Nonoperative Treatment Research Articles

Associated factors with non[sbnd]operative management failure in bowel obstruction

BackgroundBowel obstruction caused by adhesion syndrome is a prevalent condition in emergency departments, presenting significant economic and morbidity challenges. While nonsurgical approaches succeed in 70–90% of cases, surgery becomes necessary for nonresponsive patients. This study aims to identify predictors of non-operative management failure in patients with bowel obstruction upon emergency room admission. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from 2015 to 2022 at Hospital Militar Central, focusing on patients with bowel obstruction secondary to adhesion syndrome. Comparative analysis of medical and surgical histories and admission laboratory values aimed to identify possibles factors associated with non-operative management failure and subsequent surgical intervention. ResultsAmong 354 patients with bowel obstruction, 130 met inclusion criteria, of whom 98 responded to non-operative treatment and 32 experienced treatment failure. Significant differences were found between groups, including age (p: 0.035), history of two or more abdominal surgeries (10.2% vs. 25%, p: 0.01), appendectomy (17% vs. 37%, p: 0.01), previous surgical intervention for bowel obstruction (22.5% vs. 9.38%, p: 0.008), and hospital stay duration (4.26 vs. 13.2 days, p: 0.001). In multivariate analysis using Poisson regression, age had a prevalence ratio (PR) of 1.01 [95% CI (1.00; 1.02), p < 0.04] for non-operative management failure, the history of peritonitis had a PR of 3.83 [95% CI (2.34; 6.26), p < 0.001], while each unit increase in lactate showed a PR increase of 1.24 [95% CI (0.99; 1.57), p 0.05]. ConclusionAge, history of peritonitis, and elevated lactate values upon emergency room admission are predictive factors for non-operative management failure in bowel obstruction in the population studied.

Grip Strength and Carpal Tunnel: What Interest in Management

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity. Strong evidence supports operative treatment, in motor forms, regardless of technique, as superior to nonoperative treatment. Severity of motor forms of CTS depend of clinicals, and Electroneuromyography aspects. According to ENMG aspects, therapeutics decisions are difficults. Hook grip strength could early diagnosed decreasy strenght, and classified patients. Objectives: Our study aim to determine strenght grip characteristics in differents class of severity in CTS. Patients and Methods: We conducted a multicenter study including patients with unilateral CTS, on two phases. Weren’t included, patients with bilateral CTS and pre-existing functional limitations of upper limb. We classed patients in 3 groups of severity according to motor ENMG results. Hook grip strength measured in all patients by a dynamometer with a maximum strenght of 90 kg on both sides and Functional capacity evaluated by Functional dimension of Boston Crapal Tunel Questionary (FBCTQ). We classes strenght grip on three groups of severity according to differences of both sides. Results: We collected 33 patients. Median age was 48,33 ± 11,67 years. Sex-ratio was 0,27. CTS was severe in 54. 5% of patients. Grip strenght decreased in 81.8% of patients. Minor reduced grip strenght interested 45.5% of patients. FBCTQ score is less than 2/5 in 64% of patients. Functional prognosis factor in CTS were FBCTQS (P= 0.035), trans-carpal Tunel Velocity (p=0,025). Conclusion: Therapeutics decisions in CTS must include evaluation of Hook Grip strength and FBCTQS.

Comparison of Single-Stage and Dual-Stage Approaches for Nonunion Repair in the Absence of Evident Infections

