Introduction

Extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) transfer is a useful method for treating chronic ankle instability in selected patients. It adds strength to the anterolateral capsule and provides proprioceptive feedback to functionally unstable ankles.

Loss of the quadriceps tendon, patella, and patellar tendon leaves a major anterior defect that is difficult to close and compromises knee extension strength. Gastrocnemius muscle transfer does not sufficiently cover such major defects. A new surgical procedure is described that transfers the vastus medialis or the vastus lateralis and their tibial attachments, or both muscles and their distal expansions to cover major deficiencies in the anterior knee. Nine cadaver knee specimens were dissected to ensure that the blood and nerve supply of the muscles would remain intact in the flap transfer. Eight clinical cases were done between 2005 and 2009. Four knees had vastus medialis transfer, two knees required vastus medialis and vastus lateralis transfer, two knees required transfer of the vastus medialis and medial gastrocnemius muscles, and two knees required transfer of both the medial gastrocnemius and medial half of the soleus muscle to close the knee and to secure distal attachment of the vastus transfer. All patients achieved closure of the knee joint without synovial leaks by 10 days post-operatively. Mean flexion contracture at last follow-up was 3° (range, 0–7°). Mean extension lag was 22° (range, 5–65°). Extension lag was less in those cases that included gastrocnemius or soleus muscle transfer. None of the flaps developed necrosis. The vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles are effective as muscle transfers about the knee

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) was designed to treat the cuff-deficient shoulder with arthritis and irreparable rotator cuff tears of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. The results of RTSA in this patient population have been very good and reliable in the majority of cases. However, it has also been reported that patients whose rotator cuff tear involves the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor and who demonstrate a ‘horn-blower's sign’ do very poorly if a muscle transfer is not performed to improve external rotation in these shoulders in abduction. The loss of the teres minor in these patients results in grave difficulty for the patient attempting to perform their activities of daily living even if they can obtain reasonable good forward flexion. The muscle transfer that is most commonly used for these select patients is a latissmus dorsi tendon transfer in conjunction with RTSA. The purpose of this talk is to review the pathology of this problem and review the technique for its surgical treatment

Abductor deficiency commonly contributes to total hip dislocation. Successful treatment of the deficiency can improve function, decrease pain, and decrease reliance on implants to cure recurrent dislocation. The defining physical exam findings are dependence on ambulatory assistive devices, severe limp, positive Trendelenberg sign, and inability to abduct against gravity. Three techniques have been described for chronic abductor discontinuity in which the abductors have retracted or are absent and cannot reach the greater trochanter: Vastus lateralis muscle shift, Achilles tendon allograft, and gluteus maximus muscle transfer. None of the techniques were specifically performed for dislocation. The vastus lateralis shift transfers the entire muscle proximally maintaining the neurovascular bundle. The procedure requires an incision from the hip to the knee, isolation of the neurovascular bundle, and elevation of the muscle from the femur. The authors admitted that the technique is demanding and not easily applicable to many surgeons. Repair with an Achilles allograft requires an identifiable contractile abductor mass. The allograft is looped through the abductors to bridge the gap to the trochanter. Two variations of a gluteus muscle transfer for abductor deficiency after total hip have been described. A portion of the gluteus maximus with its distal fascial portion are transferred to the greater trochanter. As far as dislocation is concerned an advantage of this technique is the use of the posterior maximus flap to fill a posterior and superior capsular defect not addressed with the other techniques. In addition the technique is easy to perform in almost all cases

To assess outcomes following a radical approach to cases of compartment syndrome in which a significant degree of muscle necrosis is found, 4 paediatric and adolescent patients with a delayed diagnosis of compartment syndrome in which muscle necrosis in single or multiple compartments were treated by radical debridement of necrotic tissue and reconstruction of the anterior compartment through transfer of peroneus brevis to extensor digitorum and hallucis longus tendons. Where suitable, a free vascularised and innervated gracilis muscle transfer to the tibialis anterior tendon stump was carried out with anastomosis of the nerve to gracilis to the deep peroneal nerve. Free gracilis muscle transfer was functional in one of the two patients whilst peroneus brevis transfer to extensor digitorum and hallucis tendons was functional in all three patients. In one patient, radical debridement resulted in loss of the entire anterior compartment requiring permanent ankle foot orthosis. All others had recovery of protective foot sensation and at minimum follow-up of 12 months were walking unaided. Infection was not seen in any patient. Prompt fasciotomy, debridement and reconstruction for late diagnosis of compartment syndrome proved limb-saving in our patients

