Adult hip dysplasia AHD is a complex 3D pathology of lateral coverage, version and/or volume and is often associated with increased femoral anteversion. The Mckibbin index MI is the combination of acetabular version AV and femoral version FV and is used as a measure of anterior hip Stability/ Impingement(1). The Bernese Periacetabular osteotomy PAO is a powerful tool in treating AHD, but it does not address FV. De-rotational femoral osteotomies FO increases risk of complications, operative time and might condemn the patient to Secondary osteotomies to balance the gait. We aim to investigate the effect of MI and FV on PROMs in patients undergoing PAO only. 593 PAOs identified on the Local Hip preservation registry between 01/2013 and 7/2023. PAOs for retroversion, residual Perthes and those combined with FO were excluded. Patients with no available PROMS at 2 years were excluded. Independent variables were collected from E-notes and imaging including MI and FV. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed against preoperative iHot12, and iHot12 change at 2years. The mean FV was 18.86± 12.4 SD. Mean MI was 36.07, SD 15.36. Mean preop iHot12 score was 29.83 ± 17.38 SD. Mean change in iHot12 at 2 years was+36.47 ± 28.44 SD. Females and a higher BMI were statistically correlated to a lower preoperative iHot12. A lower preop iHot12 score and a higher preop AI were correlated to a bigger change in iHot12 at 2years with statistical significance. MI and FV were not found to have a statistically significant correlation with Outcome measures, An increased Mckibbin index and femoral anteversion were not correlated with worse outcomes at two years. PAO alone in the presence of increased femoral anteversion avoids risks associated with FO which can be performed later if required.
MCID and PASS are thresholds driven from PROMS to reflect clinical effectiveness. Statistical significance can be derived from a change in PROMS, whereas MCID and PASS reflect clinical significance. Its role has been increasingly used in the world of young adult hip surgery with several publications determining the thresholds for Femoro-acetabular impingement FAI. To our knowledge MCID and PASS for patient undergoing PAO for dysplasia has not been reported. 593 PAOs between 1/2013 and 7/2023 were extracted from the Northumbria Hip Preservation Registry. Patients with available PROMS at 1year and/or 2years were included. PAOs for retroversion, residual Perthes and those combined with FO were excluded. MCID was calculated using the distribution method 0.5SD of baseline score(1). PASS was calculated using anchor method, ROC analysis performed, and value picked maximizing Youden index. A Logistic Regression analysis was performed to determine which independent variables correlated with achieving MCID and PASS. The MCID threshold for iHOt12 was 8.6 with 83.4 and 86.3 % of patients achieved it at 1 and 2 years respectively. The PASS score at 1 and 2 year follow up was 43 and 44 respectively, with 72.6 and 75.2% achieving it at 1 and 2 year postop. At 2 years a Higher preop iHOT 12 was associated with not achieving MCID and PASS (p<0.05). Preop acetabular version was negatively correlated with achieving MCID and previous hip arthroscopy was negatively correlated with PASS. The % of patients achieving MCID and PASS mimics that of FAI surgery (2). The negative correlation with preop iHOT12 reaffirms the importance of patient selection. The negative correlation of hip arthroscopy highlights the importance of having a high index of suspicion for dysplasia prior to hip arthroscopy and poorer outcomes of patients with mixed CAM and dysplasia pathology.
