Management of Horizontal Cleavage Meniscus Tears.

Purpose Of Review: The management of horizontal cleavage meniscus tears (HCT) has evolved in recent years. Historically, HCTs have been treated with partial meniscectomy, but multiple studies have shown the long-term risks of development of arthritic changes in the knee following meniscectomy. These findings have renewed interest in meniscal preservation whenever possible, even in older patients not previously considered for meniscus repair.

Impact of the Number of Patellar Dislocations on Outcomes of Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Patellar dislocation is a common knee injury and up to 35% of those who dislocate the patella can develop recurrent patellar instability. In the setting of recurrent instability, medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is often performed to restore knee stability. There has been recent interest in patient and surgical factors that influence outcomes of MPFL reconstruction.

Editorial Commentary: Repair of "Degenerative" Horizontal Cleavage Meniscus Tears Is Cost-effective, Is Chondroprotective, and Shows Healing Rates Similar to Other Meniscal Tear Patterns.

Over the past 15 years, there has been a shift toward meniscus preservation even for previously believed irreparable patterns like bucket handle, radial, meniscus root, vertical, and horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs). HCTs are a common tear pattern, especially as we age, and are estimated to occur in 23% to 32% of meniscus tears. They occur in both males and females, are more common on the medial than the lateral side, and most often occur with minor to normal trauma in an anterior cruciate ligament intact knee.

A Novel Machine Learning Model to Predict Revision ACL Reconstruction Failure in the MARS Cohort.

Background: As machine learning becomes increasingly utilized in orthopaedic clinical research, the application of machine learning methodology to cohort data from the Multicenter ACL Revision Study (MARS) presents a valuable opportunity to translate data into patient-specific insights.

Purpose: To apply novel machine learning methodology to MARS cohort data to determine a predictive model of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (rACLR) graft failure and features most predictive of failure.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Surgical Predictors of Clinical Outcome 6 Years After Revision ACL Reconstruction.

Background: Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been documented to have inferior outcomes compared with primary ACL reconstruction. The reasons why remain unknown.

Purpose: To determine whether surgical factors performed at the time of revision ACL reconstruction can influence a patient's outcome at 6-year follow-up.

Vitamin D Deficiency after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Associates with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Study.

Background/objectives: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency (i.e., serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) ≤ 20 ng/mL) associates with the increased occurrence and shortened time to a knee osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Editorial Commentary: Repair of Radial Meniscus Tears.

Treatment of meniscus injuries has evolved from open to arthroscopic, from total to partial meniscectomy, and ultimately towards meniscus preservation. In theory, almost all tear types can be repaired, including root tears, (oblique) radial tears, horizontal cleavage tears, vertical tears, and even complex tears, as a result of improved surgical techniques and tools. Meniscus repair outcomes literature may be confounded by the lack of inclusion of control groups, as well as concomitant anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction, augmentation with fibrin clot or platelet-rich plasma or other biologics, suture configuration, and timing of repair.

Relationship of Body Mass Index on Patient-Reported Outcomes After Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Microfragmented Adipose Tissue for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Body mass index is known to contribute to outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, body mass index influences the protein expression of orthobiologic treatments like platelet-rich plasma and microfragmented adipose tissue. We performed a secondary analysis of the association of body mass index with patient-reported outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis who received either platelet-rich plasma or microfragmented adipose tissue injections.

Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Is Equivalent to Platelet-Rich Plasma for Knee Osteoarthritis at 12 Months Posttreatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) is another orthobiologic that holds promise, but data supporting its use are limited. Previous studies showed that MFAT created using the Lipogems device was equivalent to PRP created via noncommercial laboratory-based processes.

An All-Suture-Based Technique for Meniscal Repair Is Cost-Effective in Comparison to Partial Meniscectomy for Horizontal Cleavage Tears.

Purpose: To determine the cost-effectiveness of meniscal repair (MR) using an all-suture-based technique when compared to partial meniscectomy (PM) for horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) from a payor's perspective in the United States.

Methods: A state-transition model and cost-utility analysis were developed from a US payor's perspective to project treatment costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) in a cohort of 35-year-old patients without osteoarthritis at baseline and presenting with either a lateral or medial HCT. Two outpatient costing perspectives were used, namely ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and hospitals.

Tobramycin and Vancomycin in an In Vitro Model of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Allograft Decontamination.

Background: Approximately 100,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions (ACLRs) occur annually in the United States, and postoperative surgical-site infection is a relatively rare but devastating complication, often leading to graft failure or septic arthritis of the knee, necessitating repeat surgery. Wrapping allografts in vancomycin-soaked gauze has been adopted as a common sterilization technique in the operating room to reduce surgical-site infection; however, identifying effective alternatives to vancomycin has not been extensively pursued.

Hypothesis: Tobramycin would be as effective as vancomycin in reducing the concentrations of bacteria on tendon allografts.

Editorial Commentary: Low-Grade Infections May Contribute to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Graft Failure.

The etiology of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction failure is often multifactorial, and the role of subclinical bacterial colonization in ACL reconstruction failure has not been fully elucidated. Although the presence of bacterial metabolism in and of itself does not indicate true clinical infection, low-grade infections may contribute to ACL reconstruction graft failure. Bacterial biofilms on soft tissue grafts are shown to change the crimp patterns of collagen and lower graft load to failure.

