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Background: Ice hockey referees and linesmen are at risk for musculoskeletal injuries because of the lack of protective equipment and contact with players, sticks, pucks, the ice surface and boards. Purpose: To quantify and analyze injuries reported by officials of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A 61-question survey tool was designed by an interdisciplinary team to evaluate musculoskeletal injuries experienced by ice hockey officials. This survey was administered to 600 active IIHF referees and linesmen. Only completed survey responses were included in the statistical analysis. Continuous variables were analyzed using unpaired t-tests, while categorical data were assessed utilizing chi-square tests. Results: Of the 600 surveys administered, 264 surveys were completed by officials from 45 countries (44% response rate). Of the respondents, 72% were male, and 28% were female, with a mean age of 31.1 ± 5.8 years. Officiating experience averaged 11.4 ± 6.0 years (6.3 ± 4.5 years with the IIHF). A total of 295 injuries were reported by 55% of the officials. Injuries occurred more frequently during games compared with training, and officials who worked year-round had more total injuries than those who took time off ( P = .03). The most common injuries involved the wrist and hand (n = 64 [22%]), head and face (n = 58 [20%]), and the knee (n = 47 [16%]). Wrist and hand trauma included 23 fractures. Knee and shoulder injuries were most likely to require surgery compared with other body areas ( P < .001); 30 officials underwent surgery because of an acute knee injury (10%). Injury prevention activities were effective at reducing injuries ( P = .04). Conclusion: Most ice hockey officials experienced musculoskeletal injuries during their career. The risk of trauma to the wrist and hand can possibly be reduced via equipment modifications including protective gloves. A greater emphasis should be placed on injury prevention programs and time away from officiating competitions.

Background: Limited knowledge exists on the role of advanced academic degrees within faculty positions in orthopaedic sports medicine. Purpose: To 1) provide an assessment of the baseline demographics of advanced degrees among orthopaedic sports medicine faculty and 2) examine the impact of advanced degrees on research productivity and career attainment of orthopaedic sports medicine faculty. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Orthopaedic sports medicine academics were identified using faculty listings on websites of the 200 orthopaedic surgery residency programs during the 2020-2021 academic year. Advanced degrees were defined as those additional to the primary medical degree (Doctor of Medicine [MD] or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine [DO]). Outcome measures included timing of advanced degree obtainment, residency program rankings, research productivity, and current academic rank and leadership roles. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests to determine the association of advanced degrees on outcome measures. Results: In total, 911 orthopaedic sports medicine faculty members were identified, of whom 100 had an advanced degree. The most common advanced degrees were Master of Science (MS/MSc; 38%), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD; 23%), and Master of Business Administration (MBA; 13%). The presence of an advanced degree was associated with greater research productivity, including higher h-index and number of publications, as well as more editorial board positions on orthopaedics journals ( P < .001). Advanced degrees were not significantly associated with attending a higher ranked orthopaedic surgery residency program, current academic rank, or leadership roles. At the institutional level, orthopaedic sports medicine programs that employed faculty with an advanced degree had a higher residency program ranking and the presence of a sports medicine fellowship was more likely ( P < .05). Conclusion: Advanced degrees in orthopaedic sports medicine were associated with greater faculty research engagement and employment at a higher ranked institution; they were not associated with matching to a highly ranked orthopaedic surgery residency program, higher faculty rank, or academic leadership roles.

Objectives: To assess for the presence of recall bias between prospectively and retrospectively collected patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores in hip arthroscopy (HA). Methods: Patients that underwent HA between 2015-2021 and provided pre-operative baseline responses for the International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (iHOT-12), the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Shortform (HOOS-PS), and the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) were eligible for recruitment. Eligible participants were asked to complete a study-specific survey and the same preoperative PROs retrospectively, requiring them to recall the status of the hip prior to surgery. Agreement between the prospective and retrospective scores was assessed using a two-way mixed effects intraclass coefficient (ICC) model. Paired t-tests were used to compare the mean scores of both groups and linear regression models were used to help identify associations between score discrepancies and patient characteristics. Results: A total of 222 patients were approached for participation, of whom 104 (60.6% female) completed study requirements and were included for analysis. The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 24.5 ± 31.8 months and the mean duration to recall (from the day of surgery) for the retrospective completion of hip surveys was 29.1 ± 21.8 months. The iHOT-12 had a low amount of agreement between prospective and retrospectively collected scores (ICC=.452; P =.000). HOOS-PS scores also had a low amount of agreement (ICC=.458; P =.000). The mHHS had a moderate amount of agreement (ICC=.621; P =.000). Mean scores for iHOT-12 (41.5 ± 22.6 vs. 35.3 ± 17.7; P Conclusions: The retrospective collection of patient-reported outcomes for hip arthroscopy procedures, which requires patient recall of their preoperative condition, is subject to bias and inaccuracy. Recalled PROs consistently reflected worse pain/function than their prospectively recorded counterpoints; therefore, retrospective patient recall is an unreliable source of clinical data and the prospective collection of iHOT-12, mHHS, and HOOS-PS data should be prioritized. [Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Table: see text]

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is the current gold standard of treatment for overhead athletes with a symptomatic, deficient UCL of the elbow who have failed nonoperative treatment and wish to return to sport (RTS) at a high level. The palmaris longus and hamstring tendons are common graft choices, but no study has analyzed the existing literature to assess whether one graft is superior to the other. Purpose: To systematically report on the outcomes of UCL reconstruction using palmaris and hamstring autografts. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A combination of the terms “ulnar collateral ligament,” “valgus instability,” “Tommy John surgery,” “hamstring,” and “palmaris longus” were searched in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. RTS and return-to-same-level (RSL) rates, patient-reported outcomes, and complications were included for analysis. We used the modified Coleman Methodology Score and risk-of-bias tool for nonrandomized studies to assess the quality of the included studies. Results: This review included 6 studies (combined total of 2154 elbows) that directly compared palmaris and hamstring graft use in UCL reconstruction. Follow-up ranged from 24 to 80.4 months, and the mean patient age across all studies was 21.8 years. The mean RSL across all studies and grafts was 79.0%, and the mean RTS was 84.1%, consistent with results previously reported in the literature. The mean RTS and RSL rates for the palmaris graft group were 84.6% and 82%, respectively; the hamstring graft group showed mean RTS and RSL rates of 80.8% and 80.8%. Meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in RSL between the 2 graft groups (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.77-1.46). The combined complication rate of the included studies was 18.2%, with failure rates ranging from 0% to 7.1%. Conclusion: Results of this review indicated that both palmaris and hamstring tendon grafts are viable options for primary UCL reconstruction. Graft choice should be determined by a combination of patient and surgeon preference.

Objectives: Articular cartilage injury has been identified as a risk factor for poor outcomes following hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting cartilage defects, and to identify specific MRI findings associated with cartilage injury. Methods: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy between February 2015 and May 2017 at one institution were enrolled in a prospective cohort. Intra-articular findings were documented at the time of surgery. MRI reports were retrospectively reviewed for radiologist-reported articular cartilage, osseous or synovial abnormalities. Sensitivity and specificity of MRI findings were calculated; multivariate logistic regression analysis determined which findings were associated with high-grade chondral damage at time of arthroscopy and used to create an online risk calculator, https://orthop.washington.edu/hiprisk/. Results: Out of a total of 598 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy, 550 had MRI reports available for review (92%). Grade III and IV cartilage injuries were reported on arthroscopy in 70 patients (13%) of average age 33 ± 13 years. On univariate analyses, individual MRI findings were not found to be sensitive in detection of articular cartilage injury (mean 22%, range 1.4% – 46%), but positive findings were highly specific (mean 90%, range 76% – 99%). Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (OR 1.09 [1.06-1.11], p < .001) and osseous findings such as subchondral cyst or edema (OR 4.77 [2.51-9.05], p Conclusions: MRI was a specific but not sensitive tool in diagnosing articular cartilage injury. Surgeons should be aware that osseous findings such as cysts or edema are highly predictive of full-thickness cartilage loss in FAI.

