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Background: Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are vital in the administration of surgical analgesia and have grown in popularity for use in lower extremity arthroscopic procedures because of their capacity to safely and effectively control pain. The number and specificity of PNBs, however, have made choosing the best option for a procedure nebulous for orthopaedic surgeons. Purpose: To present a narrative literature review of the PNBs available for arthroscopic hip and knee procedures that is adapted to an audience of orthopaedic surgeons. Study Design: Narrative literature review. Methods: A combination of the names of various lower extremity PNBs AND “hip arthroscopy” OR “knee arthroscopy” was used to search the English medical literature including PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Embase, and Scopus. Placement technique, specificity of blockade, efficacy, and complications were assessed. Searches were performed through May 2, 2021. Results: A total of 157 studies were included in this review of lower extremity PNBs. Femoral nerve, lumbar plexus, sciatic nerve, and fascia iliaca compartment blocks were most commonly used in arthroscopic hip surgery, while femoral nerve, 3-in-1, and adductor canal blocks were preferred for arthroscopic knee surgery. Each block demonstrated a significant benefit ( P > .05) in ≥1 of the following outcomes: intraoperative morphine, pain scores, nausea, and/or opioid consumption. Combination blocks including the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block, obturator nerve block, quadratus lumborum block, and L1 and L2 paravertebral block have also been described. Complication rates ranged from 0% to 4.8% in those administered with ultrasound guidance. The most commonly reported complications included muscular weakness, postoperative falls, neuropathy, intravascular and intraneural injections, and hematomas. Conclusion: When administered properly, PNBs were a safe and effective adjuvant method of pain control with a significant potential to limit postoperative narcotic use. While blockade choice varies by surgeon preference and procedure, all PNBs should be administered with ultrasound guidance, and vigilant protocols for the risk of postoperative falls should be exercised in patients who receive them.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative scrub nurse handoffs on surgical times for arthroscopically-assisted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions and hip arthroscopies. Methods A retrospective chart review was done at a major, urban academic medical center for all patients who underwent arthroscopically-assisted ACL reconstructions and hip arthroscopies for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome between May 2014 and May 2020. All ACL reconstructions were performed by 1 of 6 sports medicine fellowship–trained surgeons, and all hip arthroscopies were performed by a single surgeon. Operative times, number of scrub nurse handoffs, surgeon, patient demographics, and procedure-specific information were recorded. The association between patient characteristics and the number of handoffs, as well as the association between patient characteristics and operative times, stratified by scrub nurse handoffs, were calculated. A multivariable linear regression was performed to assess the association between intra-operative handoffs and operative times. Results Eight hundred twenty ACL reconstructions and 269 hip arthroscopies were identified. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated increasing intraoperative scrub nurse handoffs were associated with increased operative times for all patients. For ACL reconstructions, when including all possible covariates, 1 scrub nurse handoff increased operative times by 21.1 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.36 to 26.89; P < .001), and 2+ handoffs increased operative times by 34.2 minutes (95% CI: 26.28 to 42.15; P < .001). For hip arthroscopies, 1 scrub nurse handoff increased operative times by 7.0 minutes (95% CI: 0.31 to 13.74; P = .04). Conclusion Although a causal link cannot be made, intraoperative scrub nurse handoffs were associated with statistically significant increase in operative times for both ACL reconstructions and hip arthroscopies. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Purpose To evaluate whether the presence of residents in hip arthroscopy (HA) procedures affects short-term surgical outcomes. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database was used to identify patients who underwent HA from 2006 to 2012. Demographic and 30-day outcome variables were compared between cohorts of patients with and without residents. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify whether resident involvement was an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes. Propensity score matching was performed to control for all demographic and intraoperative variables. Results A total of 869 patients (59.7% female) were included in this study, 626 of which reported data on resident involvement. Patients were mostly White (73.4% of cases without a resident, 51.8% with a resident, P < .05). Those with residents were younger (P = .016), had lower modified 5-item frailty index (mFI-5) scores (P = .028), and had fewer cardiac comorbidities (P = .008). There was no difference in diabetic status, dyspnea symptoms, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal comorbidity, neurologic comorbidity, cumulative comorbidities, history of bleeding disorders, inpatient vs. outpatient treatment, preoperative functional status, smoking history, and steroid use for chronic conditions. There was no difference in all complications, operative time, length of stay, reoperation, readmission, wound complication, venous thromboembolism, blood transfusions, or sepsis. Propensity score match for demographic and intraoperative differences found no association between resident involvement and increased complications. Resident involvement was not an independent risk factor for all complications studied. Conclusion Resident involvement in HA procedures was not a risk factor for 30-day complications between 2006 and 2012. Resident involvement did not increase the risk of adverse outcomes, readmission, reoperation, or length of stay, nor did it significantly increase operative times.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of the asymptomatic baseball batter’s hips by comparing passive range of motion (PROM) and real-time active hip range of motion (AROM) and determine whether differences in ROM exist between lead and trail hips. Methods Parameters of passive hip ROM were obtained using a goniometer and physical examination standards. Active hip ROM during batting swings was captured with the Dynamic Athletic Research Institute’s markerless motion-capture system. Results Twenty-nine elite-level baseball players were recruited for participation. Comparison of lead and trail hips showed no significant differences in PROM. Statistically significant differences in AROM were found between lead and trail legs with large effect sizes for flexion (mean difference [MD°], 11.22), extension (MD°, 30.30), abduction (MD°, 6.24), adduction (MD°, 18.63), external rotation (MD°, 14.87) and total arc of rotation (MD°, 17.17) (P < .001 for all). External rotation in the lead hip approached maximum passive endpoint during early phases of the swing, whereas trail hip extension reached maximum passive endpoint during follow-through. Conclusion There is a significant difference in the AROM of the lead and trail hips during the batting swing, with active extension in the trail hip, active external rotation of the lead hip, and total arc of rotation of the lead hip nearing their respective passive endpoints and suggesting a potential for bony interaction in the hips of baseball batters. Level of Evidence Level 3, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is common practice in the treatment of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. While the prospective collection of PROs is preferred, retrospective collection involving patient recall is not uncommon and may be subject to bias. Purpose: To assess the presence of recall bias between prospectively and retrospectively collected PRO scores in hip arthroscopy. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients who underwent hip arthroscopy between 2015 and 2021 and provided preoperative baseline responses for the International Hip Outcome Tool–12 (iHOT-12), the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score–Physical Shortform (HOOS-PS), and the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) were eligible for recruitment. After surgery, participants were asked to complete a study-specific survey and the same preoperative PROs retrospectively. Agreements between the prospective and retrospective scores were assessed, and associations between score discrepancies and patient characteristics were identified. Results: A total of 94 patients (43.3% participation rate) completed study requirements and were included for analysis. The mean ± standard deviation duration of symptoms before surgery was 25.3 ± 32.8 months, and the mean duration to recall (from the day of surgery) for the PROs was 29.6 ± 22.2 months. The iHOT-12 (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.409; P < .001) and HOOS-PS (ICC, 0.415; P < .001) scores had low agreement between prospectively and retrospectively collected scores. The mHHS showed moderate agreement (ICC, 0.598; P < .001). The mean scores for the iHOT-12 (41.4 ± 22.6 vs 34.6 ± 16.3; P < .01), HOOS-PS (29.7 ± 18.5 vs 40.9 ± 17.1; P < .001), and mHHS (62.7 ± 16.5 vs 54.5 ± 14.8; P < .001) were all significantly different prospectively versus retrospectively. The average changes in score for the iHOT-12, HOOS-PS, and mHHS were −6.8, 11.2, and −8.2, respectively. Duration to recall and female sex were predictors of the difference between prospectively and retrospectively collected iHOT-12 data, while no predictors were significant for the HOOS-PS or mHHS. Conclusion: The retrospective collection of PROs for hip arthroscopy procedures is subject to bias. On average, retrospective (recalled) PROs reflected worse pain/function than their prospectively recorded counterpoints; therefore, retrospective patient recall is an unreliable source of clinical data, and the prospective collection of iHOT-12, mHHS, and HOOS-PS data should be prioritized.

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 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.

The purposes of this study are to use a large, patient-centered database to describe the 30-day readmission rate and to identify predictive risk factors for readmission after elective isolated ACLR.The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database was retrospectively queried for isolated ACLR procedures between 2011 and 2017. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were used to identify isolated ACLR patients. Those undergoing additional procedures such as meniscectomy or multi-ligamentous reconstruction were excluded. Readmissions were analyzed against demographic variables with bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to find independent risk factors for 30-day readmissions after ACLR.A total of 11,060 patients (37.2% female) were included with an average age of 32.2 ± 10.6 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.9 ± 6.5 kg/mIsolated ACLR is associated with low 30-day readmission rates. Operative time1.5 hours, male sex, dependent functional status, the presence of dyspnea, and 30-day reoperations are independent risk factors for readmission that should be considered in patient selection and addressed with preoperative counseling.Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Purpose To examine the effect of arthroscopic simulator training on technical performance in a human model. Methods A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Literature searches of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were conducted using combinations of the terms virtual, digital, computer, reality, simulation, arthroscopy, training, learning, and education. Studies were considered for inclusion if they tested the effect of arthroscopic simulator training in a randomized controlled fashion, performed testing in a cadaver or live patient, and used explicit outcome measures of technical skill. Data from studies were extracted and study characteristics and outcomes were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was the number of studies in which the simulation trained group had significantly improved performance results relative to the control group in ≥50% of all measured outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane’s Collaboration Tool. Results Twelve studies, including 340 total study participants, were included for review. Eight studies showed improved performance of the simulation trained group relative to the control group in ≥50% of assessed outcomes. Six of ten studies reporting completion time, three of six studies reporting task checklist completion, 3 of 7 studies reporting global rating scales, and 1 of 4 studies reporting Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool scores showed improved performance of the simulation group relative to the control group for the respective outcome measures. Conclusions The literature is limited due to heterogeneity, both in type and merit, of the outcome measures that have been used to assess the transfer validity of arthroscopic simulator training to clinical performance. Despite the limitations of the literature, this review demonstrates that arthroscopic simulator training has potential to improve clinical performance. Level of Evidence II, systematic review of Level II studies.

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

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

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rising fourth-year medical students' plans to apply to residency in orthopaedic surgery. Methods: We conducted a survey of rising fourth-year medical students. Primary outcome was the change in students' plans to apply to residency in orthopaedic surgery as measured by Likert scale response. Secondary outcomes were students' concerns about applying to residency during the pandemic. Results: A total of 462 students were planning to apply to residency in orthopaedic surgery. Women said that they were “less likely” to apply to orthopaedic surgery because of the pandemic (14.9% versus 5.5% of men, P < 0.001). Students identifying as Black/African American said that they were “less likely” to apply (16.9% compared with 8.8 of non-Hispanic White, P < 0.001). Students said that they had “somewhat fewer” or “many fewer” opportunities to get adequate exposure to orthopaedic surgery to make a specialty choice (88.9% of students). Discussion: We support the development of robust student advising and mentorship networks to address the uncertainty inherent in applying to residency during a global pandemic and curtail the racial and sex disparities discovered in this survey.