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Background: Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is a common cause of hip pain, which can prevent ice hockey players from sports participation. Hip arthroscopy is often performed to relieve pain and enable the player to return to sport (RTS) and return to performance (RTP). Purpose: To determine the RTS and RTP rates for ice hockey players at the professional and subelite levels after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: High-level ice hockey players who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS between 2011 and 2019 were identified using a local hip arthroscopy registry. The player’s level was confirmed with ice hockey–specific web pages and was stratified as subelite or professional. Data on the players’ careers were extracted from these web pages. Player position was divided into goalkeepers, defensemen, and forwards. Data on participation in games included the season before onset of symptoms, the season before surgery, and the first and second seasons after surgery. RTS was defined as returning to ice hockey after surgery, and RTP was considered as returning to the same league at a comparable level to before symptoms. Results: A total of 80 ice hockey players were included. Comparing presymptom performance with the first season after surgery, the RTS rate was 72%, of which 94% of the players returned to the same or higher level of play. Comparing the presurgery season with the first season after surgery, the RTS rate was 78%. At the second season after surgery, 64% of players still played ice hockey, with a significantly higher return rate among professional players compared with subelite players (96% vs 69%; P = .014). Overall, 85% goalkeepers, 74% forwards, and 60% defensemen returned to sport. Only 28% played at least the same number of games during the first season after surgery as they did during the presymptom season. Conclusion: High-level ice hockey players who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS had a high RTS rate, in which the majority returned to the same league. However, only 28% played the same number of games the first season after surgery as they did at the presymptom level. Professional ice hockey players returned more frequently than players on the subelite level.

Subtalar instability remains a topic of debate, and its precise cause is still unknown. The mechanism of injury and clinical symptoms of ankle and subtalar instabilities largely overlap, resulting in many cases of isolated or combined subtalar instability that are often misdiagnosed. Neglecting the subtalar instability may lead to failure of conservative or surgical treatment and result in chronic ankle instability. Understanding the accurate anatomy and biomechanics of the subtalar joint, their interplay, and the contributions of the different subtalar soft tissue structures is fundamental to correctly diagnose and manage subtalar instability. An accurate diagnosis is crucial to correctly identify those patients with instability who may require conservative or surgical treatment. Many different nonsurgical and surgical approaches have been proposed to manage combined or isolated subtalar instability, and the clinician should be aware of available treatment options to make an informed decision. In this current concepts narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the anatomy, biomechanics, clinical and imaging diagnosis, nonsurgical and surgical treatment options, and outcomes after subtalar instability treatment.

Background:A precise and consistent definition of return to sport (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is lacking, and there is controversy surrounding the process of returning patients to sport and their previous activity level.Purpose:The aim of the Panther Symposium ACL Injury Return to Sport Consensus Group was to provide a clear definition of RTS after ACL injury and a description of the RTS continuum as well as provide clinical guidance on RTS testing and decision-making.Study Design:Consensus statement.Methods:An international, multidisciplinary group of ACL experts convened as part of a consensus meeting. Consensus statements were developed using a modified Delphi method. Literature review was performed to report the supporting evidence.Results:Key points include that RTS is characterized by achievement of the preinjury level of sport and involves a criteria-based progression from return to participation to RTS and, ultimately, return to performance. Purely time-based RTS decision-making should be abandoned. Progression occurs along an RTS continuum, with decision-making by a multidisciplinary group that incorporates objective physical examination data and validated and peer-reviewed RTS tests, which should involve functional assessment as well as psychological readiness. Consideration should be given to biological healing, contextual factors, and concomitant injuries.Conclusion:The resultant consensus statements and scientific rationale aim to inform the reader of the complex process of RTS after ACL injury that occurs along a dynamic continuum. Research is needed to determine the ideal RTS test battery, the best implementation of psychological readiness testing, and methods for the biological assessment of healing and recovery.

