Superior Capsular Reconstruction using the Long Head of Biceps Tendon: A Biomechanical Assessment of Tenodesis Location and Angle of Fixation.

BACKGROUND: Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCT) treated with superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using the long head of the biceps tendon have shown satisfactory early results. Different techniques and positions for biceps tenodesis have been described. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tenodesis location and glenohumeral fixation angle for graft tensioning on the biomechanics of a SCR using a single strand biceps technique. METHODS: Eight cadaveric shoulders were mounted to a custom biomechanical simulator which employed static tone loads to the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles. All cadavers were first tested in the intact condition, and then in the simulated MIRCT condition by sectioning the tendinous insertions of the supraspinatus and upper border of the infraspinatus. SCR using the long head of the biceps tendon was then evaluated. Three biceps tenodesis locations relative to the greater tuberosity (anterior, middle, and posterior) and two glenohumeral fixation angles (0° and 30°) for graft tensioning were tested. An optical tracking system was used to quantify superior-inferior (SI) and anterior-posterior (AP) humeral head translation relative to the glenoid, while the functional abduction force was quantified using a load sensor. All tests were conducted at 0°, 30° and 60° of glenohumeral abduction in a randomized fashion. RESULTS: When assessing isolated superior humeral head migration, all biceps tenodesis locations were effective at decreasing superior migration, with no tenodesis location significantly better than the other (P=0.213). However, biceps grafts tensioned at 30° of glenohumeral abduction were significantly better at reducing proximal humeral migration as compared to graft tensioning at 0° abduction (P=0.008). Posterior humeral head translation observed in the MIRCT condition was significantly reduced when tensioning the biceps tendon at 30° of glenohumeral abduction compared to 0° for all tenodesis locations (P≤0.043). Tenodesis location also significantly influenced posterior humeral head translation (P=0.001), with middle and posterior positions restoring near normal humeral head position when fixed at 30° glenohumeral abduction. All SCR techniques using the biceps tendon improved the functional abduction force relative to the MIRCT condition, although no statistically significant differences were observed relative to the intact condition (P≥0.448). DISCUSSION: SCR using the long head biceps tendon is biomechanically effective in reducing posterosuperior translation of the humeral head in the setting of a MIRCT. Graft tensioning and fixation at 30° of glenohumeral abduction combined with either a middle or posterior tenodesis location on the greater tuberosity most effectively restores near normal time-zero humeral head kinematics.

Arthroscopy-Assisted Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for Irreparable Subscapularis Tears.

Irreparable tears of the subscapularis (SS) tendon are difficult to manage and represent a challenge for the surgeon, especially in young and active patients. They are associated with a horizontal imbalance of the shoulder, causing pain and limitation of active internal rotation. Historically, the alternative for these patients has been transfer of the pectoralis major, with all its variations, total or partial, up or under the conjoint tendon. However, this transfer has mechanical disadvantages, especially related to the vector of traction, because it originates in the anterior region of the chest. In 2013, Elhassan and colleagues demonstrated in cadavers the technical feasibility and neurological safety of performing transfers of the latissimus dorsi (LD) to the lesser tuberosity to reconstruct irreparable lesions of the subscapularis. This option, compared with alternatives, has superior biomechanical advantages such as a similar vector of traction, originating from lower and posterior to the thorax, in addition to involving a synergistic muscle in action. In early 2016, Kany and colleagues first published a study of 5 patients undergoing arthroscopic assisted LD to SS transfer, with promising results. Our purpose is to present an arthroscopically assisted latissimus dorsi transfer technique in patients with irreparable subscapularis rupture.

Results of standardized treatment of elbow fracture dislocations as per their injury pattern: a retrospective cohort of 89 patients.

