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Background: Tearing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft is a devastating occurrence after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Identifying and understanding the independent predictors of ACLR graft failure is important for surgical planning, patient counseling, and efforts to decrease the risk of graft failure.Hypothesis: Patient and surgical variables will predict graft failure after ACLR.Study Design: Prospective cohort study.Methods: A multicenter group initiated a cohort study in 2002 to identify predictors of ACLR outcomes, including graft failure. First, to control for confounders, a single surgeon's data (n = 281 ACLRs) were used to develop a multivariable regression model for ACLR graft failure. Evaluated variables were graft type (autograft vs allograft), sex, age, body mass index, activity at index injury, presence of a meniscus tear, and primary versus revision reconstruction. Second, the model was validated with the rest of the multicenter study's data (n = 645 ACLRs) to evaluate the generalizability of the model.Results: Patient age and ACL graft type were significant predictors of graft failure for all study surgeons. Patients in the age group of 10 to 19 years had the highest percentage of graft failures. The odds of graft rupture with an allograft reconstruction are 4 times higher than those of autograft reconstructions. For each 10-year decrease in age, the odds of graft rupture increase 2.3 times.Conclusion: There is an increased risk of ACL graft rupture in patients who have undergone allograft reconstruction. Younger patients also have an increased risk of ACL graft failure.Clinical Relevance: Given these risks for ACL graft rupture, allograft ACLRs should be performed with caution in the younger patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased knee pain at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may potentially predict more difficult rehabilitation, prolonged recovery, and/or be predictive of increased knee pain at 2 years.Hypothesis: A bone bruise and/or other preoperative factors are associated with more knee pain/symptoms at the time of index anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and the presence of a bone bruise would be associated with specific demographic and injury-related factors.Study Design: Cohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 2.Methods: In 2007, the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) database began to prospectively collect surgeon-reported magnetic resonance imaging bone bruise status. A multivariable analysis was performed to (1) determine if a bone bruise, among other preoperative factors, is associated with more knee symptoms/pain and (2) examine the association of factors related to bone bruise. To evaluate the association of a bone bruise with knee pain/symptoms, linear multiple regression models were fit using the continuous scores of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) symptoms and pain subscales and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) bodily pain subscale as dependent variables. To examine the association between a bone bruise and risk factors, a logistic regression model was used, in which the dependent variable was the presence or absence of a bone bruise.Results: Baseline data for 525 patients were used for analysis, and a bone bruise was present in 419 (80%). The cohort comprises 58% male patients, with a median age of 23 years. The median Marx activity level was 13. Factors associated with more pain were higher body mass index (P < .0001), female sex (P = .001), lateral collateral ligament injury (P = .012), and older age (P = .038). Factors associated with more symptoms were a concomitant lateral collateral ligament injury (P = .014), higher body mass index (P < .0001), and female sex (P < .0001). Bone bruise is not associated with symptoms/pain at the time of index anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. None of the factors included in the SF-36 bodily pain model were found to be significant. After controlling for other baseline factors, the following factors were associated with a bone bruise: younger age (P = .034) and not jumping at the time of injury (P = .006).Conclusion: After anterior cruciate ligament injury, risk factors associated with a bone bruise are younger age and not jumping at the time of injury. Bone bruise is not associated with symptoms/pain at the time of index anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Anatomic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament through an accessory medial portal has become increasingly popular. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship of guide pin exit points to the lateral anatomic structures when preparing the anterior cruciate ligament femoral tunnel through an accessory medial portal. We utilized seven fresh frozen cadaveric knees. Utilizing an anteromedial approach, a guide wire was placed into the center of each bundle’s footprint. Each guide wire was advanced through the lateral femoral cortex. The guide pins were passed at 90, 110, and 130° of knee flexion. The distances from each guide pin to the closest relevant structures on the lateral side of the knee were measured. At 90° the posterolateral bundle guide pin was closest to the lateral condyle articular cartilage (mean 5.4 ± 2.2 mm) and gastrocnemius tendon (mean 5.7 ± 2.1 mm). At 110° the posterolateral bundle pin was closest to the gastrocnemius tendon (mean 4.5 ± 3.4 mm). At 130° the posterolateral bundle pin was closest to the gastrocnemius tendon (mean 7.2 ± 5.5 mm) and lateral collateral ligament (mean 6.8 ± 2.1 mm). At 90° the anteromedial bundle guide pin was closest to the articular cartilage (mean 2.0 ± 2.0 mm). At 110° the anteromedial bundle pin was closest to the articular cartilage (mean 7.4 ± 3.5 mm) and gastrocnemius tendon (mean 12.3 ± 3.1 mm). At 130° the AM bundle pin was closest to the gastrocnemius tendon (mean 8.2 ± 3.2 mm) and LCL (mean 15.1 ± 2.9 mm). Neither guide pin (anteromedial or posterolateral bundle) put the peroneal nerve at risk at any knee flexion angle. At low knee flexion angles the anteromedial and posterolateral bundle guide pins closely approximated multiple lateral structures when using an accessory medial arthroscopic portal. Utilizing higher flexion angles increases the margin of error when preparing both femoral tunnels. During preparation of the anterior cruciate ligament femoral tunnel through an accessory anteromedial portal the tunnels should be drilled in at least 110° of knee flexion in order to move guide pin exit points away from important lateral knee structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from large prospectively collected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) cohorts are being utilized to address clinical questions regarding ACL injury demographics and outcomes of ACL reconstruction. These data are affected by patient and injury factors as well as surgical factors associated with the site of data collection. The aim of this article is to compare primary ACL reconstruction data from patient cohorts in the United States and Norway, demonstrating the similarities and differences between two large