In this study we evaluated whether the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS) and the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) could detect those patients at risk of failure following arthroscopic Bankart repair. Between April 2008 and June 2010, the ISIS and WOSI were recorded pre-operatively in 110 patients (87 male, 79%) with a mean age of 25.1 years (16 to 61) who underwent this procedure for recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability.

A telephone interview was performed two-years post-operatively to determine whether patients had experienced a recurrent dislocation and whether they had returned to pre-injury activity levels. In all, six (5%) patients had an ISIS > 6 points (0 to 9). Of 100 (91%) patients available two years post-operatively, six (6%) had a recurrent dislocation, and 28 (28%) did not return to pre-injury activity. No patient who dislocated had an ISIS > 6 (p = 1.0). There was no difference in the mean pre-operative WOSI in those who had a re-dislocation and those who did not (p = 0.99). The pre-operative WOSI was significantly lower (p = 0.02) in those who did not return to pre-injury activity, whereas the ISIS was not associated with return to pre-injury activity (p = 0.13).

In conclusion, neither the pre-operative ISIS nor WOSI predicted recurrent dislocation within two years of arthroscopic Bankart repair. Patients with a lower pre-operative WOSI were less likely to return to pre-injury activity.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1688–92.

Aims. The open Latarjet procedure is a widely used treatment for recurrent anterior instability of the shoulder. Although satisfactory outcomes are reported, factors which influence a patient’s experience are poorly quantified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a range of demographic factors and measures of the severity of instability on patient-reported outcome measures in patients who underwent an open Latarjet procedure at a minimum follow-up of two years. Methods. A total of 350 patients with anterior instability of the shoulder who underwent an open Latarjet procedure between 2005 and 2018 were reviewed prospectively, with the collection of demographic and psychosocial data, preoperative CT, and complications during follow-up of two years. The primary outcome measure was the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), assessed preoperatively, at two years postoperatively, and at mid-term follow-up at a mean of 50.6 months (SD 24.8) postoperatively. The secondary outcome measure was the abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score. The influence of the demographic details of the patients, measurements of the severity of instability, and the complications of surgery were assessed in a multivariate analysis. Results. The mean age of the patients was 25.5 years (22 to 32) and 27 (7.7%) were female. The median time to surgery after injury was 19 months (interquartile range (IQR) 13 to 39). Seven patients developed clinically significant complications requiring further intervention within two years of surgery. The median percentage WOSI deficiency was 8.0% (IQR 4 to 20) and median QuickDASH was 3.0 (IQR 0 to 9) at mid-term assessment. A minority of patients reported a poorer experience, and 22 (6.3%) had a > 50% deficiency in WOSI score. Multivariate analysis revealed that consumption of ≥ 20 units of alcohol/week, a pre-existing affective disorder or epilepsy, medicolegal litigation, increasing time to surgery, and residing in a more socioeconomically deprived area were independently predictive of a poorer WOSI score. Conclusion. Although most patients treated by an open Latarjet procedure have excellent outcomes at mid-term follow-up, a minority have poorer outcomes, which are mainly predictable from pre-existing demographic factors, rather than measures of the severity of instability. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(4):389–399

Aims. The aims of this study were to validate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) thresholds for Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), Rowe score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores following arthroscopic Bankart repair, and to identify preoperative threshold values of these scores that could predict the achievement of MCID and PASS. Methods. A retrospective review was conducted on 131 consecutive patients with anterior shoulder instability who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair between January 2020 and January 2023. Inclusion criteria required at least one episode of shoulder instability and a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. Preoperative and one-year postoperative scores were assessed. MCID and PASS were estimated using distribution-based and anchor-based methods, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined preoperative patient-reported outcome measure thresholds predictive of achieving MCID and PASS. Results. MCID thresholds were determined as 169.6, 6.8, 7.2, and 1.1 for WOSI, Rowe, ASES, and VAS, respectively. PASS thresholds were calculated as ≤ 480, ≥ 80, ≥ 87, and ≤ 1 for WOSI, Rowe, ASES, and VAS, respectively. Preoperative thresholds of ≥ 760 (WOSI) and ≤ 50 (Rowe) predicted achieving MCID for WOSI score (p < 0.001). Preoperative thresholds of ≤ 60 (ASES) and ≥ 2 (VAS) predicted achieving MCID for VAS score (p < 0.001). A preoperative threshold of ≥ 40 (Rowe) predicted achieving PASS for Rowe score (p = 0.005). Preoperative thresholds of ≥ 50 (ASES; p = 0.002) and ≤ 2 (VAS; p < 0.001) predicted achieving PASS for the ASES score. Preoperative thresholds of ≥ 43 (ASES; p = 0.046) and ≤ 4 (VAS; p = 0.024) predicted achieving PASS for the VAS. Conclusion. This study defined MCID and PASS values for WOSI, Rowe, ASES, and VAS scores in patients undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair. Higher preoperative functional scores may reduce the likelihood of achieving MCID but increase the likelihood of achieving the PASS. These findings provide valuable guidance for surgeons to counsel patients realistically regarding their expectations. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(10):1118–1124

