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Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common and debilitating knee injuries in professional athletes with an incidence in females up to eight-times higher than their male counterparts. ACL injuries can be career-threatening and are associated with increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis in future life. The increased risk of ACL injury in females has been attributed to various anatomical, developmental, neuromuscular, and hormonal factors. Anatomical and hormonal factors have been identified and investigated as significant contributors including osseous anatomy, ligament laxity, and hamstring muscular recruitment. Postural stability and impact absorption are associated with the stabilizing effort and stress on the ACL during sport activity, increasing the risk of noncontact pivot injury. Female patients have smaller diameter hamstring autografts than males, which may predispose to increased risk of re-rupture following ACL reconstruction and to an increased risk of chondral and meniscal injuries. The addition of an extra-articular tenodesis can reduce the risk of failure; therefore, it should routinely be considered in young elite athletes. Prevention programs target key aspects of training including plyometrics, strengthening, balance, endurance and stability, and neuromuscular training, reducing the risk of ACL injuries in female athletes by up to 90%. Sex disparities in access to training facilities may also play an important role in the risk of ACL injuries between males and females. Similarly, football boots, pitches quality, and football size and weight should be considered and tailored around females’ characteristics. Finally, high levels of personal and sport-related stress have been shown to increase the risk of ACL injury which may be related to alterations in attention and coordination, together with increased muscular tension, and compromise the return to sport after ACL injury. Further investigations are still necessary to better understand and address the risk factors involved in ACL injuries in female athletes. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(2):94–100.

Background: Previous research suggests that estrogen plays a role in increased ligamentous laxity observed within the female population. Whereas many studies have sought to evaluate the impact of exogenous estrogen on anterior cruciate ligament injuries, research has not yet explored its impact on the medial patellofemoral ligament. Furthermore, less is known about the role of exogenous progesterone on ligamentous structures. Purpose: To determine whether women prescribed systemic estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) or progesterone (norgestimate or etonogestrel) hormonal contraceptives had an increased risk of undergoing reconstruction surgery for patellar instability compared with women without a prescription for systemic hormonal contraceptives. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The TriNetX Research Network database was queried using International Classification of Disease and Common Procedural Terminology codes for women aged 15 to 26 years who underwent reconstruction procedures for patellar instability between 2012 and 2022. Women were grouped according to whether they had a coded prescription for a systemic hormonal contraceptive containing either ethinyl estradiol or etonogestrel; controls were matched by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. The relative risk (RR) of undergoing reconstruction for patellar instability was determined for each contraceptive. Results: After 1-to-1 propensity score matching, 0.054% (525/980,878) of women prescribed a systemic contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol underwent reconstruction procedures for patellar instability compared with 0.043% (417/980,878) of controls (RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4; P =.0004). Likewise, 0.058% (67/116,260) of women prescribed a form of systemic contraceptive containing only etonogestrel underwent reconstruction procedures for patellar instability compared with 0.026% (30/116,260) of controls (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5-3.4; P =.0002). Conclusion: Female patients prescribed systemic contraceptives containing estrogen or progesterone had an increased rate of reconstruction procedures for patellar instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in adults are frequently accompanied by meniscal and articular cartilage damage. However, little is known regarding the association, if any, between physical maturity, hypermobility, or bone bruising and these associated injuries in skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. Purpose: To determine if physical maturity, hypermobility, and/or bone bruising is associated with concomitant meniscal and articular cartilage injury in skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: At 10 institutions in the United States, consecutive skeletally immature patients with complete ACL tears were enrolled between January 2016 and June 2020. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of variables on the likelihood of articular cartilage and meniscal injury. Results: A total of 748 patients were analyzed. Of these, 85 patients (11.4%) had articular cartilage injuries. These patients had a higher bone age (13.9 vs 13.1 years; P =.001), a higher Tanner stage (P =.009), and increased height (162.9 vs 159.9 cm; P =.03) and were heavier (57.8 vs 54.0 kg; P =.02). For each additional Tanner stage, the odds of articular cartilage injury increased approximately 1.6 times (P <.001). Of the total patients, 423 (56.6%) had meniscal tears. Those with meniscal tears were older (12.6 vs 12.0 years; P <.001), had a higher bone age (13.5 vs 12.8 years; P <.001), had a higher Tanner stage (P =.002), had increased height (162.2 vs 157.6 cm; P <.001), and were heavier (56.6 vs 51.6 kg; P <.001). For each additional Tanner stage, the odds of a meniscal tear increased approximately 1.3 times (P <.001). No association was detected between hypermobility or bone bruising and the likelihood of articular cartilage or meniscal injury. Multivariable regression revealed that increasing Tanner stage was associated with an increasing risk of articular cartilage injury, while weight was associated with an increasing risk of meniscal injury. Conclusion: Increasing physical maturity is associated with increased risks of concomitant articular cartilage and meniscal injury in skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. Hypermobility and bone bruising are not associated with articular cartilage or meniscal injury, suggesting that physical maturity, rather than ligamentous laxity, is the primary risk factor for associated injuries in skeletally immature patients with an ACL tear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for patellofemoral instability have chondral or osteochondral injuries requiring treatment. Hypothesis: In patients undergoing MPFL reconstruction for patellofemoral instability, those with ligamentous laxity (LAX) would be less likely to have chondral or osteochondral defects requiring surgical intervention compared with those with no laxity (NLX). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Included were 171 patients with patellofemoral instability (32 men, 139 women; mean age, 22 years [range, 11-57 years]) who underwent MPFL reconstruction between 2005 and 2015. Patients with a Beighton-Horan score ≥5 were considered LAX (n = 96), while patients with scores <5 were considered NLX (n = 75). Preoperative magnetic resonance images were evaluated to determine the presence, size, and location of chondral or osteochondral injury as well as the grade according to the Outerbridge classification. Documented anatomic measurements included tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, Caton-Deschamps Index (CDI) for patellar height, and the Dejour classification for trochlear dysplasia. Results: Of the 171 patients, 58 (34%) required a surgical intervention for a chondral or osteochondral defect: chondroplasty (29/58; 50%), particulated juvenile cartilage implantation (18/58; 31%), microfracture (16/58; 28%), osteochondral fracture fixation (2/58; 3.4%), and osteochondral allograft (2/58; 3.4%). While there was no statistical difference in the proportion of patellar chondral or osteochondral injuries between patients with NLX (58%) versus LAX (67%) (P =.271), there was a significantly higher rate of patellar grade 3 or 4 injuries in the NLX (74%) versus LAX (45%) group (P =.004). Similarly, there was no difference in femoral chondral or osteochondral injury rates between groups (P =.132); however, femoral grade 3 or 4 injuries were significantly higher in the NLX (67%) versus the LAX (13%) group (P =.050). After adjusting for age, sex, radiographic parameters (TT-TG distance and CDI), and trochlear morphology, patients with LAX were 75% less likely to have had a grade 3 or 4 patellar cartilage injury compared with patients with NLX (P =.006). Conclusion: For patients who sustained patellar or femoral chondral or osteochondral injuries, compared with their counterparts with NLX, patients with LAX were less likely to have severe (grade 3 or 4) injuries requiring surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genu varum in patients with achondroplasia is common and is often exacerbated by the associated generalized ligamentous laxity. Despite this, development of knee osteoarthritis is rare. There are only a few previously published case reports of total knee arthroplasty in this population. We present 2-year follow-up of a patient with achondroplasia who underwent staged bilateral primary total knee arthroplasties using hinged components. Technical considerations and careful preoperative planning are required in patients with achondroplasia given their small skeletal stature, metaphyseal deformities, and ligamentous laxity.