This study aims to determine difference in annual rate of early-onset (≤ 90 days) deep surgical site infection (SSI) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis, and to identify risk factors that may be associated with infection. This is a retrospective population-based cohort study using prospectively collected patient-level data between 1 January 2013 and 1 March 2020. The diagnosis of deep SSI was defined as per the Centers for Disease Control/National Healthcare Safety Network criteria. The Mann-Kendall Trend test was used to detect monotonic trends in annual rates of early-onset deep SSI over time. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of different patient, surgical, and healthcare setting factors on the risk of developing a deep SSI within 90 days from surgery for patients with complete data. We also report 90-day mortality.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, annual trend, perioperative outcomes, and identify risk factors of early-onset (≤ 90 days) deep surgical site infection (SSI) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis. Risk factors for early-onset deep SSI were assessed. We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study using prospectively collected patient-level data from several provincial administrative data repositories between January 2013, and March 2020. The diagnosis of early-onset deep SSI was based on published Centre for Disease Control/National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) definitions. The Mann-Kendall Trend Test was used to detect monotonic trends in early-onset deep SSI rates over time. The effects of various patient and surgical risk factors for early-onset deep SSI were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Secondary outcomes were 90-day mortality and 90-day readmission. A total of 20,580 patients underwent primary TKA for osteoarthritis. Forty patients had a confirmed deep SSI within 90-days of surgery representing a cumulative incidence of 0.19%. The annual infection rate did not change over the 7-year study period (p = 0.879). Risk factors associated with early-onset deep SSI included blood transfusions (OR, 3.93 [95% CI 1.34-9.20]; p=0.004), drug or alcohol abuse (OR, 4.91 [95% CI 1.85-10.93]; p<0.001), and surgeon volume less than 30 TKA per year (OR, 4.45 [1.07-12.43]; p=0.013). Early-onset deep SSI was not associated with 90-days mortality (OR, 11.68 [0.09-90-58]; p=0.217), but was associated with an increased chance of 90-day readmission (OR, 50.78 [26.47-102.02]; p<0.001). This study establishes a reliable baseline infection rate for early-onset deep SSI after TKA for osteoarthritis through the use of a robust methodological process. Several risk factors for early-onset deep SSI are potentially modifiable or can be optimized prior to surgery and be effective in reducing the incidence of early-onset SSI. This could guide the formulation of provincial screening programs and identify patients at high risk for SSI.
Arthroplasty is being increasingly used for the management of distal humeral fractures (DHFs) in elderly patients. Arthroplasty options include total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA); both have unique complications and there is not yet a consensus on which implant is superior. This systematic review asked: in patients aged over 65 years with unreconstructable DHFs, what differences are there in outcomes, as measured by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), range of motion (ROM), and complications, between distal humeral HA and TEA? A systematic review of the literature was performed via a search of MEDLINE and Embase. Two reviewers extracted data on PROMs, ROM, and complications. PROMs and ROM results were reported descriptively and a meta-analysis of complications was conducted. Quality of methodology was assessed using Wylde’s non-summative four-point system. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021228329).Aims
Methods
Lower limb open fractures are severe injuries, with a joint orthoplastic approach for management recommended by BOAST. An initial audit highlighted a discrepancy in time to definitive wound coverage between the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), which at the time was not an orthoplastic centre, and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) which was. Our aim was to perform a secondary audit to identify if the introduction of an orthoplastic service at the QEUH led to a reduction in time to definitive wound coverage. Forty-six patients with open lower limb fractures treated at the QEUH in 2019 following introduction of the orthoplastic service were identified. Management including time to antibiotics and wound coverage, and rates of complication were compared with previous audit data.Introduction
Materials and Methods
There has been growing interest in the literature regarding evaluation of functional outcomes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) while suffering from depression and using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Previous literature has shown that these patients have lower post-operative functional scores compared to those without SSRI use and with multiple musculoskeletal co-morbidities. This might be the result of potentially suboptimal motivation and participation in the post-operative rehabilitation programs. One recent study from a single center has suggested a reduction in adverse events in patients undergoing arthroplasty while on SSRI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the post operative functional scores of patients on SSRI and compare them with the patients not prescribed SSRIs. A retrospective data analysis was performed on patients who had primary TKA and primary THA between 1st June 2014 and 31st May 2017. The patients into two groups. In the first, patients received SSRI for at least one year before the surgery while in group two, patients did not receive SSRI. Outcome measures included Western Ontario and McMaster university osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and EQ5D5L scores at pre surgery, three months and 12 months post surgery. Chi-square and t test was used to compare categorical variables and continuous variables respectively. Multivariate linear regression was conducted to compare the change of scores between the two groups and was adjusted for age, gender, and comorbidities. These outcome scores were analyzed separately for TKA and THA. In the TKA group, there were 1,452 patients using SSRI and 15,981 not using SSR. In the THA group there were 851 patients using SSRIs and 10,102 patients without SSRIs. The baseline WOMAC for TKA patients was 45.6 for the controls and 41.8 for those patients on SSRIs (p < 0 .001). The baseline EQ5DL was 0.53 and 0.46 in the same groups (p < 0 .001). The baseline WOMAC for THA patients was 39.1 for the controls and 36.2 for patients using SSRIs (p < 0 .001). The baseline EQ5DL scores were 0.43 and 0.37respectively, again indicating patients on SSRI therapy had lower baseline scores (p < 0 .001). There was improvement in WOMAC and EQ5DL scores in all patient groups at 3 months and 12 months. After adjusting for gender, age, comorbidities and baseline score, THA patients not using SSRI showed a greater improvement in their WOMAC and EQ5DL scores than those prescribed SSRIs, WOMAC (p=0.008), EQ5DL (p=0.001). TKA patients showed a similar outcome but only the EQ5DL was statistically significant, WOMAC (p=0.12), EQ5DL (p=0.036). Our results show that patients on SSRI have lower preoperative WOMAC and EQ5DL scores at baseline when compared to patients not undergoing treatment for depression or anxiety with SSRIs. After arthroplasty, patients using SSRIs show significant improvement at 12 months but the improvement is smaller than the group not using SSRIs.