Purpose: Shoulder instability is a common problem affecting patients in their most active years resulting in an impact on their quality of life. The WOSI is a validated, disease-specific (shoulder instability) evaluative quality of life measure. It has not been tested for its ability to discriminate between those who require surgical care and those who do not. The purpose of this study is to determine if the WOSI can discriminate between surgical and non-surgical patients and between patients with different types of shoulder instability.

Method: Sixty patients with a confirmed diagnosis of shoulder instability were included as cases. Twenty had documented multidirectional instability requiring surgery: Group 1 Surgical MDI – 20 patients had documented recurrent traumatic anterior dislocations requiring surgery: Group 2 Surgical Anterior – 20 patients were first time anterior dislocators who were followed for a minimum one year who had no further recurrences and did not require surgery: Group 3 Non-Surgical First Time Anterior – The cases were compared to 60 age and gender matched control patients with no history of shoulder problems: Group 4 Control – WOSI scores were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA.

Results: The WOSI scores were as follows: Group 1 Surgical MDI- mean 30.5 (95% CI 23.1–37.8); Group 2 Surgical Anterior- mean 39.8 (95% CI 33.1–46.5); Group 3 Non-Surgical First time Anterior- mean 76.2 (95% CI 66.4–86.0) and Group 4 Control- mean 96.6 (95% CI 95.8–97.4). Based on the 95% Confidence Intervals, there were statistically significant differences between the two surgical groups (Group 1 Surgical MDI and Group 2 Surgical Anterior) compared to the non-surgical patients (Group 3 Non Surgical First Time Anterior) and the controls (P=0.000). There is a trend to discriminate between the two surgical groups (P=0.079).

Conclusion: The WOSI Index clearly discriminates between surgical and non-surgical patients with shoulder instability, and the control population with normal shoulders. There is a trend to discriminate between MDI and recurrent anterior traumatic dislocators.

We have investigated the outcome of arthroscopic revision surgery for recurrent instability of the shoulder after failed primary anterior stabilisation. We identified 40 patients with failed primary open or arthroscopic anterior stabilisation of the shoulder who had been treated by revision arthroscopic capsulolabral reconstruction and followed up for a mean of 36 months (12 to 87). There were 34 men and six women with a mean age of 33.1 years (15 to 48). Details of the patients, the technique of the primary procedure, the operative findings at revision and the clinical outcome were evaluated by reviewing the medical records, physical examination and the use of the Western Ontario shoulder instability index score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and the health status questionnaire 12. Recurrent instability persisted in four patients after the revision arthroscopic procedure. At the final follow-up, the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 81.1 (17.5 to 99.5) and the mean Western Ontario shoulder instability index score was 68.2 (20 to 98.2). Quality-of-life scoring showed good to excellent results in most patients. Arthroscopic revision capsulolabral reconstruction can provide a satisfactory outcome in selected patients for recurrent instability of the shoulder provided that no large Hill-Sachs lesion is present

We reviewed the outcome of arthroscopic stabilisation of anterior glenohumeral instability in young adults using the transglenoid suture technique. A questionnaire was sent to 455 consecutive patients who had undergone this procedure between 1992 and 2000. Of these, 312 patients (68.5%) with 313 affected shoulders and a mean age of 20 years (18 to 28) responded. Outcome was determined by the number of re-dislocations or, in patients who had not re-dislocated, by the disease-specific quality of life as measured by the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index. During a mean follow-up of 6.4 years (1 to 14), 177 patients (56%) sustained a re-dislocation, including 70 who required a further operation. In 136 patients (44%) who reported neither re-dislocation nor re-operation, the index scores were good (median 90.4%; 28.9% to 100%). No significant peri- or pre-operative predictors of re-dislocation or re-operation were found. We found a high rate of re-dislocation after transglenoid suture repair in young, physically active patients

