Introduction: Many knee outcomes measures have recently been developed and validated. However, most of these are lengthy and too cumbersome to use in a busy
Purpose: Little evidence exists to guide rehabilitation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). It is unclear how new repair techniques may affect postoperative protocols. Our purpose was to determine current practices of members of the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and the American Orthopaedic Society for
The purpose of this survey study was to examine the demographic and lifestyle factors of women currently in orthopaedic surgery. An electronic survey was conducted of practising female orthopaedic surgeons based in the USA through both the Ruth Jackson Society and the online Facebook group “Women of Orthopaedics”.Aims
Methods
The conventionally described mechanism of distal biceps tendon rupture (DBTR) is of a ‘considerable extension force suddenly applied to a resisting, actively flexed forearm’. This has been commonly paraphrased as an ‘eccentric contracture to a flexed elbow’. Both definitions have been frequently used in the literature with little objective analysis or citation. The aim of the present study was to use video footage of real time distal biceps ruptures to revisit and objectively define the mechanism of injury. An online search identified 61 videos reporting a DBTR. Videos were independently reviewed by three surgeons to assess forearm rotation, elbow flexion, shoulder position, and type of muscle contraction being exerted at the time of rupture. Prospective data on mechanism of injury and arm position was also collected concurrently for 22 consecutive patients diagnosed with an acute DBTR in order to corroborate the video analysis.Aims
Methods
Aims. This Delphi study assessed the challenges of diagnosing soft-tissue knee injuries (STKIs) in acute settings among orthopaedic healthcare stakeholders. Methods. This modified e-Delphi study consisted of three rounds and involved 32 orthopaedic healthcare stakeholders, including physiotherapists, emergency nurse practitioners,
Aims. Multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) are devastating injuries that can result in significant morbidity and time away from sport. There remains considerable variation in strategies employed for investigation, indications for operative intervention, outcome reporting, and rehabilitation following these injuries. At present no study has yet provided a comprehensive overview evaluating the extent, range, and overall summary of the published literature pertaining to MLKI. Our aim is to perform a methodologically rigorous scoping review, mapping the literature evaluating the diagnosis and management of MLKI. Methods. This scoping review will address three aims: firstly, to map the current extent and nature of evidence for diagnosis and management of MLKI; secondly, to summarize and disseminate existing research findings to practitioners; and thirdly, to highlight gaps in current literature. A three-step search strategy as described by accepted methodology will be employed to identify peer-reviewed literature including reviews, technical notes, opinion pieces, and original research. An initial limited search will be performed to determine suitable search terms, followed by an expanded search of four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science). Two reviewers will independently screen identified studies for final inclusion. Dissemination. We will map key concepts and evidence, and disseminate existing research findings to the wider orthopaedic and
In recent literature, the fragility index (FI) has been used to evaluate the robustness of statistically significant findings of dichotomous outcomes. This metric is defined as the minimum number of outcome events to flip study conclusions from significant to nonsignificant. Orthopaedics literature is frequently found to be fragile with a median FI of 2 in 150 RCTs across spine, hand,
Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders continue to be a major cause of pain and disability worldwide. The mission statement of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA) is to “promote excellence in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal health for Canadians,” and orthopaedic surgeons serve as leaders in addressing and improving musculoskeletal health. However, patients with MSK complaints most commonly present first to a primary care physician. According to a survey of family physicians in British Columbia, 13.7-27.8% of patients present with a chief complaint that is MSK-related (Pinney et Regan, 2001). Therefore, providing excellent MSK care to Canadians requires that all physicians, especially those involved in primary care, be adequately trained to diagnose and treat common MSK conditions. To date, there has been no assessment of the total mandatory MSK training Canadian family medicine residents receive. It is also unclear, despite the prevalence of MSK complaints among Canadian patients, if current family physicians are competent or confident in their ability to provide fundamental MSK care. The purpose of this study is to determine the amount of mandatory MSK training Canadian family medicine residents are currently receiving. Web-based research was used to determine how many weeks of mandatory MSK training was incorporated into current Canadian family medicine residency training programs. This information was gathered from either the Canadian Resident Matching Service website (carms.ca) or the residency program's individual website. If this information was not available on a program's website, a program administrator was contacted via email in order to ascertain this information directly. MSK training was considered to be any rotation in orthopaedic surgery, spine surgery,
Introduction. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) helps restore range of motion. This study identifies MUA risk factors to support early interventions to improve functionality. Methods. Data was retrospectively reviewed in 2,925 primary TKAs from October 2013 through December 2015 from 13 orthopedic surgeons using hospital and private practice electronic medical records (EMR). Statistical analysis evaluated MUA and non-MUA groups, comparing demographic, operative, hospital-visit, and clinical factors. T-test, chi-square test, ANOVA and regression analysis were performed. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results. Of 2,925 TKAs, 208 MUAs were performed (7.1%) with no significant differences between groups in sex, BMI, or diabetes status. Mean age of the MUA group was 61.98 years old, and 66.89 years old in the non-MUA group (p<0.005). The ratio of MUA patients with high cholesterol was 3.37% (7/208), and 1.10% (30/2717) in the non-MUA group (p=0.014). The ratio of African-American patients in the MUA group was 6.73% (14/208), and 2.94% (80/2717) in the non- MUA group (p=0.003). Of cases with device data recorded in the EMR (n=1890), MUA incidence in patients receiving a cruciate-retaining (CR) device was 14.58% (50/343), and 9.57% (148/1547) in patients receiving a posterior-stabilized (PS) device (p=0.006). A CR-device patient was 52.35% more likely to undergo MUA than a PS-device patient (95% CI, 1.13–2.05). MUA rate by surgeon training was 6.7% for joint fellowship, 6.8% for general fellowship, and 12.0% for
Although remnant-preserved ACL reconstruction (ACLR) restores knee joint stability and dampens the problem of acute ACL rupture-induced knee pain, an increasing number of patients still develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) after 10 to 15 years of ACLR. We previously found that remnant-preserved ACLR with concomitant medial and lateral meniscus repair may not prevent cartilage degeneration and weaken muscle strength, while the clinical features of PTOA are not clear. We hypothesized that remnant-preserved ACLR with concomitant medial and lateral meniscus tears is related to early cartilage damage, worse function recovery, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and delayed duration to return to sports. The aim is to evaluate the remnant-preserved ACLR with complicated meniscal injuries in predicting which patients are at higher risk of osteoarthritic changes, worse function and limited activities after ACLR for 12 months. Human ethical issue was approved by a committee from Xi'an Jiaotong University. 26 young and active patients (24 male, 2 female) with ACL injuries (Sherman type I and II) with concomitant medial and lateral meniscus within 2 months were included from January 2014 to March 2022. The average age of the ACLR+ meniscus repair was 26.77±1.52 (8 right, 5 left) and isolated ACLR control was 31.92±2.61 years old (7 left, 6 right). Remnant-preserved ACLR with a 5- to 6-strand hamstring tendon graft was operated on by the same
Varus malalignment increases the susceptibility of cartilage to mechanical overloading, which stimulates catabolic metabolism to break down the extracellular matrix and lead to osteoarthritis (OA). The altered mechanical axis from the hip, knee to ankle leads to knee joint pain and ensuing cartilage wear and deterioration, which impact millions of the aged population. Stabilization of the remaining damaged cartilage, and prevention of further deterioration, could provide immense clinical utility and prolong joint function. Our previous work showed that high tibial osteotomy (HTO) could shift the mechanical stress from an imbalanced status to a neutral alignment. However, the underlying mechanisms of endogenous cartilage stabilization after HTO remain unclear. We hypothesize that cartilage-resident mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) dampen damaged cartilage injury and promote endogenous repair in a varus malaligned knee. The goal of this study is to further examine whether HTO-mediated off-loading would affect human cartilage-resident MSCs' anabolic and catabolic metabolism. This study was approved by IACUC at Xi'an Jiaotong University. Patients with medial compartment OA (52.75±6.85 yrs, left knee 18, right knee 20) underwent open-wedge HTO by the same surgeons at one single academic
Australia is a foundation member of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association—thus, recognising our geographical position in the most rapidly advancing region in the world. It is a serious mistake to think of Asia as ‘third world’. Research, education and surgical techniques are at the forefront of modern technology. Australia has to be a part of this ‘learn and teach’ movement. We have much to gain through exchange and travelling fellowships; paediatric, spinal, trauma and arthroplasty fellowships are available. The Orthopaedic
Introduction. Meniscal injuries are very common cause of knee pain and resultant attendance to the orthopaedics or
Summary Statement. The purpose is to evaluate the effects of internet usage on new patient referral patterns to identify optimal patient recruitment and communication. Overall, social networking and internet may be an effective way for surgeons to recruit a wider patient population. Introduction. Prior studies in other medical specialties have shown that social networking and internet usage has become an increasingly important means of patient communication and referral. However, this information is lacking in the orthopaedics literature. In this study, we evaluate the means by which new patients arrive at orthopaedic clinics in a major academic center. The purpose is to evaluate the effects of internet or social media usage on new patient referral patterns to identify avenues to optimise patient recruitment and communication. Patients and Methods. New patients were recruited in a major academic orthopaedic clinic to complete a 15-item questionnaire with demographic information, social media use/networking and referral method. Data was collected for all orthopaedic sub-specialties and analyzed accordingly. Statistical analysis was performed. Results. Of the 752 responses, there were 66% female and 34% male responses. Responses were obtained from hand (142),
