Aims. The appropriate management for patients with a degenerative tear
of the rotator cuff remains controversial, but operative treatment,
particularly arthroscopic surgery, is increasingly being used. Our
aim in this paper was to compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic
with open repair of the rotator cuff. Patients and Methods. A total of 273 patients were recruited to a randomised comparison
trial (136 to arthroscopic surgery and 137 to open surgery) from
19 teaching and general hospitals in the United Kingdom. The surgeons
used their usual preferred method of repair. The Oxford Shoulder
Score (OSS), two years post-operatively, was the primary outcome
measure.
Rotator cuff tears are common in middle-aged and elderly patients. Despite advances in the surgical repair of rotator cuff tears, the rates of recurrent tear remain high. This may be due to the complexity of the tendons of the rotator cuff, which contributes to an inherently hostile healing environment. During the past 20 years, there has been an increased interest in the use of biologics to complement the healing environment in the shoulder, in order to improve rotator cuff healing and reduce the rate of recurrent tears. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the current evidence for the use of forms of biological augmentation when repairing rotator cuff tears. Cite this article:
Periprosthetic joint infection represents a devastating complication after total elbow arthroplasty. Several measures can be implemented before, during, and after surgery to decrease infection rates, which exceed 5%. Debridement with antibiotics and implant retention has been reported to be successful in less than one-third of acute infections, but still plays a role. For elbows with well-fixed implants, staged retention seems to be equally successful as the more commonly performed two-stage reimplantation, both with a success rate of 70% to 80%. Permanent resection or even amputation are occasionally considered. Not uncommonly, a second-stage reimplantation requires complex reconstruction of the skeleton with allografts, and the extensor mechanism may also be deficient. Further developments are needed to improve our management of infection after elbow arthroplasty. Cite this article:
The Bankart and Latarjet procedures are two of the most common surgical techniques to treat anterior shoulder instability with satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes. However, the outcomes in the adolescent population remain unclear, and there is no information regarding the arthroscopic Latarjet in this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the arthroscopic Bankart and arthroscopic Latarjet procedures in the management of anterior shoulder instability in adolescents. We present a retrospective, matched-pair study of teenagers with anterior glenohumeral instability treated with an arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR) or an arthroscopic Latarjet (AL) procedure with a minimum two-year follow-up. Preoperative demographic and clinical features, factors associated with dislocation, and complications were collected. Recurrence, defined as dislocation or subluxation, was established as the primary outcome. Clinical and functional outcomes were analyzed using objective (Rowe), and subjective (Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE)) scores. Additionally, the rate of return to sport was assessed.Aims
Methods
Bone defects are frequently observed in anterior shoulder instability. Over the last decade, knowledge of the association of bone loss with increased failure rates of soft-tissue repair has shifted the surgical management of chronic shoulder instability. On the glenoid side, there is no controversy about the critical glenoid bone loss being 20%. However, poor outcomes have been described even with a subcritical glenoid bone defect as low as 13.5%. On the humeral side, the Hill-Sachs lesion should be evaluated concomitantly with the glenoid defect as the two sides of the same bipolar lesion which interact in the instability process, as described by the glenoid track concept. We advocate adding remplissage to every Bankart repair in patients with a Hill-Sachs lesion, regardless of the glenoid bone loss. When critical or subcritical glenoid bone loss occurs in active patients (> 15%) or bipolar off-track lesions, we should consider anterior glenoid bone reconstructions. The techniques have evolved significantly over the last two decades, moving from open procedures to arthroscopic, and from screw fixation to metal-free fixation. The new arthroscopic techniques of glenoid bone reconstruction procedures allow precise positioning of the graft, identification, and treatment of concomitant injuries with low morbidity and faster recovery. Given the problems associated with bone resorption and metal hardware protrusion, the new metal-free techniques for Latarjet or free bone block procedures seem a good solution to avoid these complications, although no long-term data are yet available. Cite this article:
This study aimed to answer the following questions: do 3D-printed models lead to a more accurate recognition of the pattern of complex fractures of the elbow?; do 3D-printed models lead to a more reliable recognition of the pattern of these injuries?; and do junior surgeons benefit more from 3D-printed models than senior surgeons? A total of 15 orthopaedic trauma surgeons (seven juniors, eight seniors) evaluated 20 complex elbow fractures for their overall pattern (i.e. varus posterior medial rotational injury, terrible triad injury, radial head fracture with posterolateral dislocation, anterior (trans-)olecranon fracture-dislocation, posterior (trans-)olecranon fracture-dislocation) and their specific characteristics. First, fractures were assessed based on radiographs and 2D and 3D CT scans; and in a subsequent round, one month later, with additional 3D-printed models. Diagnostic accuracy (acc) and inter-surgeon reliability (κ) were determined for each assessment.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to quantify the shoulder kinematics during an apprehension-relocation test in patients with anterior shoulder instability (ASI) and glenoid bone loss using the radiostereometric analysis (RSA) method. Kinematics were compared with the patient’s contralateral healthy shoulder. A total of 20 patients with ASI and > 10% glenoid bone loss and a healthy contralateral shoulder were included. RSA imaging of the patient’s shoulders was performed during a repeated apprehension-relocation test. Bone volume models were generated from CT scans, marked with anatomical coordinate systems, and aligned with the digitally reconstructed bone projections on the RSA images. The glenohumeral joint (GHJ) kinematics were evaluated in the anteroposterior and superoinferior direction of: the humeral head centre location relative to the glenoid centre; and the humeral head contact point location on the glenoid.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to gather insights from elbow experts using the Delphi method to evaluate the influence of patient characteristics and fracture morphology on the choice between operative and nonoperative treatment for coronoid fractures. A three-round electronic (e-)modified Delphi survey study was performed between March and December 2023. A total of 55 elbow surgeons from Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America participated, with 48 completing all questionnaires (87%). The panellists evaluated the factors identified as important in literature for treatment decision-making, using a Likert scale ranging from "strongly influences me to recommend nonoperative treatment" (1) to "strongly influences me to recommend operative treatment" (5). Factors achieving Likert scores ≤ 2.0 or ≥ 4.0 were deemed influential for treatment recommendation. Stable consensus is defined as an agreement of ≥ 80% in the second and third rounds.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to describe a quantitative 3D CT method to measure rotator cuff muscle volume, atrophy, and balance in healthy controls and in three pathological shoulder cohorts. In all, 102 CT scans were included in the analysis: 46 healthy, 21 cuff tear arthropathy (CTA), 18 irreparable rotator cuff tear (IRCT), and 17 primary osteoarthritis (OA). The four rotator cuff muscles were manually segmented and their volume, including intramuscular fat, was calculated. The normalized volume (NV) of each muscle was calculated by dividing muscle volume to the patient’s scapular bone volume. Muscle volume and percentage of muscle atrophy were compared between muscles and between cohorts.Aims
Methods
Post-traumatic elbow stiffness is a disabling condition that remains challenging for upper limb surgeons. Open elbow arthrolysis is commonly used for the treatment of stiff elbow when conservative therapy has failed. Multiple questions commonly arise from surgeons who deal with this disease. These include whether the patient has post-traumatic stiff elbow, how to evaluate the problem, when surgery is appropriate, how to perform an excellent arthrolysis, what the optimal postoperative rehabilitation is, and how to prevent or reduce the incidence of complications. Following these questions, this review provides an update and overview of post-traumatic elbow stiffness with respect to the diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, arthrolysis strategies, postoperative rehabilitation, and prevention of complications, aiming to provide a complete diagnosis and treatment path. Cite this article:
The Walch Type C dysplastic glenoid is characterized by excessive
retroversion. This anatomical study describes its morphology. A total of 29 shoulders with a dysplastic glenoid were analyzed.
CT was used to measure retroversion, inclination, height, width,
radius-of-curvature, surface area, depth, subluxation of the humeral
head and the Goutallier classification of fatty infiltration. The
severity of dysplasia and deficiency of the posterior rim of the
glenoid were recorded.Aims
Patients and Methods
Scapular notching is a frequently observed radiographic phenomenon
in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), signifying impingement of
components. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect
of glenoid component size and glenosphere type on impingement-free
range of movement (ROM) for extension and internal and external
rotation in a virtual RSA model, and to determine the optimal configuration
to reduce the incidence of friction-type scapular notching. Preoperative CT scans obtained in 21 patients (three male, 18
female) with primary osteoarthritis were analyzed using modelling
software. Two concurrent factors were tested for impingement-free
ROM and translation of the centre of rotation: glenosphere diameter
(36 mm Aims
Materials and Methods
Patient-specific glenoid guides (PSGs) claim an improvement in
accuracy and reproducibility of the positioning of components in
total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The results have not yet been
confirmed in a prospective clinical trial. Our aim was to assess
whether the use of PSGs in patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder
would allow accurate and reliable implantation of the glenoid component. A total of 17 patients (three men and 14 women) with a mean age
of 71 years (53 to 81) awaiting TSA were enrolled in the study.
Pre- and post-operative version and inclination of the glenoid were
measured on CT scans, using 3D planning automatic software. During
surgery, a congruent 3D-printed PSG was applied onto the glenoid
surface, thus determining the entry point and orientation of the
central guide wire used for reaming the glenoid and the introduction
of the component. Manual segmentation was performed on post-operative
CT scans to compare the planned and the actual position of the entry
point (mm) and orientation of the component (°).Aims
Patients and Methods
The three-dimensional (3D) correction of glenoid
erosion is critical to the long-term success of total shoulder replacement
(TSR). In order to characterise the 3D morphology of eroded glenoid
surfaces, we looked for a set of morphological parameters useful
for TSR planning. We defined a scapular coordinates system based
on non-eroded bony landmarks. The maximum glenoid version was measured
and specified in 3D by its orientation angle. Medialisation was
considered relative to the spino-glenoid notch. We analysed regular
CT scans of 19 normal (N) and 86 osteoarthritic (OA) scapulae. When
the maximum version of OA shoulders was higher than 10°, the orientation
was not only posterior, but extended in postero-superior (35%),
postero-inferior (6%) and anterior sectors (4%). The medialisation
of the glenoid was higher in OA than normal shoulders. The orientation
angle of maximum version appeared as a critical parameter to specify
the glenoid shape in 3D. It will be very useful in planning the
best position for the glenoid in TSR. Cite this article:
Osteoarthritis results in changes in the dimensions
of the glenoid. This study aimed to assess the size and radius of curvature
of arthritic glenoids. A total of 145 CT scans were analysed, performed
as part of routine pre-operative assessment before total shoulder
replacement in 91 women and 54 men. Only patients with primary osteoarthritis and
a concentric glenoid were included in the study. The CT scans underwent
three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and were analysed using dedicated
computer software. The measurements consisted of maximum superoinferior height,
anteroposterior width and a best-fit sphere radius of curvature
of the glenoid. The mean height was 40.2 mm ( With current shoulder replacement systems using a unique backside
radius of curvature for the glenoid component, there is a risk of
undertaking excessive reaming to adapt the bone to the component
resulting in sacrifice of subchondral bone or under-reaming and
instability of the component due to a ’rocking horse‘ phenomenon. Cite this article:
Lateral epicondylitis, or ’tennis elbow’, is
a common condition that usually affects patients between 35 and
55 years of age. It is generally self-limiting, but in some patients
it may continue to cause persistent symptoms, which can be refractory
to treatment. This review discusses the mechanism of disease, symptoms
and signs, investigations, current management protocols and potential
new treatments. Cite this article:
