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Christopher S Ahmad,1 Justin E Hellwinkel,1 Rifat Ahmed,1 Frank J Alexander,1 Alan W Reynolds,1 Dana P Piasecki,2,3 Thomas S Bottiglieri,1 T Sean Lynch,1 Charles A Popkin,1 Bryan M Saltzman,2,3 David P Trofa1 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA; 2Sports Medicine Center, OrthoCarolina, Charlotte, NC, 28207, USA; 3Musculoskeletal Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, 28207, USACorrespondence: David P Trofa, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168 St, PH-11, New York, NY, 10032, Email dpt2103@cumc.columbia.eduObjective: Social distancing protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in premature ending of athletic seasons and cancellation of upcoming seasons, placing significant stress on young athletes. Inability to play or forced early retirement has significant consequences on athlete’s mental health, as demonstrated by an extensive body of injury literature. We hypothesize that premature suspension and cancellation of athletic events due to the COVID-19 pandemic leads to higher incidence of depressive symptoms among high-school and collegiate athletes. Further, athletes who strongly derive their sense of self-worth centered around athletics would have higher rates of depressive symptoms.Methods: High school and collegiate athletes were evaluated for depressive symptoms, emotional health and athletic identity measures through validated assessment instruments from May 2020 through July 2020. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression Computer Adaptive Test (PROMIS-10 Depression CAT), Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12), which comprises both a physical and mental health component, and Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) were utilized.Results: Mental health assessments were completed by 515 athletes (52.4% male, 47.6% female; .84.5% collegiate, 15.5% high school). Female athletes scored significantly worse than males on VR-12 mental health assessments, as well as PROMIS-10 Depression scores; however, males scored significantly lower than females on VR-12 physical health assessments, irrespective of education level. Athletes who had strong associations with athletics as central to their personal identity exhibited worse psychologic impact on VR-12 mental health and PROMIS-10 Depression measures and female athletes in this cohort reported greater depressive symptoms than males.Conclusion: Social distancing protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic have limited athlete’s ability to participate in sports at the training and competition level. Higher rates of depressive symptoms in high school and college athletes have resulted among female athletes and those who identify strongly as an athlete.Keywords: COVID-19, mental health, return to play, involuntary retirement, psychological impact, depression

Hasani W Swindell,1 Venkat Boddapati,1 Julian J Sonnenfeld,1 David P Trofa,1 James E Fleischli,2 Christopher S Ahmad,1 Charles A Popkin1 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; 2Shoulder and Elbow Center, OrthoCarolina Sports Medicine Center, Charlotte, NC, USACorrespondence: Charles A PopkinDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, PH – 11, New York, New York 10032, USATel +1 212-305-4787Email cp2654@columbia.eduPurpose: Although often performed using a variety of reconstructive techniques and strategies, no clinically significant differences presently exist between the approaches available for isolated PCL reconstructions. Given the operatively challenging nature of these procedures, there lies a potentially increased risk of postoperative complications and healthcare expenditures. Our investigation sought to identify patient and surgical risk factors associated with prolonged hospital stays following isolated PCL reconstruction and determine the incidence of 30-day complications after PCL reconstruction using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database.Method: Patients undergoing isolated PCL reconstructions between 2005 and 2016 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Baseline patient and operative characteristics were evaluated as possible risk factors for overnight hospital admissions following PCL reconstruction and analyzed using multivariate analyses.Results: A total of 249 patients were identified. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that increased operative duration >120 mins (OR 5.04, CI 2.44–10.40; p 120 mins carried an increased risk of overnight hospital stay after isolated PCL reconstructions. As there are presently minimal significant clinical differences between current PCL reconstruction techniques, improved surgeon familiarity and comfort with a single technique is recommended to decrease operative time and avoid prolonged hospital stays and healthcare expenditures.Level of evidence: III, retrospective comparative study.Keywords: operative time, overnight hospital stays, healthcare expenditures, American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, NSQIP

Background: Operative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures reportedly decreases the risk of symptomatic malunion, nonunion, and residual shoulder disability. Plating these fractures, however, may trade these complications for hardware-related problems. Low-profile anatomically precontoured plates may reduce the rates of plate prominence and hardware removal.Questions/purposes: We compared the outcomes after precontoured and noncontoured superior plating of acute displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. Primary outcomes were rate of plate prominence, rate of hardware removal, and rate of complications. Secondary outcomes were ROM and pain and function scores.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients with 52 acute, displaced midshaft clavicle fractures treated with either noncontoured or precontoured superior clavicle plate fixation. Fourteen patients with noncontoured plates and 28 with precontoured plates were available for followup at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Postoperative assessment included ROM, radiographs, and subjective scores including visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, and Simple Shoulder Test.Results: Patients complained of prominent hardware in nine of 14 in the noncontoured group and nine of 28 in the precontoured group. Hardware removal rates were three of 14 in the noncontoured group and three of 28 in the precontoured group. Postoperative ROM and postoperative subjective scores were similar in the two groups.Conclusions: Precontoured plating versus noncontoured plating of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures results in a lower rate of plate prominence in patients who do not undergo hardware removal.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acromioplasty is considered a technically simple procedure but has become controversial with regard to its indications and therapeutic value.Methods: Two complementary databases were used to ascertain the frequency of acromioplasty over a recent span of time. In Part A, the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) ambulatory surgery database was searched from 1996 to 2006 to identify all ambulatory surgery acromioplasties as well as all orthopaedic ambulatory surgery procedures. In Part B, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) database was searched from 1999 to 2008 to identify all arthroscopic acromioplasties as well as all orthopaedic procedures.Results: Part A revealed that in 1996 there were 5571 acromioplasties in New York State, representing a population incidence of 30.0 per 100,000. In 2006 there were 19,743 acromioplasties, representing a population incidence of 101.9 per 100,000. Over these eleven years, the volume of acromioplasties increased by 254.4%, compared with only a 78.3% increase in the volume of all orthopaedic ambulatory surgery procedures. In 2006, as compared with 1996, patients were 2.4 times more likely to have an acromioplasty compared with all other orthopaedic ambulatory procedures (p < 0.0001). Part B revealed that, in 1999, a mean of 2.6 arthroscopic acromioplasties were reported per candidate for Board certification. In 2008 a mean of 6.3 arthroscopic acromioplasties per candidate were reported. Over these ten years, the mean number of arthroscopic acromioplasties reported increased by 142.3%, compared with only a 13.0% increase in the mean number of all orthopaedic surgery procedures. In 2008, as compared with 1999, candidates were 2.2 times more likely to report an arthroscopic acromioplasty compared with all other orthopaedic procedures (p < 0.0001).Conclusions: There has been a substantial increase in the overall volume and the population-based incidence of acromioplasties in recent years on both the state and national levels in the United States. The reasons for this increase have yet to be determined and are likely multifactorial, with patient-based, surgeon-based, and systems-based factors all playing a role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow are common injuries in overhead athletes that may be career-ending if left untreated. PURPOSE: The goal of this systematic review was to review all published reports of UCL reconstruction in overhead athletes, determine which techniques were associated with better outcomes, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of current data. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review of published studies evaluating reconstruction of the UCL in overhead athletes was performed using the Ovid Medline database. All studies with a cohort of athletes who underwent UCL reconstruction with a minimum of 1 year follow-up were included, resulting in a total of 8 Level III (retrospective cohort) studies. A database compiled variables of interest, including demographic variables, surgical techniques, Conway-Jobe ratings, and percentage and type of complications. Additionally, studies were evaluated for evidence of selection, performance, detection, and exclusion biases. RESULTS: Demographic data were similar between studies. Overall, 83% of patients in all studies had an excellent result. There was an overall 10% complication rate, with the most common complication being postoperative ulnar neuropathy, which occurred in 6% of patients. Transition to the muscle-splitting approach was associated with better outcomes than detachment of the flexor-pronator mass, as there was only a 70% rate of excellent results and a 20% rate of postoperative ulnar neuropathy in patients treated with detachment of the flexor-pronator mass compared with 87% excellent results and a 6% rate of postoperative ulnar neuropathy in patients treated with a muscle-splitting approach. Abandoning obligatory ulnar nerve transposition was associated with better outcomes, as there was only a 75% rate of excellent results and a 9% rate of postoperative ulnar neuropathy in patients treated with obligatory ulnar nerve transposition compared with 89% excellent results and a 4% rate of postoperative ulnar neuropathy in patients who did not have obligatory ulnar nerve transposition. The docking technique was associated with better outcomes, as there was a 76% rate of excellent results and an 8% rate of ulnar neuropathy in patients treated with a figure-of-8 technique compared with 90% excellent results and a 3% rate of postoperative ulnar neuropathy in patients treated with the docking technique and 95% excellent results and a 5% rate of postoperative ulnar neuropathy in patients treated with a modified docking technique. CONCLUSION: The evolution in surgical techniques, most notably use of a muscle-splitting approach to the flexor-pronator mass, decreased handling of the ulnar nerve, and use of the docking technique, have resulted in improved outcomes and reduced complications. Although injury to the UCL was once a career-ending injury in overhead athletes, development and continued evolution of UCL reconstruction have made return to previous or higher level of athletic participation in sports highly likely. Future research should continue to utilize higher levels of evidence and compare new graft fixation techniques in an attempt to further improve the ability of overhead athletes to return to sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Traditional biomechanical evaluations of rotator cuff repair techniques employ cyclic loading of the supraspinatus tendon in an isolated medial direction. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate 2 different rotator cuff repair techniques that are currently the subject of debate with cyclic loading and with internal and external humeral rotation to better simulate postoperative rehabilitation. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Nine fresh-frozen paired human cadaver shoulders (18 shoulders) were studied. A single-row repair with 2 suture anchors was compared with a double-row repair with 4 suture anchors. The shoulders were tested in a custom device to position the shoulder in neutral, 45 degrees of internal rotation, and 45 degrees of external rotation. Cyclic loading of the supraspinatus tendon was performed with an MTS material testing machine. Gap formation was measured and analyzed for each rotational position using the MTS device. RESULTS: For the single-row repair, average gap formation per 100 cycles in the positions of neutral, internal, and external humeral rotation was 1.47 +/- 0.63, 3.11 +/- 1.55, and 2.24 +/- 0.94 mm, respectively. For the double-row repair, average gap formation per 100 cycles in the positions of neutral, internal, and external humeral rotation was 1.25 +/- 0.54, 2.29 +/- 1.10, and 1.57 +/- 0.48 mm, respectively. For gapping averaged over all positions, the double-row repair had significantly less gapping than the single-row repair (P = .0109); gapping was greatest for internal rotation, followed by external rotation, and least for neutral (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The testing method of including a rotational component in biomechanical rotator cuff repair testing is a more realistic model of the loading conditions experienced by a repaired rotator cuff as the patient participates in postoperative rehabilitation. Double-row repair has better fixation strength than single-row repairs when exposed to cyclic loading and changes in humeral rotation position. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Humeral rotation affects rotator cuff fixation and should be considered in postoperative rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although many studies involving rotator cuff repair fixation have focused on ultimate fixation strength and ability to restore the tendon's native footprint, no studies have characterized the stability of the repair with regard to motion between the tendon and repair site footprint.Hypothesis: Suture anchor fixation for rotator cuff repair has greater interface motion between tendon and bone than does transosseous suture fixation.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Twelve fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders were tested in a custom device to position the shoulder in internal and external rotations with simulated supraspinatus muscle loading. Tendon motion relative to the insertional footprint on the greater tuberosity was determined optically using a digital camera rigidly connected to the humerus, with the humerus positioned at 60 degrees of internal rotation and 60 degrees of external rotation. Testing was performed for the intact tendon, a complete supraspinatus tear, a suture anchor repair, and a transosseous tunnel repair.Results: Difference in tendon-bone interface motion when compared with the intact tendon was 7.14 +/- 3.72 mm for the torn rotator cuff condition, 2.35 +/- 1.26 mm for the suture anchor repair, and 0.02 +/- 1.18 mm for the transosseous suture repair. The transosseous suture repair demonstrated significantly less motion when compared with the torn rotator cuff and suture anchor repair conditions (P < .05).Conclusion: Transosseous suture repair compared with suture anchor repair demonstrated superior tendon fixation with reduced motion at the tendon-to-tuberosity interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how each bundle of the posterior cruciate ligament contributes to posterior knee stability. HYPOTHESIS: Changes in bundle orientation and length occur such that neither bundle dominates in restraining posterior tibial motion throughout knee flexion and extension. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Six fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were studied in a joint-testing rig with individual quadriceps and hamstring muscle loading. Kinematic data for the tibia and femur were obtained at knee flexion angles from 0 degrees to 120 degrees. The joint was then disarticulated, and the insertions of the two bundles on the tibia and femur were digitized. RESULTS: Length of the anterolateral bundle increased with increasing knee flexion angle from 10 degrees to 120 degrees. Length of the posteromedial bundle decreased with increasing knee flexion angle from 0 degrees to 45 degrees and increased slightly from 60 degrees to 120 degrees. Length of the anteromedial bundle was significantly less than that of the posteromedial at 0 degrees, 10 degrees, and 20 degrees of knee flexion. The anterolateral bundle was significantly more horizontal at flexion angles of 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees (P < 0.05). The posteromedial bundle was more horizontal at 120 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in orientation take place such that neither bundle dominates in restraining posterior tibial motion throughout knee flexion and extension. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Double-bundle reconstructions achieve more physiologic knee function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterizes the donor and recipient sites involved in osteochondral autograft surgery of the knee with respect to articular cartilage contact pressure, articular surface curvature, and cartilage thickness. Five cadaveric knees were tested in an open chain activity simulation and kinematic data were obtained at incremental knee flexion angles from 0 degrees to 110 degrees. Surface curvature, cartilage thickness, and contact pressure were determined using a stereophotogrammetry method. In all knees, the medial trochlea, intercondylar notch, and lateral trochlea demonstrated nonloadbearing regions. Donor sites from the distal-medial trochlea were totally nonloadbeadng. For the intercondylar notch, lateral trochlea, and proximal-medial trochlea, however, the nonloadbearing areas were small, and typical donor sites in these areas partially encroached into adjacent loadbearing areas. The lateral trochlea (77.1 m(-1)) was more highly curved than the typical recipient sites of the central trochlea (23.3 m(-1)), medial femoral condyle (46.8 m(-1)), and lateral femoral condyles (42.9 m(-1)) (P < 0.05). Overall, the donor sites had similar cartilage thickness (average, 2.1 mm) when compared with the typical recipient sites (average, 2.5 mm). The lateral trochlea and medial trochlea curvatures were found to better match the recipient sites on the femoral condyles, while the intercondylar notch better matched the recipient sites of the central trochlea. The distal-medial trochlea was found to have the advantage of being nonloadbearing. Preoperative planning using the data presented will assist in more conforming, congruent grafts, thereby maximizing biomechanical function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An open surgical repair of the injured medial patellar stabilizers, including the vastus medialis obliquus muscle and the medial patellofemoral ligament, after acute patellar dislocation was studied in eight patients. At initial examination, all patients had tenderness over the adductor tubercle and a positive patellar apprehension sign. Four of eight patients had obvious ecchymosis over the adductor tubercle. Magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic arthroscopy, and open surgical exploration documented injury to both the medial patellofemoral ligament and the origin of the vastus medialis obliquus muscle. In all patients, the torn muscle was retracted in an anterior and superior direction and an arthroscopic lateral release was performed followed by open primary repair of the medial patellofemoral ligament to the adductor tubercle and repair of the vastus medialis obliquus muscle to the adductor magnus tendon. Patients were evaluated postoperatively with the Kujala scoring questionnaire. The average follow-up was 3.0 years, with a minimum of 1.5 years. No patients experienced a recurrent dislocation. The average Kujala score was 91.9. Patients rated their return to athletic activity at an average 86% of their pre-injury level. The average subjective satisfaction was 96%. In appropriate cases of acute patellar dislocation, we recommend primary repair of the medial patellofemoral ligament and the vastus medialis obliquus muscle to avoid recurrent dislocation, chronic subluxation, pain, and disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior to the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, some pitchers undergo predraft magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aimed to evaluate pre-draft elbow MRI on baseball pitchers who were entering the MLB draft to determine the presence or absence of pathology, the associations between these pathologies and ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears, and interobserver reliability regarding common MRI pathology., Methods: Predraft elbow MRI performed on prospective MLB pitchers between 2011 and 2017 were deidentified and then reviewed by two separate authors. The authors graded the MRI on several factors including presence or absence of: UCL ossification, UCL appearance (heterogeneous or not), UCL thickening (and location), UCL tear (partial vs. full thickness and location), muscle strain, flexor tendon tear, posteromedial osteophyte, sublime tubercle enthesophyte, and osseous stress reactions., Results: Overall, 245 predraft elbow MRI were reviewed. MRI abnormalities were found in 70% (171/245) of pitchers. UCL thickening was found in 20% (50/245) of pitchers. Regarding UCL tears, 3% had a full thickness tear and 24% had a partial thickness tear. Of full thickness tears, 86% were distal and 1 was midsubstance. Of partial thickness tears, 41% (24/58) were distal, 12% (7/58) were midsubstance, and 47% (27/58) were proximal. Periligamentous edema was present in 36% of pitchers while 14% had a flexor pronator muscle strain., Conclusion: The majority (70%) of pitchers entering the MLB draft had abnormal findings on their MRI, most commonly involving changes to the UCL. Interobserver reliability was acceptable following the definition of pathology when reading predraft elbow MRI on MLB prospects., (Copyright © 2024 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Nearly 3 million children participate in youth soccer annually in the United States. Popularity of youth soccer within recent years has prompted investigation describing youth-soccer concussion trends presenting to United States emergency departments (EDs)., Methods: Data from National Electronic Injury Surveillance System were analyzed for soccer players 2-18 years old sustaining concussions from January 2013 to December 2022. Patient data included age, sex, mechanism of injury, setting (practice vs. game), diagnosis, loss of consciousness, and disposition. Raw data were used to calculate national estimates based on assigned statistical sample weight of each hospital., Results: A total of 80,582 youth soccer concussions were diagnosed in US EDs (51.0% female, 49.0% male). The most common mechanism of injury was head to ball (31.0%). On average, overall concussions decreased by 572 per year ( p  = 0.02). Head to body concussions decreased by 169 per year ( p < 0.01) and head to ground concussions decreased by 155 per year ( p  < 0.01). No changes per year in concussion trends for head to ball, head to head, not specified, and other mechanisms. Exclusion of years 2020 and 2021 (COVID), demonstrated decreases in concussions for head to body by 125 ( p = 0.01) and head to ground mechanisms by 135 per year ( p  = 0.01)., Conclusion: There is a decreasing trend in youth soccer head injuries and concussions presenting to US emergency departments from 2013 to 2022. The trends from this study indicate that heading may be the most important aspect of soccer-related concussions presenting to US emergency departments. This study contributes to the growing literature regarding concussions in youth soccer athletes.

