Arthroscopy and Microfracture for Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum in Adolescent Athletes Shows Favorable Return to Sport: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To assess return to sport (RTS) in the high-risk young athlete population with capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) undergoing arthroscopic microfracture (MFX) with or without debridement as well as associated indications, clinical outcomes, radiographic outcomes, and complications. METHODS: A literature search of all published literature in the English language from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane from database inception to April 4, 2022, was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included studies presented demographics and outcomes for adolescent (<21 years old) patients diagnosed with capitellar OCD who underwent arthroscopic MFX (or drilling/subchondral drilling) or MFX (or drilling/subchondral drilling) with debridement (or loose body removal/chondroplasty). Studies containing multiple surgical techniques that did not distinguish characteristics and outcomes of individual patients by surgical technique were excluded. Additionally, if there was overlap in patient populations between 2 studies, the study with less outcome data was excluded. Extracted data included study properties, patient demographics, lesion characteristics, surgery details, and patient outcomes, including range of motion, outcome scores, and RTS rates. Bias was assessed via the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). RESULTS: Nine studies of 136 patients and 138 elbows met criteria. Included articles were published between 2005 and 2020 with MINORS scores of 8 to 14 (50% to 88%). The age ranged from 12.7 to 15.7 years with most patients being involved in baseball or gymnastics and a rate of dominant elbow involvement of 55% to 100%. Patient follow-up ranged from 16 to 138 months. All 9 studies reported RTS, ranging from 65% to 100%. Six of these studies categorized the level to which the patient returned, with patients RTS at the same level of competition ranging from 60% to 100%. Six studies reported complications, with a range rate of 0% to 43%; there were a total of 10 complications, 7 of which required reoperations. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic MFX with or without arthroscopic debridement is a safe and effective treatment for OCD lesions of the capitellum in young, athletic patients. Included studies reported improved clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes. Aside from 1 study reporting an RTS of 65%, the rate of RTS ranged from 86% to 100%. The percentage of patients returning to sport at the same level of competition ranged from 60% to 100% with a time to RTS ranging from 4.1 to 5 months. A single study reported a complication rate of 43%, while remaining studies reported complication rates between 0% and 19%, with loose bodies being the most common complication requiring reoperation. Follow-up ranged from 16 to 138 months. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.

Variable Return to Play and Sport Performance After Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Baseball Players: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate return to play (RTP) and return to same level of play (RTSP) rates as well as preoperative and postoperative in-game performance metrics in baseball pitchers who underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR). Secondarily, this review sought to assess outcomes based on primary versus revision UCLR as well as level of competition. METHODS: This review was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried to identify articles evaluating UCLR in baseball players between January 2002 and October 2022. Data included RTP, RTSP, and performance metrics including earned run average, innings pitched, walks and hits per inning pitched, batting average against, strikeouts per 9 innings, walks per 9 innings, percentage of fastballs thrown, and average fastball velocity. The Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies criteria were used for quality assessment. RESULTS: Analysis included 25 articles reporting on 2,100 elbows. After primary UCLR, RTP ranged from 336 to 615 days (57% to 100% achieved) and RTSP ranged from 330 to 513 days (61% to 95%). After revision UCLR, RTP ranged from 381 to 631 days (67% to 98%) and RTSP ranged from 518 to 575 days (42% to 78%). When stratifying primary UCLR outcomes by competitive level, RTP and RTSP ranged respectively from 417 to 615 days (75% to 100%) and 513 days (73% to 87%) for Major League Baseball only, 409 to 615 days (57% to 100%) and 470 to 513 days (61% to 95%) for Major League Baseball plus Minor League Baseball, and 336 to 516 days (73% to 85%) and 330 days (55% to 74%) for college plus high school. Heterogeneity was seen in postoperative sports performance metrics. CONCLUSIONS: Although more than half of baseball players appear able to RTP after primary and revision UCLR, RTSP rates after revision UCLR were as low as 42% in the literature. Preoperative and postoperative performance metrics varied. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level II-IV studies.

Targeted Muscle Reinnervation: Factors Predisposing to Successful Pain Score Reduction.

