Search

Purpose: To summarize data on the reliability of available imaging criteria for the assessment of trochlear dysplasia and to assess the methodological quality of the included studies., Methods: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guideline. Search was performed using major electronic databases from their inception to September 2021. All studies enrolling patients of any age who underwent a radiological exam to rule out features related to trochlear dysplasia were included. After the identification of available imaging criteria, reliability studies were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Appraisal of Reliability studies checklist., Results: A total of 2391 articles were identified, and 33 articles comprising 3036 patients with a mean age of 28.6 years were included. Thirty different measurements were extracted. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the most used imaging modalities (21 studies), followed by computed tomography (10 studies), conventional radiology (8 studies) and ultrasonography (US) (1 study). Sulcus angle, trochlear depth, and Dejour's classification were the most explored measurements. Overall, sulcus angle can be reliably assessed on radiography, CT and MRI, whereas trochlear depth can be reliably measured only with CT and MRI. Reliability of Dejour's classification ranged from poor or fair to very good for all imaging modalities. Methodological quality of included studies varied from 2 to 9 positive items out of 11 possible. Twenty-four studies (72.7%) were considered at high risk of bias., Conclusion: Trochlear dysplasia can be reliably evaluated at least with 3 measurements: sulcus angle, trochlear depth and Dejour's classification. Methodological quality assessment showed high risk of bias in most included studies., Level of Evidence: Level III, systematic review of Level II-III studies., (Copyright © 2022 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare the initial fixation stability, failure strength, and mode of failure of 5 different screw types and fixation methods commonly used for the classic Latarjet procedure., Methods: Thirty-five fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulder specimens were allocated into 5 groups. A 25% anteroinferior glenoid defect was created, and a classic Latarjet coracoid transfer procedure was performed. All grafts were fixed with 2 screws, differing by screw type and/or fixation method. The groups included partially threaded solid 4.0-mm cancellous screws with bicortical fixation, partially threaded solid 4.0-mm cancellous screws with unicortical fixation, fully threaded solid 3.5-mm cortical screws with bicortical fixation, partially threaded cannulated 4.0-mm cancellous screws with bicortical fixation, and partially threaded cannulated 4.0-mm captured screws with bicortical fixation. All screws were stainless steel. Outcomes included cyclic creep and secant stiffness during cyclic loading, as well as load and work to failure during the failure test. Intergroup comparisons were made by a 1-way analysis of variance., Results: There were no significant differences among different screw types or fixation methods in cyclic creep or secant stiffness after cyclic loading or in load to failure or work to failure during the failure test. Post-failure radiographs showed evidence of screw bending in only 1 specimen that underwent the Latarjet procedure with partially threaded solid cancellous screws with bicortical fixation. The mode of failure for all specimens analyzed was screw cutout., Conclusions: In this biomechanical study, screw type and fixation method did not significantly influence biomechanical performance in a classic Latarjet procedure. When performing this procedure, surgeons may continue to select the screw type and method of fixation (unicortical or bicortical) based on preference; however, further studies are required to determine the optimal method of treatment., Clinical Relevance: Surgeons may choose the screw type and fixation method based on preference when performing the Latarjet procedure., (Copyright © 2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare the occurrence rate of hypotensive and bradycardic events (HBEs) during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair performed with interscalene brachial plexus block anesthesia in the sitting position in 2 groups of patients who underwent the procedure with norepinephrine or epinephrine added to the irrigation fluid. The secondary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of norepinephrine in comparison with epinephrine in controlling intraoperative bleeding and maintaining adequate visualization of the arthroscopic field of view during the procedure. We hypothesized that norepinephrine added to the irrigation fluid during shoulder arthroscopy in the sitting position would reduce the occurrence of HBEs, allowing optimal intraoperative bleeding control., Methods: One hundred twenty patients underwent an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair performed under peripheral anesthesia and in the beach-chair position. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 60 cases each: Norepinephrine (0.66 mg/L) and epinephrine (0.33 mg/L) were added to irrigation bags in group N and group E, respectively. The primary outcome was the occurrence rate of HBEs during surgery. The secondary outcomes were timing of onset of HBEs, accompanying symptoms, and intraoperative bleeding that impaired arthroscopic visualization. The clarity of the visual field was rated postoperatively by the surgeon using a visual analog scale. Comparison between groups for all baseline variables and outcome measurements was performed with the χ(2) or Fisher exact test, as appropriate, for categorical variables and the Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate, for continuous variables. Significance was set at P < .05., Results: One patient was excluded from group E because of block failure; therefore 119 patients were finally included in the study. Comparison between groups showed no significant differences in baseline characteristics. The occurrence rate of HBEs was significantly greater in group E (n = 15) than in group N (n = 5) (P = .02). No differences between groups were found in the average time of onset of HBEs, accompanying symptoms, and clarity of the visual field., Conclusions: Continuous administration of norepinephrine, 0.66 mg/L, diluted in irrigation fluid during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the patient in the beach-chair position reduces the incidence of HBEs and is as effective as epinephrine in controlling intraoperative bleeding and maintaining the visual clarity of the surgical field., Level of Evidence: Level I, randomized