Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective studies is to evaluate the real effectiveness, with clinical and radiologic evalutation, of the eccentric glenosphere and also how a correct position can prevent the scapular notching.

Material and Methods: We inplanted in 18 patients, with eccentric arthopaty, a 36 mm eccentric glenoshere.24 months’ clinical and radiographic follow up. All patient were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with the Constant Score. In the post-operative radiographic control we have taken in consideration: the presence of notching, psna (prosthesis-scapular neck angle), pgrd (peg glenoid distance), glenoid inclination, craniocaudal position of the glenosphere in relation to the glenoid.

Results: The ROM increased in all level. All of the 18 shoulder had no notching. The craniocaudal position of the glenosphere in relation to the glenoid is 4,3 mm. The PSNA was 92° and the PGRD was 21.2.

Conclusion: The inferior scapular notching is the most important complicance of reverse prosthesis. The results of our study indicate that : the correct positioning of the metal back, at the center of the glenoid (better biomechanics stability), without overhang and with eccentric glenosphere, permits to lower the center of rotation of 4 mm avoiding the notch and so increasing the adduction and abduction range of motion.

Due to an arthroscopic’s surgery progress, almost all type of rotator cuff lesions including massive tears can be repaired. Correct preoperative surgical planning needs combination of dates coming from clinical history, diagnostic imaging and the demand of patient.

Purpose: the goal of this study is to report on the arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tear: surgical techniques used, outcome.

Type of study: retrospective study in 2 Orthopedic Center in Rome (Italy).

Methods: Between 2000 and 2007, 457 patients underwent arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear: 93 of these were complete massive cuff tear. The pre-op and postoperative outcomes were analyzed using the Costant Score (CS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), a single question reflecting satisfaction. The patients were divided in 2 group: massive antero-superior and massive postero-superior cuff tear. The average age of patients was: 55–74 yrs; the average time from onset of symptoms to surgery was 16,7 months.

Results: the CS score improved from 0–3 pre-op to 7–10 post op; the SST score from 18–32 pre-op to 68–90. The patient satisfaction rate was > 90%.

Conclusion: The arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tear is an effective procedure for decresing pain and improving function of the shoulder. The patient satisfaction rate is very high. The right indication to surgery, the correct surgical procedure and the appropriate physical terapy are the keys of success.

Fractures of lower limb treated with Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (O.R.I.F.) are frequently complicated in the postoperative period. Minimal Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPO) is developing for subcutaneous plating. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the improvement in dropping the risks of complications following internal fixation using MIPO. From January 1998 to May 1999 we collected 32 cases of lower limb fractures treated with O.R.I.F (Group I). From June 1999 we started to perform MIPO in closed fractures of lower limb with conventional and new devices with angular stability that offer more mechanical stability (Group II 90 cases). In Group I we got 2 infections in pilon fractures, 3 delayed union in distal tibial fractures, 1 non-union in distal femoral fracture, 1 varus deformity in distal femoral fracture and 2 DVT. In Group II we had only 4 cases of varus deformity and 1 DVT.

The findings of this study justify the effort to follow this procedure also because the new devices available improved mechanical stability. MIPO is a demanding technique with undoubted advantages: it respects the biology of callus and soft tissues, it reduces the necessity of bone graft and is particularly indicated in polytrauma patients.

Fractures of distal femur and tibia treated with Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (O.R.I.F.) are frequently complicated in the postoperative period. Minimal Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPO) is developing for subcutaneous plating. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the improvement in dropping the risks of complications following internal fixation of closed fractures of the lower limb using MIPO in comparison with conventional O.R.I.F. procedure. From January 1998 to May 1999 we collected 32 cases of lower limb fractures (10 distal femur, 15 pilon, 7 distal tibia) treated with O.R.I.F procedure (Group I). The mean age was 47.6 years (range 23–76). From June 1999 we started to perform MIPO in closed fractures of lower limb with conventional devices (36 cases). From March 2001 we performed part of our minimal invasive surgery (54 cases) with new devices with angular stability (Less Invasive Stabilization System, Synthes) that offer more tools for subcutaneous osteosynthesis and more mechanical stability of the implants. Our 90 cases formed Group II. The mean age was 53.2 years (range 21–80). The mean follow up was 18 months. We used bone grafts in only 1 case of severe pilon fracture. In Group I we got 2 infections in pilon fractures, 3 delayed union in distal tibial fractures, 1 non-union in distal femoral fracture, 1 varus deformity in distal femoral fracture and 2 DVT. In Group II we had no infection, no delayed or non-union (a mean consolidation time of 8–10 weeks for pilon fractures, 6 weeks for distal tibia fractures, 10–12 for distal femoral and proximal tibia ones). 2 cases of varus deformity in 1 pilon fractures (1 MIPO); 1 DVT in distal tibial fracture; 2 cases of varus deformity of distal femoral fracture (1 DCS). Conventional O.R.I.F. surgery showed some limits: wide exposure, damage to vascular supply of soft tissues and bone, blood loss, high risk of infections, not indicated in polytrauma patient: international literature reported high rate of postoperative complications. The findings of this study justify the effort to follow this procedure also because the new devices available improved mechanical stability and facilitated this technique In conclusion, minimal invasive surgery is a demanding technique with undoubted advantages: it reduces surgical exposures and risk of infection; it respects the biology of callus and soft tissues, it reduces the necessity of bone graft and is particularly indicated in polytrauma patients.

