In-Office Needle Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review of Indications and Clinical Utility.

PURPOSE: This review explores the current literature regarding both the clinical indications and utility of minimally invasive in-office needle arthroscopy (IONA) relative to conventional imaging modalities. METHODS: In compliance with R-AMSTAR (Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews) and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines, 3 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed) were searched in July 2018, in addition to the conference abstract databases of 5 prominent meetings between 2013 and 2018, for studies using IONA for diagnostic purposes. Study quality was assessed with the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. RESULTS: Among 932 conference abstracts and 369 studies identified, 11 publications involving 404 patients (395 knees and 9 shoulders) were included, with 9 clinical studies and 2 cost analyses. The median Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) score was 9 for noncomparative and 23 for comparative studies. Among the 9 clinical studies, IONA had a superior sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of knee osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency, and meniscal tears. IONA was comparable or inferior to MRI in the same parameters for the diagnosis of osteochondral defects and rotator cuff tears. In the 2 cost analyses, IONA had lower costs when used in place of MRI for treatment algorithms involving medial meniscal tears and rotator cuff tears but not lateral meniscal tears. CONCLUSIONS: IONA holds potential for cost savings and improved diagnostic accuracy relative to MRI, primarily for intra-articular meniscal, ligamentous, and chondral defects of the knee. However, its current indications for use in other joints are limited to rotator cuff tears in the shoulder, making its diagnostic value in other joints much more limited. The current quality and breadth of evidence are significantly lacking, with numerous practical shortcomings. To improve acceptance of IONA, priority should be placed on establishing defined protocols, indications, contraindications, and patient perspectives for the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level II, III, and IV studies.

Return to sport following arthroscopic Bankart repair: a systematic review.

HYPOTHESIS AND BACKGROUND: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the return-to-sport rate following arthroscopic Bankart repair, and it was hypothesized that patients would experience a high rate of return to sport. METHODS: The MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed databases were searched by 2 reviewers, and the titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened independently. The inclusion criteria were English-language studies investigating arthroscopic Bankart repair in patients of all ages participating in sports at all levels with reported return-to-sport outcomes. A meta-analysis of proportions was used to combine the rate of return to sport using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Overall, 34 studies met the inclusion criteria, with a mean follow-up time of 46 months (range, 3-138 months). The pooled rate of return to participation in any sport was 81% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74%-87%). In addition, the pooled rate of return to the preinjury level was 66% (95% CI, 57%-74%) (n = 1441). Moreover, the pooled rate of return to a competitive level of sport was 82% (95% CI, 79%-88%) (n = 273), while the pooled rate of return to the preinjury level of competitive sports was 88% (95% CI, 66%-99%). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic Bankart repair yields a high rate of return to sport, in addition to significant alleviation of pain and improved functional outcomes in the majority of patients. However, approximately one-third of athletes do not return to their preinjury level of sports.

Inter- and intra-observer agreement of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) parameters comparing plain radiographs and advanced, 3D computed tomographic (CT)-generated hip models in a surgical patient cohort.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to investigate whether advanced, 3D computed tomographic (CT)-generated hip models improves inter-and intra-observer agreement when compared to plain radiographs in identifying femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) morphology. METHODS: Eight consecutive patients who underwent surgery for FAI pathology were selected for this study. Preoperative CT scan image data were used to create high resolution, 3D hip reconstruction models. Four observers (two attending hip surgeons and radiologists) performed a blinded review of preselected radiographs and 3D CT hip models. Alpha and lateral center-edge angle measurements, location of cam lesion and the presence of a "crossover sign" were assessed. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was determined by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) or kappa coefficients to evaluate agreement for categorical variables. RESULTS: The parameter that demonstrated the highest and poorest inter-observer agreement was the presence of a "crossover sign" using 3D CT-generated high resolution hip models (ICC = 0.76, p = 0.00) and anteroposterior pelvis radiography, respectively (ICC = 0.20, p = 0.02). Alpha angle values were significantly higher using plain radiographs when compared to 3D hip reconstruction models (61.1° ± 10.4° versus 55.4° ± 14.4°, p = 0.003). Furthermore, when compared to radiographs, 3D hip reconstruction models demonstrated significantly higher intra-observer agreement (ICC = 0.856 versus 0.405, p = 0.005) when determining the presence of a "crossover sign". CONCLUSIONS: Our findings were suggestive that for most commonly used FAI morphology parameters, CT-generated hip models demonstrated little benefit over plain radiographs in improving inter-observer agreement among providers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

How does external rotation bracing influence motion and functional scores after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization?

BACKGROUND: After arthroscopic shoulder stabilization, the loss of motion or delayed recovery of motion remains a clinical problem and may lead to poor patient satisfaction. There remains no consensus regarding the optimal position for postoperative immobilization and it is not known whether the position for shoulder immobilization has an effect on motion and functional recovery. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked: (1) Do patients treated with external rotation (ER) bracing after arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization reliably regain ROM and shoulder function? And (2) what is the frequency of recurrent instability and brace-related complications associated with the use of ER bracing? METHODS: Forty consecutive patients with a primary diagnosis of anterior shoulder instability underwent arthroscopic stabilization and received postoperative ER bracing; 33 patients (83%; mean age, 23 years; range, 13-44 years) were followed for at least 1 year postoperatively and seven patients were lost to followup. Shoulder ROM and functional scores were recorded preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and greater than 1 year (mean, 16 months) after surgery. RESULTS: All patients recovered their preoperative ROM and most patients achieved normal ROM by 3 months after surgery. Significant improvements in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) scores were observed at each postoperative time point. The mean (± SD) final scores were 95 ± 9 for the ASES and 87% ± 17% for the WOSI (p < 0.001 compared to preoperative scores). One patient (3%) developed recurrent instability. No patients underwent reoperation for the injured shoulder for any reason during the followup period. CONCLUSIONS: ER bracing after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization is associated with a predictable recovery of ROM and functional score improvement. Future studies comparing ER bracing to traditional sling use should be conducted to determine the optimal method of postoperative immobilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Extra-articular hip impingement: a systematic review examining operative treatment of psoas, subspine, ischiofemoral, and greater trochanteric/pelvic impingement.

PURPOSE: Extra-articular hip impingement can be the result of psoas impingement (PI), subspine impingement (SSI), ischiofemoral impingement (IFI), and greater trochanteric/pelvic impingement (GTPI). Symptoms may be due to bony abutment or soft-tissue irritation, and often, it is a challenge to differentiate among symptoms preoperatively. Currently, the clinical picture and diagnostic criteria are still being refined for these conditions. This systematic review was conducted to examine each condition and elucidate the indications for, treatment options for, and clinical outcomes of surgical management. METHODS: We searched online databases (Medline, Embase, and PubMed) for English-language clinical studies published from database inception through December 31, 2013, addressing the surgical treatment of PI, SSI, IFI, and GTPI. For each condition, 2 independent assessors reviewed eligible studies. Descriptive statistics are presented. RESULTS: Overall, 9,521 studies were initially retrieved; ultimately, 14 studies were included examining 333 hips. For PI, arthroscopic surgery resulted in 88% of patients achieving good to excellent results, as well as significant improvements in the Harris Hip Score (P = .008), Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (P = .02), and Hip Outcome Score-Sport (P = .04). For SSI, arthroscopic decompression, with no major complications, resulted in a mean 18.5° improvement in flexion range of motion, as well as improvements in pain (mean visual analog scale score of 5.9 points preoperatively and 1.2 points postoperatively) and the modified Harris Hip Score (mean of 64.97 points preoperatively and 91.3 points postoperatively). For both IFI and GTPI, open procedures anecdotally improved patient symptoms, with no formal objective outcomes data reported. CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that there is some evidence to support that surgical treatment, by arthroscopy for PI and SSI and by open surgery for IFI and GTPI, results in improved patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review of Level IV and V (case report) studies.

Superior labrum anterior-to-posterior repair incidence: a longitudinal investigation of community and academic databases.

