Quantified Deltoid Muscle Stiffness Can Predict Improved Muscle Strength for Elevation Following Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Objective: Although the indications for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) are expanding, an improvement in muscle strength in each patient following RSA remains unclear. The objective was to investigate whether or not improvement in muscle strength for shoulder elevation in patients who underwent RSA was influenced by pre- or postoperative deltoid muscle stiffness measured using shear wave elastography (SWE). Methods: Sixty-five patients who underwent RSA over a 12-month follow-up period were included. Patient characteristics and clinical and radiologic measurements were recorded. Preoperatively and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery, deltoid muscle stiffness and muscle strength for scapular-plane abduction were sequentially measured using SWE and a portable dynamometer. In each quarterly period (3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 months), patients were assessed for an improvement in muscle strength and separated into two groups: improved and non-improved. To assess the risk of lack of improvement in each quarterly period, the variables were compared between the groups. Results: Improvement in muscle strength was observed in 52 patients (80%) at 3-6 months, 46 patients (71%) at 6-9 months, and 39 patients (60%) at 9-12 months. Notably, SWE measurements at the beginning of each period showed significantly greater values in the non-improved group than in the improved group during the subsequent quarterly period. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that SWE values >45.1-50.0 kPa might be associated with a lack of muscle strength improvement over 3 months with 73-87% specificity and 73-85% sensitivity. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that increased deltoid muscle stiffness negatively correlated with an improvement in muscle strength following RSA. According to our results, a postoperative assessment with SWE may be useful for not only improving muscle strength after RSA but also facilitating postoperative improvement by preventing excessive stiffness in the deltoid muscle.

Evolution of Stemless Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: Current Indications, Outcomes, and Future Prospects.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is increasingly being used as a reliable option for various shoulder disorders with deteriorated rotator cuff and glenohumeral joints. The stemless humerus component for shoulder arthroplasties is evolving with theoretical advantages, such as preservation of the humeral bone stock and decreased risk of periprosthetic fractures, as well as clinical research demonstrating less intraoperative blood loss, reduced surgical time, a lower rate of intraoperative fractures, and improved center of rotation restoration. In particular, for anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA), the utilization of stemless humeral implants is gaining consensus in younger patients. The current systematic review of 14 clinical studies (637 shoulders) demonstrated the clinical outcomes of stemless rTSA. Regarding shoulder function, the mean Constant-Murley Score (CS) improved from 28.3 preoperatively to 62.8 postoperatively. The pooled overall complication and revision rates were 14.3% and 6.3%, respectively. In addition, recent studies have shown satisfactory outcomes with stemless rTSA relative to stemmed rTSA. Therefore, shoulder surgeons may consider adopting stemless rTSA, especially in patients with sufficient bone quality. However, further long-term studies comparing survivorship between stemless and stemmed rTSA are required to determine the gold standard for selecting stemless rTSA.

Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Treated With Continuous Local Antibiotic Perfusion: A Case Report.

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a crucial complication of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) with a high-concentration antimicrobial pharmacy administration method has recently received attention owing to its effectiveness in the treatment of bone and soft tissue infections. We herein report a case of PJI following RSA that was successfully treated with CLAP without removal of the entire implant. A 73-year-old woman with comorbidities of diabetes mellitus and hypertension underwent RSA. The wound was found to be swollen eight weeks after RSA, and purulent content that was positive for Propionibacterium granulosum was identified. Blood samples indicated a mildly elevated inflammatory response. With a diagnosis of PJI spread from the intra-articular to subcutaneous regions without implant loosening, the patient underwent surgical treatment nine weeks after RSA. The contaminated tissues were thoroughly debrided, and the prosthetic joint was preserved by replacing the glenosphere and polyethylene liner. Intra-soft tissue antibiotic perfusion (iSAP) tubes and effluent drains were placed intra-articularly and subcutaneously, and gentamicin was infused continuously for 12 days. In addition, ceftriaxone and rifampicin were administered. The patient was subsequently treated with minocycline and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim or clindamycin for eight weeks. The inflammatory reaction became negative six weeks postoperatively, and the patient had no recurrence at 15 months postoperatively. Treatment of PJI is considered a long-lasting, challenging process. This case report supports the feasibility of using CLAP in the treatment of PJI.

A survey and biomechanical analysis of the feasibility of the thumb test for determining the cancellous bone quality for stemless shoulder prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the thumb test for assessing the cancellous bone quality at the resection plane of the proximal humerus on determining the application of a stemless shoulder prosthesis remains unclear. This study was conducted to survey the current utilization of the thumb test among surgeons and to investigate biomechanical features of the thumb test. METHOD: A survey among shoulder surgeons who had experience with stemless prostheses was conducted to investigate the current utilization of preoperative assessments and intraoperative thumb test when applying stemless prosthesis. Biomechanical experiments for the thumb test using artificial bone models were performed to assess the compression force, contact pressure and area. According to the preliminary survey, three compression techniques were assessed: compression perpendicular to the surface with thumb pad (P-pad technique) or tip of the thumb (P-tip technique), or compression in the vertical direction simulating compression along the longitudinal axis of the humeral shaft with tip-pad of the thumb (H-axis technique). The contact area was separated into three subregions (proximal, middle and distal) to assess the distribution of contact pressure. RESULTS: Among 38 surgeons, 66% utilized the thumb test intraoperatively. The P-pad technique was more frequently applied than the P-tip or H-axis techniques (80%, 4% and 16%, respectively). Although with wide variation among the examiners, biomechanical assessments revealed the P-pad technique showed larger contact area and less compression force than the P-tip technique. The P-pad technique provided no significant localized differences in the mean contact pressure on the compressed plane, whereas the P-tip and H-axis techniques showed significant differences among subregions. CONCLUSION: This survey demonstrated relatively frequent application of the thumb test on applying the stemless shoulder prosthesis. Biomechanical assessment revealed the thumb test can hinder objective reproducibility among examiners; therefore, further investigations to identify feasible assessments of the bone quality is required.

Medial Condyle Fracture of the Distal Humerus in an Elderly Patient With Fishtail Deformity and Lateral Condyle Nonunion: A Case Report.

A medial condyle fracture of the humerus with preexisting fishtail deformity and lateral condyle nonunion is very rare, and there have been few reports describing favorable treatment options. We herein report the case of an 83-year-old woman who sustained a medial condyle fracture of her elbow with a comorbidity of long-lasting limited elbow motion with a history of elbow trauma in childhood. After conservative treatment with casting for four weeks, unstable medial condyle fracture in the presence of fishtail deformity and lateral condyle nonunion remained. Due to persistent pain, the patient underwent surgical treatment with semiconstrained total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) through the triceps-on approach. At the 12-month follow-up examination, the patient had no pain and achieved satisfactory functional outcomes. This case report demonstrated the efficacy of TEA for deteriorated stability due to bilateral condyle fracture/nonunion with fishtail deformity of the humerus.

The quantification of muscle activities during arm elevation following reverse shoulder arthroplasty or superior capsular reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears using positron emission tomography.

BACKGROUND: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) are recognized as surgical options for an irreparable rotator cuff tear. However, the postoperative changes of the muscle activity patterns remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quantified muscle activities on shoulder elevation in patients treated with RSA or SCR using fluorine-18-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. METHODS: Asymptomatic shoulders that underwent RSA or SCR and those without a rotator cuff tear were analyzed as the RSA, SCR, and control groups. All subjects underwent shoulder elevation exercise, followed by a fluorine-18-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography examination. Using previously established methods to quantify the uptake of each muscle on positron emission tomography images, the standard uptake values (SUVs) for 16 portions of the deltoid, rotator cuff, and periscapular muscles were obtained to compare the muscle activity patterns among 3 groups. RESULTS: The deltoid muscle showed the most characteristic differences according to the surgeries. The mean SUVs of the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid were 3.3, 3.7, and 1.5 for the RSA group; 2.7, 4.2, and 1.5 for the SCR group; and 1.3, 2.0, and 0.9 for the control group, respectively. In comparison to the control group, both the RSA and SCR groups showed significantly increased SUVs at all portions of the deltoid muscle. The RSA group showed similar SUVs for the anterior and middle deltoid, whereas the SCR and control groups showed greatest SUVs at the middle deltoid. In addition, the serratus anterior, levator scapulae, and upper portion of the trapezius in the RSA group showed greater SUVs than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The deltoid muscle showed increased activity in the RSA and SCR groups. The middle deltoid was mainly used in the SCR group, whereas the anterior and middle deltoid, as well as the upward rotator muscles of the scapula, were mainly used in the RSA group.

