Clinical Outcomes and Tendon Integrity in Patients With Chronic Retracted Subscapularis Tear After Arthroscopic Single-Row Oblique Mattress Suture Repair Technique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes and tendon integrity in patients with chronic retracted subscapularis tears using an arthroscopic single-row oblique mattress suture repair technique. METHODS: Patients with full-thickness subscapularis tears retracted to the glenoid level and with at least 2 years of follow-up were included. Tendon retraction level was measured on preoperative axial magnetic resonance images and confirmed during arthroscopic surgery. The subscapularis tendon was repaired arthroscopically using the single-row oblique mattress suture technique on the medial margin of the lesser tuberosity. Two double-loaded suture anchors were used to obtain firm fixation between the tendon and the footprint. Clinical outcomes were assessed for all patients preoperatively and postoperatively using active range of motion, a visual analog scale score for pain, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant scores. To evaluate structural integrity of the repaired tendon, all patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months and ultrasonography at 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: The shoulder function of the 33 patients analyzed was improved significantly after a mean follow-up period of 26.3 ± 3.5 months compared with preoperative values (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score of 52.0 ± 7.9 preoperatively vs 79.6 ± 7.0 at last follow-up, P < .001, and Constant score of 43.0 ± 13.4 preoperatively vs 76.7 ± 9.2 at last follow-up, P < .001). Postoperative active range of motion improved significantly in forward flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation (P < .001). The mean visual analog scale pain score decreased by 3.42 (5.2 ± 1.6 preoperatively vs 1.9 ± 1.4 at last follow-up, P < .001). In 4 patients (12.1%), subscapularis retears were confirmed on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Despite significant retraction, arthroscopic repair using a single-row oblique mattress suture technique in patients who had chronic subscapularis tears with retraction to the glenoid level yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes and reliable tendon healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Off-track Hill-Sachs lesions do not increase postoperative recurrent instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair with selective Remplissage procedure.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes and recurrence rates after arthroscopic Bankart repair with selective Remplissage procedure, between patients with off-track and on-track Hill-Sachs lesions. METHODS: Patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with selective Remplissage procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability and were followed up for at least 2 years were included. Patients with a glenoid defect greater than 25% were excluded. According to the glenoid track concept, patients were divided into group I (off-track lesions) and group II (on-track lesions). After Bankart repair, an additional Remplissage procedure was performed selectively in patients who sustained engagement of the humeral head. The clinical outcomes and recurrence rates were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients (23 in group I and 170 in group II) were enrolled. No significant differences were found in clinical outcomes (n.s.) or recurrence rates (n.s.) between the two groups, despite larger glenoid defects in group I (group I:17.1 ± 6.1%, and group II:13.0 ± 6.4%, P = 0.003). In all patients, the incidence of off-track lesions was not significantly different according to the occurrence of postoperative recurrence (n.s.), whereas the glenoid defect size showed a significant difference (with recurrence: 17.9 ± 3.9%, and without recurrence: 13.2 ± 6.5%, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an off-track lesion did not alter the clinical outcomes and recurrence rates after arthroscopic Bankart repair with selective Remplissage procedure. The glenoid defect size rather than the presence of an off-track lesion can more reliably predict postoperative recurrence. Arthroscopic Bankart repair with selective Remplissage procedure is considered one surgical option for the treatment of off-track lesions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Long-term results and bone remodeling after THA with a short, metaphyseal-fitting anatomic cementless stem.

BACKGROUND: Long-term results of standard total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young patients were not optimal. There are a number of reported disadvantages to longer cementless stems in THA including thigh pain and proximal stress shielding. However, it is unknown whether a short, metaphyseal-fitting anatomic stem without diaphyseal fixation, which represents a possible alternative, will maintain fixation over the longer term. QUESTION/PURPOSES: We therefore evaluated long-term (1) clinical results using validated scoring instruments; (2) osseointegration and bone remodeling; (3) complications; and (4) rates of revision and osteolysis in patients younger than 65 years who underwent THA with a short, metaphyseal-fitting anatomic cementless stem. METHODS: We reviewed 500 patients (630 hips) younger than 65 years (mean age at surgery, 52.7 years) who underwent THA with the Immediate Postoperative Stability stem (IPS; DePuy, Leeds, UK) by one surgeon (Y-HK) from January 1995 to March 2002. Demographic data, Harris hip score, WOMAC score, UCLA activity score, and radiographic data were recorded. All patients underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning of the acetabulum and proximal femur at 2 weeks after the operation and at final followup to determine stress shielding. Thigh pain was specifically investigated and scored by patients on a visual analog scale. Other complications were recorded. We determined component survival rates at 15 years using revision and aseptic loosening as end points. Minimum followup was 11 years (mean, 15.8 years; range, 11-18 years). RESULTS: The clinical and functional results improved significantly for the Harris hip score, WOMAC, and UCLA activity scores (p < 0.001). At latest followup, mean Harris hip, WOMAC, and UCLA activity scores were 94 (range, 71-100), 15 (range, 5-29), and 7.9 (range, 6-9) points, respectively. All hips had osseous integration of the acetabular and femoral components. No patients had thigh pain. Four hips (0.6%) had deep infection and four (0.6%) had a recurrent dislocation. No patients had Grade 3 stress shielding. Fifteen-year survival rates were 98.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-1.00) for the acetabular component and 99.4% (95% CI, 0.97-1.00) for the femoral component with revision as the end point and 100% (95% CI, 0.98-1.00) for both components with aseptic loosening as the end point. CONCLUSIONS: The short, metaphyseal-fitting anatomic cementless femoral stem provided stable fixation without relying on diaphyseal fixation in younger patients, suggesting metaphyseal fitting alone is sufficient in young patients who have good bone quality. Because we observed no thigh pain and little stress shielding in our patients, modifying the distal stem design as is done with this implant might be advantageous, but this would need to be determined in future comparative studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Evaluation of the Korean version of the patient-rated wrist evaluation.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical measurements. Longitudinal. PURPOSE: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the original patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) into a Korean version (K-PRWE), and to measure the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the K-PRWE for the evaluation of distal radius fractures (DRFs). METHODS: K-PRWE was developed by forward and backward translations of the PRWE and resolution of cultural discrepancies. Sixty-three DRF patients that underwent open reduction and volar plate fixation completed the K-PRWE at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Grip strength, wrist range of motion, VAS for wrist pain and the Korean version of DASH were performed at 3 months postoperatively. Reliability was measured by determining test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient). Criterion and construct validity testing was performed using Spearman's correlation test. Responsiveness was evaluated using effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM). RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient of the K-PRWE were 0.94 and 0.96, respectively, which indicated that the internal consistency of the questionnaire items was sound and reliable. The correlation coefficient between K-PRWE and K-DASH scores was 0.74 and between K-PRWE and VAS scores was 0.69. Responsiveness was good with an ES of 0.84 and an SRM of 0.89. CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the PRWE was found to be reliable, valid, and responsive to evaluate the pain and disability associated with distal radius fractures.

Serial Changes in Perianchor Cysts Following Arthroscopic Labral Repair Using All-Suture Anchors.

BACKGROUD: Changes in perianchor cysts around the all-suture anchors, which demonstrate distinguished features from the biocomposite anchors, have not been revealed sufficiently. The purpose of this study was to investigate serial changes of perianchor cysts according to the location of the inserted anchor in the glenoid in arthroscopic labral repair using all-suture anchors. METHODS: We enrolled 43 patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) immediately postoperatively and CT arthrogram (CTA) at 1 year or 2 years after arthroscopic labral repair using a 1.3-mm all-suture anchor for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation with or without a superior labral tear from anterior to posterior and a posterior labral tear. The mean diameter and tissue density (HU) of perianchor cysts were measured depending on the location in the glenoid. Clinical outcomes, labral healing, and redislocation rate were evaluated at 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: On functional assessment, the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and Rowe score improved statistically significantly after surgery (from 47.9 ± 14.3 preoperatively to 90.1 ± 9.6 postoperatively and from 45.3 ± 12.4 preoperatively to 92.2 ± 10.1 postoperatively, respectively; p < 0.01). Postoperative redislocations were found in 2 patients (4.7%). In radiological evaluation, the mean diameter of perianchor cysts at postoperative 1 year (3.24 ± 0.65 mm) was significantly larger than the immediate postoperative diameter; however, there was no significant difference between postoperative 1 year and 2 years (3.23 ± 0.57 mm). Tissue density at the center of cysts demonstrated no significant difference between 1 and 2 year postoperatively (107.7 ± 29.8 HU [superior], 99.7 ± 31.7 HU [anteroinferior], and 105.1 ± 25.0 HU [posterior] vs. 109.1 ± 26.1 HU [superior], 106.4 ± 30.3 HU [anteroinferior], and 111.0 ± 32.9 HU [posterior]). The mean diameter of perianchor cysts in the anteroinferior position was largest compared with that in superior or posterior positions. CONCLUSIONS: Perianchor cysts associated with all-suture anchors enlarged significantly within 1 year after arthroscopic labral repair regardless of the insertion location in the glenoid. However, the size and tissue density of perianchor cysts were similar at postoperative 1 and 2 years, and satisfactory stability and clinical outcomes were obtained.

A Novel Reparability Assessment Scoring System for Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to predict the arthroscopic reparability of rotator cuff tears preoperatively when the repair is challenging. This can result in unsatisfactory outcomes and a high retear rate. PURPOSE: To develop an assessment score reflecting factors in rotator cuff tears that can predict reparability before surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 170 patients with rotator cuff tears larger than 2 cm who underwent arthroscopic repair. Patients were categorized into "complete repair" and "partial repair" groups based on the area of the exposed footprint after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. In each group, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging factors (tear size, fatty infiltration, remnant tendon length, atrophy), clinical factors (range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score), and patient demographics were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to choose the optimal cutoff value. A reparability assessment score was formulated through stepwise selection using variables that showed significant between-group differences on univariate analysis. We selected 4 variables and assigned a relative score for each variable based on estimated coefficient values. The sum of the scores for each factor ranged from 0 to 5. RESULTS: The average rotator cuff tear size was 28 × 26 mm. The torn rotator cuff was repaired completely in 74 patients (43.5%) and partially in 96 patients (56.5%). The following factors were chosen for the reparability assessment score: positive tangent sign (odds ratio [OR], 5.969; P = .001), fatty infiltration of the infraspinatus of grade ≤2 (OR, 3.537; P = .001), coronal tear size ≥26 mm (OR, 3.315; P = .002), and remnant tendon length <15 mm (OR, 2.584; P = .017). Complete repair was possible if the sum of the scores was <3 (area under curve, 0.803; 95% CI, 0.739-0.867; sensitivity, 51.0%; specificity, 95.9%). CONCLUSION: In patients with a score of <3 on the novel reparability assessment score, complete repair was obtainable, whereas in patients with a score of ≥3, complete repair was difficult and other methods such as biologic grafts or arthroplasty had to be considered for a favorable prognosis.

Factors Related to Patient Dissatisfaction Versus Objective Failure After Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization for Instability.

BACKGROUND: After arthroscopic stabilization procedures for recurrent anterior shoulder instability, patients are not always satisfied with their shoulder, even when the operation successfully restored stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with subjective patient dissatisfaction after arthroscopic stabilization procedures for recurrent anterior shoulder instability and to compare these factors with those associated with objective surgical failure. METHODS: A total of 195 patients who underwent an arthroscopic stabilization procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability were included in this study. At the 2-year postoperative visit, subjective patient dissatisfaction was assessed with a 15-point scale. Objective surgical failure was defined as postoperative dislocation or subluxation events requiring revision surgery. Several factors, including age at the first dislocation, age at the time of the operation, presence of an off-track Hill-Sachs lesion, width of the Hill-Sachs lesion, size of the glenoid bone defect, and number of instability events, were recorded. Multivariable linear regression analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed using a backward stepwise procedure as the variable selection method. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (7.7%) had recurrent instability requiring revision surgery. In the group of 180 patients without surgical failure, the width of the Hill-Sachs lesion (regression coefficient: 0.052, p = 0.011) and number of instability events (regression coefficient: 0.103, p = 0.029) were positively correlated with subjective patient dissatisfaction, whereas concomitant repair of a SLAP (superior labrum anterior-posterior) lesion showed negative correlation (regression coefficient: -0.926, p = 0.004). In the total cohort of patients, objective surgical failure was correlated with the age at the time of the operation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.851, p = 0.042), size of the glenoid bone defect (OR: 1.172, p < 0.001), and number of instability events (OR: 1.147, p = 0.048). Other variables, including an off-track Hill-Sachs lesion or a concomitant remplissage procedure, were not correlated with subjective patient dissatisfaction or objective surgical failure. CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to subjective patient dissatisfaction differed from those related to objective surgical failure. For a better understanding of the clinical outcomes after surgery, surgeons should assess the factors that correlate with subjective patient dissatisfaction and objective surgical failure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.