BACKGROUND: Elbow fracture dislocations represent difficult injuries to treat, with a high percentage of complications. Classically, they are divided into posterolateral, posteromedial and transulnar pattern. It is essential to distinguish them to guide intraoperative treatment to achieve an anatomic and stable reduction that allows early mobility. METHODS: A retrospective study of 89 adult patients diagnosed with elbow fracture dislocations who underwent a standardized surgery between 2013 and 2018 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Demographic data, characteristics of the injury, and associated procedures were collected. Patients were evaluated with functional scores (Mayo elbow performance score/Broberg and Morrey score) and ranges of movement at the end of the follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age was 41 ± 12 years, mostly men (82%), with an average follow-up of 29 months. We present 42 patients with posterolateral fracture dislocation (47%), 21 posteromedial (24%) and 26 transulnar (29%). The average range of motion at the end of follow-up was -12 ± 11° extension, 124 ± 20° flexion, 76 ± 16° pronation, and 73 ± 20° supination, with a Mayo elbow performance score of 88.7 ± 12 points and 87.2 ± 12 points in the Broberg and Morrey scale. Reoperation rate was 23%, with no infection or heterotopic ossification cases. Transulnar fracture dislocations have significantly worse extension and supination. As per the functional result (Mayo elbow performance score/Broberg and Morrey scale), there are no significant differences between the different patterns. CONCLUSION: Proper injury pattern recognition and a standardized surgical management lead to a stable joint and good results in range of motion. Functional results are encouraging at least at short term, despite the high reoperations rate.

Clinical and arthrometric outcomes of an anatomic outside-in single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a retrodrill.

BACKGROUND: The main option to perform an anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is the anteromedial portal (AMP) technique. It has several reported complications (iatrogenic chondral injury, posterior-wall blowout, short sockets, increased risk of injury to common peroneal nerve). In an attempt to avoid these complications the outside-in (OI) technique was revived with the addition of a retrodrill. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and arthrometric outcomes of a series of anatomical OI single bundle ACL reconstruction using a retrodrill. METHODS: Prospective case series. KT-1000 and Pivot Shift Test were done at 24 months follow-up. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm and Tegner activity scores preoperatively and at final follow-up. Complications were reported. Statistical analysis was done with t-test. RESULTS: 275 knees of 200 (73%) males and 75 (27%) females were enrolled in the study. Mean age 29.1 years (15-54). Mean follow-up 34.5 months (24-49). Mean preoperatively Lysholm Score 62 (25-95) versus 95 (76-100) at final follow-up (p<0.001) Mean preoperatively IKDC score 60 (26.4-90.8) versus 92 (59.8-100) at final follow-up (p<0.001) Mean Tegner activity Score pre injury 5 versus 5 at final follow-up. (p=0.59) Mean KT-1000 side-to-side difference 2mm (1-6). Pivot Shift test negative in 243 patients (90%); positive in 32 (10%) patients. 13 (5%) ACL re-ruptures. 2 (0.7%) infections. No other complications were reported. CONCLUSION: OI single bundle anatomic ACL reconstruction using a retrodrill is a valid and safe option that avoids the complications reported with the AMP technique.

Transferencia artroscópica del trapecio inferior en pacientes con rotura irreparable del manguito rotador posterosuperior. Resultados preliminares de ocho pacientes / Arthroscopically assisted lower trapezius transfer in patients with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. Preliminary outcomes in eight patients

