Editorial Commentary: The Shoulder Transpectoralis Portal for Arthroscopic Latarjet: Medial to the Coracoid Can Also Be a Safe Side!

The all-arthroscopic Latarjet is gaining popularity among shoulder surgeons, although the procedure is technically demanding and potentially dangerous, placing the brachial plexus and axillary vessels at risk when using screws for fixation of the bone block from the front. Matsen once wrote that "lateral to the coracoid is the safe side, while medial to the coracoid is the suicide." However, creation of a portal medial to the coracoid during arthroscopic reconstruction of the glenoid is needed to permit accurate positioning of the screws (parallel to the glenoid surface) and coracoid bone block (flush to the glenoid surface). Our own clinical experience with the arthroscopic Latarjet over the last decade has shown us that the safety of the arthroscopic medial transpectoralis portal depends on 3 technical considerations: (1) the portal should always be established in an outside-in fashion from anterior to posterior; (2) passing through the pectoralis major muscle with a relatively superficial trajectory, using a switching stick oriented with a 45° orientation toward the tip of the coracoid; and (3) under visual control of the anterior extra-articular subdeltoid space to end up lateral to the coracoid process. If these conditions are respected, surgeons should not worry: medial to the coracoid can also be a safe side! An inside-out technique (introducing a switching stick from posterior to anterior) is forbidden, as this would end up piercing the neurovascular structures. Once the coracoid has been osteotomized and the conjoint tendon retracted distally, all instruments passing though the transpectoral portal are directly in contact with the neurovascular structures. This is why working through the medial transpectoralis portal should be done only with the help of a cannula or half-pipe. Ideally, the transpectoral portal should not be used as a "working portal" but as a "protecting portal" instead, placing a stick or spreader to protect the neurovascular structures. To avoid working through the anterior medial portal, we have proposed a much safer alternative that consists of drilling the glenoid from posterior to anterior (using a guide and remaining inside the glenohumeral joint) and using cortical-buttons (instead of screws) for coracoid fixation. In this modern technique, the transpectoral portal makes the arthroscopic safe as it allows the introduction of a spreader to retract the subscapularis muscle and protect the neurovascular structures during transfer and fixation of the coracoid bone block.

Bony increased-offset-reverse shoulder arthroplasty: 5 to 10 years' follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Glenoid lateralization has been shown to be the most imortant factor in maximizing passive range of motion and shoulder stability while preventing scapular impingement and notching. We aimed to evaluate mid- to long-term functional and radiologic outcomes after bony increased-offset-reverse shoulder arthroplasty (BIO-RSA) using a Grammont-style (medialized) humeral implant. METHODS: The study included 143 consecutive shoulders (140 patients; mean age, 72 years) treated with a BIO-RSA for rotator cuff deficiency. A cylinder of autologous cancellous bone graft, harvested from the humeral head, was placed between the reamed glenoid surface and baseplate; fixation was achieved using a long central peg (25 mm) and 4 screws. A large baseplate (29 mm) with a small baseplate sphere (36 mm) was used in 77% of cases, and a Grammont-style (medialized) humeral implant with 155° of inclination was used in all cases. All patients underwent clinical and radiographic assessment at a minimum of 5 years after surgery; in addition, 86 cases (60%) underwent computed tomography scan assessment. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 75 months (range, 60-126 months), the survivorship of the BIO-RSA using revision as an endpoint was 96%. No cases of dislocation or humeral loosening were observed. Overall, 118 patients (83%) were either very satisfied (61%) or satisfied (22%). The adjusted Constant score improved from 40% ± 18% to 93% ± 23%, and the Subjective Shoulder Value improved from 31% ± 15% to 77% ± 18% (P < .001). The humeral bone graft incorporated completely in 96% of cases (137 of 143). Severe inferior scapular notching (grade 3 or 4) occurred in 18% (24 of 136). The risk of postoperative notching correlated to a lower body mass index (P < .05), superior glenosphere inclination (P = .02), and high or flush glenosphere positioning (P = .035). CONCLUSIONS: BIO-RSA is a safe and effective technique to lateralize the glenoid, providing consistent bone graft healing, excellent functional outcomes, a low revision rate, and a high rate of patient satisfaction. Thin patients (with a low body mass index) and glenosphere malposition (with persistent superior inclination and/or insufficient lowering of the baseplate and sphere) are associated with higher risk of scapular notching.Our data confirm the importance of implanting the baseplate with a neutral inclination (reverse shoulder arthroplasty angle < 5°) and with sufficient glenosphere inferior overhang (>5 mm) in preventing scapular notching. The use of a less medialized humeral implant (135° or 145° inclined) and smaller (25-mm) baseplate (when using a small, 36-mm sphere) should allow reduction in the incidence of scapular notching.

