Aims

Intra-articular ⁹⁰Yttrium (⁹⁰Y) is an adjunct to surgical treatment by synovectomy for patients with diffuse-type tenosynovial giant-cell tumour (dtTGCT) of the knee, with variable success rates. Clinical information is, however, sparse and its value remains unclear. We investigated the long-term outcome of patients who underwent synovectomy with and without adjuvant treatment with ⁹⁰Yttrium.

We undertook a prospective study in 51 male patients aged between 17 and 27 years to ascertain whether immobilisation after primary traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder in external rotation was more effective than immobilisation in internal rotation in preventing recurrent dislocation in a physically active population.

Of the 51 patients, 24 were randomised to be treated by a traditional brace in internal rotation and 27 were immobilised in external rotation of 15° to 20°. After immobilisation, the patients undertook a standard regime of physiotherapy and were then assessed clinically for evidence of instability. When reviewed at a mean of 33.4 months (24 to 48) ten from the external rotation group (37%) and ten from the internal rotation group (41.7%) had sustained a futher dislocation. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.74) between the groups.

Our findings show that external rotation bracing may not be as effective as previously reported in preventing recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder.

Labral tears can lead to disabling hip pain however underlying structural (femoroacetabular impingement) and developmental abnormalities predisposing to labral pathology may be left untreated if the peripheral compartment is ignored during hip arthroscopy. Femoroace-tabular impingement (FAI) can be secondary to abnormal morphologic features involving either the proximal femur and/or the acetabulum. Both acetabular labral tears and FAI lead to premature osteoarthritis of the hip. Early diagnosis and treatment of these hip pathologic abnormalities is important, not only to provide pain relief but also to prevent the development of osteoarthritis.

Purpose: To describe the technique for arthroscopy of the peripheral compartment of the hip joint without traction.

Methods: We performed 9 hip arthroscopies without traction from a lateral and and anterolateral portals in the supine position.

After a traditional central arthroscopy with traction, 60 degrees of flexion at the hip joint without traction allowed relaxation of the anterior capsule and increased the intra-articular volume of the peripheral compartment.

Results: Inspection of the peripheral compartment was obtained from the anterolateral portal. The anterior neck area, medial neck area, medial head area, anterior head area, lateral head area and lateral neck area were viewed. In 3 patients, loose bodies were removed. In 1 patient with PVNS synovial biopsy was taken and synovectomy was performed. Osteochondroplasty was performed in 5 patients for femoroacetabular impingement. No complications were observed.

Conclusions: Hip arthroscopy without traction is mandatory to complete assessment and adequate treatment of the painful hip.

Introduction: Preliminary data suggest that immobilization in external rotation may be effective in lowering the incidence of recurrence after first traumatic shoulder dislocation, with a zero reoccurrence rate reported at 15 months follow-up. The purpose of the present study was to ascertain whether this method could lower the incidence of recurrent dislocation in a young, very physically active population.

Methods: In an IRB approved prospective study, young males who sustained first traumatic shoulder dislocation were randomized to be treated for four weeks either using a traditional internal rotation brace or a new device which immobilizes the shoulder at 15 to 20 degrees of external rotation. Subjects were then treated according to a standard physical therapy protocol. Follow-up was done at five time points in the first year post dislocation. Subjects with clinically stable shoulders resumed full activity after three months. Differences in outcome were assessed by the chi square test.

Results: Thirty nine subjects participated in the study. Thirty of them were soldiers. Twenty four subjects were treated with external rotation braces. At follow-up of between 4 to 28 months, a new dislocation was documented in 8 of the 24 subjects immobilized in external rotation (33%) and in 5 of the 15 subjects immobilized in internal rotation (33 %). No statistical difference (p=1.0) was found between the instability rates of the two treatment groups.

Discussion: The present study indicates that even in a short-term follow-up the technique of immobilizing a first dislocation in external rotation was not effective in lowering the incidence of recurrent shoulder dislocations in a young, physically active population.

Background: Displaced proximal humeral fractures (PHF) remain a challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. Conservative treatment yield poor results in the majority of these fractures. Surgical treatment, although preferable, lacks the proper exposure and fixation technique.

