Little has been written about the results of isolated acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) resection using the superior approach. We report the results of our large series.

Between June 1994 and October 2003, a single surgeon performed 155 isolated ACJ resections, using the direct superior approach. Exclusion criteria were previous ipsilateral shoulder surgery, simultaneous arthroscopic procedures and OA. We asked 90 of the patients (94 shoulders) to complete the Simple Shoulder Test questionnaire by telephone. The median age of the 72 males and 18 females was 38 years (16 to 62). The dominant shoulder was involved in 54 patients. There was a history of trauma in 44 patients, with 11 rugby injuries. The median follow-up period was 29 months (6 to 118).

One portal infection resolved with debridement and antibiotics. Five revision procedures were done, four open revision Mumfords and one subacromial decompression. The mean postoperative Simple Shoulder score was 11.5 (6 to 12). Patients rated outcome as excellent in 63 shoulders, good in 22, moderate in five and poor in four.

The technique provides consistently good or excellent results (90%) and allows rapid return to normal function. There was complete resolution of pain in 73 of the 94 shoulders. All rugby players returned to the same level of play.

The shape of the glenoid can vary between pear and oval, depending on the presence of a glenoid notch. We measured the glenoid notch angle (the angle between the superior and inferior part of the anterior glenoid rim) in 53 embalmed cadavers and investigated its relationship with the labral attachment to the glenoid at that point.

The attachment of the anterosuperior labrum at the site of the glenoid notch was classified as tight or loose or, in some cases, there was a sublabral foramen. The anterior labrum was then removed and digital images perpendicular to the glenoid notch were taken. Using a digital image analysis program, the angle of the glenoid notch was measured.

In 37 shoulders (70%) the attachment of the labrum at the site of the glenoid notch was assessed as tight and in eight (15%) as loose. In eight shoulders (15%) a sublabral foramen was found. The mean glenoid notch angle was 153° in the loosely attached group, 159° in the sublabral foramen group and 168° in the group with a tight attachment. The presence of a glenoid notch was noted only when the glenoid notch angle was less than 170°.

The glenoid notch angle is related to the attachment of the labrum. In the presence of a glenoid notch, there is more likely to be a loosely attached labrum or sublabral foramen. The loose attachment of the anterosuperior labrum may be a predisposing factor in traumatic anterior instability.

The management of bony lesions associated with glenohumeral instability is the subject of debate. Invariably some time elapses between injury and surgery, during which atrophy may reduce both size and quality of the bone.

The main purpose of our study was to assess the viability of the bone. Histomorphometric bone analyses were prospectively performed on glenoid fragments harvested from 21 male patients during modified Latarjet operations. Their median age was 21 years (16 to 50). Rugby was the main sport of 64% and water sports (surfing, water polo, water skiing) of 21%.

The mean glenoid bone loss on CT scan was 17% (10% to 50%). In 33% of patients, bone loss exceeded 20%. Gross morphology of glenolabral fragments identified a single large fragment in 11 patients, a dominant large fragment with smaller fragments in seven, and multiple fragments in the remaining patients. The mean volume of bony fragments was 2.18 ml (1 to 3) and the mean mass was 1.64 gm (0.43 to 2.8). Histological examination revealed that there was no bone in three of the 21 specimens. Bony necrosis was present in eight of the 18 specimens that contained bone (44%).

Given the histopathological findings, attempts to reattach these devitalised bone fragments by screws or anchors may fail and lead to recurrent instability.

Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder is a common cause of shoulder pain and is usually treated conservatively initially. We evaluated the ultrasound-guided needling procedure for calcium deposits in the rotator cuff.

Between 2002 and 2003 eight men and 18 women (mean age 49 years) with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder were treated this way. The mean duration of symptoms was 29 months. Before the procedure, the skin and subacromial bursa were infiltrated with local anaesthetic. The calcium deposit was perforated and aspirated when possible. With saline, a lavage was done to wash out the calcium.

