Favourable short-term outcomes have been reported following latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for patients with an irreparable subscapularis (SSC) tendon tear. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of this transfer in these patients. This was a retrospective study involving 30 patients with an irreparable SSC tear and those with a SSC tear combined with a reparable supraspinatus tear, who underwent a latissimus dorsi tendon transfer. Clinical scores and active range of motion (aROM), SSC-specific physical examination and the rate of return to work were assessed. Radiological assessment included recording the acromiohumeral distance (AHD), the Hamada grade of cuff tear arthropathy and the integrity of the transferred tendon. Statistical analysis compared preoperative, short-term (two years), and final follow-up at a mean of 8.7 years (7 to 10).Aims
Methods
Aims. Improvements in the evaluation of outcomes following peripheral nerve injury are needed. Recent studies have identified muscle fatigue as an inevitable consequence of muscle reinnervation. This study aimed to quantify and characterize muscle fatigue within a standardized surgical model of muscle reinnervation. Patients and Methods. This retrospective cohort study included 12 patients who underwent Oberlin nerve transfer in an attempt to restore flexion of the elbow following brachial plexus injury. There were ten men and two women with a mean age of 45.5 years (27 to 69). The mean follow-up was 58 months (28 to 100). Repeated and sustained isometric contractions of the elbow flexors were used to assess fatigability of reinnervated
The aim of this study is to provide a detailed description of cases combining bridging patch repair with artificial ligament “internal brace” reinforcement to treat irreparable massive rotator cuff tears, and report the preliminary results. This is a retrospective review of patients with irreparable massive rotator cuff tears undergoing fascia lata autograft bridging repair with artificial ligament “internal brace” reinforcement technique between January 2017 and May 2018. Inclusion criteria were: patients treated arthroscopically for an incompletely reparable massive rotator cuff tear (dimension > 5 cm or two tendons fully torn), stage 0 to 4 supraspinatus fatty degeneration on MRI according to the Goutallier grading system, and an intact or reparable infraspinatus and/or subscapularis tendon of radiological classification Hamada 0 to 4. The surgical technique comprised two components: first, superior capsular reconstruction using an artificial ligament as an “internal brace” protective device for a fascia lata patch. The second was fascia lata autograft bridging repair for the torn supraspinatus. In all, 26 patients with a mean age 63.4 years (SD 6.2) were included.Aims
Methods
Objectives. The most prevalent disorders of the shoulder are related to the
muscles of rotator cuff. In order to develop a mechanical method
for the evaluation of the rotator cuff muscles, we created a database
of isometric force generation by the rotator cuff muscles in normal
adult population. We hypothesised the existence of variations according
to age, gender and dominancy of limb. Methods. A total of 400 healthy adult volunteers were tested, classified
into groups of 50 men and women for each decade of life. Maximal
isometric force was measured at standardised positions for supraspinatus,
infraspinatus and subscapularis muscles in both shoulders in every
person. Torque of the force was calculated and normalised to lean body
mass. The profiles of mean torque-time curves for each age and gender
group were compared. Results. Our data showed that men gradually gained maximal strength in
the fifth decade, and showed decreased strength in the sixth. In
women the maximal strength was gained in the fourth decade with
gradual decline to the sixth decade of life. The dominant arm was
stronger in most of the tested groups. The torque profiles of the
rotator cuff muscles in men at all ages were significantly higher
than that in women. Conclusions. We found previously unrecognised variations of rotator cuff
The aim of the study was to analyze the results of primary tendon
reinsertion in acute and chronic distal triceps tendon ruptures
(DTTRs) in the general population. A total of 28 patients were operated on for primary DTTR reinsertions,
including 21 male patients and seven female patients with a mean
age of 45 years (14 to 76). Of these patients, 23 sustained an acute
DTTR and five had a chronic injury. One patient had a non-simultaneous
bilateral DTTR. Seven patients had DTTR-associated ipsilateral fracture
or dislocation. Comorbidities were present in four patients. Surgical
treatment included transosseous and suture-anchors reinsertion in
22 and seven DTTRs, respectively. The clinical evaluation was performed
using Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), the modified American
Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (m-ASES), the Quick Disabilities
of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (QuickDASH), and the Medical
Research Council (MRC) Scale.Aims
Patients and Methods
We report the clinical results of glenoid osteotomy in patients
with atraumatic posteroinferior instability associated with glenoid
dysplasia. The study reports results in 211 patients (249 shoulders) with
atraumatic posteroinferior instability. The patients comprised 63
men and 148 women with a mean age of 20 years. The posteroinferior
glenoid surface was elevated by osteotomy at the scapular neck.