The locking compression plate (LCP), which is inserted in a minimal invasive technique, utilizing an anterolateral approach to the proximal humerus, allows adequate reduction and fixation, while minimizing the risk for complications derived from extensive exposure and poor fixation.

Methods: All patients admitted to our department with a complicated PHF between Jan 2004 and May 2005 were included. After obtaining informed consent, open reduction and internal fixation was performed through an anterolateral minimal invasive approach. After exposure and reduction with or without acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair, the fracture was fixated with a LCP 3.5mm. Patients were encouraged to perform pendular movements on the first post-operative day.

The patients were followed closely beginning 2 weeks post-operatively and afterwards on a bi-monthly basis. Immediate complications, radiographic and functional outcome were noted.

Results: 22 patients have been treated according to the treatment protocol during the study period. Minimal follow up of three months is available. A single complication was noted (deep wound infection which necessitated hardware removal). No nerve injury or hardware failures were noted.

Functional outcome was good, patients regained 120°±25 of flexion, 112°±27 of abduction and 17°±8 of external rotation.

Conclusions: The anterolateral approach to the shoulder and fixation with a LCP plate is a safe technique in our hospital. Rigid stabilization allows for early shoulder activation which results in a good range of motion and functional outcome on short-term follow up. Further study and long-term follow up are needed to validate this technique in treating complex proximal humerus fractures.

In recent years advances in operative techniques have allowed surgeons to perform total hip arthroplasty (THA) through incisions much smaller than those used previously. Potential advantages of these techniques include the reduction of blood loss and pain in the immediate postoperative period and preserving muscle function.

Potential disadvantages might include increased wound infection rate due to skin ischemia, intraoperative neurovascular injuries, and component malposition. This in turn may lead to long term complications, such as instability, osteolysis, and loosening.

The purpose of this study is to present our results with total hip arthroplasty performed through a minimal invasive technique which is a modification of the standard posterolateral approach.

Methods: In this retrospective study 91 consecutive patients underwent primary total hip arthroplasties were reviewed. The surgeries were performed at our institution from January 2001 to December 2003.

Surgical indications included primary osteoarthritis, subcapital fractures, malignancy, hip displasia, Otopelvis, rheumatoid arthritis and AVN. Exclusion criteria included revision hip arthroplasty, and cemented operations.

A modification of the standard posterlateral approach was used. Standard hip arthroplasty instruments along with curved acetabular reamers and impactor were used. Incision extent was determined by the size of the acetabular component. A fully Hidroxyapetite coated stem, and porous coated acetabullar component were used. Immediate full weight bearing postoperative regimen was allowed in all cases.

Results: In 17 patients (group A) the indication for surgery was a recent subcapital fracture. 74 patients (group B) had no trauma. The average age was 64.2 in group A and 65.1 in group B. No case of deep infection was documented in either group. 5 patients in group B had a single event of a posterior dislocation that was treated successfully with closed reduction. No dislocation occurred in group A. 35% (4) of group A and 41% (22) of group B did not require postoperative blood transfusions. 47% (6) and 36% (14) respectively needed transfusion of 3 blood units or more. Average hospitalization time was 6 days. None of the patients in both groups needed re-operation.

Conclusions: Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty is associated with a short hospitalization period and relatively low rate of blood transfusion. No major wound healing problems were documented in our series. It appears that the relatively high dislocation rate might be explained partly due to the common use of ceramic inserts. Further modification of the technique for proper acetabular component orientation is needed. However, more prospective with longer follow-up research must be conducted before definitive recommendations can be made.

Use of shoulder manipulation in the treatment of frozen shoulder (FS) remains controversial. One of the purported risks associated with the procedure is the development of a rotator cuff tear. However the incidence of iatrogenic rotator cuff tears has not been reported. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of manipulation of the shoulder on the integrity of the rotator cuff.

In a prospective study 20 consecutive patients (21 shoulders) with FS underwent manipulation of the shoulder under anaesthesia (MUA). The average duration of symptoms was 7.3 months (4–18 months). Patients were assessed pre and post manipulation using the Constant score. An ultrasound scan of the rotator cuff was performed before and at 3 weeks after manipulation.

