The post-traumatic stiff elbow: A review.

Upper extremity function is highly dependent on elbow motion in order to adequately position the hand in space. Loss of this motion due to stiffness following trauma can cause patients substantial disability, leading to difficulties with performing activities of daily living. Post-traumatic elbow stiffness is challenging to treat, and therefore prevention is of paramount importance. Key measures that can be used to prevent elbow stiffness are early surgical intervention for fracture or joint instability, as well as active mobilisation, which helps to prevent oedema and an increase in viscosity of inflammatory exudates. Other options include splinting and continuous passive mobilisation. Once non-operative methods of addressing post-traumatic stiffness have been exhausted, arthrolysis of the stiff elbow can be performed via open or arthroscopic means depending on the type of pathology involved (intrinsic or extrinsic contracture) and experience of the surgeon with elbow arthroscopy. The particular open approach used depends on several factors, which include the formation and location of any heterotopic ossification present. Improvements in range of motion can be expected with both open and arthroscopic techniques, which can be effective and rewarding for patients. Post-operative rehabilitation, particularly early active mobilisation, should be considered essential in order to optimise patient outcomes following surgery. This review aims to explore elbow stiffness following traumatic aetiology, assessing its pathogenesis and prevention, as well as reviewing surgical treatment options and post-operative rehabilitation.

The biomechanics of the rotator cuff in health and disease - A narrative review.

The rotator cuff has an important role in the stability and function of the glenohumeral joint. It is a complex anatomic structure commonly affected by injury such as tendinopathy and cuff tears. The rotator cuff helps to provide a stabilising effect to the shoulder joint by compressing the humeral head against the glenoid cavity via the concavity compression mechanism. To appreciate the function of the cuff it is imperative to understand the normal biomechanics of the cuff as well as the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cuff disease. The shoulder joint offers a wide range of motion due to the variety of rotational moments the cuff muscles are able to provide. In order for the joint to remain stable, the cuff creates a force couple around the glenohumeral joint with coordinated activation of adjacent muscles, which work together to contain the otherwise intrinsically unstable glenohumeral joint and prevent proximal migration of the humerus. Once this muscular balance is lost, increased translations or subluxation of the humeral head may result, leading to changes in the magnitude and direction of the joint reaction forces at the glenohumeral joint. These mechanical changes may then result in a number of clinical presentations of shoulder dysfunction, disease and pain. This narrative review aims to highlight the importance of functional rotator cuff biomechanics whilst assessing the kinetics and kinematics of the shoulder joint, as well as exploring the various factors involved in cuff disease.

Cement extrusion and radial nerve palsy during revision shoulder and elbow arthroplasty: Beware of the cortical breach.

Iatrogenic nerve injuries can cause patients and surgeons a great deal of distress and anxiety. To help prevent such injuries, surgeons should remain mindful for potential distortion of anatomy due to scarring and adhesions. Peripheral nerves are vulnerable to thermal injury, as well as mechanical injury by laceration and traction. Revision arthroplasty may involve removal of the implant and cement mantle. During this removal process, breaches in cortical bone can occur, with resultant cement extrusion within the soft tissues. Screw holes left vacant following screw removal may also allow for cement leakage. Thermal energy is released during the exothermic polymerisation process of cement curing. As a result, this thermal energy can also lead to injury to neural tissue. In this article, we present three cases of radial nerve palsy associated with cement extrusion during revision arthroplasty, in order to highlight pitfalls and learning points in the management. In addition, we propose strategies to avoid such injuries. Surgeons are reminded to be vigilant for cortical breaches intraoperatively, and if recognised, steps should be taken to minimise the risk of nerve injury.