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if routine dual-stage nonunion repair (DSR) surgery lead to better outcomes than single-stage nonunion (SSR) repair surgery in fracture nonunions without evident clinical or laboratory signs of infection. METHODS: Design: Retrospective comparison study Setting: Level One Trauma Center affiliated with an academic teaching hospital Patient selection Criteria: Skeletally mature patients diagnosed with fracture nonunion between June 2013 and January 2022 were included. Patients with previous non-operative treatment, definitive external fixation, previous or current diagnosis of FRI, or less than 12 months of follow-up were excluded. Outcome measures and comparison: Patient characteristics and details of the primary and the revision surgery were recorded. Comparison of the primary outcome measures - FRI, recalcitrant nonunion, and implant failures were performed between SSR and DSR groups RESULTS: A total of 113 patients met the eligibility criteria. Eighty-six patients (mean age 44.8 years, range – 17 – 80 years, 64 percent males) underwent SSR, while 27 patients (mean age 50.8 years, range 21-77 years, 52 percent males) underwent DSR. Seventy six percent underwent SSR and 24 percent underwent DSR. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (open fractures, p=0.918; smoking, p=0.86; lower limb fractures, p=0.238; Diabetes, p=0.503; ESR, p=0.27; CRP, p=0.11; age, p=0.11; CCI, p=0.06) except for a higher rate of DSR in cases initially treated elsewhere (p = 0.015) and in obese patients (p=0.044). Bone grafting was more frequent in DSR using plates (p = 0.030). No significant differences were observed in subsequent infections (6.97 % vs 7.41 %, p=0.939), persistent nonunion (28.2 % vs 14.81 %, p=0.169), or implant failure (19.76 % vs 22.22 %, p=0.782) between SSR and DSR. CONCLUSION: No difference was found in infection, recalcitrant nonunion, and implant failure between single stage repair and dual stage repair for nonunions without overt signs of infection. The study challenges the routine use of DSR, questions the necessity of subjecting patients to two surgical procedures, and advocates for a more judicious approach in the absence of overt FRI in a fracture nonunion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III

Association Between Insufficient Restoration of Meniscal Tension During Surgical Repair of Medial Meniscus Root Tear and Surgical Outcomes: Clinical Implication of Curtain-Cliff Sign.

Despite the clinical benefits over nonoperative treatment or meniscectomy, the clinical outcomes of surgical repair for medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMRT) remain suboptimal, which may be attributed to the insufficient restoration of meniscal hoop tension during surgery. To analyze the clinical outcomes of surgical repair of MMRT based on the appearance of the meniscal tension observed immediately after surgery. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Electronic medical records of patients who underwent arthroscopic transtibial pull-out repair of MMRT between 2010 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with at least a 2-year follow-up and whose overall meniscal status after the surgical repair could be evaluated via arthroscopic images or videos were eligible to be included. Patients were classified based on the presence of the curtain-cliff sign, potentially implying insufficient postoperative meniscal hoop tension (group 1, patients without the curtain-cliff sign; group 2, patients with the curtain-cliff sign). Regression analysis was performed to evaluate whether the curtain-cliff sign reflects postoperative meniscal extrusion. Subsequently, comparative analyses were conducted between the 2 groups regarding baseline demographic data, clinical scores, intraoperative data, and radiologic parameters. A total of 79 patients were included (group 1, 59 patients; group 2, 20 patients). Regression analysis revealed a significant association between the curtain-cliff sign and postoperative meniscal extrusion, suggesting its potential to reflect the postoperative meniscal tension. In the between-group comparisons, there were no differences in baseline demographic data, preoperative clinical scores, and preoperative radiologic variables. However, at the final follow-up, group 2 showed a significantly lower International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score compared with group 1 (group 1, 61.7 ± 14.4; group 2, 52.9 ± 12.5; P = .017), while no significant differences were found in the visual analog scale for pain score and Lysholm score. Additionally, group 2 exhibited significantly higher postoperative meniscal extrusion compared with group 1, which was measured at both the midpoint of the medial femoral condyle (group 1, 4.0 ± 1.1 mm; group 2, 5.1 ± 1.5 mm, P = .004) and the posterior border of the medial collateral ligament (group 1, 4.4 ± 1.2 mm; group 2, 5.7 ± 1.5 mm; P = .004), with more pronounced progression compared with the preoperative status at these sites. Consistently, the progression of both the osteoarthritis grade and the hip-knee-ankle angle compared with preoperatively was significantly greater in group 2. In patients in whom the restoration of meniscal tension appears insufficient immediately after surgical repair of MMRT, relatively poor clinical outcomes can be anticipated. The findings of this study suggest that efforts to reinforce meniscal tension may be required during surgical repair of MMRT in some cases, especially those showing the curtain-cliff sign.

