Compaction bone-grafting in prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Compaction bone-grafting has been suggested as a means of improving the stability of the humeral component in shoulder arthroplasty, but the clinical and radiographic results of the procedure have not been reported in the literature, to our knowledge. To address this deficit, we report on a series of shoulder arthroplasties performed with compaction bone-grafting to secure humeral component fixation. These prostheses were implanted in shoulders demonstrating a suboptimal interference fit of the humeral component. METHODS: Fifty-eight shoulders in fifty-three patients were treated with prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty that included compaction bone-grafting. Clinical assessments were performed at regular intervals with use of visual analog scales for pain, shoulder comfort and function, and overall quality of life, and with use of patient self-assessments including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score and the validated Simple Shoulder Test. A detailed radiographic analysis was performed by three raters to determine whether radiolucent lines were present immediately postoperatively and at a later follow-up interval. The humeral tilt angle was determined by measuring the angle between the humeral axis and the component. Subsidence was also evaluated. The mean of the raters' measurements was used in the analysis. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was sixty-nine months (range, twenty-six to 148 months). No loose stems were observed, and no humeral component was revised. At the time of follow-up, there was significant improvement in the Simple Shoulder Test scores and all visual analog scores (p < 0.0001 in each instance). Thirty-four stems had no radiolucent line at the time of follow-up, and the mean maximum thickness of the lucent lines was 0.21 mm in the entire group of fifty-eight shoulders. Most lucent lines occurred near the distal stem tip. The mean tilt of the valgus and varus humeral components was 2.2 degrees and 2.6 degrees , respectively, on the immediate postoperative radiographs. No humeral component shifted from varus to valgus or vice versa. The duration of follow-up was not correlated with the maximum thickness of the humeral component lucency, and the presence or absence of a prosthetic glenoid was also unrelated to the maximum thickness of the lucency. CONCLUSIONS: Compaction bone-grafting in shoulder arthroplasty can yield stable and durable fixation of the humeral component, as seen clinically and radiographically, without use of cement. Our findings provide evidence that compaction bone-grafting in shoulder arthroplasty is an option to ensure intermediate-term fixation (at a mean of five years) of humeral components that have a suboptimal fit.

Accelerated rehabilitation after arthroscopic Bankart repair for selected cases: a prospective randomized clinical study.

PURPOSE: Increased stress within a certain limit enhances ligament healing and improves joint function. In this prospective randomized clinical trial, we compared the clinical results of early motion versus conventional immobilization after arthroscopic Bankart repair in a selected patient population. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective randomized clinical trial. METHODS: We performed an arthroscopic Bankart repair using suture anchors in 62 patients with traumatic recurrent anterior instability of the shoulder. Patients were randomized into 2 groups; group 1 (28 patients; mean age, 28 years) was managed with 3 weeks of immobilization using an abduction sling and conventional rehabilitation program, and group 2 (34 patients; mean age, 29 years) was managed with an accelerated rehabilitation program that consisted of staged range of motion and strengthening exercises from the immediate postoperative day. Selection criteria were nonathletes with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation and a classic Bankart lesion with a robust labrum limited to 1 cm from the midglenoid notch. The patients were followed up for a mean of 31 months (range, 27 to 45 months; standard deviation, 9 months). Analysis of outcome included pain scores at 6 weeks and at final follow-up evaluation, range of motion, return to activity, recurrence rate, patient satisfaction with each rehabilitation program, and shoulder scores assessed by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Index, the rating system of the University of California at Los Angeles, and another scoring system. RESULTS: The recurrence rate was not different between the 2 groups (P =.842). None of the groups developed recurrent dislocation. Two patients from each group were positive for anterior apprehension signs. Patients who underwent accelerated rehabilitation resumed functional range of motion faster (P <.001) and returned earlier to the functional level of activity (P <.001). Accelerated rehabilitation decreased postoperative pain (P =.013), and more patients were satisfied with this program (P <.001). Shoulder scores, return to activity, pain score, and range of motion were not different between the 2 groups at the final follow-up evaluation (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early mobilization of the operated shoulder after arthroscopic Bankart repair does not increase the recurrence rate in a selected group of patients. Although the final outcomes are approximately the same for both groups, the accelerated rehabilitation program promotes functional recovery and reduces postoperative pain, which allows patients an early return to desired activities.