The purpose of this study was to identify the trends and demographics of patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the United States. Patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between 2004 and 2009 were identified by searching Current Procedural Terminology codes in the PearlDiver Patient Record Database (PearlDiver Technologies, Fort Wayne, IN). The year of procedure, age, gender, and region of the United States were recorded for each patient. Associated meniscal procedures and the absence or presence of a femoral nerve block were also recorded. The incidence of ACL reconstruction significantly increased over the study period, from 40.9 cases per 10,000 patients in 2004 to 47.8 in 2009 (p < 0.001). Of these cases, 92.8% were associated with either meniscectomy or meniscal repair. ACL reconstruction was performed most commonly in patients aged 10 to 29 years (p < 0.001). A significant male predominance was observed with an incidence ratio of male-to-female of 2.03 (p < 0.001). The frequency of females undergoing ACL reconstruction as a proportion of the total number of annual cases increased from 2,295 in 2004 to 3,476 in 2009 (p = 0.0031). A significant increase in the annual proportion of ACL reconstruction performed under femoral nerve block was also observed, from 2.0% in 2004 to 8.3% in 2009 (p < 0.001). The greatest incidence of ACL reconstruction occurred in the Western region of the United States. An increase in the rate of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction was observed between 2004 and 2009 and 92.8% of the ACL reconstructions were associated with a meniscal procedure. The majority of cases were performed in patients aged 10 to 29 years, with a male predominance. Increases were observed in the number of female cases and proportion performed under a femoral nerve block. The Western region of the United States was found to have a higher incidence of ACL reconstruction.

Objective. Patients commonly use the Internet to obtain their health-related information. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality, accuracy, and readability of online patient resources for the management of articular cartilage defects. Design. Three search terms ("cartilage defect," "cartilage damage," "cartilage injury") were entered into 3 Internet search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo). The first 25 websites from each search were collected and reviewed. The quality and accuracy of online information were independently evaluated by 3 reviewers using predetermined scoring criteria. The readability was evaluated using the Flesch-Kincaid (FK) grade score. Results. Fifty-three unique websites were evaluated. Quality ratings were significantly higher in websites with a FK score >11 compared to those with a score of ≤11 (P = 0.021). Only 10 websites (19%) differentiated between focal cartilage defects and diffuse osteoarthritis. Of these, 7 (70%) were elicited using the search term "cartilage defect" (P = 0.038). The average accuracy of the websites was high (11.7 out of maximum 12), and the average FK grade level (13.4) was several grades higher than the recommended level for readable patient education material (eighth grade level). Conclusions. The quality and readability of online patient resources for articular cartilage defects favor those with a higher level of education. Additionally, the majority of these websites do not distinguish between focal chondral defects and diffuse osteoarthritis, which can fail to provide appropriate patient education and guidance for available treatment. Clinicians should help guide patients toward high-quality, accurate, and readable online patient education material.

No abstract

Level III.

Background: The treatment of patellar instability in the setting of trochlear dysplasia is challenging. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocations due to trochlear dysplasia using anteromedialization tibial tubercle osteotomy combined with medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) imbrication. We hypothesized that the treatment of patellar instability with tibial tubercle osteotomy and MPFL imbrication would result in improved patient satisfaction and decrease patellar instability events in patients with prior instability and trochlear dysplasia. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent MPFL imbrication and concomitant anteromedialization tibial tubercle osteotomy for recurrent patellofemoral instability at a single institution. The minimum follow-up was 1 year. Patient demographic information including age at the time of surgery, sex, body mass index (BMI), tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, and grade of trochlear dysplasia was collected along with relevant operative data. Postoperatively, recurrent dislocation events as well as Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Kujala scores were collected, and satisfaction was ascertained by asking patients whether they would undergo the procedure again. Results: A total of 37 knees from 31 patients (23 female) with a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (range, 1-8.9 years) were included. The mean patient age was 28.8 years (range, 14-45 years), the mean BMI was 24 kg/m2 (range, 20-38 kg/m2), and the mean preoperative TT-TG distance was 18.9 mm (range, 8.4-32.4 mm). Two knees were classified as low-grade trochlear dysplasia (Dejour A) and 35 as high-grade trochlear dysplasia (Dejour B-D). At final follow-up, patients reported mean KOOS subscale scores of 86.5 (Pain), 79.8 (Symptoms), 93.9 (Activities of Daily Living), 74.3 (Sports/Recreation), and 61.9 (Quality of Life), as well as a mean Kujala score of 81.3. Mean patient satisfaction was 8.3 of 10. The majority of knees (86.5%; 32/37) remained stable without recurrent instability after this procedure, while 13.5% (5 knees) suffered a recurrent dislocation, with 2 requiring revision surgery. Eight knees (21.6%) underwent subsequent hardware removal. Conclusion: Anteromedialization tibial tubercle osteotomy with MPFL imbrication can improve recurrent patellofemoral instability and provide significant clinical benefit to patients with trochlear dysplasia.