Reoperations After Operatively and Non-Operatively Treated Periprosthetic Knee Fractures: A Nationwide Study on 1,931 Fractures After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Periprosthetic knee fracture (PPKF) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be difficult to treat. A PPKF can be treated both operatively and non-operatively, and the treatment varies between fracture sites. This study aimed to assess the risk of reoperation according to the fracture site and treatment of the PPKF. This study is a nationwide cohort study using register data from 1997 to 2022. Cruciate-retaining or posterior-stabilized primary TKA were identified from the Danish Knee Arthroplasty Register (DKR). Subsequent PPKFs, fracture treatments, and later reoperations were identified through the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) diagnosis and procedure codes in the Danish National Patient Register. Additionally, indications for revision TKA (rTKA) in the DKR were used to identify PPKFs and the reason for reoperation. We included 1,931 PPKFs (1,494 femoral, 207 patellae, and 230 tibial) with an overall two-year reoperation risk of 20% (95% CI [confidence interval]: 18 to 23). Femoral PPKFs had a two-year reoperation risk of 16% (12 to 22) after non-operative treatment and 21% (18 to 24) after operative treatment. Patellar PPKFs had a two-year reoperation risk in five to 17 after non-operative treatment and 46% (30 to 69) after operative treatment. Tibial PPKFs had a two-year reoperation risk of 17% (11 to 27) after non-operative treatment, and 36% (25 to 53) after operative treatment. The overall two-year reoperation risk was 20% (18 to 23). Operative-treated PPKFs had a higher risk of reoperation across all fracture locations. The highest reoperation risk was found after operatively treated patella and tibial PPKFs (46 and 36%, respectively), and the lowest reoperation risk was found after non-operative treated patella PPKFs.

CORR Insights®: Randomized Controlled Trials Studying Nonoperative Treatments of Osteoarthritis Often Use Misleading and Uninformative Control Groups: A Systematic Review

CORR Insights®: Randomized Controlled Trials Studying Nonoperative Treatments of Osteoarthritis Often Use Misleading and Uninformative Control Groups: A Systematic Review

Advanced Non-Operative Interventions for Anterior Knee Pain.

This review presents evidence for advanced non-operative interventions, including extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), adipose tissue-derived cells, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, various additional non-corticosteroid injectates, and needle-based interventions for common causes of anterior knee pain in the adult population. These etiologies include osteoarthritis of the knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome, chondromalacia patella, Hoffa fat pad impingement syndrome, patellar/quadriceps tendinopathy, and prepatellar bursitis. This review discusses patient care options using a case-based understanding of interventions by condition while recognizing strength of evidence. ESWT and PRP are the most robustly studied and have greatest evidence for treating tibiofemoral osteoarthritis and for long-term benefit in treating patellar tendinopathy. PRP may have evidence for treatment of chondromalacia and prolotherapy for management of tibiofemoral arthritis; both have limited evidence. Botulinum neurotoxin type A has strong evidence to support use in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome. There is limited evidence to support the use of viscosupplementation, percutaneous needle tenotomy, and medicinal signaling cell-based therapies beyond platelet-rich plasma for anterior knee pain. There is limited research on the management of quadriceps tendinopathy, prepatellar bursitis, patellofemoral osteoarthritis, and Hoffa's fat pad impingement syndrome. Further research and standardization of protocols are necessary to fully assess these treatments' efficacy. ESWT, cell-based, and needle-based interventions, may serve as effective treatment options for patients with anterior knee pain. Selection of each intervention requires understanding the evidence, level of risk, and appropriate application based on a patient's level of activity to enable clinicians to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.