Latissimus dorsi anterior to major transfers have been advocated in the setting of loss of external rotation and elevation in conjunction with reverse shoulder replacement. Reverse shoulder replacement is a prosthesis specifically designed for shoulders with poor rotator cuff function. In the vast majority of cases, some teres minor function at the minimum is maintained in shoulders destined for a reverse shoulder replacement. However, in certain circumstances there is complete loss of any external rotation, and a muscle transfer can be performed in order to restore some external rotation function. A reverse shoulder replacement in the absence of any rotator cuff function goes into obligate internal rotation with elevation. A minimum of external rotation strength is necessary in order to maintain the arm in normal rotation. The first tip is patient selection. Physical examination of active external rotation, external rotation strength and forward elevation should be just performed. A latissimus transfer is indicated in patients who cannot maintain their arm in neutral to at least a few degrees of external rotation. A lag sign is another physical examination finding which can indicate complete loss of rotator cuff function. The latissimus dorsi transfer is performed by first identifying and releasing the latissimus from its insertion on the anterior humerus. The arthroplasty is performed. The passage for the latissimus muscle is developed carefully and being mindful of the axillary nerve in particular. The latissimus is directed inferior to the nerve and around the medial and posterior aspect of the proximal humerus. Different ways of securing the transfer to the humerus have been described including bone tunnels and anchors. Often it is easier to place the anchors and/or the bone tunnels prior to inserting the humeral prosthesis. The latissimus is secured in the new position, enabling it to participate in external rotation. The value of this is difficult to clearly establish. Most studies are evidence level IV and there are no good comparative studies in a controlled patient population. This is a good option for shoulders with no active external rotation, but they may increase overall complication rate. Complications include dislocation, infection, and transient nerve palsy

Introduction. Avulsion of abductors from hip is a debilitating complication after total hip arthroplasty performed through a trans-gluteal approach. It results in intractable pain, Trendelenberg limp and instability of the hip. Techniques described for repairing these abductor tears including direct trans osseous repairs, endoscopic repair techniques, Achilles tendon allograft, Gluteus Maximus and Vastus Lateralis muscle transfers. The aim of our study was to assess improvement in pain, limp and abductor strength in patients operated upon surgically for confirmed abductor avulsion using a modified trans osseous repair and augmentation of repair with a Graft Jacket allograft acellular human dermal matrix (Graft jacket; Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN). Patients and Methods. In this prospective study we include 18 consecutive patients with hip abductor avulsions following a primary total hip arthroplasty through Hardinge approach for osteoarthritis. All the patients presented with pain around lateral aspect of hip, walking with a significant Trendelenberg limp and used a crutch or a stick in the opposite hand. Diagnosis was made by clinical examination and confirmed by MRI scans. Surgical Technique. Surgical procedure was through lateral approach using the old scar to mobilise combined aponeurosis of the Gluteal Medius and Gluteus Minimus from the bony bed on the ilium to permit advancement onto the trochanter. The conjoint Gluteus Medius and Minimus insertion was affixed to the greater trochanter with No.5 non absorbable trans-osseous suture using a Krackow stitch through a series of transverse tunnels made in anterior aspect of greater trochanter. An on lay augmentation (Fig. 1) of the osseo-tendinous junction was performed using a Graft Jacket matrix of 4 × 7 cms in size after rehydration according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results. At mean follow up of 22 months (15–34 months), pain improved in all patients with mean VAS score improving from 8.25 to 2.33 (p value-0.05). All the patients had improvement in their abductor strength with MRC grade 4 out of 5 in 16 patients and 3 out of 5 in 2 patients. Trendelenberg sign disappeared in all but two. Mean Harris hip score improved from 34.05 to 81.26 (p value-0.001). All patients had improvement in gait except mild noticeable limp in two patients.13 patients did not use any walking aids and five felt more secure using a walking stick in the contralateral hand. The mean SF-36 Physical component score was 53.47 and Mental component score was 56.07. Conclusions. The procedure is safe and associated with high patient satisfaction, without the morbidity of tendon or muscle transfers. The Graft Jacket Matrix provides biological bridging between the hip abductors and its insertion into greater trochanter. It provides a biological scaffold for cellular and vascular in-growth and constructive tissue remodelling. The described procedure appears to enhance the mechanical strength of repaired tendon immediately following surgery. The Graft Jacket allograft matrix has already been used successfully in rotator cuff repairs of shoulder and has showed encouraging results. The early success of this new procedure warrants further study with more patients, longer follow-up and possibly histological study of retrieved specimens

Aim. A number of orthopaedic strategies have been described for limb salvage following periprosethic joint infection (PJI). However, this is often only possible with concomitant soft tissue reconstruction in the form of flap coverage. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term clinical outcome of patients who underwent pedicled gastrocnemius flap coverage as part of their treatment for knee PJI. Method. We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing gastrocnemius muscle transfer with split thickness skin grafting as part of their treatment for knee PJI at a tertiary referral centre between 1994 and 2015. Data recorded included patient characteristics, orthopaedic procedure, microbiology result and antimicrobial management. Outcome measures included flap failure, infection recurrence, amputation, functional outcome (Oxford knee score; OKS) and mortality. Results. In total, 115 consecutive patients (39% female) with a mean age of 74.4 years (range 44–100) were followed up for an average of 5.5 years (range 119 days – 19.7 years). There were no reported cases of flap failure. Gastrocnemius flaps were most commonly performed at the time of the first stage of a two-stage revision (41%), or during debridement and implant retention (DAIR) (27%). 10% were performed at the second stage of a two-stage procedure and 4% were performed during a single stage revision. Of 96 positive deep specimen cultures, 43 (45%) showed mixed growth and 47 (49%) grew coagulase-negative staphylococcus (with or without other microorganisms). The infection recurrence rate was 32%. Limb salvage was achieved in 88% of cases. 12% of patients required life-long suppressive antibiotic therapy. 55 knees were followed up for five years or more, with a survival (not deceased, not amputated) of 64%. 37 knees were followed up for 10 years or more, with a survival of 32%. In living patients who did not have an amputation, the mean OKS was 25.8 (n=36; range 7–47). Conclusion. This study represents the largest series to date of infected knee prostheses treated with gastrocnemius flap coverage. A multidisciplinary approach to complex PJI surgery is recommended, involving infectious disease physicians and the orthoplastic team. We also recommend a low threshold for requesting plastic surgery input. In our experience, this technique is safe, with no flap failure, and has enabled limb salvage for the majority (88%) of patients with infected knee prostheses and insufficient soft tissue envelope