Simultaneous Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty and Open Reduction With Internal Fixation for Bilateral Proximal Humerus Fractures in the Elderly: A Report of Two Cases.

Simultaneous bilateral proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) caused by a single trauma are considered rare. We herein report two patients with bilateral PHFs treated based on our treatment strategy: reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) to obtain rigid stability for one shoulder and open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) to regain the mobility of external and internal rotation for the other. By using Neer's four-segment fracture classification, patients underwent RSA for one shoulder with the more advanced fracture type and ORIF for the other. In Case 1, a 74-year-old female presented with bilaterally comminuted PHFs and underwent surgical treatment with RSA and ORIF. In Case 2, a 78-year-old female with the comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis and a history of total elbow arthroplasty for both elbows had bilateral PHFs and underwent surgical treatment with RSA and ORIF. Postoperatively, both patients were instructed to perform exercises including passive range of motion (ROM) for a week, active ROM exercises for two weeks, and muscle strengthening for six weeks after the surgery. At the follow-up, both patients were satisfied with the pain relief and functional recovery. Especially, increased ROM for external and internal rotation was obtained in shoulders with ORIF. These case reports describe a viable treatment option comprising simultaneous RSA and ORIF, and this surgical approach may restore shoulder functions in cases of bilateral PHFs.

Three-dimensional quantitative measurements of atrophy and fat infiltration in sub-regions of the supraspinatus muscle show heterogeneous distributions: a cadaveric study.

INTRODUCTION: Rotator cuff tears are common in the older population. Atrophy and fat infiltration develop un-evenly in torn supraspinatus (SSP) muscles leading to pre- and post-surgical complications. The purpose of the current study was twofold: first, to implement a volumetric and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach to quantify the degree of muscle atrophy and fat infiltration within the SSP muscle and its four sub-regions (AS, PS, AD, and PD); second to compare 3-D MRI outcomes to the standard 2-D assessment and investigate their relationship with tear size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen cadaveric shoulders were obtained and MRI performed. Quantitative 3-D outcomes included SSP muscle volume, fossa volume, fat-free muscle volume, and fat fraction for the whole SSP muscle and its four sub-regions. 2-D and qualitative measurements included tear size, 2-D fat infiltration using the Goutallier classification, tangent sign, and occupation ratio. RESULTS: Linear regression outcomes with tear size were not significant for both cross-sectional area (r = - 0.494, p = 0.061) and occupation ratio (r = - 0.011, p = 0.969). Tear size negatively correlated with fat-free muscle volume for both AS and PS sub-regions (AS: r = - 0.78, p < 0.001; PS: r = - 0.68, p = 0.005, respectively) while showing no significant correlation with fat fraction outcomes. AD and PD sub-regions positively correlated with tear size and fat fraction outcomes (AD: r = 0.70, p = 0.017; PD: r = 0.52, p = 0.045, respectively), while no significant correlation was observed between tear size and fat-free muscle volumes. CONCLUSION: Quantitative 3-D volumetric assessment of muscle degeneration resulted in better outcomes compared to the standard 2-D evaluation. The superficial supraspinatus muscle sub-regions primarily presented muscle atrophy, while the deep sub-regions were mainly affected by fat infiltration. 3-D assessments could be used pre-surgically to determine the best course of treatment and to estimate the muscles' regenerative capacity and function.

Surgical treatment for persistent second carpometacarpal joint pain.