Eleven patients (42.3%) had marked improvement in pain and needed no further treatment. Four patients required a reneedling procedure, and four patients needed repeated subacromial injections during the absorption phase of the calcium. In six patients arthroscopic calcium removal was needed. The mean visual analogue pain score during the procedure was 2.63. There were no complications.

The ultrasound-guided needling procedure is an effective and well-tolerated method of treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and in 77% of our cases there was no need for surgical removal. Where there is incomplete dissolution, the procedure can be repeated.

The research question was: can ex-vivo chondrocyte cultures be established in shoulder cartilage biopsies?

Arthroscopic or open biopsies were obtained, with informed consent and institution-approved review protocol, from patients undergoing total shoulder replacement or orthopaedic interventions for end-stage rotator cuff deficiency or arthropathy. Chondrocytes were isolated from eight biopsies and cells cultured over 4-weeks.

In the first week post-digestion, validation studies showed cell counts varying from 30 000 to 400 000 (mean 126 666) and viability ranging from 30% to 100% (mean 75.2%). No primary culture failures were observed. One of the eight had an unexplained lower cell count and viability. Viability exceeded 80% in six of the eight cultures (75%). Alcian Blue stains and flow cytometry (Facscan) confirmed stable cultures with matrix formation. Aggrecan studies are in progress.

The fact that ex-vivo chondrocyte cultures can be established in biopsied shoulder cartilage may prove encouraging for autologous chondrocyte transplant in selected patients meeting stringent inclusion criteria.

With widely reported co-existence of impingement syndrome and acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) disease, some surgeons recommend that ACJ resection be combined with subacromial decompression.

From 1998 to 2003, 201 patients with symptomatic ACJs were taken to theatre. Bursoscopy was performed on 129 males and 54 females, those patients who had previously undergone ipsilateral shoulder surgery or had sonographically-proven rotator cuff tears being excluded. The mean age was 41 years (16 to 72). The preoperative diagnosis was isolated ACJ disease in 136 patients and combined ACJ disease and impingement in 47. Bursoscopy revealed no abnormalities in 124 of the 136 patients in whom isolated ACJ disease was diagnosed. In two patients, minimal bursal fraying was noted but no decompression was performed. Significant ‘impingement lesions’ were seen in 10 patients, all of whom were over age 35 years.

Symptomatic ACJ disease coexisted with impingement (lesion or signs) in only 57 of 183 patients (31%) patients. With careful preoperative evaluation, unnecessary surgery is avoidable.

Purpose: Many different rotator cuff repairs have been advocated in previous publications without experimental evidence. Our aim was to mechanically test the static tensile properties and cyclical loading to failure of a single row lateral anchor repair and a double row medial and lateral anchor repair.

Method: Fresh frozen cadaveric shoulders were mounted on a rig and a mini-open deltoid split used to visualise the supraspinatus. A standardised full thickness incision of 2 cms was made with a scalpel across the supraspinatus tendon. After the deltoid was repaired and specimens randomised, an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was performed by the two senior authors in which the medial border of the tear was apposed to the lateral border using either a double or single row technique with a ‘Twinfix AB’ suture anchor. Once the repair had been performed, the gross specimens were dissected down to the rotator cuff musculature and the repair inspected. Those with associated cuff pathology were excluded from the experiment. Specimens were then mounted on a custom made rig to statically load each tendon simulating physiological loading of a repaired cuff defect in a post-operative 300 abducted position. The increase in tear size was then measured against time for 1 hour or to a point at which the mean tendon gap formation exceeded 5mm. Each specimen was then transferred to an Instron tensile testing machine to cyclically load to failure the supraspinatus musculotendinous unit. Each specimen was freeze clamped proximally in a specially designed clamp, whilst the humeral shaft was mounted at an angle of 300 of abduction.

Results: The two groups had a distinct difference in tensile properties with the single row fixation developing a 5mm gap in under 30 minutes. After 1 hour, the gap formed in the double row specimens was less than 5mm. In cyclical loading, the single row failed at a lower load compared with the double row. In some double row specimens the tendon failed mid substance above 250N, rather than at the anchor-suture or suture-tendon interface.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the double row mattress technique has superior loading properties when tested with a simulated physiological load comparative to the normal post-operative setting.

