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Background: Iliopsoas fractional lengthening (IFL) continues to be a controversial procedure in hip arthroscopy. Hypothesis: Patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and a labral tear either with or without IFL would experience favorable outcomes, and there would be no difference in postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between the 2 groups at minimum 2-year follow-up. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data from July 2009 and April 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were eligible if they had hip arthroscopy for both FAI and labral tear treatment with IFL and without IFL. IFL was indicated for painful internal snapping. Minimum postoperative follow-up was set to 2 years. The authors calculated the modified Harris Hip Score, International Hip Outcome Tool–12, Hip Outcome Score–Activity of Daily Living Score, Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific Subscale, Non-Arthritic Hip Score, visual analog scale for pain, patient satisfaction, minimal clinically important difference (MCID), and the percentage of patients who achieved patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS). Revision surgeries and conversions to total hip arthroplasty (THA) were documented. Results: 351 hips (307 patients) met the necessary inclusion criteria in the IFL cohort, with a mean ± SD follow-up time of 42.5 ± 18.1 months. For the control cohort, 392 hips (354 patients) were included, with a mean ± SD follow-up time of 43.9 ± 19.6 months. Both groups showed significant postoperative improvement in 2-year follow-up PROs. The group with iliopsoas lengthening showed comparable results to the control group with respect to PRO improvement, MCID, PASS, and rates of revision or THA conversion. Conclusion: This comparative cohort study demonstrated that treatment of painful internal snapping syndrome with arthroscopic IFL, in the setting of FAI and a labral tear, is a safe procedure with good short- to mid-term follow-up results and associated improvement in PROs. Patients who underwent IFL showed similar outcomes compared with a control group treated for FAI and labral tear without IFL. In appropriately selected patients, arthroscopic IFL did not adversely affect clinical outcomes compared with patients who did not need IFL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) is often performed with concomitant meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) as a strategy for knee joint preservation, although to date, the effect of concomitant MAT on outcomes and failure rates after OCA has not been assessed. Purpose: To determine clinical outcomes for patients undergoing OCA with MAT as compared with a matched cohort of patients undergoing isolated OCA. Study Design: Control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent OCA of the medial or lateral femoral condyle without concomitant MAT by a single surgeon were compared with a matched group of patients who underwent OCA with concomitant MAT (ipsilateral compartment). The patients were matched per age, sex, body mass index, and number of previous ipsilateral knee operations ±1. Patient-reported outcomes, complications, reoperations, and survival rates were compared between groups. Results: One hundred patients undergoing OCA (50 isolated, 50 with MAT) with a mean ± SD follow-up of 4.9 ± 2.7 years (minimum, 2 years) were included (age, 31.7 ± 9.8 years; 52% male). Significantly more patients underwent OCA to the medial femoral condyle (n = 59) than the lateral femoral condyle (n = 41, P < .0001). Patients underwent 2.7 ± 1.7 operations on the ipsilateral knee before OCA. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding reoperation rate (n = 18 for OCA with MAT, n = 17 for OCA without MAT, P = .834), time to reoperation (2.2 ± 2.4 years for OCA with MAT, 3.4 ± 2.7 years for OCA without MAT, P = .149), or failure rates (n = 7 [14%] for OCA with MAT, n = 7 [14%] for OCA without MAT, P > .999). There were no significant differences in patient-reported clinical outcome scores between the groups at final follow-up. There was no significant difference in failure rates between patients undergoing medial femoral condyle OCA (n = 12, 15.3%) and lateral femoral condyle OCA (n = 5, 12.2%, P = .665). Conclusion: These results imply that with appropriate surgical indications to address meniscus deficiency in patients otherwise indicated for OCA and despite the added surgical time and complexity of concomitant MAT, outcomes are favorable, with an 86% OCA graft survivorship at 5 years. This information can be used to counsel patients undergoing OCA with concomitant MAT as part of a knee joint preservation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on midterm outcomes of the arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tears with mild osteoarthritis (OA) are limited. Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of the arthroscopic treatment of FAI and labral tears in patients with mild preoperative OA (Tönnis grade 1) at a minimum 5-year follow-up, and to perform a matched-pair comparison to a control group with Tönnis grade 0. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were prospectively collected on patients who underwent hip arthroscopic surgery between February 2008 and April 2011. Inclusion criteria were arthroscopic treatment for FAI and labral tears and having preoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, including the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), and Hip Outcome Score–Sports-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain. Exclusion criteria were workers’ compensation claims, preoperative Tönnis grade ≥2, and previous hip conditions (ipsilateral surgery, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, avascular necrosis, and dysplasia). Patients with minimum 5-year outcomes were eligible for matching on a 1:1 ratio (Tönnis grade 0 vs 1) based on age ±5 years, body mass index ±5 kg/m2, sex, labral treatment, and capsular treatment. Results: Of 356 eligible hips, 292 hips had minimum 5-year outcomes (82%). Eighty-five hips with Tönnis grade 1 were evaluated. At 5-year follow-up, patients with Tönnis grade 1 had significant improvements in all PRO and VAS scores (P < .0001). The overall satisfaction score was 8.2. The survivorship rate with respect to conversion to total hip arthroplasty for the Tönnis grade 1 group was 69.4% at 5 years, while in the Tönnis grade 0 group, it was 88.4% (P = .0002). Sixty-two hips with Tönnis grade 0 were matched to 62 hips with Tönnis grade 1. Both groups demonstrated improvements in all PRO and VAS scores from preoperatively to postoperatively (P < .0001). No significant differences existed between preoperative or postoperative scores or survivorship between the groups. Conclusion: The arthroscopic treatment of FAI and labral tears in patients with Tönnis grade 1 had good results at 5-year follow-up. After controlling for other variables using a matched-pair comparison, patients with Tönnis grade 1 had similar, durable improvements to those with Tönnis grade 0. While strict surgical indications and appropriate expectations are recommended for patients with mild OA, Tönnis grade 1 alone should not be considered a contraindication to hip arthroscopic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It remains unknown how variations in body mass index (BMI) influence outcomes after primary hip arthroscopic surgery with capsular plication for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Purpose: To evaluate the effect that abnormal BMI (namely, overweight, obese, morbidly obese, and underweight) versus normal weight has on patient-reported clinical outcomes more than 2 years postoperatively from primary hip arthroscopic surgery with capsular plication by a single surgeon. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A clinical repository containing patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopic surgery for FAI between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2014, with a minimum 2-year follow-up was queried. Outcome measures included the Hip Outcome Score (HOS)–Activities of Daily Living (ADL), HOS-Sports, modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain; satisfaction, and Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State (PASS) for the HOS-ADL; scores were collected preoperatively and at 3 months, 1 year, and minimum 2 years postoperatively. Included patients were segregated by preoperative BMI into the following categories: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), obese (30.0-34.9 kg/m2), and morbidly obese (≥35.0 kg/m2). A multivariate logistic regression model controlling for patient demographics and disease severity was used to identify independent associations between BMI categories and outcomes. A Bonferroni adjustment lowered the threshold for significance to P < .01. Results: There were 409 hips in 381 patients appropriate for study inclusion: 7 underweight, 197 normal BMI, 130 overweight, 31 obese, and 16 morbidly obese. The mean age was 33.1 ± 12.1 years, with 232 (61%) female patients. At 2 years postoperatively, significant differences in the trend among HOS-ADL, HOS-Sports, and mHHS scores were evident, with normal BMI patients, followed by underweight patients, demonstrating greater scores than their overweight, obese, and morbidly obese counterparts. Obese patients demonstrated lower satisfaction scores than normal BMI patients. Overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients had lower improvements in VAS pain scores compared with normal BMI patients. Increasing BMI (not subdivided into the 5 BMI categories) was associated with a higher infection risk (mean BMI for infections: 32.3 ± 9.8 kg/m2 vs mean BMI for noninfections: 25.2 ± 4.8 kg/m2; P = .0035). However, with multivariate analysis, no significant differences in patient clinical outcomes between the BMI categories met the threshold for significance. Among obese patients (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2), no specific risk factors were found to be significantly associated with decreases in the change in VAS, HOS-ADL, HOS-Sports, mHHS, satisfaction, or PASS for the HOS-ADL scores. However, because of the small cohort sizes at the extremes of the BMI categories, this analysis may have been underpowered to identify a significant difference in underweight or morbidly obese patients. Conclusion: In the current cohort, there were multiple potential confounding variables, and while some clinical differences were observed initially (higher HOS-ADL, HOS-Sports, and mHHS scores for normal BMI patients than overweight and obese patients at 2 years postoperatively; lower satisfaction scores for obese patients than normal BMI patients; and lower improvement in VAS pain scores for overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients when compared with normal BMI patients), after multivariate analysis, no associations were observed between BMI and clinical outcomes after hip arthroscopic surgery with capsular plication for FAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteochondral allograft transplantation (OAT) is being performed with increasing frequency, and the need for reoperations is not uncommon. Purpose: To quantify survival for OAT and report findings at reoperations. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A review of prospectively collected data of 224 consecutive patients who underwent OAT by a single surgeon with a minimum follow-up of 2 years was conducted. The reoperation rate, timing of reoperation, procedure performed, and findings at surgery were reviewed. Failure was defined by revision OAT, conversion to knee arthroplasty, or gross appearance of graft failure at second-look arthroscopic surgery. Results: A total of 180 patients (mean [±SD] age, 32.7 ± 10.4 years; 52% male) who underwent OAT with a mean follow-up of 5.0 ± 2.7 years met the inclusion criteria (80% follow-up). Of these, 172 patients (96%) underwent a mean of 2.5 ± 1.7 prior surgical procedures on the ipsilateral knee before OAT. Forty-eight percent of OAT procedures were isolated, while 52% were performed with concomitant procedures including meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) in 65 (36%). Sixty-six patients (37%) underwent a reoperation at a mean of 2.5 ± 2.5 years, with 32% (21/66) undergoing additional reoperations (range, 1-3). Arthroscopic debridement was performed in 91% of patients with initial reoperations, with 83% showing evidence of an intact graft; of these, 9 ultimately progressed to failure at a mean of 4.1 ± 1.9 years. A total of 24 patients (13%) were considered failures at a mean of 3.6 ± 2.6 years after the index OAT procedure because of revision OAT (n = 7), conversion to arthroplasty (n= 12), or appearance of a poorly incorporated allograft at arthroscopic surgery (n = 5). The number of previous surgical procedures was independently predictive of reoperations and failure; body mass index was independently predictive of failure. Excluding the failed patients, statistically and clinically significant improvements were found in the Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Short Form–12 physical component summary at final follow-up (P < .001 for all), with inferior outcomes (albeit overall improved) in patients who underwent a reoperation. Conclusion: In this series, there was a 37% reoperation rate and an 87% allograft survival rate at a mean of 5 years after OAT. The number of previous ipsilateral knee surgical procedures was predictive of reoperations and failure. Of the patients who underwent arthroscopic debridement with an intact graft at the time of arthroscopic surgery, 82% experienced significantly improved outcomes, while 18% ultimately progressed to failure. This information can be used to counsel patients on the implications of a reoperation after OAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pathologic changes of the long head of the biceps tendon are a recognized source of shoulder pain in adults that can be treated with tenotomy or tenodesis when nonoperative measures are not effective. It is not clear whether arthroscopic or open biceps tenodesis has a clinical advantage. Hypothesis: Pain relief and shoulder function after all-arthroscopic suprapectoral biceps tenodesis are similar to outcomes after an open subpectoral tenodesis. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A prospective database was reviewed for patients undergoing an all-arthroscopic suprapectoral or open subpectoral biceps tenodesis. Adult patients with a minimum 18-month follow-up were included. Patients undergoing a concomitant rotator cuff or labral repair were excluded. The groups were matched to age within 3 years, sex, and time to follow-up within 3 months. Pain improvement, development of a ‘‘Popeye’’ deformity, muscle cramping, postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, satisfaction scores, and complications were evaluated. Results: Forty-six patients (23 all-arthroscopic, 23 open) with an average age of 57.2 years (range, 45-70 years) were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 30.1 months (range, 21.1-44.9 months). No patients in either group developed a Popeye deformity or complained of arm cramping. There was no significant difference in mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores between the open and all-arthroscopic groups (92.3 vs 88.9; P = .42); similarly, there was no significant difference in patient satisfaction scores between the groups (8.9 vs 9.1; P = .73). Eighteen patients (78.3%) in the arthroscopic cohort and 16 (69.6%) in the open cohort fully returned to athletic activity (P = .50). Eight patients (34.8%) in the arthroscopic group and 10 (39.1%) in the open group reported pain at night or with heavy activities. There were no complications in the all-arthroscopic group. There were 2 complications in the open group that resolved by final follow-up. Conclusion: Biceps tenodesis remains a reliable treatment for pathologic abnormality of the long head of the biceps. Patients undergoing an all-arthroscopic suprapectoral tenodesis in the distal aspect or distal to the bicipital groove showed similar pain relief and clinical outcomes as compared with patients undergoing open subpectoral tenodesis. Open subpectoral biceps tenodesis may carry a higher complication risk secondary to a more invasive technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is currently unknown how pre-existing lumbar spine conditions may affect the medical evaluation, draft status, and subsequent career performance of National Football League (NFL) players. Purpose: To determine if a pre-existing lumbar diagnosis affects a player's draft status or his performance and longevity in the NFL. Study Design: Cohort study; Level 3.Methods: The investigators evaluated the written medical evaluations and imaging reports of prospective NFL players from a sin- gle franchise during the NFL Scouting Combine from 2003 to 2011. Players with a reported lumbar spine diagnosis and with appropriate imaging were included in this study. Athletes were then matched to control draftees without a lumbar spine diagnosis by age, position, year, and round drafted. Career statistics and performance scores were calculated. Results: Of a total of 2965 athletes evaluated, 414 were identified as having a pre-existing lumbar spine diagnosis. Players with- out a lumbar spine diagnosis were more likely to be drafted than were those with a diagnosis (80.2% vs 61.1%, respectively, P < .001). Drafted athletes with pre-existing lumbar spine injuries had a decrease in the number of years played compared with the matched control group (4.0 vs 4.3 years, respectively, P = .001), games played (46.5 vs 50.8, respectively, P = .0001), and games started (28.1 vs 30.6, respectively, P = .02) but not performance score (1.4 vs 1.8, respectively, P = .13). Compared with controls, players were less likely to be drafted if they had been diagnosed with spondylosis (62.37% vs 78.55%), a lumbar herniated disc (60.27% vs 78.43%), or spondylolysis with or without spondylolisthesis (64.44% vs 78.15%) (P < .001 for all), but there was no appreciable effect on career performance; however, the diagnosis of spondylolysis was associated with a decrease in career longevity (P < .05). Notably, 2 athletes who had undergone posterior lateral lumbar fusion were drafted. One played in 125 games, and the other is still active and has played in 108 games. Conclusion: The data in this study suggest that athletes with pre-existing lumbar spine conditions were less likely to be drafted and that the diagnosis is associated with a decrease in career longevity but not performance. Players with lumbar fusion have achieved successful careers in the NFL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on labral reconstruction with semitendinosus allografts and iliotibial band (ITB) autografts to improve hip joint contact area and contact pressure. Topics covered include biomechanics, hip arthroscopic surgery, and femoroacetabular impingement. Also mentioned are the increased use of hip arthroscopic and joint-preserving surgery and the improved understanding of hip disorders.

The article presents a comparison of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone morphogenetic protein-13 (BMP13) on healing of rotator cuff injury in a rat. Topics discussed include the pathophysiology of rotator cuff injury healing, the benefits offered by PRP and BMP13 and the results of the tenocyte gene expression analysis conducted by the authors. Also mentioned is the reason behind the effectiveness of the adenoviral delivery of BMP13.

The article presents research which examined the outcomes of patients who underwent hip arthroscopic surgery using T-capsulotomy. Topics covered include the comparison of partial repair with complete repair for femoroacetabular impingement. Also mentioned are risk factors that could affect conditions of patients who underwent the surgery such as patient sex and age.

The article discusses a study that aims to quantify survival for meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) and report findings at reoperation. A review of a prospectively collected database of patients who underwent MAT from 2003 to 2011 was done. It is said that 64 patients went back to the operating room after their index procedure. It is also mentioned that patients requiring secondary surgery within 24 months had an odds ratio of 8.4 for future arthroplasty or MAT revision.

Background:Ice hockey players have a high incidence of lumbar spine disorders; however, there is no evidence in the literature to guide the treatment of an ice hockey player with a herniated lumbar disc.Purpose:To determine the performance-based outcomes in professional National Hockey League (NHL) athletes with a lumbar disc herniation after either nonsurgical or surgical treatment.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiological study.Methods:Athletes in the NHL with a lumbar disc herniation were identified through team injury reports and archives on public record. The return-to-play rate, games played per season, points per game, and performance score for each player were determined before and after the diagnosis of a lumbar disc herniation. Statistical analysis was used to compare preinjury and postinjury performance measures for players treated with either nonsurgical or surgical treatment.Results:A total of 87 NHL players met the inclusion criteria; 31 underwent nonoperative care, 48 underwent a discectomy, and 8 underwent a single-level fusion. The return-to-play rate for all players was 85%. There was a significant decrease in performance in all players after a lumbar disc herniation in games played per season, points scored per game, and performance score. A comparison of the posttreatment results for the nonsurgical and surgical patient groups revealed no significant difference in performance measures. Notably, the lumbar fusion group did not show a decrease in games played per season or performance score after surgery, likely secondary to a small sample size.Conclusion:National Hockey League players with a lumbar disc herniation have a high return-to-play rate regardless of the type of treatment; however, performance-based outcomes may decrease compared with preinjury levels. The study data suggest that a lumbar fusion is compatible with a return to play in the NHL, which is in contrast to other professional sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study which evaluated clinical outcomes in a cohort of patients with borderline dysplasia who were treated with arthroscopic labral preservation and capsular plication. Between April 2008 and November 2010, the researchers examined patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for symptomatic intra-articular hip disorders. They learned that patients with borderline dysplasia have often fallen into a gray area between arthroscopy and periacetabular osteotomy.

The article presents a study on hip arthroscopy for labral tears among patients receiving workers' compensation (WC) with those of a matched group not receiving WC. Data were collected on all patients treated with hip arthroscopy in June 2008 to August 2010. Results show patients with WC status had significantly lower preoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores for all measures. The authors say there was no significant difference between visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the groups.

The article reports a study which compared the amount of inadvertent posteriorization of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial tunnel anatomy during transtibial ACL femoral reaming with a full femoral reamer versus a half femoral reamer. The results revealed that half-fluted reamers may be more beneficial for femoral tunnel reaming with a more oblique transtibial approach, as they result in less posterior tibial tunnel expansion than full reamers.

The article discusses the study of early outcomes of endoscopic repair of partial and full-thickness gluteus medius tears. It states that gluteus medius tears can transmit functional impairment causing chronic peritrochanteric hip pain. It reveals the satisfactory scores of all hip specific surgery with postoperative improvement. Endoscopic surgical repair performed through fullthickness technique, is an effective treatment of gluteus medius tears of minimum 2 years follow-up is also concluded.

The article reports a study which was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in Study of the Treatment of Articular Repair (STAR) patients with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).The results revealed that patients with OCD of the knee had statistically significant pain reduction and functional improvement for up to 48 months after ACI. This indicates that ACI is a viable treatment option for complex and severe OCD lesions of the knee.

Background: The effect of low-dose gamma irradiation on healing of soft tissue allografts remains largely unknown. Hypothesis: The authors hypothesized that soft tissue allograft healing to bone would be delayed compared with that of autograft tissue and that low-dose (1.2 Mrad) gamma irradiation would not affect the healing response of allograft tissue after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Forty-eight New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral ACL reconstructions with semitendinosus tendon graft. Sixteen rabbits were reconstructed with autografts and the remainder with allografts. The 32 allograft rabbits each received 1 irradiated allograft (1.2 Mrad), with the contralateral leg receiving a nonirradiated allograft. Animals were euthanized at 2 weeks or 8 weeks postoperatively. Tensile stiffness, maximum load, and displacement at maximum load were measured. Tibial and femoral segments were sectioned perpendicular to the tunnel axis allowing for histologic and histomorphometric analyses at the tendon-bone interface. Results: There were no significant differences between the maximum load or stiffness values among all groups at 8 weeks. At 2 weeks, autograft exhibited significantly (P\.01) lower maximum load than did the nonirradiated grafts. Regarding histology, at both 2- and 8-week time points, autograft tendon displayed more advanced degenerative and remodeling processes in comparison with irradiated allograft and nonirradiated allograft. Discussion: The maximum load and stiffness of a healing tendon allograft in ACL reconstruction appear to be unaltered by lowdose (1.2 Mrad) irradiation. At 8 weeks, there were no biomechanical differences in tendon-bone healing of allografts when compared with autograft controls. Histologic analyses suggested a faster remodeling response in autograft specimens in comparison with allografts at both time points. Clinical Relevance: The findings support the contention that low-dose gamma irradiation is safe for sterilization of ACL soft tissue allografts without compromise of graft properties at early time points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a paucity of evidence demonstrating clinical outcomes of high-end athletes sustaining a treatment for lumbar disk herniation.Purpose: To evaluate the ability of a National Football League lineman to return to play after lumbar diskectomy.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: National Football League offensive and defensive linemen diagnosed with a lumbar disk herniation were identified by previously published protocols using multiple sources of the public record. Demographic and statistical performance data were compiled for each player both before and after treatment.Results: A total of 66 linemen (36 offensive and 30 defensive) met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-two were treated surgically, and 14 were treated nonsurgically. On average, this group had a body mass index of 35.4 and was 27.6 years old. Of those players treated surgically, 80.8% (42/52) successfully returned to play an average of 33 games over 3.0 years, with 63.5% (33/52) becoming starters after treatment. Conversely, only 28.6% (4/14) of linemen successfully returned to play after nonoperative intervention, which was significantly lower than those treated with a diskectomy (P < .05). Of the linemen in the surgical cohort, 13.5% (7/ 52) required revision decompression, and 85.7% (6/7) of these players successfully returned to play.Conclusion: National Football League linemen have high return-to-play rates after lumbar diskectomy. Furthermore, because those linemen requiring revision decompression successfully returned to play 85.7% of the time, this cohort should not be denied surgical treatment after recurrent problems. Although the data in our study suggest that National Football League linemen who are treated surgically have superior outcomes to those treated nonoperatively, because of the limitations with the methodology used in this study, further prospective studies are necessary to accurately compare treatment effects and to determine the long-term prognosis for these athletes after retirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allograft tissue remains a valuable alternative for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. No study to date has correlated the effect of donor age to bone mineral density (BMD) in a large series of irradiated bone—patellar tendon—bone (BPTB) allograft tissue.Hypothesis/Purpose: The authors attempted to correlate donor age with BMD in a large group of BPTB allograft specimens treated with low-dose gamma irradiation (1.0-1.3 Mrad) collected over a 4-year period. They hypothesized there would be no effect of donor age on the BMD of irradiated BPTB allografts.Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.Methods: A total of 110 BPTB allograft specimens from 44 male and 66 female donors with a mean age of 46 years (range, 21-58 years) were analyzed. Bone mineral density data were obtained from both the patellar and tibial bone plugs of the BPTB complex. Statistical analyses were conducted using linear regression for correlations and 2-tailed Student t tests for comparisons between groups.Results: The mean BMD of the patellar bone plug (0.471 g/cm2) was significantly greater than the mean BMD of the tibial bone plug (0.328 g/cm2) (P < .001). No correlation was identified between donor age and BMD for either the patella or tibial bone plugs (R2 = .014 and .011, respectively). Both patellar and tibial BMD was significantly greater for the male grafts than the female ones.Conclusion: No correlation was found between donor age and BMD for irradiated BPTB allograft tissue. The patellar bone plugs were noted to have a greater BMD than the tibial bone plugs. Allograft tissue from male donors had higher BMD values than that harvested from female donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ligamentum teres (LT) anatomy has been known for many years. While its functionality remains debatable, it is well recognized that the LT can be a source of pain in the hip joint. In 1997, a landmark publication by Gray and Villar established a classification for LT tears and increased the awareness of LT disorders. However, the incidence of LT tears and the various tear types is unknown.Purpose: The authors report the prevalence of LT tears in a population of patients who underwent hip arthroscopy, using both the Gray and Villar classification and a new descriptive classification.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: Between February 2008 and January 2011, 616 hip arthroscopies were performed by the senior author. After excluding revision surgeries, a total of 558 surgeries (502 patients) were included in the study. Data were collected regarding patients’ demographics, mechanism of injury, range of motion, magnetic resonance results, and intraoperative findings. Preoperative hip-specific questionnaire scores and pain level were recorded as well. Ligamentum teres tears were classified according to Gray and Villar’s classification, and were also categorized using a descriptive grading system as follows: 0, no tear; 1, <50% tear; 2, >50% tear; or 3, 100% tear.Results: A total of 284 (51%) of the 558 surgeries in this cohort revealed LT tears. According to the descriptive grading system, 22% were grade 1, 24% were grade 2, and 5% were grade 3. According to the Gray and Villar classification 3.7% had full rupture, 43% had a partial tear, and 4.5% had a degenerative tear. Patients with LT tears were significantly older and had worse preoperative functional scores; they did, however, have a greater range of motion. Intraoperatively, an association with larger labral tear size and acetabular chondral damage was found. Magnetic resonance arthrography was found to have low accuracy and sensitivity in detection of LT tears. No correlation to the pain level was found.Conclusion: Ligamentum teres tears had a higher prevalence in this study than was published in the past, most probably attributable to a lower threshold used in defining a tear. The incidence is defined both using the Gray and Villar classification, as well as a new descriptive classification system that categorizes the LT according to amount of tearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]