cohorts. Primary ACL reconstruction data from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) in the United States and the Norwegian National Knee Ligament Registry (NKLR) were compared to identify similarities and differences in patient demographics, activity at injury, preoperative Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), time to reconstruction, intraarticular pathology, and graft choice. Seven hundred and thirteen patients from the MOON cohort were compared with 4,928 patients from the NKLR. A higher percentage of males (NKLR 57%, MOON 52%; P < 0.01) and increased patient age (NKLR 27 years, MOON 23 years; P < 0.001) were noted in the NKLR population. The most common sports associated with injury in the MOON cohort were basketball (20%), soccer (17%), and American football (14%); while soccer (42%), handball (26%), and downhill skiing (10%) were most common in the NKLR. Median time to reconstruction was 2.4 (Interquartile range [IQR] 1.2–7.2) months in the MOON cohort and 7.9 (IQR 4.2–17.8) months in the NKLR cohort ( P < 0.001). Both meniscal tears (MOON 65%, NKLR 48%; P < 0.001) and articular cartilage defects (MOON 46%, NKLR 26%; P < 0.001) were more common in the MOON cohort. Hamstring autografts (MOON 44%, NKLR 63%) and patellar tendon autografts (MOON 42%, NKLR 37%) were commonly utilized in both cohorts. Allografts were much more frequently utilized in the MOON cohort (MOON 13%, NKLR 0.04%; P < 0.001). Significant diversity in patient, injury, and surgical factors exist among large prospective cohorts collected in different locations. Surgeons should investigate and consider the characteristics of these cohorts when applying knowledge gleaned from these groups to their own patient populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meniscal repair is performed in an attempt to prevent posttraumatic arthritis resulting from meniscal dysfunction after meniscal tears. The socioeconomic implications of premature arthritis are significant in the young patient population. Investigations and techniques focusing on meniscus preservation and healing are now at the forefront of orthopaedic sports medicine. Hypothesis: Concomitant meniscal repair with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a durable and successful procedure at 2-year follow-up. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: All unilateral primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions entered in 2002 in a cohort who had meniscal repair at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were evaluated. Validated patient-oriented outcome instruments were completed preoperatively and then again at the 2-year postoperative time point. Reoperation after the index procedure was also documented and confirmed by operative reports. Results: A total of 437 unilateral primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were performed with 82 concomitant meniscal repairs (54 medial, 28 lateral) in 80 patients during the study period. Patient follow-up was obtained on 94% (77 of 82) of the meniscal repairs, allowing confirmation of meniscal repair success (defined as no repeat arthroscopic procedure) or failure. The overall success rate for meniscal repairs was 96% (74 of 77 patients) at 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: Meniscal repair is a successful procedure in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. When confronted with a "repairable" meniscal tear at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, orthopaedic surgeons can expect an estimated >90% clinical success rate at 2-year follow-up using a variety of methods as shown in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although successful at restoring near normal laxity to the knee in the short term, anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions have not been shown to prevent the development of posttraumatic arthritis. Hypothesis: Bone bruises and articular cartilage injuries sustained at the time of initial injury (1991) would not resolve. Our secondary hypothesis was that the presence of a bone bruise or articular cartilage injury originally identified on magnetic resonance imaging would not be associated with long-term outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction evaluated by the International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire. Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 1. Methods: We attempted to contact all patients from an original cohort (N = 54) for follow-up evaluation, which included repeat radiographs, magnetic resonance images, physical examination, and International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire more than a decade postoperatively. Results: Forty-four patients (82% of the original cohort) returned for on-site follow-up. No patient with a bone bruise identified on original magnetic resonance imaging had one identified at 12-year follow-up. The mean (±SD) International Knee Documentation Committee score at follow-up with no bone bruise originally present was 70.6 (±12.7) versus 70.0 (±8.1) when a bone bruise was observed (P > .05). No consistent association was observed between the presence of an initial articular cartilage lesion with a lesion on follow-up magnetic resonance images. The mean (±SD) International Knee Documentation Committee score at follow-up with no articular cartilage injury was 69.0 (±11.9) versus 72.8 (±12.0) with articular cartilage lesion (P>.05). Conclusion: All bone bruises identified in our study with magnetic resonance imaging at the time of initial injury had resolved at 12-year follow-up. The presence of a bone bruise at the time of initial injury did not significantly alter the patient-oriented outcome by International Knee Documentation Committee after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Additionally, articular cartilage abnormality in magnetic resonance imaging did not influence the International Knee Documentation Committee score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketing communication activities undertaken by entrepreneurs and small business owners is an area of study with many opportunities for academicians, practitioners and small business planners to explore. Despite the opportunities for building knowledge in this area, a lack of proper understanding of how entrepreneurs and small business owners view and use marketing communications is widespread. This study seeks to address how small business owners in a mid-sized metropolitan area in a largely rural state view and use marketing communication in their ventures. By utilizing an Internet-based survey conducted statewide, the researchers in this project seek to develop a greater understanding of how entrepreneurs and small business owners develop messages, understand target audiences and whether or not advertising is seen as a successful part of their businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author contends that there should be an amendment of the U.S. Constitution in order to limit the size of government and its inherent powers. He cites the belief of Professor Daniel H. Lowenstein that Independent, Democratic and Republican voters want a smaller government. He argues that it is ineffective to rely on the judiciary to impose stricter limits on government.