Hip abductor deficiency (HAD) associated with hip arthroplasty can be a chronic, painful condition that can lead to abnormalities in gait and instability of the hip. HAD is often confused with trochanteric bursitis and patients are often delayed in diagnosis after protracted courses of therapy and steroid injection. A high index of suspicion is subsequently warranted. Risk factors for HAD include female gender, older age, and surgical approach. The Hardinge approach is most commonly associated with HAD because of failure of repair at the time of index surgery or subsequent late degenerative or traumatic rupture. Injury to the superior gluteal nerve at exposure can also result in HAD and is more commonly associated with anterolateral approaches. Multiple surgeries, chronic infection, and chronic inflammation from osteolysis or metal debris are also risk factors especially as they can result in bone stock deficiency and direct injury to muscle. Increased offset and/or leg length can also contribute to HAD, especially when both are present. Physical exam demonstrates abductor weakness with walking and single leg stance. There is often a palpable defect over the greater trochanter and palpation in that area usually elicits significant focal pain. Note may be made of multiple incisions. Increased leg length may be seen. Radiographs may demonstrate avulsion of the greater trochanter or significant osteolysis. Significant polyethylene wear or a metal-on-metal implant should be considered as risk factors, as well as the presence of increased offset and/or leg length. Ultrasound or MRI are helpful in confirming the diagnosis but false negatives and positive results are possible. Treatment is difficult, especially since most patients have failed conservative management before diagnosis of HAD is made. Surgical options include allograft and mesh reconstruction as well as autologous muscle transfers. Modest to good results have been reported, but reproducibility is challenging. In the case of increased offset and leg length, revision of the components to reduce offset and leg length may be considered. In the case of significant instability, abductor repair may require constrained or multi-polar liners to augment the surgical repair. HAD is a chronic problem that is difficult to diagnose and treat. Detailed informed consent appropriately setting patient expectations with a comprehensive surgical plan is required if surgery is to be considered. Be judicious when offering this surgery

Avulsion of the abductor muscles of the hip may cause severe limp and pain. Limited literature is available on treatment approaches for this problem, and each has shortcomings. This study describes a muscle transfer technique to treat complete irreparable avulsion of the hip abductor muscles and tendons. Ten adult cadaver specimens were dissected to determine nerve and blood supply point of entry in the gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata (TFL) and evaluate the feasibility and safety of transferring these muscles to substitute for the gluteus medius and minimus. In this technique, the anterior portion of the gluteus maximus and the entire TFL are mobilised and transferred to the greater trochanter such that the muscle fiber direction of the transferred muscles closely matches that of the gluteus medius and minimus. Five patients (five hips) were treated for primary irreparable disruption of the hip abductor muscles using this technique between January 2008 and April 2011. All patients had severe or moderate pain, severe abductor limp, and positive Trendelenburg sign. Patients were evaluated for pain and function at a mean of 28 months (range, 18–60 months) after surgery. All patients could actively abduct 3 months post-operatively. At 1 year post-operatively, three patients had no hip pain, two had mild pain that did not limit their activity, three had no limp, and one had mild limp. One patient fell, fractured his greater trochanter, and has persistent limp and abduction weakness. The anterior portion of the gluteus maximus and the TFL can be transferred to the greater trochanter to substitute for abductor deficiency. In this small series, the surgical procedure was reproducible and effective; further studies with more patients and longer follow-up are needed to confirm this

Abductor deficiency after THA can result from proximal femoral bone loss, trochanteric avulsion, muscle destruction associated with infection, pseudotumor, ALTR to metal debris, or other causes. Whiteside has described a transfer of the tensor muscle and anterior gluteus maximus to the greater trochanter for treatment of absent abductors after THA. Transposition of the tensor muscle requires raising an anterior soft tissue flap to the lever of the interval between the tensor muscle and sartorius, which is the same interval used in an anterior approach to the hip. The muscle is transected distally and transposed posteriorly to attach to the proximal femur. This can result in soft tissue redundancy between the posterior tensor muscle and anterior gluteus maximus. This interval is separated and the anterior gluteus maximis also attached to the proximal femur. Relatively large unconstrained (36 mm heads) were not found to be effective in controlling dislocation in patients with abductor deficiency. In our practice, 11 patients with abductor deficiency were treated with Whiteside's tensor muscle transfer and an unconstrained large diameter femoral head. The mean pre-operative abductor strength was 2.2 and improved to 3.2 post-operatively. One patient sustained a dislocation four weeks after surgery which was treated with open reduction. All of the other hips have remained stable. The combination of a large head and tensor muscle transposition may be a viable alternative to use of a fully constrained component in patients with deficient abductors after THA

