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Purpose: To examine the relationship between tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance and patellar tendon length. Methods: All healthy athletes who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction who had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the knee on file between July 2018 and June 2019 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria included patients without an MRI study of the knee on file or with an MRI of insufficient quality precluding reliable calculation of TT-TG and patellar tendon length. MRIs were reviewed to calculate TT-TG, patellar tendon length, and Caton–Deschamps Index (CDI). Patient charts were reviewed to obtain anthropometric characteristics including sex, concomitant injuries, and previous knee procedures as well as age at time of MRI. Spearman correlations were used to assess the relationship between TT-TG, patellar tendon length, and CDI, with regression analysis performed to assess for relationships between TT-TG, patellar tendon length, and patient-specific factors. Results: Overall, 235 patients (99 female [42.1%], 136 male [57.9%]; mean age: 30.0 years [23.0; 40.0]) were included. Inter-rater reliability between the 2 reviewers was 0.888 for TT-TG, 0.804 for patellar tendon length, and 0.748 for CDI, indicating strong agreement. The correlation between TT-TG and patellar tendon length was 0.021, indicating no true relationship. The correlation between TT-TG and CDI was –0.048 and that of patellar tendon length and CDI was 0.411, indicating a weak positive relationship. Regression analysis found that male sex is strongly correlated with a longer patellar tendon length (odds ratio 2.65, 95% confidence interval 1.33-3.97, P < .001). Conclusions: In this study, no correlation was found between TT-TG and patellar tendon length or CDI. Male sex was correlated with a longer patellar length. Clinical Relevance: TT-TG does not appear to be a useful preoperative indicator of patellar tendon length and likely does not hold substantial value in preoperative templating of BTB graft sizes.

Purpose: To compare the results of patients who underwent Bankart repair with or without concomitant remplissage for treatment of shoulder instability. Methods: All patients who underwent shoulder stabilization for shoulder instability from 2014 to 2019 were evaluated. Patients who underwent remplissage were matched to those patients who received no remplissage based on sex, age, body mass index, and date of surgery. Glenoid bone loss and presence of an engaging Hill–Sachs lesion were quantified by 2 independent investigators. Postoperative complications, recurrent instability, revision, shoulder range of motion (ROM), return to sport (RTS), and patient-reported outcome measures (Oxford Shoulder Instability, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores) were compared between groups. Results: Overall, 31 patients who underwent remplissage were identified and matched to 31 patients who received no remplissage at a mean follow-up of 2.8 ± 1.8 years. Glenoid bone loss was similar between groups (11% vs 11%, P = .956); however, engaging Hill–Sachs lesions were more prevalent in the patients who underwent remplissage than the patients who received no remplissage (84% vs 3%, P < .001). There were no significant differences in rates of redislocation (remplissage: 12.9% vs no remplissage: 9.7%), subjective instability (45.2% vs 25.8%), reoperation (12.9% vs 0%), or revision (12.9% vs 0%) between groups (all P > .05). Also, there were no differences in RTS rates, shoulder range of motion, or patient-reported outcome measures (all P > .05). Conclusions: If a patient is indicated for Bankart repair with concomitant remplissage, surgeons may expect shoulder motion and postoperative outcomes similar to those of patients without engaging Hill–Sachs lesions who undergo Bankart repair without concomitant remplissage. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic case series, level IV.

Purpose: To compare outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) in patients with prior arthroscopic acromioplasty versus a control group of patients with no history of acromioplasty. Methods: We performed a retrospective matched-cohort study of patients from a single institution who underwent RTSA with a history of acromioplasty from 2009 to 2017 with a minimum 2-year follow-up period. Patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder score and Simple Shoulder Test, visual analog scale, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation surveys. Postoperative radiographs and patient charts were reviewed to determine whether patients sustained a postoperative acromial fracture. Charts were reviewed to determine range of motion and postoperative complications. Patients were matched on a 1:1 basis to a cohort of patients who underwent RTSA without a history of acromioplasty, and comparisons were performed using t and χ2 tests. Results: Forty-five patients who underwent RTSA with a history of acromioplasty met the inclusion criteria and completed the outcome surveys. There were no significant differences between cases and controls in post-RTSA American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, visual analog scale, Simple Shoulder Test, or Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation outcome scores. There was no difference in the postoperative acromial fracture rate between cases and controls (P = .577). Overall, more complications occurred in the study group (n = 6, 13.3%) compared with the control group (n = 4, 8.9%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = .737). Conclusions: After RTSA, patients who have undergone a prior acromioplasty have similar functional outcomes without a significant difference in the rate of postoperative complications compared with patients with no history of acromioplasty. Furthermore, previous acromioplasty does not increase the risk of acromial fracture after RTSA. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Purpose: To evaluate and describe the differences in characteristics between the Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers with greater workload and career longevity in terms of innings pitched (IP) and performance-matched controls who have not experienced similar length careers. Methods: Using publicly available data, we identified the top 100 MLB pitchers in terms of career IP. Controls were matched to the top 100 pitchers by draft year and round. Pitchers with fewer than 400 IP were excluded. Demographic information, performance statistics, and injury history were reviewed. Logistic regression analysis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to compare data. Results: Compared with controls, the top 100 pitchers in terms of IP were drafted at a younger age (19.35 vs 19.83, P < .001) and in later rounds (6.16 vs 2.45, P < .001). They made their MLB debut at a younger age (21.77 vs 23.12, P < .001). They also pitched fewer innings before debut (470.59 vs 632.07, P = .007), were older at their first (30.72 vs 27.50 years, P < .001) and second (32.42 vs 29.43 years, P < .001) designations to the injured list (IL), and had a significantly longer time from debut to first (3063.50 vs 1565.59 days, P < .001) and second (3712.10 vs 2202.03 days, P < .001) IL trips. The top 100 pitchers were 7.45 times less likely to have made a trip to the IL within 8 seasons from their debut and were 4.04 times more likely to be younger than 24 years at their major league debut. Conclusions: Pitchers with the greatest number of IP in their MLB careers were significantly younger when drafted and when they made their major league debut, although this age difference is likely clinically insignificant. Pitchers who were drafted or debuted at a later age accumulate more pre-debut innings and this may contribute to fewer total IP in the MLB. Similarly, later trips to the injured list and longer duration from debut to first or second trip to the IL, but not total IL trips, are predictive of longer careers compared to age and draft class matched controls. Level of Evidence: III, retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To compare the measurements of the Caton–Deschamps index on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and radiographs of patients undergoing operative management of patellar instability. Methods: Patients who underwent primary medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and/or tibial tubercle osteotomy between January 2015 and November 2019 were assessed. Caton–Deschamps indices were measured by 3 independent reviewers on both radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. Intra- and interclass correlation coefficients and a Bland–Altman analysis were calculated to assess inter-rater reliability and measurement agreement between radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Seventy-two patients (73 knees) were identified. The average Caton–Deschamps index was 1.23 ± 0.18 on radiograph and 1.26 ± 0.18 on magnetic resonance imaging. Strong inter-rater reliability was observed between reviewers for both radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging Caton–Deschamps indices (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.700 and 0.715, respectively). Pooled observer measurements revealed a moderate agreement between radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging for patella to tibia distance, weak agreement for patellar articular cartilage distance, and strong agreement for the Caton–Deschamps index (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.687, 0.485, and 0.749, respectively). Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated a mean difference in Caton–Deschamps index of –0.03 ± 0.15 (95% limits of agreement: –0.29 to 0.23) between radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging, meaning that Caton–Deschamps indices were on average 0.03 lower on radiographic than on magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions: The Caton–Deschamps index has strong agreement between radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging in patients undergoing patellar stabilization surgery. Either modality can be reliably used to preoperatively assess patellar height. Level of Evidence: Level IV, diagnostic case series.

