We compared six patients with a mean age of 70 years (49 to 80) with severe bilateral, painful glenohumeral joint destruction who underwent a single-stage bilateral total shoulder replacement, with eight patients of mean age 61 years (22 to 89) who underwent bilateral total shoulder replacement in two stages, at a mean interval of 18 months (6 to 43). The overall function, pain and strength improved significantly in both groups. The subjective shoulder value, relative Constant score, active external rotation and the strength were improved significantly more in the single-stage group. Active elevation, abduction and overall function improved, significantly more in the single-stage group. Both the total duration of hospitalisation and the time off work per shoulder were substantially shorter in the single-stage group. The overall rate of complication was lower in the single-stage group. Our findings indicated that single-stage bilateral total shoulder replacement yielded significantly better clinical results with shorter hospitalisation and rehabilitation than staged replacement, and was not associated with any increase in complications

We report two cases of bilateral chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CCS) in the forearmand hand. Measurement of the intramuscular pressure was useful for diagnosis. These two cases illustrate that bilateral CCS should be suspected in patients complaining of bilateral exercise-induced pain in the anconeus muscle, the forearms, the thenar and hypothenar regions and in the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Fasciotomy relieved the pain in both cases

We studied, retrospectively, 131 patients who had undergone an open operation for the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in 229 hands. The symptoms were present on both sides in 59% of patients when first seen. Neurophysiological impairment of the median nerve was observed in 66% of the asymptomatic hands, and 73% of patients in this group developed symptoms of CTS after the opposite side had been operated on. Follow-up of patients with unilateral CTS showed that the subsequent development of disease in the unaffected hand is very common. We conclude that CTS is a bilateral disorder and that it becomes more evident as time passes. There is a correlation between the duration of symptoms and bilateral occurrence

We compared the long-term function of subscapularis after the Latarjet procedure using two surgical approaches. We treated 102 patients (106 shoulders) with a mean age of 26.8 years (15 to 51) with involuntary unidirectional recurrent instability. The operation was carried out through an L-shaped incision with trans-section of the upper two-thirds of the muscle in 69 cases and with a subscapularis split in 37. All clinical results were assessed by the Rowe and the Duplay scores and the function of subscapularis by evaluating the distance and strength at the lift-off position. Bilateral CT was performed in 77 patients for assessment of fatty degeneration. The mean follow-up was 7.5 years (2 to 15) and 18% of cases were lost to follow-up. The mean Duplay score was 82 of 100 for the L-shaped incision group and 90 of 100 for those with a subscapularis split (p = 0.02). The mean fatty degeneration score was 1.18 after an L-shaped incision compared with 0.12 after subscapularis split (p = 0.001). The subscapularis split approach is therefore recommended

We randomised 79 patients (84 hands, 90 fingers) with Dupuytren’s contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint to have either a ‘firebreak’ skin graft (39 patients, 41 hands, 44 fingers) or a fasciectomy (40 patients, 43 hands, 46 fingers) if, after full correction, the skin over the proximal phalanx could be easily closed by a Z-plasty. Patients were reviewed after three, six, 12, 24 and 36 months to note any complications, the range of movement and recurrence. Both groups were similar in regard to age, gender and factors considered to influence the outcome such as bilateral disease, family history, the presence of diabetes, smoking and alcohol intake. The degree of contracture of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the operated fingers was similar in the two groups and both were comparable in terms of grip strength, range of movement and disability at each follow-up. The recurrence rate was 12.2%. We did not identify any improvement in correction or recurrence of contracture after firebreak dermofasciectomy up to three years after surgery

Between September 1993 and September 1996, we performed 34 Kudo 5 total elbow replacements in 31 rheumatoid patients. All 22 surviving patients were reviewed at a mean of 11.9 years (10 to 14). Their mean age was 56 years (37 to 78) at the time of operation. All had Larsen grade IV or V rheumatoid changes on X-ray. Nine (three bilateral replacements and six unilateral) had died from unrelated causes. One who had died before ten years underwent revision for dislocation. Of the 22 total elbow replacements reviewed six had required revision, four for aseptic loosening (one humeral and three ulnar) and two for infection. Post-operatively, one patient had neuropraxia of the ulnar nerve and one of the radial nerve. Two patients had valgus tilting of the ulnar component. With revision as the endpoint, the mean survival time for the prosthesis was 11.3 years (95% confidence interval (10 to 13) and the estimated survival of the prosthesis at 12 years according to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was 74% (95% confidence interval 0.53 to 0.91). Of the 16 surviving implants, ten were free from pain, four had mild pain and two moderate. The mean arc of flexion/extension of the elbow was 106° (65° to 130°) with pronation/supination of 90° (30° to 150°) with the joint at 90° of flexion. The mean Mayo elbow performance score was 82 (60 to 100) with five excellent, ten good and one fair result. Good long-term results can be expected using the Kudo 5 total elbow replacement in patients with rheumatoid disease, with a low incidence of loosening of the components

