Surgical management of osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the patella and trochlea in the pediatric and adolescent population

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of published data regarding the management of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the patellofemoral joint in children and adolescents.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the functional outcomes of surgical management of OCD lesions of the patella and trochlea in children and adolescents. Secondary aims included elucidating predictors for higher functional outcomes and determining complication rates, surgical satisfaction, and ability to return to sports.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Patients aged 18 years and younger who were surgically treated for OCD of the patella or trochlea were identified. Charts were queried to record patient/lesion data, surgical procedure, results, and complications. Pre- and postoperative imaging was reviewed. Patients were asked to complete a follow-up athletic questionnaire and a Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC) questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted to look for predictors for reoperation, residual pain, ability to return to sports, and lower Pedi-IKDC scores.

RESULTS

A total of 26 children (9 females, 17 males, 3 with bilateral lesions; thus, 29 lesions) were identified. The mean age was 14.7 years (range, 9-18, years), 21 of the 29 knees with lesions (72%) had open physes, and median follow-up was 3.8 years (range, 1-9 years). The most common location was the trochlea (17/29 lesions; 59%). Twenty-two lesions (76%) underwent transarticular drilling (n = 14) or drilling with fixation (n = 8), while 7 underwent excision and marrow stimulation. Four patients (14%) required unplanned reoperation. Internal fixation was predictive of reoperation (odds ratio [OR] = 8.7; 95% CI, 2.8-26.9; P = .04). At final follow-up, 14 knees (48%) were pain free, and 14 (48%) had mild residual pain. Female sex was predictive of residual pain (OR, 9; 95% CI, 2-56; P = .02). Twenty-two patients (85%) returned to sports. Longer duration of preoperative pain negatively affected return to sports (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.05-0.97; P = .04). On postoperative MRI, the lesion appeared completely healed in 2 cases (18%) and partially healed in 9 cases (82%). All 15 survey respondents were satisfied with surgery. The mean Pedi-IKDC score was 82.4 ± 17.8 (range, 40.2-100).

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of patellofemoral OCD in children and adolescents produces a high rate of satisfaction and return to sports. Female sex, prolonged duration of symptoms, and internal fixation may be associated with worse outcomes.

Myth busters: an AOA symposium: AOA critical issues

One of the goals of the annual American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) meeting is to address controversy, both in leadership and clinical practice. A panel of experts in their respective fields presented the background and literature behind three "myths" in orthopaedic management and made conclusions as to their validity. First, Dr. Kocher took on the myth of prophylactic pinning on the contralateral "normal" side for a patient with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Second, Dr. Probe evaluated the myth that all intertrochanteric fractures are best treated with intramedullary devices. Last, Dr. Foster and Dr. Silvestri tackled the myth that autograft is always the best choice for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. All three of these topics are subjects of current debate. The panel's careful examination of the available data along with their expertise in the management of these problems is presented in this thought-provoking JBJS Critical Issues article.

Societal and economic impact of anterior cruciate ligament tears

BACKGROUND

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a common knee injury, particularly among young and active individuals. Little is known, however, about the societal impacts of ACL tears, which could be large given the typical patient age and increased lifetime risk of knee osteoarthritis. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of ACL reconstruction compared with structured rehabilitation only.

METHODS

A cost-utility analysis of ACL reconstruction compared with structured rehabilitation only was conducted with use of a Markov decision model over two time horizons: the short to intermediate term (six years), on the basis of Level-I evidence derived from the KANON Study and the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) database; and the lifetime, on the basis of a comprehensive literature review. Utilities were assessed with use of the SF-6D. Costs (in 2012 U.S. dollars) were estimated from the societal perspective and included the effects of the ACL tear on work status, earnings, and disability. Effectiveness was expressed as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained.

RESULTS

In the short to intermediate term, ACL reconstruction was both less costly (a cost reduction of $4503) and more effective (a QALY gain of 0.18) compared with rehabilitation. In the long term, the mean lifetime cost to society for a typical patient undergoing ACL reconstruction was $38,121 compared with $88,538 for rehabilitation. ACL reconstruction resulted in a mean incremental cost savings of $50,417 while providing an incremental QALY gain of 0.72 compared with rehabilitation. Effectiveness gains were driven by the higher probability of an unstable knee and associated lower utility in the rehabilitation group. Results were most sensitive to the rate of knee instability after initial rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

ACL reconstruction is the preferred cost-effective treatment strategy for ACL tears and yields reduced societal costs relative to rehabilitation once indirect cost factors, such as work status and earnings, are considered. The cost of an ACL tear over the lifetime of a patient is substantial, and resources should be directed to developing innovations for injury prevention and for altering the natural history of an ACL injury.