Long-term outcomes following isolated arthroscopic Bankart repair: a 9- to 12-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcomes following arthroscopic Bankart repair have been rarely reported. Because of its relative novelty, little is known about recurrent instability, postoperative arthritis, and patient satisfaction, particularly for well-established modern procedures. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes following arthroscopic Bankart repair. METHODS: Patients who underwent isolated arthroscopic Bankart repair from 2003 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Recurrent instability, radiographic, and clinical scores (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES], Simple Shoulder Test [SST], and Rowe scores) were evaluated. Patient factors (ie, age, gender, side, number of instability episodes, contact sports, and bone loss) were analyzed to determine the correlation with outcome measures. RESULTS: Among the 98 patients (102 shoulders), we were able to contact 50 patients (51 shoulders, mean age 27.0 years, mean follow-up 121.2 months). Significant bone loss in glenoid and humerus was arthroscopically observed in 16 (31.4%) and 28 (54.9%) shoulders, respectively. Sixteen shoulders (31.4%) experienced recurrent instability. Recent radiographs were obtained for 38 shoulders, 14 (36.8%) of which showed moderate to severe arthritis. Clinical outcomes at follow-up were 89.3, 10.8, and 76.0 for ASES, SST, and Rowe scores, respectively. Neither recurrent instability nor arthritis was correlated with any patient factors. CONCLUSION: When isolated arthroscopic Bankart repair was used in all patients with shoulder instability regardless of bony defect, postoperative recurrent instability and arthritis rates were unacceptably high. Additional procedures should be chosen after careful consideration of multiple patient factors.

The Effect of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Tendon-to-Bone Healing: A Systematic Review with Subgroup Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is some concern that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may impair the healing of certain musculoskeletal tissues. However, the effect of NSAIDs on the specialized fibrocartilaginous transition at the tendon-to-bone interface remains largely unknown. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of NSAIDs on tendon-to-bone healing following acute injury or surgery. Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), and SportDiscus databases were searched from the time of database inception to May 14, 2018 to identify all clinical and basic science studies investigating the effect of NSAIDs on tendon-to-bone healing. Methodological quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) and SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory animal Research (SYRCLE) risk of bias assessment tools for clinical and basic science studies, respectively. A qualitative synthesis of the literature was performed with a subgroup meta-analysis of homogeneous basic science studies. Results: A total of 13 studies, including three clinical and 10 basic science studies, were included. The overall methodological quality of the included clinical studies was poor, while assessment of the basic science studies revealed consistent areas at high or unclear risk of bias. Of the included clinical studies, a single study reported a higher rate of rotator cuff repair failure with selective (COX-2) NSAID use compared with non-selective NSAID use, while no clinical failures were noted with NSAID use following distal biceps tendon repair. Basic science studies had heterogeneous outcome reporting. A subgroup analysis of homogeneous animal studies revealed no significant effect of all NSAIDs (Standard Mean Difference [SMD] -1.05, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] -2.39-0.30, p=0.13) or non-selective NSAIDs on load to failure (SMD -0.62, 95% CI -1.26-0.02, p=0.06). Conclusions: The current literature does not provide sufficient evidence for or against the use of NSAIDs following acute injury or surgical repair of the tendon-bone interface.Level of Evidence: IV.

All-arthroscopic, guided Eden-Hybbinette procedure using suture-button fixation for revision of failed Latarjet.

