Austin Jeffrey Stoner

All Publications

• Comparative Analysis of Iliotibial Band Graft Length in Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: MacIntosh Versus All-Epiphyseal Femoral Drilling Technique. The American journal of sports medicine Duru, N. O., Stoner, A. J., Alayleh, A. M., Lind, D. R., Schultz, C., Pham, N. S., Ellis, H. B., Schmitz, M. R., Yen, Y. M., Tompkins, M. A., Ganley, T., Meadows, M. C., Chan, C., Shea, K. G. 2025: 3635465251371321

  Abstract

  Iliotibial band (ITB) grafts yield excellent outcomes for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in skeletally immature patients. Because closure of the ITB harvest interval is often not feasible, techniques that allow for shorter ITB grafts may be beneficial.That the all-epiphyseal femur ITB graft would be significantly shorter than the over-the-top ITB graft.Controlled laboratory study.Six fresh-frozen pediatric knees (mean age, 9.7 years; range, 9-11 years) were used. Surgeons simulated the modified MacIntosh and all-epiphyseal ITB ACLRs using No. 2 suture as a proxy for the ITB graft. A suture was attached at the ITB origin on the Gerdy tubercle and then passed over-the-top on the femur, under the transverse meniscal ligament, and to the metaphyseal anchor point. The length of the suture was measured. The suture was then placed through the all-epiphyseal femoral drill hole, under the transverse meniscal ligament to the same tibial metaphyseal anchor point. Femoral condyle width was recorded, and the relationship between graft length and technique was analyzed using analysis of covariance to adjust for femoral condyle widths.Graft length for the all-epiphyseal ITB ACLR was significantly shorter than that for the modified MacIntosh ITB ACLR, with a mean difference of 26.0 ± 6.0 mm (P < .001). Across both groups, each additional millimeter of condyle width was associated with an increase in graft length by 2.3 mm (P < .001). Mean graft lengths for the modified MacIntosh and all-epiphyseal femur were 173.3 ± 16.5 mm and 147.3 ± 16.0 mm, respectively.The all-epiphyseal femoral technique requires a significantly shorter ITB graft length compared with the modified MacIntosh technique. A nomogram was developed to estimate graft length differences adjusted for condyle width. Future pediatric studies should continue to explore the biomechanics of both graft techniques, as they may provide lateral extra-articular stabilization and reduce ACL reinjury rates.Shortened ITB autograft length may reduce symptoms associated with muscle herniation.

  View details for DOI 10.1177/03635465251371321

  View details for PubMedID 40971308

• Impact of Pediatric Knee Anatomy on ACL Reconstruction: Lessons Learned From Cadaveric Dissections-A Review. Sports medicine and arthroscopy review Alayleh, A. M., Alawa, J., Stoner, A., Bryant, S., Troyer, S., Ganley, T. J., Ellis, H., Tompkins, M., Shea, K. G. 2025; 33 (1): 14-23

  Abstract

  Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries in pediatric patients are rising and present unique challenges for orthopedic surgeons due to skeletal immaturity and risk for physeal damage during ACL reconstruction. This review aims to share insights from pediatric cadaveric anatomic studies and related research to inform surgical management of ACL injuries in skeletally immature patients. We highlight age-dependent variations in the distances between the ACL and medial collateral ligament and their respective physes, developmental variability in the anterolateral structures of the pediatric knee, and variability in the proximity of the neurovascular bundle's proximity to the iliotibial band graft pathway during ACL reconstruction. In addition, we review biomechanical properties of different grafts to assess their strength and suitability for ACL reconstruction. Our findings emphasize the importance of age-specific surgical approaches that consider individual anatomic differences of pediatric patients, collectively advancing our understanding of pediatric knee anatomy and its relevance to successful ACL reconstruction.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/JSA.0000000000000418

  View details for PubMedID 40145602

• How can we better engage female athletes? A novel approach to health and performance education in adolescent athletes BMJ OPEN SPORT & EXERCISE MEDICINE Roche, M., Mcintyre, A., Oliver, C., Sainani, K., Boyd, T., Stoner, A., Kraus, E. 2024; 10 (3): e001901

  Abstract

  To evaluate the impact of a video series versus online pamphlets/blog posts on Female Athlete Triad (Triad) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) knowledge in high school female runners.Runners from 10 US schools were cluster-randomised into groups to either watch videos or read pamphlets on Triad/REDs, nutrition, menstrual cycle, bone health and mental health. Changes in knowledge and interest were assessed using generalised estimating equations.Forty-five runners were in the video intervention group (mean age=16.0) and 39 in the control (mean age=15.7). Both groups showed knowledge gains for all topics, except for mental health, where knowledge was already high. The intervention group's knowledge increase (means=75.7 and 93.3) was not significantly higher than the control's (means=77.9 and 93.6) (p=0.149). However, the intervention group had stronger scores on behavioural impact, information novelty and interest (means=3.77, 3.93 and 4.14) compared with the control's (means=3.36, 3.48 and 3.52) (p≤0.05, p≤0.05 and p≤0.001).Both videos and pamphlets improved knowledge of Triad/REDs and female athlete science, however videos had a greater influence on athletes' engagement and behavioural intentions.

  View details for DOI 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001901

  View details for Web of Science ID 001311554800001

  View details for PubMedID 39290377

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11407224

• Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Injury: Evidence-Based Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes. The American surgeon Gomez, G. I., Li, G. Q., Valido, A. A., Stoner, A. J., Bromley-Dulfano, R. A., Sheira, D., Gonzalez, C. A., Khan, S. I., Choi, J., Zygourakis, C. C., Weiser, T. G. 2023: 31348231216479

  Abstract

  Traumatic thoracolumbar spine injuries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Targeted for non-spine specialist trauma surgeons, this systematic scoping review aimed to examine literature for up-to-date evidence on presentation, management, and outcomes of thoracolumbar spine injuries in adult trauma patients.This review was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. We searched four bibliographic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies included experimental, observational, and evidence-synthesis articles evaluating patients with thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spine injury, published in English between January 1, 2010 and January 31, 2021. Studies which focused on animals, cadavers, cohorts with N <30, and pediatric cohorts (age <18 years old), as well as case studies, abstracts, and commentaries were excluded.A total of 2501 studies were screened, of which 326 unique studies were fully text reviewed and twelve aspects of injury management were identified and discussed: injury patterns, determination of injury status and imaging options, considerations in management, and patient quality of life. We found: (1) imaging is a necessary diagnostic tool, (2) no consensus exists for preferred injury characterization scoring systems, (3) operative management should be considered for unstable fractures, decompression, and deformity, and (4) certain patients experience significant burden following injury.In this systematic scoping review, we present the most up-to-date information regarding the management of traumatic thoracolumbar spine injuries. This allows non-specialist trauma surgeons to become more familiar with thoracolumbar spine injuries in trauma patients and provides a framework for their management.

  View details for DOI 10.1177/00031348231216479

  View details for PubMedID 37983195