clinical study., (Copyright © 2015 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring autograft versus soft-tissue allograft by systematic review and meta-analysis., Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled studies comparing hamstring autograft with soft-tissue allograft in ACL reconstruction was performed. Studies were identified by strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics were reported. Where possible, the data were pooled and a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Dichotomous data were reported as risk ratios, whereas continuous data were reported as standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed by use of I(2) for each meta-analysis. Study methodologic quality was analyzed with the Modified Coleman Methodology Score and Jadad scale., Results: Five studies with 504 combined patients (251 autograft and 253 allograft; 374 male and 130 female patients) with a mean age of 29.9 ± 2.2 years were included. The allografts used were fresh-frozen hamstring, irradiated hamstring, mixture of fresh-frozen and cryopreserved hamstring, fresh-frozen tibialis anterior, and fresh-frozen Achilles tendon grafts without bone blocks. The mean follow-up period was 47.4 ± 26.9 months, with a mean follow-up rate of 83.3% ± 8.6%. Two studies found a longer operative time with autograft than with allograft (77.1 ± 2.0 minutes v 59.9 ± 0.9 minutes, P = .008). Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences between autografts and allografts for any outcome measures (P > .05 for all tests). One study found significantly greater laxity for irradiated allograft than for autograft. The methodologic quality of the 5 studies was poor, with a mean Modified Coleman Methodology Score of 54.4 ± 6.9 and mean Jadad score of 1.6 ± 1.5., Conclusions: On the basis of this systematic review and meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials, there is no statistically significant difference in outcome between patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft and those undergoing ACL reconstruction with soft-tissue allograft. These results may not extrapolate to younger patient populations. The methodology of the available randomized controlled trials comparing hamstring autograft and soft-tissue allograft is poor., Level of Evidence: Level II, systematic review of Level I and II studies., (Copyright © 2014 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare clinical and functional outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using cortical button versus transfemoral suspensory fixation., Methods: This systematic review was conducted following the Cochrane handbook guidelines and PROSPERO registration. Only Level I and II randomized controlled trials comparing cortical button and transfemoral suspensory fixation in hamstring ACL reconstruction were included. A literature search was performed using electronic databases. The methodologic quality of included studies was assessed using The Cochrane Collaboration's risk-of-bias tool. All outcomes reported by each study were evaluated. Primary outcome measures were postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm knee scores. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan software (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen). Dichotomous data were reported as risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using I(2)., Results: Five studies involving 317 patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 21.7 ± 7.0 months (range, 12 to 38 months). The mean age of participants was 26.7 ± 1.89 years (range, 16 to 48 years). The Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, and IKDC score were compiled. Clinical assessment was performed by Lachman testing, assessment of side-to-side differences on KT-1000 (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA) testing, and measurements of thigh atrophy, as well as imaging (radiography and computed tomography) to assess for femoral tunnel widening. Pooled statistical analysis was possible only for postoperative IKDC and Lysholm scores. No significant differences were found between the cortical button and transfemoral fixation groups. Included studies did not report differences in clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. Radiographic results suggest increased femoral tunnel widening in the cortical button group. However, tunnel widening was not found to affect clinical results., Conclusions: The present evidence suggests that there are no short- to medium-term differences in knee-specific outcome measures between patients treated with cortical button femoral graft fixation and those treated with suspensory transfemoral fixation when undergoing ACL reconstruction. In addition, radiologic evidence of tunnel widening does not seem to affect short- to medium-term clinical outcomes., Level of Evidence: Level II, systematic review of Level I and II studies., (Copyright © 2014 Arthroscopy Association of North America. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study aimed to systematically review the clinical outcomes and recurrence rates after arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization in the beach chair (BC) and lateral decubitus (LD) positions., Methods: The authors performed a systematic review of multiple medical databases using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All English-language literature from 1990 to 2013 reporting clinical outcomes after arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization with suture anchors or tacks with a minimum 2-year follow-up period were reviewed by 2 independent reviewers. Data on recurrent instability rate, return to activity/sport, range of motion, and subjective outcome measures were collected. Study methodological quality was evaluated with the Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS) and the Quality Appraisal Tool (QAT). To quantify the structured review of observational data, meta-analytic statistical methods were used., Results: Sixty-four studies (38 BC position, 26 LD position) met inclusion criteria. A total of 3,668 shoulders were included, with 2,211 of patients in the BC position (average age, 26.7 ± 3.8 years; 84.5% male sex) and 1,457 patients in the LD position (average age, 26.0 ± 3.0 years; 82.7% male sex). The average follow-up was 49.8 ± 29.5 months in the BC group compared with 38.7 ± 23.3 months in the LD group. Average overall recurrent instability rates were 14.65 ± 8.4% in the BC group (range, 0% to 38%) compared with 8.5% ± 7.1% in the LD group (range, 0% to 30%; P = .002). The average postoperative loss in external rotation motion (in abduction) was reported in 19 studies in the BC group and in13 studies in the LD group, with an average loss of 2.4° ± 1.0° and 3.6° ± 2.6° in each group, respectively (P > .05)., Conclusions: Excellent clinical outcomes with low recurrence rates can be obtained after arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization in either the BC or the LD position; however, lower recurrence rates are noted in the LD position. Additional long-term randomized clinical trials comparing these positions are needed to better understand the potential advantages and disadvantages of each position., Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of studies with Level I through Level IV evidence., (Copyright © 2014 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a marrow-stimulating technique with microfractures of the greater tuberosity during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair., Methods: Eighty patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear underwent an arthroscopic single-row repair. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 40 cases each. In group 1, standard repair was performed; in group 2, microfractures of the greater tuberosity were performed to enhance tendon repair. Clinical outcome was assessed with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and normalized Constant score. Tendon integrity was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine which predictors were independently associated with the outcome. Significance was set at P < .05., Results: The mean follow-up was 28.1 ± 3 months. Seven patients were lost to follow-up (2 in group 1 and 5 in group 2). Comparison between groups did not show significant differences for baseline characteristics. The mean DASH score was 28.6 ± 21.3 points in group 1 and 23.3 ± 20.1 points in group 2. Although the difference was not statistically significant, the confidence interval included a 10-point value (minimal clinically important difference) in favor of the microfracture group. The difference in the Constant score between groups was not significant. The tendon healing rate was 52.6% in group 1 and 65.7% in group 2, without a significant difference between groups. Subgroup analysis for tear size showed that group 2 had a significantly greater healing rate than group 1 for large tears (P = .040). Multivariate analysis showed that age, timing of symptoms, tear location, tendon retraction, and fatty infiltration significantly affected the outcomes., Conclusions: Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging did not show any significant difference between groups in structural integrity. However, subgroup analysis showed a significantly greater healing rate in the microfracture group for large tears involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus., Level of Evidence: Level I, high-quality randomized controlled trial with no statistically significant difference but narrow confidence intervals., (Copyright © 2013 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the histology and biomechanics of repair cartilage after microfractures with and without repeated local injections of platelet concentrate for the treatment of full-thickness focal chondral defects of the knee., Methods: A full-thickness chondral lesion on the medial femoral condyle was created in 30 sheep and treated with microfractures. Animals were divided into 2 groups, according to postoperative treatment: in group 1 we performed 5 weekly injections of autologous conditioned plasma, whereas group 2 did not undergo further treatments. Animals were killed at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Macroscopic, histologic, and biomechanical evaluations were performed. Differences between groups at each time interval and differences over time within groups were analyzed for each outcome. Significance was set at P < .05., Results: Group 1 showed significantly better macroscopic, histologic, and biomechanical results than group 2 at each time interval. Analysis of time effect within groups showed that in group 1, quality of repair tissue significantly improved from 3 to 6 months after treatment and remained stable over time for all the outcomes; in group 2 a significant histologic and mechanical deterioration was observed between 6 and 12 months' follow-up., Conclusions: Five repeated local injections of autologous conditioned plasma after microfractures in the treatment of full-thickness cartilage injuries promoted a better and more durable reparative response than isolated microfractures, although they did not produce hyaline cartilage., Clinical Relevance: Periodical intra-articular injections of platelet concentrate after microfractures may improve cartilage repair and prevent further degenerative changes., (Copyright © 2012 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with metal and biodegradable suture anchors., Methods: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was performed in 110 patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. They were divided into 2 groups of 55 patients each, according to suture anchors used: metal anchors in group 1 and biodegradable anchors in group 2. Results were evaluated by use of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Work-DASH self-administered questionnaires, as well as the Constant score normalized for age and sex. On analyzing the results at 2 years' follow-up, we considered the following independent variables: baseline scores; age; sex; arm dominance; location, shape, and retraction of cuff tear; fatty degeneration; treatment of biceps tendon; rotator cuff repair technique (anchors or anchors and side to side); and number of anchors. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to determine which variables were independently associated with the outcome. Significance was set at P < .05., Results: Of the patients, 9 (8.2%) were lost to follow-up. Comparison between groups did not show significant differences for each variable considered. Overall, according to the results, the mean DASH scores were 17.6 +/- 17.2 points in group 1 and 22.8 +/- 19.9 points in group 2; the mean Work-DASH scores were 24.9 +/- 28.1 points and 22.5 +/- 24.1 points, respectively; and the mean Constant scores were 104 +/- 20.5 points and 98.6 +/- 14.3 points, respectively. Differences between groups 1 and 2 were not significant. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that only baseline score, age, tear location, and fatty degeneration significantly and independently influenced the outcome., Conclusions: At a short-term follow-up, differences between arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears with metal and biodegradable suture anchors were not significant., Level of Evidence: Level I, high-quality randomized controlled trial with no statistically significant differences but narrow confidence intervals.