Complications of a failed Bristow procedure and their management.

The management of patients who have a failed Bristow reconstruction of the shoulder is very complex. In order to determine the complications that occur when a Bristow procedure fails, and how they should be managed, we retrospectively evaluated forty shoulders in thirty-nine patients who had been treated by the senior one of us for a failed Bristow procedure from 1977 to 1987. The complications of the index Bristow procedures included recurrent painful anterior instability, injury to the articular cartilage, failure of the coracoid bone-block to unite with the glenoid, loosening of the screw, neurovascular injury, and posterior instability. The primary etiology of failure of the index Bristow procedure was excessive laxity of the capsule in thirty-two shoulders (80 per cent) that were affected by chronic, painful anterior or posterior instability. An untreated Perthes-Bankart lesion was present in the remaining eight shoulders (20 per cent). The use of anterior reconstruction for the revision of a failed Bristow procedure is a difficult operation that necessitates meticulous technique. As our over-all plan of treatment resulted in a good or excellent outcome in only 50 per cent of the patients, we do not recommend the Bristow procedure for primary treatment of symptomatic anterior instability of the shoulder.

Operative treatment of irreparable rupture of the subscapularis.

Between 1980 and 1994, 221 shoulders with recurrent anterior glenohumeral subluxation or dislocation were reconstructed at our institution. At the time of the operation, thirteen shoulders were found to have an irreparable injury of the subscapularis muscle, which we believed to be a contributing factor to the ongoing instability. All but three of the thirteen patients had had two to six previous reconstructions. Operative treatment of the irreparable rupture included a dynamic muscle transfer using the pectoralis major in seven shoulders, the pectoralis minor in five, and both of these muscles in one. According to a modification of the grading system of Neer and Foster, the result was satisfactory for ten shoulders and unsatisfactory for three at a mean of five years after the operation. All shoulders with a satisfactory result demonstrated active contraction of the transferred pectoralis muscle and diminished anterior glenohumeral translation. On the basis of our analysis, we concluded that transfer of the pectoralis muscle is effective for reconstruction of the shoulder in patients who have loss of the subscapularis muscle.

Spontaneous atraumatic anterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint.

We reviewed the cases of thirty-seven young patients, ten to thirty-six years old, who had had spontaneous atraumatic anterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint. Sudden atraumatic subluxation is quite alarming to the patient and the physician. Twenty-nine of the thirty-seven patients were treated non-operatively by observation and rehabilitative measures. Eight patients had been treated elsewhere with attempted operative reconstruction of the sternoclavicular joint or with resection arthroplasty. After an average follow-up of eight years, the twenty-nine patients who were treated non-operatively (group I) had excellent results, with no limitations of activity or changes in life-style. The eight patients who were treated operatively (group II) had numerous problems, including noticeable scars, persistent instability, pain, or limitation of activity that resulted in an alteration in lifestyle. Three of the eight patients had had a resection of the medial portion of the clavicle. Two of them had a second resection and the third patient had a third resection. A thoracic-outlet syndrome developed in this patient and the clavicle had to be totally resected to obtain relief. Since spontaneous atraumatic anterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint has a benign natural course, it should not be treated with operative stabilization of the joint. Instead, a conservative approach that includes education and reassurance of the patient will result in an unaltered lifestyle with no limitation of activity and little or no discomfort.

Treatment of instability of the shoulder with an exercise program.

One hundred and forty shoulders in 115 patients that had a diagnosis of traumatic or atraumatic recurrent anterior, posterior, or multidirectional subluxation were treated with a specific set of muscle-strengthening exercises. Only twelve (16 per cent) of the seventy-four shoulders (sixty-eight patients) that had traumatic subluxation had a good or excellent result from the exercises, compared with fifty-three (80 per cent) of the sixty-six shoulders that had atraumatic subluxation. For this reason, each patient who has instability of the shoulder should be thoroughly evaluated if a successful result from conservative treatment is to be expected. Every effort must be made to identify the etiology of the instability through careful history-taking, physical examination, and radiographic evaluation.

Shoulder impingement syndrome: diagnosis, radiographic evaluation, and treatment with a modified Neer acromioplasty.

Seventy-one patients who had shoulder impingement syndrome were managed operatively with a modified Neer acromioplasty: thirty-seven, who had an intact rotator cuff, had a modified acromioplasty, and thirty-four, who had a torn cuff, had a modified acromioplasty and repair of the cuff. In the classic anterior acromioplasty as described by Neer, emphasis is placed on resection of the inferior prominence of the acromion. We believe that the removal of only the inferior prominence is insufficient, as often too much of the anterior aspect of the acromion protrudes beyond the anterior border of the clavicle. This portion of the acromion continues to irritate the subacromial bursa and the rotator cuff and to produce symptoms of impingement. Our modified acromioplasty is done in two steps: the portion of the acromion that projects anteriorly beyond the anterior border of the clavicle is resected vertically and then an anteroinferior acromioplasty is performed. We studied the results in patients who had been operated on by the senior one of us and who had been followed clinically for a minimum of two years. At the most recent follow-up visit, no difference in terms of pain and function was found between the patients who had had the modified acromioplasty only (Group I) and the patients who had had the modified acromioplasty and repair of the rotator cuff (Group II); thirty-three (89 per cent) of the patients in Group I and thirty (88 per cent) of those in Group II had a good or excellent result.

The capsular imbrication procedure for recurrent anterior instability of the shoulder.

One hundred and thirty-eight patients (142 shoulders) who had recurrent anterior instability of the shoulder that was unresponsive to a specific physician-directed rehabilitation program were managed with an anatomical capsular imbrication reconstruction. The procedure included repair of the capsulolabral injury, when present, and reinforcement of the anteroinferior capsular ligaments with an imbrication technique that decreases the over-all capsular volume. The shoulders were divided into two groups: 108 shoulders in which the recurrent instability was related to a defined traumatic episode (Group I) and thirty-four shoulders with no distinct history of trauma (Group II). The anatomical capsular imbrication was the primary procedure in ninety shoulders and was used to treat at least one failed previous reconstruction in fifty-two shoulders. According to the grading system of Rowe et al., 93 per cent (132) of the shoulders had a good or excellent result at an average of five years (range, two or twelve years) after the operation. The results after a previous failed reconstruction were especially encouraging. Of the fifty-two shoulders that had had at least one previous reconstructive procedure, forty had an excellent result, five had a good result, four had a fair result, and three had a poor result. The results of this study suggest that this procedure restores stability while preserving a functional range of motion in patients who have symptomatic recurrent anterior instability of the shoulders, regardless of the etiology.

Débridement of degenerative, irreparable lesions of the rotator cuff.

A modified Neer acromioplasty, subacromial decompression, and débridement of massive, irreparable lesions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons was performed in fifty-seven patients. Fifty patients (fifty-three shoulders) were followed for an average of six and one-half years. The average age of the patients was sixty years (range, thirty-eight to seventy-four years). The results, as rated on the basis of pain, function, range of motion, strength, and satisfaction of the patient, were satisfactory in forty-four shoulders (83 per cent) and unsatisfactory in nine (17 per cent). A favorable outcome was observed in shoulders in which both the anterior portion of the deltoid muscle and the long head of the biceps tendon were intact and in which a previous acromioplasties or operations on the rotator cuff had been performed. An unsatisfactory outcome was observed in shoulders in which the anterior part of the deltoid muscle was weak or absent or in which a previous acromioplasty and attempted repair of the rotator cuff had been performed. The active forward flexion of the shoulder improved from an average of 105 degrees preoperatively to an average of 140 degrees postoperatively. The results of the present study suggest that, with proper rehabilitation, adequate decompression of the subacromial space, anterior acromioplasty, and débridement of massive tears of the rotator cuff can lead to the relief of pain and the restoration of shoulder function.

Capsulorrhaphy through an anterior approach for the treatment of atraumatic posterior glenohumeral instability with multidirectional laxity of the shoulder.

Between June 1983 and March 1992, we performed a capsular reconstruction procedure through an anterior approach in ten patients (ten shoulders) who had multidirectional laxity of the shoulder and symptomatic atraumatic posterior glenohumeral instability. The procedure included closure of the capsule in the rotator interval and imbrication of the anterior, inferior, and posteroinferior aspects of the capsule by a double-breasting technique that decreases the overall capsular volume. The mean duration of follow-up was sixty months (range, twenty-four to 103 months). According to the system of Rowe and Zarins, the result was graded as excellent for five shoulders, good for four, and poor for one. On the basis of our results, we recommend capsular reconstruction through an anterior approach only in patients who have persistent multidirectional laxity and symptomatic atraumatic posterior instability of the shoulder despite participation in an intensive rehabilitation program.

Hypoplasia of the glenoid. A review of sixteen patients.

We reviewed the records of sixteen patients, fifteen to sixty-two years old, who had glenoid hypoplasia with or without an associated deformity of the humeral head. The patients were divided into three groups: those who had bilateral glenoid hypoplasia without instability of the shoulder (Group I), those who had bilateral glenoid hypoplasia with instability of the shoulder (Group II), and those who had unilateral glenoid hypoplasia with deformity of the humeral head (Group III). When first seen by us, thirteen of the sixteen patients had pain in the shoulder, which they had noted after an increase in their previous level of activity. All were managed with a specific rehabilitation program for the shoulder. The patients were followed for an average of five years, and most were able to return to their previous level of activity with the resolution of the symptoms.

Loss of external rotation following anterior capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder.

A retrospective study was performed on twenty shoulders in nineteen patients who had been managed for severe loss of external rotation of the glenohumeral joint after a previous anterior capsulorrhaphy for recurrent instability. All patients had noted a restricted range of motion, and seventeen shoulders had been painful. In seven shoulders, the humeral head had been subluxated or dislocated posteriorly, and sixteen shoulders had been affected by mild to severe glenohumeral osteoarthrosis. All twenty shoulders were treated with a reoperation, which consisted of a release of the anterior soft tissue. In addition, eight shoulders had a total arthroplasty and one had a hemiarthroplasty. At an average duration of follow-up of forty-eight months, all shoulders had an improvement in the ratings for pain and range of motion. The average increase in external rotation was 45 degrees (range, 25 to 65 degrees). Patients who have a major loss of external rotation following anterior capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder may be at risk for the development of posterior subluxation and glenohumeral osteoarthrosis. The performance of an anterior release should be considered for these patients.

Management of dislocations of both ends of the clavicle.

We treated six patients who had a dislocation of both ends of the clavicle (an anterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint and a posterior dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint). Two patients who had fewer demands on the shoulder--an elderly woman and a woman who had had an ipsilateral amputation of the hand--did well; they had only minor symptoms after non-operative management. The other four patients (all men) had continuing pain at the acromioclavicular joint; each had a reconstruction of the joint, which resulted in a painless, full range of motion and return to normal activity. No patient had continuing pain in the sternoclavicular joint.

Closed treatment of subtrochanteric fractures of the femur in a modified cast-brace.

We studied a series of fifteen consecutive subtrochanteric fractures treated in a long quadrilateral cast-brace with a pelvic band. Patients with severely comminuted fractures in which stability cannot be obtained by internal fixation, as well as those with open fractures, are considered candidates for such treatment. Treatment with preliminary traction followed by a ambulatory cast-brace with a pelvic band resulted in a shorter period of treatment, an excellent range of motion of the hip and knee, and no non-unions in the fifteen comminuted or open fractures. Shortening, angulation, and rotational deformity were not significant complications. It must be emphasized that this treatment regimen requires exacting attention to detail by the treating physician. The amount of time needed from the physician in this form of treatment is considerably greater than that after open reduction and internal fixation.