The unicompartmental knee is the preferred side in individuals with both a unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: To determine the preferred knee in patients with both one total and one unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. METHOD: Patients simply with a unicompartmental (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on contralateral sides were retrospectively screened from three senior knee surgeon's logs over a 15 year period. Patients safe and free from other diseases to affect gait were approached. A total of 16 patients (mean age 70 ± 8) agreed to ground reaction force testing on an instrumented treadmill at a fair pace and incline. A gender-ratio identical group of 16 healthy control subjects (mean age 67 ± 10) and 16 patients with ipsilateral medial knee OA (mean age 66 ± 7) were analysed to compare. RESULTS: Radiographically the mode preoperative Kellgren-Lawrence knee grade for each side was 3. Postoperatively, the TKA side had a mean coronal femoral component alignment of 7° and a mean tibial coronal alignment of 89° with a mean posterior slope of 5° in the sagittal plane. The UKA side had a mean coronal femoral component alignment of 7° and a mean tibial coronal alignment of 86° with a mean posterior slope of 4° in the sagittal plane. In 7 patients, the TKA was the first procedure, while 6 for the UKA and 3 done simultaneously. Gait analysis demonstrated in both walking conditions the UKA limb was the preferred side through all phases of loading (p < 0.05) and nearer to normal than the TKA limb when compared to healthy controls and patients with knee OA. The greatest difference was observed between the transition of weight acceptance and midstance (p = 0.008), when 22% more load was taken by the UKA side. CONCLUSION: By using a dynamic metric of an everyday activity, a distinct gait difference between differing arthroplasty types were established. A more natural loading pattern can be achieved with unicompartmentals as compared to total knees. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective comparative study, Level III.

Cement Pedestal Spacer Technique for Infected Two-stage Revision Knee Arthroplasty: Description and Comparison of Complications.

BACKGROUND: Infection following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a significant complication, with an incidence of up to 2% in primary TKA and 4%-8% in revision cases. Two-stage revision is the gold standard treatment for long-lasting infections of TKA. The purpose of this study was to describe the cement pedestal spacer technique used in infected two-stage revision knee arthroplasty and compare complications against conventional fixed and mobile cement spacers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in all cases who underwent two-stage TKA revision for infection between 2009 and 2015. These cases were separated into groups depending on the cement spacer utilized (fixed, mobile nonpedestal, and mobile spacers with cement pedestal). The cement pedestal technique involves press fitting a cement cylinder into the femur before definitive spacer insertion. RESULTS: Forty four patients underwent two-stage revision TKA. Fewest complications were observed in the pedestal group, with no spacers having subluxed/tilted. The longest followup was also observed in the pedestal group (mean 52.5 months). Mobile spacers with no cement pedestal displayed the highest reinfection rate (16.7%) and the greatest number of cases with complications (malalignment, subluxation, tilting, and spacer fracture). All patients in the pedestal group were ambulatory after the first-stage revision. CONCLUSIONS: The cement pedestal technique minimizes complications by optimizing component positioning and balancing. It also safely extends the indication for an articulated spacer into a set of cases with more extensive bone loss and allows for extended monitoring of inflammatory markers.

Surgical site infection risk following pre-operative MRSA detection in elective orthopaedic surgery.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the risk of post-operative surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery who were colonised with MRSA. METHODS: All patients admitted for elective orthopaedic surgery from January 2008 to December 2012 were screened for MRSA. MRSA positive patients were identified and given topical suppression therapy. RESULTS: 11,567 patients were screened for MRSA. Ninety-nine (0.9%) were colonised and eighty-eight (88.9%) proceeded to surgery. Three patients (3.4%) developed post-operative superficial SSIs. Two were in patients who had total knee replacements (TKR). CONCLUSION: We conclude that patients should be informed of an increased SSI risk if colonised with MRSA pre-operatively.

Pre-operative assessment and post-operative care in elective shoulder surgery.

Pre-operative assessment is required prior to the majority of elective surgical procedures, primarily to ensure that the patient is fit to undergo surgery, whilst identifying issues that may need to be dealt with by the surgical or anaesthetic teams. The post-operative management of elective surgical patients begins during the peri-operative period and involves several health professionals. Appropriate monitoring and repeated clinical assessments are required in order for the signs of surgical complications to be recognised swiftly and adequately. This article examines the literature regarding pre-operative assessment in elective orthopaedic surgery and shoulder surgery, whilst also reviewing the essentials of peri- and post-operative care. The need to recognise common post-operative complications early and promptly is also evaluated, along with discussing thromboprophylaxis and post-operative analgesia following shoulder surgery.