Vincent K. McInerney

Snapping of the proximal hamstring origin: a rare cause of coxa saltans: a case report.

The term “snapping bottom” was initially used by Rask1 to describe subluxation of the long head of the biceps femoris tendon at the ischial tuberosity, in what we believe to be the only reported case of this phenomenon in the literature. This entity was discovered by reproduction of the snapping during active hip flexion and with direct palpation of the snapping long head of the biceps femoris tendon over the ischial tuberosity. After unsuccessful nonoperative treatment, a tenotomy was performed; all symptoms were alleviated. There are several etiologies of the snapping hip, “coxa saltans,” which include snapping of the iliotibial band or gluteus maximus over the greater trochanter, snapping of the the iliopsoas over the iliopectineal eminence, and intra-articular lesions2. However, subluxation of the proximal hamstring origin is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis. We present the case of a woman with coxa saltans caused by subluxation of the proximal hamstring origin over the ischial tuberosity. Institutional review board approval and the patients informed consent for publication of this information were obtained. A fifty-five-year-old female recreational tennis player presented to us with a one-year history of left buttock pain as well as audible snapping of the buttock when she bent at the hips. The symptoms began approximately one month after she sustained a hamstring strain while playing tennis. Because of the pain, she had been unable to return to athletic activities. Physical examination revealed tenderness at the hamstring origin. Full motion of the hips, knees, and back was present with no contractures. The patient reproduced the snapping with hip flexion of approximately 90° while she was in the standing position. The snapping was palpable at the ischial tuberosity and was audible. Pelvic radiographs showed no abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a partial tear of the proximal …

Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction A Systematic Review of Transphyseal Versus Physeal-Sparing Techniques

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is becoming more common in skeletally immature individuals, and it may be performed with transphyseal or physeal-sparing techniques. A number of studies have assessed the outcomes of these techniques, but there is a need to systematically evaluate the pooled data from these studies. Purpose: To compare the differences in demographics and outcomes of transphyseal and physeal-sparing techniques by assessing (1) demographics, (2) incidence of growth disturbances, and (3) graft survivorship in the pediatric population. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A thorough review of 3 databases was performed to identify all studies that evaluated outcomes after pediatric reconstruction based on transphyseal or physeal-sparing techniques. After completing our search and cross-referencing for additional sources, 43 reports were identified for this review. Reports were analyzed for differences in demographics as well as incidence of leg-length discrepancies, angular deformities, and graft survivorship. After review of manuscripts, 27 studies were included for review (21 transphyseal and 6 physeal-sparing studies). Results: Those who had transphyseal reconstruction were more likely to be female (39% vs 20%; P = .0001), while those with the physeal-sparing surgery were younger (12 vs 13.5 years of age; P = .0001). The transphyseal and physeal-sparing cohorts demonstrated similar incidence rates of leg-length discrepancies (0.81% vs 1.2%, respectively; P = .64) and angular deformities (0.61% vs 0%, respectively; P = .36). The transphyseal and physeal-sparing cohorts also showed similar rates of rerupture (6.2% vs 3.1%, respectively; P = .11). Conclusion: Although the study groups were not well matched with regard to age and sex, our results show that these surgical techniques have no differences in incidence of growth disturbances or graft survivorship. Younger males tend to undergo physeal-sparing reconstruction. Future research should focus on long-term outcome metrics with the physeal-sparing techniques, as there remains a paucity of studies regarding them.

Patient-Specific Instrumentation in Total Knee Arthroplasty: What Is the Evidence?

With a steady increase in the demand for primary and revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), any potential reduction in the number of failures can be a topic of significant clinical importance. Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) is introduced to potentially achieve more reproducible alignment with reduced outliers by creating more accurate and patient-specific femoral and tibial cuts based on neutral mechanical axis. However, there is no widely accepted consensus on the efficacy and indication of using PSI in TKA. The purpose of this review was to assess the current literature on patient-specific TKA and its effect on perioperative outcomes, including templating and preoperative planning, mechanical alignment, clinical outcomes, perioperative blood loss, and economic evaluations. Based on the current literature, more prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the routine use of PSI in TKA.

Inpatient Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the United States: A Nationwide Database Study From 1998 to 2010

This study evaluated inpatient cruciate ligament reconstruction in the United States during a 13-year period. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify inpatient cruciate ligament reconstructions performed from 1998 to 2010. National trends in incidence, patient demographics, perioperative complications, length of stay, and total admission costs were evaluated. The impact of various contributing factors on these outcomes was further evaluated using multivariable regression analyses. The rate of inpatient cruciate ligament reconstruction has decreased significantly in the United States during the past decade. The outcome data from this study can be used as a comparison cohort for future outpatient analyses of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the United States.

Does Manipulation under Anesthesia Increase the Risk of Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Matched Case Control Study

Abstract Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) can help patients regain an adequate range of motion (ROM) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Although there are studies reporting that MUA can assist in improving ROM, there is a paucity of studies regarding whether requiring an MUA is associated with an increased risk of revision. The purpose of this study was to assess the: (1) incidence of revision TKA and (2) outcomes of those undergoing MUA and compare it with a matched cohort who did not require MUA. A prospectively collected database of two high‐volume institutions was assessed for patients who required a single MUA following TKA between 2005 and 2011. We found a total of 138 knees with a mean 8.5‐year follow‐up post‐MUA. We compared this with a matched cohort (1:1) who underwent TKA during this same time period but did not require an MUA. Incidence of revision surgery and clinical outcomes were compared between the two cohorts. Within the MUA cohort, nine knees underwent revision, which was similar to the matched cohort that had seven revisions (93 vs. 95%; p = 0.6). The mean KSS‐functional (88 vs. 90 points; p = 0.15) and clinical scores (87 vs. 89 points; p = 0.1) were similar between the two cohorts. Undergoing an MUA was not associated with an increased risk of revision TKA. If patients require MUA, they may still achieve satisfactory outcomes. This information can be used in educating patients so they may be able to formulate their expectations following their MUA.

Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy for Meniscal Tears: A Review and Commentary on a Study by NEJM.

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) has been demonstrated to be effective when performed in the appropriately indicated patient. However, a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) questioned whether or not the procedure actually had any clinical benefit whatsoever. Despite being a prospective, Level 1, randomized study, there are several aspects of the study that must be taken into consideration when interpreting the findings, including but not limited to the patient selection criteria, limited sample size, and lack of information regarding meniscal tear patterns. This study will critically review the recently published NEJM article, as well as analyze and assess the current body of APM literature.

Risk Factors for Contralateral ACL Injury: A Single Institution Case–Control Study

Abstract Our purpose was to evaluate if there is any association between requiring contralateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and various: (1) demographics, (2) patient characteristics, and (3) surgery‐specific factors. A prospectively collected database at a single institution was queried to find all patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction between 2012 and 2014. We identified 312 primary ACL reconstruction patients with a mean age of 24 years and a mean follow‐up of 3 years (range, 2‐5 years). This cohort was compared with all those who had primary ACL reconstructions during the same time period without a contralateral procedure. We evaluated: (1) incidence, (2) demographic variables, (3) family history, (4) graft choice, (5) activity causing injury, and (6) mechanism of injury (contact versus noncontact). There were 16 patients (4.8%) with a mean age of 21 years and a mean follow‐up of 3 years that required a contralateral reconstruction. More females required contralateral reconstruction when compared with the control cohort (p = 0.049). However, there was no difference in the mean age between the cohorts (p = 0.32). Those who underwent reconstruction using a tibialis anterior allograft were far more likely to require a contralateral reconstruction (p = 0.0002). Bone‐tendon‐bone patellar autograft (p = 0.16), hamstring autograft (p = 0.76), and hamstring allograft (p = 0.68) had similar incidences of contralateral ACL injury. Lacrosse was associated with higher risk of contralateral procedure (p = 0.03). Mechanism of injury had no association of contralateral reconstruction (p = 0.71). We found that those with the highest risk of contralateral ACL reconstruction following their index procedure were females, those with tibialis anterior allografts, and those who had their ipsilateral injury while playing lacrosse. These data may be used by practitioners when educating patients regarding their potential for requiring a contralateral reconstruction following their index procedure.

External snapping hip: a systematic review of outcomes following surgical intervention: External snapping hip systematic review:

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of surgical management for external snapping hip in terms of: (1) recurrence; (2) complications; and (3) return to pre-injury activities. Methods: A thorough review of 4 electronic databases- EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, PubMed, and Scopus was performed to find all relevant studies for this review that were published between January 2000 and January 2017 that addressed surgical treatment for external snapping hip. The following reports were excluded: (1) non-English manuscripts; (2) n ⩽ 5; (3) clinical reviews; (4) surgical technique notes; (5) studies only analysing diagnosis; and (6) nonoperative management studies. After cross-referencing, a total of 7 reports were included. Each of these studies was analysed for the incidence of recurrence, revision surgery, complications, and return to pre-injury activity level. Results: There was a recurrence rate of 7% (n = 8 of 113 hips) with only 1 requiring revision surgery (1%). The cumulative complication rate was 9% (n = 10 of 113) with all complications being residual weakness. Additionally, we found 98% (n = 58 of 59) of the patients returned to their pre-injury level of activity. Conclusions: We found operative treatment for external snapping hip to be both safe and efficacious for returning patients to their pre-injury activities. When recurrence does occur, it often is painless and does not require revision surgery. Future studies should be larger and evaluate different surgical techniques to further elucidate the safety and efficacy of surgical treatment for external snapping hip.

Patella Footprint Technique—A Surgical Method for Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

Recurrent patella instability is a common condition that may potentiate substantial knee dysfunction resulting in loss of time from work and sports. There are numerous factors that contribute to recurrent patella instability including tearing of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), shallow trochlea, valgus alignment, externally rotated tibia tubercle, ligamentous laxity, elevated Q angle, and increased tibial tuberosity trochlear groove distance. Reconstruction of the MPFL has been shown to restore patella stability where concomitant pathology is within acceptable limits. Major complications include recurrence from inadequate MPFL reconstruction or failure to address other pathology, patella femoral pain from over constrained MPFL or unaddressed cartilage defects to the patella femoral compartment, or patella fracture. This technique provides a reproducible method of restoring patella stability through MPFL reconstruction while minimizing stress risers in the patella by using suture anchor fixation that creates a ligamentous footprint instead of tendon healing into a socket on the patella.

A Single-Incision Technique for Distal Biceps Repair Using a Flexible Reamer

Distal biceps tendon ruptures are rare injuries that usually occur in middle-aged men. Most of these injuries are repaired acutely to restore preinjury function and strength. There is concern regarding the higher prevalence of certain complications with the double-incision technique. As such, the single-incision technique has also been studied to determine if it may produce superior safety and efficacy. In addition, the point of fixation may be created with either a rigid or a flexible reamer. The authors describe a technique that uses a single-incision cortical fixation achieved with a flexible reamer. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(4):e744-e748.].