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Background: The tibial tubercle to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often utilized for determining the surgical treatment for patients with patellar instability (PI). It is thought to directly represent the position of the TT on the tibia. Recent work has shown that the measurement of the TT-TG distance is multifactorial. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between relative tibial external rotation (rTER) and trochlear dysplasia (TD), as well as the location of the TG and TT in patients with and without PI, and to correlate these and other anatomic measurements with the TT-TG distance. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 89 patients with PI who underwent magnetic resonance imaging were identified with 92 matched control patients. A standardized measurement protocol on axial magnetic resonance imaging determined rTER, the proximal and distal TG lateralization (pTGL and dTGL, respectively) ratios, and the TT lateralization (TTL) ratio. Other measures of interest included the lateral trochlear inclination angle, sulcus angle, and lateral patellar inclination angle. Univariate regression was used to determine the associations of TD (lateral trochlear inclination angle, sulcus angle) with rTER and the TG position, and multivariate regression was used to model associations among all the variables with the proximal and distal TT-TG distances. Results: rTER was significantly higher in the study group (P <.001), and univariate regression showed a significant association between dysplasia measures and rTER (P <.001). The pTGL ratio was lower in the study group (P =.025), but there was no difference in the dTGL ratio (P =.090) or the TTL ratio (P =.098) between the groups. There were no associations between dysplasia measures and the pTGL and dTGL ratios (P >.05). Multivariate regression showed that the proximal TT-TG distance is predicted by the sulcus angle, pTGL ratio, rTER, and TTL ratio (P <.05) and that the distal TT-TG distance is predicted by the lateral patellar inclination angle, dTGL ratio, sulcus angle, rTER, and TTL ratio (P <.05). Conclusion: rTER had a significant association with TD. The position of the proximal TG was more medial in patients with PI. There was no significant difference in the TTL ratio between patients with and without PI. The TT-TG distance was associated with multiple anatomic measures and was not solely predicated on the position of the TT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case: Three patients with documented osteomyelitis of the proximal part of the tibia are described. On examination, all of the patients had an indicative finding of knee flexion to 90°. Because of the concern for septic arthritis, each patient underwent knee aspiration as part of the evaluation. All recovered with conventional infection treatment protocols. Conclusion: High knee flexion beyond what is typical in patients with septic arthritis may indicate osteomyelitis of the proximal part of the tibia. Consideration of this diagnosis may lead to more expedient and efficient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared three-dimensional (3-D) hip and knee kinematics and kinetics between lateral shuffle and side-step cutting movements to determine whether the simpler lateral shuffle movement can be used in place of cutting to assess knee injury risk. A total of 78 patients (52 female) and 34 controls (16 female) aged 8-19 years performed lateral shuffle and 45° side-step cutting movements. Hip and knee kinematics and kinetics between initial contact and peak knee flexion were calculated using the Plug-in-Gait model and compared between activities using Pearson's correlation and paired t-tests. Peak knee valgus angle correlated strongly (r=0.86, p<0.0001), while minimum (r=0.25, p=0.0001) and peak hip abduction (r=0.24, p=0.0003), and peak hip internal rotation (r=0.33, p<0.0001) correlated only weakly between the two activities. Peak external knee valgus moment (r=0.32, p<0.0001) and average external knee (r=0.42, p<0.0001) and hip (r=0.37, p<0.0001) flexion moments correlated weakly to moderately between activities. Subjects were more internally rotated (3.6°, p<0.0001) and less abducted (16.7° and 17.3° for minimum and maximum, p<0.0001) at the hip during cutting, with higher hip (0.12, p<0.0001) and lower knee (-0.02, p=0.0001) non-dimensional flexion moments. These results suggest that the lateral shuffle movement may be useful for evaluating knee valgus, particularly during initial visual assessment. However, the lateral shuffle may not be challenging enough to reveal poor neuromuscular control over hip ab/adduction and rotation, necessitating follow-up assessment of cutting, ideally using 3-D motion analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case: Knee flexion contractures are difficult to treat effectively. We present the case of a ten-year-old boy with a flexion contracture due to a hypertrophied ligamentum mucosum treated with an arthroscopic posterior capsular release. The patient obtained full extension and maintained it at the time of final follow-up. Conclusion: This case represents a unique cause of an impinging ligamentum mucosum and provides anecdotal support to the concept of an arthroscopic posterior capsular release as a safe and effective option for flexion contractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a paucity of published literature on diagnosis and surgical management of muscle herniation of the extremities,with most reported cases involving military personnel and men aged 18 to 40 years.Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the presentation, diagnosis, and results of fasciotomy for symptomaticmuscle herniation in young athletes. We hypothesize that fasciotomy can be a safe and effective treatment option thatallows the majority of athletes to return to sports.