Frozen shoulder is a common condition that affects the working population. The longevity and severity of symptoms often results in great economic burden to health services and absence from work. This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate whether early intervention with arthroscopic capsular release resulted in improvement of symptoms and any potential economic benefit to society. Patients were recruited prospectively. Data was gathered by way of questionnaire to ascertain demographics, previous primary care treatment and absence from work. Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) was also calculated. Arthroscopic capsular release was performed and further data gathered at four week post-operative follow up. Economic impact of delay to treatment and cost of intervention was calculated using government data from the national tariff which costs different forms of treatment. Statistical analysis was then performed on the results. Twenty five patients enrolled. Mean pre-operative OSS: 37.4 (range 27–58, SD 7.4). Mean post-operative OSS: 15.9 (range 12–22, SD 2.3). P<0.01. Mean improvement in OSS: 21.5 (range 12–38, SD 7.1). The cost of non-operative treatment per patient was £3954. The cost of arthroscopic capsular release per patient was £1861, a difference of £2093. There were no complications. Arthroscopic capsular release improved shoulder function on OSS within four weeks. The cost of arthroscopic capsular release is significantly less than the cost of treating the patients non-operatively. Early surgical intervention may improve symptoms quickly and reduce economic burden of the disease. A randomised controlled trial comparing timings of intervention would further elucidate potential benefits

Aims

The PROximal Fracture of the Humerus Evaluation by Randomisation (PROFHER) randomised clinical trial compared the operative and non-operative treatment of adults with a displaced fracture of the proximal humerus involving the surgical neck. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term treatment effects beyond the two-year follow-up.

A series of 103 acute fractures of the coronoid process of the ulna in 101 patients was reviewed to determine their frequency. The Regan-Morrey classification, treatment, associated injuries, course and outcomes were evaluated. Of the 103 fractures, 34 were type IA, 17 type IB, ten type IIA, 19 type IIB, ten type IIIA and 13 type IIIB. A total of 44 type-I fractures (86%) were treated conservatively, while 22 type-II (76%) and all type-III fractures were managed by operation.

At follow-up at a mean of 3.4 years (1 to 8.9) the range of movement differed significantly between the types of fracture (p = 0.002). Patients with associated injuries had a lower Mayo elbow performance score (p = 0.03), less extension (p = 0.03), more pain (p = 0.007) and less pronosupination (p = 0.004), than those without associated injuries. The presence of a fracture of the radial head had the greatest effect on outcome. An improvement in outcome relative to that of a previous series was noted, perhaps because of more aggressive management and early mobilisation. While not providing complete information about the true details of a fracture and its nature, the Regan-Morrey classification is useful as a broad index of severity and prognosis.

We treated 47 patients with a mean age of 57 years (22 to 88) who had a proximal humeral fracture in which there was a severe varus deformity, using a standard operative protocol of anatomical reduction, fixation with a locking plate and supplementation by structural allografts in unstable fractures. The functional and radiological outcomes were reviewed.

At two years after operation the median Constant score was 86 points and the median Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score 17 points. Seven of the patients underwent further surgery, two for failure of fixation, three for dysfunction of the rotator cuff, and two for shoulder stiffness. The two cases of failure of fixation were attributable to violation of the operative protocol. In the 46 patients who retained their humeral head, all the fractures healed within the first year, with no sign of collapse or narrowing of the joint space. Longer follow-up will be required to confirm whether these initially satisfactory results are maintained.

Heterotopic ossification occurring after the use of commercially available bone morphogenetic proteins has not been widely reported. We describe four cases of heterotopic ossification in patients treated with either recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2 or recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 7. We found that while some patients were asymptomatic, heterotopic ossification which had occurred around a joint often required operative excision with good results.