PURPOSE: To report the results of a guided arthroscopic Eden-Hybbinette procedure, using suture button for iliac crest bone graft fixation, in a series of patients with a prior failed Latarjet and persistent glenoid bone loss. METHODS: Seven consecutive patients (5 males, 2 females, mean age: 30.7 years [range, 17-47 years]) with recurrent anterior dislocations and glenoid deficiency greater than 20% underwent the all-arthroscopic revision procedure. The iliac crest bone graft and suture-button device (Bone-Link) were shuttled through the rotator interval. Specific drill guides were used and a suture tensioning device allowed bone graft compression. Previous broken screw shafts (3 patients) were left in situ. Graft placement and healing was assessed postoperatively with computed tomography imaging. RESULTS: No neurologic injury or hardware problems occurred, and no patient required further surgery. On computed tomography scan, optimal positioning (flush and under the equator) and healing of the bone graft was observed in all patients. At a mean follow-up of 21 months (range, 12-39 months), all but one patient were satisfied and had a stable shoulder; 5 returned to sports. The Constant score increased from 32 to 81 points, and the subjective shoulder value from 31% to 87% (P < .001). The Walch-Duplay and Rowe scores averaged 85.7 (range, 65-100) points and 86.4 (range, 70-100) points, respectively. CONCLUSION: Recurrence of anterior shoulder instability after a failed Latarjet procedure can be successfully treated by an all-arthroscopic Eden-Hybbinette procedure. Suture-button fixation is reliable and permits optimal positioning and predictable healing of the new bone graft; in addition, it is an appropriate fixation option in the setting of retained broken hardware.

Editorial Commentary: Which Patients Are Likely to Undergo Redislocation After an Arthroscopic Bankart Repair? Preoperative Instability Severity Index Scoring Over 3 Points-The Game Is Over!

Risk factors for recurrent instability are present and identifiable preoperatively and can be incorporated into a severity scoring system to help with patient selection. The Instability Severity Index (ISI) Score is a tool used to preoperatively identify patients at risk of failure after an arthroscopic Bankart procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability. This 10-point score is also designed to help guide the treating surgeon's decision on whether a soft-tissue stabilization or bone block augmentation procedure is indicated. The ISI scoring system has been criticized for its lack of generalizability outside of the French health care system. However, evidence has emerged establishing the ISI Score as a valuable tool with excellent external validity. The ISI scoring system, based on factors derived from a preoperative questionnaire, physical examination, and imaging studies, is helpful to distinguish between patients who will benefit from an arthroscopic Bankart procedure and those who will not. The higher the score, the higher the risk of recurrence of instability. Patients with an ISI Score of 3 points or less may attain very good results with an arthroscopic Bankart procedure compared with patients with an ISI Score of more than 3 points. Performing this procedure in patients with an ISI Score of more than 6 points leads to an increased risk of recurrence (≥50%) within 5 years and is totally inacceptable. We believe that the information gained from this scoring system will help surgeons in their daily practice to not only decide the right procedure for the right patient but also inform their patients preoperatively of the risks and benefits of an arthroscopic Bankart procedure. As such, the ISI Score is an important strategic tool for shoulder surgeons.

Graft use in the treatment of large and massive rotator cuff tears: an overview of techniques and modes of failure with MRI correlation.

Despite technical advances, repair of large or massive rotator cuff tears continues to demonstrate a relatively high rate of failure. Rotator cuff repair or superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using a variety of commercially available grafts provides a promising option in patients with tears that may be at high risk for failure or otherwise considered irreparable. There are three major graft constructs that exist when utilizing graft in rotator cuff repair or reconstruction: augmentation at the rotator cuff footprint, bridging, and SCR. Each construct has a unique appearance when evaluated using postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and each construct has unique sites that are predisposed to failure. Understanding the basic principles of these constructs can help the radiologist better evaluate the postoperative MRI appearance of these increasingly utilized procedures.

Gene-expression changes in knee-joint tissues with aging and menopause: implications for the joint as an organ.