BACKGROUND: Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing neuroma and chronic pain. In this article, we investigated postoperative outcomes in our patient cohort, with a focus on the role of nonmodifiable factors such as patient age and gender. METHODS: Patients who had extremity TMR from April 2018 to October 2022 were reviewed. Outcomes of interest included patient age, gender, cause and type of amputation, delayed versus immediate TMR, as well as postoperative improvement in pain as assessed by numerical rating score (NRS). RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent TMR on 47 limbs. Mean age was 46.2 ± 17.0 years. Delayed TMR (27, 57.4%) was most commonly performed, followed by immediate and delayed-immediate at 11 (23.4%) and 9 (19.1%), respectively. Amputation level was most commonly above-knee in 20 (42.6%) patients, followed by below-knee (12, 25.5%), transhumeral (8, 17.0%), transradial (6, 12.8%), and shoulder (1, 2.1%). The median time interval between amputation and TMR was 12 months. The median preoperative NRS assessing residual limb pain (RLP) for patients who underwent delayed TMR was 10. The median postoperative NRS assessing RLP for all patients was 0 (interquartile range25-75: 0-5) and significantly improved compared with preoperative NRS (P < 0.001). At the last follow-up for limbs that had delayed and delayed-immediate TMR (n = 36), 33 (91.7%) limbs had more than 50% resolution of RLP. There was a significant difference in median postoperative NRS by gender (4 in men and 0 in women) (P < 0.05). Postoperative median NRS also favored younger patients (0, <50 years compared with 4.5, >50 years) (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, of different variables analyzed, only male gender and older age were predictive of poorer postoperative outcomes. CONCLUSION: TMR showed high efficacy in our cohort, with improved short-term outcomes in women and younger patients.

Four-Corner Fusion Versus Proximal Row Carpectomy for Scapholunate Advanced Collapse and Scaphoid Nonunion Advanced Collapse Wrist: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Although proximal row carpectomy (PRC) has increasingly been shown to have superior features to four-corner fusion (4CF), individual surgeons may remain convinced of the superiority of one procedure based on personal experience and individual biases. Hence, we sought to perform an updated meta-analysis with some of the largest studies to date to compare outcomes and complications between these procedures in the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrists. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane were queried for articles on PRC and 4CF performed for scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrist. Primary outcomes included wrist range of motion; grip strength; outcome measures, including Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores, Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation, and visual analog scale pain scores; and surgical complications. RESULTS: Sixty-one studies reported on 3,174 wrists, of which 54% were treated with PRC and 46% were treated with 4CF. The weighted mean follow-up was 61 months (range, 12-216 months). Meta-analysis comparing PRC and 4CF demonstrated that PRC had significantly greater postoperative extension; ulnar deviation; postoperative improvement in extension, flexion, ulnar deviation; and visual analog scale score. No comparisons showed significant differences in grip strength. The percentage of wrists requiring arthrodesis was 5.2% for PRC and 11% for 4CF. There was an 8.9% (57/640 wrists) 4CF nonunion rate and 2.2% (17/789) hardware removal rate after 4CF. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrists, PRC results in better outcomes and a lower complication rate compared to 4CF. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Clinical outcomes of anatomic vs. reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in primary osteoarthritis with preoperative external rotation weakness and an intact rotator cuff: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) are well-established treatments for patients with primary osteoarthritis and an intact cuff. However, it is unclear whether aTSA or rTSA provides superior outcomes in patients with preoperative external rotation (ER) weakness. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected shoulder arthroplasty database was performed between 2007 and 2020. Patients were excluded for preoperative diagnoses of nerve injury, infection, tumor, or fracture. The analysis included 333 aTSAs and 155 rTSAs performed for primary cuff-intact osteoarthritis with 2-year minimum follow-up. Defining preoperative ER weakness as strength <3.3 kilograms (7.2 pounds), 3 cohorts were created and matched: (1) weak aTSAs (n = 74) vs. normal aTSAs (n = 74), (2) weak rTSAs (n = 38) vs. normal rTSAs (n = 38), and (3) weak rTSAs (n = 60) vs. weak aTSAs (n = 60). We compared range of motion, outcome scores, strength, complications, and revision rates at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: Despite weak aTSAs having poorer preoperative strength in forward elevation and ER (P < .001), neither of these deficits persisted postoperatively compared with the normal cohort. Likewise, weak rTSAs had poorer preoperative strength in forward elevation and ER, overhead motion, and Constant, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and University of California, Los Angeles scores (P < .029). However, no statistically significant differences were found between preoperatively weak and normal rTSAs. When comparing weak aTSA vs. weak rTSA, no differences were found in preoperative and postoperative outcomes, proportion of patients achieving the minimal clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefit, and complication and rate of revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In preoperatively weak patients with cuff-intact primary osteoarthritis, aTSA leads to similar postoperative strength, range of motion, and outcome scores compared with patients with normal preoperative strength, indicating that preoperative weakness does not preclude aTSA use. Furthermore, patients who were preoperatively weak in ER demonstrated improved postoperative rotational motion after undergoing aTSA and rTSA, with both groups achieving the minimal clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefit at similar rates.