Introducción: El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar resultados clínicos y funcionales de pacientes con una rotura irreparable del manguito rotador posterosuperior, sometidos a una transferencia artroscópica del trapecio inferior. Materiales y métodos: estudio de una cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes con roturas irreparables del manguito rotador, en quienes se realizó una transferencia del trapecio inferior asistida por artroscopía. Se evaluó la evolución clínica mediante la ganancia del rango de movilidad del hombro y la disminución del dolor. Del mismo modo, se evaluó la evolución funcional usando el índice de Constant-Murley y la valoración subjetiva del hombro (SSV, por sus siglas en inglés). Resultados: se incluyeron ocho pacientes, con un seguimiento promedio de veintidós meses. Obtuvimos una ganancia estadísticamente significativa de rotación externa de 32°, disminución de 5 puntos en la escala del dolor, aumento de 31 puntos en el score de Constant y un aumento de 38% del SSV. Se registró un aumento de 12° de elevación, sin embargo, este no fue estadísticamente significativo. Dos pacientes presentaron un seroma en el sitio de la cosecha del trapecio, que se resolvió con manejo conservador. Conclusión: la transferencia del trapecio inferior con asistencia artroscópica, en pacientes con rotura irreparable del manguito rotador posterosuperior, es una técnica segura que mejora significativamente la rotación externa y los índices funcionales en este grupo de pacientes. Tipo de estudio: Serie de casos IV

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to compare clinical and functional outcomes of patients with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears treated by arthroscopic assisted lower trapezius transfer. Materials and methods: retrospective cohort design of patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear, treated by arthroscopy-assisted lower trapezius transfer. The clinical evolution was evaluated according to the gain in the range of shoulder movement and the decrease of pain. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Constant-Murley score and the subjective shoulder value (SSV). Results: eight patients were included, with average follow-up of twenty-two months. We obtained a statistically significant gain in active external rotation of 32°, 5-point decrease in the pain scale (VAS), a 31-point increase in the Constant score, and a 38% increase in SSV. There was a 12° increase in active forward elevation, however this was not statistically significant. Two patients had a seroma at the trapezius harvest site, which resolved with conservative treatment. Conclusion: arthroscopically assisted lower trapezius transfer in patients with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears were a safe technique that significantly improves external rotation and functional scores in patients. Type of study: Case series IV

Hip arthroscopy and osteoarthritis: Where are the limits and indications?

The use of hip arthroscopy, as a surgical technique, has increased significantly over the past ten years. The procedure has shown good and excellent results in symptom relief and function improvement for patients with femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) and concurrent chondro-labral lesions. It is also a reliable method to correct the characteristic pathomorphologic alteration of FAI. However, surgical results are less successful among patients with advanced articular damage and secondary hip osteoarthritis. The aim of this article is to present some clinical and imagenological tools to discriminate the good candidates for arthroscopic FAI treatment from those who are not, due to extensive articular damage.

Factores de riesgo relacionados a la falla de la sutura meniscal en niños y adolescentes / Risk factors related to meniscal suture failure in children and adolescents

Las lesiones meniscales en niños son cada día más frecuentes. La preservación meniscal es una prioridad en este grupo de pacientes, sin embargo, existen pocos artículos que muestran los resultados de suturas meniscales en niños. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio es identificar factores de riesgo de falla en pacientes sometidos a una sutura meniscal en niños menores de 18 años. MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo de 35 pacientes sometidos a una sutura meniscal, con una edad promedio de 16 años (13­18) y un seguimiento de 71 meses de media (16­115). Se evaluaron 6 variables: tipo, localización y tamaño de la lesión, edad, técnica quirúrgica y asociación a rotura de ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA). Los pacientes que presentaron falla de la sutura meniscal fueron identificados y sometidos a una regresión logística usando un modelo Stata V.14.0. RESULTADOS: 9 pacientes (24.3%) presentaron una falla en su cirugía durante el seguimiento. Lesiones iniciales mayores a 16 mm mostraron una tasa de re-rotura de un 73% independiente de la técnica quirúrgica. En lesiones menores a 16 mm, se obtuvo un 78% de reparaciones exitosas. No se encontró relación entre la re-rotura meniscal y lesión de LCA, tipo y localización de la lesión, técnica quirúrgica y edad de los pacientes. CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio muestra que la reparación meniscal en niños tiene buenos resultados con una tasa de éxito promedio de un 75%. El riesgo de falla de sutura meniscal se correlacionó con el tamaño inicial de la lesión con un 73% de fallo en lesiones mayores a 16 mm independientemente del tipo de cirugía.

