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Introduction The anterolateral thigh free flap is currently one of the most useful reconstructive options. A long pedicle with suitable vessel diameter, reliable anatomy and the availability of different tissues with large amounts of skin make this flap versatile. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flap versatility in a series of patients with coverage defects in both, the upper and lower limbs. Methods A retrospective study was performed. Inclusion criteria were patients with defects in the extremities to whom this flap was made as a reconstructive treatment. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were analyzed. Results Twelve patients (7 men and 5 women) with an average age of 44 years were included. Defects were caused by oncological resection (9 patients) and trauma (3 cases). In 4 cases the defect was in the upper extremity and in 8 cases in the lower extremity. The average time between the defect and the reconstructive surgery was 8 days. The survival rate of the flap was 92%, with only one failure. Donor site presented no complications and primary closure was performed in all cases, except for two requiring closure with skin graft. Conclusions Anterolateral thigh free flap is a valid and very useful resource for coverage of defect of different etiologies in the upper and lower limbs since its versatility allows its successful adaptation in defects of varied location and size.

Background: There is no universally accepted definition of “contact” or “collision” sports in the literature. The few available studies evaluating contact and collision sports consider them to be synonymous. However, athletes in collision sports purposely hit or collide with each other or with inanimate objects with greater force and frequency than in contact sports, which could jeopardize functional outcomes. Purpose: To compare the functional outcomes, return to sports, and recurrences in a series of contact and collision athletes with a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation treated using arthroscopic stabilization with suture anchors. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 56 athletes were enrolled in this study, including 22 contact athletes and 34 collision athletes. All athletes underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilization using suture anchors. Range of motion, the Rowe score, a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System (ASOSS) were used to assess functional outcomes. Return to sports and recurrences were also evaluated. Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 22.2 years, and the mean follow-up was 62.4 months (range, 36-94 months). No significant difference in shoulder motion was found between preoperative and postoperative results or between the contact and collision groups. The Rowe, VAS, and ASOSS scores showed statistical improvement in both groups after surgery (P = .001). Patients in the contact group returned to sports significantly faster than those in the collision group (5.2 vs 6.9 months, respectively; P = .01). In all, 43 athletes (76.8%) returned to near-preinjury sports activity levels (≥90% recovery) after surgery: 86.4% of patients in the contact group and 70.6% in the collision group (P = .04). The total recurrence rate was 8.9%. There were 5 recurrences (14.7%) in the collision group and no recurrences in the contact group (P < .01). Conclusion: Arthroscopic stabilization for anterior instability of the shoulder is a reliable procedure with respect to shoulder function, range of motion, and postoperative return to sports in contact and collision athletes. Compared with the contact group (0%), the collision group yielded a higher failure rate (14.7%). Moreover, patients in the contact group returned significantly faster (5.2 vs 6.9 months, respectively) and to and more returned to preinjury or near-preinjury activity levels (86.4% vs 70.6% of patients, respectively) than patients in the collision group.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a series of patients one year after an ACL revision with clinical evaluation and MRI, to consider their condition before returning to sports activities. Methods: A descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study was performed. A series of patients who underwent an ACL revision between March 2014 and March 2015 were evaluated after one year post surgery. They were evaluated using the Lysholm score, IKDC, Tegner, artrometry and MRI (3.0 t). A signal pattern and osteointegration was determined in the MRI. Graft signal intensity of the ACL graft using the signal/noise quotient value (SNQ) was also determined to evaluate the ligamentatization process state. Results: A total of 18 male patients were evaluated with a mean age of 31 years old.Average scores were: Lysholm 88 points, IKDC 80 points, Pre-surgical Tegner 9 points and postoperative 4 points. Artrhometry (KT1000) at 20 newtons showed a side to side difference of less than 3 mm in 88%. Only 44% of patients returned to their previous sport activity one year after revision.The MRI showed a heterogeneous signal in neoligaments in 34% of patients. SNQ showed graft integration in only 28%. Synovial fluid was found in bone-graft interphase in 44% of tunnels, inferring partial osteointegration. The heterogeneous signal was present in 50% of patients who did not return to the previous sport level activity. (Fisher statistics: p = 0.043) There were no meaningful differences in patients with auto or allografts. Conclusion: Although the clinical evaluation was satisfactory, only 44% of patients returned to the previous level of sport activity one year after the ACL surgery. The ligamentatization process was found in 28% of knees evaluated with MRI one year later. Partial osteointegration is inferred in 44%. Results showed a meaningful relation between the signal of neoligaments in the MRI and the return to sport activity in said series of patients. MRI is a useful tool to consider the return to sports one year after the ACL revision.