Diagnosis and management of symptomatic muscle herniation of the extremities: a retrospective review

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of published literature on diagnosis and surgical management of muscle herniation of the extremities, with most reported cases involving military personnel and men aged 18 to 40 years. Hypothesis/

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to describe the presentation, diagnosis, and results of fasciotomy for symptomatic muscle herniation in young athletes. We hypothesize that fasciotomy can be a safe and effective treatment option that allows the majority of athletes to return to sports.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

From 2001 to 2011, 26 athletes (19 women; 11 runners) with a mean age 19.0 ± 4.0 years (range, 14.2-28.4 years) underwent fasciotomy for symptomatic muscle herniation at the authors' institution. Retrospective chart review recorded pertinent patient data and clinical course. Questionnaires were sent to all patients to assess satisfaction with surgery, ability to return to sports, and residual symptoms.

RESULTS

Muscle hernias were classified as primary (n = 8, 31%), postsurgical (n = 8, 31%), and associated with underlying untreated chronic exertional compartment syndrome (n = 10, 38%). The tibialis anterior muscle (n = 12, 46%) was most commonly involved. The mean time from onset of symptoms to surgery was 15.1 ± 8.6 months (range, 3-38 months). Dynamic ultrasound (5/6 patients, 83%) was more accurate than magnetic resonance imaging (3/18, 17%) at identifying the hernia. At median follow-up of 28 months (range, 12-127 months), 17 patients (65%) had returned to sports. Seventeen patients (65%) completed the postoperative questionnaire; 14 reported being satisfied with their results (82%). Mild residual symptoms were common (9 of 17 respondents, 53%), especially in runners (5 of 7, 71%), all of whom were satisfied with surgery. Patients with a postsurgical muscle herniation took the longest to return to sports and were the least likely to return to sports, had the highest rate of dissatisfaction with surgery, and were most likely to have persistent symptoms not improved by surgery.

CONCLUSION

Fasciotomy is a safe surgical option for symptomatic muscle herniation in young athletes. Many patients are able to return to sports and most are satisfied with surgery. Residual symptoms are common, especially in runners. Patients with postsurgical muscle herniations may have the worst clinical outcome.

A reduction in body mass index lowers risk for bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis

BACKGROUND

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is occurring in greater numbers, at increasingly younger ages, and more frequently bilaterally (BL-SCFE). Obesity is one risk factor for SCFE. However, it is unclear whether postoperative decreases or increases in body mass index (BMI) alter the risk of subsequent contralateral SCFE.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We therefore determined whether (1) BMI percentile was a risk factor for BL-SCFE; and (2) postoperative increases and/or decreases in BMI percentile influenced the risk for BL-SCFE.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 502 patients surgically treated for SCFE and identified 138 (27%) with BL-SCFE and 364 (73%) with unilateral SCFE (UL-SCFE); 173 patients, 60 (35%) with BL-SCFE and 113 (65%) with UL-SCFE met our inclusion criteria. Risk factors included sex, age, slip stability, slip chronicity, slip angle, and obesity. Percentile BMI was recorded at the time of first SCFE surgery, at the time of last followup for patients undergoing UL-SCFE, and at the time of second SCFE surgery for patients undergoing BL-SCFE.

RESULTS

Sex, age, slip stability, and slip angle were not associated with BL-SCFE. Postoperative obesity (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-9.7) and acute slip chronicity (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.7) had higher risks for sequential BL-SCFE. Obese patients who became nonobese postoperatively had a decreased risk of sequential BL-SCFE compared with those who remained obese (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 1.2-116.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Only postoperative obesity and an acute slip were risk factors for sequential BL-SCFE. BMI reduction to lower than the 95% percentile after SCFE surgery was associated with lower risk for BL-SCFE development. The data suggest early supervised therapeutic weight management programs for patients treated for UL-SCFE are important to reduce risk of subsequent SCFE.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Vitamin d, calcium, and dairy intakes and stress fractures among female adolescents