In all patients, pre and post manipulation ultrasound scans showed the rotator cuff to be intact. At 12 weeks after manipulation all patients indicated that they had none or only occasional pain. The mean improvement in motion was 83 degrees (range, 20 – 100°) for flexion, 95 degrees (range, 20 – 120°) for abduction, 58 degrees (range, 0 – 80°) for external rotation and 3 levels of internal rotation (range 3–5 levels). These gains in motion were all significant (p < 0.01). No fractures, dislocations or nerve palsies were observed.

In conclusion manipulation under anaesthesia for treatment of frozen shoulder resulted in significant improvements in shoulder function and pain relief as early as 3 weeks after surgery and was not associated with rotator cuff tears. When performed carefully this procedure is safe and leads to early improvements in pain relief, range of movement and shoulder function.

Low back pain is not a frequent complaint in adolescents and usually is a self-limited affliction without signs or significant findings in pertinent imaging studies. Adolescent athletes are in an increased risk of overuse injuries to the spine due to their relative ligamentous laxity and lack of proper technique in their chosen sport.

This is a prospective study of adolescent athletes referred to the spine clinic due to low back pain and significant findings on physical examination and/or the imaging studies.

Between 01.08.1998 and 31.03.2001 we have treated 7 athletes, 2 girls and 5 boys, average age 15.67 years (range 13–17). Sports involved were golf in 2, body building in 1, volleyball in 1, handball in 1, track and field in 1, and ballet in 1. Five were eventually diagnosed with L5 pars defects (2 unilateral and 3 with bilateral lesions); L2 spondylolysis was diagnosed in 1 and L5-S1 central disc protrusion in 1. All complained of pain located to the lower back, the patient with disc protrusion complained of pain radiating to her lower extremities. Plain films were diagnostic in 1 patient only with a unilateral L5 pars defect. Technetium bone scan showed increased uptake at the level of the lesion in all 6 patients with spondylolysis and was normal in the patient with L5-S1 disc protrusion. CT scans were performed in 4 patients and were diagnostic 2, MRI was performed in 2 patients and was diagnostic in both.

The six patients with spondylolysis were treated by analgesics, rest for 3 months and then gradual supervised return to sports with modification of the swing in both golfers, decrease of training volume in the body builder and limiting the track and field athlete to running only. Both volleyball and handball players withdrew from athletic activities. The volleyball player with L5-S1 herniation refused surgical treatment.

The evaluation of adolescent athletes with low back pain longer than few weeks, should be by bone scan first and CT and/or MRI later. MRI should be preferred to limit radiation exposure. After proper rest and supervised training they can safely resume their athletic interests.

Introduction: The increasing utilization of total hip arthroplasty and the increasing life expectancy have brought an increasing incidence of revision hip arthroplasty. With severe acetabular, revision surgery with the use of standard cemented or press-fitted components is inadequate for fixation. In these cases the use of proximal femoral allograft can restore the deficiency.

Purpose: To present a new technique and preliminary results of revision total hip arthroplasty using proximal femoral allograft prosthetic composites for massive ace-tabular bone loss. The technique uses the natural vector of forces in the intertrochanteric region in an opposite direction at the acetabular defect.

Methods: From June 2000 to July 2001, seven patients underwent reconstruction of massive acetabular defects with proximal femoral allograft bone. The etiologies for bone loss were infection in 2 patients, aseptic loosening in 4 and acetabular protrusion in 2 patients. In 4 hips there were also femoral defects that was reconstructed with allograft. The average age of the patients was 69.8 years. All patients were wheel chair bound prior to surgery. Harris Hip Score was used to assess preoperative and follow-up function level.

Results: Harris Hip Score improved significantly in all patients. All patients are ambulatory at follow-up. Complications included 2 dislocation and 2 deep-vein thrombosis. No allograft resorbtion was noted at follow-up.

Conclusions: The proximal femoral allograft provides a solid construct for the acetabular cup in large acetabular bone defects. Although failure and complication rates might be higher than revision procedures with lesser bone defects, this reconstructive option for massive ace-tabular defects dramatically improves a patient’s function level.

Simultaneous bilateral posterior dislocation of the hip is very uncommon and most cases are caused by road accidents. Simultaneous bilateral posterior dislocation of the hip due to convulsions is extremely rare.

We report the case of a man who was diagnosed late and operated on 15 weeks after the injury. We discuss the treatment of chronic dislocation of the hip and review the literature.