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Background:

This is a systematic review of studies on the prevalence of osteoarthritis in the tibiofemoral joint more than 10 years after an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the radiologic classification methods used, and risk factors for development of knee osteoarthritis.

Methods:

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and AMED. Inclusion criteria were studies involving patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury, either isolated or combined with medial collateral ligament or meniscal injury and either surgically or nonsurgically treated, and a minimum 10-year follow-up with radiologic assessment. Methodological quality was evaluated using a modified version of the Coleman methodology score.

Results:

Seven prospective and 24 retrospective studies were included. The mean modified Coleman methodology score was 52 of 90. Reported prevalence of knee osteoarthritis for subjects with isolated anterior cruciate ligament injury was between 0% and 13%. For subjects with anterior cruciate ligament and additional meniscal injury, the prevalence varied between 21% and 48%. Seven different radiologic classification systems were used in the studies. Only 3 studies reported reliability results for the radiologic assessments. The most frequently reported risk factor for development of knee osteoarthritis was meniscal injury.

Conclusion:

This systematic review suggests that the prevalence rates of knee osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction reported by previous reviews have been too high. The highest rated studies reported low prevalence of knee osteoarthritis for individuals with isolated anterior cruciate ligament injury (0%–13%) and a higher prevalence of knee osteoarthritis for subjects with combined injuries (21%–48%). Overall, the modified Coleman methodology score was low for the included studies. No universal methodological radiologic classification method exists, making comparisons of the studies and stating firm conclusions on the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis more than 10 years after anterior cruciate ligament injury difficult.

Background:

Skimboarding is a beachside water sport that is enjoying increasing popularity among both dedicated enthusiasts and casual beachgoers. Although many consider this sport to be similar to its “sister” sport, surfing, the technique, the environment in which it is performed, and the skills required differ dramatically from that of surfing. Moreover, the pattern of injuries seen in skimboarders differs substantially from those sustained while surfing.

Hypothesis:

A better understanding of the injuries encountered in this sport will allow improved participant education and facilitate the implementation of preventative measures.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

A case series was generated by performing a single retrospective chart review of skimboarding injuries referred for orthopaedic evaluation over a 2-year period at 2 medical treatment facilities, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast of the United States; demographic data, injury type, and treatments rendered were documented.

Results:

Sixty-one patients were identified and analyzed. Average patient age was 19.1 years. Fractures represented 93.4% of all acute injuries. The most common sites of injury were the ankle (41%) and wrist (36%). Rotation about a planted lower extremity was the most common mechanism of injury (30/61, 49%), followed by falls onto an outstretched hand (26/61, 43%).

Conclusion:

Fractures of the ankle and wrist comprise a high proportion of skimboarding injuries. Knowledge of potential hazards associated with this sport should be made available to participants. To decrease the risk of orthopaedic injury, the use of protective equipment or instruction in proper techniques of the activity may be warranted.

Background:

Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) is an overuse injury causing lateral knee pain. There is evidence that the pathological lesion is in fact an inflamed bursa underlying the iliotibial band (ITB) rather than an inflamed ITB itself.

Hypothesis:

Resection of the bursa underlying the ITB in ITBFS patients will relieve their pain and allow them to return to their preinjury activity level.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

We describe the technique of ITB bursectomy and report a minimal 20-month follow-up of patients who had ITB bursectomies performed by a single surgeon. The patients completed a survey detailing their preoperative and postoperative symptoms and activities.

Results:

The senior author performed 12 consecutive cases of ITB bursectomies (12 patients). One was excluded from the study (previous microfracture). The average age at surgery was 32 years (standard deviation, 5; range, 24–41). There were 7 men and 4 women. Postoperatively, patients were able to return to their preinjury Tegner activity levels, and the visual analog pain scores decreased by an average of 6 points (P < .001). Six patients were completely satisfied with the surgical outcome, 3 were mostly satisfied, 2 were somewhat satisfied, and none were dissatisfied. Nine of 11 patients said that knowing what they know now, they would have the surgery performed again for the same problem.

Conclusion:

Iliotibial band bursectomy successfully reduces knee pain in patients with ITBFS and allows them to return to their preinjury level of activity. The great majority of patients were satisfied with the results of the procedure.

Background:

The anterior intermeniscal ligament of the knee is at risk during knee arthroscopy, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and tibial nail insertion.

Hypothesis:

Release of the anterior intermeniscal ligament, in knees with type I ligaments, will result in altered contact pressures in the medial compartment.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Five fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees with intact type I anterior intermeniscal ligaments were chosen for testing in a modified MTS machine from 0° to 60° of flexion under 2 conditions: (1) intact and (2) after sharp sectioning of the anterior intermeniscal ligament. Measurements were made using inframeniscal contact pressure sensors covering the medial compartment. Poststudy analysis was done in 10° increments between 0° and 60° of flexion, looking at peak contact pressure and the amount of contact area seeing pressure.

Results:

Sectioning of the anterior intermeniscal ligament caused a statistically significant increase in the peak pressure at 20°, 30°, 40°, and 50° of knee flexion. The largest change occurred at 40° of knee flexion, when the peak pressure increased by 27.5% (3.68 MPa to 4.69 MPa). Contact area decreased, although this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Release of the anterior intermeniscal ligament results in increased peak contact pressures in the medial compartment of the knee.

