Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine
Audio Summaries

Rest Before Physical Therapy Is Not Necessary to Achieve Bony Healing of Lumbar Spondylolysis in Adolescent Athletes

May 8, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether initiating physical therapy (PT) immediately after a diagnosis of lumbar spondylolysis negatively affects bony healing in adolescent athletes. Their randomized controlled trial found that 81% of participants showed healing on MRI after three months, with no significant difference in outcomes between those who started PT immediately and those who rested before beginning therapy. The results suggest that prolonged rest is unnecessary, as immediate PT does not hinder healing and is associated with better pain outcomes.

Long-term Outcomes of Knee Brace Versus Operative Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Repair in Children With First-Time Traumatic Patellar Dislocation: A 10-Year Follow-up From Skeletal Immaturity to Adulthood

May 4, 2026

This study compares the long-term outcomes of knee brace treatment versus operative medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) repair in children with first-time traumatic patellar dislocation. The authors aimed to assess redislocation rates, subsequent surgical interventions, and subjective knee function over a 10-year period. Results indicated that while the redislocation rate was high in both groups, subjective knee function remained similar, leading the authors to suggest that neither treatment should be considered the gold standard for all pediatric patients.

Transfer Learning From Hand-Trained Deep Learning Models to Estimate Bone Age From Knee Radiographs

May 1, 2026

The authors aimed to develop a deep learning model for estimating bone age from knee radiographs, addressing the limitations of the traditional Greulich and Pyle atlas which requires additional imaging and radiation exposure. Their model demonstrated a mean absolute error of 5.02 months, significantly outperforming existing methods, and offers a promising tool for orthopaedic surgeons and radiologists in assessing skeletal maturity in young patients. The study highlights the potential for automated bone age estimation to enhance clinical decision-making, pending further validation and refinement.

Outcomes of ACL Reconstruction with Quadriceps Tendon Graft Based on Graft Diameter Relative to Notch Width

Apr 30, 2026

This study investigates how the diameter of quadriceps tendon (QT) autografts and the ratio of graft diameter to femoral notch width (D-N ratio) impact clinical outcomes, specifically rates of symptomatic knee stiffness and revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR). The authors found that a D-N ratio greater than 0.55 and lateral meniscal repair were associated with higher rates of subsequent surgery for knee stiffness, while graft diameter and D-N ratio did not significantly influence the likelihood of revision ACLR. The findings suggest that avoiding overstuffing the femoral notch may help reduce the risk of knee stiffness without increasing revision rates.

Factors Associated with Quadriceps Strength Recovery at 6 and 12 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Quadriceps Tendon-Bone, Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone, and Hamstring Tendon Autografts

Apr 30, 2026

The authors aimed to identify factors influencing quadriceps strength recovery at 6 and 12 months following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using different autograft types. They found that the use of quadriceps tendon-bone and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts, meniscal repair, and lower preinjury activity levels were associated with increased risk of quadriceps strength deficits at 6 months, while lower preinjury activity levels and pain scores at 3 months were linked to deficits at 12 months.

Relationship of Baseline Physical Activity and Morphologic Factors in Patients With Lateral Patellar Instability

Apr 30, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline physical activity levels and morphologic factors in patients with lateral patellar instability. The study found that competitive athletes had greater trochlear depth compared to recreational and nonsports groups, yet both competitive and nonsports participants frequently required bilateral surgeries, suggesting that severe trochlear dysplasia may play a significant role beyond just activity levels in surgical decision-making. These results underscore the need to consider both activity and trochlear morphology when evaluating young patients for surgical interventions.

Long Head of the Biceps Tendon Augmentation in Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears Offers Good Clinical Results and Pain Relief With a Low Failure Rate

Apr 29, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiologic outcomes of using long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) redirection with margin convergence repair in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs). Their findings indicate that this technique resulted in significant pain relief and a good range of motion after an average follow-up of 52 months, with a low rate of complications and clinical failures compared to other non-arthroplasty treatments.

Deep Learning-Based Automatic Glenohumeral Joint Segmentation for Determining Whether the Hill-Sachs Lesion Is On-Track or Off-Track

Apr 29, 2026

The authors aimed to develop a deep learning-based framework for automated segmentation of CT images to enhance the diagnostic efficiency and consistency in assessing glenoid track width and Hill-Sachs lesions in patients with anterior shoulder dislocation. Their model demonstrated excellent segmentation accuracy and significantly reduced processing time, while also validating the reliability of the Two-Thirds Glenoid Height Technique for measuring glenoid parameters. This approach offers a promising tool for improving surgical planning and treatment strategies in shoulder instability cases.

The Influence of Athlete-Specific Factors on Time to Return to Sport Clearance Following Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome in Division I Collegiate Athletes

Apr 29, 2026

This study investigates how athlete-specific factors, such as sport and sex, influence the time to return to sport (RTS) clearance following hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome in Division I collegiate athletes. The findings reveal that athletes in track and wrestling return to sport more quickly than those in football, while no significant differences in RTS clearance times were observed between male and female athletes or across various clinical and surgical factors.

Return to Sport and Long-term Performance Levels in Weight Lifters Treated for Advanced Glenohumeral Arthritis With Inlay Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Apr 29, 2026

This study investigates the outcomes of inlay total shoulder arthroplasty (iTSA) in weight lifters under 65 years old with advanced glenohumeral arthritis, specifically focusing on their ability to return to weight lifting and long-term performance levels. The findings reveal that all participants returned to weight lifting, with 78% achieving the same or higher activity levels, and they maintained approximately 74% of their prearthritic one-repetition maximums. These results suggest that iTSA is a viable treatment option for active weight lifters suffering from advanced shoulder arthritis.