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Background: The ideal graft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in young athletes has a high return-to-sport (RTS) rate and a low reinjury rate. Quadriceps tendon autografts are being used with increasing frequency for ACLR in this population, despite a paucity of evidence to support their use. Purpose: To report the RTS rate, ipsilateral reinjury rate, and contralateral ACL injury rate in a young athletic population undergoing primary ACLR using an all–soft tissue quadriceps tendon (ASTQT) autograft. Study Design: Cases series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients aged 14 to 22 years who underwent primary ACLR using an ASTQT autograft by a single surgeon between January 1, 2005, and April 30, 2020, were identified via electronic medical records and contacted ≥24 months after ACLR to complete a survey regarding subsequent ipsilateral or contralateral ACL injuries and RTS. Patients who had undergone previous ACLR (ipsilateral or contralateral) were excluded. Results: A total of 656 patients (330 male, 326 female; mean age, 17.9 years) were identified, and 395 patients completed the survey (60.2%; 174 male, 221 female; mean age, 17.8 years) with a mean follow-up of 73 ± 29 months (range, 24-139 months). The RTS rate was high (male: 87.7%; female: 82.8%; P =.19). Male and female patients had similar rates of revision ACLR (male: 12.6%; female: 10.0%; P =.40) and contralateral ACL injuries (male: 13.8%; female: 11.3%; P =.46). Conclusion: A high RTS rate and similar rates of ipsilateral and contralateral ACL injuries were found for male and female patients in a young athletic population undergoing primary ACLR using an ASTQT autograft. These results help one to better understand the utility of ASTQT grafts to support successful ACLR in young athletic populations, for which ASTQT grafts appear to yield favorable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quadriceps tendon (QT) has become increasingly used by orthopaedic surgeons as an alternative autograft choice in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. As its use increases, athletic trainers and other rehabilitation clinicians will treat a greater number of patients with this autograft type. The recently developed, minimally invasive technique for harvest of the all-soft tissue autograft has many benefits, including versatility, decreased donor-site morbidity, and enhanced cosmesis. Early clinical trials revealed that the QT autograft resulted in decreased anterior knee pain and similar strength and functional outcomes to those of more common autograft types. From a rehabilitation perspective, many characteristics should be considered, such as the importance of early knee extension and quadriceps activation. Therefore, the purpose of this technical note is to expose athletic trainers to the QT autograft so that they may provide the best care for patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case: A 14-year-old adolescent girl and 18-year-old man underwent right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using quadriceps tendon (QT) autografts via partial-thickness harvest. While both patients initially recovered well, later they experienced a painful snapping in their knee localized to the lateral QT, just proximal to the patella. Surgical completion of the previous partial-thickness defect with imbrication provided resolution of symptoms at 4 and 9 months postoperatively, respectively. Conclusion: We present a snapping QT as a rare complication of partial-thickness QT harvest for ACL reconstruction. Surgical completion of the partial-thickness defect with imbrication resolved the snapping sensation in these two cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine the association between race on severe heterotopic ossification (HO) following acetabular fracture surgery. Design Retrospective case control study. Setting Level I university trauma centre. Methods Two hundred and fifty-three patients who were surgically treated for acetabular fractures were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated for HO by a blinded musculoskeletal radiologist, and classified based on a modified Brooker classification. Results Of the 253 patients that met inclusion and exclusion criteria, 175 (69%) were male and 78 (31%) were female. One hundred and fifty-four (61%) patients were Caucasian, and 99 (39%) were African American (AA). Fifty-five (21%) patients developed severe HO. Of those who developed severe HO, 25 were Caucasian (45%), 30 were African American (55%). Forty-one patients (75%) with severe HO were male, and 14 (25%) were female. No statistical differences ( p > 0.05) were found between groups in terms of age, days to surgery, GCS at presentation, surgical approach, perioperative HO prophylaxis, or AO/OTA fracture classification. The patient population was then stratified by race, gender, and race/gender. AA were more likely than Caucasians to develop severe HO (odds ratio [OR], 2.24; confidence interval [CI], 1.22–4.11). When gender was considered independent of race, no statistical differences ( p > 0.05) were observed (OR, 1.40; CI, 0.71–2.75). AA males were much more likely to develop severe HO when compared to Caucasian females (OR, 4.4; CI, 1.38–14.06). Conclusion Race is associated with different rates of severe HO formation following acetabular fracture surgery. AA patients are significantly more