Clinical Relevance:

Care should be taken to avoid sacrifice of this ligament during surgery.

Background:

The native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) does not behave as a simple bundle of fibers with constant tension but as a continuum of ligament fibers with differential length change during knee flexion/extension. Computer-assisted navigation can be used to assess length change in different fibers within the native ACL and to evaluate how different reconstruction grafts replicate the range of native ligament fiber length change behavior.

Hypothesis:

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction graft size and configuration (single-vs double-bundle) are deciding factors as to how much of the native ACL fiber length change behavior is replicated.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

The fiber length change behavior of the entire native ACL was assessed by measuring the length change pattern of representative anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundle fibers (1 at the center and 4 at the periphery of each bundle). The tibial and femoral ACL attachment areas in 5 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were digitized, and the length change of each representative fiber was recorded during knee flexion/extension using an image-free, optical navigation system. Subsequently, single-bundle ACL reconstructions of different diameters (6, 9, and 12 mm) positioned at the center of the overall native femoral and tibial attachment sites were modeled to assess how much of the range of ligament fiber length change of the native ligament was captured. This was compared with a double-bundle graft using 6-mm-diameter AM and PL grafts positioned at the centers of the femoral and tibial attachment sites of each separate bundle.

Results:

The 6-, 9-, and 12-mm single-bundle grafts simulated 32%, 51%, and 66% of the ligament fiber length change behavior of the native ACL, respectively. The length change patterns in these grafts were similar to the central fibers of the native ACL: the PL fibers of the AM bundle and AM fibers of the PL bundle. However, even a 12-mm graft did not represent the most AM and PL native fibers. The 6-mm AM and PL bundle grafts (equivalent in cross-sectional area to a 9-mm single-bundle graft) simulated 71% of the native ACL and better captured the extremes of the range of native ligament fiber length change.

Conclusion:

Increasing single-bundle graft size appears to capture more of the range of native ACL fiber length change. However, for a similar graft cross-sectional area, a 2-bundle graft simulates the length change behavior of the native ligament more precisely and thus may better emulate the synergistic actions of anisometric and isometric fibers of the native ligament in restraining knee laxity throughout the range of flexion.

Clinical Relevance:

The range of native ACL fiber length change behavior is better replicated by larger diameter grafts but may be best reproduced by double-bundle reconstruction.

Background:

Achilles tendinopathy is commonly reported by athletes involved in activities that include running and jumping. Despite the prevalence of the problem, causative factors in Achilles tendinopathy remain poorly understood.

Hypothesis:

In Masters track and field athletes, there is no influence of age, gender, weight, height, and impact profile in developing Achilles tendinopathy.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

During the European Veterans Athletics Championships in Poznan, Poland, in July 2006, 178 athletes (110 men and 68 women; mean age, 54.1 years; range, 35–94 years) were evaluated with the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. A fully trained orthopaedic surgeon made a diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy according to clinical criteria.

Results:

There was no effect of gender on the presence of Achilles tendinopathy (P = .14). No significant track and field specialty effect upon the frequency of Achilles tendinopathy was found on the VISA-A questionnaire scores (P = .32). Equally, there was no effect of track and field specialty on the VISA-A score (P = .31). No correlation was found between age and VISA-A score (P = .36). There was no statistically significant difference in either prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy or VISA-A score between high-impact and low-impact athletes (P = .19 and P = .31, respectively).

Conclusion:

In competing Masters track and field athletes, we did not find any influence of age, gender, weight, height, or impact profile on the development of Achilles tendinopathy. Additional research is required to improve our understanding of the causative factors in Achilles tendinopathy.

Background:

Acute complete ruptures of the proximal adductor longus tendon are rare but challenging injuries to treat. The limited literature supports operative treatment, but data from management of chronic groin pain in athletes indicate that anatomical attachment of the tendon to the pubis may not be required for high-level function.

Hypothesis:

Nonoperative management of complete adductor rupture can provide equal results to surgical repair in terms of return to play in the National Football League.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Using the National Football League Injury Surveillance System, adductor tendon ruptures documented by magnetic resonance imaging were identified in 19 National Football League players from 1992 to 2004. The team physician for each respective player completed a survey with information about history, physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging findings, treatment, and outcomes. Statistics were analyzed with a Student unpaired t test.

Results:

Fourteen players were treated nonoperatively, and 5 players were treated with surgical repair using suture anchors. In both groups, all players eventually returned to play in the National Football League. Mean time for return to play was 6.1 ± 3.1 weeks (range, 3–12 weeks) for the nonoperative group and 12.0 ± 2.5 weeks (range, 10–16 weeks) for the operative group (P = .001). One player in the operative group suffered the complication of a draining wound and heterotopic ossification. Players represented a variety of positions, and 12 of 19 (63%) had experienced prior symptoms or events.

Conclusion:

Nonoperative treatment of proximal adductor tendon rupture results in a statistically significantly faster return to play than does operative treatment in athletes competing in the National Football League and avoids the risks associated with surgery while providing an equal likelihood of return to play at the professional level.