Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine最新文献

Purpose of review: Understanding the management of lumbar spinal fractures and return to play (RTP) criteria is an essential component of care for adult athletes. Appropriate management of lumbar spinal fractures must balance minimizing time away from physical activity while also minimizing risk of reinjury. The purpose of this review is to summarize current recommendations on lumbar spinal fracture management and RTP guidelines and to provide expert opinion on areas of discrepancy in the field.

Recent findings: There is a paucity of high-level evidence on the management and return to play criteria for adult lumbar spine fractures in athletes. Much of the data and recommendations are based on expert opinion and studies in pediatric or osteoporotic patients, which may not be applicable to adult athletes. These data presented here may be used to aid patient-physician conversations and provide guidance on expectations for patients, coaches, and athletic trainers. In general, we recommend that patients be free of lumbar pain, neurologically intact, and have full strength and motion of the lumbar spine and lower extremities before returning to play. Adequate protective equipment is recommended to be worn at all times during practice and play.

Purpose of review: This study aimed to provide an overview of some of the medical concerns surrounding the care of the pediatric endurance athletes and add to the limited literature specific to the pediatric endurance athlete.

Recent findings: Endurance athletes are at risk for overtraining, relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), overuse injuries, nutritional deficiencies, and sleep dysfunction. Youth runners and female endurance athletes are particularly high-risk populations for RED-S; nutritional deficiencies and their care should involve thoughtful mitigation of modifiable risk factors. The growing endurance athlete may experience slightly different cardiac adaptations than the adult endurance athlete with the long-term implications of these changes still unclear. Endurance sports are common among youth athletes. Multidisciplinary care that includes screening and early intervention for high-risk areas is critical to optimize their care and promote, safe lifelong sport participation.

Purpose of review: Irreparable subscapularis tears, especially in younger patients with higher functional demands, present a challenging entity. Pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi tendon transfers are commonly considered for surgical management of this pathology, yet no consensus exists regarding the superior option. The purpose of this article is to review the most current tendon transfer techniques for irreparable subscapularis tears.

Recent findings: For decades, transfer of the pectoralis major has been considered the gold standard technique for irreparable subscapularis tears. This transfer was found to reduce pain and improve functional outcome scores, yet range of motion and force of internal rotation were not maintained in long-term follow-up studies. The latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for the same indications has demonstrated biomechanical superiority in recent cadaveric studies with promising short-term results clinically. Both pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi tendon transfers improve outcomes of patients with irreparable subscapularis tears. Future comparative studies are still needed to determine superiority amongst techniques.

Purpose of review: Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) continues to rise in incidence, and thus there is an increased focus on factors that predict patient outcomes. The factors that impact the outcomes of arthroscopic FAIS treatment are complex. The purpose of this review is to outline the current literature concerning predictors of patient outcomes for arthroscopic treatment of FAIS.

Recent findings: Multiple studies have shown that various patient demographics, joint parameters, and surgical techniques are all correlated with postoperative outcomes after arthroscopic FAIS surgery, as measured by both validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores and rates of revision surgery including hip arthroplasty. To accurately predict patient outcomes for arthroscopic FAIS surgery, consideration should be directed toward preoperative patient-specific factors and intraoperative technical factors. The future of accurately selecting patient predictors for outcomes will only improve with increased data, improved techniques, and technological advancement.

Purpose of review: The importance of the gut microbiome has received increasing attention in recent years. New literature has revealed significant associations between gut health and various orthopedic disorders, as well as the potential for interventions targeting the gut microbiome to prevent disease and improve musculoskeletal outcomes. We provide a broad overview of available literature discussing the links between the gut microbiome and pathogenesis and management of orthopedic disorders.

Recent findings: Human and animal models have characterized the associations between gut microbiome dysregulation and diseases of the joints, spine, nerves, and muscle, as well as the physiology of bone formation and fracture healing. Interventions such as probiotic supplementation and fecal transplant have shown some promise in ameliorating the symptoms or slowing the progression of these disorders. We aim to aid discussions regarding optimization of patient outcomes in the field of orthopedic surgery by providing a narrative review of the available evidence-based literature involving gut microbiome dysregulation and its effects on orthopedic disease. In general, we believe that the gut microbiome is a viable target for interventions that can augment current management models and lead to significantly improved outcomes for patients under the care of orthopedic surgeons.

Purpose of review: The purpose of the review is to provide an updated overview of a relatively novel but controversial surgical device (InSpace subacromial balloon, Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) that can be readily incorporated into the armamentarium of the shoulder surgeon. The authors review the critical clinical and surgical decision-making aspects of InSpace. A recommended surgical technique and rehabilitation protocol are outlined. The authors present a nuanced view of the balloon spacer in the continuum of care of the irreparable rotator cuff tear.

