A Reverse Judet approach to the scapula.

Fractures of the scapular body that extend to involve the neck and glenoid articular surface with a large gap pose a significant problem for surgical exposure. Several surgical approaches for scapula fixation have been described, but all give limited exposure to the entire scapular body, neck and articular surface. Here, we describe our 'Reverse Judet' technique, with cadaveric dissections and discuss a clinical case. We believe this approach gives a wide exposure of the infraspinous scapular body, neck and glenoid articular surface while keeping away from vital neural structures.

FRET reveals multiple interaction states between two component signalling system proteins of M. tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Two component signalling involves interaction between sensor kinase (SK) and response regulator (RR) proteins which depends on their phosphorylation status. METHODS: In this study we report the development of an in vitro FRET assay for studying interaction between fluorescently tagged SK and RR proteins. RESULTS: Using TCS proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we demonstrate that phosphorylation status of SK affects the SK-RR interaction, which varies from one TCS to another. The observation was strengthened by recordings from mutant SK and RR proteins. The assay retained the specificity/crosstalk potential of the participating proteins and reflected the inherent phosphotransfer potentials. CONCLUSIONS: SK and RR proteins interact with each other in unphosphorylated state and the phosphorylation affects the interaction between SK and RR, which was reflected as reduction in FRET ratio. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: A non-radioactive, in vitro FRET based assay is reported, which can be utilized for studying genome-wide partner screening, identifying crosstalk or specificity in TCSs.

Systematic Review of Biceps Tenodesis: Arthroscopic Versus Open.

PURPOSE: We present a systematic review of the recent literature regarding the use of arthroscopic and open methods of tenodesis for lesions of the long head of the biceps brachii and present an analysis of the subjective and objective outcomes after these 2 procedures. METHODS: PubMed was carefully reviewed for suitable articles relating to biceps tenodesis, both open and arthroscopic. We included studies reporting on the clinical outcomes of these 2 procedures that were of Level I to IV evidence and were published in the English language. The primary clinical outcomes for each study were determined, normalized, and reported as the percentage of good or excellent results versus poor results based on the outcome scores and criteria laid out by the authors in each of the studies. The exclusion criteria included studies in which biceps tenodesis was performed in patients with concomitant rotator cuff repairs, nonhuman studies, and biomechanical studies. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies met our inclusion criteria. Among all studies, a total of 205 arthroscopic tenodesis procedures and a total of 271 open tenodesis procedures were performed. Among the 271 open tenodesis patients, 98% had a good or excellent outcome, with a poor outcome in 5 patients (2%). Among the 205 patients who underwent arthroscopic tenodesis, 98% had a good or excellent outcome, with a poor outcome in 5 patients (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Both open and arthroscopic biceps tenodesis provided satisfactory outcomes in most patients, and there were no identifiable differences in this review.

Outcomes using the extensor digitorum communis splitting approach for the treatment of radial head fractures.

BACKGROUND: Surgery on the radial head is usually performed via the Kocher interval. Iatrogenic injury to the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) and lateral ligamentous complex are known complications of lateral elbow approaches. The extensor digitorum communis (EDC) splitting approach for lateral elbow exposure is known to provide better access to the anterior half of the radial head while reducing the risk of injury to the lateral ligaments. The aim of this study was to provide clinical outcome data for the EDC splitting approach. METHODS: Thirteen patients with closed radial head fractures underwent internal fixation or replacement via the EDC splitting approach. Patients were evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores. Clinical assessments of the elbows were also performed. RESULTS: Ten patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation of their radial heads, and 3 underwent radial head replacements. At final follow-up, all patients achieved good to excellent Mayo Elbow Performance scores, with a mean score of 90 (range 80-100). They had a mean ASES elbow score of 89.6 (range 77-97) and a mean Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 12.8 (range 6.67-25.8). Patients reported a mean overall ASES satisfaction score of 8.5 (range 6-10). There were no significant surgical complications, including iatrogenic damage to the PIN or the lateral ligaments. CONCLUSION: The EDC splitting approach is a feasible method of exposing the lateral elbow, providing safe and reliable access to the radial head.

A prospective study of surgical outcomes and quality of life in severe foot trauma and associated compartment syndrome after fasciotomy.