likely to develop severe HO following acetabular fracture surgery when compared to Caucasian patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers step-by-step instructions for performing minimally invasive surgical technique for quadriceps tendon autograft harvest which produces a graft that is suitable for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Purpose Methods Results Conclusion Level of Evidence This study sought to quantify the tunnel widening associated with quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and compare it to bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) autografts.A retrospective review of each ACLR performed at a single academic institution from 2011 to 2021 were reviewed. Subjects with repeat ipsilateral knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies performed after ACLR were included. Two reviewers independently measured the maximum diameter of the femoral and tibial tunnels 1 cm from the aperture. Tunnel widening was calculated as the difference between the initial drilled diameter and the measured diameters.Seventy‐five patients (38 BTB and 37 QT autografts) were identified including 42 females and 33 males. With respect to graft type (QT vs. BTB), there was no statistically significant difference in median patient age (19.0 (16.0–31.5) years vs. 20.0 (16.8–30.0) years respectively; p = n.s.) or median time to MRI (12.0 [9.0–19.5] months vs. 13.0 [7.0–43.3] months respectively, p = n.s.). Mean tunnel diameter changes or widening was statistically significantly greater for QT autografts than BTB autografts at the tibial tunnel: (0.4 [±0.6] mm] vs. −0.4 [±1.1 mm; p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean tunnel diameter change was also significantly greater at the femoral tunnel for QT compared to BTB. (0.2 [±0.6] mm vs. −0.4 [±0.8] mm; p < 0.001) However, no patients with QT grafts demonstrated tibial or femoral tunnel diameters >12 mm.Although QT autografts had a statistically significant greater amount of tunnel widening compared to BTB autografts; the mean tibial and femoral net widening of 0.4 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively, does not meet previously reported clinically significant values. Thus, the tunnel widening presented in this study is unlikely to affect clinical outcomes and should not preclude the use of either graft.Level III (Retrospective comparative study). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Extensor mechanism injuries, which comprise patella fractures, patella tendon tears and quadriceps tendon tears, are severely debilitating injuries and a common cause of traumatic knee pathology that requires surgical intervention. Risk factors for short‐term surgical complications and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in this population have not been well characterised. The aim of this study was to identify perioperative risk factors associated with these short‐term complications. Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify patients who underwent an isolated, primary extensor mechanism repair from 2015 to 2020. Patients were stratified by injury type. Demographic data were collected and compared. A multivariate logistic regression was used to control for demographic and comorbid factors while assessing risk factors for developing short‐term complications. Results: A total of 8355 patients were identified for inclusion in this study. Overall, 3% of patients sustained short‐term surgical complications and 1% were diagnosed with VTE within 30 days of surgery. Patella fracture fixation had a nearly twofold higher risk for surgical complications compared to quadriceps tendon repair (p = 0.004). Patella tendon repair had a twofold higher risk for VTE (p = 0.045), specifically deep vein thrombosis (p = 0.020), compared to patella fracture fixation. Increasing age, smoking and American Society of Anesthesiologists Classifications 3 and 4 were also found to be risk factors for surgical complications (p = 0.012, p = 0.004, p = 0.011 and p = 0.032, respectively). Conclusion: This study used a nationally representative, widely validated, peer‐reviewed database to provide valuable insights into risk factors for short‐term postoperative complications associated with extensor mechanism repair procedures, revealing notable differences in risk profiles among distinct surgical procedures. The results of this study will inform surgeons and patients in enhancing risk assessment, guiding procedure‐specific decision‐making, optimising preoperative care, improving postoperative monitoring and contributing to future research of extensor mechanism injuries. Level of Evidence: Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Persistent neuromuscular deficits in the surgical limb after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) have been repeatedly described in the literature, yet little is known regarding their association with physical performance and patient-reported function. Objective: To describe (1) interlimb differences in neuromuscular and functional outcomes and (2) the associations of neuromuscular outcomes with measures of physical and knee-related patient-reported function. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Thirty individuals after primary, unilateral ACLR (19 males; age = 21.5 years [range, 14-41 years]; 8 months [range = 6-23 months] postsurgery). Main Outcome Measure(s): Knee-extensor isometric and isokinetic peak torque was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. Cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured bilaterally for each of the quadriceps muscles via magnetic resonance imaging. We measured quadriceps central activation bilaterally via the superimposed-burst technique. Physical performance (single-legged hop tests, step length via spatio-temporal gait analysis) and patient-reported outcomes (International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Sport and Recreation subscale) were also recorded. We conducted Wilcoxon signed rank tests to identify interlimb differences. Spearman q correlation analyses revealed associations between limb symmetry and neuromuscular and functional outcomes, as well as with patient-reported function. Results: Deficits in the surgical limb as compared with the nonsurgical limb were present for all outcomes (P values, .05). Greater single-legged hop-test symmetry (83%) was significantly correlated with greater symmetry in knee-extensor isometric (63%; rs = 0.567, P = .002) and isokinetic (68%; rs = 0.540, P = .003) strength, as well as greater cross-sectional area of the vastus medialis (78%; rs = 0.519, P = .006) and vastus lateralis (82%; rs = 0.752, P, .001). A higher International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire score (82.2) was significantly correlated with greater symmetry in knee-extensor isokinetic strength (rs = 0.379, P = .039). Conclusions: Although deficits were observed in the surgical limb for all neuromuscular measures, greater symmetry in the size and strength of the quadriceps, rather than activation, was more strongly associated with physical performance after ACLR. Greater symmetry in strength was also more strongly associated with patient-reported function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite public recognition, obesity is a growing epidemic affecting an estimated 34% of adults and 20% of children in the U.S.Population: As such, the number of ACL reconstructions performed in this population is likely to increase. The goal of this study is to evaluate the risk that increasing BMI poses for additional surgery at the time of ACL reconstruction.Methods: A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's (ACS-NSQIP) database for the years 2005-2015 was conducted. Logistic regressions were used to assess the relationship between BMI and additional CPT codes for internal derangement at the time of ACL reconstruction. Internal derangement was defined as any CPT code for treatment of a meniscus tear, chondral lesion, or loose body removal. Surgeries for multi-ligamentous knee injuries were excluded.Results: A total of 11,403 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction were identified. 41.9% of patients had an associated CPT code for internal derangement. As BMI increased, there was a corresponding increase in the odds of additional surgery. Specifically, for every 1.0 increase in BMI, the risk of additional surgery increased by 1.6% (p < 0.001). Compared to patients with a BMI of 18.5-24.9, those with a BMI 25-29.9 had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.112, BMI 30-34.9 had an OR of 1.137, BMI 35-39.9 had an OR of 1.249, and those ≥ 40 had an OR of 1.442 for additional surgery (p < 0.001).Conclusions: This nationally-representative, population-based study demonstrates that patients with elevated BMI are much more likely to require additional surgery in the setting of primary ACL reconstruction. This risk correlates with increasing BMI. Surgeons should keep these risks in mind when evaluating and counseling patients for surgery in the setting of ACL reconstruction.Level Of Evidence: Case-control study, Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Research regarding revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (RACLR) with quadriceps tendon (QT) autografts is lacking. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of RACLR with QT and compare its patient outcomes to RACLR with hamstring tendon (HT) and bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) autografts. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a search for studies using QT in RACLR was performed within PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL from database date of inception through December 26, 2022. Primary outcomes sought included: failure rate, Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, IKDC grades, arthrometric knee side-to-side differences (STSD), pivot shift grade, donor site morbidity, return to sport, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores. Results: Nine studies were included consisting of 606 RACLR: 349 QT, 169 HT, and 88 BTB. Overall failure rates were 7.6% QT, 13.3% HT, and 8.7% BTB. Mean weighted Lysholm scores were 85.8 ± 3.8 QT, 82.5 ± 3.8 HT and 86.6 ± 4.5 BTB. IKDC average scores were 82.3 ± 1.6 QT, 80.1 ± 1.7 HT, and 81.7 ± 5.5BTB. Combined rates of IKDC A/B grades were 88.4% and 80.0% for QT and HT, respectively. VAS average scores were 0.9 ± 1.1 QT, 1.4 ± 0.2 HT, and 0.7 ± 0.8 for BTB. Side-to-side difference was reported for QT and HT with average values of 1.7 ± 0.6 mm and 2.1 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. Grade 0 or 1 pivot shifts were reported in 96.2% of QT patients and 91.3% of HT. Donor site morbidity, only reported for QT and HT, was 14.6 ± 9.7% and 23.6 ± 14.1%, respectively. QT resulted in a mean Tegner score of 5.9 ± 1.5 versus HT 5.7 ± 