend favoring early functional treatment over immobilization for the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains.Level of Evidence: Level II, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Which Preoperative Factors, Including Bone Bruise, Are Associated With Knee Pain/Symptoms at Index Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR)? A Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) ACLR Cohort Study

Background: Increased knee pain at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may potentially predict more difficult rehabilitation, prolonged recovery, and/or be predictive of increased knee pain at 2 years. Hypothesis: A bone bruise and/or other preoperative factors are associated with more knee pain/symptoms at the time of index anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and the presence of a bone bruise would be associated with specific demographic and injury-related factors. Study Design: Cohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: In 2007, the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) database began to prospectively collect surgeon-reported magnetic resonance imaging bone bruise status. A multivariable analysis was performed to (1) determine if a bone bruise, among other preoperative factors, is associated with more knee symptoms/pain and (2) examine the association of factors related to bone bruise. To evaluate the association of a bone bruise with knee pain/symptoms, linear multiple regression models were fit using the continuous scores of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) symptoms and pain subscales and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) bodily pain subscale as dependent variables. To examine the association between a bone bruise and risk factors, a logistic regression model was used, in which the dependent variable was the presence or absence of a bone bruise. Results: Baseline data for 525 patients were used for analysis, and a bone bruise was present in 419 (80%). The cohort comprises 58% male patients, with a median age of 23 years. The median Marx activity level was 13. Factors associated with more pain were higher body mass index (P < .0001), female sex (P = .001), lateral collateral ligament injury (P = .012), and older age (P = .038). Factors associated with more symptoms were a concomitant lateral collateral ligament injury (P = .014), higher body mass index (P < .0001), and female sex (P < .0001). Bone bruise is not associated with symptoms/pain at the time of index anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. None of the factors included in the SF-36 bodily pain model were found to be significant. After controlling for other baseline factors, the following factors were associated with a bone bruise: younger age (P = .034) and not jumping at the time of injury (P = .006). Conclusion: After anterior cruciate ligament injury, risk factors associated with a bone bruise are younger age and not jumping at the time of injury. Bone bruise is not associated with symptoms/pain at the time of index anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.