Increased Body Mass Index is Associated with Worse Mid- To Long-Term Patient Outcomes after Surgical Repair of Multiligamentous Knee Injuries.

We evaluated the relationship between elevated body mass index (BMI) and mid- to long-term outcomes after surgical treatment of multiligamentous knee injury (MLKI). Records identified patients treated surgically for MLKI at a single institution. Inclusion criteria: minimum 2 years since surgery, complete demographics, surgical data, sustained injuries to two or more ligaments in one or both knees, and available for follow-up.

Incidence, Common Pathogens, and Risk Factors for Infection after Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

We sought to assess the current literature to present a comprehensive summary of the incidence, common pathogens, and risk factors for infection after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched for relevant studies reporting on infection after ACL reconstruction. Two reviewers independently screened the extracted studies for adherence to inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Predictors of Return to Activity at 2 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Among Patients With High Preinjury Marx Activity Scores: A MOON Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Predictors of return to activity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) among patients with relatively high preinjury activity levels remain poorly understood.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of return to preinjury levels of activity after ACLR, defined as achieving a Marx activity score within 2 points of the preinjury value, among patients with Marx activity scores of 12 to 16 who had been prospectively enrolled in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) cohort. We hypothesized that age, sex, preinjury activity level, meniscal injuries and/or procedures, and concurrent articular cartilage injuries would predict return to preinjury activity levels at 2 years after ACLR.

Horizontal Cleavage Tear Meniscal Repair Using All-Inside Circumferential Compression Sutures.

Horizontal cleavage meniscus tears occur more frequently in older patient populations with degenerative changes within the meniscus. Traditionally, they have been managed with nonsurgical interventions or with partial meniscectomy. As increasing evidence demonstrates the link between partial meniscectomy and progressive osteoarthritis with these types of tears, as well as worse long-term outcomes and reduced cost savings, surgical repair of horizontal cleavage meniscal tears has increased in appropriate patients.

Anterolateral Radial Meniscus Tear Repair using Traction Suture and Super-Hashtag Technique.

Radial meniscus tears occur commonly as traumatic tears in younger patients, as well as in association with concomitant degenerative changes. Traditional management of these tears has centered around partial meniscectomy; however, there has been a more recent trend toward preserving the meniscus and attempting repair. Because of the gapping and displacement that frequently occurs with these tears, repair is often challenging and is done under high amounts of tension.

Patella alta and increased TT-TG distance do not adversely affect patient-reported outcomes following isolated MPFL reconstruction: A systematic review.

Objectives: To analyze the effect of patellofemoral anatomical variations (patella alta, increased tibial tubercle-trochlear groove [TT-TG] distance, and trochlear dysplasia) on clinical outcomes after isolated medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction.

Methods: A comprehensive search from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify studies that compared outcomes based on the presence or absence of patella alta, elevated tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, and/or trochlear dysplasia. Exclusion criteria included reviews and meta-analyses, studies that included patients who underwent associated bony procedures, and those reporting outcomes after isolated MPFL reconstruction with no comparison between varying anatomical groups.

Horizontal Cleavage Meniscus Tears: Biomechanics, Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes.

» Accounting for up to 24% of all meniscus tears, horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) are a common pathology orthopaedic practitioners should be comfortable managing.» Historically, HCTs were treated with partial meniscectomy; however, recent studies have demonstrated that these procedures have an adverse biomechanical effect, while HCT repairs restore the knee's natural biomechanics.» Indications for the surgical repair of HCTs remain disputed, but surgery is generally considered for young, active patients and older patients without significant concomitant osteoarthritis.

Posterior Meniscal Root Repair With Transtibial Double Tunnel Pullout Technique and Anchor Fixation.

Meniscus root tears are tears that occur within 1 cm of the meniscus root attachment to the tibia. If not repaired, root tears will lead to altered knee biomechanics and accelerated degenerative changes in the knee. In this surgical technique, we demonstrate repair of a meniscus root tear with an all-inside suture repair of the posterior meniscus that is then passed through 2 transtibial tunnels and then fixed with an anchor.

Qualitative visual assessment of the J-sign demonstrates high inter-rater reliability.

Objectives: To assess the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the classification of the J-sign as "large" versus "small or none" as compared to another two-level system ("present" versus "absent") and a three-level system ("large," "small," or "none") and to identify anatomical and patient factors associated with the presence of a large J-sign.

Methods: Forty patients (40 knees) with recurrent patellar instability were prospectively enrolled and recorded on video actively extending their knee while seating. Four raters classified patellar tracking on two separate occasions using three systems: 1) two groups: J-sign versus no J-sign; 2) three groups: large J-sign, small J-sign, or no J-sign; and 3) two groups: large J-sign versus small or no J-sign.

More Is Not Merrier: Increasing Numbers of All-Inside Implants Do Not Correlate with Higher Odds of Revision Surgery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the number of all-inside meniscal repair implants placed and the risk of repair failure. We hypothesized that the use of higher numbers of all-inside meniscus repair implants would be associated with increased failure risk. A retrospective chart review identified 351 patients who underwent all-inside meniscus repair between 2006 and 2013 by a sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon at a single institution.