The purposes of this study were to demonstrate the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent second carpometacarpal (CMC) joint pain without bony abnormalities known as the carpal boss, and to assess the clinical efficacy of surgical stabilization of the second CMC joint. Eleven patients had persistent wrist pain with characteristic symptoms, including tenderness over the second CMC joint, increased symptoms when the involved hand was placed on the ground or gripped strongly with the involved hand, a positive metacarpal stress test and temporary pain relief with the intra-articular injection of the lidocaine. The patients underwent arthrodesis of the second CMC joint. All cases showed radiologically confirmed fusion of the second CMC joint. At the final followup examination, 10 of 11 patients resulted in satisfactory clinical outcomes, excepting one patient with remnant pain and restricted range of wrist motions. This report highlights the importance of conducting a careful assessment of patients who present with persistent second CMC joint pain without the bony abnormalities, such as carpal bossing. Surgery to stabilize the second CMC joint may be an option to improve their symptoms when conservative treatment fails.

Ultrasonographic Measurement of the Median Nerve Transverse Diameter at the Wrist for Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: Ultrasonographically measuring the median nerve cross-sectional area (MN-CSA) is a useful and complementary method for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study investigated the usefulness of the median nerve transverse diameter (MN-TD) as a simpler and easier technique than MN-CSA for diagnosing CTS severity. Methods: We examined 145 hands from 101 patients with CTS and 114 age- and gender-matched control hands. Based on the electrodiagnostic findings, the severity of CTS was divided into minimal, mild, moderate, severe and extreme. An ultrasonographic assessment of MN-TD and MN-CSA was performed to measure the maximal values around the carpal tunnel inlet level. The values were assessed for comparisons between the CTS and control groups and for the evaluation of differences by CTS severity. Results: The ultrasonographic measurements of MN-TD and MN-CSA were significantly increased in the CTS group compared to the normal group. Furthermore, both measurements significantly increased with increasing CTS severity. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that participants with MN-TD > 7.2 mm had CTS with 88% specificity and 74% sensitivity, and those with MN-CSA > 12.0 mm2 had CTS with 86% specificity and 84% sensitivity. Conclusions: Ultrasonographic measurement for MN-TD may be useful for diagnosing CTS patients and predicting the severity.

Stiffness of the infraspinatus and the teres minor muscles during shoulder external rotation: An in-vitro and in-vivo shear wave elastography study.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the morphological and functional differences in the anatomical sub-regions of the rotator cuff muscles is critical so that appropriate surgical and rehabilitation methodologies can be implemented in patients with shoulder-related injuries. The purpose of the current study was to develop a comprehensive imaging protocol using shear-wave elastography for the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles, and investigate differences in elastic properties of three distinct infraspinatus muscle sub-regions and of the teres minor muscle. METHODS: First, we developed a protocol for probe positioning for both muscles using three cadaveric shoulders. Second, we evaluated in-vivo elastic properties [passive and active stiffness (kPa)] and excursion (mm) outcomes from these muscles during shoulder external rotation. FINDINGS: Elastic properties were significantly different among the infraspinatus muscle sub-regions and teres minor muscle. Passive stiffness decreased with increasing rotation angles except for the middle sub-region of the infraspinatus muscle which showed a decreased up to mid-range followed by an increment towards the end-range. Overall, active stiffness of the infraspinatus muscle and teres minor muscle decreased with increasing rotation angles, while that of the middle sub-region increased up to mid-range, and decreased at the end-range. INTERPRETATION: Distinct characteristics of the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles, and more importantly, of the individual sub-regions within the infraspinatus muscle call for an in-depth analysis of their morphological and functional differences. Special attention should be put into these sub-regions when performing surgical and rehabilitation procedures for patients with shoulder-related injuries.