Treatment of cysts of the acromioclavicular joint with shoulder hemiarthroplasty.

A chronic cyst overlying the acromioclavicular joint was managed in four patients, between July 1988 and September 1991. All patients had had previous unsuccessful aspiration and excision of the cyst with recurrence. Each cyst was associated with a chronic, massive defect of the rotator cuff; superior migration of the humeral head; and degenerative osteoarthrosis of the glenohumeral joint. All patients had complained of pain and limitation of motion (mean forward elevation, 95 degrees; mean external rotation, 20 degrees; and mean internal rotation, to the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra). All procedures consisted of a large-humeral-head hemiarthroplasty, with no operative treatment directed at the cyst or the acromioclavicular joint. At an average of twenty-seven months (range, fifteen to thirty-six months) after the operation, the patients were all pain-free and had not had a recurrence of the cyst. The average postoperative range of motion was 130 degrees of forward elevation, 30 degrees of external rotation, and internal rotation to the spinous process of the first lumbar vertebra.

Treatment of complications of shoulder arthrodesis.

A reconstructive osteotomy was performed to correct symptomatic malposition after arthrodesis of the shoulder in nine of fourteen patients who had complications related to the arthrodesis. The clinical position of the arm in relation to the trunk was determined with the method described by Rowe. Malposition was primarily the result of fusion in more than 15 degrees of either flexion or abduction, or both, coupled with improper rotation, defined as rotation of less than 40 degrees or more than 60 degrees. Reconstructive osteotomy eliminated pain and improved the ability of the patient to perform six activities of daily living. The complications necessitating operative treatment after the arthrodesis in the remaining five patients included failure of the arthrodesis site to unite (three patients), a wound hematoma at the iliac-crest donor site (one patient), and a superficial wound infection (one patient). Two additional complications - a fracture through a screw-hole in the humerus and a fracture distal to the internal fixation device - occurred after the reconstructive osteotomies for malposition. All of the complications resolved with treatment. Arthrodesis of the shoulder is a technically demanding procedure that can lead to serious complications that necessitate operative intervention. Careful attention to operative technique and to the position of the arthrodesis are essential.

Neuropathic arthropathy of the shoulder.

We retrospectively reviewed the records of six men (seven shoulders) with neuropathic arthropathy of the shoulder who were referred to our shoulder service during a twenty-eight-year period (from 1969 through 1997). The etiology of the neuropathic condition was syringomyelia in five patients (six shoulders) and chronic alcoholism in one patient. Five patients (six shoulders) were initially misdiagnosed, and seven operative procedures that were unrelated to the etiology of the neuropathic condition were performed in four of these patients. Radiographs revealed destruction of the shoulder joint and marked resorption of the humeral head in all patients. Magnetic resonance images revealed a syrinx of the central cord in all of the patients except for the one who had chronic alcoholism.

Resection arthroplasty of the sternoclavicular joint.

The results of resection of the medial end of the clavicle to treat a painful sternoclavicular joint in fifteen patients were retrospectively reviewed. The patients fell into two groups: eight patients who had had a primary arthroplasty of the sternoclavicular joint in which the costoclavicular ligament was left intact (group I), and seven patients who had had revision of a failed arthroplasty of the sternoclavicular joint and in whom the costoclavicular ligament had to be reconstructed (group II). The results for these two groups were compared at an average of 7.7 years postoperatively. All eight patients in group I had an excellent result. In sharp contrast, three patients in group II had an excellent result, three had a fair result, and one had a poor result. We conclude that preservation or reconstruction of the costoclavicular ligament is essential at the time of resection of the medial portion of the clavicle in order to obtain a satisfactory result.

Shoulder arthrodesis.