Aims – to describe the modifications in technique and outcome of the Latarjet procedure.

Methods – 46 patients were operated on over a six year period. The modifications included a change in orientation of the coracoid bone block and the addition of capsular closure. The procedures were performed by one surgeon for instability associated with antero-inferior glenoid loss. A Walch-Duplay score for instability was produced for each patient at follow-up. All patients had radiological evaluation.

Results – all patients were male with 33 participating at rugby union at a competitive level. The average number of pre-operative dislocations was 5 (range 2 to 20). The average follow-up was 38 months (minimum 6 months). Only one patient had recurrent instability. 31 returned to sport at the same level. The Walch-Duplay scores were as follows; excellent 70%, good 25%, mild 3.75% and poor 1.25%. There were the following complications; 2 fibrous unions (excellent outcome), 3 broken screws (excellent outcome) and two fixation failures (due to patient non compliance). There was no decrease in the range of internal rotation, 8 patients had mild restriction in forward flexion (average 5°) and 20 patients had mildly reduced external rotation at 90° abduction (average 5°). All but one patient (recurrent dislocation) rated their outcome as excellent and would have the operation again.

Discussion – recurrent instability due to bone loss is a difficult problem that is not amenable to traditional stability soft tissue procedures. We feel that the Latar-jet procedure confers excellent stability and produces excellent subjective and objective outcomes

Immunosuppression following intra-articular injections of steroid into the hip may interfere with asepsis in a subsequent total hip arthroplasty (THA). We have undertaken a retrospective, matched, cohort study of infective complications after THA, in 40 patients who had received such an injection and 40 who had not.

In the injection group there were five revisions, four of which were for deep infection. There were none in the matched group. The overall rate of revision in our database of 979 primary THAs was 1.02%. Six additional patients who had received injections underwent investigation for infection because of persistent problems in the hip as compared with one in the control group.

Purpose of study: A retrospective review of treatment for this often very difficult problem in old people with osteoporotic bone.

Description of methods: Number of patients reviewed: 11 (9 females, 2 males). Age: 63 – 89 (average 76). Follow-up: 14 – 72 months (average 61)

The operative method was similar in all cases: the non-union was exposed through a delto pectoral approached and fibular allograft was inserted across the fracture site. As the fibula is a very dense cortical bone a T-plate could then be applied to the humerus with the screws directed into the intramedullary fibular peg. Cortico-cancellous bone from the Iliac crest was supplemented.

Results: Bony union was achieved in every case.

Pre-operative constant scores: Average 26

Post-operative constant scores: Average 75

The most significant increase in constant score was the ability to actively elevate the arm. Decrease in pain levels did play a role but was not as dramatic as the increase in function.

Discussion: In this very difficult problem of non-union of the proximal humerus, mostly in elderly people with osteo-porotic bone where internal fixation is a major problem, supplementing the fixation with an intramedullary fibular peg achieved excellent results.

This study was to evaluate the stability of a delta keel tibial tray using a block prosthesis and to determine whether a long intramedullary stem is a necessary adjunct to augment construct stability. An experimental technique was used employing strain gauges and deflection transducers to assess the stiffness and principle strains conferred to human cadaveric tibiae under various axial loading conditions.

As a control measure, tests were conducted in the absence of any bone loss, and repeated in a simulated bone defect treated with a metal block. The latter was analysed with and without augmentation of the tibial tray with an intramedullary stem. With axial loading of 2000N, the tray and block configuration resulted in 21% less proximal bone strain than the tray alone. The combined tray, block and stem resulted in 35% less proximal bone strain than the tray alone. Using the tray and block produced 1.06 times more deflection of the tibial tray and using the tray, block and stem 1.03 times more deflection of the tibial tray than the tray alone in the absence of a bony defect.

There was no statistical difference in overall construct stability (p < 0.05) despite the large strain-offsetting effect recorded using the tibial tray in conjunction with the block and stem

These results suggest that isolated bone defects that can be dealt with using a single block and modern standard tibial tray may not require additional supplementation with a long intramedullary stem.

This paper looks at technical details and other issues in 30 primary total hip arthroplasty procedures performed through a direct lateral exposure in which the skin incision was limited according to the preoperatively templated acetabular component external diameter (D), using a formula D/2 + 1cm. All patients were positioned in the lateral decubitis position and stabilised with a vacuum beanbag.

Unpaired t-tests were used to determine difference in outcome between these patients and those operated on conventionally. No differences were noted between the two groups with regard to preoperative diagnosis, Oxford Hip Score, Harris Hip Score, demographic details, and body mass index. No statistically significant differences were noted with regard to operation time, blood loss, postoperative narcotic requirements, time to mobilise, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and six-week postoperative Harris Hip and Oxford Hip functional outcome scores.

The mini-incision technique does not appear to carry short-term advantages for the patients. We did not encounter technical problems, but the mini-exposure does create technical challenges that could potentially have an adverse effect on the ultimate outcome. We do not advocate its use.

This paper retrospectively reviews the type and outcome of shoulder surgery in 61 professional rugby players (mean age 24.7 years). All competed at provincial level or higher, with 20 competing internationally. Forty-three of the patients played the position of forward, while 33 played back. Most shoulders (41) were on the dominant side. Ten players had multiple procedures and over a seven-year period 76 procedures were performed. The procedures included 16 Latarjets, four arthroscopic stabilisations, four SLAP repairs, four arthroscopic shoulder decompressions, three biceps tenodeses, three HAGL repairs, two revision Latarjets, one posterior Bankart, one pectoralis major repair, one Weaver-Dunn and four combination procedures.

All but two players returned to their previous level of competition. The mean time to return to full contact participation was 3.6 months (1 to 12). The time to return was one month for an arthroscopic Mumford and six months for a stabilisation procedure.

The outcome of the shoulder Delta prosthesis in 22 men and nine women was prospectively studied. The mean age was 74 years (62 to 86). Indications for surgery were cuff deficient arthritis (18), fracture malunion (three), ‘pseudo-paralysis’ (six) and failed total prostheses (four). The mean preoperative Constant score of 39 increased to 69 (10 to 39) at 33 months postoperatively, with the major increases in the scores for active forward elevation and pain relief. The subjective satisfaction was 79%. Although this was a small series with a short follow-up, early results seem satisfactory.

In this prospective study of partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesions treated arthroscopically by an ‘all inside’ method, 12 patients (nine men and three women) with a mean age of 31 years (22 to 36) were followed up for a mean of 16 months (8 to 32). The deep partial rotator cuff tears were usually viewed from the glenohumeral joint side. Viewing the subacromial space usually revealed an entirely normal cuff with no sign of subacromial impingement. With the arthro-scope in the glenohumeral joint, the footprint area of the supraspinatus tendon was prepared and one or two anchors, each preloaded with two sutures, were passed through the rotator cuff into the footprint area of the greater tuberosity. The sutures attached to these anchors were passed through the tendon and tied in the subacromial space.

The Constant score improved from a preoperative mean of 72 to a postoperative mean of 91. The greatest increase was in power and overhead motion, especially abduction and external rotation.

PASTA lesions are difficult to diagnose, even with MRI. The ‘all inside’ method of arthroscopic repair obviates the need to detach intact fibres.

This study reviews the use of intramedullary fibular allograft in treating nonunion of the humeral neck in 11 patients. Nine women and two men with a mean age of 76 years (63 to 89) were followed up for a mean of 61 months (14 to 72). The nonunion was exposed through a deltopectoral approach and fibular allograft was inserted across the fracture site. As the fibula is a very dense cortical bone, a T-plate could then be applied to the humerus with the screws directed into the intra-medullary fibular peg. Supplementary corticocancellous bone from the iliac crest was used. Bony union was achieved in every case. The preoperative mean Constant score was 26 and the postoperative mean Constant score was 75. The most notable improvement was in patients’ ability to elevate the arm actively. Decreases in pain levels were observed but were less dramatic than the increases in function.

