This investigation sought to advance the work published in our prior biomechanical study ( A total of 33 adult humeri were used from a previous study where we quantified bone mineral density of the proximal humerus using radiographs and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and regional mean cortical thickness and cortical index using radiographs. The bones were fractured in a simulated backwards fall with the humeral head loaded at 2 mm/second via a frustum angled at 30° from the long axis of the bone. Correlations were assessed with ultimate fracture load and these new parameters: cortical index expressed in areas (“areal cortical index”) of larger regions of the diaphysis; the canal-to-calcar ratio used analogous to its application in proximal femurs; and the recently described medial cortical ratio.Objectives
Materials and Methods
A trial-based comparison of the use of resources, costs and quality
of life outcomes of arthroscopic and open surgical management for
rotator cuff tears in the United Kingdom NHS was performed using
data from the United Kingdom Rotator Cuff Study (UKUFF) randomised
controlled trial. Using data from 273 patients, healthcare-related use of resources,
costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated at
12 months and 24 months after surgery on an intention-to-treat basis
with adjustment for covariates. Uncertainty about the incremental
cost-effectiveness ratio for arthroscopic Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of the study was to develop a quantitative scoring system
to predict whether a large-to-massive rotator cuff tear was arthroscopically
reparable prior to surgery. We conducted a retrospective review of the pre-operative MR imaging
and surgical records of 87 patients (87 shoulders) who underwent
arthroscopic repair of a large-to-massive rotator cuff tear. Patients
were divided into two groups, based on the surgical outcome of the
repair. Of the 87 patients, 53 underwent complete repair (Group
I) and 34 an incomplete repair (Group II). Pre-operative MR images
were reviewed to quantify several variables. Between-group differences
were evaluated and multiple logistic regression analysis was used
to calculate the predictive value of significant variables. The
reparability index (RI) was constructed using the odds ratios of
significant variables and a receiver operating characteristic curve
analysis performed to identify the optimal RI cutoff to differentiate
between the two groups.Aims
Patients and Methods
Improvements in the evaluation of outcome after nerve transfers
are required. The assessment of force using the Medical Research
Council (MRC) grades (0 to 5) is not suitable for this purpose.
A ceiling effect is encountered within MRC grade 4/5 rendering this
tool insensitive. Our aim was to show how the strength of flexion
of the elbow could be assessed in patients who have undergone a
re-innervation procedure using a continuous measurement scale. A total of 26 patients, 23 men and three women, with a mean age
of 37.3 years (16 to 66), at the time of presentation, attended
for review from a cohort of 52 patients who had undergone surgery
to restore flexion of the elbow after a brachial plexus injury and
were included in this retrospective study. The mean follow-up after
nerve transfer was 56 months (28 to 101, standard deviation (Aims
Methods
Our aim was to describe the atypical pattern of increased fatty
degeneration in the infraspinatus muscle compared with the supraspinatus
in patients with a massive rotator cuff tear. We also wished to
describe the nerve conduction and electromyography findings in these
patients. A cohort of patients undergoing surgery for a massive rotator
cuff tear was identified and their clinical records obtained. Their
MRI images were reviewed to ascertain the degree of retraction of
the torn infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles, and the degree
of fatty degeneration in both muscles was recorded. Nerve conduction studies
were also performed in those patients who showed more degeneration
in the infraspinatus than in the supraspinatus.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of altered viewing
perspectives on the measurement of the glenopolar angle (GPA) and
the differences between these measurements made on 3D CT reconstructions
and anteroposterior (AP) scapular view radiographs. The influence of the viewing perspective on the GPA was assessed,
as were the differences in the measurements of the GPA between 3D
CT reconstructions and AP scapular view radiographs in 68 cadaveric
scapulae.Aims
Materials and Methods
Cubitus varus is the most common late complication of a supracondylar
fracture of the humerus in children. Correction can be performed
using one of a number of techniques of osteotomy but each has disadvantages.