A body spica was applied to maintain the arm perpendicular to the
glenoid for two weeks postoperatively. Clinical results were evaluated
using the Rowe score and Japan Shoulder Society Shoulder Instability
Score (JSS-SIS); bone union, osteoarthrosis, and articular congruity
were examined on plain radiographs.Aims
Patients and Methods
To prevent insufficiency of the triceps after
total elbow arthroplasty, we have, since 2008, used a triceps-sparing ulnar
approach. This study evaluates the clinical results and post-operative
alignment of the prosthesis using this approach. We reviewed 25 elbows in 23 patients. There were five men and
18 women with a mean age of 69 years (54 to 83). There were 18 elbows
with rheumatoid arthritis, six with a fracture or pseudoarthrosis
and one elbow with osteoarthritis. Post-operative complications included one intra-operative fracture,
one elbow with heterotopic ossification, one transient ulnar nerve
palsy, and one elbow with skin necrosis, but no elbow was affected
by insufficiency of the triceps. Patients were followed for a mean of 42 months (24 to 77). The
mean post-operative Japanese Orthopaedic Association Elbow Score
was 90.8 (51 to 100) and the mean Mayo Elbow Performance score 93.8
(65 to 100). The mean post-operative flexion/extension of the elbow
was 135°/-8°. The Manual Muscle Testing score of the triceps was
5 in 23 elbows and 2 in two elbows (one patient). The mean alignment
of the implants examined by 3D-CT was 2.8° pronation (standard deviation
( The triceps-sparing ulnar approach allows satisfactory alignment
of the implants, is effective in preventing post-operative triceps
insufficiency, and gives satisfactory short-term results. Cite this article: 2015;97-B:1096–1101.
The indications for reverse shoulder arthroplasty
(RSA) continue to be expanded. Associated impairment of the deltoid
muscle has been considered a contraindication to its use, as function
of the RSA depends on the deltoid and impairment of the deltoid
may increase the risk of dislocation. The aim of this retrospective
study was to determine the functional outcome and risk of dislocation
following the use of an RSA in patients with impaired deltoid function.
Between 1999 and 2010, 49 patients (49 shoulders) with impairment
of the deltoid underwent RSA and were reviewed at a mean of 38 months
(12 to 142) post-operatively. There were nine post-operative complications (18%),
including two dislocations. The mean forward elevation improved
from 50° ( These results suggest that pre-operative deltoid impairment,
in certain circumstances, is not an absolute contraindication to
RSA. This form of treatment can yield reliable improvement in function
without excessive risk of post-operative dislocation. Cite this article:
We assessed the clinical results, radiographic
outcomes and complications of patients undergoing total shoulder replacement
(TSR) for osteoarthritis with concurrent repair of a full-thickness
rotator cuff tear. Between 1996 and 2010, 45 of 932 patients (4.8%)
undergoing TSR for osteoarthritis underwent rotator cuff repair.
The final study group comprised 33 patients with a mean follow-up
of 4.7 years (3 months to 13 years). Tears were classified into small
(10), medium (14), large (9) or massive (0). On a scale of 1 to
5, pain decreased from a mean of 4.7 to 1.7 (p = <
0.0001), the
mean forward elevation improved from 99° to 139° (p = <
0.0001),
and the mean external rotation improved from 20° (0° to 75°) to
49° (20° to 80°) (p = <
0.0001). The improvement in elevation
was greater in those with a small tear (p = 0.03). Radiographic
evidence of instability developed in six patients with medium or
large tears, indicating lack of rotator cuff healing. In all, six
glenoid components, including one with instability, were radiologically
at risk of loosening. Complications were noted in five patients,
all with medium or large tears; four of these had symptomatic instability
and one sustained a late peri-prosthetic fracture. Four patients
(12%) required further surgery, three with instability and one with
a peri-prosthetic humeral fracture. Consideration should be given to performing rotator cuff repair
for stable shoulders during anatomical TSR, but reverse replacement
should be considered for older, less active patients with larger
tears. Cite this article:
