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Purpose: To determine if mechanism of injury is predictive of concomitant knee pathology found at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods: All patients aged 16 to 35 who underwent ACL reconstruction at our institution between January 2009 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Mechanism of injury was determined from patient history. The presence of meniscal or chondral damage was determined from operative records, while collateral ligament injuries were determined by the treating surgeon's diagnosis after physical examination and their review of magnetic resonance imaging findings. Patients with inadequate documentation, history of a subsequent instability episode following the initial injury, or prior history of knee pathology were excluded.Results: Six hundred eighty-seven patients (169 contact and 518 noncontact) were included. A 2-fold increase in the incidence of collateral ligament injury was identified between the 2 groups with 114 (67.5%) in the contact group and 175 (33.8%) in the noncontact group (P < .001). Twenty-six patients (15.4%) in the contact group compared with 9 (1.7%) in the noncontact group had a grade III collateral ligament injury (P < .001). Chondral injury was identified in 41 (24.3%) patients in the contact group and 87 (16.8%) in the noncontact group (P = .05) with 9 (5.3%) grade IV lesions in the contact group and 4 (0.8%) in the noncontact group (P < .001). Eleven patients in the contact group (6.5%) and 15 in the noncontact group (2.9%) had a chondral injury to the lateral femoral condyle (P = .04).Conclusions: Although we found no difference in the incidence or type of meniscal tears, we found a significant increase in the incidence of grade IV chondral injury, chondral injury to the lateral femoral condyle, and grade III collateral ligament damage in the setting of contact ACL injuries. This knowledge can aid surgeons in preoperative planning and patient counseling.Level Of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Searching the Internet is one of the most popular methods for acquiring information related to health. The Internet offers physicians and patients easy access to a wide range of medical material from anywhere in the world. For many patients, this information helps formulate decisions related to their health and health care. An important caveat is that virtually anything can be published on the Internet. Although academic publications require rigorous peer review, Internet websites have no regulatory body monitoring quality and content. With a lack of external regulation, the information retrieved may be incorrect or outdated. The Internet can be a valuable asset for educating patients, but because of significant variability physicians should be familiar with the quality of information available. This article discusses both the strengths and weaknesses of information available on the Internet regarding anterior cruciate ligament repair. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of articular cartilage changes in the knee joint and to analyze predictive factors for these changes in patients undergoing arthroscopy for meniscal pathology. Methods: Between March 2005 and June 2009, 1,010 patients underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy or meniscal repair by the senior author. During surgery, a precise diagram was used to carefully note the presence, location, size, and Outerbridge grade of changes to the articular surfaces of the knee joint. The prevalence of articular cartilage changes was calculated for 6 age groups: younger than 20 years, 20 to 29 years, 30 to 39 years, 40 to 49 years, 50 to 59 years, and 60 years or older. Demographic data including gender, ethnicity, smoking status, and body mass index (BMI) were acquired from patient charts. Results: Overall, 48% of patients showed changes to the medial compartment, 25% to the lateral compartment, and 45% to the patellofemoral compartment. Eighty-five percent of patients aged 50 to 59 years and 86% of patients aged 60 years or older showed articular cartilage changes to at least 1 knee compartment. In contrast, only 13% of patients aged younger than 20 years and 32% of patients aged 20 to 29 years showed changes to at least 1 compartment. A significant relation was found between age and the development of articular cartilage changes in each of the 3 compartments (P < .0001). BMI was also significantly related to articular cartilage changes in the medial and patellofemoral compartments (P < .0001) but not the lateral compartment (P = .08). Conclusions: This study shows a high prevalence of articular cartilage damage as defined by the Outerbridge classification in patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for meniscal pathology. Risk factors that correlate with articular cartilage damage include increasing age, elevated BMI, medial compartment pathology, and knee contractures. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: We present a systematic review of the current literature regarding the use of the 2 most common surgical treatments for lesions of the long head of the biceps brachii, tenotomy or tenodesis. Currently, there is no consensus management in the literature because most studies lack high levels of evidence. Methods: PubMed was systematically reviewed for eligible articles relating to biceps tenotomy or tenodesis. Level I to IV evidence and English-language studies reporting on the clinical outcomes of these 2 procedures were included. The primary clinical outcome measurements for each study were determined and were normalized and reported as the percentage of “excellent/good” versus “poor” results based on criteria laid out in each study. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. All articles reviewed were of Level IV evidence, except for one Level II prospective cohort study. All studies, a total of 433 tenodesis procedures resulted in an excellent/good outcome in 74% of patients, with an 8% rate of cosmetic deformity. A total of 699 tenotomy procedures resulted in an excellent/good outcome in 77% of patients, with a 43% occurrence of cosmetic deformity. Postoperative bicipital pain was found in 43 of 226 cases (19%) of tenotomy and 18 of 74 cases (24%) of tenodesis. The 4 studies that compared the procedures directly did not show any significant clinical differences between the groups other than a cosmetic deformity being present more frequently after tenotomy. Conclusions: Tenotomy and tenodesis have comparably favorable results in the literature, with the only major difference being a higher incidence of cosmetic deformity with biceps tenotomy. However, there is currently no consensus regarding the use of tenotomy versus tenodesis for the treatment of lesions of the long head of the biceps brachii. The lack of prospective, randomized trials limits our ability to recommend 1 technique over the other. There is a great need for controlled trials to investigate the differences between these 2 procedures. Individual patient factors and needs should guide the surgeon on which procedure to use. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pattern and assess the results of arthroscopic treatment of posteromedial elbow impingement in overhead throwers. Methods: Over an 8-year period, 9 throwing athletes diagnosed with posteromedial elbow impingement were retrospectively identified. All patients had either a noncontrast or direct arthrogram–MRI study that was reviewed by a single, fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to the clinical diagnosis. Arthroscopic treatment included debridement of posteromedial synovitis, loose body removal, and excision of the olecranon spur. All patients underwent a physical examination and completion of the Andrews-Carson scale at a mean of 68 months (range, 25 to 112 months). Results: All patients were male, with a mean age of 21.0 years (range, 17 to 34 years). The dominant arm was affected in all patients. The mean length of symptoms before surgery was 9 months (range, 5 to 24 months). At MRI, a reproducible pattern of pathology was noted. All patients had pathology at the articular surfaces of the posterior trochlea and the anterior, medial olecranon. The findings ranged from abnormal edema-like signal in the hyaline cartilage to cartilage defects and subjacent, subchondral bone marrow edema. Findings at surgery included posteromedial synovitis and olecranon spurring in all patients and loose bodies in 3 patients. On the basis of the Andrews-Carson scale, the subjective and objective outcome was considered excellent in 7 patients and good in 2. Conclusions: Posteromedial elbow impingement is a source of disability in the overhead throwing athlete. Correlation of history and physical examination with imaging findings is essential to confirm the diagnosis. This study indicates that MRI identifies a reproducible pattern of pathology in throwing athletes with this disorder. These MRI findings correlate highly with arthroscopic evaluation. Arthroscopic debridement, olecranon spur excision, and loose body removal allow return to throwing sports and reliable subjective and objective results in carefully selected patients. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with patient selection of graft type for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: We retrospectively identified 1,038 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction over a 5-year period. Surgery was performed by 5 different surgeons. A questionnaire was sent to patients at a minimum of 24 months'' follow-up to determine which type of graft was used, why they chose that graft, whether they were satisfied with their graft and outcome, and whether they would choose another graft and, if so, which one; it also included a visual analog scale to rate their recovery. Results: Questionnaires were received from 240 patients. The mean follow-up from the time of surgery was 41.3 months (range, 24 to 96 months). There were a variety of allografts and autografts used. Overall, allograft was used in 63.3% of patients and autograft in 35.4%. The most common factor influencing graft selection was physician recommendation (74.2%). Patients rated their recovery on average as 8.48 (±1.8) out of 10 on the visual analog scale (range, 0 to 10). Of the patients, 93% were satisfied with their graft selection. Only 12.7% would choose another graft if in the situation again. Of these patients, 63.3% would change from an autograft to allograft. Conclusions: This study suggests that the most important factor for a patient choosing a graft for ACL reconstruction is physician recommendation. Our study has shown an increasing trend in our group toward the use of allograft materials for ACL reconstruction (63.3% of all graft materials selected). Of the individuals who were dissatisfied with their graft, 63% who originally chose autograft would choose allograft as a source in the future. Level of Evidence: Level III, prognostic case-control study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since the introduction of the beach chair position for shoulder arthroscopy, orthopaedic surgeons have debated whether the beach chair or lateral decubitus is superior. Most surgeons use the same patient position to perform all of their arthroscopic shoulder procedures, regardless of the pathology. Each position has its advantages and disadvantages. The evidence regarding the efficiency, efficacy, and risks of the lateral decubitus and the beach chair positions for shoulder arthroscopy does not show one position to be superior. This review presents a comparison of these positions with regard to setup, surgical visualization, access, and patient risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to objectively compare volume reduction after arthroscopic plication and open lateral capsular shift. Type of Study: Experimental cadaver study. Methods: Fifteen fresh-frozen human cadaver shoulders were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: arthroscopic plication (n = 7) or open lateral capsular shift (n = 8). Initial capsular volume was measured by repeated injection of a viscous fatty acid sulfate solution and recorded for each specimen. Repeated measurements were taken after the procedure to determine volume reduction. Results: Both procedures resulted in reduction of capsular volume. The arthroscopic plication resulted in a 22.8% volume reduction and the open lateral capsular shift resulted in a 49.9% volume reduction. Comparison of the 2 procedures revealed significant volume reduction after open lateral capsular shift compared with arthroscopic plication (P = .00001). Repeated measurements confirmed that the injection technique was valid and reproducible. Conclusions: The lateral capsular shift resulted in significantly greater volume reduction compared with arthroscopic plication. Based on these results, we recommend an open lateral-based capsular shift for patients with multidirectional instability in which a larger capsular shift is required. However, additional plication sutures may allow for an even further reduction in volume. The amount of volume reduction required to eliminate instability still remains unknown for patients with shoulder instability caused by capsular laxity. Level of Evidence: Level IV Case Series, in vitro anatomic comparison of 2 surgical procedures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Standard endoscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is performed with the use of 2 arthroscopic portals. The surgical error most commonly associated with ACL reconstruction is improper positioning of the tunnel. Errors in femoral tunnel position may be related to poor visualization of the lateral wall. When anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction is performed, proper visualization of the lateral wall is essential to ensure correct placement of both tunnels. We propose the use of a central portal, in addition to more standard anterolateral and anteromedial portals, to enhance visualization of the lateral wall. In addition, the arthroscope can be moved interchangeably throughout the portals during the procedure for improved viewing during specific steps. An accessory anteromedial portal placed inferiorly and medially allows placement of the femoral tunnels while providing a high central anteromedial portal for best visualization of the lateral wall. As a result, no notchplasty is required, and a more anatomic reconstruction can be performed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]