Glenoid replacement is a manual bone removal procedure that can be difficult for surgeons to perform. Surgical robotics have been utilized successfully in hip and knee orthopaedic procedures but there are no systems currently available in the shoulder. These robots tend to have low adoption rates by surgeons due to high costs, disruption of surgical workflow and added complexity. As well, these systems typically use optical tracking which needs a constant line-of-sight which is not conducive to a crowded operating room. The purpose of this work was developing and testing a surgical robotic system for glenoid replacement. The new surgical system utilizes flexible components that tether a Stewart Platform robot to the patient through a patient specific 3D printed mount. As the robot moves relative to the bone, reaction loads from the flexible components bending are measured by a load cell allowing the robot to “feel” its way around. As well, a small bone burring tool was attached to the robot to facilitate the necessary bone removal. The surgical system was tested against a fellowship-trained surgeon performing standard surgical techniques. Both the robot and the surgeon performed glenoid replacement on two different scapula analogs: standard anatomy and posterior glenoid edge wear referred to as a Walch B2. Six of each scapula model was tested by the robot and the surgeon. The surgeon created a pre-operative plan for both scapula analogs as a target for both methodologies. CT scans of the post-operative cemented implants were compared to the pre-operative target and implant position and orientation errors were measured. For the standard shoulder analogs the net implant position and orientation errors were 1.47 ± 0.48 mm and 2.57 ± 2.30° for the robot and 1.61 ± 0.29 mm and 5.04 ± 1.92° for the surgeon respectively. For the B2 shoulders, the net implant position and orientation errors were 2.16 ± 0.36 mm and 2.89 ± 0.88° for the robot and 3.01 ± 0.42 mm and 4.54 ± 1.49° for the surgeon respectively. The new tracking system was shown to be able to match or outperform the surgeon in most metrics. The surgeon tended to have difficulty gauging the depth needed as well as the face rotation of the implant. This was not surprising as the reaming tool used by the surgeon obscures the view of the anatomy and the spherical cutter hinders the ability to index the tool. The robot utilized only one surgical tool, the bone burr, precluding the need for multiple instruments used by the surgeon to prepare the glenoid bone bed. The force-space navigation method can be generalized to other joints, however, further work is needed to validate the system using cadaveric specimens.
Follow-up of arthroplasty varies widely across the UK. The aim of this NIHR-funded study was to employ a mixed-methods approach to examine the requirements for arthroplasty follow-up and produce evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations. It has been supported by BHS, BASK, BOA, ODEP and NJR. Four interconnected work packages have recently been completed: (1) a systematic literature review; (2a) analysis of routinely collected National Health Service data from four national data sets to understand when and which patients present for revision surgery; (2b) prospective data regarding how patients currently present for revision surgery; (3) economic modelling to simulate long-term costs and quality-adjusted life years associated with different follow-up care models and (4) a Delphi-consensus process, involving all stakeholders, to develop a policy document to guide appropriate follow-up care after primary hip and knee arthroplasty.