In a retrospective review, 38 consecutive Workers’ Compensation (WC) patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were matched to a cohort of non-WC patients for demographics and preoperative diagnosis. Outcome measures included the Knee Society Score (KSS), the Oxford Knee Score, the McGrory Modified Knee Score (MMKS), patient satisfaction and number of postoperative clinic visits. Unpaired t-tests were used to determine differences in outcomes. Pre-operative KSS, pain and flexion range as measured by KSS, and Oxford scores displayed no statistical differences. The differences in the two groups at six weeks was significant in respect of KSS (p =0.0005) pain as measured by KSS (p =0.015), and flexion range (p =0.012). At six months similar results were noted in pain as measured by KSS (p =0.018), Oxford scores (p =0.005) and flexion range (p =0.035), but KSS function was not significant (p =0.073). One-year Oxford scores (p =0.013) and flexion range (p =0.013) were statistically significant, as were MMKS (p =0.001), patient expectations (p =0.030), perceived quality of life (p =0.009), and number of postoperative clinic visits (p =0.003).

The short-term outcomes of primary TKA in patients receiving workers’ compensation benefits are inferior to those obtained by non-workers’ compensation patients. Workers’ compensation patients are seen more often for postoperative follow-up, which we would attribute to the persistence of subjective complaints following primary TKA.

The results of arthroscopic repair of tears of the sub-scapularis tendon in nine men and six women, ranging in age from 53 to 73 years, were followed up at a mean of 14 months (6 to 24). Three were complete tears, six 50%-tears and six 30%-tears. In seven patients there were associated tears of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons, which were repaired arthroscopically during the same procedure.

In each case the subscapularis tear was identified. In most patients a biceps tenotomy was necessary. The subscapularis footprint was prepared and the tendon was repaired using one or two anchors, each with two sutures, depending on the size of the tear. The mean pre-operative and postoperative Constant scores were 48 and 88 respectively.

In most patients, power returned to almost normal and pain was almost completely relieved. Arthroscopic subscapularis repair is a relatively new procedure and seems to give good results.

In this study, 40 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and had a history of previous steroid injections were compared retrospectively with 40 carefully matched patients who underwent THA in the same period but had never received steroid injections. The development of sepsis under standard care was one of the outcome measures. This occurred in 20% of steroid patients within the first 36 months after THA, compared to 0% in the control group. Further, in a detailed analysis of Harris and Oxford scores, patients treated with steroid had a higher incidence of night pain, more severe pain, and greater loss of function in activities of daily living at one year. There were two revisions for deep infection in the steroid and control groups.

Based on the incidence of pain and infectious complications in the first postoperative year, and pending completion of the study, we provisionally suggest that steroid injection of hips may be ill advised in patients who are likely candidates for future THA.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse outcome of shoulder prostheses after radiotherapy, to define a specific clinicoradiological entity, and evaluate incidence of complications.

Material and methods: Fourteen shoulder prostheses were implanted in 13 women who had been treated for breast cancer with complementary radiotherapy and one man treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The time from radiothearpy to implantation was 16 years, seven months. Two forms were identified on the preoperative x-rays: seven cases with typical avascular osteonecrosis according to the Arlet and Ficat classification, and seven cases with a radiographic presentation of arthritis or degenerative disease. Humeral prostheses were used in five cases and a total shoulder arthroplasty in nine.

Results: Four implants had to be removed, three for sepsis, and five patients required revision surgery. The mean postoperative Constant score for the ten prostheses still in place was 53.1 points with a mean elevation of 111° at three years seven months follow-up. The gain in pain score was 8.5 points with a mean result of 10.9 points. The results were different depending on the initial radiological form, with less favourable outcome observed in typical osteonecrosis.

Discussion: This study demonstrated a particular radio-clinical entity independent of classical osteonecrosis of the humeral head. The surgical procedure was more difficult and the outcome was less satisfactory than in the classical forms with a high rate of complications.