Emil Stefan Vutescu

Dr. Emil Stefan Vutescu

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
7 August 2019 in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
APAlfonso J. Pérez
Alfonso J. Pérez
RJRishabh G. Jethanandani
Rishabh G. Jethanandani
EVEmil Stefan Vutescu
Emil Stefan Vutescu
KMKathleen N. Meyers
Kathleen N. Meyers
SLSteve K. Lee
Steve K. Lee
SWScott W. Wolfe
Scott W. Wolfe
Background: Isolated injuries of the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) are insufficient to produce dorsal intercalated segment instability. There is no consensus about which additional ligamentous stabilizers are critical determinants of dorsal intercalated segment instability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the long radiolunate (LRL), scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT), and dorsal intercarpal (DIC) ligaments in preventing dorsal intercalated segment instability. Methods: Thirty fresh-frozen forearms were randomized to 5 ligament section sequences to study the SLIL, LRL, STT, and DIC ligaments. The DIC-lunate insertion (DICL) and scaphoid insertion (DICS) were studied separately; the DIC insertions on the trapezium and triquetrum were left intact. Loaded posteroanterior and lateral fluoroscopic images were obtained at baseline and repeated after each ligament was sectioned. After each sequence, the wrists were loaded cyclically (71 N). The radiolunate angle was measured with load. Dorsal intercalated segment instability was defined as an increase of >15° in the radiolunate angle compared with baseline. Results: Division of the SLIL did not increase the radiolunate angle. Section of the SLIL+LRL or SLIL+DICL significantly increased the radiolunate angle but did not produce dorsal intercalated segment instability. Section of the SLIL+STT or SLIL+DICL+DICS produced dorsal intercalated segment instability. Conclusions: In order to produce dorsal intercalated segment instability, complete scapholunate injuries require the disruption of at least 1 critical ligament stabilizer of the scaphoid or lunate (the STT or DICL+DICS). Clinical Relevance: When treating SLIL tears with dorsal intercalated segment instability, techniques to evaluate the volar and dorsal critical stabilizers of the proximal carpal row should be considered.

EVEmil Stefan Vutescu
Emil Stefan Vutescu
SOSebastian Orman
Sebastian Orman
EGEdgar Garcia-Lopez
Edgar Garcia-Lopez
JLJustin Lau
Justin Lau
AGANDREW GAGE
ANDREW GAGE
AJAristides Cruz Jr.
Aristides Cruz Jr.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common injury in young athletes. To restore knee stability and function, patients often undergo ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Historically, there has been a focus in this population on the epidemiology of ACL injury, the technical aspects of ACL reconstruction, and post-operative functional outcomes. Although increasingly recognized as an important aspect in recovery, there remains limited literature examining the psychological aspects of post-operative rehabilitation and return to play following youth ACL reconstruction. Despite technical surgical successes and well-designed rehabilitation programs, many athletes never reach their preinjury athletic performance level and some may never return to their primary sport. This suggests that other factors may influence recovery, and indeed this has been documented in the adult literature. In addition to restoration of functional strength and stability, psychological and social factors play an important role in the recovery and overall outcome of ACL injuries in the pediatric population. Factors such as psychological readiness to return-to-play (RTP), motivation, mood disturbance, locus of control, recovery expectations, fear of reinjury, and self-esteem are correlated to the RTP potential of the young athlete. A better understanding of these concepts may help to maximize young patients’ outcomes after ACL reconstruction. The purpose of this article is to perform a narrative review of the current literature addressing psychosocial factors associated with recovery after ACL injury and subsequent reconstruction in young athletes. Our goal is to provide a resource for clinicians treating youth ACL injuries to help identify patients with maladaptive psychological responses after injury and encourage a multidisciplinary approach when treating young athletes with an ACL rupture.

