Prognostic value of MRI in arthroscopic treatment of chronic patellar tendinopathy: a prospective cohort study

Background To date, prognostic outcome factors for patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment due to chronic patellar tendinopathy (PT) are lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preoperatively assessed MRI parameters might be of prognostic value for prediction of functional outcome and return to sports in arthroscopic treatment of chronic PT. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted including 30 cases (4 female and 24 male competitive athletes) undergoing arthroscopic patellar release (APR) due to chronic PT. The mean age was 28.2 years (range, 18–49 years) at the time of surgery, and the mean follow-up period was 4.2 years (range, 2.2–10.4 years). Preoperatively assessed MRI parameters included bone marrow edema (BME) of the inferior patellar pole, patellar tendon thickening, infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) edema, and infrapatellar bursitis. Prevalences of preoperative MRI findings were correlated to functional outcome scores in order to determine statistically significant predictors. Results All athletes regained their preinjury sports levels. Athletes featuring preoperative IFP edema showed significantly inferior modified Blazina score (0.6 ± 0.7 vs. 0.2 ± 0.5), single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE; 86.0 ± 8.8 vs. 94.3 ± 7.5), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 1.0 ± 1.2 vs. 0.3 ± 0.8) compared to subjects without IFP edema (p < 0.05). Return to sports required a mean of 4 ± 3.2 months. On average, patients with IFP edema needed significantly more time to return to sports than subjects without IFP edema (6.5 vs 2.8 months; p < 0.05). The simultaneous presence of BME and IFP edema was associated with significantly inferior outcomes by means of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment questionnaire for patients with patellar tendinopathy (VISA-P; 88.1 ± 11.9 vs. 98.6 ± 4.2), SANE (84.3 ± 10.2 vs. 93.1 ± 8.3), and VAS (1.3 ± 1.4 vs. 0.3 ± 0.9) compared to an isolated BME or isolated IFP edema. Conclusions This is the first study identifying prognostic outcome factors in arthroscopic treatment of chronic PT. Preoperative IFP edema alone or simultaneous BME and IFP edema on preoperative MRI were associated with inferior functional outcome and delayed return to sports. Knowledge of these predictive factors might improve risk stratification, individualize treatment and postoperative rehabilitation, and contribute to improve clinical outcome. Moreover, current findings offer the potential for novel therapeutic approaches

Efficacy of a semirigid ankle brace in reducing mechanical ankle instability evaluated by 3D stress-MRI

Background!#!Novel imaging technologies like 3D stress-MRI of the ankle allow a quantification of the mechanical instability contributing to chronic ankle instability. In the present study, we have tested the efficacy of a semirigid ankle brace on joint congruency in a plantarflexion/supination position with and without load.!##!Methods!#!In this controlled observational study of n = 25 patients suffering from mechanical ankle instability, a custom-built ankle arthrometer implementing a novel 3D-stress MRI technique was used to evaluate the stabilizing effect of an ankle brace. Three parameters of joint congruency (i.e., 3D cartilage contact area fibulotalar, tibiotalar horizontal and tibiotalar vertical) were measured. The loss of cartilage contact area from neutral position to a position combined of 40° of plantarflexion and 30° of supination without and with axial load of 200 N was calculated. A semirigid ankle brace was applied in plantarflexion/supination to evaluate its effect on joint congruence. Furthermore, the perceived stability of the brace during a hopping task was analyzed using visual analogue scale (VAS).!##!Results!#!The application of a semirigid brace led to an increase in cartilage contact area (CCA) when the foot was placed in plantarflexion and supination. This effect was visible for all three compartments of the upper ankle joint (P &amp;lt; 0.001; η!##!Conclusions!#!The stabilizing effect of the semirigid ankle brace can be verified using 3D stress-MRI. Providing better joint congruency with an ankle brace may reduce peak loads at certain areas of the talus, which possibly cause osteochondral or degenerative lesions. However, the perceived stability provided by the brace does not seem to reflect into the mechanical effect of the brace. Trial registration The study protocol was prospectively registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (#DRKS00016356)

Thromboembolic complications among multiple injured patients with pelvic injuries: identifying risk factors for possible patient-tailored prophylaxis

