An objective technological solution for tracking adherence to at-home shoulder physiotherapy is important for improving patient engagement and rehabilitation outcomes, but remains a significant challenge. The aim of this research was to evaluate performance of machine-learning (ML) methodologies for detecting and classifying inertial data collected during in-clinic and at-home shoulder physiotherapy exercise. A smartwatch was used to collect inertial data from 42 patients performing shoulder physiotherapy exercises for rotator cuff injuries in both in-clinic and at-home settings. A two-stage ML approach was used to detect out-of-distribution (OOD) data (to remove non-exercise data) and subsequently for classification of exercises. We evaluated the performance impact of grouping exercises by motion type, inclusion of non-exercise data for algorithm training, and a patient-specific approach to exercise classification. Algorithm performance was evaluated using both in-clinic and at-home data.Aims
Methods
Rotator cuff muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration affect the clinical outcomes of rotator cuff tear patients. However, there is no effective treatment for fatty infiltration at this time. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) helps to activate beige adipose tissue. The goal of this study was to test the role of HIIT in improving muscle quality in a rotator cuff tear model via the β3 adrenergic receptor (β3AR). Three-month-old C57BL/6 J mice underwent a unilateral rotator cuff injury procedure. Mice were forced to run on a treadmill with the HIIT programme during the first to sixth weeks or seventh to 12th weeks after tendon tear surgery. To study the role of β3AR, SR59230A, a selective β3AR antagonist, was administered to mice ten minutes before each exercise through intraperitoneal injection. Supraspinatus muscle, interscapular brown fat, and inguinal subcutaneous white fat were harvested at the end of the 12th week after tendon tear and analyzed biomechanically, histologically, and biochemically.Aims
Methods
To ascertain whether patients with Colles’ fracture should be investigated for osteoporosis and the risk of future fractures, we measured the bone mineral density of the distal radius of the other arm in 31 women patients and compared the results with those of a control group of 289 normal women. We divided the patients into two groups, those younger than 66 years and those older. In 25 patients we found values for bone mineral density which were lower than one
Rotator cuff (RC) tears are common musculoskeletal injuries which often require surgical intervention. Noninvasive pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices have been approved for treatment of long-bone fracture nonunions and as an adjunct to lumbar and cervical spine fusion surgery. This study aimed to assess the effect of continuous PEMF on postoperative RC healing in a rat RC repair model. A total of 30 Wistar rats underwent acute bilateral supraspinatus tear and repair. A miniaturized electromagnetic device (MED) was implanted at the right shoulder and generated focused PEMF therapy. The animals’ left shoulders served as controls. Biomechanical, histological, and bone properties were assessed at three and six weeks.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to compare the pain caused by the application
of a tourniquet after exsanguination of the upper limb with that
occurring after simple elevation. We used 26 healthy volunteers (52 arms), each of whom acted as
their own matched control. The primary outcome measure was the total pain experienced by
each volunteer while the tourniquet was inflated for 20 minutes.
This was calculated as the area under the pain curve for each individual
subject. Secondary outcomes were pain at each time point; the total
pain experienced during the recovery phase; the ability to tolerate the
tourniquet and the time for full recovery after deflation of the
tourniquet. Aims
Patients and Methods
Necrotising soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) of
the upper limb are uncommon, but potentially life-threatening. We
used a national database to investigate the risk factors for amputation
of the limb and death. We extracted data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination
database on 116 patients (79 men and 37 women) who had a NSTI of
the upper extremity between 2007 and 2010. The overall in-hospital mortality was 15.5%. Univariate analysis
of in-hospital mortality showed that the significant variables were
age (p = 0.015), liver dysfunction (p = 0.005), renal dysfunction
(P <
0.001), altered consciousness (p = 0.049), and sepsis (p
= 0.021). Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with
death in hospital were age over 70 years (Odds Ratio (OR) 6.6; 95%
confidence interval (CI) 1.5 to 28.2; p = 0.011) and renal dysfunction
(OR 15.4; 95% CI 3.8 to 62.8; p <
0.001). Univariate analysis of limb amputation showed that the significant
variables were diabetes (p = 0.017) mellitus and sepsis (p = 0.001).
Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the factors
related to limb amputation were sepsis (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5 to 24.0;
p = 0.013) and diabetes mellitus (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 21.1; p
= 0.038). For NSTIs of the upper extremity, advanced age and renal dysfunction
are both associated with a higher rate of in-hospital mortality.
Sepsis and diabetes mellitus are both associated with a higher rate
of amputation. Cite this article:
Between 2005 and 2012, 50 patients (23 female, 27 male) with
nonunion of the humeral shaft were included in this retrospective
study. The mean age was 51.3 years (14 to 88). The patients had
a mean of 1.5 prior operations ( All patients were assessed according to a specific risk score
in order to devise an optimal and individual therapy plan consistent
with the Diamond Concept. In 32 cases (64%), a change in the osteosynthesis
to an angular stable locking compression plate was performed. According
to the individual risk an additional bone graft and/or bone morphogenetic
protein-7 (BMP-7) were applied. A successful consolidation of the nonunion was observed in 37
cases (80.4%) with a median healing time of six months (IQR 6).
Younger patients showed significantly better consolidation. Four
patients were lost to follow-up. Revision was necessary in a total
of eight (16%) cases. In the initial treatment, intramedullary nailing
was most common. Methods
Results
Traumatic brachial plexus injury causes severe functional impairment
of the arm. Elbow flexion is often affected. Nerve surgery or tendon
transfers provide the only means to obtain improved elbow flexion.
Unfortunately, the functionality of the arm often remains insufficient.
Stem cell therapy could potentially improve muscle strength and
avoid muscle-tendon transfer. This pilot study assesses the safety
and regenerative potential of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear
cell injection in partially denervated biceps. Nine brachial plexus patients with insufficient elbow flexion
(i.e., partial denervation) received intramuscular escalating doses
of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells, combined with
tendon transfers. Effect parameters included biceps biopsies, motor
unit analysis on needle electromyography and computerised muscle tomography,
before and after cell therapy.Objectives
Methods
Cadaveric models of the shoulder evaluate discrete motion segments
using the glenohumeral joint in isolation over a defined trajectory.
The aim of this study was to design, manufacture and validate a
robotic system to accurately create three-dimensional movement of
the upper body and capture it using high-speed motion cameras. In particular, we intended to use the robotic system to simulate
the normal throwing motion in an intact cadaver. The robotic system
consists of a lower frame (to move the torso) and an upper frame
(to move an arm) using seven actuators. The actuators accurately
reproduced planned trajectories. The marker setup used for motion
capture was able to determine the six degrees of freedom of all
involved joints during the planned motion of the end effector.Objectives
Methods
We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine
whether earlier surgical repair of acute rotator cuff tear (ARCT)
leads to superior post-operative clinical outcomes. The MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Libraries,
controlled-trials.com and clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched
using the terms: ‘rotator cuff’, or ‘supraspinatus’, or ‘infraspinatus’,
or ‘teres minor’, or ‘subscapularis’ AND ‘surgery’ or ‘repair’.
This gave a total of 15 833 articles. After deletion of duplicates
and the review of abstracts and full texts by two independent assessors,
15 studies reporting time to surgery for ARCT repair were included.