Pregnancy is a period characterized by numerous alterations of the body, to provide a proper environment for newborn development and growth and optimal conditions for the natural delivery. The changes that take place at the musculoskeletal system are subsequent to the increase in the ligament laxity secondary to hormonal changes, especially relaxin, and due to weight gain, which is predominantly distributed at the abdominal level, with the anteriorly movement of the center of gravity. The curvatures of the spinal column changes, with the accentuation of the lumbar lordosis and compensatory modifications at cervical and thoracic levels in order to facilitate the ambulation of the pregnant woman with a minimum risk of falls. The pelvic girdle adapts for natural delivery, with higher diameters due to an increased mobility in the sacroiliac and pubic articulations. Hydro saline retention may be accompanied by edema and secondary compression of the nervous structures, determining paresthesia and pain. It is important to know how these mechanisms work, because the common element is pain, which leads to invalidation and a decrement of the life quality, to provide with an adapted management, especially because the therapeutic resources are limited in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revision knee arthroplasty is often complicated by the presence of bone loss, making the use of conventional revision implants impossible, due to inadequate bone stock and ligamentous stability. Distal femoral replacement, although traditionally was developed for salvage surgeries for bone tumours, plays an important role in revision surgeries of elderly low-demand adults with marked bone loss and ligamentous instability. Here, we report the case of a 66-year-old female, with a history of bilateral knee replacement 5 years before the presentation, who developed left knee pain, with X-ray features of failed left knee replacement. This patient had a left distal femoral replacement and successfully returned to her pre-operative function.

Achondroplasia (ACH), the most common form of skeletal dysplasia, is characterized by severe disproportionate short stature, rhizomelia, exaggerated lumbar lordosis, brachydactyly, macrocephaly with frontal bossing and midface hypoplasia. Ligamentous laxity has been reported as a striking feature of ACH, but its prevalence and characteristics have not been systematically evaluated yet. There is growing evidence that ligamentous laxity can be associated with chronic musculoskeletal problems and may affect motor development leading to abnormal developmental trajectories. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ligamentous laxity in children with ACH through standardized tools, the Beighton scale and its modified version for preschool-age children. A total of 33 children (mean age 6.4 ± 3.2 years; age range 1–12.5 years) diagnosed with ACH by the demonstration of a pathogenic variant in the FGFR3 gene and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Both ligamentous laxity assessment and neurological examinations were performed; medical history was also collected from caregivers. Children with ACH showed a 2 times higher risk of ligamentous laxity than the group without skeletal dysplasia (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.0 to 4.7), with 55% of children meeting the diagnostic criteria for hypermobility. No significant difference in ligamentous laxity was observed between males and females. Joint involvement analysis revealed characteristic patterns, with knee hypermobility observed in 67% of patients, while rare was elbow hypermobility. Longitudinal assessments indicated a decreasing trend in ligamentous laxity scores over time, suggesting a potential decrease in hypermobility issues during adulthood. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the prevalence and characteristics of ligamentous laxity in ACH. Implementation of standardized ligamentous laxity assessments might guide patients' follow-up and facilitate early interventions, helping to prevent pain and improve outcomes and quality of life for such patients. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the natural history of ligamentous laxity in ACH and investigate the potential impact of emerging pharmacological treatments upon hypermobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is common among schoolchildren and usually benign. However, it may progressively lead to joint pain and developmental delay. Identifying GJH in school-aged children would facilitate the monitoring of early changes and planning for early rehabilitative intervention. Epidemiological studies addressing the prevalence of GJH among children in the Gulf region and Arab ethnicity are lacking. Hence, we aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and factors associated with GJH among school-aged children in the Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia. Male and female school-aged children 8–14 years of age from the Majmaah region of Saudi Arabia participated in this cross-sectional study. Beighton score was used to assess GJH. Personal characteristics such as age, height, weight, body mass index, and handedness were also collected. Descriptive statistics were obtained for personal characteristics, the point prevalence of hypermobility, frequency of Beighton score distribution, and prevalence of GJH. The associations between specific factors and the presence of GJH were analyzed using chi-square and Mann-whitney tests. Using the Beighton score cutoff ≥ 4 and ≥ 6, 15.2% and 7.6% of the school children in our study were diagnosed with GJH respectively. The prevalence of GJH was higher among females (16.8%) than among males (13.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. The elbow joints (17.2%) were the most common hypermobile joints and the trunk (0.7%) was the least involved. The children with GJH were younger and had lesser BMI compared to children without GJH (P

Background: Bow hunter's syndrome, or occlusion of the vertebral artery with head rotation leading to ischemia and sometimes stroke, is rarely described in children. The authors review the literature and present a new case. Methods: Both OVID dating back to 1946 and PubMed records were reviewed using the terms ("Bow hunter syndrome" OR "bow hunter's") OR "rotational vertebral artery occlusion" combined with "child," and limited to English language. SCOPUS and the bibliographies of cases found in the search were used to identify additional articles. Results: Twelve articles were found describing 25 patients; there were 26 patients when combined with our case. Ages ranged from 1 to 18 years. Most (88.5%, 23/26) were male. Medical treatments included aspirin, clopidogrel, abciximab, enoxaparin, warfarin, and cervical collar. Stenting was tried in 2 cases but did not work long-term. Surgical treatments included decompression, cervical fusion, or a combination. We present a new case of a 12-year-old girl with recurrent stroke who had bilateral vascular compression only visible on provocative angiographic imaging with head turn. She was referred for cervical fusion, and abnormal ligamentous laxity was noted intraoperatively. Conclusions: Bow hunter's syndrome is a rare but important cause of stroke since many of the patients experience recurrent strokes before the diagnosis is made. Reasons for the male predominance are unclear. Provocative angiography plays a key role in diagnosis, and both medical treatment and neurosurgical intervention may prevent recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is common among schoolchildren and usually benign. However, it may progressively lead to joint pain and developmental delay. Identifying GJH in school-aged children would facilitate the monitoring of early changes and planning for early rehabilitative intervention. Epidemiological studies addressing the prevalence of GJH among children in the Gulf region and Arab ethnicity are lacking. Hence, we aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and factors associated with GJH among school-aged children in the Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia. Male and female school-aged children 8-14 years of age from the Majmaah region of Saudi Arabia participated in this cross-sectional study. Beighton score was used to assess GJH. Personal characteristics such as age, height, weight, body mass index, and handedness were also collected. Descriptive statistics were obtained for personal characteristics, the point prevalence of hypermobility, frequency of Beighton score distribution, and prevalence of GJH. The associations between specific factors and the presence of GJH were analyzed using chi-square and Mann-whitney tests. Using the Beighton score cutoff ≥ 4 and ≥ 6, 15.2% and 7.6% of the school children in our study were diagnosed with GJH respectively. The prevalence of GJH was higher among females (16.8%) than among males (13.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. The elbow joints (17.2%) were the most common hypermobile joints and the trunk (0.7%) was the least involved. The children with GJH were younger and had lesser BMI compared to children without GJH (P <0:05). The prevalence reported in this study among school-aged children was comparable with those reported worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Association among generalized ligamentous laxity (GLL), hip microinstability, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after hip arthroscopy has yet to be completely established. Purposes: (1) To report minimum 2-year PROs in patients with GLL who underwent hip arthroscopy in the setting of symptomatic labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and (2) to compare clinical results with a matched-pair control group without GLL. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data from a prospectively collected database were retrospectively reviewed between August 2014 and December 2016. Patients were considered eligible if they received primary arthroscopic treatment for symptomatic labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement. Inclusion criteria included preoperative and minimum 2-year follow-up scores for the following PROs: modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), and visual analog scale for pain (VAS). From the sample population, 2 groups were created: the GLL group (Beighton score ≥4) and the control group (Beighton score <4). Patients were matched in a 1:2 ratio via propensity score matching according to age, sex, body mass index, Tönnis grade, and preoperative lateral center-edge angle. Patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for mHHS, Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific Scale (HOS-SSS), and International Hip Outcome Tool–12 (iHOT-12) were calculated. Results: A total of 57 patients with GLL were matched to 88 control patients. Age, sex, body mass index, and follow-up times were not different between groups (P >.05). Preoperative radiographic measurements demonstrated no difference between groups. Intraoperative findings and procedures between groups were similar except for capsular treatment, with the GLL group receiving a greater percentage of capsular plications (P =.04). At minimum 2-year follow-up, both groups showed significant improvement in PROs and VAS (P <.001). Furthermore, the postoperative PROs at minimum 2-year follow-up and the magnitude of improvement (delta value) were similar between groups for mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, and VAS (P >.05). Moreover, groups reached comparable rates of MCID and PASS for mHHS, HOS-SSS, and iHOT-12. Conclusion: Patients with GLL after hip arthroscopy for symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement and labral tears may expect favorable outcomes with appropriate labral and capsular management at minimum 2-year follow-up. When compared with a pair-matched control group without GLL, results were comparable for mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, and VAS and reached PASS and/or MCID for mHHS, HOS-SSS, and iHOT-12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perineal trauma at childbirth is associated with strong negative impacts on a woman's health but remains unpredictable. Pregnancy induces several changes in biomechanical behavior in humans as in animals, namely, an increase in ligamentous laxity and an increase in vaginal distensibility. Pelvic floor muscles in rats are reported to exhibit specific behaviors during pregnancy. Increases in both stiffness and the number of sarcomeres in series are observed and might process that protect against perineal trauma at childbirth. Some data in humans have shown that the risk of perineal trauma is highly linked to the intrinsic characteristics of the tissue, suggesting the potential benefit of incorporating intrinsic biomechanical characteristics in the risk prediction for perineal trauma. Shear wave elastography might be a useful noninvasive tool to investigate the elastic properties of these tissues in pregnant women in vivo, with the goal of implementing these properties as a predictive strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) has frequently been described as a risk factor for patellofemoral instability; however, only a few primary research studies have demonstrated any evidence of a relationship. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if isolated proximal soft tissue stabilization for patellofemoral instability is as successful in patients with GJH compared those without, as measured by disease-specific quality-of-life (QOL), symptom scores and functional outcomes. The secondary purpose was to determine if clinical and patient-reported outcomes were influenced by patient demographic factors in the presence of joint hypermobility.Methods: Between 2009 and 2014, data were collected on 174/193 knees (92% follow-up) following an isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL-R). Patients with a Beighton score of 4 or greater were classified as positive for GJH, and any score of 3 or less was classified as negative. Pre- and post-operative Banff Patella Instability Instrument (BPII) scores were compared using a two-sample t test to determine the influence of GJH on QOL. The relationship between the Beighton score, and demographic and clinical factors was explored using correlational analysis. Functional testing including balance and single-leg hop testing was conducted 1 and 2 years post-operatively. Limb symmetry and mean limb-to-limb performance differences were calculated.Results: In this cohort of isolated MPFL reconstructions, 55.1% had a positive Beighton score. There were seven surgical failures (3.6%). There was no evidence of a relationship between a positive Beighton score and pre-operative BPII scores, post-operative BPII scores or post-operative symptom scores. GJH did not correlate significantly with any post-operative functional testing measures. A positive Beighton score was inversely related to patient age and more prevalent in females.Conclusions: This study determined that the presence of GJH did not influence disease-specific quality of life, physical symptom score or functional outcomes following MPFL reconstruction.Level Of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Successful surgical management of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis requires treatment of coexisting metacarpophalangeal (MCP) hyperextension deformity when present. The surgeon's decision to offer thumb CMC arthritis patients the option of no additional treatment, MCP capsulodesis, or MCP arthrodesis relies on the severity of the MCP deformity measured in clinic. The authors present a novel patient-performed radiographic stress view to measure MCP hyperextension. Methods: Fifty-seven thumbs in 30 consecutive patients offered thumb CMC arthroplasty were