Does healing of both greater and lesser tuberosities improve functional outcome after reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fracture? A retrospective study of twenty-eight cases with a computed tomography scan at a minimum of one-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is often indicated in elderly patients with displaced proximal humerus fractures (PHF). The rate of greater tuberosity (GT) healing varies from 37 to 90% in this population. The aim of this study was to assess greater and lesser tuberosity (LT) fixation and healing on CT scan after RSA for PHF. Our hypothesis was that both GT and LT healing leads to better functional results after RSA for fracture. METHODS: Our retrospective cohort consisted of 28 patients treated with an RSA for a four-part PHF during the inclusion period. The mean age at surgery was 77 years. Clinical examination and CT scan were performed at a minimum one year follow-up to assess tuberosity position and healing. RESULTS: The GT healed in 22 patients (78.5%), the LT in 24 patients (87.5%) and both tuberosities were healed in 20 patients (71.5%). Constant score was significantly improved with GT, LT and both tuberosity healing (p = 0.05, p = 0.04 and p = 0.02 respectively). Motion in anterior elevation was improved with GT and both tuberosity healing (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04 respectively). Motion in external rotation was improved with GT and both tuberosity healing (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02 respectively). CONCLUSION: GT and LT healing was associated with better functional results and active motion. Anatomical reduction and consolidation of both tuberosities is beneficial with a cumulative effect for functional recovery.

Management of patellar problems in skeletally mature patients with nail-patella syndrome.

PURPOSE: Nail-patella syndrome (NPS) or hereditary onychoosteodysplasia is a rare autosomal dominant disease, characterized by a tetrad of findings, which include fingernail abnormalities, hypoplasia of the patellae, radial head dislocation and prominent iliac horns. Most of the literature on the treatment of patellar problems in NPS concerns paediatric patients, and there is no standard treatment algorithm for adult patients. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of skeletally mature patients with NPS who presented to our clinic. We reviewed the presenting complaints, the physical examination findings and the radiographic imaging. RESULTS: We identified seven skeletally mature patients with NPS who presented with patellofemoral complaints. Their symptoms were instability, pain, or a combination of the two. Examination and imaging revealed a wide range of severity but included patellar instability and patellar arthritis. In our series, milder forms of the disease were treated with non-operative measures, but the majority of our patients required surgery including medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, tibial tuberosity transposition, patellofemoral and total knee arthroplasty. At midterm follow-up, most patients had good results. CONCLUSION: Nail-patella syndrome has a wide range of presentations and severity in skeletally mature patients. Knee surgeons should be familiar with the spectrum of clinical presentation and the range of treatment options available in order to provide optimum treatment for patients with this disorder. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.