Aims: Stemmed cup is the evolution of Ring cup. The iliac stem is positioned in direction of sacro-iliac sin-condrosis, in axis with weight-bearing lines. It allows an optimal stability in the iliac bone avoiding the dameged acetabular region. The stemmed cup is indicated:

Ð in CDH primary implant

Ð in revision surgery (grade 2–4 according to Paproskyñs classiþcation). In severe bone loss cases (grade 3–4) we preferred to use auto or homologous bone grafts impacted to þll the bone defect. Methods:We report about 168 stemmed cup implants in 159 patients (9 bilateral cases). 37 CDH was treated as a primary implant (6 bilateral patients). The average age is 69 years (range 38–87). The mean follow up is 36 months (range 6 months Ð 6 years). 21 cases were lost at follow up. We evaluated all patients by X-rays at 1,3,6 months and every year and CT in some cases to check the iliac stem position. Results: 13 patients died because of non-related surgery. Superþcial infections 5 cases; deep infections 6 cases (two-stages revision); proximal migration < 1 cm. In 9 cases without loosening; malpositioning of the stem 7 cases; sciatic nerve palsy 5 cases (1 permanent case); DVT 3 cases.

Radiolucency around stem < 2 mm. 19 cases, radiolucency around the cup in 11 cases; bone grafts resorption 10 out of 57 cases. Mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 60; mean postoperative HHS 85. Conclusions: The good mid-term results reported conþrm that stemmed cup is a valid solution in revision surgery with mid and severe bone loss but also in CDH when conventional cup are not indicated.

Aims: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) evolves in destruction of the hip joint. Treatment of this disease is controversial. Early stages are treated with core decompression whilst in later stages þbular grafting, rotational osteotomy or THR are recommended. Purpose of this study is the evaluation of a new combined approach. Methods: We present a series of 147 AVN in 108 patients treated with the combination of core decompression, bone grafting and electrical stimulation. All surgery were performed with a minimal invasive technique and a dedicated set of instruments which allow for accurate and complete removal of the necrotic bone.

In 30 cases the disease was in Steinberg stage I, 58 stage II, 42 stage III and 17 stage IV. All patients were kept non weight bearing for 6 weeks and partial weight bearing for further 6 to 8 weeks. PEMF were used for 8 ours daily for 3 months. Average follow-up was 37 months (min 12 months, max 108). Both clinical and radiological results were evaluated. Results: We had a good radiographic result in 96% of cases in stage I, 85% stage II, 45% stage III and 27% stage IV. Clinically, we obtained good results in 87% stage I, in 81% stage II, in 65% stage III and in 48% stage IV. Clinical failure was deþned as the performance of a subsequent operation. None of the patients in stage I or II required further surgical treatment. Nine cases in stage III and 5 in stage IV required THR after an average of 19 months. Conclusions: Core decompression with bone grafting and electrical stimulation is a safe and effective procedure in Stage I and Stage II AVN. Promising results were obtained also in stage III and Stage IV.

We performed a randomised controlled study to compare heparin with the A-V Impulse System in the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in 132 consecutive patients undergoing total hip replacement. After the operation, all patients had compression stockings, 65 were treated with calcium heparin and 67 with the intermittent plantar pump. DVT was diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and thermography, followed by phlebography. There were 23 cases of DVT (35.4%) in the heparin group, with 16 major and seven minor thromboses. In the impulse pump group there were nine cases (13.4%) with three major and six minor thromboses. The differences for all thromboses and for major thromboses were both significant at p < 0.005. In the heparin group there was one fatal pulmonary embolism and nine patients (13.8%) had excessive bleeding or wound haematomas, as against none in the impulse pump group.