BACKGROUND: Superior labrum anterior-to-posterior (SLAP) lesion repair is controversial regarding indications and potential complications. METHODS: Databases were used to determine the SLAP repair incidence compared with all orthopaedic procedures over a period of 10 years. In part A, the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System ambulatory surgery database was investigated from 2002 to 2009. In part B, the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development ambulatory surgery database was investigated from 2005 to 2009. In part C, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) database was investigated from 2003 to 2010. RESULTS: In part A, from 2002 to 2009, there was a 238% increase in SLAP repair volume compared with a 125% increase in all orthopaedic procedures. In part B, from 2005 to 2009, there was a 20.17% increase in SLAP repair volume compared with a decrease of 13.64% in all orthopaedic procedures. In part C, among candidates performing at least 1 SLAP repair, there was no statistically significant difference in likelihood of performing a SLAP repair (95% confidence interval, 0.973-1.003) in 2010 as compared with 2003 (P > .10). CONCLUSIONS: There has been a significant increase in the incidence of SLAP repairs in the past 10 years in statewide databases. This pattern was not seen in the ABOS database, in which the annual volume of SLAP repairs remained stable over the same period. This suggests that SLAP lesions have been over-treated with surgical repair but that part II ABOS candidates are becoming more aware of the need to narrow indications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiology study, database analysis.

Intermediate and long-term follow-up of total shoulder arthroplasty for the management of postcapsulorrhaphy arthropathy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subjective and objective outcomes in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty for treatment of postcapsulorrhaphy arthropathy (CA) and compare them with outcomes in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Total shoulder arthroplasty was used to treat 25 consecutive CA patients (25 shoulders) at our institution; of these, 22 patients were available for follow-up. An age-matched cohort of 19 consecutive patients (20 shoulders) who were treated with total shoulder arthroplasty for primary glenohumeral OA was compared with the CA group. Patients were evaluated by physical examination and patient outcome measures (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons assessment and Simple Shoulder Test). Complications, reoperations, and subscapularis function was also recorded. RESULTS: Compared with the CA group, the OA group achieved greater forward elevation (165° vs 147°; P = .036) and greater external rotation (56° vs. 45°; P = .04); however, no significant differences were seen in subjective patient scores between the 2 groups for Simple Shoulder Test (P = .90), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons assessment (P = .65), and pain scores (P = .80). The difference in the number of revision surgeries in the OA group compared with the CA group (1 vs 4) was not significant (P = .35). A significantly higher number of patients in the CA group had subscapularis insufficiency compared with the OA group (5 CA vs 0 OA; P = .049). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that when compared with patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty for primary OA, CA patients experience similar outcomes with respect to revision surgery, pain relief, and subjective self-assessment and have a higher incidence of subscapularis insufficiency.

Aggravation of inflammatory response by costimulation with titanium particles and mechanical perturbations in osteoblast- and macrophage-like cells.

The interface between bone tissue and metal implants undergoes various types of mechanical loading, such as strain, compression, fluid pressure, and shear stress, from daily activities. Such mechanical perturbations create suboptimal environments at the host bone-implant junction, causing an accumulation of wear particles and debilitating osseous integration, potentially leading to implant failure. While many studies have focused on the effect of particles on macrophages or osteoprogenitor cells, differential and combined effects of mechanical perturbations and particles on such cell types have not been extensively studied. In this study, macrophages and osteoprogenitor cells were subjected to physiological and superphysiological mechanical stimuli in the presence and absence of Ti particles with the aim of simulating various microenvironments of the host bone-implant junction. Macrophages and osteoprogenitor cells were capable of engulfing Ti particles through actin remodeling and also exhibited changes in mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines under certain conditions. In osteoprogenitor cells, superphysiological strain increased proinflammatory gene expression; in macrophages, such mechanical perturbations did not affect gene expression. We confirmed that this phenomenon in osteoprogenitor cells occurred via activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway as a result of damage to the cytoplasmic membrane. Furthermore, AZD6244, a clinically relevant inhibitor of the ERK1/2 pathway, mitigated particle-induced inflammatory gene expression in osteoprogenitor cells and macrophages. This study provides evidence of more inflammatory responses under mechanical strains in osteoprogenitor cells than macrophages. Phagocytosis of particles and mechanical perturbation costimulate the ERK1/2 pathway, leading to expression of proinflammatory genes.

Management of septic arthritis following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a review of current practices and recommendations.

Septic arthritis following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a rare and potentially devastating complication that often leads to articular destruction and adverse clinical outcomes. Because of its rare occurrence, best practices for diagnosis and management have yet to be established. However, graft retention and favorable outcomes are possible with early diagnosis, surgical intervention, and appropriate antibiotic management. Clinicians must be familiar with the diagnostic criteria and management options for septic arthritis. Most patients require multiple procedures to effectively eradicate infection. When the original reconstructed graft cannot be salvaged, a staged anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction revision is required.

Proximal humerus and humeral shaft nonunions.

The rate of nonunion is estimated to be 1.1% to 10% following closed treatment of proximal humerus fracture and 5.5% following closed treatment of humeral shaft fracture. Surgical management should be considered for fractures that demonstrate no evidence of progressive healing on consecutive radiographs taken at least 6 to 8 weeks apart during the course of closed treatment. In the case of proximal humerus nonunion, recent series have demonstrated union in >90% of patients treated with reconstruction using locking plates and autogenous bone graft. Shoulder arthroplasty is reserved as a salvage option in cases in which the humeral head is not viable or the proximal fragment will not support osteosynthesis. For humeral shaft nonunions, open reduction and internal fixation with compression plating and bone graft remains the standard of care, with a >90% rate of union and good functional outcomes. Recent studies support the use of locked compression plates, dual plating, and cortical allograft struts in patients with osteopenic bone.

Hemiarthroplasty for three- and four-part proximal humerus fractures.

Displaced three- and four-part proximal humerus fractures are among the most challenging shoulder conditions to manage. Because of the risk of symptomatic malunion, nonunion, and humeral head osteonecrosis, surgical management is preferred. Locking plate technology has provided an alternative to hemiarthroplasty for certain three- and four-part fracture patterns, even in the setting of osteopenic bone. Prosthetic humeral head replacement has been advocated for head-splitting fractures and fracture-dislocations as well as four-part fractures with significant initial varus displacement (>20°). Technical challenges, including obtaining proper humeral head height, retroversion, and optimal positioning and fixation of the tuberosities, have a substantial effect on patient outcomes.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound characterization of the vascularity of the repaired rotator cuff tendon: short-term and intermediate-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to characterize and compare the vascularity of arthroscopically repaired rotator cuff tendons at short-term and intermediate-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were prospectively monitored for an average of 21.2 months. Initial baseline, grayscale ultrasound images of the operated-on shoulder were obtained on all patients at 3 months and at a minimum of 10 months postoperatively. Perflutren-lipid microsphere contrast (DEFINITY, Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA, USA) was injected after baseline grayscale images and after exercise to obtain contrast-enhanced images of the repair. Three regions of interest--supraspinatus tendon, peribursal tissue, and bone anchor site--were evaluated before and after rotator cuff-specific exercises. RESULTS: The peribursal tissue demonstrated the greatest blood flow, followed by the bone anchor site and tendon, in pre-exercise and postexercise states. Significantly less blood flow was observed in all regions of interest before exercise (P < .05) and only at the bone anchor site after exercise (P < .001) at latest follow-up compared with the 3-month values. Intratendinous blood flow remained relatively low at both evaluation points after surgical repair. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings suggest that the peribursal tissue and bone anchor site are the main conduits of blood flow for the rotator cuff tendon after arthroscopic repair, with the supraspinatus tendon being relatively avascular. Blood flow of the repaired rotator cuff tendon decreases with time. Furthermore, exercise significantly enhances blood flow to the repaired rotator cuff.

Comparison of the mechanical properties and anchoring performance of polyvinylidene fluoride and polypropylene barbed sutures for tendon repair.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has been considered as an alternative suture material to replace polypropylene (PP) due to its superior biocompatibility and mechanical properties, but it has never been examined for use in barbed sutures, particularly for tendon repair. This study fabricated size 2-0 PVDF and PP bidirectional barbed sutures and compared their mechanical properties and anchoring performance in patellar tendons. The mechanical properties were evaluated via tensile testing, and the anchoring performance of the barbed sutures was assessed by a tendon suture pullout test. Sixty porcine patellar tendons were harvested, transected to mimic a full-thickness injury, and repaired using a cross-locked cruciate suturing technique. The ultimate tensile force was 60% higher for the PVDF barbed sutures (22.4 ± 2.1 N) than for the PP barbed sutures (14.0 ± 1.7 N). The maximum pullout force was 35% higher for PVDF barbed sutures (70.8 ± 7.8 N) than for PP barbed sutures (52.4 ± 5.8 N). The force needed to form a 2-mm gap, indicative of repair failure, was similar between the PVDF (29.2 ± 5.0 N) and PP (25.6 ± 3.1 N) barbed sutures, but both were greater than the 2-mm-gap forces for non-barbed sutures of the same size. In this study, PVDF barbed sutures provided better mechanical properties and improved tissue anchoring performance compared to the barbed PP sutures for porcine patellar tendon repair, demonstrating that PVDF monofilament sutures can be barbed and used effectively for tendon repair.

Precontoured plating of clavicle fractures: decreased hardware-related complications?

BACKGROUND: Operative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures reportedly decreases the risk of symptomatic malunion, nonunion, and residual shoulder disability. Plating these fractures, however, may trade these complications for hardware-related problems. Low-profile anatomically precontoured plates may reduce the rates of plate prominence and hardware removal. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We compared the outcomes after precontoured and noncontoured superior plating of acute displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. Primary outcomes were rate of plate prominence, rate of hardware removal, and rate of complications. Secondary outcomes were ROM and pain and function scores. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients with 52 acute, displaced midshaft clavicle fractures treated with either noncontoured or precontoured superior clavicle plate fixation. Fourteen patients with noncontoured plates and 28 with precontoured plates were available for followup at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Postoperative assessment included ROM, radiographs, and subjective scores including visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, and Simple Shoulder Test. RESULTS: Patients complained of prominent hardware in nine of 14 in the noncontoured group and nine of 28 in the precontoured group. Hardware removal rates were three of 14 in the noncontoured group and three of 28 in the precontoured group. Postoperative ROM and postoperative subjective scores were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Precontoured plating versus noncontoured plating of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures results in a lower rate of plate prominence in patients who do not undergo hardware removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Return to Play and In-Game Performance Statistics Among Pitchers After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction of the Elbow: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is relatively common among baseball pitchers. Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has revolutionized the management of this injury, allowing a greater proportion of pitchers to return to play. PURPOSE: To assess the return to play and in-game performance specific to baseball pitchers who have undergone primary UCLR. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched for relevant studies, and pertinent data were abstracted. Only studies reporting in-game performance statistics (earned run average [ERA], pitching velocity, innings pitched per season, etc) of pitchers after UCLR were included. The methodological index for nonrandomized studies (MINORS) was used to assess study quality. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies and 1520 pitchers were included in this systematic review. All studies were of level 3 or 4 evidence, and the mean ± SD MINORS score was 14.4 ± 3.0, which indicates fair quality of evidence for nonrandomized studies. The rates of return to any level of pitching after UCLR ranged from 79% to 100%. Subgroup analysis revealed that 79% to 87% of Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers returned to preinjury levels of pitching. The mean time to return to play was 19.8 ± 13.5 months, and the mean time to return to competition for MLB pitchers was 17.3 ± 2.4 months. Of the 5 studies reporting ERA, 2 cited a significant increase after UCLR, and 1 indicated a significant decrease. Of the 4 studies reporting fastball velocity, 3 cited decreased pitching velocities after UCLR. All studies found that pitchers pitched, on average, fewer innings per game or season after UCLR. CONCLUSION: There was a high rate of return to pitching after UCLR. However, most studies showed that UCLR was associated with a prolonged recovery and significant decline in pitching performance as objectively measured by in-game statistics. The strength of these conclusions is limited by the quality of the available literature and inconsistencies in the reporting of outcomes.

The relationship between greater tuberosity osteopenia and the chronicity of rotator cuff tears.

This study investigated whether a relationship exists between greater tuberosity osteopenia and chronicity of rotator cuff tears. In a retrospective study, anteroposterior radiographs of 28 shoulders in 27 patients who had undergone surgical repair for rotator cuff tears were reviewed. Greater tuberosity osteopenia scores were created using National Institutes of Health digital image software. There was no significant difference in the mean age between patients with minimal to mild rotator cuff tear retraction (63.1 +/- 6.14 years) and patients with moderate to severe rotator cuff tear retraction (63.4 +/- 9.76 years; P = .77). Of the 13 patients with minimal to mild rotator cuff tear retraction, 10 (77%) were women and 3 (23%) were men. Of 14 patients (50%) with moderate to severe rotator cuff tear retraction, 7 were men and 7 were women. The mean greater tuberosity osteopenia score in the 15 patients with moderate to severe retraction (0.48 +/- 0.095) was significantly less than the greater tuberosity osteopenia score in the 13 patients with minimal to mild retraction (0.58 +/- 0.135; P < .05). Furthermore, the mean greater tuberosity osteopenia score in 6 patients with chronic retracted rotator cuff tears (0.48 +/- 0.125) was significantly less than in the 6 patients with acute minimally retracted tears (0.64 +/- 0.119, P < .05). There were significantly greater osteopenic changes in the greater tuberosity in patients with chronic retracted rotator cuff tears. The greater tuberosity osteopenia may affect anchor pullout strength and the healing biology that influences overall rotator cuff repair healing rates.

