The objective is to determine whether monitoring wound alkalinity between visits may help prognosticate chronic wound healing. The alkalinity of 167 wounds during the first 3 visits was assessed using disposable DETEC® pH. Wounds grouped by frequency of alkaline results were compared by % wound size reduction during each visit and 120‐day healing probability. The Cox proportional hazards model for time‐dependent variables was used to generate non‐healing probability curves, where variables are binary (alkaline/non‐alkaline, infection/no infection), categorical (wound type), and continuous (wound area); the response is time to complete wound healing; and the event of interest is complete wound healing in 120 days. Results show that wounds with frequent alkaline results have significantly smaller % size reduction per visit. Logistic regression shows an increase in 120‐day healing probability with fewer alkaline results. Survival analysis shows that the instantaneous healing rate of non‐alkaline or non‐alkaline transitioning wounds is 1.785, 2.925, and 5.908 times that of alkaline or alkaline‐transitioning wounds for 1, 2, and 3 alkalinity measurements, respectively. Furthermore, the concordance statistic of each survival model shows that goodness of fit increases with more alkalinity measurements. Overall, frequent wound alkalinity assessments may serve as a novel way to prognosticate wound healing outcomes.

Background: The healing capacity of the human glenoid labrum varies by tear location. Current evidence suggests that the healing capacity of meniscal and cartilage injuries relates to cellular composition and vascularity. However, little is known about the histological characteristics of the glenoid labrum and how they may affect healing potential in specific anatomic regions. Hypothesis: Regenerative characteristics of the glenoid labrum differ based on the anatomic region. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Human glenoid labra from fresh unpreserved cadavers were transversely sectioned in different anatomic regions. Masson trichrome stain was used to determine dense and loose extracellular matrix regions and vessel densities. Hematoxylin and eosin, Ki-67+, and CD90+/CD105+ stains were performed to determine total, proliferative, and progenitor cell densities, respectively. Regression models demonstrated relationships between vascular area, progenitor cell quantity, and probability of successful operation. Results: Among all labral aspects, the superior glenoid labrum had the highest percentage (56.8% ± 6.9%) of dense extracellular matrix or avascular tissue ( P < .1). The vascular region of the superior labrum had the fewest total cells (321 ± 135 cells/mm2; P < .01) and progenitor cells (20 ± 4 cells/mm2; P < .001). Vascular area was directly correlated with progenitor cell quantity ( P = .006002). An increase in probability of successful operation was associated with a linear increase in vascular area ( R2 = 0.765) and an exponential increase in progenitor cell quantity ( R2 = 0.795). Subsequently, quadratic models of vascularity and progenitor cell quantity around the labral clock were used to assess relative healing potential. Quadratic models for percentage vascular area ( P = 6.35e-07) and weighted progenitor cell density ( P = 3.03e-05) around the labral clock showed that percentage vascular area and progenitor cell quantity increased as labral tissue neared the inferior aspect and diminished near the superior aspect. Conclusion: Anatomic regions of the glenoid labrum differ in extracellular matrix composition, vascularity, and cell composition. The superior glenoid labrum is deficient in vascularity and progenitor cells, which may explain the high failure rates for repairs in this location. Clinical Relevance: Improved understanding of the composition of distinct glenoid labral positions may help to improve therapeutic strategies for labral pathology.