AANA25 Knee Access Pass-GENERAL SESSION: SOMOS (Main Stage)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session, introduced by Dr. Jennifer Smith, focused on advances and complex cases in military orthopedic care, highlighting the close collaboration between SOMOS (Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) shoulder and knee arthroscopy programs. Dr. J.T. Tokish traced the evolution of military sports medicine post-9/11, emphasizing how the high volume of combat and non-combat injuries shifted focus to readiness and arthroscopic treatments. A key initiative, the SOMOS-Anna course, established in 2009 with support from leading civilian arthroscopists, helped bridge military surgeons’ training gaps.<br /><br />Discussions included: management of complicated shoulder instability in a collegiate wrestler with bone loss, where consensus favored early surgical correction (open Bankart or Latarjet procedure) balancing return-to-play risks; a wrestler with a partial ACL tear managed with ACL repair under close monitoring; versus another athlete with more severe knee injuries requiring ACL reconstruction with BTB graft and meniscus repair considerations.<br /><br />Further, data was presented comparing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) versus high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in young active military patients, showing better return to unrestricted duty and fewer revisions with UKA. A debate on meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) highlighted benefits for knee stability and potential to delay arthritis but tempered by modest return-to-duty rates and risks, with alternative views advocating for medical discharge in some cases.<br /><br />Additional topics included quad tendon repair techniques showing similar outcomes for anchor versus transosseous repair but moderate return-to-duty rates. Lastly, a panel discussed shoulder arthritis management in young active patients, weighing non-operative and arthroplasty options, surgical planning, and implant selection to optimize function and durability for military personnel.<br /><br />Overall, the session underscored the importance of tailored surgical decision-making, close surgeon collaboration across military-civilian lines, and ongoing research to enhance musculoskeletal readiness in active duty service members.

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Keywords

military orthopedic care

SOMOS

AOSSM

shoulder arthroscopy

knee arthroscopy

military sports medicine

shoulder instability

ACL repair

ACL reconstruction

unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

high tibial osteotomy

meniscal allograft transplantation

shoulder arthritis management