The aim of this study was to determine if the extent of the glenoid and humeral bone loss affects the rate of recurrent instability and the functional outcome following the Latarjet procedure. 161 patients underwent open Latarjet procedure during the period 2006–2015 (Mean age 30.0 years, 150t (93.2%) Male, 118 (73.3%) primary procedure). Functional outcome was measured using the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDash) score at a mean of 4.7 years post-operatively. All patients underwent computed tomographic (CT) imaging pre-operatively. Using three-dimensional reconstruction, the glenoid bone loss, Hill-Sachs lesion and ‘Glenoid Track’ status was recorded. Radiographically-confirmed redislocation was rare (1.2%), but 18.5% (n=23/124) reported ongoing subjective shoulder instability. Fifty-two shoulders (32.3%) were classified as “Off-Track”. The median Quick DASH and WOSI scores were 2.27 (IQR 9.09; range 0–70.45) and 272.0 (IQR 546.5; range 0–2003), respectively. There were no significant differences observed between overall Quick DASH scores or WOSI scores for either On-Track or Off-Track groups (p=0.7 and 0.73, respectively). Subjective instability was not influenced by the degree of glenoid bone loss (p=0.82), the overall size of the Hill-Sachs lesion (p=0.80), or the presence of an ‘Off-Track’ lesion (p=0.84). Functional outcome and recurrent instability following the Latarjet procedure do not appear to be influenced by the extent of glenohumeral bone loss prior to surgery

Background: The results of arthroscopic anterior labral (Bankart) repair have been shown to have high failure rate in patients with significant glenoid bone loss. Several reconstruction procedures using bone graft have been described to overcome the bone loss, including autogenous coracoid transfer to the anterior glenoid (Latarjet procedure) as well as iliac crest autograft and tibial allografts. In recent years, trends toward minimally invasive shoulder surgery along with improvements in technology and technique have led surgeons to expand the application of arthroscopic treatment. Purpose: This study aims to perform a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data to evaluate the clinical and radiological follow up of patient who underwent anatomic glenoid reconstruction using distal tibia allograft for the treatment of shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss at 1-year post operation time point. Between December 2011 and January 2015, 55 patients underwent arthroscopic stabilisation of the shoulder by means of capsule-labral reattachment to glenoid ream and bony augmentation of glenoid bone loss with distal tibial allograft for recurrent instability of the shoulder. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation included general assessment by the western Ontario shoulder instability index (WOSI) questionnaire, preoperative and postoperative radiographs and CT scans. Fifty-five patients have been evaluated with mean age of 29.73 years at time of the index operation. There were 40 males (mean age of 29.66) and 15 female (mean age of 29.93). Minimum follow up time was 12 months. The following adverse effects were recorded: none suffered from recurrent dislocation, 2 patients suffered from bone resorption but without overt instability, 1 patient had malunion due to screw fracture, None of the patients had nonunion. The mean pre-operative WOSI score was 36.54 and the mean postoperative WOSI score was 61.0. Arthroscopic stabilisation of the shoulder with distal tibia allograft augmentation demonstrates promising result at 1year follow up

Purpose: Performing a labral repair alone in patients with recurrent anterior instability and a large glenoid defect has led to poor outcomes. We present a technique involving the use of iliac crest allograft inserted into the glenoid defect in athletes with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and large bony defects of the glenoid (> 25% of glenoid diameter) We hypothesized that restoring a near-normal glenoid structure would prevent further dislocations and that osseous union would be achieved. Method: All athletes with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and a large glenoid defect who underwent open anterior shoulder stabilization and glenoid reconstruction with iliac crest allograft were prospectively followed over a three year period. Pre-operatively, a detailed history and physical exam was obtained along with radiographs, a CT scan, and magnetic resonance imaging of the affected shoulder. All patients also complete the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) evaluation forms pre – and post-operatively. A CT scan was again obtained 6 months post-operatively to assess osseous union of the graft, and the patient again when through a physical exam in addition to completing the SST, ASES, and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) forms. Results: Nine patients (all male) were followed for an average of 16 months (4 – 36 months) and had a mean age of 24.4 years. All patients exhibited a negative apprehension/ relocation test and full shoulder strength at final follow-up. Eight of nine patients had achieved osseous union at six months (88.9%). ASES scores improved from 64.3 to 96.7, and SST scores improved from 66.7 to 100. Average post-operative WOSI scores were 94%. Conclusion: The use of iliac crest allograft provides a safe and clinically useful alternative compared to previously described procedures for recurrent shoulder instability in the face of glenoid deficiency