Background:Patient factors, including mental health, sex, and smoking, have been found to be more predictive of preoperative hip pain and function than intra-articular findings during hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI); however, little is known about how these factors may influence patients’ postoperative outcomes.Hypothesis:We hypothesized that lower patient-reported mental health scores would be significant risk factors for worse patient-reported outcomes (PROs) 1 year after arthroscopic hip surgery for FAI and that baseline intra-articular pathology would fail to demonstrate an association with outcomes 1 year after FAI surgery.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A prospective cohort of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI were electronically enrolled. Baseline and 1-year follow-up PROs were collected, including Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for pain (HOOS-Pain), HOOS–Physical Function Short Form (HOOS-PS), and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey–Mental Component Score (VR-12 MCS). Intra-articular operative findings and treatment were documented at the time of surgery. Proportional odds logistic regression models were built for 1-year outcomes (HOOS-Pain, HOOS-PS, and VR-12 MCS). Risk factors included patient characteristics and intraoperative anatomic and pathologic findings.Results:Overall, 494 patients underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI, and 385 (78%) were evaluated at 1 year with at least 1 PRO. The median patient age was 33 years, mean body mass index was 25.5 kg/m2, and 72% were female. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that better baseline HOOS-Pain, HOOS-PS, and VR-12 MCS were significantly associated with improvement in the 1-year scores for each PRO. Higher VR-12 MCS was significantly associated with better 1-year HOOS-Pain and HOOS-PS, while current and former smokers had worse 1-year outcomes than those who never smoked. In ranking each variable’s relative importance, baseline HOOS-Pain and HOOS-PS and baseline VR-12 MCS were identified as the strongest predictors of 1-year HOOS-Pain and HOOS-PS in our multivariable model.Conclusion:During hip arthroscopy for FAI, patient factors, including baseline hip pain and function, mental health, and smoking, were independently associated with 1-year PROs of hip pain and function, while intra-articular pathology such as the presence of labral tear and its treatment, tear size, tear location, and anchors placed were not independently associated.

Background: Multiple studies have shown that patients are susceptible to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, even with ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Prospective studies using multivariable analysis to identify risk factors for PTOA are lacking. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to identify baseline predictors of radiographic PTOA after ACLR at an early time point. We hypothesized that meniscal injuries and cartilage lesions would be associated with worse radiographic PTOA using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) atlas criteria. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 421 patients who underwent ACLR returned on-site for standardized posteroanterior semiflexed knee radiography at a minimum of 2 years after surgery. The mean age was 19.8 years, with 51.3% female patients. At baseline, data on demographics, graft type, meniscal status/treatment, and cartilage status were collected. OARSI atlas criteria were used to grade all knee radiographs. Multivariable ordinal regression models identified baseline predictors of radiographic OARSI grades at follow-up. Results: Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06) and higher body mass index (OR, 1.05) were statistically significantly associated with a higher OARSI grade in the medial compartment. Patients who underwent meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy had statistically significantly higher OARSI grades in the medial compartment (meniscal repair OR, 1.92; meniscectomy OR, 2.11) and in the lateral compartment (meniscal repair OR, 1.96; meniscectomy OR, 2.97). Graft type, cartilage lesions, sex, and Marx activity rating scale score had no significant association with the OARSI grade. Conclusion: Older patients with a higher body mass index who have an ACL tear with a concurrent meniscal tear requiring partial meniscectomy or meniscal repair should be advised of their increased risk of developing radiographic PTOA. Alternatively, patients with an ACL tear with an articular cartilage lesion can be reassured that they are not at an increased risk of developing early radiographic knee PTOA at 2 to 3 years after ACLR.

Background: Single-sport athletes who specialize in baseball at a young age may have a greater predisposition to overuse injury, burnout, and decreased career longevity when compared with multiple-sport athletes. The effect of sport specialization has not been studied in professional baseball players. Hypothesis: Major League Baseball (MLB) players who played multiple sports in high school would experience fewer injuries, spend less time on the disabled list, play more games, and have a longer career than athletes who played only baseball in high school. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: First- and second-round MLB draft picks from 2008 to 2016 who played in at least 1 professional game were included in this study. Athletes who participated in 1 or more sports in addition to baseball during high school were considered multisport athletes, and athletes who participated in only baseball were considered single-sport athletes. For each athlete, participation in high school sports, injuries sustained in MLB and Minor League Baseball, number of days on the disabled list for each injury, number of games played in both leagues, and whether the athlete was still active were collected from publicly available records. Results: A total of 746 athletes were included in this study: 240 (32%) multisport and 506 (68%) single sport. Multisport athletes played in significantly more mean total games (362.8 vs 300.8; P < .01) as well as more mean MLB games (95.9 vs 71.6; P = .04) than single-sport athletes. There was no difference in the mean number of seasons played in the major leagues (1.8 vs 1.6; P = .15) or minor league (5.25 vs 5.20; P = .23) between multisport and single-sport athletes. Single-sport athletes had a significantly higher prevalence of upper extremity injuries compared with multisport athletes (136 [63%] vs 55 [50%]; P = .009). Single-sport pitchers also had a higher prevalence of shoulder and elbow injuries (86 vs 27; P = .008) and were more likely to have recurrent elbow injuries (33% vs 17% recurrence; P = .002) compared with multisport pitchers. Conclusion: Professional baseball players who participated in multiple sports in high school played in more major league games and experienced lower rates of upper and lower extremity injuries than players who played only baseball in high school.