Recent findings: Within the last year, two Level I clinical trials have been published, and the data from these studies offer conflicting evidence regarding the utility of the subacromial balloon spacer. The current review contrasts these two recent studies and offers a framework by which the available evidence can be practically understood with respect to clinical decision-making. The literature currently supports a limited indication for use of InSpace: the elderly, low-demand patient with preserved active range of motion with an operatively irreparable, posterosuperior rotator cuff tear with an intact subscapularis. The InSpace subacromial balloon spacer is a simple device that can yield substantial improvements in clinical outcomes among a subset of patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears. InSpace is not a panacea for the complex, irreparable rotator cuff tear. Individualized decision-making is necessary in this diverse and challening patient population.

Purpose of review: In this review, we present recent findings and advancements in the use of neuroimaging to evaluate neural activity relative to ACL injury risk and patellofemoral pain. In particular, we describe prior work using fMRI and EEG that demonstrate the value of these techniques as well as the necessity of continued development in this area. Our goal is to support future work by providing guidance for the successful application of neuroimaging techniques that most effectively expose pain and injury mechanisms.

Recent findings: Recent studies that utilized both fMRI and EEG indicate that athletes who are at risk for future ACL injury exhibit divergent brain activity both during active lower extremity movement and at rest. Such activity patterns are likely due to alterations to cognitive, visual, and attentional processes that manifest as coordination deficits during naturalistic movement that may result in higher risk of injury. Similarly, in individuals with PFP altered brain activity in a number of key regions is related to subjective pain judgements as well as measures of fear of movement. Although these findings may begin to allow objective pain assessment and identification, continued refinement is needed. One key limitation across both ACL and PFP related work is the restriction of movement during fMRI and EEG data collection, which drastically limits ecological validity. Given the lack of sufficient research using EEG and fMRI within a naturalistic setting, our recommendation is that researchers target the use of mobile, source localized EEG as a primary methodology for exposing neural mechanisms of ACL injury risk and PFP. Our contention is that this method provides an optimal balance of spatial and temporal resolution with ecological validity via naturalistic movement.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) is the preferred treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with surgical range curves. Selection of the proper upper and lower instrumented vertebrae (UIV and LIV) is essential in curve correction and achieving a successful outcome, while preventing short and long-term complications. RECENT FINDINGS: The literature lacks high-level evidence, especially on outcomes of modern surgical techniques. However, evidence seems to show that a great majority of AIS patients have excellent clinical and functional long-term outcomes after PSF. We have reviewed the evidence and provided our level selection recommendations, which should be weighed against the body of evidence on the topic when selecting fusion levels in AIS.

Purpose of review: Acute knee injuries are commonly encountered in both the clinical and sideline setting and may be treated operatively or non-operatively. This article describes an evidence-based approach to non-operative acute knee injury. This includes history, physical exam, imaging, and initial management. In addition, the non-operative management of three such injuries-ligament injury, meniscus injury, and patellar dislocation injury-will be discussed via a case-based practical approach.

Recent findings: Aside from grade III ACL tears, most acute knee ligament injuries, especially in the absence of other concurrent injuries, can be treated non-operatively. There is new evidence that acute traumatic meniscus tears in those younger than 40 can be successfully treated non-operatively and can do equally, as well as those that undergo surgery, at 1 year out from injury. Based on the current literature, a short period of knee bracing in extension with progression to weightbearing to tolerance is recommended after initial patellar dislocation. Many of the most common acute knee injuries, including MCL tears, meniscus tears, and patellar dislocations, can be managed non-operatively. A detailed systemic approach to initial evaluation, including pertinent history, physical exam, and appropriate imaging, is essential and complementary to the subsequent non-operative treatment algorithm.

Purpose of review: Numerous cartilage restoration techniques have proven to be effective in the treatment of articular cartilage defects. The ultimate goal of these procedures is to improve pain and function, thereby increasing the likelihood of a patient's return to physical activity. Postoperative rehabilitation is a key component for a successful and expedient return to activities. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature regarding common surgical options, rehabilitation protocols, and performance outcomes after operative treatment of articular cartilage defects.

Recent findings: Studies have demonstrated improved short- to long-term outcomes in a majority of techniques. However, the clinical benefits of microfracture are short-lived, which has led to the use of alternative procedures. Rehabilitation protocols are not standardized, but emphasis has been placed on bracing, weightbearing, early continuous passive range of motion, and strengthening to improve function. There is growing evidence to suggest that accelerated rehabilitation after matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation may result in superior outcomes compared to delayed rehabilitation. Overall, most techniques result in satisfactory rates of return to play, though existing comparative studies typically include patients with heterogeneous pathology, complicating effective synthesis of outcomes data. In appropriately selected patients, cartilage restoration procedures after articular cartilage injury result in favorable patient-reported clinical outcomes and high rates of return to play. While studies emphasize the critical role that rehabilitation plays with respect to outcomes after surgery, there are substantial inconsistencies in protocols across techniques.