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: From 2001 to 2011, 26 athletes (19 women; 11 runners) with a mean age 19.0 ± 4.0 years (range, 14.2-28.4 years)underwent fasciotomy for symptomatic muscle herniation at the authors’ institution. Retrospective chart review recorded pertinentpatient data and clinical course. Questionnaires were sent to all patients to assess satisfaction with surgery, ability to returnto sports, and residual symptoms.Results: Muscle hernias were classified as primary (n = 8, 31%), postsurgical (n = 8, 31%), and associated with underlyinguntreated chronic exertional compartment syndrome (n = 10, 38%). The tibialis anterior muscle (n = 12, 46%) was most commonlyinvolved. The mean time from onset of symptoms to surgery was 15.1 6 8.6 months (range, 3-38 months). Dynamic ultrasound(5/6 patients, 83%) was more accurate than magnetic resonance imaging (3/18, 17%) at identifying the hernia. At median followupof 28 months (range, 12-127 months), 17 patients (65%) had returned to sports. Seventeen patients (65%) completed the postoperativequestionnaire; 14 reported being satisfied with their results (82%). Mild residual symptoms were common (9 of 17respondents, 53%), especially in runners (5 of 7, 71%), all of whom were satisfied with surgery. Patients with a postsurgical muscleherniation took the longest to return to sports and were the least likely to return to sports, had the highest rate of dissatisfactionwith surgery, and were most likely to have persistent symptoms not improved by surgery.Conclusion: Fasciotomy is a safe surgical option for symptomatic muscle herniation in young athletes. Many patients are able toreturn to sports and most are satisfied with surgery. Residual symptoms are common, especially in runners. Patients with postsurgicalmuscle herniations may have the worst clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patellofemoral instability (PFI) in young athletes presents both diagnostic and management dilemmas for which consensus often does not exist. The purpose of this study was to identify trends in management of PFI in children and adolescents in the United States and nationwide. Methods: A 27-question multiple choice survey was distributed in 2018 to the members of the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) Society regarding treatment of PFI in paediatric and adolescent patients. Results: In all, 56 of the respondents who were orthopaedic surgeons that manage patellar instability in children and adolescents and had performed PFI surgery more than five times in the past year completed the entire survey. A total of 41% of respondents reported that surgery for fragment refixation or loose body removal was indicated when a loose body or osteochondral fragment was evident, regardless of fragment size. Overall, 74% reported that if surgery was performed for an osteochondral loose body, primary repair (36%) or reconstruction (38%) of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) was also completed. A total of 89% of members reported MPFL reconstruction in the absence of alignment or rotational abnormalities, tibial tubercle lateralization or trochlear dysplasia in skeletally immature patients; 59% reported performing the MPFL reconstruction with hamstring allograft, while 30% prefer autograft (hamstring, quadriceps). For patients with significant trochlear dysplasia, 87% reported no surgical management of trochlea in first-time or in revision surgery. Conclusion: There is a lack of consensus regarding optimal diagnostic and treatment algorithms in the management of PFI, however, consistent trends have emerged among paediatric sports medicine surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motion analysis offers objective insight into biomechanics, rehabilitation progress and return to sport readiness. This study examined changes in three-dimensional movement patterns during drop jump landing between early and late stages of rehabilitation in adolescent athletes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Twenty-four athletes (58% female; mean age 15.4 years, SD 1.2) with unilateral ACLR underwent motion analysis testing 3–6 months and again 6–10 months post-operatively. Kinematics and kinetics were compared between visits and between limbs using repeated measures ANOVA. The operative side exhibited lower vertical ground reaction force, less energy absorption and lower sagittal external moments at the knee and ankle, and lower peak dorsiflexion angles compared with the non-operative side regardless of visit. Between visits, hip and knee flexion increased bilaterally, as well as hip flexion moments and energy absorption. During early rehabilitation following ACLR, adolescent athletes reduced flexion and loading of the knee and ankle on their operative limb. Motion and loading increased over time, particularly at the hip, but remained reduced at the knee and ankle 6–10 months post-operatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case: A 14-year-old adolescent with bilateral discoid menisci who had previously undergone discoid meniscal saucerization presented with pain and mechanical knee symptoms bilaterally. She had a torn left discoid lateral meniscus, a right lateral meniscal deficiency with an associated osteochondral defect, and valgus collapse of the right femur. She underwent successful repair of the left discoid meniscus as well as a femoral osteotomy, a meniscal transplant, and an osteochondral allograft transplantation in the right knee. Conclusion: New treatment paradigms following initial interventions for discoid menisci are discussed. Patients may benefit from longer follow-up after discoid meniscal surgery, and providers should consider joint-preserving techniques early in the setting of meniscal deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A primary challenge in the treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is accurate imaging assessment. Radiographic classification consensus is not available in the current literature, and correlation of radiographs with lesion stability and resultant best treatment is lacking. Purpose: To determine the inter- and intrarater reliability of the presence or absence and common radiographic characteristics of capitellar OCD lesions. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique radiographs for 29 cases were reviewed by 7 orthopaedic surgeons. Images were assessed for elbow anthropometry and morphology, OCD presence, lesion characteristics, the presence of progeny bone and progeny features, and radial head abnormalities. Intra- and interrater reliability was assessed using Fleiss and Cohen kappa for nominal variables and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for continuous variables. Results: Surgeons demonstrated substantial to excellent inter- and intrarater reliability when assessing elbow characteristics: anthropometric (interrater ICC, 0.94-0.99; intrarater ICC, 0.82-0.96) and morphologic (Fleiss, 0.61-0.76; Cohen, 0.68). When the OCD lesion was assessed, fair to moderate interrater agreement was found for classifying the absence or presence of a lesion (Fleiss, 0.28-0.46) and the location of the OCD (Fleiss, 0.24-0.52), poor agreement for assessing the contour of the lesion (Fleiss, 0.00-0.09), and excellent agreement for measuring the size of the lesion (ICC, 0.82-0.94). Poor to fair interrater agreement was found for radial head abnormalities (Fleiss, 0.00-0.27). Progeny bone visualization and fragmentation demonstrated moderate interrater agreement (Fleiss, 0.43-0.47) where displacement of the bone demonstrated poor interrater agreement (Fleiss, 0.11-0.16). Intrarater agreement for OCD lesion characteristics, progeny bone visualization, and progeny bone features was moderate to excellent. Conclusion: Given only the fair to moderate agreement among raters for identifying OCD on radiographs, this imaging modality may not serve as a dependable screening tool in isolation. Additional imaging should be obtained if the clinical presentation suggests capitellar OCD and a definitive diagnosis is not possible with radiographs. However, clinicians can reliability measure the size of radiographically apparent OCD, suggesting that radiographs may serve as an appropriate imaging modality for follow-up care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) is one of the most common congenital anomalies of the knee. The pathomorphology of DLM varies. Current classification systems are inadequate to describe the spectrum of abnormality. Purpose: A study group of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons from 20 academic North American institutions developed and tested the reliability of a new DLM classification system. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: After reviewing existing classifications, we developed a comprehensive DLM classification system. Four DLM features were evaluated: meniscal width, meniscal height, peripheral stability, and meniscal tear. Stepwise arthroscopic examination using anteromedial and anterolateral viewing portals was established for evaluating these features. Three senior authors who were not observers selected 50 of 119 submitted videos with the best clarity and stepwise examination for reading. Five observers performed assessments using the new classification system to assess interobserver reliability, and a second reading was performed by 3 of the 5 observers to assess intraobserver reliability using the Fleiss κ coefficient (fair, 0.21-0.40; moderate, 0.41-0.60; substantial, 0.61-0.80; excellent, 0.81-1.00). Results: Interobserver reliability was substantial for most rating factors: meniscal width, meniscal height, peripheral stability, tear presence, and tear type. Interobserver reliability was moderate for tear location. Intraobserver reliability was substantial for meniscal width and meniscal height and excellent for peripheral stability. Intraobserver agreement was moderate for tear presence, type, and location. Conclusion: This new arthroscopic DLM classification system demonstrated moderate to substantial agreement in most diagnostic categories analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dynamic limb valgus, particularly high knee abduction moments, is a known risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury andmay result frompoor static anatomic limb alignment, faulty biomechanics, or a combination of both. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of static lower extremity anatomic alignment and dynamic kinematic/ kinetic measures on knee abduction moments during sidestep cutting in adolescent athletes with recent ACL reconstruction. Methods: This retrospective study included 50 adolescents with recent unilateral ACL reconstruction (18/50 female, mean age = 15.8 yr, 7.6 months postsurgery). Frontal plane hip-to-ankle imaging was used to measure mechanical axis deviation and tibial--femoral angle. Three-dimensional motion capture provided lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during quiet standing and during the loading phase (initial contact to peak knee flexion) of an anticipated 45° sidestep cut. Imaging, static motion capture, and dynamic motion capture measures were investigated as potential predictors of average dynamic knee abduction moment using correlation and backward stepwise linear regression. Results: Dynamic knee abduction moment was best predicted by a combination of younger age and dynamic measures: trunk lean toward the planting limb, knee abduction and external rotation, and ankle inversion. Although static measures were correlated with dynamic knee abduction moment in univariate analysis, no static/anatomic variables entered the model once the dynamic measures were included. Conclusion: Knee abduction moments during sidestep cutting were related to dynamic factors reflecting frontal and transverse plane motion. Static (anatomic) lower limb alignment did not influence knee abduction moments once these dynamic factors were considered. Knee abduction moments and ACL injury risk are therefore not dictated by anatomic alignment and can be altered through neuromuscular/biomechanical training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The understanding and treatment of anterior cruciate ligament tears in skeletally immature patients continues to evolve. While conservative management was a mainstay of treatment, poor outcomes have led to several surgical techniques aimed at stabilizing the knee, optimizing outcome, and minimizing the chance of growth disturbance. Current techniques have, in large part, accomplished these goals but challenges remain. Looking to the future, different graft options, primary repair techniques, and rigorous prospective studies will help improve outcomes for this challenging patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]