Background: Online video-sharing platforms such as YouTube have become popular sources of medical information for patients. However, concern exists regarding the quality of such non–peer reviewed content. In fact, a previous investigation found the majority of YouTube information related to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) to be of poor quality. Purpose: To provide an updated assessment of the quality of FAI-related videos available on YouTube. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The terms FAI, femoroacetabular impingement, and hip impingement were searched on YouTube, and exclusion criteria were applied to the first 100 results for each term. The diagnostic and treatment content of each video was graded and assigned a quality assessment rating based on a previously used rubric. Video characteristics (e.g. duration, views, “likes”) were compared using both quality assessment rating and video source. Results: A total of 142 videos were included in the final analysis. The most common video source was educational (48.6%), followed by physician-sponsored (30.3%). The majority of videos were graded as “somewhat useful” for both diagnostic and treatment content (59.4% and 61.6%, respectively); however, treatment content was rated “not useful” more often than diagnostic information (20.3% vs. 8.7%, respectively). Videos rated as “somewhat useful” received the most views per day on average, while educational videos were the most viewed by source (views and views per day). Educational videos had more views and likes on average than physician-sponsored videos ( P < .05), but all other comparisons of video characteristics by source were not significant. Video duration was the only characteristic found to vary significantly by quality assessment rating ( P < .001 for both diagnostic and treatment analyses), with higher-quality videos tending to be longer. Videos rated as “excellent” and “very useful” had mean durations >30 minutes but were viewed the least. Conclusion: The overall quality of FAI-related content on YouTube remains low. Clinicians should be familiar with medical information available to patients on the internet, as it can influence patients’ perspectives and shared decision-making processes. This review substantiates the need for more publicly available, high-quality video content regarding the diagnosis and treatment of FAI.

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is a reliable treatment for elite overhand throwers with UCL tears. In recent years, this procedure has become increasingly common among Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. Predisposing factors and associated comorbidities, however, have not been fully elucidated. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine whether professional baseball pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction had an increased incidence of hip or groin injuries 4 years before or after surgery. We hypothesized that MLB pitchers who sustain hip or groin injuries may be more likely to develop UCL tears because of alterations and overcompensation in the kinetic chain during overhand throwing. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A comprehensive list of all 247 MLB players who underwent UCL reconstruction between 2005 and 2017 was created using publicly accessible online data. The application of inclusion criteria yielded a final sample size of 145 athletes. These athletes’ injury histories were identified and cross-referenced with the official MLB disabled list. Matched controls were generated for a comparison of results. Results: Of the 145 MLB pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction between 2005 and 2017, 40 (27.6%) endured a proximal lower extremity injury within 4 years of their surgery. Specifically, 16 pitchers sustained hip injuries, 13 suffered hamstring injuries, and 14 experienced groin injuries. A significantly lower rate of hip- and groin-related injuries (17.9%) was identified in matched controls during a similar time frame (P = .049). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that MLB pitchers who required UCL reconstruction sustained a higher frequency of proximal lower extremity injuries both before and after surgery compared with matched controls. This finding is significant as the treatment of antecedent hip lesions, as well as an emphasis on hip and core muscle mobility and strengthening, may help reduce injuries to the UCL.