Background: Previous studies have identified young age as a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision. However, few studies have looked separately at pediatric patients and adolescents with regard to outcomes after ACL reconstruction. Purpose: To determine whether patient age at ACL reconstruction affects the risk of undergoing revision surgery in young patients. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study was based on data from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry. Patients aged 5 to 35 years who underwent a primary ACL reconstruction with a hamstring tendon autograft between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2015, were included. The cohort was stratified into different age groups of pediatric patients, adolescents, and young adults to estimate patients with open, recently closed, and closed epiphyses, respectively. The primary endpoint was ACL revision. A multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess the ACL revision rate. The results were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. Results: A total of 36,274 ACL reconstructions were registered during the study period. Of these, 2848 patients were included in the study: 47 pediatric patients (mean age, 13.6 years; range, 9-15 years), 522 adolescents (mean age, 17.4; range, 14-19 years), and 2279 young adults (mean age, 27.0; range, 20-35 years). A total of 31 patients (1.1%) underwent ACL revision within 2 years (0 pediatric patients, 9 adolescents [1.7%], and 22 young adults [1.0%]) and a total of 53 patients (2.6%) underwent ACL revision within 5 years (2 pediatric patients [6.9%], 15 adolescents [3.9%], and 36 young adults [2.2%]). The adolescent age group had a 1.91 times higher rate of ACL revision compared with the young adults (HR = 1.91 [95% CI, 1.13-3.21]; P = .015). There were no differences in revision rates between the pediatric age group and the young adults (HR = 2.93 [95% CI, 0.88-9.79]; P = .081). Conclusion: Adolescents had almost twice the rate of revision ACL reconstruction compared with young adults.

Background: There is limited evidence regarding the patient-related factors that influence treatment outcomes after an acute Achilles tendon rupture. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of functional and patient-reported outcomes 1 year after an acute Achilles tendon rupture using a multicenter cohort and to determine patient characteristics for reporting within the top and bottom 10% of the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) and heel-rise height outcomes. The hypothesis was that older age, greater body mass index (BMI), and female sex would lead to inferior outcomes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients were selected by combining 5 randomized controlled trials from 2 different centers in Sweden. Functional outcomes were assessed using validated heel-rise tests (height, number of repetitions, total work, and concentric power) for muscular endurance and strength, and the relationship between injured and uninjured legs was calculated as the limb symmetry index (LSI). Patient-reported outcomes were measured using the ATRS. All outcomes were collected at the 1-year follow-up. Independent predictors included were patient sex, smoking, BMI, age, and surgical versus nonsurgical treatment. Results: Of the 391 included patients, 307 (79%) were treated surgically. The LSI of heel-rise height at the 1-year follow-up decreased by approximately 4% for every 10-year increment in age (beta, –3.94 [95% CI, –6.19 to –1.69]; P = .0006). In addition, every 10-year increment in age resulted in a 1.79-fold increase in the odds of being in the lowest 10% of the LSI of heel-rise height. Moreover, a nonsignificant superior LSI of heel-rise height was found in patients treated surgically compared with nonsurgical treatment (beta, –4.49 [95% CI, –9.14 to 0.16]; P = .058). No significant predictor was related to the ATRS. Smoking, patient sex, and BMI did not significantly affect the 1-year results for the LSI of the heel-rise tests. Conclusion: Older age at the time of injury negatively affected heel-rise height 1 year after an Achilles tendon rupture. Irrespective of age, a nonsignificant relationship toward the superior recovery of heel-rise height was seen in patients treated surgically. None of the factors studied affected patient-reported outcomes.

Background:Achilles tendon rupture leads to weakness of ankle plantarflexion. Treatment of Achilles tendon rupture should aim to restore function while minimizing weakness and complications of management.Purpose:To determine the influence of factors (age, sex, body mass index [BMI], weight, time from injury to operative repair, and tightness of repair) in the initial surgical management of patients after an acute Achilles tendon rupture on 12-month functional outcome assessment after percutaneous and minimally invasive repair.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:From May 2012 to January 2018, patients sustaining an Achilles tendon rupture receiving operative repair were prospectively evaluated. Tightness of repair was quantified using the intraoperative Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA). Heel-rise height index (HRHI) was used as the primary 12-month outcome variable. Secondary outcome measures included Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) and Tegner score. Stepwise multiple regression was used to create a model to predict 12-month HRHI.Results:A total of 122 patients met the inclusion criteria for data analysis (mean ± SD age, 44.1 ± 10.8 years; 78% male; mean ± SD BMI, 28.1 ± 4.3 kg/m2). The elapsed time to surgery was 6.5 ± 4.0 days. At 12-month follow-up, patients had an HRHI of 82% ± 16% and performed 82% ± 17% of repetitions compared with the noninjured side. Participants had a mean ATRS of 87 ± 15 and a median Tegner score of 5 (range, 1-9), with a reduction in Tegner score of 2 from preinjury levels. The relative ATRA at 12 months was –4.8° ± 3.9°. Multiple regression identified younger age (B = ±0.006; P < .001) and greater intraoperative ATRA (B = 0.005; P = .053) as predictors of more symmetrical 12-month HRHI ( R2= 0.19; P < .001; n = 120).Conclusion:Age was found to be the strongest predictor of outcome after Achilles tendon rupture. The most important modifiable risk factor was the tightness of repair. It is recommended that repair be performed as tight as possible to optimize heel-rise height 1 year after Achilles tendon rupture and possibly to reduce tendon elongation.