Reliability of 3-Dimensional Glenoid Component Templating and Correlation to Intraoperative Component Selection.

Although implant-specific intraoperative targeting devices for glenoid sizing exist, a validated method for preoperatively templating glenoid component size in primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) based on digital imaging does not. We conducted a study to determine if 3-dimensional (3-D) digital imaging could be used for preoperative templating of glenoid component size and to compare templated glenoid sizes with implanted glenoid sizes. We created 3-D digital models from 3 glenoid component implant sizes and preoperative scapular computed tomography scans of 24 patients who underwent primary TSA. In study arm 1, surgeons templated the 3-D components using only 2 df (superior-inferior and anterior-posterior planes). In study arm 2, surgeons templated the 3-D components using 6 df (superior-inferior, anterior-posterior, and rotational planes). Overall intraobserver agreement was substantial (0.67) in study arm 1 (P < .001) and moderate (0.58) in study arm 2 (P < .001). In arm 1, overall interobserver agreement was fair (0.36) for trial 1 (P < .001) and fair (0.32) for trial 2 (P < .001). In arm 2, overall interobserver agreement was moderate (0.54) for trial 1 (P < .001) and moderate (0.43) for trial 2 (P < .001). In both arms, surgeons tended to template glenoid components smaller than those implanted intraoperatively, particularly for female patients. Our findings show that 3-D digital models can be consistently and reliably used for preoperative templating of glenoid com-ponent size.

The management of acromioclavicular joint osteoarthrosis: débride, resect, or leave it alone.

The acromioclavicular joint is a small, diarthrodial joint that can cause significant pain. A thorough patient history, careful physical examination, and the judicious use of selective injections are critically important to making an accurate diagnosis. Many radiographic findings are unreliable in determining the reasons for a symptomatic acromioclavicular joint. Recent controversy surrounding this joint has centered on the clinical question: should the acromioclavicular joint be left alone, débrided, or resected? A review of the anatomy, pathophysiology, biomechanics, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options for patients with disorders of the acromioclavicular joint can provide information to answer this question.

Tendon-to-bone pressure distributions at a repaired rotator cuff footprint using transosseous suture and suture anchor fixation techniques.

BACKGROUND: Interface contact pressure between the tendon and bone has been shown to influence healing. This study evaluates the interface pressure of the rotator cuff tendon to the greater tuberosity for different rotator cuff repair techniques. HYPOTHESIS: The transosseous tunnel rotator cuff repair technique provides larger pressure distributions over a defined insertion footprint than do suture anchor techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Simulated rotator cuff tears over a 1 x 2-cm infraspinatus insertion footprint were created in 25 bovine shoulders. A transosseous tunnel simple suture technique (n = 8), suture anchor simple technique (n = 9), and suture anchor mattress technique (n = 8) were used for repair. Pressurized contact areas and mean pressures of the repaired tendon against the tuberosity were determined using pressure-sensitive film placed between the tendon and the tuberosity. RESULTS: The mean contact area between the tendon and tuberosity insertion footprint was significantly greater for the transosseous technique (67.7 +/- 5.8 mm(2)) compared with the suture anchor simple (34.1 +/- 9.4 mm(2)) and suture anchor mattress (26.0 +/- 5.3 mm(2)) techniques (P < .05). The mean interface pressure exerted over the footprint by the tendon was also greater for the transosseous technique (0.32 +/- 0.05 MPa) compared with the suture anchor simple (0.26 +/- 0.04 MPa) and suture anchor mattress (0.24 +/- 0.02 MPa) techniques (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The transosseous tunnel rotator cuff repair technique creates significantly more contact and greater overall pressure distribution over a defined footprint when compared with suture anchor techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Stronger and faster rotator cuff healing may be expected when beneficial pressure distributions exist between the repaired rotator cuff and its insertion footprint. Tendon-to-tuberosity pressure and contact characteristics should be considered in the development of improved open and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair techniques.