Purpose: The objective of the study was to perform a prospective evaluation of thermal capsulorraphy for the treatment of multidirectional instability of the shoulder. Summary of Methods: Over a period of two years, 19 patients with multidirectional instability were treated with thermal shrinkage. Fifteen patients had involuntary dislocation and four voluntary. The predominant direction of instability was anterior/inferior in 10, posterior in 5 and multiple directions in 4. Patients were followed for a minimum of two years or until surgical failure and recurrence of symptomatology. Postoperatively patients were immobilised in a sling for a period of 3 weeks and were reviewed at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months and then at six monthly intervals. The Western Ontario shoulder Instability Index was used as a clinical outcome measure as well as subjective and objective evaluation of patient’s function, range of motion, pain and instability. Results: Nine patients had recurrence of their instability occurring at an average of nine months following their surgical procedure (range 7–14 months). One patient had axillary nerve dysfunction postoperatively with difficulty in abducting the shoulder. Three patients had sensory dysaesthesia related to the axillary nerve territory. All neurological subjective evaluations recovered within 9 months. Four of five patients with a predominantly posterior direction to their instability failed this surgical procedure. Only 2 of 10 (20%) with predominantly anterior instability failed. Conclusion: Analysis of patients with multidirectional laxity determined that thermal capsulorraphy had a high failure rate (9/19, 47%) with associated significant postoperative complications including axillary nerve dysaesthesias and stiffness

Purpose: Arthroscopic stabilization for post-traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability is designed to minimize soft tissue dissection while achieving similar or improved outcomes relative to open techniques. This study’s purpose was to determine the rate of post-operative recurrent instability and evaluate health related quality of life (HRQL) and shoulder range of motion (ROM) following arthroscopic Bankart repair using a bioabsorbable knotless implant. Method: Forty-three patients were prospectively evaluated following arthroscopic anterior stabilization to assess for recurrent instability, HRQL, and shoulder ROM. Assessments were performed pre-operatively and 3, 6 and 12–24 months postoperatively. The HRQL measures included the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES), and the Constant Score. Repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to evaluate ROM and HRQL. Results: The mean WOSI score improved from 45.67±17.99 pre-operatively to 83.16±18.58 at final follow-up. The mean ASES scores improved from 80.1±13.06 pre-operatively to 92.25±15.08, while the Constant score improved from 77.52±16.11 pre-operatively to 85.18±26.76. At final follow-up, 4 of 43 patients (9.3%) had experienced recurrent instability. For these 4 subjects, the WOSI score was significantly lower at final follow-up than those who did not experience recurrent instability (61.73±5.76 versus 84.38±16.94). The ASES and Constant scores at final follow-up were not significantly different between these two groups. Conclusion: Arthroscopic anterior stabilization using a bioabsorable tack led to a recurrent instability rate similar to previous reports, and resulted in improved HRQL and shoulder ROM. The WOSI score was better able to detect problems in HRQL related to instability than either the ASES or Constant score

The primary objective of this study was to establish a safety profile for an all-arthroscopic anatomic glenoid reconstruction via iliac crest autograft augmentation for the treatment of shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss. Short-term clinical and radiological outcomes were also evaluated. This study involved a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for 14 patients (male 8, female 6) who were treated for shoulder instability with bone loss using autologous iliac crest bone graft between 2014 and 2018. Of 14 patients, 11 were available for follow-up. The safety profile was established by examining intra-operative and post-operative complications such as neurovascular injuries, infections, major bleeding, and subluxations. Assessment of pre-operative and post-operative Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) index, radiographs, and CT scans comprised the evaluation of clinical and radiological outcomes. A good safety profile was observed. There was no occurrence of intraoperative complications, neurovascular injuries, adverse events, or major bleeding. One patient did develop an infection in the neurovascular injuries, adverse events, or major bleeding. One patient did develop an infection in the treated shoulder post-surgery. There were no subluxations or positive apprehension tests on clinical examination post-operatively. Short-term clinical outcomes were seen to be favorable WOSI scores at the most recent follow-up were significantly higher than pre-operative scores, with a mean increase of 39.6 ± 10.60 (p = 0.00055). The average follow-up for CT scan was 4.66 (SD± 2.33) months, where all patients showed bone graft union. Arthroscopic treatment of shoulder instability with bone loss via autologous iliac crest bone graft is shown to be a safe operative procedure that results in favorable short-term clinical and radiological outcomes. Further investigations must be done to evaluate the longevity of these positive health outcomes

Aims

This study aimed to quantify the shoulder kinematics during an apprehension-relocation test in patients with anterior shoulder instability (ASI) and glenoid bone loss using the radiostereometric analysis (RSA) method. Kinematics were compared with the patient’s contralateral healthy shoulder.

Aims

To systematically review the predominant complication rates and changes to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation for shoulder instability.

Purpose. This prospective, expertise-based randomized clinical trial compares arthroscopic to open shoulder stabilization by measuring the disease-specific quality of life outcome in patients with traumatic unidirectional anterior shoulder instability, and determining the incidence of recurrent instability at 2-years post-operatively. Method. One hundred and ninety-six patients were randomly allocated to arthroscopic (n=98) or open (n=98) repair using an expertise-based approach with a surgeon specializing in one type of surgery. Randomization was performed using computer-generation, variable block sizes and concealed envelopes. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months, 1 and 2 years post-operatively. These outcomes included the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) Index quality of life outcome and the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) functional outcome. Both outcomes were measured on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100, where a higher score represents better quality of life or function. Recurrent instability was categorized as traumatic/atraumatic, and as a subluxation/dislocation. Analyses included ANOVA of repeated measures and independent t-tests. Bonferroni adjustments for pairwise contrasts were made for multiple comparisons. Chi-squared analyses were performed on recurrence. Statistical significance was reported at p < 0.05. Results. There were no statistically significant differences at baseline with respect to gender, involved dominant shoulders, age, WOSI or ASES scores. At 2-years post-operatively, 19 patients in the Open group and 14 patients in the Arthroscopic group were lost to follow-up. A comparison of the baseline characteristics of these lost to follow-up patients showed no statistically significant differences in WOSI and ASES scores, age, involved dominant shoulder, gender and presence of Hill Sachs lesions between the groups. Of the patients that completed 2-year follow-up, there was no difference in mean WOSI score between the two groups: Open = 85 (SD = 20; 95% CI = 81 89), Arthroscopic = 82 (SD = 20; 95% CI = 77 86), p = 0.31. The ASES score for the Open group at 2-years was 91 (SD = 13; 95% CI = 88 94) and 88 (SD = 16; 95% CI = 85 92) for the Arthroscopic group, p = 0.17. Recurrence rates at 2-years were statistically different with 11% in the Open (9/80) and 23% in the Arthroscopic (20/87) groups, p = 0.05. Conclusion. At 2-years post-operative follow-up, there was no difference in disease-specific quality of life between Open and Arthroscopic repair. Open repair had a significantly lower risk of recurrence

Purpose. Electrothermal arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy (ETAC) was a technology introduced for orthopaedic surgery without good scientific clinical evidence supporting its use. This multicentre randomized clinical trial provides the scientific clinical evidence comparing ETAC to Open Inferior Capsular Shift (ICS), by measuring disease-specific quality of life at 2-years post-operatively, in patients with shoulder instability due to capsular redundancy. Method. Fifty-four subjects (37 females and 17 males; mean age 23.3 years (SD = 6.9; 15–44 years) with multidirectional instability (MDI) or multidirectional laxity with antero-inferior instability (MDL-AII) were randomized intra-operatively to ETAC (n = 28) or Open ICS (n = 26) using concealed envelopes, computer-generated, variable block randomization with stratification by surgeon and type of instability. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months, 1 and 2 years. The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) Index is a quality of life outcome measure that is scored on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100, where a higher score represents better quality of life. Two functional assessments included the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) Score and the Constant Score. Post-operative recurrent instability and surgical time were also measured. Analyses included ANOVA of repeated measures with Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons, Chi-square and independent t-tests (p < 0.05). Results. At 2-years post-operatively, mean WOSI scores were not statistically different between the groups (p=0.61): ETAC = 74 (SD = 24; 95% CI = 64 84); Open ICS = 77 (SD = 20; 95% CI = 68 86). There was no difference between groups for mean ASES scores (p=0.34): ETAC = 81 (SD = 20; 95% CI = 73 90); Open ICS = 87 (SD = 18; 95% CI = 79 95), mean Constant scores (p = 0.35): ETAC = 83 (SD = 7; 95% CI = 80 86); Open ICS = 85 (SD = 11; 95% CI = 80 − 90), and recurrent instability (p = 0.41): ETAC = 2; Open ICS = 4. Mean surgical time was 23 minutes for ETAC and 59 minutes for Open ICS (p = 0.00). Three subjects (1 ETAC, 2 Open ICS) had stiff shoulders; however, no major complications were observed. Conclusion. Patient outcomes improved from baseline to all follow-up periods. There was no difference between the ETAC and Open ICS groups in quality of life, functional outcomes, and recurrent instability at 2 years post-operatively