Study Design: Systematic Review., Objective: The primary purpose of this article was to survey the present literature and report on return to play outcomes in elite athletes after undergoing motion preservation spinal surgery., Summary of Background Data: For elite performance, athletes require adequate mobility and throughout the trunk, torso, and spine to achieve maximal force production. Therefore, elite athletes that have failed conservative treatment may seek to undergo motion preserving surgical options such as total disc arthroplasty and lumbar microdiscectomy. Individual studies have reported on return to play (RTP) outcomes following individual motion preservation surgical procedures, no systematic reviews have formally to reported on RTP outcomes, post-operative performance, and reoperation rates on these procedures in elite athletes., Methods: A systematic review was conducted from inception until February 2024 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. One reviewer queried PubMed for relevant studies that reported on RTP outcomes in elite athletes following motion preservation spinal surgery (MPSS) based on title and abstract (n=1,404). After the original search query, an additional reviewer screened full length articles. A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Special consideration was given to RTP rates, post-operative performance, and reoperation rates., Results: A total of 612 elite athletes from the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Hockey League, and other professional sporting organizations underwent cervical and lumbar MPSS to treat various spinal pathologies. Various motion sparing techniques were used to treat various pathologies. After undergoing MPSS, RTP rates ranged from 75-100% for lumbar cases and 83.3-100% for cervical cases. Most athletes successfully returned to sport between. Post-operative performance varied with some athletes performing at the same level prior to surgery and some performing at a decreased level., Conclusions: Motion preservation spinal surgery is a feasible option when properly indicated. Future studies are needed to compare return to sport rates, post-operative performance, and re-operation rates between motion preservation spinal surgery to spinal arthrodesis., Competing Interests: Disclosures/Conflicts: There are no conflicts of interest that are pertinent to this manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Rates of shoulder and elbow pathology are well documented among competitive baseball players in the United States; however, little is known about the prevalence of these pathologies in the Dominican Republic (DR)., Purpose: To report the epidemiology of shoulder and elbow pathology among participants at a Major League Baseball scouting event in Santo Domingo, DR., Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study., Level of Evidence: 3., Methods: All pitchers and position players who attended the 2021 scouting event were reviewed. Those with complete medical history, physical examination, imaging series, and radiology reports were included. All participants underwent shoulder and elbow radiography, while pitchers also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All pathologic findings on imaging studies were recorded and compared among position players and pitchers., Results: Seventy-five participants (average age, 17.9 years) were reviewed (42 position players, 33 pitchers); 72% and 32% had ≥1 abnormal finding on elbow and shoulder radiographs, respectively. Position players had significantly higher numbers of elbow radiographic findings compared with pitchers (81% vs 57.6%, P = 0.03) but similar numbers on shoulder radiograph (28.6% vs 33.3%, P = 0.66). Position players had high numbers of acromioclavicular separation (14.3%) and little leaguer's shoulder (14.3%) on shoulder radiograph, with olecranon osteophytes (23.8%) and medial epicondyle nonunions (11.9%) prevalent on elbow radiograph. Pitchers had high numbers of rotator cuff pathology (93.9%), labral tears (75.8%), and Bennett lesions (51.5%). On elbow imaging, pitchers had high numbers of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) abnormalities (81.8%), olecranon osteophytes (69.7%), osteochondral lesions (18.2%), and medial epicondyle nonunions (12.1%). Two pitchers had complete UCL disruption (6.1%), while 8 had partial tears (24.2%)., Conclusion: Dominican baseball prospects had high numbers of asymptomatic shoulder and elbow pathology on imaging studies. Knowledge of the prevalence of these pathologies can guide injury prevention programs in Dominican youth baseball., Competing Interests: The following author declared potential conflicts of interest: C.S.A. has received royalties from Arthrex; holds stock or stock options in At Peak; is a consultant for Arthrex; has received research support from Arthrex, Stryker, and Major League Baseball; and has received hospitality payments from DePuy.

Background: Selecting an appropriate graft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction requires consideration of a patient's preferences, goals, age, and physical demands alongside the risks and benefits of each graft choice., Purpose: To determine the most popular ACL reconstruction grafts among patients and the most important factors influencing their decisions., Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3., Methods: Patients undergoing ACL reconstruction between October 2022 and April 2023 completed a survey either before (nonconsult group) or after (consult group) speaking with their surgeon, who provided an evidence-based description of the pros and cons of an allograft and the following autografts: bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB), hamstring tendon (HT), and quadriceps tendon (QT). Patient characteristics, graft choice, information influencing their graft choice, and surgeon recommendation were collected and compared between the groups., Results: Among the 100 included patients, 59.0% were male, and the mean age was 28.3 ± 10.4 years. The most popular grafts were the BPTB (56.0%), followed by the QT (29.0%), HT (8.0%), and allograft (7.0%). No significant difference was observed in the graft selection between the consult group (n = 60; BPTB, 46.7%; QT, 38.3%; HT, 8.3%; allograft, 6.7%) and nonconsult group (n = 40; BPTB, 70.0%; QT, 15.0%; HT, 7.5%; allograft, 7.5%) ( P = .0757). In the consult group, 81.7% of patients selected the graft recommended to them by their surgeon. The top 2 graft selection reasons were usage in professional athletes and failure rates, while the top 2 ACL surgery concerns were returning to their desired level of athletics and graft failure risk. Among the 93 patients who researched their ACL graft options before their visit, the most popular information source was some form of media (72.0% [67/93])., Conclusion: The study findings underscore the importance of patient preference and surgeon recommendation in a patient's graft selection and highlight the need to be cognizant of the information sources available to patients when researching their graft options., Competing Interests: One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: B.M.S. has received education payments from Arthrex and Smith+Nephew and consulting fees from Bioventus. D.P.P. has received education payments from Arthrex and consulting fees from Zimmer Biomet. L.H.R. has received education payments from Gotham Surgical and honoraria from AcelRx Pharmaceuticals. W.N.L. has received education payments from Gotham Surgical, consulting fees from Zimmer Biomet, and royalties from Zimmer Biomet. C.S.A. has received nonconsulting fees and royalties from Arthrex. D.P.T. has received education payments from Arthrex and Smith+Nephew. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Study Design: A retrospective case series study., Objective: To analyze the epidemiology of diagnoses of back and neck strains and sprains among Major League (MLB) and Minor League (MiLB) Baseball players., Background: Baseball players perform unique sets of repetitive movements that may predispose to neck and back strains and sprains. Data are lacking concerning the epidemiology of these diagnoses in this population., Materials and Methods: De-identified data on neck/back strains and sprains were collected from all MLB and MiLB teams from 2011 to 2016 using the MLB-commissioned Health and Injury Tracking System database. Diagnosis rates of conditions related to cervical, thoracic, and lumbar musculature and their impact on days missed due to injury, player participation, and season or career-ending status were assessed. Injury rates were reported as injuries per 1000 athlete exposures (AEs)., Results: There were 3447 cases of neck/back strains and sprains in professional baseball players from 2011 to 2016. Seven hundred twenty-one of these occurred in MLB versus 2726 in MiLB. Of injuries 136 were season-ending (26 in MLB, 110 in MiLB); 22 were career-ending (2 in MLB, 20 in MiLB). The total days missed were 39,118 (8838 from MLB and 30,280 from MiLB). Excluding season or career-ending injuries, the mean days missed were 11.8 (12.7 and 11.6 in MLB and MiLB, respectively). The median days missed were 4 (3 and 5 in MLB and MiLB, respectively). Combining MLB and MiLB, the pitcher injury rate was 1.893 per 1000 AEs versus 0.743 per 1000 Aes for other position players ( P < 0.0001)., Conclusion: There was a high incidence of neck/back strains and sprains in MLB and MiLB players, with nearly 40,000 aggregate days missed in our 6-year study period. The median days missed were lower than the mean days missed, indicating rightward outliers. Pitchers had over double the rates of injuries compared with other position players., Level of Evidence: Level III., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Surfer's neurapraxia is a rare surfing injury of the saphenous nerve secondary to persistent compression of the saphenous nerve along the medial thigh by the surfboard when paddling prone and while sitting upright on the board waiting for a wave. Symptoms may be nonspecific and consist of pain in the medial thigh with or without radiation along the saphenous nerve distribution (medial leg, medial ankle, medial arch of the foot). The saphenous nerve tension test can be utilized to reproduce the symptoms of surfer's neurapraxia. Treatment consists of conservative management while refractory cases may benefit from injection with local anesthetic. The authors propose the Obana Plan (WATER) for prevention of surfer's neurapraxia, consisting of Wetsuits, Abduction, Timing, Exercise, and Rest. Overall, surfer's neurapraxia is a benign condition that can be prevented and managed conservatively.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears in athletes and predicted positive outcomes., Methods: The researchers systematically reviewed the PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify studies with clinical outcomes of PRP for partial UCL tears. They excluded studies that did not stratify data by tear type or included surgical management., Results: Five studies with 156 patients were included. The timing, amount, platelet concentration, type, and number of PRP injections were highly variable among the studies. However, 75% (n = 97/127) of athletes returned to sport (RTS) at a weighted average of 82.1 days (37-84) after PRP injection. One study showed significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Two studies showed positive outcomes in the modified Conway scale, complete reconstitution of the UCL in 87% of patients on MRI, and significant improvement in the humeral-ulnar joint space after PRP injection via ultrasound. The Coleman methodology score (CMS) averaged 48/100, indicating an overall poor quality of evidence., Conclusion: This review demonstrates favorable RTS, clinical, and radiographic outcomes in patients receiving PRP for partial UCL tears, but the literature remains heterogeneous and of low quality., Level of Evidence: III., Competing Interests: Author BMS receives research support from Arthrex, Inc. and publishing royalties, financial, or material support from Nova Science Publishers. JEF received researched support from both Arthrex and Smith & Nephew. C.S.A. received royalties from both Arthrex and Lead Player, has stock or stock options with At Peak, received research support from the MLB, and received research support from Stryker., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Background: Significant psychological impact and prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been well documented in patients sustaining anterior cruciate ligament injury., Purpose: To examine PTSD symptomatology in baseball players after sustaining elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury., Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3., Methods: Male baseball players of various competition levels (high school through Minor League Baseball [MiLB]) who underwent surgery for a UCL injury between April 2019 and June 2022 participated in the study. Before surgery, patients completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to assess PTSD symptomatology. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to level of play and player position., Results: A total of 104 male baseball players with a mean age of 19.4 years (range, 15-29 years) were included in the study; 32 players (30.8%) were in high school, 65 (62.5%) were in college, and 7 (6.7%) were in MiLB. There were 64 (61.5%) pitchers, 18 (17.3%) position players, and 22 (21.2%) 2-way players (both pitching and playing on the field). A total of 30 (28.8%) patients scored high enough on the IES-R to support PTSD as a probable diagnosis, and another 22 patients (21.2%) scored high enough to support PTSD as a clinical concern. Nineteen patients (18.3%) had potentially severe PTSD. Only 4 players (3.8%) were completely asymptomatic. Subgroup analysis revealed college players as significantly more symptomatic than high school players ( P = .02), and 2-way players were found to be significantly less susceptible to developing symptoms of PTSD compared with pitchers ( P = .04)., Conclusion: Nearly 30% of baseball players who sustained a UCL injury qualified for a probable diagnosis of PTSD based on the IES-R. Pitchers and college athletes were at increased risk for PTSD after UCL injury compared with 2-way players and high school athletes, respectively., Competing Interests: One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: M.J.J.A. has received grant support from DJO, education payments from Smith + Nephew, and hospitality payments from Medical Device Business Services. H.W.S. has received education payments from Arthrex and Smith + Nephew, hospitality payments from Stryker, and honoraria from Encore Medical. A.W.R. has received education payments from Gotham Surgical and Mid-Atlantic Surgical Systems. C.S.A. has received consulting fees, nonconsulting fees, and royalties from Arthrex. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Columbia University Medical Center (ref No. IRB-AAAS3704)., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Objectives: This study investigates the most common online patient questions pertaining to posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries and the quality of the websites providing information., Methods: Four PCL search queries were entered into the Google Web Search. Questions under the 'People also ask' tab were expanded in order and 100 results for each query were included (400 total). Questions were categorized based on Rothwell's Classification of Questions (Fact, Policy, Value). Websites were categorized by source (Academic, Commercial, Government, Medical Practice, Single Surgeon Personal, Social Media). Website quality was evaluated based on the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria. Pearson's chi-squared was used to assess categorical data. Cohen's kappa was used to assess inter-rater reliability., Results: Most questions fell into the Rothwell Fact category (54.3%). The most common question topics were Diagnosis/Evaluation (18.0%), Indications/Management (15.5%), and Timeline of Recovery (15.3%). The least common question topics were Technical Details of Procedure (1.5%), Cost (0.5%), and Longevity (0.5%). The most common websites were Medical Practice (31.8%) and Commercial (24.3%), while the least common were Government (8.5%) and Social Media (1.5%). The average JAMA score for websites was 1.49 ± 1.36. Government websites had the highest JAMA score (3.00 ± 1.26) and constituted 42.5% of all websites with a score of 4/4. Comparatively, Single Surgeon Personal websites had the lowest JAMA score (0.76 ± 0.87, range [0-2]). PubMed articles constituted 70.6% (24/34) of Government websites, 70.8% (17/24) had a JAMA score of 4 and 20.8% (5/24) had a score of 3., Conclusion: Patients search the internet for information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of PCL injuries and are less interested in the details of the procedure, cost, and longevity of treatment. The low JAMA score reflects the heterogenous quality and transparency of online information. Physicians can use this information to help guide patient expectations pre- and post-operatively.