Purpose: Examine demographic factors of all patients treated for adhesive capsulitis by a single surgeon, report the treatments and outcomes of these patients, and determine the effectiveness of various treatments, including corticosteroid injections and operative intervention in relation to risk factors for adhesive capsulitis. Methods: All patients treated for adhesive capsulitis by a single surgeon between 2008 to 2014 with minimum 2 years' follow-up were identified via charts and operative reports and were eligible for inclusion. Demographic information including sex and medical comorbidities was documented. Preintervention and postintervention shoulder range of motion was recorded. Specific treatment information (number of corticosteroid injections, etc) was collected. Treatment outcomes were then compared as an aggregate and among varying comorbidities. Results: Overall, 1377 patients were treated for adhesive capsulitis (946 women vs 431 men [P = .001]). For patients with adhesive capsulitis: a higher percentage of men than women had diabetes (24.8% vs 17.3% [P = .001]); nondiabetic patients had better forward flexion at initial presentation than patients with diabetes (114° vs 108° [P = .015]); more patients with diabetes required capsular release than nondiabetic patients (13% vs 7.3% [P = .003]); more nondiabetic patients resolved adhesive capsulitis without corticosteroid or surgical intervention than patients with diabetes (83.6% vs 61.7% [P = .001]); more nondiabetic patients resolved adhesive capsulitis after single corticosteroid injection than did patients with diabetes (95.9% vs 86.7% [P = .001]). Multiple intraarticular corticosteroid injections provided no added benefit over a single injection in resolving adhesive capsulitis in patients with diabetes and nondiabetic patients. Conclusion: In shoulder adhesive capsulitis, women and patients with diabetes are more commonly affected, patients with diabetes respond less favorably to physical therapy in isolation and physical therapy plus corticosteroid injections than nondiabetic patients. No benefit from multiple intraarticular corticosteroid injections was seen compared with a single intraarticular corticosteroid injection in patients with diabetes and nondiabetic patients. Patients with diabetes and nondiabetic patients have functional improvement after capsular release and manipulation if conservative treatment for adhesive capsulitis fails. Level of Evidence: III, case control.

Hip distraction is necessary for safe arthroscopic entry into the hip joint. Achieving sufficient distraction is difficult in exceedingly tall patients (>190.5 cm) because of size limitations of currently available hip distraction systems. Inadequate distraction can delay the surgical procedure and potentially lead to complications. By repurposing a foam head-positioning block, we report a safe and inexpensive positioning technique for extending the traction distance for tall patients by 2 inches.

Chondral injuries of the hip joint are often symptomatic and affect patient activity level. Several procedures are available for addressing chondral injuries, including microfracture. Microfracture is a marrow-stimulating procedure, which creates subchondral perforation in the bone, allowing pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells to migrate from the marrow into the chondral defect and form fibrocartilaginous tissue. In the knee, microfracture has been shown to relieve pain symptoms. In the hip, microfracture has been studied to a lesser extent, but published studies have shown promising clinical outcomes. The depth, joint congruity, and geometry of the hip joint make microfracture technically challenging. The most common technique uses hip-specific microfracture awls, but the trajectory of impaction is not perpendicular to the subchondral plate. Consequently, the parallel direction of impaction creates poorly defined channels. We describe an arthroscopic microfracture technique for the hip using a flexible microfracture drill. The drill and angled guides simplify access to the chondral defect. The microfracture drill creates clear osseous channels, avoiding compaction of the surrounding bone and obstruction of the channels. Furthermore, this technique allows for better control of the angle and depth of the drill holes, which enhances reproducibility and may yield improved clinical outcomes.

The Bankart lesion is considered the critical lesion in anterior shoulder instability, in which the anteroinferior glenoid labrum separates from the glenoid rim. Technical advances in arthroscopy have ushered in a shift from open to arthroscopic Bankart repair. When one is performing an arthroscopic Bankart repair, proper portal placement is critical for success in labral preparation and anchor placement. Frequently, standard anterior portals are insufficient for inferior glenoid anchor placement and suture shuttling. The posterolateral portal—located 4 cm lateral to the posterolateral corner of the acromion—simplifies and improves anchor placement, trajectory, and anatomic capsulolabral repair of the inferior glenoid. We present our preferred technique for capsulolabral repair of the inferior glenoid.