Background: The increase in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in pediatric patients and the high failure rate reported in the literature in this population are driving surgeons to search for specific techniques to better restore knee stability. Recent literature has reported that the combination of lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) and ACL reconstruction improves outcomes in high-risk patients. However, such advantages in pediatric patients have been infrequently evaluated. Purpose: To assess whether adding LET to ACL reconstruction can significantly improve knee stability, clinical outcomes, and failure rates in pediatric patients. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A multicentric study involving 3 orthopaedic teaching centers was conducted to evaluate pediatric patients aged between 12 and 16 years who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction using a physeal-sparing femoral tunnel drilling technique. A minimum 2-year follow-up evaluation was required. Based on the surgical technique performed, the patients were divided into 2 group. The patients in group 1 underwent an isolated arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, while the patients in group 2 had an arthroscopic ACL reconstruction in combination with a modified Lemaire LET procedure. Group 1 was a historical control cohort of patients, whereas group 2 was prospectively enrolled. All the patients included in the present study were clinically evaluated using the Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC) subjective score and the Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (Pedi-FABS) score. Anteroposterior knee stability was measured using the KT-1000 knee ligament arthrometer, and the objective pivot-shift evaluation was documented using a triaxial accelerometer (Kinematic Rapid Assessment [KiRA]). The included patients also underwent a standardized radiological protocol to evaluate leg-length discrepancies, axial deviation, and degenerative signs preoperatively and at last follow-up. Results: This study included 66 pediatric patients with an anatomic hybrid ACL reconstruction using an autologous 4-strand hamstring graft. In group 1, there were 34 patients (mean age, 13.5 ± 1.2 years), while 32 patients (mean age, 13.8 ± 1.4 years) were included in group 2. The clinical outcome scores showed no difference between the 2 groups (Pedi-IKDC, P = .072; Pedi-FABS, P = .180). Nevertheless, the patients in group 2 had better anteroposterior stability measured using a KT-1000 arthrometer (1.9 ± 1.1 mm in group 1 vs 0.8 ± 0.8 mm in group 2; P = .031), as well as better rotational stability measured using the KiRA (–0.59 ± 1.05 m/s 2 in group 2 vs 0.98 ± 1.12 m/s 2 in group 1; P = .012). The patients in group 1 returned to sports at the same competitive level at a rate of 82.4%, while patients included in group 2 returned at the same competitive level in 90.6% of the cases without a significant difference between the 2 groups ( P = .059). No leg-length discrepancies were found between the 2 groups at last follow-up ( P = .881). Two patients displayed an increased valgus deformity of 3° on the operated limb at last follow-up (1 patient in group 1 and 1 patient in group 2). Group 1 had a significatively higher cumulative failure rate (14.7% vs 6.3%; P = .021). No intra- or postoperative complications was observed between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Performing a modified Lemaire LET along with an ACL reconstruction with hamstring graft in pediatric patients reduced the cumulative failure rate and improved objective stability with no increase in intra- or postoperative complications. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of patient-reported outcomes or in the return-to-sports activity.
Suprascapular neuropathy is an uncommon but increasingly recognized cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction due to nerve entrapment. The aim of this review is to summarize some important aspects of this shoulder pathology. An extensive research was performed on PubMed and Clinical Key. The goal was to collect all the anatomical, biomechanical and clinical studies to conduct an extensive overview of the issue. Attention was focused on researching the state of art of the diagnosis and treatment. A total of 59 studies were found suitable and included. This condition is more frequently diagnosed in over-head athletes or patients with massive rotator cuff tears. Diagnosis may be complex, whereas its treatment is safe, and it has a great success rate. Prompt diagnosis is crucial as chronic conditions have worse outcomes compared to acute lesions. Proper instrumental evaluation and imaging are essential. Dynamic compression must initially be treated non-operatively. If there is no improvement, surgical release should be considered. On the other hand, soft tissue lesions may first be treated non-operatively. However, surgical treatment by arthroscopic means is advisable when possible as it represents the gold standard therapy. Other concomitant shoulder lesions must be recognized and treated accordingly.
