Study: Patient-reported Activity Levels and Early Cartilage Degeneration After ACL Reconstruction
A study published online in The American Journal of Sports Medicine assessed the relationship between patient-reported activity levels and progressive cartilage degenerative changes three years after ACL reconstruction. Of 35 patients (mean age, 31 years), 16 had evidence of cartilage degeneration three years postoperatively. Correlations were observed between higher Marx activity scores at three years and cartilage degeneration in the medial femur and medial tibia The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for quality of life was inversely correlated with cartilage degeneration, but Whole-organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score was not associated with cartilage degeneration of the medial compartment.
Study Assesses Osteoporosis Rate, Treatment Before Shoulder Arthroplasty
A study published in the December 2020 issue of the Journal of the AAOS: Global Research & Reviews ® evaluated the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients undergoing elective shoulder arthroplasty as well as the proportion of patients who underwent preoperative dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) testing and had pre- or postoperative osteoporosis medication prescriptions. Of 251 patients who met study inclusion criteria, 171 were eligible for DEXA testing, but only 31 received it. Overall, 80 patients qualified for pharmacologic osteoporosis treatment per the National Osteoporosis Foundation criteria; of these patients, 17 had a prescription for pharmacotherapy.
Study Analyzes Effect of Obesity on Achieving MCID After THA
A study published in the January issue of The Journal of Arthroplasty observed a correlation between obesity and failure to achieve one-year Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-physical Function Short Form (HOOS-PS) minimal clinically important difference (MCID) following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The previously defined MCID threshold was 23. A total of 1,256 THA patients were assessed. HOOS-PS improved by an average 27.6 points. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for BMI and failure to attain HOOS-PS MCID risk was 0.54. Increasing BMI increased the risk for failure. When stratified by obesity class, the correlation was only observed in class III obesity patients.
Study: Unplanned Hospital Readmissions After Metastatic Spine Tumor Surgery
A study published online in the European Spine Journal assessed rates of unplanned hospital readmissions within two years following metastatic spine tumor surgery (MSTS). A total of 272 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Unplanned hospital readmission rates following MSTS were: 30 days, 17.2 percent; 90 days, 31.1 percent; one year, 46.2 percent; and two years, 52.7 percent. Most 30-day unplanned hospital readmissions were due to urological conditions. Disease-related outcomes accounted for most unplanned hospital readmissions at 30 to 90 days. Symptomatic spinal metastases were the most common cause of unplanned hospital readmissions at 90 days to one year. Respiratory conditions were the most prevalent reason for unplanned hospital readmissions at one to two years.
Study: Outcomes for Arthroscopic Treatment of Anterior Ankle Impingement Based on Patient Sex
A systematic review published online in The American Journal of Sports Medicine evaluated clinical outcomes in patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for anterior ankle impingement and assessed whether outcomes differed in males versus females. Twenty-eight studies encompassing 1,506 total patients were analyzed. Patients achieved good to excellent results; the success rate was 81.04 percent. Four studies did not report sex as a demographic variable, and only seven studies performed analyses by sex. Of those studies, four found differences between males and females. Female patients had higher rates of traumatic ankle sprains, chondral injury, and chronic ankle instability associated with anterior ankle impingement.
Case Study of a Successful Return to Professional Men’s Lacrosse During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2019, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) launched a new tour-based model men’s professional lacrosse league. In the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PLL formed a committee to create a safe and successful return to play. There are limited data establishing the protocols required to facilitate this process. Recognizing these limitations, members of the PLL COVID-19 Committee were tasked with developing a consensus expert opinion framework on return to sport in the era of COVID-19. This article discusses the committee’s creation of a return-to-play plan focusing on a 20-game Championship Series in a quarantine bubble without fans, as well as the logistics of the quarantine bubble.
Save the Date: AAOS Open Hearings and AAOS Business Meetings
The AAOS Bylaws require certain business to be handled in conjunction with the AAOS Annual Meeting, including transition of leadership, nominations for the AAOS Nominating Committee, and consideration of the proposed AAOS Resolutions and AAOS Bylaws Amendments. With the move of the 2021 AAOS Annual Meeting to Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, AAOS will plan to conduct the required AAOS business via virtual platform in March. The AAOS Open Hearings will be held on Wednesday, March 10 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. CST. The AAOS Business Meetings will follow on Thursday, March 11, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. CST. Details will follow with the distribution of the Official Notice. Contact malert@aaos.org with questions.
