Purpose: The upward migration index (UMI) is a useful radiographic parameter for assessment of disorders of the rotator cuff. Utility of the UMI as a prognostic indicator for outcome following cuff repair has not been previously studied. The objective of this study was to determine if an association exists between the pre-operative UMI and the improvement in clinical and quality of life outcome scores following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Method: Patients with a full thickness tear of the rotator cuff who underwent an arthroscopic repair of the cuff were selected for review. Eighty-four patients were included in the series. Mean patient age was 55 (range 25–78). The UMI was measured by MRI, and patients were divided into three groups: < 1.25 (GROUP A), 1.25–1.35 (GROUP B) and > 1.35 (GROUP C). Outcome variables were the non-weighted Constant-Murley score, ASES and the WORC assessed at baseline, 6 month and 12 months post-operatively. The paired t-test was used to carry out comparisons in follow up and one-way ANOVA was used to carry out comparisons between groups.

Results: There were 9 patients in group A, 33 in group B and 42 in group C. The improvement in scores from baseline to 1 year were as follows: ASES; 21.1 (A), 32.6 (B), and 38.4 (C); Constant 21.4 (A) 19.8 (B), and 24.2 (C) and WORC 31.9 (A), 42.7 (B), and 44 (C). Statistically significant improvements were observed in all groups in all outcome measures from baseline to 6 months and from 6 months to 1 year. Although the differences were not statistically significant (p> 0.05), a trend toward greater improvement in outcomes was observed with higher upward migration indices.

Conclusion: A lower UMI was associated with less improvement in functional and quality of life outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, although these differences were not statistically significant. Patients with a low UMI demonstrated a significant improvement in functional and quality of life scores following surgery. In isolation, a low UMI should not represent a significant contraindication to treatment by arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Purpose: To present our clinical and quality of life outcomes after one year treatment with our protocol including graft retention.

Method: Seventeen of 1, 847 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery were identified as infected following retrospective chart review in our institution (University of Ottawa) from 1995 to 2005. Mean age was 37 years old (range 18–56). Gender ratio was 14 male/ three female. Laterality 13 left/ four right knees. The diagnosis was achieved by clinical suspicion and serum markers (ESR, CPR, WBC) followed with aspiration and culture of intraarticular liquid. After that, our treatment protocol included IV antibiotics (empiric and culture guided) and knee arthroscopy performing debridement and lavage with 12L of saline irrigation as well as graft retention when possible. Clinical and Radiographic data were collected at a minimum of one year follow-up (IKDC, KT-1000, Lysholm, SF-12, Tegner, Cybex Strength testing).

Results: The Incidence of septic arthritis following ACL reconstruction was 0, 92%. Bacteriology results were as follows: seven staphylococcus aureus, four Propionibac-terium acnes, one Klebsiella oxytoca, five no growth. The time from ACL reconstruction to first symptoms of infection was 37 days (range 4–63). The time from symptoms to arthroscopic debridement was 5, 5 days (range 0–33). Serology markers were as follows: ESR mean 69 (range 23–128), CPR 136 (50–387), WBC 10.3 (6–15). The average follow up was 41 months (range 12–85). Sixteen of 17 grafts were retained after 1.53 procedures per patient. Antibiotic treatment lasted 5.2 weeks on average. The average clinical outcomes were: Lysholm 77 (44–98), IKDC 74 (46–95), Quadriceps strength 71 % of non operative side, and Hamstrings strength 70 % of non operative side, KT -1000 side to side difference 1 mm (−3 to 4). Degenerative radiological changes were noted in three patients. Two later repeat reconstructions occurred due to instability (11,1%). No delayed recurrence of infection was noted.

Conclusion: ACL reconstruction is a safe procedure being the incidence of septic arthritis in our series of 0, 92%. Our protocol of treatment is clinically effective and allows for a stable knee in 88, 9% of the patients avoiding the appearance of a delayed infection.