Background:The aim of management of Achilles tendon rupture is to reduce tendon lengthening and maximize function while reducing the rerupture rate and minimizing other complications.Purpose:To determine changes in Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA), heel-rise height, patient-reported outcomes, return to play, and occurrence of complications after minimally invasive repair of Achilles tendon ruptures using nonabsorbable sutures.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Between March 2013 and August 2015, a total of 70 patients (58 males, 12 females) with a mean age of 42 ± 8 years were included and evaluated at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after repair of an Achilles tendon rupture. Surgical repair was performed using either 4-strand or 6-strand nonabsorbable sutures. After surgery, patients were mobilized, fully weightbearing using a functional brace. Early active movement was permitted starting at 2 weeks.Results:There were no significant differences in the ATRA, Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), and Heel-Rise Height Index (HRHI) between the 4- and 6-strand repairs. The mean (SD) relative ATRA was –13.1° (6.6°) (dorsiflexion) following injury; this was reduced to 7.6° (4.8°) (plantar flexion) directly after surgery. During initial rehabilitation at 6 weeks, the relative ATRA was 0.6° (7.4°) (neutral) and –7.0° (5.3°) (dorsiflexion) at 3 months, after which ATRA improved significantly with time to 12 months ( P = .005). At 12 months, the median ATRS was 93 (range, 35-100), and the mean (SD) HRHI and Heel-Rise Repetition Index were 81% (0.22%) and 82.9% (0.17%), respectively. The relative ATRA at 3 and 12 months correlated with HRHI ( r = 0.617, P < .001 and r = 0.535, P < .001, respectively).Conclusion:Increasing the number of suture strands from 4 to 6 does not alter the ATRA or HRHI after minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair. The use of a nonabsorbable suture during minimally invasive repair when used together with accelerated rehabilitation did not prevent the development of an increased relative ATRA. The ATRA at 3 months after surgery correlated with heel-rise height at 12 months.

Background: The h-index is a metric widely used to present both the productivity and impact of an author’s previous publications. Purpose: To evaluate and observe any correlations among the h-indices of 2015 editorial board members from 8 top sports medicine journals. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: The sex, country of residence, degree, and faculty position of the editorial board members were identified using their respective scientific publication profiles. The h-index and other bibliometric indicators of these editorial board members were obtained using both the Web of Science (WoS) and Google Scholar (GS) databases. Nonparametric statistics were used to analyze differences in h-index values, and regression models were used to assess the ability of the editorial board member’s h-index to predict their journal’s impact factor (IF). Results: A total of 422 editorial board members were evaluated. The median h-index of all editors was 20 (interquartile range [IQR], 19) using GS and 15 (IQR, 15) using WoS. GS h-index values were 1.19 times higher than WoS, with significant correlation between these values ( r2 = 0.88, P = .0001). Editorial board members with a PhD had significantly higher h-indices than those without (GS, P = .0007; WoS, P = .0002), and full professors had higher h-indices than associate and assistant professors (GS, P = .0001; WoS, P = .0001). Overall, there were significant differences in the distribution of the GS ( P < .0001) and WoS ( P < .0001) h-indices of the editorial board members by 2014 IF of the journals. Both the GS h-index (β coefficient, 0.01228; 95% CI, 0.01035-0.01423; P < .0001) as well as the WoS h-index (β coefficient, 0.01507; 95% CI, 0.01265-0.01749; P < .0001) of editorial board members were significant predictors of the 2014 IF of their journal. Conclusion: The h-indices of editorial board members of top sports medicine journals are significant predictors of the IF of their respective journals.