We describe a new technique for correcting post-traumatic cubitus
varus using a lateral closing wedge isosceles triangular osteotomy. A lateral closing wedge isosceles triangular osteotomy was performed
in 25 patients (15 male and ten female with a mean age of 9.5 years
(6 to 12)) between May 2010 and April 2013. All patients had cubitus
varus secondary to malunion of a supracondylar fracture, with good
function of the elbow and a full range of movement. The osteotomy
lines were marked on the bone with an isosceles triangular template
made before surgery, after which the osteotomy was performed leaving
the medial cortex intact. Fixation was performed using two lateral
2 mm Kirschner (K)-wires and patients were immobilised in an above-elbow
plaster. By six to eight weeks callus was present and the wires
and cast were removed. Patients were reviewed at four and six weeks,
three, six and 12 months and then every two years until skeletal
maturity. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were categorised as excellent,
good or poor.Aims
Patients and Methods
The bony shoulder stability ratio (BSSR) allows for quantification of the bony stabilisers Four polyethylene balls (radii: 19.1 mm to 38.1 mm) were used to mould four fitting sockets in four different depths (3.2 mm to 19.1mm). The SR was measured in biomechanical congruent and incongruent experimental series. The experimental SR of a congruent system was compared with the calculated SR based on the BSSR approach. Differences in SR between congruent and incongruent experimental conditions were quantified. Finally, the experimental SR was compared with either calculated SR based on the socket concavity or plastic ball radius.Objectives
Methods
Despite the expansion of arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder,
the open deltopectoral approach is increasingly used for the fixation
of fractures and arthroplasty of the shoulder. The anatomy of the
terminal branches of the posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA)
has not been described before. We undertook an investigation to
correct this omission. The vascular anatomy encountered during 100 consecutive elective
deltopectoral approaches was recorded, and the common variants of
the terminal branches of the PCHA are described.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to analyse human muscle tissue before
and after rotator cuff repair to look for evidence of regeneration,
and to characterise the changes seen in the type of muscle fibre. Patients were assessed pre-operatively and one year post-operatively
using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and MRI. The cross-sectional
area and distribution of the type of muscle fibre were assessed
on biopsies, which were taken at surgery and one year post-operatively.
Paired samples from eight patients were analysed. There were three
men and five women with a mean age of 63 years (50 to 73).Aims
Patients and Methods
A variety of operative techniques have been described as under
the term ‘Bristow-Latarjet’ procedure. This review aims to define
the original procedure, and compare the variation in techniques
described in the literature, assessing any effect on clinical outcomes. A systematic review of 24 studies was performed to compare specific
steps of the technique (coracoid osteotomy site, subscapularis approach,
orientation and position of coracoid graft fixation and fixation
method, additional labral and capsular repair) and detect any effect
this variability had on outcomes.Objectives
Materials and Methods
Heterotopic ossification (HO) occurs after arthroplasty, especially
total hip arthroplasty. In this study we describe the incidence,
evolution, morphology and clinical consequences of HO following
reverse shoulder arthroplasty. This is a single-centre retrospective study of 132 consecutive
patients who received a Delta III or Delta Xtend reverse total shoulder
arthroplasty between 2006 and 2013 for the treatment of cuff tear
arthropathy. There were 96 women and 36 men. Their mean age at the
time of surgery was 69 years (49 to 89) and the mean follow-up was
36 months (12 to 84). The incidence, evolution, morphology and clinical
consequences of HO using the Constant-Murley score (CS) were analysed.
A modified Brooker classification of HO of the hip was used.Aims
Patients and Methods
Our aim was to investigate the outcomes of patients with a displaced
fracture of the glenoid fossa who are treated conservatively. There
is little information in the literature about the treatment of these
rare injuries non-operatively. We reviewed 24 patients with a mean age of 52 years (19 to 81)
at a mean of 5.6 years (11 months to 18 years) after the injury.Aims
Patients and Methods
Revision total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is often challenging.