The April 2023 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Arthroscopic Bankart repair in athletes: in it for the long run?; Functional outcomes and the Wrightington classification of elbow fracture-dislocations; Hemiarthroplasty or ORIF intra-articular distal humerus fractures in older patients; Return to sport after total shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty; Readmissions after shoulder arthroplasty; Arthroscopic Bankart repair in the longer term; Bankart repair with(out) remplissage or the Latarjet procedure? A systematic review and meta-analysis; Regaining motion among patients with shoulder pathology: are all exercises equal?

The October 2023 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Arthroscopic capsular shift surgery in patients with atraumatic shoulder joint instability: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial; Superior capsular reconstruction partially restores native glenohumeral loads in a dynamic model; Gene expression in glenoid articular cartilage varies in acute instability, chronic instability, and osteoarthritis; Intra-articular injection versus interscalene brachial plexus block for acute-phase postoperative pain management after arthroscopic shoulder surgery; Level of pain catastrophizing rehab in subacromial impingement: secondary analyses from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (the SExSI Trial); Anterosuperior versus deltopectoral approach for primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a study of 3,902 cases from the Dutch National Arthroplasty Registry with a minimum follow-up of five years; Assessment of progression and clinical relevance of stress-shielding around press-fit radial head arthroplasty: a comparative study of two implants; A number of modifiable and non-modifiable factors increase the risk for elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament injury in baseball players: a systematic review.

The February 2024 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Does indomethacin prevent heterotopic ossification following elbow fracture fixation?; Arthroscopic capsular shift in atraumatic shoulder joint instability; Ultrasound-guided lavage with corticosteroid injection versus sham; Combined surgical and exercise-based interventions following primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis; Are vascularized fibula autografts a long-lasting reconstruction after intercalary resection of the humerus for primary bone tumours?; Anatomical versus reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with limited forward elevation; Tension band or plate fixation for simple displaced olecranon fractures?; Is long-term follow-up and monitoring in shoulder and elbow arthroplasty needed?

Bone defects are frequently observed in anterior shoulder instability. Over the last decade, knowledge of the association of bone loss with increased failure rates of soft-tissue repair has shifted the surgical management of chronic shoulder instability. On the glenoid side, there is no controversy about the critical glenoid bone loss being 20%. However, poor outcomes have been described even with a subcritical glenoid bone defect as low as 13.5%. On the humeral side, the Hill-Sachs lesion should be evaluated concomitantly with the glenoid defect as the two sides of the same bipolar lesion which interact in the instability process, as described by the glenoid track concept. We advocate adding remplissage to every Bankart repair in patients with a Hill-Sachs lesion, regardless of the glenoid bone loss. When critical or subcritical glenoid bone loss occurs in active patients (> 15%) or bipolar off-track lesions, we should consider anterior glenoid bone reconstructions. The techniques have evolved significantly over the last two decades, moving from open procedures to arthroscopic, and from screw fixation to metal-free fixation. The new arthroscopic techniques of glenoid bone reconstruction procedures allow precise positioning of the graft, identification, and treatment of concomitant injuries with low morbidity and faster recovery. Given the problems associated with bone resorption and metal hardware protrusion, the new metal-free techniques for Latarjet or free bone block procedures seem a good solution to avoid these complications, although no long-term data are yet available.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(10):1100–1110.