Graft choice and techniques used in elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction over the last 20 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament (mUCL) injuries have become increasingly common, leading to a higher number of mUCL reconstructions (UCLR). Various techniques and graft choices have been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of each available graft choice, the surgical techniques most utilized, and the reported complications associated with each surgical method. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysesguidelines. We queried PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases to identify all articles that included UCLR between January 2002 and October 2022. We included all studies that referenced UCLR graft choice, surgical technique, and/or ulnar nerve transposition. Studies were evaluated in a narrative fashion to assess demographics and report current trends in utilization and complications of UCLR as they pertain to graft choice and surgical techniques over the past 20 years. Where possible, we stratified based on graft and technique. RESULTS: Forty-seven articles were included, reporting on 6671 elbows. The cohort was 98% male, had a weighted mean age of 21 years and follow-up of 53 months. There were 6146 UCLRs (92%) performed with an autograft and 152 (2.3%) that utilized an allograft, while 373 (5.6%) were from mixed cohorts of autograft and allograft. Palmaris longus autograft was the most utilized mUCL graft choice (64%). The most utilized surgical configuration was the figure-of-8 (68%). Specifically, the most common techniques were the modified Jobe technique (37%), followed by American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) (22%), and the docking (22%) technique. A concomitant ulnar nerve transposition was performed in 44% of all patients, with 1.9% of these patients experiencing persistent ulnar nerve symptoms after ulnar nerve transposition. Of the total cohort, 14% experienced postoperative ulnar neuritis with no prior preoperative ulnar nerve symptoms. Further, meta-analysis revealed a significantly greater revision rate with the use of allografts compared to autograft and mixed cohorts (2.6% vs. 1.8% and 1.9%, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Most surgeons performed UCLR with palmaris autograft utilizing a figure-of-8 graft configuration, specifically with the modified Jobe technique. The overall rate of allograft use was 2.3%, much lower than expected. The revision rate for UCLR with allograft appears to be greater compared to UCLR with autograft, although this may be secondary to limited allograft literature.

Reported outcome measures in complex fracture elbow dislocations: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Complex elbow fracture dislocations, dislocation with fracture of one or several surrounding bony stabilizers, are difficult to manage and associated with poor outcomes. While many studies have explored treatment strategies but a lack of standardization of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) makes cross-study comparison difficult. In this systematic review, we aim to describe what injury patterns, measured outcomes, and associated complications are reported in the complex elbow fracture dislocation literature to provide outcome reporting recommendations that will facilitate improved future cross-study comparison. METHODS: A systematic review was performed per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We queried PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases to identify articles published between 2010 and 2022 reporting on adult patients who had a complex elbow fracture dislocation. Pathologic fractures were excluded. A bias assessment using the methodological index for nonrandomized studies criteria was conducted. For each article, patient demographics, injury pattern, outcome measures, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-one studies reporting on 3664 elbows (3654 patients) with an elbow fracture and dislocation (weighted mean age 44 years, follow-up of 30 months, 41% female) were evaluated. Of these, the injury pattern was described in 3378 elbows and included 2951 (87%) terrible triad injuries and 72 (2%) transolecranon fracture-dislocations. The three most commonly reported classification systems were: Mason classification for radial head fractures, Regan and Morrey coronoid classification for coronoid fractures, and O'Driscoll classification for coronoid fractures. Range of motion was reported in 87 (96%) studies with most reporting flexion (n = 70), extension (n = 62), pronation (n = 68), or supination (n = 67). Strength was reported in 11 (12%) studies. PROMs were reported in 83 (91%) studies with an average of 2.6 outcomes per study. There were 14 outcome scores including the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (n = 69 [83%]), the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score (n = 28 [34%]), the visual analog scale for pain (n = 27 [33%]), QuickDASH score (n = 13 [15.7%]), and Oxford Elbow score (n = 5 [6.0%]). No significance was found between the number of PROMs used per article and the year of publication (P = .313), study type (P = .689), complex fracture pattern (P = .211), or number of elbows included (P = .152). CONCLUSION: There is great heterogeneity in reported PROMs in the complex elbow fracture dislocation literature. Although there is no gold standard PROM for assessing complex elbow fracture dislocations, we recommend the use of at least the Mayo Elbow Performance Score and DASH outcomes measures as well as visual analog scale pain rating scale in future studies to facilitate cross-study comparisons.

Quantifying success after first revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: the minimal and substantial clinically important percentage of maximal possible improvement.

