Distal clavicle fractures associated with coracoclavicular ligament disruption are potentially unstable¹. Internal fixation of these fractures is often inadequate due to two anatomical problems:

Inadequate distal fragment size and

We hypothesize that a contour-matched locking plate coupled with a coracoclavicular ligament repair device would provide a potentially safe and minimally invasive method for adequate fixation.

Between 2006 and 2008, 5 patients were surgically treated for non-comminuted distal clavicular fractures associated with coracoclavicular ligament disruption. The surgical technique consisted of

neutralization of muscular forces on the proximal fragment by using a minimally invasive ligament repair device (TightRope^™, Arthrex, FL), and

Technical tips to optimize this new procedure are presented. Outcome measures consisted of

Constant shoulder score

The retrospective follow-up period varied from 8 weeks to 24 months. A statistically significant improvement in the Constant score was observed in every patient. All patients progressed to satisfactory bony union. Plate removal was not necessary in any patient. Potential complications include screw penetration of the acromioclavicular joint, acromioclavicular ligament disruption, and distal fragment comminution.

A contour-matched locking plate coupled with a coracoclavicular ligament repair device is a new lesser invasive and safe anatomical approach for achieving fixation adequacy in a highly unstable but non-comminuted distal clavicular fracture subgroup. We recommend strict adherence to the guidelines presented (technical tips) to achieve an optimal result.

Introduction: We have devised a new technique of lesser tuberosity osteotomy with double row fixation of the subscapularis using suture anchors.

Aim: To evaluate the biomechanical properties of this novel technique against two established methods of subscapularis repair including tendon to tendon and transosseous repairs.

Method: Matched pairs of human cadaveric shoulders were allocated into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of the double row technique with incision of the subscapularis along the bicipital groove with a lesser tuberosity osteotomy. A double loaded suture anchor was placed along the medial border of the osteotomy site and sutures were passed through subscapularis medial to the bone island in a horizontal mattress manner. A second anchor was inserted along the lateral border of the osteotomy site and the two sutures were tied onto the subscapularis holding sutures. In group 2, the subscapularis was divided 1cm medial to the bicipital groove and repaired with tendon to tendon suturing. In group 3, the subscapularis was repaired to the cut humeral neck through transosseous tunnels. The cyclic elongation, load to failure, displacement and mode of failure were analysed.

Results: All specimens in Group 1 and 40% of Group 2 and 3 passed the cyclic loading test. The ultimate tensile strength in Group 1 was found to be 2.8 times that of Group 2 and 2.4 times that of Group 3 (p< 0.05). Simple suturing failed by suture cutting out of soft tissue and tranosseous repair failed by a combination of the suture cutting out through bone and soft tissue.

Conclusion: This novel technique is simple to perform and biomechanically stronger than established methods of repair. A stronger fixation may allow early mobilization without the risk of tendon rupture and is much less likely to loosen with gap formation and subsequent fibrous tissue interposition. Additional advantages include bone to bone healing without violation of the subscapularis tendon.

Introduction: We have described nine clinical features to aid the clinical diagnosis of frozen shoulder. These include symptoms of pain and pins and needles radiating down the arm to the hand, feeling of lameness in the arm, tenderness over medial border of scapula, tenderness over the rotator interval, tenderness over the brachial plexus in the supraclavicular fossa, reduction of pain with passive abduction and forward flexion of the shoulder, asymmetry of the arm position at rest with an increase in elbow to waist distance and apparent winging of the scapula.

Methods: We prospectively evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of each clinical test in a consecutive series of 110 patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. An equal number of patients with shoulder pathology other than frozen shoulder were used as controls matched to the study group for sex and age. We also discuss the probable causes and clinical relevance of these features.

Results The most sensitive test was pain over the brachial p:lexus in the supraclavicular fossa (0.98) and the most specific test was apparent winging of the scapula (0.84). The single most accurate diagnostic test was relief of symptoms with abduction and flexion (85%). The incidence of positive accessory features was positively correlated with the visual analogue pain score (p< 0.0001, Spearman rank correlation coefficient) and negatively correlated with the length of duration of symptoms (p< 0.0001, Spearman rank correlation coefficient).

Conclusion: These accessory tests are intended to supplement the original description made by Codman. They are most useful in the acute painful stage of the disease when symptoms have been present for less than 6 months. In the diagnosis of a patient with a painful stiff shoulder, if six of the tests with the highest correlation are positive, the diagnosis of frozen shoulder is likely.

Introduction: A secure repair of the subscapularis represents an integral part of any surgery involving the anterior approach to the shoulder. Dysfunction of the subscapularis leads not only to poor functional results but also to anterior joint instability which is potentially untreatable. We have devised a new technique of double row fixation of the subscapularis using two suture anchors.

Aim: To evaluate the biomechanical strength of this double row technique against the established methods of simple suturing and transosseous repair techniques.

Method: Twenty matched pairs of human cadaveric shoulders were allocated into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of 10 shoulders repaired with the double row technique. This involved incising the subscapularis along the bicipital groove and a lesser tuberosity osteotomy carried out leaving the subscapularis attached to a thin island of bone. A suture anchor (Twinfix) was then inserted just medial to the osteotomy site and the tendon repaired to bone using two horizontal mattress sutures. A second anchor was inserted laterally to supplement the repair with two simple suture knots. The remaining 10 contralateral shoulders were allocated equally between groups 2 and 3. In group 2, the subscapularis was divided longitudinally 1cm medial to the bicipital groove and repaired with simple interrupted suture knots. In group 3, the subscapularis was incised at its insertion to lesser tuberosity and the tendon repaired to the osteotomy site by multiple transosseous sutures through drill holes in the anterior humeral cortex.

The suture material used in all three groups was identical and consisted of an ultra high molecular weight poly-ethylene suture (Ultrabraid). To simulate the direction of pull of the subscapularis, the testing block was tilted 45 degrees while a vertically applied distraction force was applied. A custom made jig was used to measure the amount of displacement in response to a gradually applied load. All specimens were tested to failure. The mode of failure of each fixational construct was recorded.

Results: The load to failure was found to be significantly higher in the double row repair technique compared to simple suturing and transosseous methods. Simple suturing failed by suture cutting out of soft tissue and tranosseous repair failed by a combination of the suture cutting out through bone and soft tissue.

Conclusion: This new double row technique is simple to perform and preliminary biomechanical testing has shown this to be superior in terms of fixational strength compared to established methods. Additional advantages of this technique which have not been taken into account in this in vitro study include non violation of the subscapularis tendon with bone to bone healing.