The aim of this study was to report on the clinical and radiological
results of revision arthroplasty of the elbow with the Latitude
TEA. Between 2006 and 2010 we used the Latitude TEA for revision in
18 consecutive elbows (17 patients); mean age 53 years (28 to 80);
14 women. A Kudo TEA was revised in 15 elbows and a Souter-Strathclyde
TEA in three. Stability, range of movement (ROM), visual analogue score (VAS)
for pain and functional scores, Elbow Functional Assessment Scale
(EFAS), the Functional Rating Index of Broberg and Morrey (FRIBM)
and the Modified Andrews’ Elbow Scoring System (MAESS) were assessed
pre-operatively and at each post-operative follow-up visit (six,
12 months and biennially thereafter). Radiographs were analysed
for loosening, fractures and dislocation. The mean follow-up was
59 months (26 to 89).Aims
Patients and Methods
Patient-specific glenoid guides (PSGs) claim an improvement in
accuracy and reproducibility of the positioning of components in
total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The results have not yet been
confirmed in a prospective clinical trial. Our aim was to assess
whether the use of PSGs in patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder
would allow accurate and reliable implantation of the glenoid component. A total of 17 patients (three men and 14 women) with a mean age
of 71 years (53 to 81) awaiting TSA were enrolled in the study.
Pre- and post-operative version and inclination of the glenoid were
measured on CT scans, using 3D planning automatic software. During
surgery, a congruent 3D-printed PSG was applied onto the glenoid
surface, thus determining the entry point and orientation of the
central guide wire used for reaming the glenoid and the introduction
of the component. Manual segmentation was performed on post-operative
CT scans to compare the planned and the actual position of the entry
point (mm) and orientation of the component (°).Aims
Patients and Methods
We describe the use of a protocol of irrigation and debridement
(I&
D) with retention of the implant for the treatment of periprosthetic
infection of a total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). This may be an attractive
alternative to staged re-implantation. Between 1990 and 2010, 23 consecutive patients were treated in
this way. Three were lost to follow-up leaving 20 patients (21 TEAs)
in the study. There were six men and 14 women. Their mean age was
58 years (23 to 76). The protocol involved: component unlinking,
irrigation and debridement (I&
D), and the introduction of antibiotic
laden cement beads; organism-specific intravenous antibiotics; repeat
I&
D and re-linkage of the implant if appropriate; long-term
oral antibiotic therapy. Aims
Patients and Methods
We present the medium-term clinical results of a reverse total
shoulder arthroplasty with a trabecular metal glenoid base plate. We reviewed 125 consecutive primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasties
(RTSA) implanted in 124 patients for rotator cuff arthropathy. There
were 100 women and 24 men in the study group with a mean age of
76 years (58 to 89). The mean follow-up was 32 months (24 to 60).
No patient was lost to follow-up.Aim
Patients and Methods
This study evaluated the mechanical performance, under low-load cyclic loading, of two different knotless suture anchor designs: sutures completely internal to the anchor body (SpeedScrew) and sutures external to the anchor body and adjacent to bone (MultiFIX P). Using standard suture loops pulled in-line with the rotator cuff (approximately 60°), anchors were tested in cadaveric bone and foam blocks representing normal to osteopenic bone. Mechanical testing included preloading to 10 N and cyclic loading for 500 cycles from 10 N to 60 N at 60 mm/min. The parameters evaluated were initial displacement, cyclic displacement and number of cycles and load at 3 mm displacement relative to preload. Video recording throughout testing documented the predominant source of suture displacement and the distance of ‘suture cutting through bone’.Objectives
Methods
Depression can significantly affect quality of life and is associated
with higher rates of medical comorbidities and increased mortality
following surgery. Although depression has been linked to poorer
outcomes following orthopaedic trauma, total joint arthroplasty
and spinal surgery, we wished to examine the impact of depression
in elective total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) as this has not been
previously explored. The United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used
to identify patients undergoing elective TSA over a ten-year period.
Between 2002 and 2012, 224 060 patients underwent elective TSA.Aims
Patients and Methods
The treatment of septic arthritis of the shoulder is challenging.
The infection frequently recurs and the clinical outcome can be
very poor. We aimed to review the outcomes following the use of
continuous negative pressure after open debridement with a large
diameter drain in patients with septic arthritis of the shoulder. A total of 68 consecutive patients with septic arthritis of the
shoulder underwent arthrotomy, irrigation and debridement. A small
diameter suction drain was placed in the glenohumeral joint and
a large diameter drain was placed in the subacromial space with
continuous negative pressure of 15 cm H2O. All patients
received a standardised protocol of antibiotics for a mean of 5.1
weeks (two to 11.1).Aims
Patients and Methods