BACKGROUND: When patients require reoperation after primary shoulder arthroplasty, revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is most commonly performed. However, defining clinically important improvement in these patients is challenging because benchmarks have not been previously defined. Furthermore, although the minimal clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefit are commonly used to assess clinically relevant success, these metrics are limited by ceiling effects that may cause inaccurate estimates of patient success. Our purpose was to define the minimal and substantial clinically important percentage of maximal possible improvement (MCI-%MPI and SCI-%MPI) for commonly used pain and functional outcome scores after revision rTSA and to quantify the proportion of patients achieving clinically relevant success. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used a prospectively collected single-institution database of patients who underwent first revision rTSA between August 2015 and December 2019. Patients with a diagnosis of periprosthetic fracture or infection were excluded. Outcome scores included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), raw and normalized Constant, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scores. We used an anchor-based method to calculate the MCI-%MPI and SCI-%MPI. In addition, we calculated the MCI-%MPI using a distribution-based method for historical comparison. The proportions of patients achieving each threshold were assessed. The influence of sex, type of primary shoulder arthroplasty, and reason for revision rTSA were also assessed by calculating cohort-specific thresholds. RESULTS: Ninety-three revision rTSAs with minimum 2-year follow-up were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 67 years; 56% were female, and the average follow-up was 54 months. Revision rTSA was performed most commonly for failed anatomic TSA (n = 47), followed by hemiarthroplasty (n = 21), rTSA (n = 15), and humeral head resurfacing (n = 10). The indication for revision rTSA was most commonly glenoid loosening (n = 24), followed by rotator cuff failure (n = 23) and subluxation and unexplained pain (n = 11 for both). The anchor-based MCI-%MPI thresholds (% of patients achieving) were ASES = 33% (49%), raw Constant = 23% (64%), normalized Constant = 30% (61%), UCLA = 51% (53%), SST = 26% (68%), and SPADI = 29% (58%). The anchor-based SCI-%MPI thresholds (% of patients achieving) were ASES = 55% (31%), raw Constant = 41% (27%), normalized Constant = 52% (22%), UCLA = 66% (37%), SST = 74% (25%), and SPADI = 49% (34%). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to establish thresholds for the MCI-%MPI and SCI-%MPI at minimum 2 years after revision rTSA, providing physicians an evidence-based method to assess patient outcomes postoperatively.

Toxic effects of local anesthetics on rat fibroblasts: An in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Infusion catheters facilitate a controlled infusion of local anesthetic (LA) for pain control after surgery. However, their potential effects on healing fibroblasts are unspecified. METHODS: Rat synovial fibroblasts were cultured in 12-well plates. Dilutions were prepared in a solution containing reduced-serum media and 0.9% sodium chloride in 1:1 concentration. Each well was treated with 500 µl of the appropriate LA dilution or normal saline for 15- or 30-min. LA dilutions included: 0.5% ropivacaine HCl, 0.2% ropivacaine HCl, 1% lidocaine HCl and epinephrine 1:100,000, 1% lidocaine HCl, 0.5% bupivacaine HCl and epinephrine 1:200,000, and 0.5% bupivacaine HCl. This was replicated three times. Dilution of each LA whereby 50% of the cells were unviable (Lethal dose 50 [LD50]) was analyzed. RESULTS: LD50 was reached for lidocaine and bupivacaine, but not ropivacaine. Lidocaine 1% with epinephrine is toxic at 30-min at 1/4 and 1/2 sample dilutions. Bupivacaine 0.5% was found to be toxic at 30-min at 1/2 sample dilution. Bupivacaine 0.5% with epinephrine was found to be toxic at 15- and 30-min at 1/4 sample dilution. Lidocaine 1% was found to be toxic at 15- and 30-min at 1/2 sample dilution. Ropivacaine 0.2% and 0.5% remained below LD50 at all time-points and concentrations, with 0.2% demonstrating the least cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Though pain pumps are generally efficacious, LAs may inhibit fibroblasts, including perineural fibroblast and endoneurial fibroblast-like cells, which may contribute to persistent nerve deficits, delayed neurogenic pain, and negatively impact healing. Should a continuous infusion be used, our data supports ropivacaine 0.2%. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Basic Science Study; Animal model.

Predictors of adequate pain control after outpatient hand and upper extremity surgery.

PURPOSE: The opioid epidemic has changed practice, though there remains a paucity of data regarding prescribing habits and pain control following outpatient hand surgery. We sought to evaluate patient-related predictors of adequate postoperative pain control. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of a single-center prospectively collected database of elective outpatient surgery on the elbow, forearm, wrist, and/or hand. Patients were asked to complete preoperative and postoperative questionnaires to capture their perception of anticipated pain levels, expected prescription quantity/duration, additional medications used, and overall pain satisfaction. Patient demographics collected included, sex, age, race, tobacco use, and recreational drug use. Further, the questionnaire included the Brief Resilience Score (BRS), EuroQol 5-dimension health-related QOL measure (EQ-5D), and an assessment of patient-reported limitations secondary to their pain. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients completed the pre/postoperative questionnaires and were eligible for analysis. Of these patients, 80% reported adequate pain control. The sex, age, and race of those who reported adequate pain control and inadequate control were not significantly different. BRS scores were not found to be significantly different between groups, although EQ-5D QOL scores were significantly lower in the inadequately controlled group. Tobacco use was more prevalent in the inadequately controlled group. Marijuana use and the presence of a chronic pain diagnosis were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative self-reported quality of life measures and tobacco use appear to have significant effects on postoperative opioid use, suggesting further areas of optimization which may ensure patients are safe and minimize the number of opioid pills required.

The influence of depression on clinical outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Much of the current literature on total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) has assessed the impact of preoperative medical comorbidities on postoperative clinical outcomes. The literature concerning the impact of psychological disorders such as depression on TSA has increased in popularity in recent years, but there lacks a thorough review of the influence of depression on postoperative pain and functional outcomes. METHODS: We queried PubMed/MEDLINE and identified six clinical studies that evaluated the influence of a psychiatric diagnosis of depression on patient outcomes after TSA. Studies that discussed the impacts of depression on TSA, including PROs or adverse events in adults, were included. Studies focused on other psychologic pathology, non-TSA shoulder treatments, or TSA not for primary osteoarthritis were excluded. Non-clinical studies, systematic reviews, letters to the editor, commentaries, dissertations, books, and book chapters were excluded. RESULTS: Three cohort studies described patient-reported pain and functional outcomes and three database studies assessed the risk of postoperative complications. Cohort studies demonstrated that the prevalence of depression in patients undergoing TSA decreased from preoperatively to 12-months postoperatively. Two studies demonstrated that depression is an independent predictor of less pre- to postoperative improvement in the ASES score at minimum 2-year follow-up; however, one study found the difference between patients with and without depression did not exceed the minimum clinically important difference. Database studies demonstrated that depression was associated with higher rates of blood transfusion (n = 1, OR = 1.8), anemia (n = 1, OR = 1.65), wound infection (n = 2, OR = 1.41-2.09), prosthetic revision (n = 1, OR = 1.92), and length of hospital stay (n = 3, LOS = 2.5-3 days). CONCLUSION: Although patients with a preoperative diagnosis of depression undergoing TSA can achieve satisfactory relief of shoulder pain and restoration of function, they may experience poorer patient-reported outcomes and a higher risk of postoperative adverse events compared to their peers. Surgeons should be cognizant of the influence of depression in their patients to facilitate proper patient selection that maximizes patient satisfaction, function, and minimizes the risk of adverse events following TSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Establishing the diagnosis of radial tunnel syndrome: a systematic review of published clinical series.

PURPOSE: Radial tunnel syndrome (RTS) is a controversial diagnosis due to non-specific exam findings and frequent absence of positive electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study (NCS) findings. The purpose of this study was to identify the methods used to diagnose RTS in the literature. METHODS: We queried PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases per PRISMA guidelines. Extracted data included article and patient characteristics, diagnostic assessments utilized and their respective findings, and treatments. Objective data were summarized descriptively. The relationship between reported diagnostic findings (i.e., physical exam and diagnostic tests) and treatments was assessed via a descriptive synthesis. RESULTS: Our review included 13 studies and 391 upper extremities. All studies utilized physical exam in diagnosing RTS; most commonly, patients had tenderness over the radial tunnel (381/391, 97%). Preoperative EMG/NCS was reported by 11/13 studies, with abnormal findings in 8.9% (29/327) of upper extremities. Steroid and/or lidocaine injection for presumed lateral epicondylitis was reported by 9/13 studies (46/295 upper extremities, 16%), with RTS being diagnosed after patients received little to no relief. It was also common to inject the radial tunnel to make the diagnosis (218/295, 74%). The most common reported intraoperative finding was narrowing of the PIN (38/137, 28%). The intraoperative compressive site most commonly reported was the arcade of Frohse (142/306, 46%). CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial heterogeneity in modalities used to diagnose RTS and the reported definition of RTS. This, in conjunction with many patients having concomitant lateral epicondylitis, makes it difficult to compare treatment outcomes for RTS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III. Systematic review of retrospective and prospective cohort studies.

Pain scores and functional outcomes of patients with shoulder labral repair using all-suture anchors versus conventional anchors.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare PROMs in patients undergoing anterior glenoid labral repair using all-suture versus conventional anchors. We hypothesized PROMs would be similar between groups. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the Arthrex Global Surgical Outcomes System (SOS) database, querying patients who underwent arthroscopic glenoid labral repair between 01/01/2015 and 12/31/2020. Patients aged 18-100, who had isolated glenoid labrum repair with at least 12-month follow-up were included. The visual analog pain scale (VAS), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index, Veteran's RAND 12-items health survey, single assessment numeric evaluation and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES) were compared preoperatively, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively in patients who received all-suture anchors versus conventional anchors in the setting of anterior glenoid labrum repair. Our primary aim was comparison of PROMs between patients receiving all-suture versus conventional suture anchors. Secondarily, a sub-analysis was performed comparing outcomes based on anchor utilization for patients with noted anterior instability. RESULTS: We evaluated 566 patients, 54 patients receiving all-suture anchors and 512 patients receiving conventional anchors. At two-year follow-up there was no significant difference between the two groups in PROMs. In a sub-analysis of isolated anterior labrum repair, there was an improvement in ASES (P = 0.034) and VAS (P = 0.039) with the all-suture anchor at two-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: All-suture anchors provide similar or superior pain and functional outcome scores up to 2 years postoperatively compared to conventional anchors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As all-suture anchors gain popularity among surgeons, this is the largest scale study to date validating their use in the setting of glenoid labrum repair. Institutional Review Board (IRB): IRB202102550.

Considerations for Surgical Treatment of Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes.

PURPOSE: It remains unclear whether first rib resection (FRR), performed via a supraclavicular (SCFRR) or transaxillary (TAFRR) approach, is necessary for patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (nTOS). In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we performed a direct comparison of patient-reported functional outcomes following different surgical approaches for nTOS. METHODS: The authors searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PROSPERO, Google Scholar, and the gray literature. Data were extracted based on the procedure type. Well-validated patient-reported outcome measures were analyzed in separate time intervals. Random-effects meta-analysis and descriptive statistics were used where appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles were included, with 11 discussing SCFRR (812 patients), 6 discussing TAFRR (478 patients), and 5 discussing rib-sparing scalenectomy (RSS; 720 patients). The mean difference between preoperative and postoperative Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was significantly different comparing RSS (43.0), TAFRR (26.8), and SCFRR (21.8). The mean difference between preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale scores was significantly higher for TAFRR (5.3) compared to SCFRR (3.0). Derkash scores were significantly worse for TAFRR compared to RSS or SCFRR. RSS had a success rate of 97.4% based on Derkash score, followed by SCFRR and TAFRR at 93.2% and 87.9%, respectively. RSS had a lower complication rate compared to SCFRR and TAFRR. There was a difference in complication rates: 8.7%, 14.5%, and 3.6% for SCFRR, TAFRR, and RSS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mean differences in Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores and Derkash scores were significantly better for RSS. Higher complication rates were reported after FRR. Our findings suggest that RSS is an effective option for the treatment of nTOS. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Intercarpal Angles on Hand Versus Wrist Films: Are Hand Radiographs Sufficient for Assessing Intercarpal Angles?

PURPOSE: Carpal angles traditionally are measured on the lateral projection of a standard wrist series; however, this often necessitates obtaining additional radiographic views resulting in additional radiation exposure and increased cost. We aimed to determine whether carpal angles could be measured accurately on a standard series of hand radiographs when compared to wrist radiographs. METHODS: Carpal indices were measured on lateral wrist and hand radiographs of 40 patients by three orthopedic upper extremity surgeons. Inclusion criteria were no metabolic disease, no hardware, no fractures, radiographic positioning of the wrist in flexion/extension <20°, minimum 3 cm of distal radius visible, and acceptable scaphopisocapitate relationship (defined as the volar cortex of the pisiform lying between the volar cortices of the distal pole of the scaphoid and capitate). Angles measured included radioscaphoid (RSA), radiolunate (RLA), scapholunate (SLA), capitolunate (CLA), and radiocapitate (RCA). Measurements on wrist versus hand radiographs were compared for each patient. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were computed to assess interrater and intrarater agreement. RESULTS: Interrater agreement for hand and wrist radiographs were (respectively): SLA 0.746 and 0.763, RLA 0.918 and 0.933, RCA 0.738 and 0.538, CLA 0.825 and 0.650, RSA 0.778 and 0.829. Interrater agreement was superior in favor of hand radiographs for the RCA (0.738 [0.605-0.840] vs 0.538 [0.358-0.700]) and CLA (0.825 [0.728-0.896] vs 0.650 [0.492-0.781]), but not the SLA, RLA, or RSA. Two of the three raters had excellent intrarater agreement for all hand radiograph measures (ICC range, 0.907-0.995). The mean difference in measured angles on hand versus wrist radiographs was <5° for all angles. CONCLUSIONS: Carpal angles may be measured reliably on hand radiographs with an acceptable scaphopisocapitate relationship and wrist flexion/extension of <20°. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: By mitigating the need to obtain additional radiographic views, surgeons may be able to reduce the cost and radiation exposure to their patients.