Optimizing Treatment Strategies for Distal Radius Fractures in Osteoporosis: A Comparative Review

Osteoporosis is a common yet underdiagnosed condition that increases the risk of fractures, contributing to substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are some of the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis and often precede more severe fractures. Managing DRFs in patients with osteoporosis can be a challenge due to altered bone quality, which can affect healing and surgical fixation. This review examines both operative and nonoperative management strategies for DRFs in osteoporotic patients, emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment. Surgical interventions, like open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plating, can facilitate early mobilization and improved alignment, especially in more active patients. However, osteoporosis poses risks such as hardware failure, infection, and malunion, calling for careful patient selection. Conversely, nonoperative management may be more suitable for patients with lower functional demands or higher surgical risks, despite the increased risk of malunion. By adapting treatment strategies to individual patient characteristics, orthopedic surgeons can optimize outcomes, minimize complications, and potentially prevent future fractures. Both operative and nonoperative treatments can yield positive outcomes when personalized to the patient’s needs.

Post-traumatic synostosis of the metatarsals – a case report

BackgroundSynostosis refers to the abnormal fusion of bones, which have varying aetiologies as well as sites which are commonly affected. Existing literature mostly describes the condition arising congenitally, and affecting the radio-ulnar joint.Case presentationA 57-year-old gentleman presented to our department with symptomatic malunion and synostosis of the fourth and fifth metatarsals, two years following non-operative treatment of a closed fifth metatarsal fracture. The patient subsequently underwent surgical excision of the synostosis, but had complications of recurrence at the two-year post-operative date. Repeat surgical excision was performed with eventual good functional outcome and no signs of recurrence.ConclusionOur paper aims to describe the first known case of post-traumatic synostosis affecting the metatarsals, as well as provide a review of the current literature.

Factors associated with favourable short-term non-operative treatment outcomes among patients with degenerative cervical spine disease at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute

Factors associated with favourable short-term non-operative treatment outcomes among patients with degenerative cervical spine disease at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute

Functional Outcome and Patient Satisfaction After Primary vs Secondary Arthrodesis for Lisfranc Injuries: Toward a Single-Surgery Approach.

The choice between primary arthrodesis (PA) and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for acute Lisfranc injuries remains contentious. Apart from primary treatment, arthrodesis is often used for treating chronic Lisfranc injuries, including patients in whom initial ORIF or nonoperative treatment failed. The aim of this study was to compare PA and secondary arthrodesis (SA) in terms of complications and functional outcome. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on trauma patients with Lisfranc injuries treated at a level 1 trauma center between July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2020. Selected patients were evaluated at the outpatient clinic and received a survey. Demographics, injury characteristics, management, complications, and patient-reported outcomes (American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society midfoot score, Foot Function Index) were analyzed. Twenty-nine of 37 potential patients (78.4%; PA n = 11, SA n = 18) completed the survey with a median follow-up of 7.1 (PA) to 9.3 (SA) years (P = .01). The majority were female (n = 18, 62.1%); the mean age of PA patients was 57.1 years (SD 14.2) compared with 43.5 years (SD 17.1) in SA patients (P = .04). In the PA group, there was no infection, 100% union, and implants were removed in 5 of 11 patients. In the SA group, 11.1% (n = 2) developed infection, malunion rate was 11.1%, implants were removed in 33.3% (n = 6), and 22.2% required revision surgery. AOFAS was "good" in PA (77.7, SD 17.3) compared with rated "fair" in SA (67.1, SD 21.3, P = .19). FFI was better in PA (26.0, SD 26.2) than SA (37.6, SD 30.8, P = .32), which exceeded the minimally important clinical difference. Although this study was limited by sample size, the overall results suggest equivalent functional outcome, pain and treatment satisfaction in primary arthrodesis compared with secondary arthrodesis patients for treatment of Lisfranc injury.

Management Options and Clinical Outcomes After Flexor Tendon Ruptures Following Volar Plating of Distal Radius Fractures.

The transition to volar locking plates for the treatment of distal radius fractures has improved patients' range of motion, reduced extensor tendon issues, and hastened return to activity compared to older fixation methods or nonoperative treatment. One drawback to volar plating is the potential for flexor tendon ruptures due to aberrant plate or screw placement. This study aims to describe the reconstruction options and patient outcomes after flexor tendon rupture due to volar plating. This is a single-institution, retrospective review of patients who presented with flexor tendon rupture from 2014 to 2023 after a distal radius fracture previously managed with a volar plate. Patient demographics, operative details, range of motion, complications, and patient-reported outcomes were collected. Ten patients presented with flexor tendon ruptures after volar plating for distal radius fractures from 2014 to 2023. The most common rupture was flexor pollicis longus (FPL) in 7 patients, followed by index finger flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) in 2 patients, and small and ring finger FDP rupture in 1 patient. Flexor pollicis longus (FPL) was reconstructed with a palmaris longus (PL) graft in 4 patients, ring finger flexor digitorum superficialis transfer in 2 patients, and repaired primarily in 1 patient. All patients with FPL ruptures regained functional thumb interphalangeal flexion except for 1 patient who reruptured 4 weeks after surgery. Flexor tendon ruptures can occur following volar plating of distal radius fractures, even years after fixation of the fracture. These are attritional ruptures and generally reconstructed with tendon grafting of transfer, providing functional flexion of the affected digit.

Congruent Weber-B ankle fractures do not alter tibiotalar contact mechanics.

Current treatment strategy for managing Weber B ankle fractures is mainly governed by mortise congruency, malleolar alignment, deltoid ligament competence and fracture stability. While nonoperative treatment has yielded good functional outcomes in satisfactorily aligned stable injuries, a biomechanical rationale is not firmly established. Furthermore, current radiographic analysis is obscured by observer inaccuracy and beam rotation. This study aimed to utilize weightbearing CT and computational biomechanics to analyse 3D mortise displacement and contact mechanics in Weber-B ankle fractures and compare them with the uninjured contralateral side. 32 patients were included who sustained a Weber-B ankle fracture and underwent bilateral weightbearing CT imaging at injury. Segmentation into 3D models of bone was performed semi-automatically, and individualized cartilage layers were modeled based on a previously validated methodology. The 3D mortise congruency was evaluated by use of following parameters: alpha angle, fibular length, talocrural angle, medial gutter- and tibiofibular clear space- distance mapping. Contact mechanics were evaluated by the mean and maximum contact stress of the tibiotalar articulation. Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant differences for all anatomical parameters. There was also no significant difference between the mean contact stress of the injured (2.10 ± 0.42 MPa) and uninjured side (2.10 ± 0.41 MPa), nor the maximum contact stress of the injured (7.67 ± 1.55 MPa) and uninjured (7.47 ± 1.67), respectively. Contact mechanics were unaffected in congruent Weber-B fractures. These findings support consideration of nonoperative management in such cases, given their presumably low risk for posttraumatic arthritic development in the long term. Level of Evidence: Level III; retrospective case-control study.

Patient-reported outcome was close to the Danish background population 6 months after non-surgical treatment of Neer 2-part surgical neck fractures: a prospective cohort study in patients aged 60 or above.

Neer 2-part surgical neck fractures are the most common displaced proximal humerus fractures. We aimed to evaluate patient-reported outcome in a consecutive series of older people receiving nonoperative treatment. This is a single-center prospective cohort study. We included patients aged 60 or above referred to a Danish university hospital. The preregistered protocol followed the recommendations from randomized trials. Patients were followed at the outpatient clinic at 2, 6, and 24 weeks. After 24 weeks, they were evaluated with Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS, 0-48, 48 best) and EuroQoL 5 dimensions, 3 levels (EQ-5D-3L, -0.624 to 1, 1 best). Clinical failure was defined as conversion to surgery or OSS ≤ 24. Population norms were reported to interpret the cohort data, but no formal statistical comparisons between historical cohorts were planned. We used descriptive statistics to report rates and proportions. For 36 months, 268 patients (mean age 76, 79% female) with Neer 2-part surgical neck fractures received non-surgical treatment. After excluding patients with concomitant fractures, dementia, or death, complete follow-up was available for 167 patients. 8 patients (3.0%) had surgery. The mean OSS was 37.2 (SD 8.1), which equals 78% of maximum shoulder function. The norm for the population of the same age and gender was 82%. The mean EQ-5D-3L score was 0.79 (SD 0.16), while the norm for the same-age population was 0.82. 16 (10%) had an OSS score of 24 or below. Non-surgical treatment in older people with Neer 2-part surgical neck fractures resulted after 6 months in patient-reported shoulder function and quality of life close to that of the Danish background population.

Multidisciplinary management strategies for recurrent brain metastasis after prior radiotherapy: An overview.

As cancer patients with intracranial metastatic disease experience increasingly prolonged survival, the diagnosis and management of recurrent brain metastasis pose significant challenges in clinical practice. Prior to deciding upon a management strategy, it is necessary to ascertain whether patients have recurrent/progressive disease vs adverse radiation effect, classify the recurrence as local or distant in the brain, evaluate the extent of intracranial disease (size, number and location of lesions, and brain metastasis velocity), the status of extracranial disease, and enumerate the interval from the last intracranially directed intervention to disease recurrence. A spectrum of salvage local treatment options includes surgery (resection and laser interstitial thermal therapy [LITT]) with or without adjuvant radiotherapy in the forms of external beam radiotherapy, intraoperative radiotherapy, or brachytherapy. Nonoperative salvage local treatments also range from single fraction and fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS/FSRS) to whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Optimal integration of systemic therapies, preferably with central nervous system (CNS) activity, may also require reinterrogation of brain metastasis tissue to identify actionable molecular alterations specific to intracranial progressive disease. Ultimately, the selection of the appropriate management approach necessitates a sophisticated understanding of patient, tumor, and prior treatment-related factors and is often multimodal; hence, interdisciplinary evaluation for such patients is indispensable.

Prolotherapy in the Treatment of Sports-Related Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

As sports have increased in popularity, the incidence of tendinopathy has also grown dramatically. Nonoperative techniques and treatments used to address these pathologies continue to evolve and improve. One such treatment, prolotherapy (PrT), has become increasingly popular and may provide patients with an alternative nonoperative treatment option. To review high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that analyzed PrT treatments for the most common tendinopathies. Specifically, this review aims to provide meaningful data regarding methods and outcomes for each condition treated and guide professionals who are considering PrT as a treatment option. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 2. All RCTs published in English between January 1, 1980, and July 30, 2021, and reported in Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases were reviewed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. After the initial search, a total of 3264 articles were identified. Studies analyzing sports medicine injuries and musculoskeletal pathologies using an RCT design were included, while case-reports, case-studies, reviews, and observational studies were excluded. Two independent researchers reviewed the search results, and conflicts were resolved by discussion of inclusion and exclusion criteria among all authors. The articles' quality was evaluated using the Cochrane tool for assessing the risk of bias. Statistical analysis and graphical representations were performed using SPSS Version 28.00. A total of 20 articles, including 1136 patients, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Overall, in 85% of the studies, PrT was found to be effective in the treatment of tendinopathy. Specifically, PrT was superior to or as effective as the control in 83% (10/12) of the studies analyzing lateral epicondylitis (LE) and rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathies and in 88% (7/8) of the studies on plantar fasciitis (PF), Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD), and Achilles tendinosis (AT). LE, RC, and PF tendinopathies were the most studied conditions (17/20 studies), while AT and OSD were the least studied (3/20 studies). Of the studies, 95% (19/20) used dextrose solutions, with only 1 using solutions of 2.5% phenol, 25% glycerin, and 25% dextrose in sterile water. Our systematic review suggests that PrT appears to be a promising alternative treatment for common tendinopathies. Most studies used a hypertonic dextrose solution. Even though further, larger randomized controlled trials comparing PrT with other orthobiologics would be beneficial, based on this review, sports medicine physiciansmay safely pursue PrT as an additional component of conservative treatment.

Length of Post-treatment Immobilization Following Medial Humeral Epicondyle Avulsion Fracture Predicts Return of Full Range of Motion

Medial epicondyle fractures of the distal humerus are common pediatric fractures, which are increasing in frequency among pediatric and adolescent athletes. Residual elbow stiffness is a feared complication of both surgical and non-operative treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of the relevant variables with the ability of patients to regain full elbow range of motion (FROM). Patients 8-18 years-old enrolled in the Medial Epicondyle Multicenter Outcomes (MEMO) prospective cohort with ≥3 mm of displacement and >1 year of follow-up data were included. Bilateral elbow range of motion (ROM), complications, length of immobilization following definitive treatment (surgical vs. non-operative), participation in formal physical or occupational therapy (PT/OT), and weeks from injury to treatment were recorded. The study cohort consisted of 202 patients (aged 12.7±2.3 years; 59% male). A greater proportion of surgically managed patients regained FROM compared to non-operatively managed patients (71% vs. 56%, P=0.05). Immobilization time was significantly shorter in surgical than non-operative patients (2.0 ±1.1 weeks vs. 3.0±1.2 weeks, P<0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, only immobilization time was an independent predictor of regaining FROM (β=-0.353, P=0.02), which remained statistically significant while controlling for PT/OT (β=0.079, P=0.829) and treatment strategy (β=-0.375, P=0.35). While controlling for treatment strategy and whether a patient received PT/OT, each week of prolonged immobilization decreased the chance of regaining full ROM by 35%. This large multicenter cohort study found that of the variables studied, increased immobilization time was the only independent predictor of residual elbow stiffness following medial epicondyle fractures in children, independent of treatment strategy and receiving PT/OT. With surgical treatment often warranting shorter post-treatment immobilization times, surgery may provide an avenue for consistently regaining FROM when treating these fractures, even in the setting of concomitant dislocation. In cases of minimally displaced fractures, implementing protected early ROM in non-operative cases could be considered. However, when nonoperatively-treated patients in this study were analyzed separately, earlier mobilization was not associated with a protective effect against residual stiffness. Further prospective study into the nuances of surgical indications as well as nonoperative and postoperative immobilization and early motion strategies is therefore warranted.

Nonoperative Treatment of Isolated Posterior Glenohumeral Instability in an Active Military Population: Effect of Glenoid and Acromial Morphology

Background: Nonoperative management of posterior shoulder instability is common. However, limited data are available to assess the pathomorphologic factors associated with its failure. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to determine glenohumeral pathomorphologic features predictive of nonoperative management failure of posterior instability; and (2) to determine the relationship between nonoperative management failure and posterior glenoid bone loss (pGBL) progression. It was hypothesized that greater posterior acromial height (PAH) would adversely affect nonoperative survivorship and that shoulders treated nonoperatively would have pGBL progression compared with those undergoing surgical stabilization. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This was a retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with isolated posterior shoulder instability, defined as isolated posterior labral tear on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with corresponding physical examination findings, who underwent nonoperative management for 6 months and had no previous related surgical history. The primary outcome of interest was the failure of nonoperative management, defined as the inability to return to full military duty or requiring surgical intervention. The morphologic features assessed for association with nonoperative management failure included pGBL, glenoid version, acromial morphology, and posterior humeral head subluxation. We secondarily sought to determine the progression of pGBL on serial MRI scans. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for failure. Results: In this study, 42 of 90 (46.7%) patients had failed nonoperative management and went on to receive an arthroscopic stabilization procedure. The group with failed treatment demonstrated a greater humeral head subluxation ratio than those with successful nonoperative management (0.65 ± 0.2 vs 0.62 ± 0.2; P = .038). Cox proportional hazard analysis identified pGBL, greater PAH, less posterior acromial coverage, and posterior humeral subluxation as significant risk factors for failure. Of those with failed nonoperative management, 17 had repeat MRI scans at a mean of 488.2 ± 87 days after index MRI for comparison, demonstrating a statistically significant progression of pGBL (index MRI, 2.68% ± 1.71%) versus after nonoperative treatment failure (6.54% ± 1.59%; P = .003). Conclusion: Failure occurred 47% of the time in patients who underwent nonoperative management for isolated posterior glenohumeral instability for a minimum of 6 months, and it was associated with a greater posterior humeral head subluxation, less posterior acromial coverage, greater PAH, and greater amounts of glenoid retroversion on index MRI. Additionally, those who had repeat MRI approximately 1 year after the index MRI demonstrated greater pGBL compared with the index MRI.