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain and dysfunction among athletes. Although arthroscopic surgery is an established treatment option for FAI, there are few studies reporting detailed outcomes using validated outcome measurements specifically designed for young and active athletes. Purpose: To report outcomes 1 year after arthroscopic treatment of FAI in top-level athletes using validated outcome measurements adapted for a young and active population. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 85 top-level athletes (68 males, 17 females) with a mean (±SD) age of 25 ± 5 years underwent arthroscopic surgery for FAI. All athletes who reported Hip Sports Activity Scale (HSAS) levels 7 or 8 (range, 0-8) prior to symptom onset were included. The cohort was prospectively evaluated using online web-based validated health-related patient-reported outcomes measures (HR-PROMs), including the short version of the International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS; 6 subscales), the EuroQOL 5 dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D; 2 subscales), the Hip Sports Activity Scale (HSAS) for physical activity level, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for overall hip function. Furthermore, patients reported their overall satisfaction with treatment. Results: The mean follow-up time was 12.3 ± 0.6 months. Preoperative scores compared with those obtained at the 12-month follow-up revealed statistically and clinically significant improvements ( P < .0001) for all measured outcomes: iHOT-12 (42 vs 73), VAS for global hip function (52 vs 77), HSAS (4.3 vs 5.7), EQ-5D index (0.60 vs 0.83), EQ-VAS (68 vs 82), and HAGOS subscales (60 vs 83, 50 vs 73, 66 vs 86, 39 vs 75, 27 vs 70, and 34 vs 67). At the 12-month follow-up, 79 athletes (93%) reported that they were satisfied with the outcome of surgery. At follow-up, 62 athletes (73%) had returned to competitive sports (HSAS levels 5-8) and 44 (52%) to their previous HSAS level of activity (HSAS level 7 or 8). Twenty-three athletes (27%) did not return to competitive sports (HSAS level ≤4). Significantly lower levels of return to sports were seen with longer symptom duration ( P < .05). Conclusion: Twelve months after surgery, arthroscopic treatment for FAI in top-level athletes resulted in statistically and clinically significant improvements at the group level in all outcome parameters for pain, symptoms, function, physical activity level, quality of life, and general health. One year after surgery, approximately 3 of 4 top-level athletes had returned to sports.

Background: Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery occurs in 5% to 15% of individuals undergoing ACL reconstruction. Identifying predictors for revision ACL surgery is of essence in the pursuit of creating adequate prevention programs and to identify individuals at risk for reinjury and revision. Purpose: To determine predictors of revision ACL surgery after failed primary ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 251 participants (mean age ± SD, 26.1 ± 9.9 years) who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction 1 to 5 years earlier completed a comprehensive survey to determine predictors of revision ACL surgery at a mean 3.4 ± 1.3 years after the primary ACL reconstruction. Potential predictors that were assessed included subject characteristics (age at the time of surgery, time from injury to surgery, sex, body mass index, preinjury activity level, return to sport status), details of the initial injury (mechanism; concomitant injury to other ligaments, menisci, and cartilage), surgical details of the primary reconstruction (Lachman and pivot shift tests under anesthesia, graft type, femoral drilling technique, reconstruction technique), and postoperative course (length of rehabilitation, complications). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors that predicted the need for revision ACL surgery. Results: Overall, 21 (8.4%) subjects underwent revision ACL surgery. Univariate analysis showed that younger age at the time of surgery ( P = .003), participation in sports at a competitive level ( P = .023), and double-bundle ACL reconstruction ( P = .024) predicted increased risk of revision ACL surgery. Allograft reconstructions also demonstrated a trend toward greater risk of revision ACL surgery ( P = .076). No other variables were significantly associated with revision ACL surgery. Multivariate analysis revealed that revision ACL surgery was only predicted by age at the time of surgery and graft type (autograft vs allograft). Conclusion: The overall revision ACL surgery rate after primary unilateral ACL reconstruction was 8.4%. Univariate predictors of revision ACL reconstruction included younger age at the time of surgery, competitive baseline activity level, and double-bundle ACL reconstruction. However, multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that age and reconstruction performed with allograft were the only independent predictors of revision ACL reconstruction.

The number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among young athletes has increased over the past 2 decades. It is currently estimated that 47 per 100,000 boys aged 10 to 19 years will require surgery for an ACL injury each year.12 Apart from the immediate debilitating effects, there are serious long-term consequences of ACL injuries, including chronic knee instability, cartilage damage, and osteoarthritis—all leading to decreased activity levels. On average, 50% of individuals will develop radiographic signs of osteoarthritis, which is associated with pain and functional impairment, 10 to 20 years after diagnosis.14 Thus, it is imperative to identify young athletes that may be susceptible to ACL injuries and implement preventative training measures in these individuals. The incidence rate of ACL injuries among young, male, American football players has been reported to be 0.58 ACL injuries per 10,000 athlete-exposures, with an athlete-exposure being defined as 1 athlete participating in either 1 game or 1 practice.23