The purpose of the present prospective study was to analyze the predictors of outcome and review the quality of life of patients who underwent emergency fasciotomy for foot compartment syndrome after blunt trauma. A total of 14 patients were identified and followed for an average of 24 (range 14 to 33) months. The mean interval from initial presentation to decompressive fasciotomy was 5.8 (range 3 to 11) hours. The follow-up data from our patients revealed satisfactory functional and quality of life outcomes, with 11 of 14 (78.6%) able to return to work. Two (14.3%) patients developed claw-toe deformities and 3 (21.4%) patients had sensory deficits directly attributed to compartment syndrome. Finally, 4 (28.6%) patients required modified shoes or shoe inserts for comfortable ambulation. Our findings suggest that earlier fasciotomy results in better quality of life scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scale scores, and visual analog scale pain scores and a greater likelihood of being able to wear all shoes comfortably, ambulate independently, and return to work. A shorter interval to fasciotomy, younger age, the absence of bony injury, the absence of other concomitant injuries, and a low velocity crush injury all tended to be predictors of good outcomes at the final review.

Arthroscopic Bankart repair using knot-tying versus knotless suture anchors: is there a difference?

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcome between the use of knotless sutures versus knot-tying sutures in arthroscopic Bankart repairs. METHODS: Between January 2007 and January 2011, 87 patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with the use of knot-tying suture anchors or knotless suture anchors were evaluated, with 45 patients in the knot-tying suture group and 42 patients in the knotless group. Patients were assigned to either group, with odd-numbered patients going to the knot-tying suture arm and even-numbered patients assigned to the knotless arm. Outcomes included the Constant score, the visual analog scale (VAS) score, patient satisfaction score, and range of motion in forward flexion and external rotation with the arm in adduction. Redislocations or subluxations with the 2 techniques was also studied. RESULTS: Both groups showed a statistically significant improvement between the preoperative and postoperative VAS scores and Constant scores. In the knot-tying suture group, the VAS score improved from 2.5 ± 2.3 to 0.7 ± 0.5 (P < .05) and the Constant score improved from 64 ± 7 to 92 ± 10 (P < .05). In the knotless group, the VAS score improved from 2.8 ± 2.5 to 0.9 ± 0.6 (P < .05), and the Constant score improved from 62 ± 6 to 89 ± 9 (P < .05). The patient satisfaction scores were 6.9 and 7.1 for the knot tying and knotless groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing the outcomes between the 2 groups. The change in the range of forward flexion and external rotation was also similar in the 2 groups. There was also no difference in recurrence or redislocation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Both the knot-tying and knotless suture anchors groups showed statistically significant and similar improvement in VAS and Constant scores. Both anchors provided reasonable outcomes. The knotless suture anchor is a good alternative to knot-tying suture anchors so that arthroscopic Bankart repairs can be performed without knot tying. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Superior capsular reconstruction for irreparable supraspinatus tendon tears using the long head of biceps: A biomechanical study on cadavers.

INTRODUCTION: The superior articular capsule complements the rotator cuff's function in shoulder stability. With irreparable rotator cuff tears, superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) improves dynamic glenohumeral (GH) joint kinematics. We present a novel method of SCR in cadaveric shoulders using the long head of bicep (LHB) tendon instead of previously explored fascia lata autograft, thereby reducing harvest site and suture anchor associated complications. HYPOTHESIS: This novel method of SCR using the LHB is feasible biomechanically in restoring shoulder stability in irreparable supraspinatus tendon tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven cadaveric shoulders were tested in a custom shoulder testing system. Superior translation of the humerus, subacromial contact pressure and area, and glenohumeral range of motion were tested at 0°, 30°, and 60° of glenohumeral abduction in the following conditions: (1) intact shoulder, (2) simulated complete supraspinatus tendon tear, (3) modified SCR using LHB, (4) and modified SCR using LHB and side-to-side repair augmentation. RESULTS: The complete cuff tear shifted the humeral head superiorly as compared to the intact shoulder. Subacromial peak contact pressure was also increased at 30° and 60° while contact area was increased at 0° and 30°. The modified SCR both with and without side-to-side repair shifted the humeral head inferiorly at 30° and 60°, with contact area further reduced at 60°. Both techniques had comparable results for contact pressure and total rotational range of motion. CONCLUSION: The LHB with appropriate distal insertion on the greater tuberosity restores shoulder stability in irreparable rotator cuff tears by re-centering the humeral head on the glenoid. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Basic science study, biomechanical testing.