Background: Management of acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries has been an ongoing source of debate, with over 150 variations of surgery described in the literature. Without a consensus on surgical technique, patients are seeking answers to common questions through internet resources. This study investigates the most common online patient questions pertaining to AC joint injuries and the quality of the websites providing information., Hypothesis: 1) Question topics will pertain to surgical indications, pain management, and success of surgery and 2) the quality and transparency of online information are largely heterogenous., Methods: Three AC joint search queries were entered into the Google Web Search. Questions under the "People also ask" tab were expanded in order and 100 results for each query were included (300 total). Questions were categorized based on Rothwell's classification. Websites were categorized by source. Website quality was evaluated by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria., Results: Most questions fell into the Rothwell Fact category (48.0%). The most common question topics were surgical indications (28.0%), timeline of recovery (13.0%), and diagnosis/evaluation (12.0%). The least common question topics were anatomy/function (3.3%), evaluation of surgery (3.3%), injury comparison (1.0%), and cost (1.0%). The most common websites were medical practice (44.0%), academic (22.3%), and single surgeon personal (12.3%). The average JAMA score for all websites was 1.0 ± 1.3. Government websites had the highest JAMA score (4.0 ± 0.0) and constituted 45.8% of all websites with a score of 4/4. PubMed articles constituted 63.6% (7/11) of government website. Comparatively, medical practice websites had the lowest JAMA score (0.3 ± 0.7, range [0-3])., Conclusion: Online patient AC joint injury questions pertain to surgical indications, timeline of recovery, and diagnosis/evaluation. Government websites and PubMed articles provide the highest-quality sources of reliable, up-to-date information but constitute the smallest proportion of resources. In contrast, medical practice represents the most visited websites, however, recorded the lowest quality score. Physicians should utilize this information to answer frequently asked questions, guide patient expectations, and help provide and identify reliable online resources., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Purpose: To report return-to-sport rates, postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs), complication rates, and reoperation rates of a cohort of patients undergoing particulated juvenile articular cartilage (PJAC) allograft transplantation for patellofemoral articular cartilage defects., Methods: We performed a single-institution retrospective review of all patients with patellofemoral articular cartilage defects who received PJAC allograft transplantation from 2014 to 2022. Baseline demographic characteristics and surgical data, including concomitant surgical procedures, were collected. Clinical outcomes recorded included return-to-sport rates, complications, reoperations, and the following PRO scores: Kujala knee score, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference score, and PROMIS Physical Function score., Results: Forty-one knees with a mean age of 23.4 ± 9.7 years and mean follow-up period of 30.3 months (range, 12-107 months) were included. The mean postoperative PROMIS Pain Interference, PROMIS Physical Function, and Kujala knee scores were 47.4 ± 7.7, 52.2 ± 10.8, and 81.7 ± 16.1, respectively, reflecting low residual anterior knee pain and a return to normal function. For patients playing organized sports at the high school and collegiate levels, the overall return-to-sport rate was 100% (17 of 17). During follow-up, complications developed in 12 knees (29.3%), the most common of which was anterior-based knee pain, and 6 knees (14.6%) required a total of 8 reoperations, which occurred from 6 to 32 months postoperatively., Conclusions: The 100% return-to-sport rate and satisfactory PRO scores in our study suggest that PJAC allograft transplantation can effectively address patellofemoral cartilage defects in many patients. The complication and reoperation rates of 29.3% and 14.6%, respectively, are consistent with the challenging and heterogeneous etiology and treatment of patellofemoral articular defects., Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series., Competing Interests: Disclosures The authors report the following potential conflicts of interest or sources of funding: B.M.S. receives research support from Arthrex and financial support from Nova Science Publishers. C.S.A. is on the editorial board of Orthopedics Today; owns stock options in At Peak; has received research support from Arthrex, Stryker, and Major League Baseball; and has received financial support from Lead Player. C.A.P. is a committee member of the USA Hockey Safety and Protective Equipment Committee; has received research support from Arthrex; and has received financial support from Smith & Nephew. L.H.R. is a paid consultant for Gerson Lehrman Group and Kidde Consultants Incorporated and is a committee member of the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society. Full ICMJE author disclosure forms are available for this article online, as supplementary material., (Copyright © 2024 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Large data analysis of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) short-term complications on age will help surgeons stratify and counsel at-risk patients. The purpose of this study is to assess if older patients are at greater risk for short-term complications after ACLR., Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent elective ACLR with or without concomitant meniscal procedures in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2005 to 2017. Patients were divided into age groups 16-30, 31-45, and > 45. Modified fragility index-5 (mFI-5), demographics and short-term outcomes were examined with bivariate and multivariate analysis to determine if age was a risk factor for complications., Results: A total of 23,581 patients (35.4% female) were included in this analysis. Mean age was 32.1 ± 10.8 years. Older patients had higher mFI-5 scores (p < 0.001), shorter operative times (p < 0.001), lower use of only general anesthesia (p < 0.001). The oldest patients had similar rates of complications as the two younger groups. Older age was an independent risk factor for VTE, but decreased risk of prolonged operations. A mFI-5 > 0 increased risk factors for readmission (Odds ratio 2.2, P = 0.006). Infection was the most common cause 30-day readmissions (40/135, 29.6%)., Conclusion: In the early postoperative period, older age is an independent risk factor for VTE and younger age is a significant factor for prolonged surgeries. Having an mFI-5 > 0 increased risk factors for readmission., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: [CA receives IP royalties, is a Paid consultant, and conducts Research support from Arthrex, Inc; he owns stock or options for Peak; He receives publishing royalties, financial or material support from Lead Player; he conducts research support for Major League Baseball; he is on the editorial or governing board for Orthopedics Today; he conducts research support for Stryker. TSL is a Board or committee member of American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine; he is a paid consultant for CONMED Linvatec and Smith & Nephew. The remaining authors have no disclosures.], (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Context: The risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear for athletes participating in pivoting sports includes young age and female sex. A previous meta-analysis has reported a reinjury rate of 15% after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) for athletes across all sports. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature reporting outcomes after ACLR in soccer players., Objective: To review and aggregate soccer-specific outcomes data after ACLR found in current literature to help guide a more tailored discussion regarding expectations and prognosis for soccer players seeking operative management of ACL injuries., Data Sources: A comprehensive search of publications was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus databases., Study Selection: Inclusion criteria consisted of original studies, level of evidence 1 to 4, studies reporting clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after primary ACLR in soccer players at all follow-up length., Study Design: The primary outcomes of interest were graft failure/reoperation rates, ACL injury in contralateral knee, return to soccer time, and PROs., Level of Evidence: Level 4., Data Extraction: Search of literature yielded 32 studies for inclusion that involved 3112 soccer players after ACLR., Results: The overall graft failure/reoperation rate ranged between 3.0% and 24.8% (mean follow-up range, 2.3-10 years) and the combined ACL graft failure and contralateral ACL injury rate after initial ACLR was 1.0% to 16.7% (mean follow-up range, 3-10 years); a subgroup analysis for female and male players revealed a secondary ACL injury incidence rate of 27%, 95% CI (22%, 32%) and 10%, 95% CI (6%, 15%), respectively. Soccer players were able to return to play between 6.1 and 11.1 months and the majority of PROs showed favorable scores at medium-term follow-up., Conclusion: Soccer players experience high ACL injury rates after primary ACLR and demonstrated similar reinjury rates as found in previous literature of athletes who participate in high-demand pivoting sports., Competing Interests: The following authors declared potential conflicts of interest: D.P.P. worked as a presenter for Zimmer. J.E.F. received researched support from both Arthrex and Smith & Nephew. C.S.A. received royalties from both Arthrex and Lead Player, has stock or stock options with At Peak, received research support from the MLB, and received research support from Stryker. B.M.S. received royalties from Nova Science Publishers.