OBJECTIVE To identify whether calcium, vitamin D, and/or dairy intakes are prospectively associated with stress fracture risk among female adolescents. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Adolescent girls living throughout the United States. PARTICIPANTS A total of 6712 girls aged 9 to 15 years at baseline in the Growing Up Today Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study. MAIN EXPOSURES Dairy, calcium, and vitamin D intakes assessed by food frequency questionnaire every 12 to 24 months between 1996 and 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Incident stress fracture that occurred between 1997 and 2004 as reported by mothers of the participants in 2004. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations. RESULTS During 7 years of follow-up, 3.9% of the girls developed a stress fracture. Dairy and calcium intakes were unrelated to risk of developing a stress fracture. However, vitamin D intake was inversely related to stress fracture risk. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio of stress fracture for the highest vs the lowest quintile of vitamin D intake was 0.49 (95% CI, 0.24-1.01; Ptrend = .07). We conducted a stratified analysis to estimate the association between vitamin D intake and stress fracture risk among girls participating in at least 1 h/d of high-impact activity, among whom 90.0% of the stress fractures occurred, and found that higher vitamin D intake predicted significantly lower risk of stress fracture (Ptrend = .04). CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D intake is associated with lower stress fracture risk among adolescent girls who engage in high levels of high-impact activity. Neither calcium intake nor dairy intake was prospectively associated with stress fracture risk.

Shoulder instability in the young athlete

Shoulder instability is among the most common musculoskeletal injuries and overuse conditions in pediatric and adolescent athletes requiring orthopaedic care. Injury patterns in skeletally immature patients are unique to the developing musculoskeletal system and may be specific to the involved sport. It is helpful to have an outline of the basic diagnostic approaches and to review the literature that guides management principles in young athletes with shoulder instability.

The fate of manuscripts rejected by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume)

BACKGROUND

Of the many manuscripts that are submitted to The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume) (JBJS-A) for publication, the majority are not accepted. However, little is known about the outcome of these rejected submissions. To determine the fate of studies rejected by JBJS-A, we conducted a follow-up investigation of all clinical and basic science manuscripts that were submitted to The Journal between January 2004 and June 2005 but were not accepted.

METHODS

For each rejected manuscript, data were extracted on a wide variety of scientific and nonscientific characteristics, which were plausibly related to subsequent publication. PubMed searches were conducted to determine which manuscripts achieved full publication within five years, and logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with publication. To further elucidate the factors associated with publication, a survey was administered to the corresponding author of each rejected manuscript.

RESULTS

At five years following rejection by JBJS-A, 75.8% (696 of 918) of manuscripts had reached full publication. In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with a higher likelihood of subsequent publication included grade of initial review by JBJS-A (p = 0.029), disclosure of a for-profit or nonprofit conflict of interest (p = 0.028 and 0.027, respectively), and a greater number of prior publications in frequently cited orthopaedic journals by the corresponding author (p < 0.0001). Manuscripts were less likely to reach full publication if the corresponding author was from Asia or the Middle East (p = 0.004) or was a woman (p = 0.003). Among survey respondents who indicated that their study had not yet reached full publication, the most commonly cited reason was lack of time (reported by 51.4% of respondents [thirty-eight of seventy-four]).

CONCLUSIONS

Most manuscripts (75.8%) not accepted by JBJS-A were published elsewhere within five years of rejection. The factors predictive of subsequent publication were primarily investigator-related as opposed to study-related. Given this low threshold for eventual publication, readers are encouraged to use criteria other than inclusion in the PubMed database to identify high-quality papers.

Overcoming the funding challenge: the cost of randomized controlled trials in the next decade

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) represent the gold standard of evidence-based medicine. However, over the last several decades, the cost associated with conducting RCTs has increased dramatically. Several factors contribute to higher costs associated with clinical trials. This paper describes important barriers to conducting surgical RCTs, identifies funding sources available to finance RCTs, and suggests strategies to maintain cost-efficient study practices as we move into the next decade.