Background. Infected total knee arthroplasties present in a variety of different clinical settings. With severe local compromise and draining sinus tract around the knee, after adequate debridement, the resultant patellectomy with need for free muscle transfer and split thickness skin graft for closure, usually results in loss of quadriceps function. This necessitates the need for drop lock brace. No good mechanisms are available for reconstruction of large anterior defects in total infected total knees where this occurs. Questions. Can proximal placement of the knee joint with longer tibial segments aid in closure in patients with large anterior skin defects, and can this placement aid in quadriceps reconstruction to alleviate the need for drop lock braces while ambulating?. Methodology. 10 patients with 2 year follow-up with stage III-C-3 McPherson infected total knees presented with large soft tissue defects over the anterior aspect of the knee with sinus tract and scarring from multiple surgeries. The patients underwent a one stage treatment of the infected total joint. 4 required a free muscle flap and split thickness skin graft. Patellectomy with some quadriceps resection was required in the debridement process. Distal femur and proximal tibial replacements were performed with proximal placement of the knee joint. The patients were analyzed for extension control in gait and soft tissue closure over the operational knee joint. The quadraceps mechanism was over attached to the proximal tibial component. Results. Of 10 with 2 year follow up, none recurred with infection. There was no erosion of the soft tissue over the knee joint commonly seen in free flaps directly over the joint in these type of resection –replacements. 50% of the patients had enough extensor use to walk with a cane or walker as opposed to needing a drop lock knee brace. Discussion. Proximal placement of the knee joints in patients with large anterior soft tissue defects may lessen need for free flaps and provide for extension to lock hinges. Conclusion. Proximal placement of the total knee in case of infected total knees with large anterior soft tissue defect, provides for more quadriceps function and soft tissue coverage and lessened the need for free flaps

Abductor deficiency after THA can result from proximal femoral bone loss, trochanteric avulsion, muscle destruction associated with infection, pseudotumor, ALTR to metal debris, or other causes. Constrained acetabular components are indicated to control instability after THA with deficient abductors. However, the added implant constraint also results in greater stresses at the modular liner-locking mechanism of the constrained component and bone-implant fixation interface, which can contribute to mechanical failure of the constrained implant or mechanical loosening. Use of large heads has been effective in reducing the rate of dislocation after primary THA. However, relatively large (36mm) heads were not found to be effective in controlling dislocation in patients with abductor deficiency. Dual mobility implants which can provide considerably larger head diameters than 36mm may offer an advantage in improving stability in patients with abductor deficiency. However the utility of these devices in controlling instability after THA with deficient abductors has not been established. Whiteside has described a transfer of the tensor muscle and anterior gluteus maximus to the greater trochanter for treatment of absent abductors after THA. Transposition of the tensor muscle requires raising an anterior soft tissue flap to the lever of the interval between the tensor muscle and sartorius, which is the same interval used in an anterior approach to the hip. The muscle is transected distally and transposed posteriorly to attach to the proximal femur. This can result in soft tissue redundancy between the posterior tensor muscle and anterior gluteus maximus. This interval is separated and the anterior gluteus maximus also attached to the proximal femur. The transposed tensor muscle provides muscle coverage over the greater trochanter, which may be beneficial in controlling lateral hip pain. In our practice, 11 patients were treated with Whiteside's tensor muscle transfer. Six patients had absent abductors, one had an avulsed greater trochanter, and four intact but weak abductors. One patient had a muscle transposition alone, one had an ORIF of the greater trochanter and muscle transposition, two had a muscle transposition and head/liner exchange, three had a muscle transposition and cup revision, two had a femoral revision and liner exchange with muscle transposition, and two had a muscle transposition with both component revision. None of the patients had constrained components. The mean pre-operative abductor strength was 2.2 (0/5 in four patients 3/5 in four patients, and 4/5 in three patients). Pre-operative lateral hip pain was none or mild in two patients, moderate in three, and severe in six patients. Mean post-operative abductor strength was 3.2 (2/5 in four patients, 3/5 in three, 4/5 in two, 5/5 in two patients). Post-operative lateral hip pain was none in five and mild in six patients. One patient sustained a dislocation four weeks after surgery which was treated with open reduction. All of the other hips have remained stable. Treatment of patients with hip instability and abductor deficiency has generally required use of a constrained acetabular component. In our experience, transfer of the tensor muscle and anterior gluteus maximus to the greater trochanter can improve abductor strength by one grade and also reduce lateral hip pain. The combination of a large head and tensor muscle transposition may be a viable alternative to use of a fully constrained component in patients with deficient abductors after THA. However, the need for implant constraint should also be individualised and based on factors such as the viability of the transposed muscle, patient compliance with post-operative activity restrictions, femoral head/neck ratio, and cup position

Various surgical treatment were reported on rheumatoid shoulder. However, there were no recommended surgeries in the Japanese 2. nd. basic published text of rheumatoid disease. We had performed total shoulder arthroplasty(TSA) and humeral head replacement (HHR) in patient with Rheumatoid shoulder from 1992. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of humeral head replacement, 2. nd. generation TSA and 3. rd. generation TSA in patients followed more than 5 years with rheumatoid shoulder. Material & Method. From 1992–2007, we performed shoulder arthroplasty in 42 shoulders in 40 patients. Six cases were not able to follow due to die and lost. All 36 shoulders in 34 patients could be followed with x-ray examinations more than 5 years. Averaged follow-up period was 8.6 years (range 5–14.5). HHR with intact cuff performed in 10 shoulders, 2. nd. generation TSA with intact cuff in 10, 3. rd. generation TSA in intact cuff in 10 and HHR with muscle tendon transfer in 6 shoulders. The shoulder score of Japanese Orthopaedic Association)JOA score. Modified Neer classification, ROM, lucent lines in X-ray and complications were investigated. Results. In JOA score, 3. rd. generation TSA revealed highest score (84 points). Also, in Modified Neer classification, excellent results were obtained 50% of cases in 3. rd. generation TSA. On the other hand, HHR with muscle tendon transfer group has no cases of excellent results. In flexion & external rotation, 3. rd. generation TSA had achieved satisfactory results. In X-ray, all glenoid component had a lucent line around the keel type glenoid in 2. nd. generation TSA. However, only 1.6 points in Lazarus claasification revealed in peg type component in 3. rd. generation TSA. No nerve injuries and instability were found after surgery. However, two infections and two glenoid resurfacing need after surgery. Discussion. In this mid-term results, 3. rd. generation type of TSA system could get favorable results in RA shoulders with intact cuff. However, the treatment for rheumatoid shoulder cases which has masssive rotator cuff defect is still remained as difficult problem

In recently, reverse shoulder arthroplasty for rotator cuff deficient arthritis is widely used in the world. However, a high complication rate was reported and worried about long-term results after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. From 2001, we performed a novel strategy for these cases such as rotator cuff reconstruction w/ or w/o muscle transfer and a humeral head replacement with using smallest head to decrease joint volume. The aim of this study was to investigate with clinical outcomes after this surgery more than two years follow-up. Materials & methods. Fifty six shoulders underwent humeral head replacement (HHR) with or without tendon transfer for cuff tear arthropathy was able to follow-up more than two years. The mean age was 74 years (60 to 83 years). 42 cuff tear arthropathy, 6 RA, 5 re-tear after cuff repair with arthritis, and 1 arthritis after infection were included. Coracoacromial arch preserved Superior approach with preserving coracoacromial arch was used for replacement the humeral stem and head. Almost of the cases could be repaired with using a smallest head because of the height of humeral head and joint volume were decreased. However, when rotator cuff remained in irreparable condition, a latissimus dorsi tendon or a pectoralis major tendon from same shoulder was transferred for cuff reconstruction. The patients were divided by 2 groups; 36 shoulders of HHR without tendon transfer and 20 shoulders of HHR with tendon transfer. Each patient was evaluated with Japan Orthopaedic Association score (JOA score) and modified Neer's limited goals rating scale after a least 2 year of follow-up. Results. In all cases, preoperative severe pain was dramatically improved. JOA score improve from 40.2 preoperatively to 80.2 postoperatively. Twelve shoulders estimated as excellent in modified Neer's classification, 34 in satisfactory and 10 in unsatisfactory. Half of cases with RA were unsatisfactory results. Postoperative active flexion statistically improved compared to preoperative range of motion. Averaged postoperative flexion was 136 degrees (preop.;68.8) and postoperative external rotation was 28.6 degrees (preop.;13.2). However, there was no significant difference of external rotation in the HHR group between pre and postoperative evaluation. The radiographic evaluation showed four cases of glenoid erosion. One case had arthroscopic Suprascapular nerve release eight years after surgery. Conclusions. The current results were consistent with the prior studies. Our novel strategy is considered as one of useful procedure for cuff tear arthropathy. However, the case which classified with Seebauer type IIB should not be recommended