Purpose: To provide an evaluation of the quality of diagnostic and treatment information regarding ulnar collateral ligament injuries on YouTube., Methods: YouTube was searched using the terms "ulnar collateral ligament," "Tommy John surgery," and "UCL surgery." The first 100 results for each 3 terms were screened for inclusion. Each included video was graded based on its diagnostic and treatment content and assigned a quality assessment rating. Video characteristics such as duration, views, and "likes" were recorded and compared between video sources and quality assessment ratings., Results: A total of 120 videos were included in the final analysis. Only 17.5% provided very useful to excellent quality content. Only 3 videos (2.5%) provided excellent quality content; these were all physician-sponsored videos. These 3 videos only achieved an excellent score for diagnostic content; no video achieved an excellent score for treatment content. Most videos were scored as somewhat useful for both diagnostic (40%) and treatment (56.7%) content. Videos classified as somewhat useful had the highest number of average views (27,197), with a mean duration of 7 minutes 40 seconds. The most common video source was physician sponsored (32%), followed by educational (26%). Physician videos had the lowest number of views (5,842 views)., Conclusions: The quality of ulnar collateral ligament-related information on YouTube is low. Differential diagnoses for related symptoms, accurate surgical indications, and thorough discussions of adverse outcomes were the most lacking information. Physician-sponsored and educational videos provided the highest-quality information but had the lowest number of average views., Clinical Relevance: Because most Internet users in the United States search for information regarding their medical issues online, it is important to understand the quality of available online medical information. Knowing this can help inform the necessary next steps to improve the quality and comprehensibility of online medical information.

Study Design: A retrospective case series study., Objective: To analyze the epidemiology and burden of diagnoses of lumbar spinal conditions affecting Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball players., Summary of Background Data: Lumbar spinal conditions are a common cause of low back pain in the general population and can be caused by participation in sports and athletics. Data concerning the epidemiology of these injuries in professional baseball players are limited., Methods: We collected deidentified MLB and Minor League Baseball data concerning lumbar spine conditions (lumbar disk herniations, lumbar degenerative disease, or pars conditions) from 2011 to 2017 using the MLB-commissioned Health and Injury Tracking System database. Data concerning days missed because of injury, need for surgery, and player participation and career-ending status were assessed. Injury rates were reported as injuries per 1000 athlete exposures in concordance with prior studies., Results: Over 2011-2017, 5948 days of play were missed because of 206 lumbar spine-related injuries, of which 60 (29.1%) were season ending. Twenty-seven (13.1%) of these injuries required surgery. The most common injury among both pitchers and position players were lumbar disk herniations (45, 44.1% and 41, 39.4%, respectively). More surgeries were performed for lumbar disk herniations and degenerative disk disease compared with pars conditions (74% and 18.5% vs. 3.7%). Injury rates for pitchers was significantly higher than those of other position players 0.111 per 1000 AEs versus 0.040 per 1000 AEs ( P <0.0001). Injuries requiring surgery did not vary significantly by league, age group, or player position., Conclusions: Lumbar spine-related injuries incurred substantial disability and days missed from play in professional baseball players. Lumbar disk herniations were the most common injury, and together with pars conditions led to higher rates of surgery compared with degenerative conditions., Level of Evidence: III., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients are faced with several treatment decisions after an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury: nonoperative versus operative treatment, repair versus reconstruction, and immediate versus delayed surgery., Purpose/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors important to patients when deciding which treatment to pursue after a UCL injury. We hypothesized that (1) length of time away from sports and seasonal timing would be important to patients and (2) treatment decision-making would be heavily influenced by how many and which seasons of their baseball career would be missed., Study Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: High school and collegiate baseball players with UCL tears treated at an academic institution were surveyed retrospectively on their sports participation at the time of injury and their UCL injury treatment decisions. Respondents rated the influence of various factors on a 5-point Likert scale, and they selected the top 3 factors and the single most important factor influencing their treatment decisions. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between player characteristics and factors important to their treatment decision., Results: A total of 83 athletes completed the survey; 40 were in high school and 43 were in college at the time of injury; 7 were treated nonoperatively and 76 underwent surgery (66 immediately and 10 in a delayed fashion), 10 with UCL repair and 66 with UCL reconstruction. The ability to play competitive baseball in the long term was very important or extremely important to 90% of players, while the ability to play in the short term was very important or extremely important to 17%. Length of recovery and seasonal timing were also important factors for 53% and 54% of players, respectively, and almost all (90%) highly valued advice from a surgeon. Possible failure of nonoperative treatment leading to increased time away and the possible loss of 2 consecutive baseball seasons heavily influenced decision-making in 41% of respondents., Conclusion: Survey respondents were driven by the desire to play baseball in the long term. Treatment decisions were influenced by the length of recovery and by the seasonal timing of their injury, both of which affect how many and which seasons of baseball a player may miss. Patients found advice from their surgeon to be extremely important to decision-making., Competing Interests: One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: H.W.S. has received education payments from Medwest and Smith & Nephew. T.A.F. has received education payments from Gotham Surgical and Kairos Surgical. C.S.A. has received research support from Major League Baseball and Stryker, consulting and nonconsulting fees from Arthrex, royalties from Arthrex and Lead Player, and has stock/stock options in At Peak. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto., (© The Author(s) 2023.)