Clinical outcomes of the reverse McLaughlin procedure for Hill-Sachs lesions in anterior shoulder instability.

INTRODUCTION: Engaging Hill-Sachs lesions in recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation have been managed with the remplissage procedure. Clinical and cadaveric studies have reported limitation of rotation after this procedure. We introduce the reverse McLaughlin procedure where the infraspinatus and the underlying capsule are detached and approximated into the Hill-Sachs defect with transosseous sutures. This is a preliminary report using this technique. METHODS: Seventeen patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations and an engaging Hill-Sachs lesion underwent a Bankart repair and remplissage procedure (n = 9) or the reverse McLaughlin procedure ( n = 8). Patients were evaluated using the SF-36, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Constant scores. Clinical assessment of the shoulders was also performed. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, all patients in both groups achieved comparable clinical outcome scores. No significant differences were reported in the range of motion of the shoulders between the two groups. There was one dislocation of the operated shoulder in each group after an injury. CONCLUSION: The reverse McLaughlin procedure for engaging Hill-Sachs lesions is simple, easy to perform, and associated with functional outcomes and range of motion at least equivalent to those obtained via the remplissage technique. It may be an alternative to the latter procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

Single Working Portal Technique for Knotless Arthroscopic Bankart Repair.

Arthroscopic Bankart repair is widely accepted as the method of choice in restoring the labrum to the glenoid rim. It has been shown to have comparable outcomes with open stabilization. This usually involves the use of 2 portals anteriorly: one anterosuperior accessory portal and another anteroinferior working portal. The aim of this Technical Note is to present a simple and reproducible technique for Bankart repair using a single working portal anteriorly without an accessory portal.

Immediate costs of mini-open versus arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in an Asian population.

OBJECTIVE: While there has been increasing interest in minimally invasive surgery, the expenses incurred by patients undergoing this form of surgery have not been comprehensively studied. The authors compared the costs borne by patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the standard mini-open repair at a tertiary hospital in an Asian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. The authors studied the inpatient hospital bills of patients following rotator cuff tear repair between January 2010 and October 2014 via the hospital electronic medical records system. 148 patients had arthroscopic repair and 78 had mini-open repair. The cost of implants, consumables, and the total cost of hospitalization were analyzed. Operative times and length of stay for both procedures were also studied. Constant scores and American Shoulder Elbow Scores (ASES) were recorded preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Three fellowship-trained surgeons performed arthroscopic repairs and one performed the mini-open repair. The cost of implants and consumables was significantly higher with arthroscopic repair. The duration of surgery was also significantly longer with that technique. There was no difference in length of stay between the two techniques. There was also no difference in Constant scores or ASES scores, both preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate costs of mini-open repair of rotator cuff tears are significantly less than that of arthroscopic repair. Most of the difference arises from the cost of implants and consumables. Equivalent functional outcomes from both techniques suggest that mini-open repair may be more cost-effective.

The cut intramuscular nerve affects the recovery in the lacerated skeletal muscle.

The recovery of lacerated skeletal muscles are said to be slow and incomplete. Often the intramuscular (IM-) nerve is concomitantly cut, but never repaired. We questioned whether the IM-nerve should also be reanastamosed before repairing the skeletal muscle. Before answering this, it was necessary to know if the cut IM nerve would have an effect on the recovery of the segment of muscle distal to the level of the laceration. This study investigates the recovery of lacerated muscles after repair, and compares a complete muscle laceration where the main IM-nerve was concomitantly cut and an incomplete muscle laceration where the IM-nerve was preserved intact. The medial gastrocnemius (MG) of the adult male New Zealand White rabbit was used, with the contralateral muscle as a sham control. The laceration was at the proximal quarter of the muscle, distal to the entry point of the nerve branch from the tibial nerve into the muscle belly. Twenty-eight weeks post-repair, the lacerated MG with the IM-nerve intact showed improved muscle wet weight, near normal morphology and contractile properties, and return of muscle fiber type mix and size. The repaired lacerated MG with their IM-nerve concomitantly cut demonstrated loss of muscle wet weight, obvious fibrosis, mononuclear proliferation with fatty infiltration, increase in type-1 fibers and muscle fiber atrophy in the distal portion. We postulate that it might be important to repair the intramuscular nerve branch by microanastomosis when repairing a vital skeletal muscle that is lacerated.

Rhabdomyolysis following shoulder arthroscopy.

