The MARS Group* Background: Osteoarthritis of the knee is commonly diagnosed and monitored with radiography. However, the reliability of radiographic classification systems for osteoarthritis and the correlation of these classifications with the actual degree of confirmed degeneration of the articular cartilage of the tibiofemoral joint have not been adequately studied.Methods: As the Multicenter ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Revision Study (MARS) Group, we conducted a multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study of patients undergoing revision surgery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We followed 632 patients who underwent radiographic evaluation of the knee (an anteroposterior weight-bearing radiograph, a posteroanterior weight-bearing radiograph made with the knee in 45°of flexion [Rosenberg radiograph], or both) and arthroscopic evaluation of the articular surfaces. Three blinded examiners independently graded radiographic findings according to six commonly used systems-the Kellgren-Lawrence, International Knee Documentation Committee, Fairbank, Brandt et al., Ahlbäck, and Jäger-Wirth classifications. Interobserver reliability was assessed with use of the intraclass correlation coefficient. The association between radiographic classification and arthroscopic findings of tibiofemoral chondral disease was assessed with use of the Spearman correlation coefficient.Results: Overall, 45°posteroanterior flexion weight-bearing radiographs had higher interobserver reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 0.65) compared with anteroposterior radiographs (intraclass continued

Whilst primary closure remains an option for myelomeningocele closure, primary repair of larger defects can lead to closure site tension, stretching of inelastic scar tissue and inadequate soft tissue cover. In this small series, we have demonstrated the use of keystone design perforator island flap closure as an alternative for larger and more complex lesions.

Background Knees undergoing revision ACL reconstruction (rACLR) have a high prevalence of articular cartilage lesions. Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the prevalence of chondrosis at the time of rACLR is associated with meniscus status and lower extremity alignment. Study design Cross sectional study. Methods Data from the prospective Multicenter ACL Revision Study (MARS) cohort was reviewed to identify patients with pre-operative lower extremity alignment films. Lower extremity alignment was defined by the weight bearing line (WBL) as a percentage of the tibial plateau width, while the chondral and meniscal status of each weight bearing compartment was recorded at the time of surgery. Multivariable proportional odds models were constructed and adjusted for relevant factors in order to examine which risk factors were independently associated with the degree of medial and lateral compartment chondrosis. Results The cohort included 246 patients with lower extremity alignment films at the time of rACLR. Average (SD) patient age was 26.9 (9.5) years with a BMI of 26.4 (4.6). The medial compartment had more chondrosis (Grade 2/3: 42%, Grade 4: 6.5%) than the lateral compartment (Grade 2/3: 26%, Grade 4: 6.5%). Disruption of the meniscus was noted in 35% of patients on the medial side and 16% in the lateral side. The average (SD) WBL was measured to be 0.43 (0.13). Medial compartment chondrosis was associated with BMI (p=0.025), alignment (p=0.002), and medial meniscus status (p=0.001). None of the knees with the WBL lateral to 0.625 had Grade 4 chondrosis in the medial compartment. Lateral compartment chondrosis was significantly associated with age (p=0.013) and lateral meniscus status (p<0.001). Subjects with ‘intact’ menisci were found to decrease their odds of having chondrosis by 64–84%. Conclusions The status of articular cartilage in the tibiofemoral compartments at the time of rACLR is related to meniscal status. Lower extremity alignment and BMI are associated with medial compartment chondrosis. Clinical relevance Providers and patients should be aware of the association of meniscal integrity, alignment and BMI with chondrosis at the time of rACLR. Further research into the potential benefits of interventions to optimize these parameters is warranted.

Objective.Previously thought to involve primarily the microvasculature, systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been increasingly linked to macrovascular disease. Cardiovascular (CV) and cerebrovascular disease are responsible for 20–30% of mortality in SSc, but few studies have shown an independent association between SSc and stroke. We assessed whether SSc was an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke.Methods.We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the national Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative database containing records from 1999 to 2014. We obtained data for all patients with a diagnosis of SSc as well as 2 controls per SSc patient matched on sex, race, smoking status, and VA site. All patients were followed until development of ischemic stroke, death, or last encounter. We used a Cox proportional hazard regression model to estimate risk of ischemic stroke, with adjustments for CV comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, non-cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease, hyperlipidemia), baseline medication use (aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs), and Medicare enrollment.Results.Among 4545 individuals with SSc (83% male, mean age 60.9 yrs), the incidence rate of ischemic stroke was 15.3 per 1000 person-years (vs 12.2 in the control cohort), with an unadjusted HR 1.28 (95% CI 1.11–1.47). The adjusted HR was 1.21 (95% CI 1.05–1.40) after adjusting for baseline CV risk factors, medications, and Medicare enrollment.Conclusion.SSc is independently associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke among US veterans. Patients with SSc represent a population likely to benefit from targeted stroke screening or prevention therapies.