Do Basic Science Articles Have Clinical Relevance?

At the New Year in January, we exhorted, “…send us your letters”.1Lubowitz J.H. Poehling G.G. A new year.Arthroscopy. 2008; 24: 2-3Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (20) Google Scholar Now, in March, we reiterate our appeal and introduce a controversial question. While we continue to solicit your comments on any aspect of the Journal, we introduce the basic science articles in the current issue with the intentionally provocative query: Do readers find these articles relevant to their surgical practices? More specifically: Yasuda et al.2Yasuda K. Ichiyama H. Kondo E. Miyatake S. Inoue M. Tanabe Y. An in vivo biomechanical study on the tension-versus-knee flexion angle curves of two grafts in anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Effects of initial tension and internal tibial rotation.Arthroscopy. 2008; 24: 276-284Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (85) Google Scholar evaluate double-bundle ACL reconstruction using sutures to replicate the bundles in vivo. Do readers appreciate the clinical relevance of this biomechanical approach? Howells et al.3Howells N.R. Brinsden M.D. Gill R.S. Carr A.J. Rees J.L. Motion analysis: A validated method for showing skill levels in arthroscopy.Arthroscopy. 2008; 24: 335-342Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (89) Google Scholar assert that they have found motion analysis to be a valid method for determining skill levels in arthroscopy. Do readers agree that this adjunct could be of value in teaching, learning, or practicing arthroscopic skills in the future? To investigate the effect of drilling angle on nerve safety during distal biceps tendon repair, Saldua et al.4Saldua N. Carney J. Dewing C. Thompson M. The effect of drilling angle on posterior interosseous nerve safety during open and endoscopic anterior single-incision repair of the distal biceps tendon.Arthroscopy. 2008; 24: 305-310Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (40) Google Scholar employ a cadaveric model and advocate a unique drill starting position, forearm position, and drilling angle. Do readers believe that this cadaveric model is relevant to their clinical practices? Will this affect readers’ surgical techniques? And what of triangular fibrocartilage complex cell death in patients with increased ulnar length? Do readers agree with Unglaub et al.5Unglaub F. Wolf M.B. Thome M.A. Germann G. Sauerbier M. Reiter A. Correlation of ulna length and apoptotic cell death in degenerative lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage.Arthroscopy. 2008; 24: 299-304Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar who state that preventing further cell death will improve clinical outcome and that decreasing ulnar variance represents a solution? Kowalsky et al.6Kowalsky M.S. Dellenbaugh S.G. Erlichman D.B. Gardner T.R. Levine W.N. Ahmad C.S. Evaluation of suture abrasion against rotator cuff tendon and proximal humerus bone.Arthroscopy. 2008; 24: 329-334Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (39) Google Scholar evaluate rotator cuff suture abrasion in a cadaveric model. Do readers agree with the authors’ suggestion that, based on their study findings, further advances in design of suture material should focus on decreasing soft tissue abrasion and increasing strength to failure? Lastly, Current Concepts reviews represent a basic approach to arthroscopic science. Chloros, Wiesler, and Poehling,7Chloros G.D. Wiesler E.R. Poehling G.G. Current concepts in wrist arthroscopy.Arthroscopy. 2008; 24: 343-354Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (69) Google Scholar and independently, Bain, Munt, and Turner8Bain G.I. Munt J. Turner P.C. New advances in wrist arthroscopy.Arthroscopy. 2008; 24: 355-367Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (82) Google Scholar present their analyses of the state-of-the-art in wrist arthroscopy. These complementary reviews have similarities and differences, and both demonstrate immense effort on the part of the authors (who we thank for their contributions). We encourage our readers to submit their comments, experiences, and questions regarding wrist arthroscopy. Please specifically direct your letters to either one, or both, of the groups of contributing authors. Send us your letters, on these or other topics, this month and every month. We want to stir up, and ultimately clear up, clinical controversies. Send us your letters. In turn, we will encourage our contributing authors to provide answers.