For ODEP10A∗ minimum implants, it is safe to disinvest in routine follow-up from 1 to 10 years post non-complex hip and knee replacement provided there is rapid access to orthopaedic review For ODEP10A∗ minimum implants in complex cases, or non-ODEP10A∗ minimum implants, periodic follow-up post hip and knee replacement may be required from 1 to 10 years At 10 years post hip and knee replacement, we recommend clinical, which may be virtual, and radiographic evaluation After 10 years post hip and knee replacement, frequency of further follow-up should be based on the 10-year assessment; ongoing rapid access to orthopaedic review is still required These recommendations apply to post primary hip and knee replacement follow-up The 10-year time point in these recommendations is based on a lack of robust evidence beyond ten years The term complex cases refer to individual patient and surgical factors that may increase the risk for replacement failure
Overarching statements
Patients undergoing Joint Arthroplasty received a significant proportion of blood transfusions. In this study, we compared the risk of Deep Infection, and Superficial Infection post operation following Primary Total Hip or Knee replacement in blood-transfused and non-blood-transfused patients. Cohort of patients who underwent primary total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty from April 2012 to March 2015 in Alberta. Patient characteristics, comorbidity, received blood transfusion were collected from electronic medical records, operating room information systems, discharge abstract database, provincial clinical risk grouper data. Deep Infection and Superficial Infection were captured from Provincial Surgical Site Infection Surveillance data. Deep Infection include deep incisional and organ/space infections. Logistic regression analysis were used to compare Deep Infection and Superficial Infection in blood-transfused and non-blood-transfused cohorts, and risk-adjusted for age, gender, procedure type, and co-morbidities. Our study cohort contains 27891 patients, with mean of age at admission was 66.3±10.4, 57.5% female, 49.3% had 1 or more comorbidities. 58.8% underwent Knee Replacement. 11.1% received blood transfusion during hospital stay (Total Hip Replacement (THR) =13.1% and Total Knee Replacement (TKR) =9.7%,). 1.1% had Deep Infection (THR=1.4% and TKR=0.9%) and 0.5% had Superficial Infection (THR=0.5% and TKR=0.5%). Blood-transfused patients got 1.7% Deep Infection and 1.0% Superficial infection. Non-blood-transfused patients got 1.0% Deep Infection and 0.5% Superficial infection. Controlling for age, gender, procedure type, and co-morbidities, the odds of Deep Infection were 1.6 times higher for blood-transfused patients than for non-blood-transfused patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.2–2.2], p=0.004). The odds of Superficial Infection were 2.0 times higher for transfused patients (adjusted OR=2.0, 95% CI [1.3–3.0], p=0.002). Blood transfusion increases Deep Infection and Superficial Infection post-surgery following Primary Total Knee or Hip Replacement. This finding suggests to reduce the unnecessary blood transfusion for patients considering Joint Arthroplasty. Reducing the blood transfusion will save the inpatient cost and decrease the infective complications post-surgery in Hip or Knee Arthroplasty patients.
Many hospitals and orthopaedic surgery teams across Canada have instituted quality improvement (QI) programs for hip and knee arthroplasty. One of the common goals is to reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) in order to improve operational efficiency, patient flow and, by achieving this, provide improved access for patients to arthroplasty surgery. A common concern among surgeons and care providers is that hospital readmission rates will increase if LOS is significantly reduced. This study assesses the relationship between LOS and readmission rates in Alberta over a six year period during a focused QI initiative targeting LOS. Data from all patients undergoing primary elective total hip or knee arthroplasty in Alberta between 2010 and 2015 was captured through a provincial QI program. Patient characteristics captured included age, gender, joint replaced, and pre-surgical co-morbidities. Patient LOS and all-cause hospital readmissions within thirty days from the initial discharge were captured through provincial data repositories, including the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD), operating room information systems, electronic medical records, and comorbidity risk grouper (CRG) data. Three longitudinal analyses were performed: 1) the crude and risk adjusted length of stay and 30-day readmission rates were calculated, 2) the population was grouped into two 3-year subsets and compared using t-test (acute LOS) and chi-square (30-day readmission), and 3) a multivariable regression analyses was performed to determine the rate of change and statistical significance in acute LOS and 30-day readmission between the two time periods. The number of patients undergoing elective lower extremity arthroplasty in the province during the six-year study period (2010–2015) was 48,760 patients. Fifty-nine percent were female and forty-one percent were male. Mean age of the cohort was 66.9 years. Thirty-nine percent of patients had a total hip arthroplasty and 61% had a total knee arthroplasty. Forty-five percent of patients had no pre-surgical risk factors, 27% had one risk factor, and 28% of the patients had 2 or more risk factors. During the quality improvement program risk-adjusted length of stay improved from a mean of 4.82 days (in 2010–2012) to 3.90 days (in 2013–2015) (p<0.01). Controlling for differences in age, sex, joint replaced, and pre-surgery risk factors, the acute LOS declined by 0.32 days between the two time periods (p<0.001). Quality improvement programs that target reduced LOS can avoid increasing 30-day hospital readmission rates. This has significant implications for inpatient resource utilisation for lower extremity arthroplasty surgery and for improving patient flow.