Background: When return to sport (RTS) at a competitive level is desired, treatment of injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) frequently involves surgical reconstruction. Although RTS rates between 66% and 98% have been reported, there remains a paucity of comparative clinical studies, with far fewer reporting statistically significant risk factors for reconstruction failure. The goal of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to demonstrate the variety and inconsistency with which risk factors associated with reconstruction failure are reported., Materials and Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed Central and MEDLINE databases was performed to identify clinical outcome studies reporting ≥1 statistically significant risk factor associated with failure of UCL reconstruction. Failure was defined as (1) reinjury, recurrent instability, or need for revision surgery; (2) failure show improvement in postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs); or (3) failure to RTS at the preinjury level (RSL)., Results: A total of 349 unique studies were initially identified, of which 12 were deemed eligible for inclusion in our study. Of these 12 studies, 4 defined outcomes based on recurrent instability, reinjury, or revision surgery; 2 defined outcomes based on PROs; and 6 defined outcomes based on RSL. In the group with instability, reinjury, or revision failure, 11 significant risk factors were identified across all studies: age, height, body mass index, professional experience, injury to the nondominant arm, history of competitive throwing, mechanism of injury, history of a psychiatric diagnosis, presence of preoperative instability or stiffness, postoperative workload, and time to RTS. In the PRO failure group, 12 risk factors were identified across all studies: age, status as a military cadet, injury to the nondominant arm, graft type, baseball position, current injury to the ipsilateral arm, current level of competition attributed to reconstruction surgery, shoulder surgery after reconstruction, no competitive throwing history, non-throwing mechanism of injury, history of a psychiatric diagnosis, and preoperative instability or stiffness. In the RSL failure group, 4 risk factors were identified across all studies: age, ulnar neuritis, level of professional play, and amount of time spent at the professional level., Conclusions: Age, level of professional play prior to surgery, postoperative workload, and time at the professional level are the most commonly reported risk factors associated with UCL reconstruction failure. There remains a paucity of data associating risk factors with patient-specific outcomes and marked levels of inconsistency and conflict among the studies that report such data., (Copyright © 2023 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes and return to play (RTP) rates following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) in patients with and without posteromedial elbow impingement (PI) treated with concomitant arthroscopic posteromedial osteophyte resection., Methods: Baseball players who underwent UCLR performed by the senior surgeon with minimum follow-up of 2 years were surveyed in this retrospective cohort study. Primary outcomes included Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow (KJOC) score, Andrews-Timmerman score, and RTP rate. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction scores., Results: 35 baseball players were included. Eighteen had no preoperative impingement (mean age: 19.06 ± 3.28 years), while 17 had PI treated with concomitant arthroscopic osteophyte resection (mean age: 20.06 ± 2.68 years). Following surgery, there was no difference in mean Andrews-Timmerman score (no impingement = 91.67 ± 8.04 vs PI = 92.06 ± 7.92, P = .89) nor KJOC score (no impingement = 83.36 ± 11.72 vs PI = 79.88 ± 12.35, P = .40), but there was a decreased mean KJOC throwing control sub-score in the PI group (7.65 ± 2.40 vs 9.11 ± 1.32, P = .04). There was no difference in RTP rate between the groups (no impingement = 72.22%, PI = 94.12%, χ 2  = 1.28; P  = .26). There was significantly higher mean satisfaction score in the no impingement group (96.67 ± 4.58 vs 90.12 ± 11.91; P  = .04), and those patients were also more likely to pursue surgical treatment again (94.44% vs 52.94%, χ 2  = 7.88; P  = .005)., Conclusions: There was no difference in RTP rate following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in baseball players with and without posteromedial impingement treated with arthroscopic resection. Outcomes on the KJOC and Andrews-Timmerman scores were good to excellent in both groups. Players in the posteromedial impingement group were less satisfied with their outcome, however, and less likely to elect for surgery if they were to sustain the injury again. Additionally, players in the posteromedial impingement group were found to have decreased throwing control on the KJOC questionnaire, which may suggest that the presence of posteromedial osteophytes represent adaptive changes to stabilize the elbow while throwing., Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction has received a unique level of attention in the press and social media. There has also been an increasing use of the internet by patients to seek medical information. Concern exists regarding the quality and comprehensibility of online information when used for patient education., Purpose: To evaluate the quality and comprehensibility of the most-viewed YouTube videos related to the diagnosis and management of UCL injuries. Based on our new evidence-based scoring rubrics, we hypothesized that the quality and comprehensibility of these videos would be poor., Study Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: The YouTube platform was searched on September 7, 2021, with the terms "UCL injury," "ulnar collateral ligament injury," "UCL surgery," "ulnar collateral ligament surgery," and "Tommy John surgery," and the 50 most-viewed videos from each search were compiled, yielding 250 videos. After removal of duplicates and application of exclusion criteria, the 100 most-viewed videos remained. Basic attributes, including duration of video and number of views, were recorded. Each video was then analyzed by 2 independent reviewers and evaluated for 4 key parameters (quality of diagnostic content [QAR-D], quality of treatment content [QAR-T], presence of inaccurate information, and comprehensibility) and graded on a novel scale from 1 to 4 (4 being the most appropriate for patient education)., Results: The mean QAR-D was 4.83 ± 3.41 (fair quality), and the mean QAR-T was 2.76 ± 3.26 (poor quality). Physician-led educational videos had both the highest mean QAR-D (6.37) and the highest mean QAR-T (4.34). No correlation was observed between video quality and views/likes. A total of 12 videos included ≥1 inaccuracy. The mean comprehensibility score was 2.66 ± 1.12, with 39 videos falling below the acceptable comprehensibility threshold (score <3)., Conclusion: The overall quality of UCL injury-related YouTube content was low. In addition, the absence of correlation between video quality and views/likes suggests that patients are not preferentially utilizing the limited high-quality content that does exist on the YouTube platform. In addition, inaccurate videos were prevalent (12%), and almost half of all videos were deemed inappropriate for patient education in terms of comprehensibility, as defined by our comprehensibility parameter., Competing Interests: One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: C.A.P. has received education payments from Arthrex. C.S.A. has received consulting fees, nonconsulting fees, and royalties from Arthrex. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto., (© The Author(s) 2023.)

Purpose: To evaluate the mid-term rate of revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair as well as ipsilateral shoulder reoperations after index rotator cuff repair performed with or without acromioplasty in the United States., Methods: The Medicare Standard Analytic File, which encompasses the entire Medicare billing and payment data, was queried between 2005 and 2014. Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were identified and stratified based on whether ipsilateral acromioplasty was concurrently performed using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Groups were matched by age, sex, year of index procedure, and Elixhauser index at a 2:1 ratio. Primary end point was defined as undergoing a repeat ipsilateral shoulder surgery related to the rotator cuff at 5 years of follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed, and the 2 groups were compared using the log-rank test., Results: After matching, 54,209 shoulders in the rotator cuff repair with acromioplasty group and 26,448 shoulders in the rotator cuff repair without acromioplasty group were identified. Shoulders undergoing concurrent acromioplasty at index rotator cuff repair had a significantly increased rate of repeat ipsilateral cuff repair at 5 years postoperatively (8.5% vs 6.8%, P < .001). Similarly, there was an increased rate of reoperation of all types to the ipsilateral shoulder in cases where concurrent acromioplasty was performed (9.6% vs 9.1%, P < .001)., Conclusions: Using a large, national database, concurrent acromioplasty at the time of rotator cuff tear was found to be associated with both an increase rate of overall subsequent procedures and revision rotator cuff repair., Level of Evidence: III, retrospective comparative study., (© 2022 The Authors.)