Trends in Shoulder Arthroplasty in Israel.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty is increasing yearly. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of a consecutive series of patients who underwent shoulder replacement for a variety of indications in a single medical center in Israel. METHODS: All shoulder arthroplasties performed in our institution between 2006 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The functional outcomes and satisfaction of 180 shoulder arthroplasties were evaluated for objective and subjective parameters using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score (ASES), the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) outcome measure, and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). RESULTS: The indications for surgery were osteoarthritis (n=35), rotator cuff arthropathy (n=32), fractures (n=99), and other reasons (n=14). The mean follow-up was 52 months. The scores improved markedly among the patients who underwent surgery later in the study period. The mean DASH score before 2012 was 48.8 and improved to 37.2 after 2013. The respective ASES also improved from 54.2 to 68.6. The use of hemiarthroplasty decreased from 85% to 33% as of 2013, while the use of total shoulder arthroplasty increased. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder arthroplasty represents an effective treatment modality with satisfactory functional outcomes. Our current study demonstrates a shift from hemiarthroplasty to total shoulder arthroplasty, with the number of procedures increasing yearly. Surgeon experience and the expanding volume of operations had a direct positive effect on the functional outcomes of shoulder arthroplasties.

Timing matters: NSAIDs interfere with the late proliferation stage of a repaired rotator cuff tendon healing in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Rotator cuff (RC) tear is a common problem that causes pain and can limit shoulder function. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed for musculoskeletal pain, including the pain subsequent to RC repair. NSAIDs have been reported to affect bone metabolism and fracture healing(,) but there is little evidence about their effect on tendon healing. We investigated the effect of meloxicam (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) on the healing of RC tendons when given immediately after surgical repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine rats underwent acute RC tear and repair. Group A (n = 13) received daily intraperitoneal (IP) injections of meloxicam for the first 10 postoperative days. Group B (n = 13) received IP injections of meloxicam starting from postoperative day 11. Group C (n = 13, controls) received daily IP injections of saline for 3 weeks. The animals were killed 3 weeks after surgery and the RC was evaluated by gross inspection, biomechanical testing and histological examination. RESULTS: Group B displayed a significantly lower mean maximal load at 3 weeks than group C (P = 0.02) and group A (P = 0.05). Stiffness was significantly lower in B group as compared to A group (P = 0.05). Qualitative examination of histology specimens did not disclose any apparent differences with respect to cellularity, vascularity, healing, and collagen orientation. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that meloxicam decreases the biomechanical strength of repaired rat RCs when administered between 11 and 20 days after the repair.

Arthroscopic findings of coexisting lesions with greater tuberosity fractures.

Proximal humerus fractures comprise approximately 5% of all fractures, with isolated greater tuberosity fractures accounting for approximately 20% of proximal humerus fractures. Although performing shoulder arthroscopy in situations including a fracture is technically demanding, it allows surgeons the opportunity to identify and treat other coexisting lesions that could have otherwise been missed. The incidence of these pathologies in combination with greater tuberosity fractures has not been established. This study aimed to identify the various types of pathologies that may coexist with greater tuberosity fractures but not be detected before fixation. Displaced 2-part greater tuberosity fractures were treated arthroscopically in the authors' department. All patients initially underwent diagnostic arthroscopy during which other coexisting pathologies were detected and assessed, including rotator cuff tears, labral tears (Bankart or superior labral anterior posterior lesions), or long head of the biceps pathologies. Twenty-four patients underwent arthroscopic (n=10) or arthroscopic-assisted (n=14) greater tuberosity reduction and fixation. Thirteen (54.2%) fragments were fully displaced. Four (16.7%) patients had fracture dislocation of the glenohumeral joint. The concomitant soft-tissue pathologies were identified and treated arthroscopically in 22 (92%) patients. Arthroscopic evaluation before greater tuberosity fracture fixation revealed a high percentage of concomitant soft tissue pathologies. These pathologies may be overlooked otherwise, but they are easily detected arthroscopically, enabling their treatment during the same procedure.