Following the recognition of platelet rich plasma (PRP) as an interventional procedure by NICE, patients who had failed standard conservative treatment for chronic elbow tendinitis and referred for surgery were recruited prospectively into a PRP injection study. 52 patients at Torbay Hospital, Devon, UK received PRP injections in 18 months and 37 had a minimum of 6 months follow up. The outcomes in these patients are summarised. There were 16 males and 21 females. 30 had tennis elbow and 7 had golfers elbow. All patients had their symptoms for a minimum of 6 months and had failed to improve with standard conservative treatment. 2 had a failed outcome from previous tennis elbow release surgery. The PRP injections were carried out under ultrasound guidance after correlating the tender spot with neovascularisation on flow Doppler. 31 patients had a single injection; the other 21 patients had 2 injections. Quick DASH score and patients own self-satisfaction was used to measure outcome. 18 patients (48%) were discharged by 6 months. DASH score worsened in 7 patients (19%) and 2 of these patients opted to have surgery, which had no benefit either. No complications were observed with the use of PRP. Overall, by using PRP injections, surgery was avoided in 35 patients (95%) at 18 months and nearly half of the patients were discharged from follow up by 6 months.
The incidence of frozen shoulder (FS) as a complication of simple arthroscopic shoulder surgery has yet to be defined. A single-surgeon case series of patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) or ASD with arthroscopic acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) excision was analysed to establish FS rate, this cohort was then compared to a matched group of primary FS patients. Retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive cases was undertaken. All procedures listed, performed and reviewed by the senior author. 96 underwent ASD and 104 underwent ASD and ACJ excision. 6-months follow-up minimum. Incidence of frozen shoulder was 5.21% (ASD) and 5.71% (ASD+ACJ excision). Mean age was 52.3 years (95% CI: 47.4 to 57.2) of the patients that developed FS, compared to 57.2 years (95% CI: 55.2 to 59.2) in the patients who did not and 52 years (95% CI: 50.7 to 53.3) in the primary FS cohort (n=136). 9.1% of post-operative FS were diabetic compared to 17.1% of primary FS. 63.6% were female in the post-operative FS group, 47.1% in the primary FS group. Our results suggest that the risk of FS following simple arthroscopic procedures is 5%, with no increased risk if the ACJ is also excised. This cohort has the same average age as a primary FS. There is a trend toward female sex and diabetes does not increase the risk.
We present (with intra-operative imaging) 4 patients who sustained Pectoralis major ruptures on the same piece of equipment of the “Tarzan” assault course at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines (CTCRM). Recruits jump at running pace, carrying 21 pounds of equipment and a weapon (8 pounds) across a 6ft gap onto a vertical cargo-net. The recruits punch horizontally through the net, before adducting their arm to catch themselves, and all weight, on their axilla. All patients presented with immediate pain and reduced function. 2 had ruptures demonstrated on MRI, 1 on USS and one via clinical examination. All 4 patients were found, at operation, to have sustained type IIIE injuries. All patients underwent Pectoralis major repair using a uni-cortical button fixation and had an uneventful immediate post operative course. Patient 1 left Royal Marines training after the injury (out of choice, not because of failure to rehabilitate). All other patients are under active rehabilitation hoping to return to training. Review of 10 years of records at CTCRM reveal no documented Pectoralis major rupture prior to our first case in October 2013. There has been no change to the obstacle or technique used and all patients deny the use of steroids.
Pain is a common presenting symptom of patients with shoulder conditions, yet there has been little work done to accurately describe its distribution and nature. We studied all patients attending the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital shoulder clinic from August 2012 – 2013. Patients completed a questionnaire detailing their Oxford Shoulder Score and a validated neuropathic pain questionnaire. Patients were given diagrams to draw on their perceived location of pain or abnormal sensation. We analysed all patients with frozen shoulder (48), osteoarthritis (37) and rotator cuff arthropathy (17). We found that neuropathic pain is common in patients with shoulder conditions identified in 39% of OA patients, 42% with rotator cuff arthropathy and 57% with frozen shoulder. Pain outside the shoulder was reported in over 50% of patients, commonly the forearm, hand, neck and chest. Frozen shoulder was especially associated with pain outside of the shoulder with 39% describing symptoms in the neck or chest, 21% into the forearm and 18% into the hand. Interestingly, neuropathic pain radiating down the arm was not described in the rotator cuff arthropathy group. The high prevalence of neuropathic symptoms and pain felt outside the shoulder aids diagnosis and more accurately identifies these conditions.