Studies were grouped based on time to surgery <
3 months (group
A, seven studies), or >
3 months (group B, eight studies). Weighted
means were calculated and compared using Student’s Aims
Methods
To report the five-year results of a randomised controlled trial
examining the effectiveness of arthroscopic acromioplasty in the
treatment of stage II shoulder impingement syndrome. A total of 140 patients were randomly divided into two groups:
1) supervised exercise programme (n = 70, exercise group); and 2)
arthroscopic acromioplasty followed by a similar exercise programme
(n = 70, combined treatment group).Objectives
Methods
There have been only a few small studies of patients
with an infected shoulder replacement treated with a single-stage
exchange procedure. We retrospectively reviewed 35 patients (19 men
and 16 women) with a peri-prosthetic infection of the shoulder who
were treated in this way. A total of 26 were available for clinical
examination; three had died, two were lost to follow-up and four
patients had undergone revision surgery. The mean follow-up time was
4.7 years (1.1 to 13.25), with an infection-free survival of 94%. The organisms most commonly isolated intra-operatively were Single-stage exchange is a successful and practical treatment
for patients with peri-prosthetic infection of the shoulder. Cite this article:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
risk of late displacement after the treatment of distal radial fractures with
a locking volar plate, and to investigate the clinical and radiological
factors that might correlate with re-displacement. From March 2007
to October 2009, 120 of an original cohort of 132 female patients
with unstable fractures of the distal radius were treated with a
volar locking plate, and were studied over a follow-up period of
six months. In the immediate post-operative and final follow-up
radiographs, late displacement was evaluated as judged by ulnar
variance, radial inclination, and dorsal angulation. We also analysed
the correlation of a variety of clinical and radiological factors
with re-displacement. Ulnar variance was significantly overcorrected
(p <
0.001) while radial inclination and dorsal angulation were
undercorrected when compared statistically (p <
0.001) with the unaffected
side in the immediate post-operative stage. During follow-up, radial
shortening and dorsal angulation progressed statistically, but none
had a value beyond the acceptable range. Bone mineral density measured
at the proximal femur and the position of the screws in the subchondral
region, correlated with slight progressive radial shortening, which
was not clinically relevant. Volar locking plating of distal radial fractures is a reliable
form of treatment without substantial late displacement. Cite this article:
Reverse total shoulder replacement (RTSR) depends
on adequate deltoid function for a successful outcome. However, the
anterior deltoid and/or axillary nerve may be damaged due to prior
procedures or injury. The purpose of this study was to determine
the compensatory muscle forces required for scapular plane elevation
following RTSR when the anterior deltoid is deficient. The soft
tissues were removed from six cadaver shoulders, except for tendon
attachments. After implantation of the RTSR, the shoulders were
mounted on a custom-made shoulder simulator to determine the mean
force in each muscle required to achieve 30° and 60° of scapular
plane elevation. Two conditions were tested: 1) Control with an
absent supraspinatus and infraspinatus; and 2) Control with anterior
deltoid deficiency. Anterior deltoid deficiency resulted in a mean
increase of 195% in subscapularis force at 30° when compared with
the control (p = 0.02). At 60°, the subscapularis force increased
a mean of 82% (p <
0.001) and the middle deltoid force increased
a mean of 26% (p = 0.04). Scapular plane elevation may still be possible following an RTSR
in the setting of anterior deltoid deficiency. When the anterior
deltoid is deficient, there is a compensatory increase in the force
required by the subscapularis and middle deltoid. Attempts to preserve
the subscapularis, if present, might maximise post-operative function.
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.
The zona conoidea comprises the area of the lateral
trochlear ridge of the humerus. The purpose of this study is to reintroduce
this term ‘zona conoidea’ to the discussion of the human elbow and
to investigate its significance in the development of osteoarthritis
of the elbow. The upper extremities of 12 cadavers were prepared. With the
forearm in neutral, pronation and supination, the distance between
the bevel of the radial head and zona conoidea was inspected. A
total of 12 healthy volunteers had a CT scan. The distance between
the zona conoidea and the bevelled rim of the radial head was measured
in these positions. In the anatomical specimens, early osteo-arthritic changes were
identified in the posteromedial bevelled rim of the radial head,
and the corresponding zona conoidea in supination. Measurement in
the CT study showed that in full supination, the distance between
the bevel of the radial head and the zona conoidea was at a minimum. This study suggests that the significant contact between the
bevel of the radial head and the zona conoidea in supination is
associated with the initiation of osteoarthritis of the elbow in
this area.
The aim of this study was to compare a third-generation
cementing procedure for glenoid components with a new technique
for cement pressurisation. In 20 pairs of scapulae, 20 keeled and
20 pegged glenoid components were implanted using either a third-generation
cementing technique (group 1) or a new pressuriser (group 2). Cement penetration
was measured by three-dimensional (3D) analysis of micro-CT scans.
The mean 3D depth of penetration of the cement was significantly
greater in group 2 (p <
0.001). The mean thickness of the cement
mantle for keeled glenoids was 2.50 mm (2.0 to 3.3) in group 1 and
5.18 mm (4.4 to 6.1) in group 2, and for pegged glenoids it was 1.72 mm
(0.9 to 2.3) in group 1 and 5.63 mm (3.6 to 6.4) in group 2. A cement
mantle <
2 mm was detected less frequently in group 2 (p <
0.001). Using the cement pressuriser the proportion of cement mantles
<
2 mm was significantly reduced compared with the third-generation
cementing technique.