enrolled. Clinic goniometer measurements, patient-performed stress view radiographs, and intraoperative manual stress views of each MCP joint were documented for study. Paired samples t test was used to compare the differences between the preoperative measurements and intraoperative measurements of the right and left thumb groups. Results: The clinic goniometer measurements were significantly different (P =.0001) than the MCP stress view obtained while the patient was under anesthesia. The difference in the new patient-derived x-ray stress view was not statistically significant compared with the stress view under anesthesia in the left (P =.91) or right (P =.53) groups. Conclusions: This new patient-performed stress view of the MCP joint allows accurate, objective measurement of hyperextension to aide in the decision making and patient education for the need of additional MCP joint surgery when addressing thumb CMC arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies identified microinstability in the hip as a pathoetiology of painful hip conditions, and it was proposed that generalized ligamentous laxity conditions may predispose patients to such microinstability. Purpose: To study the relationship of generalized ligamentous laxity with patient characteristics, clinical presentation, intraoperative findings, and surgical treatments in a cohort of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Registry data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed between February 2014 and November 2017 for patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy and had a documented Beighton score to assess generalized ligamentous laxity. Patients with a history of an ipsilateral hip condition or ipsilateral hip surgery, those with Tönnis grade >1, and those who had simultaneous arthroscopic and open procedures were excluded from the study. Two comparisons were made between patients with low and high Beighton scores: Beighton 0 vs ≥1 (B 0 vs B ≥1) and Beighton 0-3 vs ≥4 (B 0-3 vs B ≥4). Patient demographics, symptomatology, physical examination, and intraoperative findings were compared between these low and high Beighton groups. Results: A total of 1381 patients met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Within this patient population, there were 882 with B 0, 499 with B ≥1, 1120 with B 0-3, and 261 with B ≥4. B 0 was 54.1% female, compared with 84.2% of B ≥1. Similarly, B 0-3 was 58.5% female, while B ≥4 was 92.7% female. The difference in sex makeup was significant between both sets of groups (P < .0001). The relative risk of having B ≥1 for women versus men was 2.869, and the relative risk of having B ≥4 for women versus men was 6.873. The patients with higher Beighton scores in B ≥1 and B ≥4 had a younger mean age at onset of symptoms (P < .0001) and lower mean body mass index (P < .0001) than those in B 0 and B 0-3, respectively. The B ≥1 group had higher preoperative range of motion with internal rotation (P = .05), external rotation (P = .017), and flexion (P < .0001) than B 0 patients, as well as a lower frequency of Trendelenburg gait pattern (P = .0268). Similarly, the B ≥4 group had higher range of motion than the B 0-3 group with internal rotation (P = .030), external rotation (P = .003), flexion (P < .0001), and abduction (P = .002). As compared with the lower-score groups, the higher-score groups also had smaller labral size and tear dimension (P < .0001), and a higher proportion of these patients underwent labral repair, capsular repair, and iliopsoas fractional lengthening. Conclusion: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy who have generalized ligamentous laxity are overall younger, have a lower body mass index, and are more often female, as compared with patients who have lesser laxity. Patients with higher preoperative Beighton scores had greater hip range of motion and smaller intraoperative labral size and tear dimensions. Additionally, these patients were more likely to undergo labral repair, capsular plication, and iliopsoas fractional lengthening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: Increased ligamentous laxity is associated with pelvic floor distension in pregnant women. This considered, it may also be related to the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI). Our objective was to assess the association among increased ligamentous laxity, perineal tear severity, and OASI occurrence.Methods: This is a prospective study. We assessed ligamentous laxity between the 36th week of pregnancy and the onset of labor, by measuring the passive extension of the nondominant index finger for a 0.26 N.m torque applied to the second metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP laxity). We collected perineal tear occurrence and classification (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). We investigated the MCP laxity distribution according to the stage of perineal tears, and then we looked for a predictive level of MCP laxity for OASI.Results: A total of 272 of the 300 pregnant women included had a vaginal delivery and were considered for the analysis. Mean age was 29 years, mean body mass index was 24.5 kg/m2 and 39.2% of women were nulliparous. We reported 12 cases of OASI. MCP laxity significantly increased with the stage of perineal tears