Lateral clavicular physeal injuries in adolescents are frequently misinterpreted as acromioclavicular dislocations. There are currently no clear guidelines for the management of these relatively rare injuries. Non-operative treatment can result in a cosmetic deformity, warranting resection of the non-remodelled original lateral clavicle. However, fixation with Kirschner (K)-wires may be associated with infection and/or prominent metalwork. We report our experience with a small series of such cases. Between October 2008 and October 2011 five patients with lateral clavicular physeal fractures (types III, IV and V) presented to our unit. There were four boys and one girl with a mean age of 12.8 years (9 to 14). Four fractures were significantly displaced and treated operatively using a tension band suture technique. One grade III fracture was treated conservatively. The mean follow-up was 26 months (6 to 42). All patients made an uncomplicated recovery. The mean time to discharge was three months. The QuickDASH score at follow-up was 0 for each patient. No patient developed subsequent growth disturbances. We advocate the surgical treatment of significantly displaced Grade IV and V fractures to avoid cosmetic deformity. A tension band suture technique avoids the problems of retained metalwork and the need for a secondary procedure. Excellent clinical and radiological results were seen in all our patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:664–7

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 have reviewed 38 surgically treated cases of spontaneous posterior interosseous nerve palsy in 38 patients with a mean age of 43 years (13 to 68) in order to identify clinical factors associated with its prognosis. Interfascicular neurolysis was performed at a mean of 13 months (1 to 187) after the onset of symptoms. The mean follow-up was 21 months (5.5 to 221). Medical Research Council muscle power of more than grade 4 was considered to be a good result. A further 12 cases in ten patients were treated conservatively and assessed similarly.

Of the 30 cases treated surgically with available outcome data, the result of interfascicular neurolysis was significantly better in patients < 50 years old (younger group (18 nerves); good: 13 nerves (72%), poor: five nerves (28%)) than in cases > 50 years old (older group (12 nerves); good: one nerve (8%), poor: 11 nerves (92%)) (p < 0.001). A pre-operative period of less than seven months was also associated with a good result in the younger group (p = 0.01). The older group had a poor result regardless of the pre-operative delay.

Our recommended therapeutic approach therefore is to perform interfascicular neurolysis if the patient is < 50 years of age, and the pre-operative delay is < seven months. If the patient is > 50 years of age with no sign of recovery for seven months, or in the younger group with a pre-operative delay of more than a year, we advise interfascicular neurolysis together with tendon transfer as the primary surgical procedure.

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 conducted a prospective, randomised, controlled trial of 45 patients (47 elbows), with tennis elbow, who underwent either a formal open release or a percutaneous tenotomy. All patients had pre- and post-operative assessment using the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scoring system. Both groups were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. Statistical analyses using the Mann-Whitney U test and repeated measured ANOVA showed significant improvements for patient satisfaction (p = 0.012), time to return to work (p = 0.0001), improvements in DASH score (p = 0.001) and improvement in sporting activities (p = 0.046) in the percutaneous group. Those patients undergoing a percutaneous release returned to work on average three weeks earlier and improved significantly more quickly than those undergoing an open procedure. The percutaneous procedure is a quicker and simpler procedure to undertake and produces significantly better results.

Osteoarthritis of the wrist is a complication of a number of common traumatic conditions. Arthrodesis of the radiocarpal joint, proximal row carpectomy and excision of the scaphoid, combined with midcarpal arthrodesis, have all been reported as surgical options. There have been no randomised studies comparing these procedures, and the feasibility of conducting this type of trial is limited.

We used decision analysis to compare the three surgical techniques. The variables for the model used were based principally on data from the literature. Extensive sensitivity analyses were carried out to test the impact of the values given to these variables on the outcome of the model. The model indicated that the preferred treatment is proximal row carpectomy.

Decision analysis allows a comparison between alternative treatments, when evidence from a randomised trial is lacking or unobtainable. The decision-analysis model may also provide insight into aspects of a problem which would be difficult, or impossible, to evaluate by a cohort study.

