JACK GERARD SKENDZEL, MD

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This study focused on a 36-year-old professional basketball player who had hip pain due to a condition called femoroacetabular impingement and a tear in his hip labrum. The doctors successfully performed hip surgery using a special distraction table that does not have posts, applying only 40 pounds of force, which minimized the risk of nerve and skin issues. This method was effective and shows that patients who are very tall, like professional athletes, can safely undergo this type of surgery without traditional equipment that may not fit their bodies. Who this helps: This benefits tall patients, especially professional athletes, needing hip surgery.

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This study looked at the results of arthroscopic hip surgery for patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) over at least five years. It found that patients with narrow joint spaces (2 mm or less) had worse outcomes and a much higher chance of needing total hip replacement surgery—86% of these patients converted to hip replacement compared to just 16% of those with wider joint spaces. This matters because it highlights the importance of joint space size in predicting the long-term success of hip surgery and recovery. Who this helps: This helps patients with hip pain and doctors treating them by providing insights on who may need more careful monitoring after surgery.

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This study looked at injuries to the superior glenoid labrum, which are common in athletes who throw, such as baseball players. Researchers found that these injuries can cause significant shoulder pain and may be challenging to diagnose because they often occur alongside other shoulder problems. They emphasized the importance of using advanced imaging techniques and understanding how to effectively treat these injuries, either through rehabilitation or surgery. Who this helps: This benefits throwing athletes and their doctors by improving diagnosis and treatment strategies for shoulder injuries.

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This study looked at the causes of hip pain in young athletes, particularly focusing on a condition called femoroacetabular impingement, which occurs when the bones of the hip joint don’t fit together perfectly. The researchers emphasized the importance of thorough examinations and diagnostics, reviewing outcomes of surgery for this condition and highlighting how proper assessment can improve treatment success. Notably, understanding the biomechanics involved can lead to better care strategies for patients suffering from hip pain. Who this helps: This helps young athletes experiencing hip pain.

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This study looked at how to treat hip labral tears in younger patients. It found that fixing any bone issues around the hip joint improves healing and helps prevent further damage. When labral repair isn't possible, new surgical techniques show good results in repairing the labrum. Who this helps: This helps young patients suffering from hip labral tears.

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The study looked at injuries known as Hill-Sachs lesions, which occur in the shoulder when it dislocates and can lead to ongoing instability. Researchers found that these bone defects can worsen shoulder instability, especially if they're large, making it crucial to diagnose and treat them effectively. Options for treatment include surgery to repair or replace the damaged bone, which can help prevent future dislocations and improve shoulder function. Who this helps: This benefits patients with shoulder instability and doctors treating those injuries.

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This study looked at knee injuries that affect multiple ligaments and often occur alongside dislocations of the knee joint. Researchers found that physical examinations and imaging tests are both essential for understanding these injuries, and they emphasized that most patients end up needing surgery. However, some might benefit from non-surgical treatments, focusing on rehabilitation to restore movement and strength. Who this helps: This information helps doctors manage treatment for patients with severe knee injuries.

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This study looked at a new surgical technique for fixing significant shoulder bone loss, known as glenoid deficiency, which can cause ongoing shoulder instability. The researchers highlighted a method that uses a bone graft without needing to move a specific muscle, which may decrease complications and help patients regain normal shoulder movement after surgery. Using this technique can significantly improve patients' outcomes, reducing the likelihood of recurrent shoulder problems. Who this helps: This benefits patients with severe shoulder instability due to bone loss.

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This study looked at how well ultrasound can detect problems with the long head of the biceps tendon in the shoulder before surgery. They found that ultrasound accurately identified normal tendons 90% of the time and correctly found full-thickness tears 88% of the time, but only detected partial-thickness tears 27% of the time and non-tear issues 22% of the time. This is important because it shows that while ultrasound is effective for certain tendon issues, it may miss some abnormalities, which can impact treatment decisions. Who this helps: This helps patients needing shoulder surgery and their doctors in making more informed decisions about treatment.

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Surgeons have started using replaceable parts in hip replacement surgery because they're easier to adjust during operations, but these connections between parts can break or corrode. The researchers describe two patients whose modular hip replacements failed at the connection point between the stem and neck, forcing them to need additional surgery even though the main implant was still securely attached to the bone. This shows that while modular hip replacements offer advantages, doctors need to monitor patients carefully for this type of failure, which wasn't a concern with older one-piece designs.

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This study looked at how certain shoulder muscles activate during pendulum exercises and common light activities, specifically focusing on people recovering from rotator cuff surgery. It found that performing these pendulum exercises incorrectly, especially in larger motions, leads to higher muscle activity, which can stress the shoulder more than safe levels. For instance, incorrectly doing the large pendulum exercises activated the supraspinatus muscle significantly more than when done correctly. This is important because it highlights the risk of excessive strain during rehabilitation, which could slow recovery or lead to further injury. Who this helps: Patients recovering from rotator cuff surgery.