12 June 2025 in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Purpose: Part two of this consensus aimed to provide recommendations for the prevention of meniscus injuries, non‐operative treatment of acute tears and degenerative lesions, return to sports and patient‐reported outcome measures.Methods: This consensus followed the European Society of Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) formal consensus methodology. For this combined ESSKA—American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)—American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AASPT) initiative, 67 experts from 14 countries, including orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists, were involved. The 26 Steering Group members established guiding questions, screened the existing evidence, and proposed statements, and provided Grades of recommendations. The 41 Rating Group members assessed the statements according to a Likert scale (1–9). Final documents were assessed by an international peer review group for geographical adaptability.Results: Low to moderate scientific level of evidence was available, so that grades of recommendations were low (three Grade A ratings, four Grade B, three Grade C and 13 Grade D), underlining the relevance of this consensus. One strong and 17 relative agreements with overall median of 8 (8–9) and a mean of 7.92 ± 0.37 were achieved for 23 statements on 18 questions. Prevention of meniscus injuries is possible with general knee injury reduction programmes and through avoidance of certain activities. Non‐operative treatment including physical therapy is the first line approach for degenerative meniscus lesions and may be an option for some acute tears. Return to sports after meniscus tear surgery should be both criterion‐based and time‐based. Patient reported outcomes in combination with performance‐based measures are recommended to evaluate the rehabilitation process.Conclusion: This international EU–US consensus established recommendations for prevention strategies, describes rehabilitation of non‐operated patients and of patients after partial meniscectomy, meniscus repair and meniscus reconstruction, and establishes return to sport criteria. These updated and structured recommendations may be applied by surgeons and physiotherapists.Level of Evidence: Level I, consensus.
1 January 2019 in Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
Background: High tibial osteotomy is an established and helpful treatment for unicompatimental osteoarthritis associated with varus deformity. However, asupratubercle high tibial osteotomy leads to a decrease in patellar height making the technique not suitable in case of concomitant patella baja. Moreover, this kind of osteotomy can change in situ forces at patellofemoral joint and the lateral patellar tilt. With the aim to widen the indication of high tibial osteotomy was proposed a biplane opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with a distal tuberosity osteotomy (B‐OWHTO). This technique provide that the tibial tuberosity remains joined to the tibial metaphysis so as not to theoretically alter the patellar height. However, some Authors claim that BOWHTO could lead to an increase in tibial slope. The purpose of the present study was to assess the tibial slope, patella‐femoral changes and axial correction as well as functional outcomes following a B‐OWHTO.Methods: Patients operated on with a B‐OWHTO and a minimum 24 months of follow‐up were included. The mechanical alignment of the lower limb, patellar height, lateral patellar tilt and posterior tibial slope were calculated preoperatively, immediately after surgery and at the 24‐month follow‐up. The clinical results were evaluated using the Lysholm, Kujala and Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores. The possible postoperative development of patellofemoral pain or radiologic patellofemoral alteration was also evaluated.Results: Twenty‐three patients were included with a mean follow‐up of 33 months (range 27‐41). The mechanical alignment of the lower limb shifted from a mean 9.3º ± 2.5 varus preoperatively to a mean 0.2º ± 2.2 valgus postoperatively. No changes in patellar height, lateral patellar tilt or in the posterior tibial slope were observed. The mean Lysholm and HSS scores improved from 68.3 ± 9.1 and 64.2 ± 5.2 preoperatively to 93.2 ± 2.1 and 94.1 ± 3.6 at final follow‐up (p < 0.01). The mean Kujala score improved from 67.3 ± 9.8 to 86.4 ± 7.6 at final follow up (p < 0.01). No patients developed both radiological or clinical symptoms at patellofemoral joint.Conclusions: Open wedge high tibial osteotomy with a dihedral L‐cut distal and posterior to the tibial tubercle accurately corrected axial malalignment without any change at patella‐femoral joint or any modification to the posterior tibial slope while providing improved knee function at short‐term follow‐up. The radiographic as well as the clinical results support the use of this technique to treat medial compartment knee osteoarthritis and varus malalignment in young and middle‐aged patients with a normal‐to‐low patellar height.Level of evidence: Case series with no comparison group, Level IV.
1 May 2020 in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy