Neck and shoulder pain: differentiating cervical spine pathology from shoulder pathology.

Problems of the cervical spine and shoulder frequently have very similar presentations and can be difficult to differentiate. However, with a careful history, physical exam, imaging studies, and judicious use of diagnostic injections, the true source of a patient's symptoms can be deciphered and treated. Cervical spondylosis not only causes pain in the neck and shoulder area, but can also cause radiating pain in the arm and forearm that can be confused with rotator cuff pathology, nerve compression in the shoulder area, or brachial neuritis.

Postoperative Lyme Arthritis in the Orthopaedic Patient.

CONTEXT: Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in North America and Europe, and Lyme arthritis is a frequent late-stage manifestation in the United States. However, Lyme arthritis has rarely been reported as a postoperative complication. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The PubMed database was queried through June 2018, and restricted to the English language, in search of relevant articles. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. RESULTS: A total of 5 cases of Lyme arthritis as a postoperative complication have been reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: These cases highlight the importance for providers practicing in Lyme-endemic regions to keep such an infection in mind when evaluating postoperative joint pain and swelling. We propose herein an algorithm for the workup of potential postoperative Lyme arthritis. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION TAXONOMY (SORT): C.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using the suture loop shuttle technique.

With the arthroscope in the posterior portal, several suture loops are passed through the rotator cuff via the superior lateral portal before the first anchor is inserted. The suture loop is created by passing both free ends of a No. 2 monofilament (48-inch Prolene, Ethilon, or PDS; Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) suture into an arthroscopic suture passing device. The free ends and the loop of each suture loop are temporarily transferred into the anterior cannula. Anchor insertion and passage of the anchored sutures are performed from posterior to anterior. With standard suture anchors, the loop end of the suture loop must be located on the undersurface of the cuff. The suture anchors are inserted one at a time through the superior lateral portal and are placed into the prepared holes. Anchored sutures are temporarily pulled out through the inferior lateral portal. Next, the free ends of the most posterior suture loop are retrieved through the superior lateral portal. The looped end of this suture loop is retrieved through the inferior lateral portal. The suture loop is used to shuttle a single anchored suture through the rotator cuff and out through the superior lateral portal. Then, the other anchored suture is retrieved through the superior lateral portal with a suture grasper and tied.

Arthroscopic Bankart repair using Knotless or BioKnotless suture anchors: 2- to 7-year results.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the results of arthroscopic Bankart repair, by use of Knotless or BioKnotless suture anchors (DePuy Mitek, Raynham, MA), for traumatic anterior shoulder instability. METHODS: We performed a retrospective evaluation of 73 consecutive patients with traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder treated with arthroscopic Bankart repair by use of metallic Knotless or BioKnotless suture anchors. No additional capsular plication, thermal modification, or interval closure was performed in any patient. The senior author performed all procedures. Independent examiners performed physical examinations. Self-assessment questionnaire evaluations were completed, and preoperative and postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Rowe scores are reported. RESULTS: Results at a minimum of 2 years' follow-up (range, 2 to 7 years) are reported for 72 patients (57 male and 15 female patients) available for follow-up evaluation. One patient was lost to follow-up. Of the patients, 5 (6.9%) had post-repair instability (3 dislocations and 2 subluxations). The mean postoperative loss of external rotation, at 90 degrees of abduction, was 1 degrees . All patients who had postoperative instability were aged 22 years or younger. The post-repair instability rate in this age group was 13.5% (5/37). No failures occurred in patients aged over 22 years. Of the post-repair dislocations, 3 (7.5%) were in patients involved in contact or collision sports. All 5 failures occurred early, within 2 years of the index surgery. Revision arthroscopic repairs via Knotless or BioKnotless suture anchors were performed in 3 of 4 patients, and a Latarjet procedure was also performed in the fourth patient. The fifth patient refused further intervention. All of the revision shoulders remained stable at the latest follow-up, 3 of which had at least 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic Bankart repair via Knotless or BioKnotless suture anchors showed a recurrence rate of 6.9%. Using Knotless or BioKnotless suture anchors provides satisfactory results with a low recurrence rate, minimal loss of motion, and reliable functional return, even in contact and collision athletes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.