Clinical Features of Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome and the Diagnostic Value of Nerve Conduction Measurements.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to assess the clinical features of ulnar tunnel syndrome (UTS) and to investigate the diagnostic value of nerve conduction measurements for UTS. METHODS: Eighteen patients with UTS were reviewed retrospectively. Fifteen patients had intrinsic muscle atrophy and motor weakness, and 15 had numbness with hypesthesia. The compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle and the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscle and the sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) from the little finger were recorded and analyzed. All patients underwent ulnar tunnel release surgery and neurolysis. Static two-point discrimination test results and pinch strengths were assessed before and after surgery. RESULTS: Before surgery, FDI-CMAP was recorded in 17 patients, and ADM-CMAP in 16, and all showed delayed latency and/or low amplitude. SNAP was recorded in eight patients and two showed delayed latency. The causes of ulnar nerve lesions were ganglion in five patients, traumatic adhesion in four, ulnar artery aberrancy in four, pisohamate arch in three, anomalous muscle in one, and ulnar vein varix in one. The sites of the lesions were in zone 1 of the ulnar tunnel anatomy in 12 patients, in zone 2 in 2, and in zones 1 and 2 in 4. After surgery, all patients obtained recovery of motor function and sensation; however, postoperative FDI-CMAP and ADM-CMAP did not improve to the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: The causes of UTS were ganglion, traumatic adhesion, ulnar artery aberrancy, and pisohamate arch. Both FDI-CMAP and ADM-CMAP were valuable for electrophysiological diagnosis of UTS.

Does glenoid remodeling occur with an erosion-type bone loss after arthroscopic Bankart repair?

INTRODUCTION: Fragment-type glenoid bone loss is known to remodel after arthroscopic Bankart repair. To our knowledge, no studies have been reported about the morphologic changes of the erosion-type bone loss. AIM: To determine the morphologic changes of erosion-type glenoid bone loss after arthroscopic Bankart repair. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (mean age: 31 years) with traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability with an erosion-type glenoid bone loss <25% underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. Pre- and postoperative bilateral computed tomography scans were performed in all patients. The width and surface area of the glenoid were measured by a software program and compared pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The recurrence rate was 7.1% (2 of 28 shoulders). The size of the bone loss was 7.2% ± 5.3% (mean ± standard deviation). The preoperative glenoid width and area were 24.9 ± 2.2 mm and 7.0 ± 0.8 cm2, respectively, and the postoperative ones (2 years after surgery) were 24.7 ± 2.2 mm and 6.8 ± 0.8 cm2, respectively. There were no significant differences between the pre- and postoperative glenoid width and area. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Unlike the fragment-type bone loss, the erosion-type bone loss <25% did not show any morphologic changes of the glenoid at least 2 years after arthroscopic Bankart repair.

Mechanism and patterns of bone loss in patients with anterior shoulder dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Bony defects are common injuries associated with anterior shoulder dislocation. It is generally thought that these bony defects are created at the time of dislocation. However, there have been no biomechanical reports demonstrating the exact time point when these lesions occur. The purpose of this study was to clarify when, how, and which types of bony defects were created during experimental dislocation in cadaveric shoulders. METHODS: Fifteen fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders (mean age at the time of death, 79 years) were fixed in a custom testing machine. First, the glenohumeral joint was inspected by arthroscopy. Then, the arm was held at 60° of abduction and maximum external rotation and was manually extended horizontally under fluoroscopy until an anterior dislocation occurred. Next, a force of 800 N was applied to a Kirschner wire inserted in the humeral head in the direction of the pectoralis major with use of an air cylinder. We waited until the arm came to equilibrium under this condition. Finally, the glenohumeral joint was arthroscopically examined. We further performed x-ray micro-computed tomography and histologic examination in 1 shoulder with a bipolar lesion. RESULTS: After the anterior dislocation, a Bankart lesion was created in 9 of 15 shoulders and a fragment-type glenoid defect (avulsion fracture) was created in 4. A Hill-Sachs lesion, on the other hand, was not observed after the dislocation. The equilibrium arm position was 40° ± 17° in flexion, 45° ± 22° in abduction, and 27° ± 19° in external rotation. In this arm position, newly created lesions were Hill-Sachs lesions in 6 shoulders and erosion-type glenoid defects (compression fracture) in 7. Micro-computed tomography, performed in a single specimen, showed a flattened anterior glenoid rim with collapse of trabecular bone. Histologic analysis of nondecalcified sections using hematoxylin-eosin staining indicated that the anterior rim of the glenoid was compressed and flattened. The cortex of the anterior glenoid rim could be clearly observed. CONCLUSION: The fragment-type glenoid defect (avulsion fracture) was observed at the time of dislocation, whereas the erosion-type defect (compression fracture) was observed when the arm came to equilibrium in the midrange of motion. Hill-Sachs lesions were created not at the time of dislocation but after the arm came to equilibrium.