1 August 2021 in Journal of Biomechanics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RBRohit Badida
Rohit Badida
BABardiya Akhbari
Bardiya Akhbari
EVEmil Stefan Vutescu
Emil Stefan Vutescu
DMDouglas C. Moore
Douglas C. Moore
SWScott W. Wolfe
Scott W. Wolfe
JCJoseph J. Crisco
Joseph J. Crisco

29 July 2020 in Journal of Wrist Surgery
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
EVEmil Stefan Vutescu
Emil Stefan Vutescu
SWScott W. Wolfe
Scott W. Wolfe
KSKevin Sung
Kevin Sung
RJRishabh Jethanandani
Rishabh Jethanandani
SLSteve K. Lee
Steve K. Lee
Background Dorsal scaphoid translation (DST) has been demonstrated to occur in patients with complete scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) tears. Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have demonstrated ability to detect DST in patients with documented complete scapholunate (SL) disruption, but the relevance of this parameter to outcomes of reconstruction has not been determined.Purpose The purpose of this article is to determine how radiographic parameters of SL dissociation correlate with postoperative pain and functional outcomes of SLIL reconstruction.Methods We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on a cohort of 14 patients who underwent SLIL repair or reconstruction. Preoperative data included radiographic measurements of carpal posture and alignment (SL angle, radiolunate [RL] angle, SL gap, and DST), self-reported measure of average pain on a numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0 to 10, and the patient rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) survey. Postoperatively, the same data were collected at each follow-up visit. Radiographic parameters were statistically compared with postoperative NRS pain score and PRWE scores. Statistical correlations were calculated using Spearman's correlation coefficient, and mean NRS pain scores were compared using Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests, with an α value of p = 0.05.Results Mean NRS pain scores improved significantly after surgery. Mean DST improved significantly after surgery. The presence of postoperative dorsal scaphoid translation (DST) correlated strongly with postoperative pain. SL angle, RL angle, and SL gap showed no correlation with patient reported pain. There was no correlation with any radiographic parameter and PRWE.Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the presence of DST in postoperative radiographs has a strong correlation with patient reported pain following SLIL reconstruction. We conclude that correction of dorsal translation of the scaphoid is a more sensitive predictor of postoperative pain relief than SL gap, RL angle, or SL angle.Level of evidence This is a Level IV study.

7 June 2018 in Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume)
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
CJChristine C. Johnson
Christine C. Johnson
EVEmil Stefan Vutescu
Emil Stefan Vutescu
TMTheodore T. Miller
Theodore T. Miller
ONO. Kenechi Nwawka
O. Kenechi Nwawka
SLSteve K. Lee
Steve K. Lee
SWScott W. Wolfe
Scott W. Wolfe
Inadvertent median nerve harvest is a devastating complication of palmaris longus harvest. Accurate assessment of palmaris longus presence and dimensions preoperatively would minimize this risk and assure safe harvest. We hypothesized that ultrasound would accurately predict palmaris longus presence, length and diameter. Seventeen cadaveric forearms were studied using a LOGIQ-E9 ultrasound. Two radiologists assessed palmaris longus presence and dimensions. Each wrist was explored, and the tendon was harvested and measured. Inter-rater reliability and agreement between measurements was assessed. The palmaris longus was present in 13 of 17 forearms. Both radiologists correctly identified the tendon and its absence (sensitivity and specificity, 100%). Ultrasound assessment of palmaris longus dimensions significantly correlated with surgical measurements. Intraclass correlation coefficient between radiologists was 0.97. We conclude that ultrasound can determine palmaris longus presence and dimensions with excellent accuracy and inter-observer reliability. Ultrasound is useful for preoperative evaluation of the palmaris longus and its use will increase patient safety.

1 December 2021 in JBJS Reviews
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
SOSebastian Orman
Sebastian Orman
JAJ. Alex Albright
J. Alex Albright
EVEmil Stefan Vutescu
Emil Stefan Vutescu
CECraig P. Eberson
Craig P. Eberson
» Physician burnout is a barrier to the patient-centered approach to health care. » One of the driving factors of resident burnout is the decreased level of control that residents have over their everyday lives. » Providing residents with a sense of control over their lives and their jobs increases job satisfaction and leads to a decrease in reports of negative effects on health, rest, participation in extracurricular activities, and time with family.