Background: The indications for the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are vaguely defined despite the frequency of its use as a treatment for athletes. While select studies have advocated for its efficacy, the majority of orthopaedic research conducted on the topic has been equivocal. Purpose: To define the use of PRP in elite athletes by team physicians from professional sports leagues. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A survey assessing treatment timing, usage patterns, indications, and complications was generated by fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons. The survey was distributed to team physicians from the National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, and the “Power 5” Division I conferences of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. From a compilation of publicly available email addresses and those available from professional team physician associations, 149 team physicians were sent this PRP assessment tool. Results: Of the 149 professional and collegiate team physicians contacted, 59 started the survey and 46 completed it, resulting in a 39.6% participation rate and a 30.9% completion rate. Approximately 93% of physicians stated that they use PRP in their practices, and 72% use ultrasonography for injection guidance. On average, collegiate team physicians and National Football League physicians treated the most players per season with PRP (69.4 and 60.4 players, respectively), while National Hockey League physicians treated the fewest (18.0 players). The majority of respondents reported no complications from PRP injections (70%), with pain being the most common complication reported (26%). There was no consensus on the most important aspect of PRP formulation, with the top 2 responses being platelet concentration (48%) and white blood cell concentration (39%). When grading the importance of indications to use PRP, physicians found athlete desire on average (7.5 ± 2.2 [SD]; out of 10) to be more important than reimbursement (2.2 ± 2.2) ( P < .001). Importantly, physicians stated that they moderately (5.4 ± 2.3) believed in the evidence behind PRP. Physicians listed hamstring injuries as the most common injury treated with PRP. Hamstring injuries were treated with a mean 3.14 PRP injections, as opposed to 2.19 injections for nonhamstring injuries. Conclusion: Professional and collegiate team physicians frequently use PRP despite a lack of consensus regarding the importance of the formulation of the product, the timing of treatment, and the conditions that would most benefit from PRP treatment.

Background: Body checking is a common cause of youth ice hockey injuries. Consequently, USA Hockey raised the minimum age at which body checking is permitted from the Pee Wee level (11-12 years old) to the Bantam level (13-14 years old) in 2011. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of body checking on the distribution of injuries reported in youth ice hockey players. We hypothesized that the elimination of body checking at the Pee Wee level would lower the frequency of serious injuries, particularly concussions. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Injury data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a United States Consumer Product Safety Commission database, were analyzed for Pee Wee and Bantam players between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010 and again between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015. Data on the location of injury, diagnosis, and mechanism of injury were collected. The location of injury was categorized into 4 groups: head and neck, upper extremity, lower extremity, and core. Diagnoses investigated included concussions, fractures, lacerations, strains or sprains, internal organ injuries, and other. The mechanism of injury was broken down into 2 categories: checking and other. Results: Between the 2008-2010 and 2013-2015 seasons, overall injuries decreased by 16.6% among Pee Wee players, with injuries caused by body checking decreasing by 38.2% ( P = .012). There was a significant change in the distribution of diagnoses in the Pee Wee age group during this time frame ( P = .007): strains or sprains, internal organ injuries, and fractures decreased in frequency, while the number of concussions increased by 50.0%. In the Bantam age group, recorded injuries decreased by 6.8%, and there was no change in the distribution of the location of injury, diagnosis, or mechanism of injury ( P > .05). Conclusion: There was an observed reduction in the total number, mechanism, and type of injuries when body checking was eliminated from the Pee Wee level. There was, however, an unexpected increase in the number of concussions.

Background: The detection and management of chondral injuries of the hip, especially in a younger patient population, may preempt joint degeneration. Although the outcomes of preservation techniques have been well described for other weightbearing joints, such as the knee, evidence for hip joint preservation after procedures such as microfracture and autologous chondrocyte implantation remains in its infancy. Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of joint preservation procedures in the hip, including the success rate and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This review was performed using the terms “hip arthroscopy,” “microfracture,” “autologous chondrocyte implantation,” “fibrin glue,” “osteochondral transfer,” and variations thereof in 5 electronic databases, yielding 325 abstracts. After the application of eligibility criteria, 19 articles were included. Weighted means were calculated for PROs, and pooled estimates were calculated for age, follow-up, chondral lesion size, and success of hip preservation procedures with a random-effects proportion meta-analysis. Results: A total of 1484 patients (1502 hips) were identified across 19 studies (mean age, 38.0 ± 1.3 years; mean follow-up, 31.8 ± 9.6 months). Hip joint preservation techniques demonstrated a high success rate, ranging from 85.6% to 99.7%. The mean pooled chondral lesion size was 2.5 ± 0.3 cm2 (95% CI, 1.9-3.0 cm2). Microfracture was the most frequent technique, utilized by 11 studies, and demonstrated an 89.6% success rate (95% CI, 82.4%-96.7%). The highest pooled success rate was exhibited by autologous membrane-induced chondrogenesis in 3 studies (99.7% [95% CI, 99.0%-100.0%]). All PROs demonstrated a statistically significant increase postoperatively, including the modified Harris Hip Score, Nonarthritic Hip Score, and Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living and Hip Outcome Score–Sports-Specific Subscale (all P < .05). The visual analog scale for pain also demonstrated a statistically significant decrease of 37.2% ( P < .05). Conclusion: Hip preservation procedures demonstrate a high success rate, with microfracture representing the most frequently utilized cartilage preservation technique in the peer-reviewed literature. PROs significantly improved after surgery. Further investigation of hip preservation modalities with long-term follow-up is required to create evidence-based clinical recommendations and treatment algorithms.