Current indications for shoulder arthrodesis include posttraumatic brachial plexus injuries, paralysis of the deltoid muscle and rotator cuff, chronic infection, failed revision arthroplasty, severe refractory instability, and bone deficiency following resection of a tumor in the proximal aspect of the humerus. The trapezius, levator scapulae, serratus anterior, and rhomboid muscles must be functional to optimize the functional result following shoulder arthrodesis. A consensus has not been reached concerning the ideal position of the shoulder arthrodesis, although excessive abduction or flexion has been associated with chronic postoperative pain. Decortication of both the acromiohumeral and the glenohumeral surfaces to increase the surface area available for arthrodesis is the most common means for obtaining successful fusion. Although there are numerous methods for stabilization of a shoulder arthrodesis, the most popular method today is probably the AO technique with either a single plate or double plates.

Fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis.

Sixteen patients were seen with fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis. The difficulty that may be encountered in making the diagnosis is thought to be partly responsible for the relative paucity of previous reports of this condition. All sixteen patients revealed posteromedial displacement of the distal humeral epiphysis on the initial roentgenogram. Child-abuse was documented or suspected as a cause in six of the sixteen fractures. Treatment consisted of closed reduction and immobilization with the elbow in 90 degrees of flexion and the forearm pronated, for three weeks. Post-injury cubitus varus, which developed in three patients and was thought to be due to inadequate reduction, did not progress.

Non-union of fractures of the mid-shaft of the clavicle. Treatment with a modified Hagie intramedullary pin and autogenous bone-grafting.

We reviewed a series of fifty patients who had a non-union of a fracture of the clavicle. Twenty-one patients (42 per cent) who had a symptomatic non-union of the middle of the shaft of the clavicle were treated with open reduction, internal fixation with a modified Hagie intramedullary pin, and autogenous bone-grafting, and those patients form the basis for the report. The average duration of follow-up was thirty-five months (range, five months to eleven years). Healing occurred in twenty (95 per cent) of the twenty-one patients. Intramedullary fixation has several advantages compared with other treatments, such as fixation with a plate and screws. It can be performed through a cosmetically acceptable incision in the Langer line; less dissection of the soft tissues is needed; and, after healing, the pin can be removed through a small incision under local anesthesia.

Isolation and characterization of polyethylene wear debris associated with osteolysis following total shoulder arthroplasty.

We evaluated the interface membranes surrounding three total shoulder prostheses that had been removed because of progressive aseptic loosening associated with osteolysis. The mean time between the uncomplicated initial arthroplasty and the revision procedure was twelve years (10.5, 10.5, and 16.0 years). Membranes from around both the humeral and the glenoid component were obtained from all three shoulders and were studied histologically to determine the biological response involved in the development of aseptic loosening. For the purpose of comparison, periprosthetic tissue was also obtained from the sites of four failed total hip prostheses that were associated with osteolysis. Polyethylene particles were retrieved with an enzymatic digestion technique that involved the use of papain. Raman vibrational spectroscopy verified that the particles were ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The particles were isolated from the tissue, and a computerized image-analysis system characterized 582 of them in terms of size and morphology. Each particle was defined with the use of six shape descriptors: equivalent circle diameter, roundness, form factor, aspect ratio, elongation, and outline fractal dimension. The particles from the hips had a mean equivalent circle diameter (and standard error of the mean) of 0.62 +/- 0.03 micrometer, were predominantly globular in shape, and had low mean values for aspect ratio (1.46 +/- 0.02) and elongation (1.85 +/- 0.03) and relatively high values for roundness (0.74 +/- 0.01) and form factor (0.87 +/- 0.01). In contrast, the particles from the shoulders had a mean equivalent circle diameter of 1.04 +/- 0.03 micrometers. In addition, they had relatively high values for aspect ratio (2.36 +/- 0.07) and elongation (4.96 +/- 0.23) and correspondingly low values for roundness (0.54 +/- 0.01) and form factor (0.67 +/- 0.01), indicating that they were more fibrillar in shape. The particles from the shoulders and those from the hips were significantly different (p < 0.0001) with respect to all of the descriptors except outline fractal dimension. The particles from the shoulders, in general, were larger and more fibrillar than the particles from the hips.