Background: Tendon healing differs between the sexes. Comparisons in outcome between the sexes after an Achilles tendon rupture are often not possible because of the small cohort (Purpose: To evaluate whether there are any differences in outcome between the sexes by combining the data from 2 large randomized controlled trials that used identical outcome measures. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Included in the evaluation were patients from 2 consecutive randomized controlled trials comparing surgical and nonsurgical treatment performed at our research laboratory. Patients who had a rerupture were excluded from analysis. A total of 182 patients (152 males, 30 females), with mean ± SD age of 40 ± 11 years, were included; 94 (76 males, 18 females) were treated with surgery and 88 (76 males, 12 females) nonsurgically. Patient-reported outcome was evaluated using the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), and the functional outcome was measured with a heel-rise test (measurement of muscular endurance and heel-rise height) at 6 and 12 months after injury. Results: Male patients had a greater improvement in heel-rise height at 12 months ( P = .004). When each treatment group was analyzed separately, it was found that female patients had significantly ( P < .03) more symptoms after surgical treatment (mean ± SD ATRS, 59 ± 24) compared with males at 6 (73 ± 19) and 12 months (74 ± 27 vs 86.5 ± 17). This sex difference was not found in the nonsurgical treatment group. For the entire group, there were no significant differences between treatments on ATRS at 6 and 12 months. The surgical group had significantly better results compared with the nonsurgical group in heel-rise endurance at 6 and 12 months and in heel-rise height recovery at 6 months ( P < .03 for both). Conclusion: Sex differences were demonstrated, and female patients had a greater degree of deficit in heel-rise height as compared with males, irrespective of treatment. Females had more symptoms after surgery both at 6 and 12 months, but this difference was not found when treated nonsurgically. Clinical Relevance: Further research is needed to determine whether women will benefit more from nonsurgical compared with surgical treatment after an Achilles tendon rupture.

Background: A diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) requires careful history and physical examination, as well as an accurate and reliable radiologic evaluation using plain radiographs as a screening modality. Radiographic markers in the diagnosis of FAI are numerous and not fully validated. In particular, reliability in their assessment across health care providers is unclear. Purpose: To determine inter- and intraobserver reliability between orthopaedic surgeons and musculoskeletal radiologists. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Six physicians (3 orthopaedic surgeons, 3 musculoskeletal radiologists) independently evaluated a broad spectrum of FAI pathologies across 51 hip radiographs on 2 occasions separated by at least 4 weeks. Reviewers used 8 common criteria to diagnose FAI, including (1) pistol-grip deformity, (2) size of alpha angle, (3) femoral head-neck offset, (4) posterior wall sign abnormality, (5) ischial spine sign abnormality, (6) coxa profunda abnormality, (7) crossover sign abnormality, and (8) acetabular protrusion. Agreement was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: When establishing an FAI diagnosis, there was poor interobserver reliability between the surgeons and radiologists (ICC batch 1 = 0.33; ICC batch 2 = 0.15). In contrast, there was higher interobserver reliability within each specialty, ranging from fair to good (surgeons: ICC batch 1 = 0.72; ICC batch 2 = 0.70 vs radiologists: ICC batch 1 = 0.59; ICC batch 2 = 0.74). Orthopaedic surgeons had the highest interobserver reliability when identifying pistol-grip deformities (ICC = 0.81) or abnormal alpha angles (ICC = 0.81). Similarly, radiologists had the highest agreement for detecting pistol-grip deformities (ICC = 0.75). Conclusion: These results suggest that surgeons and radiologists agree among themselves, but there is a need to improve the reliability of radiographic interpretations for FAI between the 2 specialties. The observed degree of low reliability may ultimately lead to missed, delayed, or inappropriate treatments for patients with symptomatic FAI.

Background: Randomized studies have so far failed to show a difference in outcome between operative and nonoperative management of Achilles tendon rupture, provided that no rerupture occurs. Percutaneous Achilles repair has been suggested to result in superior patient satisfaction compared with open repair in patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture, but there are no outcome data available with validated methods describing the progression of recovery during the first year. Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of patients with a ruptured Achilles tendon, managed by percutaneous repair, during the first year following repair with a valid, reliable, and responsive outcome measure. Furthermore, the effects of time between injury and surgery, age, and complications on outcome were also evaluated. Study design: Case series. Methods: A total of 73 patients (60 males and 13 females) with a mean age of 45.5 years were included. Patient age, length of time between injury and surgery, and complications were documented. Patients were evaluated using the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months following repair. Results: The median ATRS results at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 42.5, 73, 83, and 89, respectively. The number of patients who reported excellent or good scores (ATRS >84) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 3%, 36%, 57%, and 69%, respectively. There were no significant differences in outcome at each time point for those patients undergoing early (≤48 hours) compared with late surgery or between those 65 years of age. The complication rate was 13.5%. Patients who had a complication had a lower ATRS result at 3 months following surgery, but there were no differences after that time point. Conclusion: The patients in the present study reported marked improvement in function between 3 and 6 months following surgery, with continuing but less steep improvement up to 1 year following surgery. The presence of a complication other than rerupture did not affect the end-stage outcome but did affect that at 3 months following surgery. Clinical Relevance: This study demonstrates improving scores with time over the first year following surgery, against which other treatment methods can be compared.