Do preoperative scapular fractures affect long-term outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Postoperative scapular stress fractures (SSFs) are a formidable problem after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Less is known about patients who have these fractures preoperatively. The primary aim of this study was to examine postoperative satisfaction in patients undergoing primary RSA who have preoperative SSF and compared to a matched cohort without preoperative fracture. The secondary aim was to examine the differences in patient-reported outcomes between and within study cohorts. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of primary RSAs performed by a single surgeon from 2000 to 2020 was conducted. Patients diagnosed with cuff tear arthropathy (CTA), massive cuff tear (MCT), or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included. Five hundred twenty-five shoulders met inclusion criteria. Fractures identified on preoperative computed tomography scans were divided into 3 groups: (1) os acromiale, (2) multifragments (MFs), and (3) Levy types. Seventy-two shoulders had an occurrence of SSF. The remaining 453 shoulders were separated into a nonfractured cohort. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared pre- and postoperatively in the total fracture group and the nonfractured group cohort. The multifragment subgroup was also compared to the pooled Os/Levy subgroup. RESULTS: The total incidence of SSF in all shoulders was 13.7%. There was a difference in satisfaction scores at all time points between the nonfracture (7.9 ± 2.8) and total fracture group (5.4 ± 3.6, P < .001, at last visit). There was also a greater ASES total score in the nonfractured group vs the total fracture group at the final visit (69.4 ± 23.4 and 62.1 ± 24.2; P = .02). The MF group had worse ASES functional or VAS functional scores than the Os/Levy group at all time points: at 1 year, ASES function: MF 24.2 ± 14.5 and Os/Levy 30.7 ± 14.2 (P = .045); at 2 years, ASES function: MF 21.4 ± 14.4 and Os/Levy 35.5 ± 10.6 (P < .001); and at last follow-up, VAS function: MF 4.8 ± 2.8 and Os/Levy 6.4 ± 3.2 (P = .023). DISCUSSION: Scapular fractures were proportionally most common in patients diagnosed with CTA (16.3%) compared with a 9.2% and 8.6% incidence in patients diagnosed with MCT and RA, respectively. Patients with preoperative SSF still see an improvement in ASES scores after RSA but do have lower satisfaction scores compared with the nonfractured cohort. The multifragment fracture group has lower functional and satisfaction scores at all postoperative time points compared with both the nonfracture and the Os/Levy fracture group.

Factors affecting risk of recurrence with periprosthetic infection in shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The goal of treating periprosthetic infection, besides its eradication, is to avoid recurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of increasing Infection Severity (IS) score (based on the 2018 International Consensus Meeting on Orthopedic Infections statement), single-stage revision, and pathogenicity of the infective organism on the risk of infection recurrence. METHODS: A database of 790 revisions performed by a single surgeon from 2004-2020 was reviewed for patients with minimum 2-year follow-up and ≥1 positive culture finding and/or pathology result from the revision surgical procedure. In total, 157 cases performed in 144 patients met the inclusion criteria. These cases were then categorized by infection probability (IS score) according to the 2018 consensus statement. Of 157 cases, 46 (29%) were classified as definitely or probably infected; 25 (16%), possibly infected; and 86 (55%), unlikely to be infected. Additionally, patients were grouped by single-stage surgery and pathogenicity of the infective organism. RESULTS: A recurrence in this study was classified as the growth of the same organism in any patient requiring revision surgery. The 86 cases in the group with unlikely infection showed a recurrence rate of 2.3%. The 25 cases in the group with possible infection showed a recurrence rate of 12%. The 46 cases in the group with definite or probable infection showed a recurrence rate of 17.4%. Patients in the definite/probable infection group had a higher rate of recurrence than those in the groups with possible infection and unlikely infection (P = .009). The IS score was higher in the recurrence group than the non-recurrence group (7.5 ± 4.3 vs. 3.9 ± 3.4, P < .001). Overall, patients who underwent 1-stage revision had a 5.0% recurrence rate, but among the 34 patients with an infection classification of definite or probable who underwent 1-stage revision, the recurrence rate was 5.9%. Cases of highly virulent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus also showed a recurrence rate of 30.8% compared with 4.0% and 5.9% for Cutibacterium acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococci, respectively (P = .005). CONCLUSION: Recurrent infection after treatment of a periprosthetic infection is associated with increasing severity scores, as defined in the 2018 consensus statement, and more aggressive microorganisms. However, a single-stage surgical procedure, even in patients with higher IS scores, did not impart a significantly increased risk of recurrence.

Complication rates following reverse and anatomic shoulder replacement in treatment of glenohumeral arthritis: a 10-year Medicare review study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to compare the complication rates after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for primary glenohumeral arthritis in a Medicare population. METHODS: Patients who underwent a shoulder arthroplasty were identified from the 5% subset of Medicare parts A/B between 2009 and 2019. Patients with less than 1-year follow-up were excluded. A total of 8846 patients with a diagnosis of glenohumeral arthritis were then subdivided into those who received aTSA (5935 patients) and RSA (2911 patients). A multivariate Cox regression analysis was then performed comparing complication rates at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years. RESULTS: Statistically significant increased rates of instability (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.46), fracture of the scapula (HR = 7.76), infections (HR = 1.45), early revision (HR = 1.79), and all complications (HR = 1.32) were seen in the RSA group. There was no significant difference in revision rate at 5 years between the 2 groups. There was no difference in patient characteristics or comorbid conditions (smoking status, diabetes, Charlson score, etc.) or hospital characteristics (location, teaching status, public vs. private, etc.) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: An increased rate of early complications was observed with the use of RSA compared with aTSA for the treatment of primary glenohumeral arthritis, including instability, scapula fracture, infection, and all cause complication. No difference in revision rate between RSA and aTSA at 5 years was observed.

Immediate outcomes of early versus late definitive fixation of acetabular fractures: A narrative literature review.

The ideal timing of acetabular fractures fixation remains contentious. Early immediate fixation was thought to increase the surgery duration and blood loss while facilitating earlier mobilization and shorter hospital stay; and vice versa for the late fixation after 7 days. The purpose of this review was to compare the impact of early (defined as within 48 hours) versus later definitive fixation of acetabular fractures on postoperative outcomes. It was found that early surgical treatment has certain advantages with regards to blood loss, operative time, and LOS especially in patients with lower ISS. However, further studies are necessary to provide more evidence in terms of long-term outcomes.

Trunk and lower extremity long-axis rotation exercise improves forward single leg jump landing neuromuscular control.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often involve sudden single leg loading with directional changes. Trunk and lower extremity (LE) load transfer and muscle power are directly coupled during these movements. The effect of trunk and LE long-axis rotation training on forward single leg drop jump landing and stabilization (FSLDJLS) was studied. METHODS: Using block randomization (gender), 36 (18 men, 18 women) subjects were assigned to experimental (nine, 20 min exercise sessions) and control groups with equal subject number. Ground reaction force (1000 Hz), kinematic (60 Hz) and LE EMG (1000 Hz) data were synchronously collected. Statistical analysis compared pre- and post-test neuromuscular control mean change differences (MCD), and hip flexion-LE peak EMG % maximum volitional isometric contraction (%MVIC) (expressed as decimal equivalents), mean change difference (MCD) relationships. RESULTS: The experimental group had greater landing knee flexion (3.5 ± 3.6° vs. -0.4 ± 3.3°, p = .002) MCD, greater dynamic LE stiffness after landing (0.09 ± 0.14 vs. -0.11 ± 0.14, p = .001) MCD, and increased gluteus maximus (GMAX) (0.20 ± 0.39%MVIC vs. -0.23 ± 0.46%MVIC, p = .006) and gluteus medius (GMED) EMG amplitude (0.22 ± 0.31 vs. -0.07 ± 0.36%MVIC, p = .018) MCD. This group also had decreased GMAX (-166.5 ± 403.6 ms vs. 89.3 ± 196 ms, p = .025), GMED (-75.9 ± 126.8 ms vs. 131.2 ± 207.1 ms, p = .002) and vastus lateralis (-109.1 ± 365 ms vs. 205.5 vs. 510 ms, p = .04) activation duration MCD. More experimental group subjects had increased landing knee flexion MCD (15/18 vs. 8/18, p = .015), increased dynamic LE stiffness MCD (15/18 vs. 2/18, p < .0001) and increased GMAX (15/18 vs. 7/18, p = .006) and GMED (17/18 vs. 10/18, p = .007) EMG amplitude MCD, and reduced GMAX (12/18 vs. 6/18, p = .046), GMED (11/18 vs. 5/18, p = .044), rectus femoris (12/18 vs. 6/18, p = .046), and vastus lateralis (13/18 vs. 7/18, p = .044) EMG activation duration MCD. Only the experimental group displayed significant relationships between landing and peak hip flexion and peak LE EMG amplitude MCD. CONCLUSION: Increased dynamic LE stiffness, increased hip muscle EMG amplitude and decreased hip and knee muscle activation duration MCD in the experimental group suggests improved LE neuromuscular control.

Physical therapy needs for patients with physical function injuries post-earthquake disasters: A systematic review of Chinese and Western literature.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Over the last 500 years, the most earthquakes with 10,000 or more fatalities and the most overall fatalities have occurred in China. Physical therapists must develop a better understanding of the patient and injury types that they are likely to treat post-earthquake disasters. This systematic review of Chinese and Western literature identified the primary patients treated by physical therapists post-earthquake disasters for injuries that negatively impacted physical function, activity, and participation. METHODS: Comparisons were made between reports of earthquakes in China and reports from the rest of the world combined. RESULTS: Sixty-seven studies of 71,986 patients (51.8% male) at 40.6 ± 15 years of age were included. Studies were mostly prospective (n = 48, 71.6%). Reports of earthquakes in China represented more recently occurring disasters (p = .003) and more prospective research designs (p = .003). Reports from China also had a higher median fracture number (p = .004). Studies from China used manual muscle testing (p = .02), visual analogue pain scales (p = .008), Barthel index or modified Barthel index (p < .0001), and joint motion assessment (p = .007) with greater frequencies. DISCUSSION: Physical therapists from China are more likely to treat patients with a fracture; however, physical therapists from both regions are likely to treat patients with general injuries representing poly-trauma to multiple body regions, traumatic brain-closed head injuries, spinal cord injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, and soft tissue injuries. IMPLICATIONS ON PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE: These data can help improve earthquake disaster planning, infrastructure development, and resource needs assessment effectiveness. More prospective research study designs and more recent earthquake disasters in China are likely associated with greater explicit use of valid and reliable outcome measurements such as joint motion assessment, manual muscle testing, visual analogue pain scale, and the Barthel index or modified Barthel index.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction-rehabilitation research methodological quality: a systematic review with world region comparisons.

PURPOSE: A systematic review and world region comparison of combined ACL reconstruction-rehabilitation studies was performed. METHODS: Studies that combined ACL surgical-rehabilitative management published between January 1990 and June 2014 were evaluated. The combined terms "rehabilitation" and "anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction" or "ACL reconstruction" were used to search the CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PEDro, and PubMed databases. A total of 5920 studies were initially identified. Inclusion criteria reduced this total to 299 studies that underwent abstract review. Following this, 155 studies underwent full text review and 109 met all inclusion criteria for Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS) evaluation. RESULTS: Overall, MCMS were 74.0 ± 17 (mean ± standard deviation). Europe had slightly greater MCMS than North America (P = 0.041). Specific MCMS components that displayed significant world region differences included use of an independent investigator (Europe > North America and Asia; P = 0.047), including a patient-completed written assessment (Europe > North America and Asia; P = 0.009), allowing the patient to complete the assessment without medical, surgical, or rehabilitation personnel intervention (Europe > North America and Asia; P = 0.009), and use of well-described subject selection or inclusion criteria (Europe > North America and Asia; P = 0.004). Tegner Activity Scale (P = 0.042) and VAS-Pain Scale (P = 0.007) use was greater in Europe compared with other world regions. Primary rehabilitation theme frequency was comparable between world regions (n.s.). CONCLUSION: Regional research methodological quality differences were observed. Europe displayed a slightly greater MCMS for combined ACL reconstruction-rehabilitation studies. With this information, research groups can design better team-based approaches to ensure that study findings provide sufficient significance to foster meaningful patient care improvements. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review, Level III.

International knee documentation committee knee survey use after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a 2005-2012 systematic review and world region comparison.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to evaluate International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) survey use after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction compared with other surveys and determine evidence levels and methodologic study quality by world region. METHODS: The Medline database was searched from January 2005 through December 2012. RESULTS: We identified 421 studies and 33 surveys. Europe and Australia had more objective and subjective IKDC form use (χ(2) = 9.6, P = .047). Europe and Asia had more objective IKDC form use (χ(2) = 19.4, P = .001). Asia had more Lysholm knee scale use (χ(2) = 29.9, P < .0001). Europe had more Tegner Activity Level scale (χ(2) = 31.7, P < .0001) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (χ(2) = 20.5, P < .0001) use. North America and Australia had more Cincinnati or Noyes knee rating scale use (χ(2) = 21, P < .0001). Asia and Australia had more studies with greater than 60 subjects (χ(2) = 24.4, P = .018). Europe had more studies with greater than 24 months' follow-up (χ(2) = 18.4, P = .018). Asia had more studies with adequate surgical descriptions (χ(2) = 33.2, P < .0001). North America had more studies with well-described rehabilitation (χ(2) = 18.2, P = .02). Europe had more studies with confirmed recruitment (χ(2) = 12.9, P = .012). Australia and North America had more studies with confirmed independent investigators (χ(2) = 11.1, P = .026). Europe had more studies with greater than 80% recruitment (χ(2) = 16.0, P = .04). Methodologically stronger studies used the objective IKDC survey (P < .0001), the objective and subjective IKDC survey (P = .002), or the Cincinnati or Noyes scale (P = .002). This group also made greater use of the Tegner scale (P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: Objective and subjective IKDC form use is comparable with Lysholm and Tegner scale use. Objective and subjective IKDC form use in combination with the Tegner Activity Level scale is recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level I-IV studies.