The aim of the this study was to determine the effect of the knee flexion angle (KFA) during tibial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft fixation on patient reported outcomes, graft stability, extension loss and re-operation following anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction.

All 169 included patients (mean age 28.5 years, 65% male) were treated with anatomic single bundle ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft and randomized to tibial fixation of the ACL graft at either 0o (n=85) or 30o (n=84). The primary outcome was the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) two years following surgery. Secondary outcomes were the Marx Activity Scale (MAS), the rate of re-operation, and physical exam findings at one year including KT-1000 and side to side differences in knee extension.

The follow-up rate was 82% (n=139) for the primary outcome. Graft failure rate at two years was 1% (n=2, 1 per group). ACL tibial graft fixation at 0o or 30o did not have a significant effect on KOOS scores at two years following ACLR. Patients whose graft was fixed at a knee flexion angle of 0o had greater scores on the Marx Activity Scale (mean 9.6 [95%CI 8.5-10.6] versus 8.0 [95%CI 6.9-9.1, p=0.04) and a greater proportion of patients who achieved the minimal clinical important difference (MCID) for the KOOS pain subscale (94% vs 81%, p=0.04). There was no significant difference in knee extension loss, KT-1000 measurements or re-operation between the two groups.

In the setting of anatomic single-bundle ACLR using patellar tendon autograft and anteromedial portal femoral drilling, there was no difference in KOOS scores among patients fixed at 0o and 30o. Patient fixed in full extension did demonstrate higher activity scores at 2 years following surgery and a greater likelihood of achieving the MCID for KOOS pain.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of graft-tunnel mismatch (GTM) when performing anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using bone-patella tendon-bone (BPTB) grafts and anteromedial portal drilling.

Beginning in November 2018, 100 consecutive patients who underwent ACLR by two sports fellowship-trained, orthopedic surgeons using BPTB autograft and anteromedial portal drilling were prospectively identified. The BPTB graft dimensions and the femoral tunnel distance, tibial tunnel distance, intra-articular distance, and total distance were measured. Surgeons determined the depth and angle of tunnels based on the patella tendon graft length dimensions in each case. After passage of the graft, the distance from the distal graft tip to the tibial cortex aperture was measured. GTM was defined as the need for additional measures to obtain satisfactory tibial graft fixation (< 1 5e20 mm of bone fixation).

The incidence of mismatch was 6/100 (6%). Five cases involved the graft being too long, with the tibial bone plug protruding excessively from the tibial tunneld4/5 had a patella tendon length ? 50 mm. Three cases were managed with femoral tunnel recession, and two were treated with a free bone plug technique. One patient with a patella tendon length of 35 mm had a graft that was too short, with the tibial bone plug recessed in the tibial tunnel. Of patients whose tibial tunnel distance was within 5 mm of the patella tendon length, only 1/46 (2%) patients had mismatch, whereas 5/54 (9%) of patients who had >5 mm difference had mismatch.

The incidence of grafttunnel mismatch after anatomic ACLR using BTPB and anteromedial portal drilling in this study is 6%. To limit the occurrence of GTM where the graft is too long, surgeons should drill tibial tunnel distances within 5 mm of the patella tendon length.

Quadriceps tendon ruptures are a rare but debilitating injury resulting in loss of knee extension necessitating surgical intervention. Currently, multiple different surgical techniques and rehabilitation programs are utilized by surgeons. Researchers have been unable to determine the best surgical technique with respect to function and complication rate; certain techniques are more cost-effective than others. Early vs. late motion rehabilitation programs are utilized; recent evidence suggests that less aggressive initial rehabilitation may lead to decreased extensor lag and fewer additional surgeries. The goal of our study is to determine the treatment practices of orthopaedic surgeons across Canada.

Our study was completed anonymously via SurveyMonkey.com (Palo Alto, California). Based on current literature, a 26-question survey was distributed. E-mail invitations were be sent to all members of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. Participation is voluntary.

Currently, 104 surveys have been completed. 78% of respondents utilize transosseous drill holes, 13% utilize suture anchors and 9% utilize a combined surgical technique. The majority of surgeons begin range of motion (ROM) at 2 weeks (42%) or 6 weeks (24%); ROM is then commonly progressed in a step-wise fashion at 2-week intervals (58%). Approximately half of respondents have performed revision surgery for quadriceps re-rupture.

Surgical management of quadriceps tendon ruptures is fairly consistent amongst Canadian orthopaedic surgeons. However, wide variation exists regarding rehabilitation, favoring early initiation and progression of ROM despite some evidence recommending a longer period of immobilization.

Anatomic studies have demonstrated that bipolar glenoid and humeral bone loss have a cumulative impact on shoulder instability, and that these defects may engage in functional positions depending on their size, location, and orientation, potentially resulting in failure of stabilisation procedures. Determining which lesions pose a risk for engagement remains a challenge, with Itoi's 3DCT based glenoid track method and arthroscopic assessment being the accepted approaches at this time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction of humeral and glenoid bone defects on shoulder engagement in a cadaveric model. Two alternative approaches to predicting engagement were evaluated; 1) CT scanning the shoulder in abduction and external rotation 2) measurement of Bankart lesion width and a novel parameter, the intact anterior articular angle (IAAA), on conventional 2D multi-plane reformats.

Hill-Sachs and Bony Bankart defects of varying size were created in 12 cadaveric upper limbs, producing 45 bipolar defect combinations. The shoulders were assessed for engagement using cone beam CT in various positions of function, from 30 to 90 degrees of both abduction and external rotation. The humeral and glenoid defects were characterised by measurement of their size, location, and orientation. The abduction external rotation scan and 2D IAAA approaches were compared to the glenoid track method for predicting engagement.

Engagement was predicted by Itoi's glenoid track method in 24 of 45 specimens (53%). The abduction external rotation CT scan performed at 60 degrees of glenohumeral abduction (corresponding to 90 degrees of abduction relative to the trunk) and 90 degrees of external rotation predicted engagement accurately in 43 of 45 specimens (96%), with sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 100% respectively. A logistic model based on Bankart width and IAAA provided a prediction accuracy of 89% with sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 87%. Inter-rater agreement was excellent (Kappa = 1) for classification of engagement on the abduction external rotation CT, and good (intraclass correlation = 0.73) for measurement of IAAA.

Bipolar lesions at risk for engagement can be identified using an abduction external rotation CT scan at 60 degrees of glenohumeral abduction and 90 degrees of external rotation, or by performing 2D measurements of Bankart width and IAAA on conventional CT multi-plane reformats. This information will be useful for peri-operative decision making around surgical techniques for shoulder stabilisation in the setting of bipolar bone defects.

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 sports medicine staff. Any prior RCR and LR exposure was noted. Participants were given a detailed surgical manuscript and technique video before the study began. Evaluation of residents was performed by staff surgeons with task-specific checklists created using a modified Delphi procedure, and the Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET). The hand movements and arthroscopic view of the procedures were recorded. Both videos were scored by a fellow blinded to the year of training of each participant.

A total of 35 residents, six fellows and five staff surgeons performed both arthroscopic RCR and LR on a dry model model (48 total). The internal reliability (Cronbach's Alpha) of the test using the total ASSET score was high (>0.8)). One-way analysis of variance for the total ASSET score and the total checklist score demonstrated a difference between participants based upon year of training (p<0.05). Post hoc analysis also demonstrated a significant difference in global ratings and checklist scores between junior residents (PGY1–3) and senior residents (PGY4&5), senior residents and fellows, and fellows and staff. A good correlation was seen between the total ASSET score and prior exposure to RCR and LR. The inter-rater reliability (ICC) between the examiner ratings and the blinded assessor ratings for the total ASSET score was good (0.8).

The results of this study provide evidence that the performance of a RCR and LR in a dry model is a valid and reliable method of assessing a resident's ability to perform these procedures, prior to performance in the operating room.

Purpose

Elective ACLR is indicated for symptomatic instability of the knee. Despite being a common procedure, there are numerous surgical techniques, graft and fixation choices. Many have been directly compared in randomized trials and meta-analyses. The typical operation is arthroscopic-assisted, uses autograft tendon and screw fixation. Research in elective joint replacement surgery has demonstrated an inverse relationship between surgeon volume and revision and complication rates. How patient demographics, provider characteristics and graft/fixation choices influence ACLR revision rates has not been reported on a population level. We hypothesized that ACLR using tendon autograft and screw fixation performed by high volume surgeons will have the lowest rate of revision. In contrast, the risk of contralateral ACLR in the same cohort will be influenced only by patient factors.

Purpose

Factors that contribute to early and late re-operation after cruciate reconstruction (CR) have not been evaluated on a population level in a public health system. After surgery patients are at risk for knee stiffness, infection or early graft failure prompting revision. Long-term, ipsilateral revision CR, contralateral CR and potentially even joint replacement may occur. Population research in total joint replacement surgery has demonstrated an inverse relationship between complication/failure rates and surgeon procedural volume. We hypothesized that in Ontario, younger patient age and lower surgeon volume would increase the risk of short and long-term re-operation after CR.