We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients who underwent reconstruction of the shoulder for a medial rotation contracture after birth injury of the brachial plexus. Of these, 13 patients with a mean age of 5.8 years (2.8 to 12.9) received an injection of botulinum toxin type A into the pectoralis major as a surgical adjunct. They were matched with 13 patients with a mean age of 4.0 years (1.9 to 7.2) who underwent an identical operation before the introduction of botulinum toxin therapy to our unit.

Pre-operatively, there was no significant difference (p = 0.093) in the modified Gilbert shoulder scores for the two groups. Post-operatively, the patients who received the botulinum toxin had significantly better Gilbert shoulder scores (p = 0.012) at a mean follow-up of three years (1.5 to 9.8).

It appears that botulinum toxin type A produces benefits which are sustained beyond the period for which the toxin is recognised to be active. We suggest that by temporarily weakening some of the power of medial rotation, afferent signals to the brain are reduced and cortical recruitment for the injured nerves is improved.

We report the outcome at a mean of 93 months (73 to 110) of 71 patients with an acute fracture of the scaphoid who were randomised to Herbert screw fixation (35) or below-elbow plaster cast immobilisation (36). These 71 patients represent the majority of a randomised series of 88 patients whose short-term outcome has previously been reported. Those patients available for later review were similar in age, gender and hand dominance.

There was no statistical difference in symptoms and disability as assessed by the mean Patient Evaluation Measure (p = 0.4), or mean Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (p = 0.9), the mean range of movement of the wrist (p = 0.4), mean grip strength (p = 0.8), or mean pinch strength (p = 0.4).

Radiographs were available from the final review for 59 patients. Osteoarthritic changes were seen in the scaphotrapezial and radioscaphoid joints in eight (13.5%) and six patients (10.2%), respectively. Three patients had asymptomatic lucency surrounding the screw. One non-operatively treated patient developed nonunion with avascular necrosis. In five patients who were treated non-operatively (16%) there was an abnormal scapholunate angle ( > 60°), but in four of these patients this finding was asymptomatic.

No medium-term difference in function or radiological outcome was identified between the two treatment groups.

In order to compare the outcome from surgical repair and physiotherapy, 103 patients with symptomatic small and medium-sized tears of the rotator cuff were randomly allocated to one of the two approaches. The primary outcome measure was the Constant score, and secondary outcome measures included the self-report section of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, the Short Form 36 Health Survey and subscores for shoulder movement, pain, strength and patient satisfaction. Scores were taken at baseline and after six and 12 months by a blinded assessor. Nine patients (18%) with insufficient benefit from physiotherapy after at least 15 treatment sessions underwent secondary surgical treatment. Analysis of between-group differences showed better results for the surgery group on the Constant scale (difference 13.0 points, p − 0.002), on the American Shoulder and Elbow surgeons scale (difference 16.1 points, p < 0.0005), for pain-free abduction (difference 28.8°, p = 0.003) and for reduction in pain (difference on a visual analogue scale −1.7 cm, p < 0.0005)

Despite the expansion of arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, the open deltopectoral approach to the shoulder is still frequently used, for example in fracture fixation and shoulder replacement. However, it is sometimes accompanied by unexpected bleeding. The cephalic vein is the landmark for the deltopectoral interval, yet its intimate relationship with the deltoid artery, and the anatomical variations in that structure, have not previously been documented. In this study the vascular anatomy encountered during 100 consecutive elective deltopectoral approaches was recorded and the common variants described. Two common variants of the deltoid artery were encountered. In type I (71%) it crosses the interval and tunnels into the deltoid muscle without encountering the cephalic vein. However, in type II (21%) it crosses the interval, reaches the cephalic vein and then runs down, medial to and behind it, giving off several small arterial branches that return back across the interval to the pectoralis major. Several minor variations were also seen (8%). These variations in the deltoid artery have not previously been described and may lead to confusion and unexpected bleeding during this standard anterior surgical approach to the shoulder. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:657–9