We describe an operation to relieve compression of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve at the elbow. Between 1987 and 1997 we operated on seven patients, one with bilateral compression. In two the compression was associated with injury to biceps. A longitudinal or a transverse incision was carried out and the nerve was released from the deep fascia. Partial excision of the biceps aponeurosis was undertaken in the patients who did not have injury to biceps; some additional procedures were required for those patients with injuries. All patients had symptomatic relief

We present the results of 525 primary Souter elbow arthroplasties undertaken in 406 patients between 1982 and 1997. There were 372 women and 34 men with a mean age of 57 years; 119 patients had a bilateral procedure. The elbows were affected by chronic inflammatory disease, usually rheumatoid arthritis, which had been present for a mean of 24.7 years (2 to 70). In about 30% the joints were grossly destroyed with significant loss of bone. In 179 elbows the ulnar components were metal-backed and retentive; in the remaining 346, with better bone stock, non-retentive, all-polyethylene prostheses were used. Because of complications, 108 further operations were required in 82 patients. During the early years the incidence of complications was higher. Dislocation was the indication for 30 further procedures in 26 patients. Thirty patients underwent 33 revision procedures for aseptic loosening, 12 had 29 operations because of deep infection, two for superficial infection, and 14 further operations were done for other reasons. The cumulative rate of success, without aseptic loosening, five and ten years after surgery, was 96% and 85%, respectively

Between 1978 and 1986, 59 patients received a GSB III elbow prosthesis, six of them in both elbows. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the underlying cause in 51 of the patients and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in eight. Of these, 24 patients (28 prostheses) have since died; two, both operated on bilaterally, had had their implants for more than ten years and had already been assessed for inclusion in the long-term follow-up. Two patients, each with one elbow prosthesis, have been lost to follow-up and three males who are still living (two with PTOA, one with juvenile RA) had their prosthesis removed before ten years had elapsed. The remaining 32 patients (28 RA, 4 PTOA) with 36 GSB III elbows were examined clinically and radiologically after a mean period of 13.5 years. Pain was considerably reduced in 91.6%. Mobility was increased by 37° in those with RA and by 67° in those with PTOA. There were three cases of aseptic loosening and three of deep infection. The main complication was disassembly of the prosthetic component in nine elbows (13.8%). This last group included two patients with postoperative fractures unrelated to the operative technique and one with neuropathic arthritis. Ulnar neuritis occurred in two patients. Since 87.7% of all the GSB III prostheses implanted in this period remained in situ, our results are comparable with those for hip and knee arthroplasty

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome and complications of endoscopic versus open release for the treatment of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Patients with this condition were randomised to undergo either endoscopic (n = 27) or open release (n = 25). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores were measured at 12 and 24 weeks after surgery. Scar satisfaction was measured using a VAS scale. The mean pain and DASH scores improved significantly at 12 weeks and 24 weeks (p <  0.001) in both groups. The scores were marginally lower in the endoscopic group compared to the open group at 12 weeks (p = 0.012 and p = 0.002, respectively); however, only the DASH score showed a clinically important difference. There were no differences between the groups at 24 weeks. The mean VAS scar satisfaction score was higher in the endoscopic group at 24 weeks (p < 0.001). Transient superficial radial nerve injury occurred in three patients in the endoscopic group compared with nine in the open release group (p = 0.033).

We conclude that endoscopic release for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis seems to provide earlier improvement after surgery, with fewer superficial radial nerve complications and greater scar satisfaction, when compared with open release.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:947–51.

We hypothesised that a large acromial cover with an upwardly tilted glenoid fossa would be associated with degenerative rotator cuff tears (RCTs), and conversely, that a short acromion with an inferiorly inclined glenoid would be associated with glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA). This hypothesis was tested using a new radiological parameter, the critical shoulder angle (CSA), which combines the measurements of inclination of the glenoid and the lateral extension of the acromion (the acromion index).