1.5. Rate of return to pivoting sports was 38.0% QT, 48.6% HT, and 76.9% BTB. Across all outcomes, there was no significant difference when comparing QT to HT, QT to BTB, and QT compared to HT and BTB combined. Conclusions: RACLR with QT yields satisfactory patient reported outcomes, satisfactory improvement in knee laxity, expected return to sport rates, and has an overall 7.6% failure rate. Outcomes are comparative to those of HT and BTB making it an acceptable graft choice for RACLR. Surgeons should consider using QT autograft for RACLR, especially when other autografts are unavailable. Level of evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As the average body mass index (BMI) is increasing at an alarming rate, dichotomous literature exists regarding whether BMI is protective or disadvantageous for fracture risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between BMI, fracture complexity, and post-operative complications for tibial plateau fractures. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's database for the years 2005–2018 was completed. Only patients undergoing primary surgical fixation of an isolated tibial plateau fracture were included. Patients were then stratified into unicondylar and bicondylar fracture patterns by CPT code. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess risk factors for fracture severity, post-operative complications, and staged fixation. Results: Of the 3454 patients identified for inclusion, we found that patients with higher BMIs were more likely to sustain a bicondylar fracture compared with patients with lower BMIs. For each additional BMI point, the risk of sustaining a bicondylar fracture increased by 1.0%. Additionally, there was a 3.8% increased risk of surgical complications for every increased BMI point. Specifically, the risk of a deep infection increased by 6.1%, wound dehiscence by 8.5%, and venous thromboembolism by 4.2%. Conclusion: This data demonstrates that an elevated BMI is associated with increased tibial plateau fracture complexity and post-operative complications. These results may be used to help surgeons and hospitals identify at-risk patients to help guide perioperative management in an effort to help mitigate such complications as much as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (1) report on the incidence of concurrent surgical pathology at the time of adolescent ACL reconstruction, (2) evaluate patient risk factors for concurrent pathology, and (3) measure the effect of BMI on operating room (OR) time. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the NSQIP database for the years 2005–2017 was conducted. Nine-hundred and seventeen patients 18 years of age and younger who underwent ACL reconstruction (ACLR) were identified using CPT code 29888 and patients undergoing surgery for multi-ligamentous knee injuries were excluded. The mean patient age was 17.6 years (range 14–18, standard deviation 0.52) and consisted of 546 males (59.5%) and 371 females (40.5%). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between BMI and additional CPT codes for internal derangement at the time of surgery. Internal derangement was defined as any procedure for the treatment of a meniscal tear, chondral lesion, or loose body removal. Linear regression analysis was then performed to evaluate the effect of BMI on operative time. Results: 43.7% of patients undergoing ACLR required an associated procedure for internal derangement. Additionally, the risk of requiring additional procedures for internal derangement increased by 3.1% per BMI point. BMI was also predictive of operative time, independent of the number of additional procedures. Specifically, the operative time increased by nearly one minute for every point increase in BMI (58.0 s). Conclusions: Adolescent patients with an elevated BMI were much more likely to require additional surgical procedures for internal derangement at the time of ACL reconstruction. Additionally, BMI was a significant predictor for longer operative times. Level of Evidence: Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The all-soft tissue quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft is becoming increasingly popular for ACL reconstruction (ACLR); however, studies reporting strength recovery and early outcomes after QT autograft are limited with patient samples composed of predominantly males. The primary purpose was to characterize early, sex-specific recovery of strength, range of motion (ROM), and knee laxity in a large cohort of patients undergoing primary ACLR with standardized harvest technique of the all-soft tissue QT autograft. The secondary purpose was to examine the influence of demographic factors and clinical measures on 6-month quadriceps strength. Methods: Patients 14–25 years who underwent primary, unilateral ACLR with all-soft tissue QT autografts were prospectively followed. Knee laxity and ROM were collected at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months; while, quadriceps normalized torques and limb symmetry indices (LSI) were collected at 3 and 6 months using isokinetic dynamometry at 60°/s. Two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures were conducted to determine recovery over time and between sexes. Stepwise linear multiple regressions were conducted to determine predictors of 6-month quadriceps strength. Results: Three-hundred and twenty patients were included (18 ± 3 years; 156 males:164 females; BMI = 24 ± 4 kg/m2) with no early graft failures within the study period. For strength, there were significant main effects of time (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.001), indicating similar improvement from 3 to 6 months with males demonstrating greater quadriceps LSI (6 months: 72.1 vs 63.3%) and normalized strength (6 months: 2.0 vs 1.6 Nm/kg). A significantly higher proportion of females had knee extension ROM deficits ≥ 5° compared to males at 6 weeks (61 vs 39%; p = 0.002). Female sex and 3-month extension ROM deficits were identified as significant predictors of 6-month quadriceps LSI (R2 = 0.083; p < 0.001). Female sex, BMI, and 6-week extension ROM deficits were identified as significant predictors of 6-month normalized quadriceps strength (R2 = 0.190; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Females had decreased quadriceps strength and greater extension ROM deficits at 3 and 6 months following ACLR using all-soft tissue QT autografts. Female sex, higher BMI, and loss of extension ROM were independent predictors of poorer quadriceps strength at 6 months. There were no early graft failures, and laxity remained within normal ranges for both males and females. Surgeons and rehabilitation clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of postoperative loss of extension ROM in females and its implications on quadriceps strength recovery. Level of evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity continues to be a problem in the United States with greater than 35% of the adult population affected. Obesity influences fracture care as it affects impact forces, alters cellular pathways of healing, and is often associated with higher complication rates. Distal radius fractures are among the most common fracture patterns in the adult population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of BMI on the degree of intra-articular fracture comminution, operative time, and return to the OR in obese patients who underwent operation for distal radius fractures.Methods: A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Improvement Program's (ACS-NSQIP) database was performed and logistic regressions were used to assess the relationship between BMI and open treatment of distal radius fractures. Three separate CPT codes were used to distinguish between extra-articular fractures, intra-articular split fracture, and intra-articular fracture with comminution. Percutaneous or closed treatment of distal radius fractures were excluded.Results: A total of 11,228 patients (mean age 65.1 years) with open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures were identified. For every increase in BMI point, there was an increased risk of intra-articular split fracture by 1.7% (OR 1.017, 95% CI 1.010-1.023, p < 0.01) and increased risk of intra-articular comminution by 3.1% (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.025-1.037, p < 0.01). Additionally, for every increase in BMI point, the risk of a surgical complication increased by 2.3% DISCUSSION: This nationally representative, population-based study demonstrates that elevated BMI is associated with increased risk for intra-articular involvement and higher risk for post-operative complications. Our results can be useful to patients and orthopedic surgeons as prognostic information for counseling patients on expectations following open reduction and surgical fixation of distal radius fractures.Level Of Evidence: Case-control study. Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Extensor mechanism injuries are disabling injuries that require prompt evaluation and treatment and complications are often devastating. While smoking has been shown to increase complications following total joint arthroplasty, this relationship has not yet been established in those undergoing extensor mechanism repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of smoking on postoperative complications following extensor mechanism repair.Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to identify patients who underwent an extensor mechanism repair from 2005 to 2016. Patients were stratified by tobacco use, as either "current" or "nonsmokers." A multivariate logistic regression was used to control for demographic and comorbid factors while assessing perioperative complications.Results: 5208 patients were identified, and of these, 843 (16.2%) were current smokers. Smokers were younger, male, and with lower BMIs compared to nonsmokers (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.002, respectively). They had a higher rate of surgical complications (OR 1.61, CI 1.02-2.52), including deep surgical site infections (OR 3.27, CI 1.03-10.43) and unplanned return to the operating room (OR 2.001, 1.24-3.23). Smokers were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days of surgery (OR 1.78, OR 1.09-2.90).Conclusion: Tobacco use is associated with a 1-2% increase in surgical, but not medical, complications following repair of extensor mechanism injuries. Smokers are at higher risk for deep infections, unplanned return to the OR, and hospital readmission. Identifying these patients preoperatively will allow surgeons to accurately counsel patients on perioperative risks. Counseling in preoperative smoking cessation is valuable for optimizing patient outcomes following extensor mechanism repair.Level Of Evidence: Retrospective comparative study, Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]