We have treated 22 patients with an elbow contracture using a static progressive turnbuckle splint for a mean of 4.5 ± 1.8 months. All had failed to improve with supervised physiotherapy and splinting. The mean range of flexion before splintage was from 32 ± 10° to 108 ± 19° and afterwards from 26 ± 10° (p = 0.02) to 127 ± 12° (p = 0.0001). A total of 11 patients gained a ‘functional arc of movement,’ defined as at least 30° to 130°. In eight patients movement improved with turnbuckle splinting, but the functional arc was not achieved. Six of these were satisfied and did not wish to proceed with surgical treatment and two had release of the elbow contracture. In three patients movement did not improve with the use of the turnbuckle splint and one subsequently had surgical treatment. Our findings have shown that turnbuckle splinting is a safe and effective treatment which should be considered in patients whose established elbow contractures have failed to respond to conventional physiotherapy

Between 1998 and 2007, 22 patients with fractures of the scapula had operative treatment more than three weeks after injury. The indications for operation included displaced intra-articular fractures, medialisation of the glenohumeral joint, angular deformity, or displaced double lesions of the superior shoulder suspensory complex. Radiological and functional outcomes were obtained for 16 of 22 patients. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand (DASH) and Short form-36 scores were collected for 14 patients who were operated on after March 2002. The mean delay from injury to surgery was 30 days (21 to 57). The mean follow-up was for 27 months (12 to 72). At the last review the mean DASH score was 14 (0 to 41). Of the 16 patients with follow-up, 13 returned to their previous employment and recreational activities without restrictions. No wound complications, infection or nonunion occurred. Malunion of the scapula can be prevented by surgical treatment of fractures in patients with delayed presentation. Surgery is safe, effective, and gives acceptable functional results

The lateral ligament complex is the primary constraint to posterolateral rotatory laxity of the elbow, and if it is disrupted during surgery, posterolateral instability may ensue. The Wrightington approach to the head of the radius involves osteotomising the ulnar insertion of this ligament, rather than incising through it as in the classic posterolateral (Kocher) approach. In this biomechanical study of 17 human cadaver elbows, we demonstrate that the surgical approach to the head can influence posterolateral laxity, with the Wrightington approach producing less posterolateral rotatory laxity than the posterolateral approach

Outcome studies of revision surgical treatment for recurrent or persistent neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow are relatively rare and none involves patient self-assessment. In this study of 40 patients (41 elbows), a clear discrepancy is shown between clinical assessment and the patient’s own view. From clinical assessment, 20% of patients had an excellent result, whereas only one (2.5%) patient self-reported a complete cure. More reports using patient self-assessment and validated scores are required

We describe the results of surgical treatment in a prospective study of 183 consecutive cases of subluxation (101) and dislocation (82) of the shoulder secondary to obstetric brachial plexus palsy between 1995 and 2000. Neurological recovery was rated ‘good’ or ‘useful’ in all children, whose lesions fell into groups 1, 2 or 3 of the Narakas classification. The mean age at operation was 47 months (3 to 204). The mean follow-up was 40 months (24 to 124). The mean gain in function was 3.6 levels (9.4 to 13) using the Mallet score and 2 (2.1 to 4.1) on the Gilbert score. The mean active global range of shoulder movement was increased by 73°; the mean range of active lateral rotation by 58° and that of supination of the forearm by 51°. Active medial rotation was decreased by a mean of 10°. There were 20 failures. The functional outcome is related to the severity of the neurological lesion, the duration of the dislocation and onset of deformity

A vascularised bone-graft procedure from the base of the second metacarpal was performed in 14 patients with nonunion of the scaphoid. There were 11 men and three women with a mean age of 22 years. In eight patients, who had dorsiflexed intercalated segment instability (DISI), an open wedge was formed at the site of nonunion, and the vascular pedicle was grafted from the volar side. In the six patients without DISI, transplantation was carried out through the same dorsal skin incision. Complete bony union was obtained in all patients after a mean post-operative period of 10.2 weeks, and DISI was corrected in all affected patients. According to Cooney’s clinical scoring system, the results were excellent in five, good in six, and fair in three patients. Because of its technical simplicity and the limited dissection needed, the procedure should be considered for the primary surgical treatment of patients with nonunion of the scaphoid