The orthopedic gender gap: trends in authorship and editorial board representation over the past 4 decades

The purpose of this study was to quantify the representation of women among the authors and editorial board members of prominent general orthopedics journals and to determine how these proportions have changed over time. Gender was determined for the authors of all original research studies, case reports, and review articles published in 2 prominent general orthopedics journals in 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2007. Gender was also determined for each individual serving on the editorial boards of these journals during these years. Between 1970 and 2007, the representation of women increased from 0.8% to 6.5% among first authors (P<.001), from 0.0% to 4.3% among last authors (P = .015), and from 1.6% to 5.4% among editorial board members (P = .16). However, the rates of increase observed in orthopedics were lower than those observed in other fields (P<.05). Between 1970 and 2007, female representation increased significantly among physicians publishing in 2 prominent general orthopedics journals, but these rates of increase were lower than those observed in other fields of medicine.

Surgical treatment for avulsion injuries of the humeral lesser tuberosity apophysis in adolescents

BACKGROUND

There is little published information regarding avulsion fractures of the humeral lesser tuberosity in adolescents, and no consensus exists on optimal treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographics, injury mechanisms, and results of operative treatment of lesser tuberosity avulsion fractures in skeletally immature patients.

METHODS

Eight patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for lesser tuberosity avulsion fractures from 2000 through 2010. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, mechanisms of injury, operative findings, and early clinical results. Preoperative radiographic studies were evaluated, and patient-derived functional outcome scores were obtained. The mean age of the patients was 13.3 years. All patients were male and sustained sports-related injuries, typically from forceful shoulder abduction and external rotation with eccentric subscapularis load. The dominant extremity was injured in six patients. Six patients had initial radiographs that were interpreted as normal. Time from injury to surgery ranged from two weeks to five months. Surgical treatment consisted of ORIF with use of suture anchors (in six patients) or transosseous sutures (in two patients).

RESULTS

All patients achieved pain relief, and there were no neurovascular complications. All patients had full return of internal rotation strength, negative lift-off tests, and negative belly-press tests postoperatively. Average time to return to sports was 4.4 months postoperatively. Return of full external rotation occurred in five patients at an average of 4.9 months postoperatively. There were no refractures. Patient-derived functional outcomes scores at an average of 24.6 months after surgery demonstrated excellent shoulder function and high patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Humeral lesser tuberosity avulsion fractures do occur in adolescents, typically from high-energy sports injuries. Careful physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation aid in achieving a timely diagnosis. Surgical reduction and suture fixation is safe and effective in restoring subscapularis function and return to sports, even in cases of delayed treatment. Full recovery of shoulder external rotation may not be seen until six months postoperatively.

Operative versus nonoperative treatment after primary traumatic anterior glenohumeral dislocation: expected-value decision analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal management strategy for primary traumatic anterior glenohumeral dislocation remains controversial. Patients have traditionally been managed nonoperatively, but high recurrence rates in certain populations have led to increased interest in early operative stabilization. The purpose of this study was to use expected-value decision analysis to determine the optimal management strategy--nonoperative treatment or arthroscopic stabilization--for a first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Probabilities for the occurrences of the potential outcomes after nonoperative and arthroscopic treatment of a first-time traumatic anterior glenohumeral dislocation were determined from a systematic review of the literature. Utilities for these outcomes were obtained from a questionnaire on patient preferences completed by 42 subjects without a history of shoulder injury. A decision tree was constructed, fold-back analysis was performed to determine optimal management, and sensitivity analyses were used to determine the effect on decision making of varying outcome probabilities and utilities.

RESULTS

Nonoperative treatment was associated with a utility value of 5.9 and early arthroscopic surgery with a value of 7.6. On sensitivity analysis, it was found that when the rate of recurrence after nonoperative treatment falls below 32% or when the utility value for successful arthroscopic stabilization falls below 6.6, nonoperative treatment is the preferred management strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic stabilization was the preferred strategy after a primary anterior glenohumeral dislocation. In clinical settings where the likelihood of recurrent instability is low after nonoperative care or when an informed patient has an aversion to surgery, nonoperative treatment may be the preferred treatment strategy.