Short-term Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a potential nonoperative treatment for Achilles tendinopathy, but the current published literature on its effects is sparse. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of PEMF therapy and eccentric exercise for Achilles tendinopathy. Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. A total of 65 participants met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to either the active PEMF group (n = 33) or the sham group (n = 32). The PEMF group received biweekly PEMF therapy (10 minutes per session) for 8 weeks, plus eccentric exercise for 12 weeks. The sham group received the same eccentric exercise for 12 weeks minus active PEMF exposure. The primary outcome was the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) score, tendon neovascularity, and total time spent on sports per week. A physical therapist assessed all outcomes at baseline and then 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the commencement of the PEMF treatment. The level of tendon neovascularity was determined by the Öhberg score (range, 0-3). VISA-A scores improved significantly from baseline to 12 weeks posttreatment in both the PEMF group (from 57.9 to 71.7) and the sham group (from 55.1 to 66.8) (P < .001 for both), with no significant difference in scores between treatment groups throughout the 12 weeks (P = .527). NPRS scores during sports also improved significantly from baseline to 12 weeks for the PEMF group (from 6.05 to 2.95) and the sham group (from 6.45 to 3.85) (P < .001), with no group differences (P = .346). PEMF therapy, in addition to eccentric exercise, did not improve outcome scores or tendon neovascularity compared with eccentric exercise alone in participants with Achilles tendinopathy. NCT05316961 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Synthetic medial meniscus implant demonstrates high reoperation rates: Patients who retain implant or require implant exchange show improvement in post meniscectomy knee pain and clinical function

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes in the use of a synthetic medial meniscus implant in patients symptomatic after medial meniscectomy and not responsive to other treatment methods. and not responded to non-operative treatment. MethodsThis single-arm, multicenter, prospective study enrolled subjects between ages 30-75 with post-meniscectomy pain. Changes from baseline to 24-months were measured in the pain subscale of the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and in KOOS overall (average of all five subscales) in patients that had received a medial meniscus implant. Success was a 20-point improvement at 24-months, reoperation rates, and implant failures were recorded. VAS, IKDC, and WOMET scores were also measured. ResultsOf the 115 treated patients 3 (2.6%) were either lost to follow-up or missed the 24-month visit, 48 (43%) patients had at least one subsequent surgery, 12 (10.7%) had the implant permanently removed. Of the remaining 100 patients, the mean KOOS pain improved 28.4 points at 24 months (P <0.001), and mean KOOS overall improved 28.3 points (P < 0.001). Seventy-six percent of subjects had mean scores for KOOS pain above the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) threshold, and 72% of subjects met or exceeded this threshold for KOOS overall. There were 29 patients (25.9%) who underwent implant exchange. The 24-month clinical outcomes were similar between subjects who had an implant exchange and patients who did not have any subsequent implant procedure (P < 0.2). ConclusionThe synthetic medial meniscus demonstrates high reoperation and failure rates. Patients who retained the implant or required implant exchange showed significantly improved pain, function, and quality of life at 24-month follow-up in patients symptomatic following partial medial meniscectomy and failed non-operative management. The high reoperation rate is a concern, and further evaluation is needed to determine any contributing factors.