BACKGROUND: When considering the "joint as an organ", the tissues in a joint act as complementary components of an organ, and the "set point" is the cellular activity for homeostasis of the joint tissues. Even in the absence of injury, joint tissues have adaptive responses to processes, like aging and menopause, which result in changes to the set point. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study in a preclinical model was to investigate age-related and menopause-related changes in knee-joint tissues with the hypothesis that tissues will change in unique ways that reflect their differing contributions to maintaining joint function (as measured by joint laxity) and the differing processes of aging and menopause. METHODS: Rabbit knee-joint tissues from three groups were evaluated: young adult (gene expression, n=8; joint laxity, n=7; water content, n=8), aging adult (gene expression, n=6; joint laxity, n=7; water content, n=5), and menopausal adult (gene expression, n=8; joint laxity, n=7; water content, n=8). Surgical menopause was induced with ovariohysterectomy surgery and gene expression was assessed using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Aging resulted in changes to 37 of the 150 gene-tissue combinations evaluated, and menopause resulted in changes to 39 of the 150. Despite the similar number of changes, only eleven changes were the same in both aging and menopause. No differences in joint laxity were detected comparing young adult rabbits with aging adult rabbits or with menopausal adult rabbits. CONCLUSION: Aging and menopause affected the gene-expression patterns of the tissues of the knee joint differently, suggesting unique changes to the set point of the knee. Interestingly, aging and menopause did not affect knee-joint laxity, suggesting that joint function was maintained, despite changes in gene expression. Taken together, these findings support the theory of the joint as an organ where the tissues of the joint adapt to maintain joint function.

Increased lubricin/proteoglycan 4 gene expression and decreased modulus in medial collateral ligaments following ovariohysterectomy in the adult rabbit: Evidence consistent with aging.

This study investigated whether ovariohysterectomy (OVH) surgery to induce menopause resulted in changes to modulus, failure strain and lubricin/proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) gene expression in rabbit medial collateral ligaments (MCLs), similar to aging (Thornton et al., 2015a). The MCLs from adult rabbits that underwent OVH surgery as adolescents (15-week-old) and adults (1-year-old) were compared by evaluating mechanical behaviour (adolescent OVH, n=8; adult OVH, n=7; normal, n=7), gene expression (adolescent OVH, n=9; adult OVH, n=8; normal, n=8), and collagen and glycosaminoglycan (adolescent OVH, n=9; adult OVH, n=8; normal, n=8) and water (adolescent OVH, n=9; adult OVH, n=8; normal, n=8) content. Mechanical behaviour evaluated cyclic, static and total creep strain, and ultimate tensile strength, modulus and failure strain. The RT-qPCR assessed mRNA levels for matrix regulatory genes. Adult OVH MCLs exhibited increased cyclic creep and failure strain, and decreased modulus with increased mRNA levels for lubricin/PRG4 and collagen I compared with normal MCLs. Adolescent OVH MCLs exhibited increased cyclic, static and total creep strain with decreased mRNA levels for the progesterone receptor. Lubricin/PRG4 plays a role in the lubrication of collagen fascicles which is likely related to the decreased modulus and increased failure strain observed in ligaments from adult OVH rabbits. Progesterone and its receptor are thought to play a role in the stretching of ligaments in pelvic organ prolapse and pregnancy which is likely related to the increase in creep strain observed in ligaments from adolescent OVH rabbits. Ovariohysterectomy in adult rabbits resulted in changes that were consistent with the aging MCL.

Aging affects mechanical properties and lubricin/PRG4 gene expression in normal ligaments.

Age-related changes in ligament properties may have clinical implications for injuries in the mature athlete. Previous preclinical models documented mechanical and biochemical changes in ligaments with aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aging on ligament properties (mechanical, molecular, biochemical) by comparing medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) from 1-year-old and 3-year-old rabbits. The MCLs underwent mechanical (n=7, 1-year-old; n=7, 3-year-old), molecular (n=8, 1-year-old; n=6, 3-year-old), collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content (n=8, 1-year-old; n=6, 3-year-old) and water content (n=8, 1-year-old; n=5, 3-year-old) assessments. Mechanical assessments evaluated total creep strain, failure strain, ultimate tensile strength and modulus. Molecular assessments using RT-qPCR evaluated gene expression for collagens, proteoglycans, hormone receptors, and matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. While total creep strain and ultimate tensile strength were not affected by aging, failure strain was increased and modulus was decreased comparing MCLs from 3-year-old rabbits to those from 1-year-old rabbits. The mRNA expression levels for lubricin/proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 increased with aging; whereas, the mRNA expression levels for estrogen receptor and matrix metalloproteinase-1 decreased with aging. Collagen and GAG content assays and water content assessments did not demonstrate any age-related changes. The increased failure strain and decreased modulus with aging may have implications for increased susceptibility to ligament damage/injury with aging. Lubricin/PRG4 gene expression was affected by aging and its speculated role in ligament function may be related to interfascicular lubrication, which in turn may lead to altered mechanical function with aging and increases in potential for injury.