Differentiating between methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis in children: an evidence-based clinical prediction algorithm

BACKGROUND

Although osteomyelitis was once commonly due to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)--which causes more virulent and invasive infections--has emerged as an increasingly important cause. Differentiating clinically between MRSA and MSSA can be challenging, but is necessary in order to promptly administer appropriate antibiotics and maintain vigilance against possible sequelae of MRSA osteomyelitis. The purpose of our study was to develop a clinical prediction algorithm to distinguish between MRSA and MSSA osteomyelitis in children.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 129 children presenting with culture-proven Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis between 2000 and 2009 was performed. The demographics, symptoms, vital signs, and laboratory test values in the MSSA group (n = 118) and the MRSA group (n = 11) were compared with use of univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression with backward stepwise selection was then used to identify independent multivariate predictors of MRSA osteomyelitis, and each of these predictors was subjected to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to determine the optimal cutoff value. Finally, a prediction algorithm for differentiating between MRSA and MSSA osteomyelitis on the basis of these independent predictors was constructed.

RESULTS

Patients with MRSA osteomyelitis differed significantly from those with MSSA osteomyelitis with regard to non-weight-bearing status, antibiotic use at presentation, body temperature, hematocrit value, heart rate, white blood-cell count, platelet count, C-reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Four significant independent multivariate predictors were identified: a temperature of >38°C, a hematocrit value of <34%, a white blood-cell count of >12,000 cells/µL, and a C-reactive protein level of >13 mg/L. The predicted probability of MRSA osteomyelitis, determined on the basis of the number of these predictors that a child satisfied, was 92% for all four predictors, 45% for three, 10% for two, 1% for one, and 0% for zero predictors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the number of multivariate predictors, and this analysis revealed a steep shoulder and an area under the curve of 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Our proposed set of four predictors provided excellent diagnostic performance in differentiating between MRSA and MSSA osteomyelitis in children, and thus would be able to guide patient management and facilitate timely antibiotic selection.

Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of a modified International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (Pedi-IKDC) in children with knee disorders

BACKGROUND

The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form is a knee-specific measure of symptoms, function, and sports activity. A modified IKDC Subjective Knee Form (pedi-IKDC) has been developed for use in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric characteristics of the pedi-IKDC in children and adolescents with knee disorders.

HYPOTHESIS

The pedi-IKDC is a reliable, valid, and responsive patient-administered outcome instrument in the pediatric population with knee disorders.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

METHODS

Test-retest reliability, content validity, criterion validity, construct validity, and responsiveness to change were determined for the pedi-IKDC in patients aged 10 to 18 years with a variety of knee disorders. Test-retest reliability was measured in a group of 72 patients with a stable knee disorder. Validity was measured in a group of 589 patients with the Child Health Questionnaire to determine criterion validity. Responsiveness was measured in a group of 98 patients undergoing a variety of knee surgical procedures.

RESULTS

The overall pedi-IKDC had acceptable test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, .91) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha, .91). The form also demonstrated acceptable floor (0%) and ceiling (6%) effects. There was acceptable criterion validity with significant (P < .01) correlation between the overall pedi-IKDC and 9 relevant domains of the Child Health Questionnaire. Construct validity was acceptable, with all 11 hypotheses demonstrating significance (P < .0001). Responsiveness to change was acceptable (effect size, 1.39; standardized response mean, 1.35).

CONCLUSION

The pedi-IKDC demonstrated overall acceptable psychometric performance for outcome assessment of children and adolescents with various disorders of the knee.

Prospective study of physical activity and risk of developing a stress fracture among preadolescent and adolescent girls

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of developing a stress fracture among adolescent girls during a 7-year period.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Adolescent girls living throughout the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 6831 girls aged 9 to 15 years at baseline in the Growing Up Today Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study.

MAIN EXPOSURES

Exposures were assessed by self-report questionnaires completed by adolescent girls in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003. The adolescent girls' history of stress fracture, including age when fracture occurred and site, were reported by their mothers, who are registered nurses, in 2004. Cox proportional hazards models were used in the analysis. Main Outcome Measure Incident stress fracture that occurred between 1997 and 2004.

RESULTS

During 7 years of follow-up, 267 girls (3.9%) developed a stress fracture. Independent of age, age at menarche, family history of fracture, and hours per week of low- and moderate-impact activity, hours per week of running (hazard ratio = 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.23), basketball (hazard ratio = 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.23), and cheerleading/gymnastics (hazard ratio = 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.22) were significant predictors of developing a stress fracture. No other type of high-impact activity was associated with an increased risk.

CONCLUSION

Girls who engage in running, basketball, cheerleading, or gymnastics should be encouraged to include varied training in lower-impact activities to decrease the cumulative amount of impact in order to minimize their risk of stress fractures.