Downsizing effect of a modular radial head prosthesis on the lateral collateral ligament of the elbow: A cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear how the head and stem diameters for the radial head prosthesis could affect mechanical properties of the lateral collateral ligament measured by strain changes during elbow and forearm motions. METHODS: Eight cadaveric specimens were secured to the device, which allows elbow flexion-extension and forearm pro-supination. Using six different implant combinations comprising 2 sizes for the head (long- and short-axis of the native head) and 3 sizes for the stem (press-fit, -1 mm, and -2 mm downsizing), prostheses were attached via the posterior approach. A differential variable reluctance transducer placed on the central portion of the radial collateral ligament were used for strain measurement with elbow flexion at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°. At each position, the strain patterns with the forearm in the neutral and 45° pro-supination positions were also assessed. FINDINGS: Specimens implanted with long-axis head component showed greater increases in the ligament strain during elbow flexion than intact specimens or those implanted with short-axis head. Compared to press-fit stem, implants with downsizing to -1 mm approximated strain patterns during pro-supination with elbow extension to intact condition. INTERPRETATION: Morphologic variation of the head and stem components in radial head prostheses led to altered strain patterns in the lateral collateral ligament during elbow and forearm motions. A short-axis head component can be used to prevent excessive strain changes after the prosthesis application. Downsizing of the stem component might be an option for approximating the biomechanics at the radiocapitellar joint during forearm rotation to the intact elbow.

Immobilization in External Rotation Reduces the Risk of Recurrence After Primary Anterior Shoulder Dislocation: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The best method for nonsurgical treatment after primary dislocation of the shoulder is not clear. The efficacy of immobilization with the arm in external rotation (ER) compared with internal rotation (IR) remains controversial. PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of ER immobilization versus IR immobilization on recurrence rate after primary dislocation of the shoulder from the evidence of randomized controlled trials. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Electronic databases (MEDLINE [Ovid SP], PubMed, Web of Science, EBM reviews, and CINAHL) and available proceedings according to the abstracts of major international meetings related to or including shoulder injuries and trauma were used to search for randomized controlled trials. Two independent investigators determined eligibility and carried out data extraction from the selected studies. RESULTS: A total of 9 studies (817 patients) were selected for this meta-analysis. They included 668 male and 149 female patients, with a mean age ranging from 20.3 to 37.5 years. In the 9 pooled studies, the recurrence rate of shoulder dislocation was 21.5% (84/390) in the ER group versus 34.9% (130/373) in the IR group. ER immobilization significantly reduced the recurrence rate compared with IR immobilization (risk ratio, 0.56; P = .007). In the subgroup analysis of those immobilized full-time, ER immobilization was significantly more effective than IR immobilization in reducing the recurrence rate (risk ratio, 0.57; P = .01). In the subgroup analysis of age, ER immobilization was significantly more effective than IR immobilization in those aged 20 to 40 years but not in those younger than 20 years. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates that ER immobilization reduces the recurrence rate after primary shoulder dislocation compared with IR immobilization in patients older than 20 years. When treating a patient with primary shoulder dislocation, the clinician should provide this information to the patient before a treatment method is selected.

Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with immunosuppression following solid organ transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose was to determine the risk and outcomes of primary shoulder arthroplasties in patients with immunosuppression who had undergone solid organ transplantation. METHODS: Using a single institution's total joint registry, we reviewed 30 primary shoulder arthroplasties in 25 post-transplantation patients, including 12 total shoulder arthroplasties, 10 hemiarthroplasties, and 8 reverse shoulder arthroplasties, between 1985 and 2012. Therapy and patient variables were recorded, including immunosuppressive therapy protocols, the date of preceding solid organ transplantation, and specific medications taken in the perioperative period. We matched a cohort of control patients for age, sex, type of implant, and year of surgery at a ratio of 4:1. Two groups were compared regarding mortality risk, complications, and clinical outcomes (pain score, range of motion, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score). RESULTS: No periprosthetic infections occurred in the post-transplantation group at a mean follow-up of 39 months. However, the post-transplantation group showed an increased risk of periprosthetic fractures compared with the control group (hazard ratio, 8.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-70.98; P = .03). Despite the increase in fractures, the overall number of complications did not differ between the groups. Furthermore, postoperative shoulder function and outcome scores were not significantly different between patients who had a prior transplant and those who did not. CONCLUSION: Primary shoulder arthroplasty in patients with immunosuppression who underwent solid organ transplantation is a successful procedure to treat glenohumeral arthritis. In contrast, there may be an increased risk of periprosthetic fractures in patients with a history of a solid organ transplant.

Comparison of best-fit circle versus contralateral comparison methods to quantify glenoid bone defect.

BACKGROUND: Several measurement techniques have been reported to quantify glenoid bone defect in patients with anterior shoulder instability. Among them, the method that uses a best-fit circle and another that uses the contralateral glenoid as a control are most commonly used. However, to our knowledge, no study has been reported that compared the reliability of these methods. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine which of these methods has higher reproducibility. METHOD: In this study, 3-dimensional computed tomography data from 94 patients (mean age 29 years) with unilateral anterior shoulder instability were used. Three examiners measured the glenoid bone defect of each patient 3 times using 2 techniques: the best-fit circle method and the contralateral comparison method. Intra- and interobserver reliabilities were measured using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The intraobserver reliability was found to be 0.91 for the best-fit circle method and 0.98 for the contralateral comparison method. The interobserver reliability was 0.77 for the best-fit circle method and 0.88 for the contralateral method. The percentage of glenoid defect was 11.5% when using the best-fit circle and 10.7% with the contralateral method. CONCLUSION: The contralateral comparison method was more reliable than the best-fit circle method for quantifying the amount of glenoid bone loss.

Peripheral-Track and Central-Track Hill-Sachs Lesions: A New Concept of Assessing an On-Track Lesion.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated biomechanically that 25% is a critical size defect of the glenoid. However, a recent clinical study reported that a bone loss between 13.5% and 20% (subcritical bone loss) led to impairment of quality of life but not a recurrence of instability. PURPOSE: To clarify whether a subcritical bone loss exists in assessing a Hill-Sachs lesion via a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Fifty patients (mean age, 27 years) with <25% glenoid defect who were treated with arthroscopic Bankart repair for recurrent anterior dislocation were assessed at a mean follow-up of 28 months. All had an on-track Hill-Sachs lesion. The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) and Rowe scores were used for the clinical evaluation. The Hill-Sachs interval was measured on 3-dimensional computed tomography images and divided by the glenoid track width, defined as the Hill-Sachs occupancy (in percentages). The glenoid track was divided into 4 zones based on the percentage of the Hill-Sachs occupancy: zone 1, <25%; zone 2, 25% to <50%; zone 3, 50% to <75%; and zone 4, ≥75%. RESULTS: The recurrence rate was 6% (3 of 50 shoulders). The Rowe score significantly improved from 45.2 ± 4.7 (mean ± SD) preoperatively to 92.3 ± 6.5 at the final follow-up (P < .05). The WOSI score also significantly increased from 46.6% ± 19.3% preoperatively to 72.3% ± 21.0% at the final follow-up (P < .001). The WOSI score of patients in zone 4 (peripheral-track lesion) (n = 10) was significantly lower than those in the other zones (central-track lesion) (P = .0379). Of the 10 patients with the peripheral-track lesion, 5 had a <40% WOSI score, similar to the preoperative WOSI score (46.6%). CONCLUSION: Patients with on-track lesions can be divided into 2 subgroups: those with the Hill-Sachs occupancy ≥75% (peripheral-track lesion) showed significantly worse WOSI score without recurrent instability events than those with the Hill-Sacks occupancy <75% (central-track lesion).