Background: The optimal postoperative rehabilitation protocol following repair of complete proximal hamstring tendon ruptures is the subject of ongoing investigation, with a need for more standardized regimens and evidence-based modalities. Purpose: To assess the variability across proximal hamstring tendon repair rehabilitation protocols published online by United States (US) orthopaedic teaching programs. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Online proximal hamstring physical therapy protocols from US academic orthopaedic programs were reviewed. A web-based search using the search term complete proximal hamstring repair rehabilitation protocol provided an additional 14 protocols. A comprehensive scoring rubric was developed after review of all protocols and was used to assess each protocol for both the presence of various rehabilitation components and the point at which those components were introduced. Results: Of 50 rehabilitation protocols identified, 35 satisfied inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Twenty-five protocols (71%) recommended immediate postoperative bracing: 12 (34%) prescribed knee bracing, 8 (23%) prescribed hip bracing, and 5 (14%) did not specify the type of brace recommended. Fourteen protocols (40%) advised immediate nonweightbearing with crutches, while 16 protocols (46%) permitted immediate toe-touch weightbearing. Advancement to full weightbearing was allowed at a mean of 7.1 weeks (range, 4-12 weeks). Most protocols (80%) recommended gentle knee and hip passive range of motion and active range of motion, starting at a mean 1.4 weeks (range, 0-3 weeks) and 4.0 weeks (range, 0-6 weeks), respectively. However, only 6 protocols (17%) provided specific time points to initiate full hip and knee range of motion: a mean 8.0 weeks (range, 4-12 weeks) and 7.8 weeks (range, 0-12 weeks), respectively. Considerable variability was noted in the inclusion and timing of strengthening, stretching, proprioception, and cardiovascular exercises. Fifteen protocols (43%) required completion of specific return-to-sport criteria before resuming training. Conclusion: Marked variability is found in both the composition and timing of rehabilitation components across the various complete proximal hamstring repair rehabilitation protocols published online. This finding mirrors the variability of proposed rehabilitation protocols in the professional literature and represents an opportunity to improve patient care.

Background: Subcoracoid impingement has been implicated as a cause of anterior shoulder pain and subscapularis tendon tears. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bony anatomy of the coracoid process and the subcoracoid space. We hypothesized that age-related changes that may contribute to subcoracoid impingement occur in the subcoracoid space. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: In total, 418 skeletal shoulder specimens were included in this study. We utilized 214 shoulders from a young cohort (25-35 years of age) and 204 shoulders from an older cohort (>55 years of age) for comparison. We evaluated several morphological characteristics of the coracoid process and the subcoracoid space: coracoid width, coracoid shape, coracoid thickness, and subcoracoid distance. Each coracoid was observed for the presence of spurring or other morphological changes. Results: The mean anteroposterior (AP) thickness of the coracoid tip was 7.9 and 9.4 mm in our young female and male cohorts, respectively, while the mean AP thickness was 8.1 and 9.7 mm in our older female and male cohorts, respectively. The coracoid tip was hooked in 31 of 108 young female shoulders compared with 55 of 102 older female shoulders, and the coracoid tip was hooked in 25 of 106 young male shoulders compared with 45 of 102 older male shoulders. The mean subcoracoid distance in neutral rotation was 14.8 and 12.5 mm in young and older female shoulders, respectively, while the mean subcoracoid distance in internal rotation in these same cohorts was 8.7 and 7.0 mm, respectively. The mean subcoracoid distance in neutral rotation was 14.8 and 13.3 mm in young and older male shoulders, respectively, while the mean subcoracoid distance in internal rotation was 8.6 and 8.1 mm in young and older male shoulders, respectively. Conclusion: The principal findings of our study demonstrate that anatomic changes implicated in subcoracoid impingement may be developmental and worsen with age. The subcoracoid space was narrower in our older cohort of shoulders. Additionally, these older shoulders also had a greater AP width and a more hooked coracoid compared with young shoulders. Clinical Relevance: Narrowing of the subcoracoid space has been shown to be implicated as a cause of anterior shoulder pain and subscapularis tendon tears. This is the first study to show that the morphological changes implicated in subcoracoid impingement become more prevalent with age. This may help to explain the increasing prevalence of subscapularis tendon tears in older patients. Furthermore, subcoracoid decompression may be seen as an option for older patients with anterior shoulder pain and subscapularis tendon tears.

Objectives: Joint pain and function at the time of surgery may influence postoperative rehabilitation, recovery and the final outcome of the patient. Little is known about how patient factors or pathologic findings predict hip pain or function in those presenting with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We hypothesized that patient factors including mental health would more strongly correlate with subjective assessments of hip pain and function compared to the extent of the intra- or extra-articular pathology (chondral damage, labral tear, cam or pincer deformities) in patients undergoing surgery for FAI. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI were enrolled between 2/2015 and 9/2016. Patients d HOOS-Pain, HOOS-Physical Function, VR12-MCS, VR12-PCS and UCLA activity questionnaires at the time of surgery. Surgeons documented intra-articular operative findings for each case by a standardized data collection method utilizing a mobile iPhone application. Multivariable linear regression models were created for continuous scores of HOOS-pain, HOOS-Physical Function and VR12-PCS as dependent variables. Independent variables studied included both patient factors and intra-operative anatomic and pathologic findings [Table 1]. Results: During the study period, 396 patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for FAI were enrolled. The mean patient age was 34±14 years, mean BMI 26.36±5.01 and 71% were female. The mean baseline scores were 45.94±17.07 for HOOS-Pain, 31.68±10.06 for VR-12 PCS and 40.99±17.75 for HOOS-Physical Function. The mean UCLA activity score was 5.04±2.57. Factors associated with worse HOOS-Pain scores include older age (p=0.01), female sex (pConclusion: Patients with lower mental health scores, lower activity levels and those who smoke have predictably worse subjective hip pain and function when controlling for operative variables. While the presence of a labral tear does predict worse pain, the impact on subjective pain is weaker compared to patient factors such as mental health, smoking or female sex. Future studies evaluating patient outcomes after surgery for FAI should consider correcting for these identified patient factors in order to accurately interpret differences in patient reported outcomes. In order to determine the influence of these factors on the final outcome of the patient, further studies and follow-up are warranted.

Background:Anatomic reinsertion of the distal biceps is critical for restoring flexion and supination strength. Single- and double-incision surgical techniques have been reported, analyzing complications and outcomes measures. Which technique results in superior clinical outcomes and the lowest associated complications remains unclear.Hypothesis:We hypothesized that rerupture rates would be similar between the 2 techniques, while nerve complications would be higher for the single-incision technique and heterotopic ossification would be more frequent with the double-incision technique.Study Design:Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SPORTSDiscus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases to identify articles reporting distal biceps ruptures up to August 2013. We included English-language articles on adult patients with a minimum of 3 cases reporting single- and double-incision techniques. Frequencies of each complication as a percentage of total cases were calculated. Fisher exact tests were used to test the association between frequencies for each repair method, with P < .05 considered statistically significant. Odds ratios with 95% CIs were also computed.Results:A total of 87 articles met the inclusion criteria. Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve neurapraxia was the most common complication in the single-incision group, occurring in 77 of 785 cases (9.8%). Heterotopic ossification was the most common complication in the double-incision group, occurring in 36 of 498 cases (7.2%).Conclusion:The overall frequency of reported complications is higher for single-incision distal biceps repair than for double-incision repair. The frequencies of rerupture and nerve complications are both higher for single-incision repairs while the frequency of heterotopic ossification is higher for double-incision repairs. These findings can help surgeons make better-informed decisions about surgical technique and provide their patients with detailed information about expected outcomes and possible complications.