A novel method to determine suture anchor loading after rotator cuff repair--a study of two double-row techniques.

Background: The addition of a lateral suture anchor fixation row to rotator cuff repairs has been shown to improve initial cuff reattachment strength and footprint area. This study evaluated the mechanical function of this lateral row by measuring suture tensions at the individual anchor sites.

Materials And Methods: Eight cadaveric shoulders underwent simulated rotator cuff repairs, using either double row or suture-bridge repair techniques.

Effect of specialty and experience on the interpretation of knee MRI scans.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate any differences in the accuracy of knee MRI interpretation between radiology and orthopaedic surgery residents as well as to evaluate differences in quality of interpretation relative to resident training level. In this study, 20 MRI scans demonstrating specific pathology of the knee were identified. From one institution, two radiology residents and two orthopaedic surgery residents of each postgraduate year (PGY) of training (2 to 5) were recruited.

Knee MR images: what the orthopaedic surgeon needs to know.

Ideally, the orthopaedic surgeon works together with the radiologist in order to understand and contextualize the data obtained from a knee magnetic resonance imaging study. In this article we review the information most useful to the practice of orthopaedic surgery obtained from these MRI scans, including sections on ligaments, menisci, articular cartilage, limb alignment, bone, and surrounding soft tissues. We place special emphasis on evaluating the postoperative knee, ligament grafts, cartilage integrity, and other conditions that present challenges to both orthopaedic surgeons and radiologists.

Arthroscopically-assisted removal of retrograde intramedullary femoral nails.

Retrograde nailing of femoral shaft fractures has become more prevalent as a result of its growing acceptance and familiarity to orthopaedic surgeons. Nail removal is occasionally indicated, which may require a formal arthrotomy. We describe an arthroscopic removal technique that has several advantages.

Patient behavior if given their surgeon's cellular telephone number.

Technologic advances in communications potentially may affect the patient-doctor relationship. We assessed call patterns, reasons for calling, and attitudes if patients had their surgeon's cellular telephone number, to determine if there are potential benefits to this practice. Postoperative calls made by patients to the surgeon, secretary, and surgical scheduler were categorized as urgent or nonurgent.

Atypical lipomatous masses of the extremities: outcome of surgical treatment.

Atypical lipomatous tumors occur predominantly in middle-aged patients and often present as painless, slow-growing masses in the extremities. The clinical outcomes of surgically treated superficial or deep atypical lipomas of the extremities were reviewed. Thirty-one patients were included in this study.