The CSA was measured on standardised radiographs of three groups: 1) a control group of 94 asymptomatic shoulders with normal rotator cuffs and no OA; 2) a group of 102 shoulders with MRI-documented full-thickness RCTs without OA; and 3) a group of 102 shoulders with primary OA and no RCTs noted during total shoulder replacement. The mean CSA was 33.1° (26.8° to 38.6°) in the control group, 38.0° (29.5° to 43.5°) in the RCT group and 28.1° (18.6° to 35.8°) in the OA group. Of patients with a CSA > 35°, 84% were in the RCT group and of those with a CSA < 30°, 93% were in the OA group.

We therefore concluded that primary glenohumeral OA is associated with significantly smaller degenerative RCTs with significantly larger CSAs than asymptomatic shoulders without these pathologies. These findings suggest that individual quantitative anatomy may imply biomechanics that are likely to induce specific types of degenerative joint disorders.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:935–41.

Diabetes mellitus is recognised as a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome. The response to treatment is unclear, and may be poorer than in non-diabetic patients. Previous randomised studies of interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome have specifically excluded diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients, and compare the outcome of carpal tunnel decompression with non-diabetic patients. The primary endpoint was improvement in the QuickDASH score. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11.3% (176 of 1564). Diabetic patients were more likely to have severe neurophysiological findings at presentation. Patients with diabetes had poorer QuickDASH scores at one year post-operatively (p = 0.028), although the mean difference was lower than the minimal clinically important difference for this score. After controlling for underlying differences in age and gender, there was no difference between groups in the magnitude of improvement after decompression (p = 0.481). Patients with diabetes mellitus can therefore be expected to enjoy a similar improvement in function.

The sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is a pivotal articulation in the linked system of the upper limb girdle, providing load-bearing in compression while resisting displacement in tension or distraction at the manubrium sterni. The SCJ and acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) both have a small surface area of contact protected by an intra-articular fibrocartilaginous disc and are supported by strong extrinsic and intrinsic capsular ligaments. The function of load-sharing in the upper limb by bulky periscapular and thoracobrachial muscles is extremely important to the longevity of both joints. Ligamentous and capsular laxity changes with age, exposing both joints to greater strain, which may explain the rising incidence of arthritis in both with age. The incidence of arthritis in the SCJ is less than that in the ACJ, suggesting that the extrinsic ligaments of the SCJ provide greater stability than the coracoclavicular ligaments of the ACJ.

Instability of the SCJ is rare and can be difficult to distinguish from medial clavicular physeal or metaphyseal fracture-separation: cross-sectional imaging is often required. The distinction is important because the treatment options and outcomes of treatment are dissimilar, whereas the treatment and outcomes of ACJ separation and fracture of the lateral clavicle can be similar. Proper recognition and treatment of traumatic instability is vital as these injuries may be life-threatening. Instability of the SCJ does not always require surgical intervention. An accurate diagnosis is required before surgery can be considered, and we recommend the use of the Stanmore instability triangle. Most poor outcomes result from a failure to recognise the underlying pathology.

There is a natural reluctance for orthopaedic surgeons to operate in this area owing to unfamiliarity with, and the close proximity of, the related vascular structures, but the interposed sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles are rarely injured and provide a clear boundary to the medial retroclavicular space, as well as an anatomical barrier to unsafe intervention.

This review presents current concepts of instability of the SCJ, describes the relevant surgical anatomy, provides a framework for diagnosis and management, including physiotherapy, and discusses the technical challenges of operative intervention.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:721–31.

The Motec cementless modular metal-on-metal ball-and-socket wrist arthroplasty was implanted in 16 wrists with scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC; grades 3 or 4) and 14 wrists with scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) in 30 patients (20 men) with severe (grades 3 or 4) post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the wrist. The mean age of the patients was 52 years (31 to 71). All prostheses integrated well radiologically. At a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (1.1 to 6.1) no luxation or implant breakage occurred. Two wrists were converted to an arthrodesis for persistent pain. Loosening occurred in one further wrist at five years post-operatively. The remainder demonstrated close bone–implant contact. The clinical results were good, with markedly decreased Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and pain scores, and increased movement and grip strength. No patient used analgesics and most had returned to work.

Good short-term function was achieved using this wrist arthroplasty in a high-demand group of patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

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 aim of this study was to investigate genetic influences on the development and progression of tears of the rotator cuff. From a group of siblings of patients with a tear of the rotator cuff and of controls studied five years earlier, we determined the prevalence of tears of the rotator cuff with and without associated symptoms using ultrasound and the Oxford Shoulder Score.

In the five years since the previous assessment, three of 62 (4.8%) of the sibling group and one of the 68 (1.5%) controls had undergone shoulder surgery. These subjects were excluded from the follow-up.

