This week in Sports Medicine

Jun 22–28, 2026 · 1 randomized trial, 32 new studies, 10 reviews · Sports Medicine archive · All weeks

The new Sports Medicine research The Reduction sent the week of Jun 22–28, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.

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Randomized trials

  1. Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Improves the Early Osseous Integration of Fresh Osteochondral Allografts in the Knee: A Randomized Controlled Trial.RCT

    American Journal of Sports Medicine · Jun 2026 · PubMed

    BMAC augmentation improved early osseous integration of fresh osteochondral allografts at 3 months; no differences in clinical outcomes or later timepoints.

New research

  1. Arthroscopic Repair of Anterior Labroligamentous Periosteal Sleeve Avulsion Lesions Achieves Similar Outcomes and Labral Height Compared With Typical Bankart Lesions With Adequate Capsulolabral Release.

    Arthroscopy · Sep 2026 · PubMed

    Arthroscopic Bankart repair achieves similar labral height restoration and functional outcomes for ALPSA lesions as typical Bankart lesions with adequate capsular release.

  2. Morphological changes in tennis elbow after PRP injection: a novel MRI-based assessment in a randomized controlled study.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Sep 2026 · PubMed

    LR-PRP showed modest benefit in reducing partial tendon tears and soft tissue edema in tennis elbow, but overall improvement was not superior to saline placebo.

  3. Factors Associated With an LLM Arriving at the Same Diagnosis as a Musculoskeletal Specialist.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Sep 01 2026 · PubMed

    Large language models and clinicians disagreed on diagnoses 45% of the time; discordance reflected diagnostic ambiguity rather than patient psychological factors.

  4. The Coronal Lateral Collateral Ligament Sign Occurs Independent of Generalized Joint Hyperlaxity in Children and Adolescents With ACL-Deficient Knees.

    Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics · Sep 01 2026 · PubMed

    Lateral collateral ligament sign in ACL-deficient pediatric knees occurs independent of generalized joint hyperlaxity, suggesting ACL-specific instability indicator.

  5. Open-Guided Latarjet With Suture-Button Fixation: Early Experience.

    Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery · Sep 01 2026 · PubMed

    Guided open Latarjet using dual suture-button fixation showed early feasibility with improved functional scores and no redislocations or hardware complications in this small preliminary series.

  6. Changes in Rate and Indications for Remplissage When Performing Arthroscopic Bankart Repair for Anterior Shoulder Instability.

    American Journal of Sports Medicine · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Remplissage utilization increased 4.5-fold for arthroscopic Bankart repair, now used in 75% of near-track lesions beyond traditional off-track indications.

  7. Rotator Cuff Repair Augmentation With an Autograft Biceps Patch, the "Biceps Smash," Results in Low Retear Rates at 6 Months and Promising Clinical Outcomes at 12 Months.

    Arthroscopy · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Biceps autograft patch augmentation for rotator cuff repair achieves low 4% retear rate and excellent functional outcomes at 23-month follow-up.

  8. Morphological Characteristics After Single Versus Recurrent Traumatic Posterior Shoulder Dislocation Events.

    American Journal of Sports Medicine · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Recurrent traumatic posterior shoulder dislocations cause significantly greater posterior glenoid bone loss than single events, approaching thresholds where soft-tissue-only repair may fail.

  9. Intraoperative Hip Arthrography to Guide Decision-Making in Cerebral Palsy Hip Reconstruction.

    Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics · Aug 01 2026 · PubMed

    Intraoperative hip arthrography in cerebral palsy hip reconstruction reduced pelvic osteotomy rates by 34% without increasing failure rates, enabling more selective and individualized surgical decision-making.

  10. Cost-effectiveness of Adding Remplissage to Bankart Repair for On-Track Hill-Sachs Lesions: A Markov Decision Analysis.

    American Journal of Sports Medicine · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Adding remplissage to Bankart repair for on-track Hill-Sachs lesions is cost-effective, reducing recurrence and revision surgery at 10-year follow-up.

  11. Long-Term Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy in Workers' Compensation Patients Compared to Non-Workers' Compensation Patients: A Propensity-Matched Study at Minimum 10-Year Follow-up.

    American Journal of Sports Medicine · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Workers' compensation patients achieve comparable 10-year outcomes after hip arthroscopy to non-WC patients, with 91.7% returning to work successfully.

  12. Distinct 3-Dimensional Anatomic Patterns Including Flatter Surfaces and Greater Sagittal Inclinations of Intra-articular Structures Are Reliably Identified Through an Artificial Intelligence-Based Pipeline in Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Injured Knees.

    Arthroscopy · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    AI-based 3D MRI analysis identifies distinct anatomical patterns in ACL injury including flatter articular surfaces and increased sagittal inclinations.

  13. Arthroscopic double row repair of massive posterosuperior tear: healing and functional outcomes.

    JSES International · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Arthroscopic 8-strand knotless double-row parachute repair achieved 86.5% healing rate and excellent functional outcomes in massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears.

  14. Minimum 15-Year Outcomes and Return to Activity After Linked Tape Bridging Knotless Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repair.

    American Journal of Sports Medicine · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Linked tape bridging knotless double-row rotator cuff repair maintained functional improvement at 15 years with 19.6% failure rate, mostly after 10-year mark.

  15. Meniscectomy vs Meniscal Repair: Comparing Rates of Readmission, Reoperation, and Osteoarthritis.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · Jun 2026 · PubMed

    Meniscal repair versus meniscectomy yields similar readmission rates; repair reduces reoperation and subsequent osteoarthritis treatment, favoring preservation.

  16. Outcomes of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair after Bariatric Surgery.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · Jun 2026 · PubMed

    Patients with prior bariatric surgery experience higher rotator cuff repair failure rates and worse postoperative pain, warranting preoperative counseling.

  17. Insurance Type as an Independent Factor of Surgical Delay After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · Jun 2026 · PubMed

    Public or self-pay insurance increases ACLR delay risk by 1.86-2.75 times compared to private insurance, highlighting healthcare access disparities.

  18. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration: An Imaging Atlas of Morphological Features and Healing Trajectories.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · Jun 2026 · PubMed

    MRI shows healing ACL after bridge-enhanced restoration becomes smaller and more organized over 24 months while maintaining sagittal orientation comparable to native ACL.

  19. Early Versus Delayed Repair of Proximal Hamstring Tendon Ruptures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

    American Journal of Sports Medicine · Jun 26 2026 · PubMed

    Early proximal hamstring tendon repair (within 4-6 weeks) significantly reduced retear and postoperative sciatica risk compared to delayed repair.

  20. Biomechanical phenotypes of 90° change of direction in football players: Unsupervised machine learning in anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention.

    Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy · Jun 22 2026 · PubMed

    Unsupervised machine learning identified four distinct biomechanical phenotypes in football players performing 90° change of direction, useful for ACL injury prevention targeting.

  21. Posterolateral corner reconstruction using hamstrings grafts-A comparative biomechanical study of three techniques.

    Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy · Jun 19 2026 · PubMed

    For posterolateral corner reconstruction, the Arciero and popliteofibular loop techniques better restore varus stability than the LaPrade technique, though overcorrection of external rotation remains a concern.

  22. Preclinical Safety and Efficacy of an Allogeneic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Medicinal Product for Rotator Cuff Repair: A Two-Phase Experimental Study.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Jun 15 2026 · PubMed

    Allogeneic ASC therapy demonstrated favorable safety profile in preclinical testing but failed to improve histological or biomechanical outcomes in chronic rotator cuff tears.

  23. Child and Adolescent Athletes at Greatest Risk of Concussions and Closed Head Injuries in Male Ice Hockey: A 20-Year Analysis of National Injury Data.

    Sports Health · Jun 05 2026 · PubMed

    Concussions and closed head injuries in male youth ice hockey increased 290% from 2004-2023, with head-to-ice contact the leading mechanism in children.

  24. Serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis Reveals Acetabular Labral Volume Decreases After Labral Reconstruction and Returns to Native Size.

    Arthroscopy · Jun 04 2026 · PubMed

    Labral size after reconstruction decreased by 3 months then returned to native size by 6-12 months; larger graft diameter associated with better pain relief.

  25. Clinical and Radiographic Survival Rates of the Arthrex Univers VaultLock Uncemented Central-Peg All-Polyethylene Glenoid Component in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty at 2- and 5-Years Postoperatively.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Jun 01 2026 · PubMed

    Uncemented central-peg all-polyethylene glenoid demonstrated 95% radiographic survival at 5 years with improved functional outcomes and low revision rates.

  26. Decreased evertor strength following peroneus longus tendon harvest for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction : an isokinetic muscle strength testing study.

    The Bone & Joint Journal · Jun 01 2026 · PubMed

    Peroneus longus tendon harvest for ACL reconstruction causes transient evertor weakness at six months that recovers by one year, with preserved overall ankle function and patient-reported outcomes.

  27. Incidence of Elbow Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair and Reconstruction: A US Population Database Study 2016 to 2022.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · May 2026 · PubMed

    Ulnar collateral ligament repairs increased 129% from 2016-2022 in overhead athletes, suggesting shift toward repair over reconstruction for select injuries.

  28. Postoperative Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury Scores Predict Reinjury in Adolescent Athletes.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · May 2026 · PubMed

    Sex-specific ACL-RSI scores predict reinjury; low scores indicate graft rupture risk in males, while high scores predict contralateral injury in females.

  29. Treatment of Posterior Shoulder Instability in National Hockey League Players: A Survey of NHL Team Physicians.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · May 2026 · PubMed

    NHL team physicians unanimously favor nonoperative in-season management for first-time posterior shoulder instability, shifting toward surgery only with recurrence or significant bone loss exceeding 15%.

  30. Primary Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major League Baseball Pitchers: An Analysis of Factors Associated With Successful Return to Preinjury Level of Performance.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · May 2026 · PubMed

    MLB pitchers with lower preinjury performance (WAR <0.15) and reliever roles face significantly higher risk of failing to return to prior level after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.

  31. Return to Sport After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair and Reconstruction.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · May 29 2026 · PubMed

    Both UCL repair and reconstruction achieve high return-to-play rates; repair offers quicker throwing return but higher complication rates than reconstruction.

  32. Comprehensive Landscape and Future Perspectives of Surgical Therapy for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Bibliometric Analysis From 1980 to 2024.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · May 27 2026 · PubMed

    Bibliometric analysis shows surgical talus osteochondral lesion treatment evolves from traditional techniques toward biological augmentation and regenerative medicine.

Recent reviews

  1. Current Concepts in the Surgical Management of Elbow Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Dec 31 2024 · PubMed

    Augmented ulnar collateral ligament repair achieves >90% return-to-play at 6 months in select candidates, offering faster recovery than standard reconstruction.

  2. Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Instability: A Comprehensive Review of Pathology and Operative Techniques.

    HAND · Oct 2024 · PubMed

    ECU tendon pathology causes ulnar-sided wrist pain in athletes; nonanatomical extensor retinaculum reconstruction demonstrates successful outcomes for instability.

  3. Defining pseudoparalysis and pseudoparesis: a consensus study.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Oct 2024 · PubMed

    Expert consensus partially defined shoulder pseudoparalysis criteria but failed to establish unified definition, limiting diagnostic standardization across studies.

  4. Influence of Sex and Gender on Musculoskeletal Conditions and How They Are Reported.

    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) · Aug 21 2024 · PubMed

    Sex hormones differentially regulate musculoskeletal tissues affecting injury prevalence and outcomes; evidence on this topic remains understudied and inadequate.

  5. Clinical considerations of anatomy and magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric meniscus tear, with imaging-based treatment options.

    Journal of Children's Orthopaedics · Feb 2023 · PubMed

    Pediatric meniscus tears require careful imaging to identify growth plate injuries; peripheral tear repair is preferred over resection to prevent long-term sequelae.

  6. International cooperation needed to improve national anterior cruciate ligament registries.

    Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy · Jan 2023 · PubMed

    National ACL registries in multiple countries enable comparative outcome research; web-based systems are cost-effective and feasible to implement internationally.

  7. Rehabilitation Principles to Consider for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair.

    Sports Health · 2022 · PubMed

    ACL repair rehabilitation protocols vary by technique; internal bracing permits faster progression than ACLR but return-to-sport caution minimizes retear risk.

  8. Nonoperative and Operative Soft-Tissue, Cartilage, and Bony Regeneration and Orthopaedic Biologics of the Shoulder: An Orthoregeneration Network (ON) Foundation Review.

    Arthroscopy · Oct 2021 · PubMed

    Orthobiologics including HA, PRP, and MSCs show mixed results as isolated treatments or surgical adjuncts for shoulder pathology; potential exists with technique refinement.

  9. Shoulder arthroscopy: a bridge from the past to the future.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Aug 2020 · PubMed

    This Codman Lecture reviews the evolution and clinical importance of shoulder arthroscopy as a bridge between historical and modern surgical approaches.

  10. Epidemiology of Injuries in Ice Hockey.

    Sports Health · 2019 · PubMed

    Ice hockey injury incidence increases by competition level; mandatory facial protection and delayed body checking reduce concussion and facial injuries.

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