We classified fractures of the base of the middle phalanx into five types: 1) single palmar fragment; 2) single dorsal fragment; 3) two main fragments; 4) not involving the articular surface, including epiphyseal separation in children; and 5) all others. Types 1 and 2 were subclassified into avulsion, split and split-depression. Surgery is recommended for unstable type-1 avulsion fractures, type-2 avulsions which may develop buttonhole deformities, and all fractures which displace articular cartilage surfaces. Long-term follow-up showed that surgical treatment which produced good stability and congruity gave good results. These should be the primary aims of treatment

Residual muscle weakness in obstetric brachial plexus palsy results in soft-tissue contractures which limit the functional range of movement and lead to progressive glenoid dysplasia and joint instability. We describe the results of surgical treatment in 98 patients (mean age 2.5 years, 0.5 to 9.0) for the correction of active abduction of the shoulder. The patients underwent transfer of the latissimus dorsi and teres major muscles, release of contractures of subscapularis pectoralis major and minor, and axillary nerve decompression and neurolysis (the modified Quad procedure). The transferred muscles were sutured to the teres minor muscle, not to a point of bony insertion. The mean pre-operative active abduction was 45° (20° to 90°). At a mean follow-up of 4.8 years (2.0 to 8.7), the mean active abduction was 162° (100° to 180°) while 77 (78.6%) of the patients had active abduction of 160° or more. No decline in abduction was noted among the 29 patients (29.6%) followed up for six years or more. This procedure involving release of the contracted internal rotators of the shoulder combined with decompression and neurolysis of the axillary nerve greatly improves active abduction in young patients with muscle imbalance secondary to obstetric brachial plexus palsy

Heterotopic ossification which may develop around the elbow in patients with burns may lead to severe functional impairment. We describe the outcome of early excision of such heterotopic ossification in 28 patients (35 elbows), undertaken as soon as the patient’s general and local condition allowed. The mean age at operation was 42 years. The mean area of burnt body surface was 49%. The mean pre-operative range of movement was 22° in flexion/extension and 94° in pronation/supination. The mean time between the burn and operation was 12 months with the median being 9.5. The mean follow-up period was for 21 months. At the last review, the mean range of movement was 123° in flexion/extension and 160° in pronation/supination. Clinical evidence of recurrence was seen in four patients, occurring within the first two months after operation. Nevertheless, three of these elbows gained 60° or more in flexion/extension and in pronation/supination. Based on this experience, we recommend early surgical treatment of heterotopic ossification of the elbow in patients with severe burns

Surgical treatment for traumatic, anterior glenohumeral instability requires repair of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament, usually at the site of glenoid insertion, often combined with capsuloligamentous plication. In this study, we determined the mechanical properties of this ligament and the precise anatomy of its insertion into the glenoid in fresh-frozen glenohumeral joints of cadavers. Strength was measured by tensile testing of the glenoid-soft-tissue-humerus (G-ST-H) complex. Two other specimens of the complex were frozen in the position of apprehension, serially sectioned perpendicular to the plane containing the anterior and posterior rims of the glenoid, and stained with Toluidine Blue. On tensile testing, eight G-ST-H complexes failed at the site of the glenoid insertion, representing a Bankart lesion, two at the insertion into the humerus, and two at the midsubstance. For those which failed at the glenoid attachment the mean yield load was 491.0 N and the mean ultimate load, 585.0 N. At the glenoid region, stress at yield was 7.8 ± 1.3 MPa and stress at failure, 9.2 ± 1.5 MPa. The permanent deformation, defined as the difference between yield and ultimate deformation, was only 2.3 ± 0.8 mm. The strain at yield was 13.0 ± 0.7% and at failure, 15.4 ± 1.2%; therefore permanent strain was only 2.4 ± 1.1%. Histological examination showed that there were two attachments of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament at the site of the glenoid insertion. In one, poorly organised collagen fibres inserted into the labrum. In the other, dense collagen fibres were attached to the front of the neck of the glenoid