Full-thickness tears were found in 39 of 62 (62.9%) siblings and in 15 of 68 (22.1%) controls (p = 0.0001). The relative risk of full-thickness tears in siblings as opposed to controls was 2.85 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75 to 4.64), compared to 2.42 (95% CI 1.77 to 3.31) five years earlier. Full-thickness tears associated with pain were found in 30 of 39 (76.9%) tears in the siblings and in eight of 15 (53.3%) tears in the controls (p = 0.045). The relative risk of pain associated with a full-thickness tear in the siblings as opposed to the controls was 1.44 (95% CI 2.04 to 8.28) (p = 0.045).

In the siblings group ten of 62 (16.1%) had progressed in terms of tear size or development compared to one of 68 (1.5%) in the control group which had increased in size.

Full-thickness rotator cuff tears in siblings are significantly more likely to progress over a period of five years than in a control population. This implies that genetic factors have a role, not only in the development but also in the progression of full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff.

We undertook clinical and ultrasonographic examination of the shoulders of 420 asymptomatic volunteers aged between 50 and 79 years. MRI was performed in selected cases. Full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff were detected in 32 subjects (7.6%). The prevalence increased with age as follows: 50 to 59 years, 2.1%; 60 to 69 years, 5.7%; and 70 to 79 years, 15%. The mean size of the tear was less than 3 cm and tear localisation was limited to the supraspinatus tendon in most cases (78%). The strength of flexion was reduced significantly in the group with tears (p = 0.01).

Asymptomatic tears of the rotator cuff should be regarded as part of the normal ageing process in the elderly but may be less common than hitherto believed.

Between 1982 and 1997, 403 consecutive patients (522 elbows) with rheumatoid arthritis underwent Souter-Strathclyde total elbow replacement. By the end of 2007, there had been 66 revisions for aseptic loosening in 60 patients. The mean time of follow-up was 10.6 years (0 to 25) The survival rates at five-, ten, 15 and 19 years were 96% (95%, confidence interval (CI) 95 to 98), 89% (95% CI 86 to 92), 83% (95% CI 78 to 87), and 77% (95% CI 69 to 85), respectively. The small and medium-sized short-stemmed primary humeral components had a 5.6-fold and 3.6-fold risk of revision for aseptic loosening respectively, compared to the medium-sized long-stemmed component. The small and medium-sized all-polyethylene ulnar components had respectively a 28.2-fold and 8.4-fold risk of revision for aseptic loosening, compared to the metal-backed ulnar components.

The use of retentive ulnar components was not associated with an increased risk of aseptic loosening compared to non-retentive implants.

Replacement of the shoulder in juvenile idiopathic arthritis is not often performed and there have been no published series to date.

We present nine glenohumeral hemiarthroplasties in eight patients with systemic or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The mean follow-up was six years (59 to 89 months). The mean age at the time of surgery was 32 years. Surgery took place at a mean of 27 years after diagnosis. The results indicated excellent relief from pain. There was restoration of useful function which deteriorated with time, in part because of progression of the systemic disease in this severely affected group. No patient has required revision to date and there has been no radiological evidence of loosening or osteolysis around the implants.

We discuss the pathoanatomical challenges unique to this group. There was very little space for a prosthetic joint and, in some cases, bony deformity and the small size necessitated the use of custom-made implants.

Injectable collagenase is an alternative to surgical treatment for Dupuytren’s disease. Previous studies have reported on the effectiveness of collagenase in finger contractures. This prospective study reports on the short-term safety and efficacy of collagenase treatment in five thumb and first web space Dupuytren’s contractures. The thumb and first web space contractures were treated with injectable collagenase in four consecutive patients (five hands) with experience of previous surgical digital fasciectomy. The thumb contracture was measured by angle and span in two planes of thumb extension and abduction before injection and after manipulation. Collagenase treatment resulted in release of the contracture with a mean increase in thumb to index angle from 23° (10° to 35°) to 56° (45° to 60°) in extension and from 30° (10° to 50°) to 58° (50° to 65°) in abduction and a mean increase in span from 1.9 cm (1 to 3.5) to 3.9 cm (3 to 5) in extension and from 2.4 cm (1.5 to 3.5) to 3.9 cm (3 to 4.5) in abduction. All patients reported an increased range of movement and function and described collagenase therapy as preferable to surgery. In the short-term collagenase is an effective, well-tolerated and safe alternative to surgery for Dupuytren’s disease of the thumb.