Fluid extravasation is not uncommon after shoulder arthroscopy. We report a case of massive fluid extravasation that resulted in rhabdomyolysis and renal shutdown following routine shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Compartment pressures in the deltoid, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder revealed extensive subcutaneous edema and high-signal changes in the entire deltoid muscle. The patient made an uneventful recovery with adequate supportive treatment and renal dialysis. Repeat imaging studies 3 months later revealed complete restoration to normal of the deltoid muscle. In addition to extensive fluid extravasation in this patient, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, the development of a transient allergic reaction to a prescribed antibiotic, and the inclusion of epinephrine in the infusion fluid may have collectively contributed to rhabdomyolysis. We recommend that the use of infusion pumps should be limited to the shortest time possible, and that gravity inflow should be used as much as possible. Inflow should preferably occur through the arthroscope itself, rather than through a separate portal cannula, which may dislodge, inadvertently causing infusion of high-pressure fluid into the surrounding tissue.

The Arthroscopic Hill-Sachs Remplissage: A Technique Using a PASTA Repair Kit.

The arthroscopic remplissage procedure has gained popularity in recent years and is gaining acceptance as an excellent and safe procedure to perform in patients with large engaging Hill-Sachs lesions. The procedure was introduced as an arthroscopic procedure, but surgeons not familiar with the procedure often encounter many problems, which makes the procedure difficult and frustrating to perform. A technique for this procedure using a commercially available PASTA (partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion) repair kit is presented.

Bipolar Posterior Deltoid Transfer for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: A Report on 2 Patients.

A transfer of the posterior deltoid innervated by the posterior branch of the axillary nerve and vascularized by the posterior circumflex humeral artery is described for irreparable tears of the supra- and infraspinatus muscle tendons. Functionally useful abduction and flexion were restored in 2 patients.

Is the Apprehension Test Sufficient for the Diagnosis of Anterior Shoulder Instability in Young Patients without Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to compare the sensitivities and positive predictive values (PPV) of the anterior apprehension test and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of anterior labral tears in young patients with shoulder instability and to determine if surgery could be carried out without this investigation in selected patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study of 168 patients aged between 15 and 30 years with a history of shoulder dislocation and compared the sensitivities and the PPV of the apprehension test with both MRI and magnetic resonance arthrograms (MRA) in the diagnosis of a Bankart lesion. The radiological investigations were interpreted by general practice radiologists and specialised musculoskeletal radiologists. All patients had their diagnosis confirmed by shoulder arthroscopy. RESULTS: Our results showed that the apprehension test was highly reliable when it was positive with a PPV of 96%. It was more sensitive than MRI in the diagnosis of a Bankart lesion. The clinical test was significantly better when a musculoskeletal radiologist interpreted the MRI. The MRA interpreted by a musculoskeletal radiologist had the highest rates of sensitivity in detecting Bankart lesions. The figure was similar to that for the apprehension test. There was no difference in the PPVs among the clinical test, the MRI and the MRA read by the 2 categories of radiologists. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a routine MRI may be unnecessary in evaluating a young patient with clinically evident anterior shoulder instability if the apprehension test is positive. A MRA that can be interpreted by a musculoskeletal radiologist will be the next best investigation if the clinical test is negative or equivocal.

Bicompartmental versus total knee arthroplasty for medial and patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome of bicompartmental knee arthroplasty (BKA) versus total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with medial and patellofemoral knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Records of 17 women and 10 men with medial and patellofemoral osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent BKA (n=15) or TKA (n=12) were reviewed. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon. Patient haemoglobin level, length of hospital stay, range of motion, and visual analogue score for pain were recorded, as were the Knee Society Score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the SF-36 score. RESULTS: Patients treated with BKA were younger than those treated with TKA (mean age, 52 vs. 60 years; p=0.006). BKA resulted in longer mean operating time (99 vs. 85 minutes, p=0.025), less mean intra-operative blood loss (reduction in haemoglobin level) [1.2 vs. 2.4 g/dL, p=0.003), and greater mean postoperative range of movement (125 vs. 116 degrees, p=0.019). The mean Knee Society scores, WOMAC, and SF-36 scores in both groups were not significantly different. There was no instance of implant loosening, peri-prosthetic fractures, patellar subluxation, and dislocation. CONCLUSION: Short-term outcome of BKA and TKA was comparable.