The association between humeral lengthening and clinical outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between humeral lengthening and clinical outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with stratification based on measurement method and implant design. METHODS: This systematic review was performed using PRISMA-P guidelines. PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Trials, and Embase were queried for articles evaluating the relationship between humeral lengthening and clinical outcomes inclusive of range of motion (ROM), strength, outcome scores, and pertinent complications (acromial and scapular spine fractures, nerve injury) after RSA. The relationship between humeral lengthening and clinical outcomes was reported descriptively overall and stratified by measurement method and implant design (globally medialized vs. lateralized). A positive association was defined as increased humeral lengthening being associated with greater ROM, outcome scores, or a greater incidence of complications, whereas a negative association denoted that increased humeral lengthening was associated with poorer ROM, outcome scores, or a lower incidence of complications. Meta-analysis was performed to compare humeral lengthening between patients with and without fractures of the acromion or scapular spine. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included. Humeral lengthening was assessed as the acromiohumeral distance (AHD), the distance from the acromion to the greater tuberosity (AGT), the acromion to the deltoid tuberosity (ADT), and the acromion to the distal humerus (ADH). Of 11 studies that assessed forward elevation, a positive association with humeral lengthening was found in 6, a negative association was found in 1, and 4 studies reported no association. Of studies assessing internal rotation (n = 9), external rotation (n = 7), and abduction (n = 4), all either identified a positive or lack of association with humeral lengthening. Studies assessing outcome scores (n = 11) found either a positive (n = 5) or no (n = 6) association with humeral lengthening. Of the studies that assessed fractures of the acromion and/or scapular spine (n = 6), 2 identified a positive association with humeral lengthening, 1 identified a negative association, and 3 identified no association. The single study that assessed the incidence of nerve injury identified a positive association with humeral lengthening. Meta-analysis was possible for AGT (n = 2) and AHD (n = 2); greater humeral lengthening was found in patients with fractures for studies using the AGT (mean difference 4.5 mm, 95% CI 0.7-8.3) but not the AHD. Limited study inclusion and heterogeneity prohibited identification of trends based on method of measuring humeral lengthening and implant design. CONCLUSION: The relationship between humeral lengthening and clinical outcomes after RSA remains unclear and requires future investigation using a standardized assessment method.

How common is nerve injury after reverse shoulder arthroplasty? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Nerve injury following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a known risk factor with wide ranging incidences reported. This systematic review evaluates the overall incidence of nerve injury following primary and revision RSA and summarizes the characteristics of the nerve injuries reported in the current literature. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using separate database searches (Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane) following the PRISMA guidelines. Search criteria included the title terms "reverse shoulder," "reverse total shoulder," "inverted shoulder," and "inverted total shoulder" with publication dates ranging from 01/01/2010 to 01/01/2022. Studies that reported neurological injuries and complications were included and evaluated for primary RSA, revision RSA, number of nerve injuries, and which nerves were affected. RESULTS: After exclusion, our systematic review consisted of 188 articles. A total of 40,146 patients were included, with 65% female. The weighted mean age was 70.3 years. The weighted mean follow-up was 35.4 months. The rate of nerve injury after RSA was 1.3% (510 of 40,146 RSAs). The rate of injury was greater in revision RSA compared to primary RSA (2.4% vs. 1.3%). Nerve injury was most common in RSAs done for a primary diagnosis of acute proximal humerus fracture (4.0%), followed by cuff tear arthropathy (3.0%), DJD (2.6%), and inflammatory arthritis (1.7%). Massive rotator cuff tears and post-traumatic arthritis cases had the lowest nerve injury rates (1.0% and 1.4%, respectively). The axillary nerve was the most commonly reported nerve that was injured in both primary and revision RSA (0.6%), followed by the ulnar nerve (0.26%) and median nerve (0.23%). Brachial plexus injury was reported in 0.19% of overall RSA cases. CONCLUSION: Based on current English literature, nerve injuries occur at a rate of 1.3% after primary RSA compared with 2.4% after revision RSA. The most common nerve injury was to the axillary nerve (0.64%), with the most common operative diagnosis associated with nerve injury after RSA being acute proximal humerus fracture (4.0%). Surgeons should carefully counsel patients prior to surgery regarding the risk of nerve injury.

Quantifying success after first revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: the minimal clinically important difference, substantial clinical benefit, and patient acceptable symptomatic state.

BACKGROUND: When patients require revision of primary shoulder arthroplasty, revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is most commonly performed. However, defining clinically important improvement in these patients is challenging because benchmarks have not been previously defined. Our purpose was to define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) for outcome scores and range of motion (ROM) after revision rTSA and to quantify the proportion of patients achieving clinically relevant success. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used a prospectively collected single-institution database of patients undergoing first revision rTSA between August 2015 and December 2019. Patients with a diagnosis of periprosthetic fracture or infection were excluded. Outcomes scores included the ASES, raw and normalized Constant, SPADI, SST, and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scores. ROM measures included abduction, forward elevation (FE), external rotation (ER), and internal rotation (IR) score. Anchor-based and distribution-based methods were used to calculate the MCID, SCB, and PASS. The proportions of patients achieving each threshold were assessed. RESULTS: Ninety-three revision rTSAs with minimum 2-year follow-up were evaluated. Mean age was 67 years, 56% were female, and average follow-up was 54 months. Revision rTSA was performed most commonly for failed anatomic TSA (n = 47), followed by hemiarthroplasty (n = 21), rTSA (n = 15), and resurfacing (n = 10). The indication for revision rTSA was most commonly glenoid loosening (n = 24), followed by rotator cuff failure (n = 23), subluxation and unexplained pain (n = 11 for both). The anchor-based MCID thresholds (% of patients achieving) were as follows: ASES, 20.1 (42%); normalized Constant, 12.6 (80%); UCLA, 10.2 (54%); SST, 0.9 (78%); SPADI, -18.4 (58%); abduction, 13° (83%); FE, 18° (82%); ER, 4° (49%); and IR, 0.8 (34%). The SCB thresholds (% of patients achieving) were as follows: ASES, 34.1 (25%); normalized Constant, 26.6 (43%); UCLA, 14.1 (28%); SST, 3.9 (48%); SPADI, -36.4 (33%); abduction, 20° (77%); FE, 28° (71%); ER, 15° (15%); and IR, 1.0 (29%). The PASS thresholds (% of patients achieving) were as follows: ASES, 63.5 (53%); normalized Constant, 59.1 (61%); UCLA, 25.4 (48%); SST, 7.0 (55%); SPADI, 42.4 (59%); abduction, 98° (61%); FE, 110° (56%); ER, 19° (73%); and IR, 3.3 (59%). CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes thresholds for the MCID, SCB, and PASS at minimum 2-years after revision rTSA, providing physicians an evidence-based method to counsel patients and assess patient outcomes postoperatively.

Treatment of complex extremity wounds with MatriDerm: first clinical experience in the US.

OBJECTIVE: Coverage of upper and lower extremity wounds with exposed vital structures such as tendon and bone is reliant on pedicled and free flaps. However, a population of patients with medical comorbidities or other social issues may not be suitable for flap coverage. We present the first in patient clinical experience in the US with MatriDerm (Billerbeck, Germany) for treatment of difficult extremity wounds, all with exposed bone or tendon. METHOD: MatriDerm dermal matrix has been popular in Europe for coverage of wounds. However, MatriDerm only received full approval for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021. Here we review our clinical experience. RESULTS: Locations (n=11) treated included forearm (n=1), hand (n=4), leg (n=3), and feet (n=3). Vital structures in wounds exposed included bone (n=3), bone and tendon (n=1), and tendon (n=7). Mean area of the wound treated was 59.2cm2 (range: 2 to 230). In our series, eight out of 11 wounds healed, with MatriDerm only (n=6) or following delayed skin grafting (n=2). Mean time to healing in the patients treated only with MatriDerm was 49 days (range 7 to 84). Mean time to split-thickness skin grafting in the remaining two patients was 44.5 days (range 32 to 57). CONCLUSION: MatriDerm has potential for treatment of complex extremity wounds, which would otherwise require flap coverage, in patients who are not good candidates for flap surgery.

Glenoid component placement accuracy in total shoulder arthroplasty with preoperative planning and standard instrumentation is not influenced by supero-inferior glenoid erosion.

PURPOSE: Accurate glenoid component placement in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) remains challenging even with preoperative planning, especially for variable glenoid erosion patterns in the coronal plane. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 170 primary TSAs in which preoperative planning software was used. After registration of intraoperative bony landmarks, surgeons were blinded to the navigation screen and attempted to implement their plan by simulating placement of a central-axis guide pin: 230 screenshots of simulated guide pin placement were included (aTSA = 66, rTSA = 164). Displacement, error in version and inclination, and overall malposition from the preoperatively-planned target point were stratified by the Favard classification describing superior-inferior glenoid wear: E0 (n = 89); E1 (n = 81); E2 (n = 29); E3(n = 29); E4(n = 2). Malposition was considered > 10° for version/inclination errors or > 4 mm displacement from the starting point. RESULTS: Mean displacement error was 3.5 ± 2.7 mm (aTSA = 2.7 ± 2.3 mm, rTSA = 3.8 ± 2.9 mm), version error was 5.7 ± 4.7° (aTSA = 5.8 ± 4.4°, rTSA = 5.7 ± 4.8°), inclination error was 7.1 ± 5.6 (aTSA = 4.8 ± 4.8°, rTSA = 8.1 ± 5.7°), and malposition rate was 53% (aTSA = 38%, rTSA = 59%). When compared by Favard classification, there were no differences in any measure; when stratified by TSA type, version error differed for rTSAs (P = .038), with E1 having the greatest version error (6.9 ± 5.2°) and E3 the least (4.2 ± 3.4°). When comparing glenoids without wear (E0) and glenoids with superior wear (E2 and E3), the only difference was greater version error in glenoids without wear (6.0 ± 4.9° vs. 4.6 ± 3.7°, P = .041). CONCLUSIONS: Glenoid malposition did not differ based on coronal glenoid morphology. Although, malposition was relatively high, suggesting surgeons should consider alternate techniques beyond preoperative planning and standard instrumentation in TSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: Retrospective Cohort Study.