Background. New marker free motion analysis systems are being used extensively in the area of
The purpose of this study was to validate a dry model for the assessment of performance of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) and labral repair (LR). We hypothesised that the combination of a checklist and a previously validated global rating scale (GRS) would be a valid and reliable means of assessing RCR and LR when performed by residents in a dry model. An arthroscopic RCR and LR was performed on a dry model by residents, fellows, and
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain in the young adult. Uncertainty regarding surgical indications, outcome assessment, management preferences and perceptions of the literature exist. We conducted a large international survey assessing the perceptions and demographics of orthopaedic surgeons regarding FAI. A survey was developed using previous literature, focus groups and a sample-to-redundancy strategy. The survey contained forty-six questions and was emailed to national orthopaedic associations and orthopaedic
INTRODUCTION. Understanding the biomechanics of the anatomical knee is vital to innovations in implant design and surgical procedures. The anterior – posterior (AP) laxity is of particular importance in terms of functional outcomes. Most of the data on stability has been obtained on the unloaded knee, which does not relate to functional knee behavior. However, some studies have shown that AP laxity decreases under compression (1) (2). This implies that while the ligaments are the primary stabilizers under low loads, other mechanisms come into play in the loaded knee. It is hypothesized this decreased laxity with compressive loads is due to the following: the meniscus, which will restrain the femur in all directions; the cartilage, which will require energy as the femur displaces across the tibial surface in a plowing fashion; and the upwards slope of the anterior medial tibial plateau, which stabilizes the knee by a gravity mechanism. It is also hypothesized that the ACL will be the primary restraint for anterior tibial translation. METHODS. A test rig was designed where shear and compressive forces could be applied and the AP and vertical displacements measured (Figure 1). The AP motion was controlled by the air bearings and motor, allowing for the accurate application of the shear force. Position and force data were measured using load cells, potentiometers, and a linear variable differential transducer. Five knee specimens less than 60 years old and without osteoarthritis (OA), were evaluated at compressive loads of 0, 250, 500, 750 N, with the knee at 15° flexion. Three cycles of shear force at ±100 N constituted a test. The intact knee was tested, followed by testing after each of the following resections: LCL, MCL, PCL, ACL, medial meniscus, and lateral meniscus. RESULTS. The average displacement of the tibia without load was 6.17 mm anterior and −4.92 mm posterior. Under load the posterior translation of the tibia was reduced essentially to zero. After ACL resection, the anterior tibial displacement increased substantially, with a further increase after medial meniscus resection. Cartilage deformation had a minimal effect. DISCUSSION. The hypotheses that the ACL and the upwards tibial slope would provide stability under load were validated. The ACL was essential under all load conditions because the posterior tibial surface was flat (figure 2). The medial meniscus provided vertical stability, as a space buffer (figure 3), and in two specimens under load it provided the same restraint as the ACL (figure 2). The experiment was limited by lack of muscle action, the number of specimens, and a single flexion angle. SIGNIFICANCE. The test rig and methodology had capabilities exceeding those of previous work in determining the mechanisms of AP knee stability under load due to its frictionless air bearings. The results have application ranging from
Summary Statement. In articular cartilage defects, chemokines are upregulated and potentially induce the migration of bone marrow cells to accelerate the healing processes. Introduction. The treatment of damaged articular cartilages is one of the most challenging issues in
Introduction and Aims: The clinical studies of knee disorders utilise patients’ activity levels to measure issues that are really important to the patients. Knowing the large variations among patients in terms of the frequency and intensity of sports participation and frustrated by the lack of relevance and specificity of current questionnaires to the Australian public, the authors have devised their own. Method: The new questionnaire was sent to all members of the Australian Knee Society in an attempt to formulate a consensus view that could then be sent for reliablility and validity testing. The score is represented by two numbers. The first one represents the activity performed and the second, the level at which it was played. These scores are multiplied to give a variable score ranging from one to 20. Results: An 80% response rate was achieved. Of those that responded, 30.5% agreed completely with the questionnaire as it stood, 69.5% agreed with few modifications, and none disagreed. Conclusion: A rating of activity level is critical for studies comparing two treatments to ensure that the patient groups are equivalent. We believe that the new Wood-ford activity level scale is fast, easy to use and will facilitate a more accurate comparision among patients with knee injuries in