Adoption of new technology in sports medicine: case studies of the Gore-Tex prosthetic ligament and of thermal capsulorrhaphy

Evaluation of new technology in sports medicine is supposed to promote improvements in the care of patients. It is also supposed to prohibit technology that can harm patients. This evaluation process is not perfect and at times can promote technology that not only does not help patients but may harm them. Two examples of new sports medicine technology that were widely adopted but eventually abandoned are thermal capsulorrhaphy for treatment of shoulder instability and the Gore-Tex prosthetic ligament (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) for patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency. On analysis of the quick adoption of these 2 failed procedures, certain recommendations are apparent for improvement of the evaluation process. There must be a sound rationale behind any new technology, basic science research into the theory of the medical technology, and demonstrated improvements in animal models and clinical studies that are prospective cohort studies or randomized controlled trials, and finally, there must be careful follow-up and postmarket surveillance.

Level of evidence and conflict of interest disclosure associated with higher citation rates in orthopedics

OBJECTIVE

To identify the scientific and nonscientific factors associated with rates of citation in the orthopedic literature.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

All original clinical articles published in three general orthopedics journals between July 2002 and December 2003 were reviewed. Information was collected on variables plausibly related to rates of citation, including scientific and nonscientific factors. The number of citations at 5 years was ascertained and linear regression was used to identify factors associated with rates of citation.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with increased rates of citation at 5 years were high level of evidence (22.2 citations for level I or II vs. 10.8 citations for level III or IV; P=0.0001), large sample size (18.8 citations for sample size of 100 or more vs. 7.9 citations for sample size of 25 or fewer; P<0.0001), multiple institutions (15.2 citations for two or more centers vs. 11.1 citations for single center; P=0.023), self-reported conflict of interest disclosure involving a nonprofit organization (17.4 citations for nonprofit disclosure vs. 10.6 citations for no disclosure; P=0.027), and self-reported conflict of interest disclosure involving a for-profit company (26.1 citations for for-profit disclosure vs. 10.6 citations for no disclosure; P=0.011).

CONCLUSION

High level of evidence, large sample size, representation from multiple institutions, and conflict of interest disclosure are associated with higher rates of citation in orthopedics.

Current Concepts of Diagnosis and Management of ACL Injuries in Skeletally Immature Athletes

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in skeletally immature athletes are encountered with increasing frequency. The management of such injuries is controversial. Nonsurgical management often results in functional instability and a higher risk of meniscal and chondral injury to the knee. Conventional methods of ACL reconstruction carry the risk of growth disturbance because of iatrogenic damage to the physes around the knee. Multiple cases of growth disturbance have been reported. This article discusses the relevant anatomy, natural history, risk factors, treatment, and prevention of ACL injuries in skeletally immature patients. Surgical treatment is based on physiologic age. For prepubescent patients, we recommend physeal-sparing combined intra-articular/extra-articular reconstruction with autogenous iliotibial band. In adolescent patients with significant growth remaining, we recommend transphyseal ACL reconstruction with hamstrings autograft and fixation away from the physes. In older adolescent patients, we recommend conventional adult ACL reconstruction with autogenous hamstrings or patellar tendon.

Arthrofibrosis after surgical fixation of tibial eminence fractures in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Tibial eminence fractures are rare injuries in children and adolescents. Displaced fractures require reduction and fixation. Operative stabilization can be accomplished with either open or arthroscopic reduction and fixation. Whereas loss of extension has been reported, there are no reports in the literature that quantify loss of motion or provide guidance for treatment.

PURPOSE

To report a series of patients who developed knee stiffness after operative treatment for displaced tibial eminence fractures.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Review of medical records and imaging studies of pediatric patients with displaced tibial eminence fractures who developed arthrofibrosis after surgical intervention.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were identified. Twenty-four required reoperation for loss of flexion (n = 9), loss of extension (n = 4), or both (n = 11). Manipulation under anesthesia resulted in distal femoral fractures and subsequent growth arrest in 3 patients. Twenty-nine patients were able to achieve near full knee motion at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with tibial spine fractures are at risk for arthrofibrosis. Stabilization of the fracture is important to allow early postoperative rehabilitation. Should stiffness occur, manipulation of the knee should be performed only in conjunction with lysis of adhesions.