Aim. Simultaneous use of Ilizarov techniques with transfer of free muscle flaps is not current standard practice. This may be due to concerns about duration of surgery, clearance of infection, potential flap failure or coordination of surgical teams. We investigated this combined technique in a consecutive series of complex tibial infections. Method. A single centre, consecutive series of 45 patients (mean age 48 years; range 19–85) were treated with a single stage operation to apply an Ilizarov frame for bone reconstruction and a free muscle flap for soft-tissue cover. All patients had a segmental bone defect in the tibia, after excision of infected bone and soft-tissue defects which could not be closed directly or with local flaps. We recorded comorbidities, Cierny-Mader and Weber-Cech classification, the Ilizarov method used, flap type, follow-up duration, time to union and complications. Results. 26 patients had osteomyelitis and 19 had infected non-union. Staphylococci were cultured in 25 cases and 17 had polymicrobial infections. Ilizarov monofocal compression was used in 14, monofocal distraction in 15, bifocal compression/distraction in 8, and bone transport in 8. 8/45 had an additional ankle fusion, 7/45 had an angular deformity corrected at the same time and 24 also had local antibiotic carriers inserted. Median time in frame was 5 months (3–14). 38 gracilis, 7 latissimus dorsi and 1 rectus abdominus flaps were used. One flap failed within 48 hours and was revised (flap failure rate 2.17%). There were no later flap complications. Flaps were not affected by distraction or bone transport. Mean follow-up was 23 months (10–89). 44/45 (97.8%) achieved bony union. Recurrence of infection occurred in 3 patients (6.7%). Secondary surgery was required to secure union with good alignment in 8 patients (17.8%; docking site surgery in 6, IM nailing in 2) and in 3 patients for infection recurrence. All were infection free at final follow-up. Conclusions. Simultaneous Ilizarov reconstruction with free muscle flap transfer is safe and effective in treating segmental infected tibial defects, and is not associated with an increased flap failure rate. It shortens overall time spent in treatment, with fewer operations per patient. However, initial theatre time is long and a committed multidisciplinary team is required to achieve good results

Introduction. We performed humeral head replacement (HHR) with smaller head for closing the cuff defect in patients of cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). And also, if the cuff defect could not close by decreasing the head size, we add muscle tendon transfer such as latissimus dorsi transfer for posterosuperior defect and pectoralis major transfer for anterosuperior defect. Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical and functional outcomes of this procedure for CTA according to Hamada-Fukuda classification. Methods. 76 shoulders in 77 patients with CTA underwent HHR based on our strategy at average age of 74 years. Hamada-Fukuda classification was classified into five categories. There were 13 type 1, 24 type 2, 26 type 3, 9 type 4, 5 type 5. Clinical outcomes (JOA score) were evaluated at an average of 25 months. Results. The average Japanese Orthopaedic Association shoulder score all improved significantly. Forward elevation improved from 57° to 146.5° in type 1, 65.5° to 132.1° in type 2, 82° to 123.9° in type 3, 90.6° to 122.1° in type 4 and 91° to 130° in type 5. Improvement of External rotation 25° in type 1, 23.1° in type 2, 10.89°in type 3, 11.3° in type 4 and −7.3° in type 5. Internal rotation similarly improved between Hamada-Fukuda classification. Conclusion. In patients of type 1 and 2, our procedure could get a good ER recovery. However, in patients of type 3, 4, and 5, functional outcomes were partly inferior to type 1 and 2. Our procedure for type 1 and 2 CTA is one of useful methods