Scapulothoracic fusion (STF) for painful winging
of the scapula in neuromuscular disorders can provide effective pain
relief and functional improvement, but there is little information
comparing outcomes between patients with dystrophic and non-dystrophic
conditions. We performed a retrospective review of 42 STFs in 34
patients with dystrophic and non-dystrophic conditions using a multifilament
trans-scapular, subcostal cable technique supported by a dorsal
one-third semi-tubular plate. There were 16 males and 18 females
with a mean age of 30 years (15 to 75) and a mean follow-up of 5.0
years (2.0 to 10.6). The mean Oxford shoulder score improved from
20 (4 to 39) to 31 (4 to 48). Patients with non-dystrophic conditions
had lower overall functional scores but achieved greater improvements
following STF. The mean active forward elevation increased from
59° (20° to 90°) to 97° (30° to 150°), and abduction from 51° (10°
to 90°) to 83° (30° to 130°) with a greater range of movement achieved
in the dystrophic group. Revision fusion for nonunion was undertaken
in five patients at a mean time of 17 months (7 to 31) and two required
revision for fracture. There were three pneumothoraces, two rib
fractures, three pleural effusions and six nonunions. The main risk
factors for nonunion were smoking, age and previous shoulder girdle surgery. STF is a salvage procedure that can provide good patient satisfaction
in 82% of patients with both dystrophic and non-dystrophic pathologies,
but there was a relatively high failure rate (26%) when poor outcomes
were analysed. Overall function was better in patients with dystrophic
conditions which correlated with better range of movement; however,
patients with non-dystrophic conditions achieved greater functional
improvement.
The present study aimed to investigate the long-term functional
results of scapulothoracic fusion using multifilament cables in
patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) to identify if
the early improvement from this intervention is maintained. We retrospectively investigated the long-term outcomes of 13
patients with FSHD (18 shoulders) in whom scapulothoracic fusion
using multifilament cables was performed between 2004 and 2007.
These patients have previously been reported at a mean of 35.5 months
(24 to 87). There were eight men and five women with a mean age
of 26 years. Their mean length of follow-up of our current study
was 128 months (94 to 185). To evaluate long-term functional results,
the range of shoulder flexion and abduction, Quick Disabilities
of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) scores were analyzed with
a comparison of preoperatively, interim and at the final outcomes. The
fusion was examined radiographically in all.Aims
Patients and Methods
To evaluate the donor site morbidity and tendon morphology after harvesting whole length, full-thickness peroneus longus tendon (PLT) proximal to the lateral malleolus for ligament reconstructions or tendon transfer. A total of 21 eligible patients (mean age 34.0 years (standard deviation (SD) 11.2); mean follow-up period 31.8 months (SD 7.7), and 12 healthy controls (mean age, 26.8 years (SD 5.9) were included. For patients, clinical evaluation of the donor ankle was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Square hop test, ankle strength assessment, and MRI of distal calf were assessed bilaterally in the final follow-up. The morphological symmetry of peroneal tendons bilaterally was evaluated by MRI in healthy controls.Aims
Methods