Background!#!Patients with pelvic and/or acetabular fractures are at high risk of developing thromboembolic (TE) complications. In our study we investigate TE complications and the potential negative effects of concomitant pelvic or acetabular injuries in multiple injured patients according to pelvic/acetabular injury severity and fracture classification.!##!Methods!#!The TraumaRegister DGU® was analyzed between 2010 and 2019. Multiple injured patients with pelvic and/or acetabular fractures with ISS ≥ 16 suffering from TE complications were identified. We conducted a univariate and multivariate analysis with TE events as independent variable to examine potential risk factors and contributing factors.!##!Results!#!10.634 patients met our inclusion criteria. The overall TE incidence was 4.9%. Independent risk factors for the development of TE complications were sepsis, ≥ 10 operative interventions, mass transfusion (≥ 10 PRBCs), age ≥ 65 years and AIS!##!Conclusions!#!Multiple injured patients suffering from pelvic and/or acetabular fractures are at high risk of developing thromboembolic complications. Independent risk factors for the development of thromboembolic events in our study cohort were age ≥ 65 years, mass transfusion, AI

Improved clinical outcome after medial open-wedge osteotomy despite cartilage lesions in the lateral compartment.

High tibial medial open-wedge osteotomy (HTO) is an established treatment option for cartilage lesions in the medial compartment. It was this study's aim to evaluate the effect of asymptomatic single or kissing lesions in the lateral compartment on functional outcome after medial open-wedge osteotomy. A total of 156 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent HTO due to a varus deformity and a symptomatic cartilage lesion or osteoarthritis in the medial compartment. We acquired preoperative Lysholm and VAS Scores. Each open-wedge osteotomy was preceded by diagnostic arthroscopy to ensure the compartments were thoroughly documented and diagnosed. Cartilage lesions in the lateral compartment were evaluated, and three groups created according to their individual characteristics: group A (no cartilage lesion, n = 119), group B (single cartilage lesion, n = 16) and group C (kissing lesions, n = 21). Cartilage lesions were graded according to the Outerbridge classification, The functional postoperative outcome was determined by relying on several parameters (VAS Score, Lysholm, KOOS, WOMAC Score). Pre- and postoperative long-leg axis views were analyzed via special planning software (mediCAD, Hectec GmbH Germany). Mean follow-up was at 69.0 ± 30.3 months after surgery (range 22 to 121 months). There were no significant differences between the three groups in the correction angle chosen (p = 0.16). Regarding the outcome parameters, group A attained the best results in the WOMACpain Score (p = 0.03) and WOMACfunction Score (p = 0.05). A higher Outerbridge-Score of cartilage lesions in the lateral compartment was associated with a higher (i.e., worse) WOMACpain Score (p = 0.018) and WOMACfunction Score (p = 0.033). In all the groups (A, B, and C), HTO led to a significant improvement in the Lysholm Score (p < 0.001) and to a decrease in pain level (VAS Score; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Valgus high tibial osteotomy leads to reduced pain and improved functional outcome scores, even in patients with pre-existing asymptomatic single or corresponding cartilage lesions in the lateral compartment. In case of severe cartilage lesions in the lateral compartment, surgeons should consider that clinical outcome worsens depending on the Outerbridge Score

Long-standing pubic-related groin pain in professional academy soccer players: a prospective cohort study on possible risk factors, rehabilitation and return to play

Background!#!Despite being a common overuse entity in youth soccer, scientific data on risk factors, rehabilitation and return to play for long-standing pubic-related groin pain is still rare. The current prospective cohort study aims to evaluate potential risk-factors, propose a criteria-based conservative rehabilitation protocol and assess return-to-play outcomes among professional youth soccer players suffering from long-standing pubic-related groin pain.!##!Methods!#!Male soccer players with long-standing (&amp;gt; 6 weeks) pubic-related groin pain from a professional soccer club's youth academy were analyzed for possible risk factors such as age, team (U12 - U23), younger/older age group within the team, position and preinjury Functional movement score. All injured players received a conservative, standardized, supervised, criteria-based, 6-level rehabilitation program. Outcome measures included time to return to play, recurrent groin pain in the follow-up period and clinical results at final follow-up two years after their return to play.!##!Results!#!A total of 14 out of 189 players developed long-standing pubic-related groin pain in the 2017/2018 season (incidence 7.4%). The average age of the players at the time of the injury was 16.1 ± 1.9 years. Risk factor analysis revealed a significant influence of the age group within the team (p = .007). Only players in the younger age group were affected by long-standing pubic-related groin pain, mainly in the first part of the season. Injured players successfully returned to play after an average period of 135.3 ± 83.9 days. Only one player experienced a recurrence of nonspecific symptoms (7.1%) within the follow-up period. The outcome at the 24-month follow-up was excellent for all 14 players.!##!Conclusions!#!Long-standing pubic-related groin pain is an overuse entity with a markedly high prevalence in youth soccer players, resulting in a relevant loss of time in training and match play. In particular, the youngest players in each team are at an elevated risk. Applying a criteria-based rehabilitation protocol resulted in an excellent return-to-play rate, with a very low probability of recurrence.!##!Trial registration!#!The trial was retrospectively registered under DRKS00016510 in the German Clinical Trials Register on 19.04.2021

Age- and severity-adjusted treatment of proximal humerus fractures in children and adolescents—A systematical review and meta-analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Fractures of the proximal humerus in patients under the age of 18 years show a low incidence; existing clinical studies only comprise small patient numbers. Different treatment methods are mentioned in the literature but a comparison of the outcome of these methods is rarely made. Up to now, no evidence-based algorithm for conservative and operative treatment is available. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was therefore to gather the best evidence of different treatment methods and their associated functional outcome, complication rates, rates of limb length discrepancies and radiological outcome.</p><p>Methods and findings</p><p>The OVID database was systematically searched on September 30th in 2016 in order to find all published clinical studies on the subject of proximal humerus fractures of patients ≤18 years. Exclusion criteria were previously defined. The Coleman Methodology Score was used to evaluate the quality of the single studies. 886 studies have been identified by the search strategy. 19 studies with a total of 643 children (mean age: 11.8 years) were included into the meta-analysis with a mean Coleman Methodology Score of 71 ± 7.4 points. 18 of the 19 studies eligible for inclusion were retrospective ones, of the best quality available (mean follow-up ≥ 1 year, mean follow-up rate ≥ 65%). 56% of the patients were male. Proximal humerus fractures were treated conservatively in 41% and surgically in 59% of the cases (Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN): 31%; K-wires: 20%; 8% other methods, e.g. plate osteosynthesis, olecranon traction). The overall success rate (good/excellent outcome) for all treatment methods was 93%. The success rate of ESIN (98%) and of K- wire fixation (95%) was significantly higher (p = 0.01) than the success rate of conservative treatment options (91%). A subgroup analysis of severely displaced fractures (Neer grade III/IV, angulation ≥ 20°) resulted in a change of success rates, to the disadvantage of conservative treatment methods (conservative treatment 82%, ESIN 98%, K-wires 95%; p < 0.001). Complication rates did not differ to a significant extent. 9% of the complications occurred in the patients treated by K-wire fixation, 8% if a conservative treatment option was chosen and 7% in the fractures that were stabilized by ESIN. A change from a one-nail technique to a two-nail technique reduced the complication rate of ESIN significantly. Follow-up X- rays without residual deformity could be found in 96% of the patients treated by ESIN, a rate which was higher than in the patients treated conservatively (93%) or by K-wire fixation (88%). The rate of arm length discrepancies at final follow- up was lower if the fractures were stabilized by ESIN (4%) than if they were treated conservatively (9%) or by K-wires (19%). An evaluation of age-dependent treatment options was performed.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>By performing this meta-analysis an evidence-based treatment algorithm could be introduced to treat the fractures according to the severity of displacement and according to the patient's age. For severely displaced fractures ESIN is the method of choice, with the best clinical and radiological outcome.</p></div

Algorithm for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures in children and adolescents.

<p>Algorithm for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures in children and adolescents.</p

Study characteristics.

<p>The studies included into the meta-analysis and their characteristics such as year of publication, mean follow-up period, treatment method described, parameters of evaluation of the functional outcome and their Coleman Methodology Score (quality assessment) are shown.</p

Flow chart of the search strategy and study selection.

<p>Criteria for drop-out and subsequent number of studies remaining for further analysis.</p

Analysis of X-Rays at final follow-up.

<p>Only X-rays without residual deformity were weighted as a successful treatment.</p