In a prospective randomised trial of calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff, we compared the efficacy of dual treatment sessions delivering 2500 extracorporeal shock waves at either high- or low-energy, via an electromagnetic generator under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients were eligible for the study if they had more than a three-month history of calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff, with calcification measuring 10 mm or more in maximum dimension. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Constant and Murley Score. A total of 80 patients were enrolled (40 in each group), and were re-evaluated at a mean of 110 (41 to 255) days after treatment when the increase in Constant and Murley score was significantly greater ( High-energy shock-wave therapy significantly improves symptoms in refractory calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder after three months of follow-up, but the calcific deposit remains unchanged in size in the majority of patients.
The results of proximal humeral replacement following trauma are substantially worse than for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The stable reattachment of the lesser and greater tuberosity fragments to the rotator cuff and the restoration of shoulder biomechanics are difficult. In 1992 we developed a prosthesis designed to improve fixation of the tuberosity fragments in comminuted fractures of the proximal humerus. The implant enables fixation of the fragments to the shaft of the prosthesis and the diaphyseal fragment using screws, washers and a special toothed plate. Between 1992 and 2003 we used this technique in 50 of 76 patients referred to our institution for shoulder reconstruction after trauma. In the remaining 26, reconstruction with a prosthesis and nonabsorbable sutures was performed, as the tuberosity fragments were too small and too severely damaged to allow the use of screws and the toothed plate. The Constant score two years post-operatively was a mean of 12 points better in the acute trauma group and 11 points better in the late post-traumatic group than in the classical suture group. We recommend this technique in patients where the tuberosity fragments are large enough to allow fixation with screws, washers and a toothed plate.
We retrospectively compared wrist arthrodesis using the Mannerfelt technique in 19 or an AO-plate in 23 patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. The mean follow-up was for 76 months. Compared with the Mannerfelt fusion group, patients in the AO-plate group reported greater satisfaction with their wrist function (74% Both methods relieve pain and improve function. Overall, the activities of daily living scores and the patients’ subjective assessment of outcome tended to be higher in the AO-plate group than in the Mannerfelt fusion group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, although more postoperative complications occurred in the AO-plate group, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.
Hand function was evaluated in 105 patients who had been operated on in early infancy for brachial plexus birth palsy. The mean follow-up after surgery was for 13.4 years (5.0 to 31.5). Fine sensation, stereognosis, grip and pinch strength and the Raimondi scale were recorded. Fine sensation was normal in 34 of 49 patients (69%) with C5–6 injury, 15 of 31 (48%) with C5–7 and in 8 of 25 (32%) with total injury. Loss of protective sensation or absent sensation was noted in some palmar areas of the hand in 12 of 105 patients (11%). Normal stereognosis was recorded in 88 of the 105 patients (84%), whereas only 9 of the 105 (9%) had normal grip strength. The mean Raimondi scale scores were 4.57 (3 to 5) (C5–6), 4.26 (1 to 5) (C5–7) and 2.16 (0 to 5) in patients with total injury. The location of impaired sensation was related to the distribution of the root injury. Avulsion type of injury correlated with poor recovery of hand function.
This study identified variables which influence the outcome of surgical management on 126 ununited scaphoid fractures managed by internal fixation and non-vascular bone grafting. The site of fracture was defined by a new method: the ratio of the length of the proximal fragment to the sum of the lengths of both fragments, calculated using specific views in the plain radiographs. Bone healing occurred in 71% (89) of cases. Only the site of nonunion (p = 1 × 10−6) and the delay to surgery (p = 0.001) remained significant on multivariate analysis. The effect of surgical delay on the probability of union increased as the fracture site moved proximally. A prediction model was produced by stepwise logistic regression analysis, enabling the surgeon to predict the success of surgery where the site of the nonunion and delay to surgery is known.
The type II Monteggia (posterior) lesion is a rare injury which is sometimes associated with ulnohumeral instability. We have reviewed 23 of 28 patients with this injury. A clinical and radiographic assessment was undertaken at follow-up. Functional outcome scores, including the Broberg and Morrey Index and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder or Hand (DASH), were used. The results from the six patients with associated posterior ulnohumeral dislocation were compared with 17 without ulnohumeral injury. Those with dislocation had reduced movement of the elbow and had outcome scores indicative of greater disability compared to those without associated dislocation.