Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients with recurrent antero-inferior gle-nohumeral instability with associated antero-inferior glenoid bone loss treated with a specific open stabilisation technique, using intra-substance coracoid bone grafting. It is hypothesised that this method of reconstruction produces low recurrence of instability as well potential for patients to return to high-risk sport.

Methods: 30 shoulders with recurrent anterior dislocation and glenoid bone loss were stabilised with open capsular and labral repair and intra-substance coracoid bone grafting. Motion and stability were assessed by Rowe Stability Score (RSS) with follow-up over 2 years in all cases. American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES) and Oxford Stability Scoring (OSS) were also recorded at follow-up. Intention to and actual return to sporting level was assessed. Union of the graft was confirmed by CT scan.

Results: For all 30 shoulders at a mean follow-up time of 2 years 11 months (range 2–5 years) the RSS improved from a mean of 32 to 78.5 post-op. 1 redislocation occurred whilst continuing high-risk sport after 2 years. ASES index at 2 years had a mean of 91.8 whilst the OSS was 18.5. Pre-operatively, 24 patients participated in high-risk sport. 20 intended to return to high-risk sport post operatively. 18 achieved this return without restriction. CT scans were available on 25 shoulders at a mean of 4.5 months after surgery. 1 showed slight resorption of the graft, union was confirmed in 23.

Conclusion: This small sample shows an overall acceptable clinical and radiological outcome at a minimum of 2-year follow-up. These results support the current literature advocating open stabilisation and bone grafting of the glenoid where loss is evident, particularly in the young contact athlete with recurrent instability and high expectations of success.

The Latarjet procedure utilises the coracoid as a vascularised bone autograft to augment the glenoid in patients with shoulder dislocation, especially where there is a bony lesion affecting the glenoid. A modification of the Latarjet procedure, pioneered in Cape Town, South Africa, rotates the coracoid so that its curved under-surface matches that of the glenoid. The aim of this study was to measure the radii of curvature of the glenoid and the coracoid to see how well the curved under-surface of the coracoid matches the glenoid’s surface curvature.

An initial study of 210 cadaveric scapulae was performed in which the radii of curvature of the surface of the glenoid and the curved under-surface of the coracoid were measured. We found that the curves are very similar. The glenoid’s surface had a median curvature of 30mm (inter-quartile range from 25mm to 30mm) and the coracoid had a median curvature of 22.5mm (inter-quartile range from 20mm to 25mm). The curvature of the glenoid in these dry specimens was slightly larger than the corresponding coracoid curvature. In life this difference would be minimised by articular cartilage, labrum and the attachment of capsule (another Cape Town modification).

A further parallel CT based study was set up at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary in England. The same radii of curvature where measured and compared using 3D CT reconstruction on a further 20 scapulae from living patients. These measurements also support the cadaveric similarities with a mean glenoid curvature of 23.9mm and coracoid of 25.4mm respectively. Using a paired t-test no statiscally significant difference was found between the corresponding data (p=0.2488)

This study confirms the native anatomy of the coracoid is perfectly suited for this modification of the Latar-jet procedure.

Impingement is a major part of the pathological complex of degenerative osteoarthritis of the elbow. It can be seriously disabling causing symptoms of pain, locking, swelling and reduced range of motion. Various surgical techniques, both arthroscopic as well as open, have been described which aim to remove the offending osteophytes and loose bodies in an attempt to improve elbow function.

Our study includes thirteen patients with a mean age of the 54 years (34 to 68) who underwent debridement arthroplasty of the elbow for degenerative arthritis using a modification of the Outerbridge-Kashiwagi trans-olecranon technique. This approach allows excision of posterior osteophytes, adequate clearance of the olecranon fossa,

removal of anterior coronoid osteophytes and loose bodies via a trans-olecranon fenestration and when required permits decompression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel.

At a mean follow-up of 37 months (3 to 96) the Mayo scores improved by a mean of 36 points with performance indices being rated as excellent in 5, good in 5 and fair in 3. Pain scores improved by a mean of 4 grades (2 to 8). The mean improvement in the flexion-extension arc was 28 (0 to 55). There was one complication of transient ulnar nerve neuritis, which responded to non-operative measures.

Though limited by the lack of a control group we were able to show the effectiveness and reliability of our technique in producing lasting benefit in improving range of motion and relieving pain in degenerative osteoarthritis of the elbow.