We present (with intra-operative imaging) 4 patients who sustained Pectoralis major ruptures on the same piece of equipment of the “Tarzan” assault course at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines (CTCRM). Recruits jump at running pace, carrying 21 pounds of equipment and a weapon (8 pounds) across a 6ft gap onto a vertical cargo-net. The recruits punch horizontally through the net, before adducting their arm to catch themselves, and all weight, on their axilla. All patients presented with immediate pain and reduced function. 2 had ruptures demonstrated on MRI, 1 on USS and one via clinical examination. All 4 patients were found, at operation, to have sustained type IIIE injuries. All patients underwent Pectoralis major repair using a uni-cortical button fixation and had an uneventful immediate post operative course. Patient 1 left Royal Marines training after the injury (out of choice, not because of failure to rehabilitate). All other patients are under active rehabilitation hoping to return to training. Review of 10 years of records at CTCRM reveal no documented Pectoralis major rupture prior to our first case in October 2013. There has been no change to the obstacle or technique used and all patients deny the use of steroids.
The Delto-pectoral approach is the workhorse of the shoulder surgeon, but surprisingly the common variants of the cephalic vein and deltoid artery have not been documented. The vascular anatomy encountered during one hundred primary elective delto-pectoral approaches was documented and common variants described. Two common variants are described. A type I (71%), whereby the deltoid artery crosses the interval and inserts directly in to the deltoid musculature. In this variant the surgeon is unlikely to encounter any vessels crossing the interval apart from the deltoid artery itself. In a type II pattern (21%) the deltoid artery runs parallel to the cephalic vein on the deltoid surface and is highly likely to give off medial branches (95%) that cross the interval, as well as medial tributaries to the cephalic vein (38%). Knowledge of the two common variants will aid the surgeon when dissecting the delto-pectoral approach and highlights that these vessels crossing the interval are likely to be arterial, rather than venous. This study allows the surgeon to recognize these variations and reproduce bloodless, safe and efficient surgery.
Massive rotator cuff tears in the patient who is too young for a reverse shoulder replacement are a challenging situation. A technique using a ‘Grammont osteotomy’ of the acromion has been developed to allow a comprehensive approach, the so called “Full Monty”. To document the functional outcome of patients undergoing an acromial osteotomy for the repair of massive tears of the supraspinatus.Introduction
Aim
Eighty-eight consecutive patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears were entered in to a prospect study with a novel technique of open double row repair using a ‘Capstan’ screw technique. The medial row has standard anchors, but the lateral suture row is a 35mm × 6.5mm ‘Capstan' screw. This allows up to 28 suture bridges to be taken from the medial row to the lateral row compressing the footprint and spreading the load. This creates a very robust repair or ‘bulletproof repair’. This was used for medium to large isolated supraspinatus tears Each patient had a pre and post operative Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES Score). The mean pre-operative OSS was 22 (maximum 48) and the mean post-operative OSS was 45, (p < 0.0001). Flexion improved from a mean of 117° to 172° (p < 0.0001). The clinical re-tear rate was 3.4%. 95% were satisfied with the procedure. There were no deep infections. 18% had transient stiffness, 6% stiffness at one year but none severe enough to warrant release. There were no instances of deltoid dysfunction. This demonstrates excellent results in terms of OSS, patient satisfaction and function. Clinical re-tear rate is markedly reduced in comparison to previous literature.
Massive tears of the supraspinatus of the rotator cuff lead to painful loss of movement. The literature supports repair of these tears for young healthy individuals, however they present a surgical challenge with historically poor results from both athroscopic and standard open techniques. Prof Bunker has developed a surgical technique for massive rotator cuff tears with a Grammont Osteotomy of the spine of the acromion, when standard surgical techniques will not allow the necessary exposure: the so called “Full Monty”. Patients were entered in to a prospective study to obtain the functional benefit of this procedure. Each patient had a pre-operative American Shoulder Elbow Score (ASES) Oxford Shoulder score (OSS), pain score, range of movement. Post-operatively these measures were repeated along with a patient questionnaire on function and satisfaction. The mean American Shoulder score (ASS) preoperatively was 7 (out of a possible 30) and improved postoperatively to 23(P = 0.00011). The improvement in the Oxford Shoulder Score was 22 (out of a possible 48) preoperatively to 43 postoperatively (0.0001) and 80% patients stated their treatment was “successful”. We believe this a successful surgical option for a patient with “massive” rotator cuff tear that is not amenable to standard surgical techniques.