from 58° in stage 0 to 69° and 66° for stages 3a and 3b respectively. An MCP laxity higher than 64° was associated with OASI with sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 56%, and an area under the curve of 0.65.Conclusion: Increased ligamentous laxity seems associated with OASI occurrence, which is the opposite of the initial hypothesis. This suggests that the stiffest tissues might be at a lower risk of injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Category: Ankle; Sports Introduction/Purpose: Most acute lateral ankle sprains are treated non-operatively, however, up to 20% of acute sprains (LAS) develop Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability (CLAI) requiring surgical reconstruction. CLAI risk factors have not been analyzed in the context of a multifactorial system. This study aims to identify a model to identify patients who are at increased risk for CLAI after acute lateral ankle sprains utilizing clinical and radiographic findings, in order to identify patients who may benefit from early surgical intervention (LAR). Methods: This retrospective study identified 78 patients who presented with acute lateral ankle sprains and 50 patients with CLAI who underwent lateral ankle reconstruction (LAR), diagnosed 2010-2020. Patients' clinical exam findings and radiographic data were collected from direct clinical notes evaluation from a single Orthopedic Foot and Ankle surgeon's records. Descriptive statistics were utilized to determine difference, with a regression model used to determine risk factor significance. Results: A clinical diagnosis of subtalar instability (SI) was made in 32% of CLAI patients as compared to 2.5% (p=0.0001) of acute sprains. Assessment of calcaneal pitch (CP) yielded a significant difference between CLAI [µ:30.7, Median: 30.9] and acute sprains [µ=25.8, p< 0.0001, Median=25.8]. Correlation analysis yielded a predictive model for CLAI; -10.618 + 0.328CP + 3.33SI, indicating both increased calcaneal pitch [OR: 1.388 (95% CI: 1.185-1.625)] and subtalar instability [OR: 27.931 (95% CI: 4.235 – 184.210)] are significant predictors of CLAI. The sensitivity of this model is 62.5% and specificity is 83.3%, with both variables demonstrating a significance (P < 0.001 for both variables). Conclusion: These data indicate subtalar instability and increased calcaneal pitch angle are predictors of CLAI development and a higher risk of requiring LAR after LAS. These predictors can aid clinicians in determining ideal candidates for more aggressive non- operative treatment and those who may necessitate earlier surgical lateral ankle reconstruction. Identification of these patients will assist the clinician in management, counseling, treatment, and evaluation after LAS and after developing more chronic symptoms. Future prospective studies are needed to further characterize these risk factors as indicators for failure of and optimal non- operative management as well as patients who may qualify for early LAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to evaluate correlation between generalized joint hypermobility, forefoot deformities and elasticity of the first ray of the foot. Material and methods. We examined 138 patients with complaints related with deformities at the forefoot level. During this study the medical history was obtained, the elasticity type of the feet was defined and the degree of motion of the medial metatarsal-cuneiform joint was evaluated. Forefoot elasticity was identified by bringing together the heads I and V metatarsal bones with fingers. If convergence occurred with little resistance, those feet were called hyperelastic. The convergence of the heads I and V metatarsal bones of the foot with an average type of elasticity occurred with resistance. It was impossible to converge the heads of I and V metatarsal bones. Due to the results of weight-bearing and non-weight bearing X-ray, analysis of the main radiographic angles of the foot was performed: between I and V metatarsal bones, between the first and second metatarsal bones and between the first metatarsal bone and proximal phalanx of the great toe. Calculation formula of the forefoot flatness index, showing the average ratios of basic radiographic angles of the foot on the x-ray images (weight-bearing and non-weight bearing) was created. An assessment of total joint hypermobility using Beighton scale and evaluation of first ray deformity using DuPont scale were performed. Statistical analysis of obtained data was performed, as a result of which significantly strong correlation between total joint hypermobility, forefoot elasticity and valgus deviation of the great toe were revealed. Results. 11% of the feet were hyperelastic. Calculation of the index of forefoot flatness showed that forefoot flatness wasn’t significant for a rigid foot - 5.6 %, for the feet with an average degree of mobility it was 6.0% and it was expressed for hypemobile feet - 12.3 %. Strong correlation relation between the forefeet mobility degree, the number of points on a DuPont scale and the degree of sagittal mobility of the medial metatarsal-cuneiform joint were revealed. Conclusion. Our study demonstrates that generalized joint hypermobility, horizontal and sagittal first ray mobility and forefoot deformities are directly proportional.

Multidirectional instability (MDI) is a debilitating condition that involves chronic subluxation or dislocation of the shoulder in >1 direction. Numerous proposed mechanisms of MDI exist, which occurs in the setting of redundant capsular tissue. Symptoms can range from recurrent dislocations or subluxations to vague aching pain that disrupts activities of daily living. Magnetic resonance imaging is often performed during evaluation of this condition, although magnetic resonance arthrography may provide more detailed images of the patulous capsule. In the absence of a well-defined traumatic cause, such as a labral tear, initial treatment for MDI is a structured rehabilitation program with exercises aimed at strengthening the rotator cuff and periscapular muscles to improve scapular kinematics. Patients with recalcitrant symptoms may benefit from surgical stabilization, including open capsular shift or arthroscopic capsular plication, aimed at decreasing capsular volume and improving stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case: A 28-year-old with borderline left hip dysplasia who underwent arthroscopic acetabuloplasty, femoral osteochondroplasty, and labral repair for femoroacetabular impingement. She did well for 8 years, though required arthroscopic capsulolabral adhesion release 2 years after the initial procedure. After this period of stability, she developed left hip pain during pregnancy. Radiographs demonstrated progressive osteoarthritis that lead to total hip arthroplasty at age 37. Conclusion: The physiologic and hormonal changes during pregnancy leading to increased ligamentous laxity may put vulnerable patients with hip dysplasia and iatrogenic instability at increased risk for progression of osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: The impact of pregnancy on pelvic floor disorders remains poorly understood. During pregnancy, an increase in ligamentous laxity and pelvic organ mobility is often reported. Our main objective was to investigate a possible association between peripheral ligamentous laxity and levator hiatus (LH) distension during pregnancy. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study of 26 pregnant women followed up from the first to the third trimester. We collected the following information: occurrence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms (score higher than 0 for the POP section of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory 20 questions score), 4D perineal ultrasound scan results with LH distension assessment and measurement of metacarpophalangeal joint mobility (MCP laxity). The association between MCP laxity and LH distension was estimated by mixed multilevel linear regression. The associations between MCP laxity and categorical parameters were estimated in a multivariate analysis using a generalized estimating equation model. Results: MCP laxity and LH distension were correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.26 ( p = 0.02), and 6.8% of the LH distension variance was explained by MCP laxity. In the multivariate analysis, MCP laxity was associated with POP symptoms with an odds ratio at 1.05 (95% CI 1.01-1.11) for an increase of 1° in MCP laxity. Conclusion: LH distension and peripheral ligamentous laxity are significantly associated during pregnancy. However, the relationship is weak, and the results need to be confirmed in larger populations and with more specific techniques such as elastography to directly assess the elastic properties of the pelvic floor muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]