Meniscal tears are uncommon in the pediatric population, with an increasing number. Currently meniscal preservation is a priority when treating these injuries. However, only a few studies have reported the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic meniscal repair in children and its risk factors of failure. OBJECTIVE: Identify risk factors related to meniscal suture failure in patients under 18 years who underwent a meniscal repair. METHODS: Retrospective study of 35 patients with an average age of 16 years (13 - 18) who underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair with a mean follow up of 71.1 months (16­115). We evaluate 6 variables: type, location and size of meniscal tear, age, surgical technique and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) association. Patients with re-rupture were identified and statistical analysis was performed through a logistic regression model using Stata V.14.0. RESULTS: 9 patients (24.3%) presented a suture failure during follow-up. Average time for re-rupture was 16 months (4­60 months). With an initial tear size of 16 mm or bigger, 73% of the meniscal repair will fail despite surgery technique. With an initial tear size smaller than 16 mm, 78% of will heal. No association was found between meniscal re-rupture and ACL rupture, type and location of tear, surgical technique and age. Conclusion: In our study meniscal repairs in pediatric population had good overall results with a global healing rate of 75.7%. The risk of suture failure was related to the initial size of meniscal tear: when meniscal tear is bigger than 16 mm, 73% of them will fail despite surgery.

Fractura de cuello femoral en trauma de alta energía: ¿podemos confiar en la tomografía computarizada multicorte? caso clínico / High energy femoral neck fracture: can we trust the computerized tomography scan? case report

Las fracturas asociadas de diáfisis y cuello femoral son lesiones infrecuentes. A pesar de ser una asociación conocida, es pasada por alto entre un 19-31% de las veces. A continuación presentamos un caso de una fractura de diáfisis femoral en la cual la tomografía computarizada inicial no evidenció ningún rasgo a nivel del cuello femoral; sin embargo, este rasgo se hizo presente en las imágenes de control. Existen diversos exámenes para reconocer las fracturas de cuello femoral asociadas a diáfisis femoral, como la radiografía y la tomografía computarizada. Sin embargo, a pesar de estas imágenes, pueden no ser diagnosticadas. Con este caso reafirmamos la necesidad del uso de imágenes preoperatorias e intraoperatorias en pacientes con fracturas de diáfisis femoral de alta energía y que la tomografía computarizada multicorte de ingreso puede no evidenciar fracturas mínimamente desplazadas del cuello femoral.

Simultaneous fractures of the neck and shaft of the femur are uncommon injuries. Despite it being a known combination, it is overlooked in between 19 and 31% of cases. This case report describes a femoral shaft fracture in which the initial computed tomography did not show the femoral neck fracture, although it was present in the follow-up images. There are different imaging techniques to recognise femoral neck fractures associated with femoral shaft fractures, such as radiography and computed tomography. However, despite these images, they cannot be diagnosed. This case re-affirms the need for using imaging techniques before and during the operation in patients presenting with high energy femoral shaft fractures, in order to look for an associated femoral neck fracture. Although the use of fine-cut computed tomography scan may improve the diagnostic accuracy of this test, some femoral neck fractures will still go under-diagnosed.

Reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior con técnica anatómica: resultados. Revisión bibliográfica y experiencia personal / Anatomic ACL reconstruction. Results

Una década atrás la técnica transtibial para reconstrucción de LCA era la más popular y utilizada entre los cirujanos artroscopistas. A pesar de los buenos resultados la presencia de inestabilidad rotacional y el desarrollo de artrosis, han seguido siendo un foco de preocupación. Buscando respuestas se ha sugerido que el posicionamiento anatómico de los túneles sería una posible estrategia para reducir la inestabilidad rotacional y por tanto la artrosis futura. El propósito de este estudio es realizar una revisión de la literatura de alta calidad de los últimos 5 años sobre las distintas técnicas de reconstrucción “anatómicas” de LCA enfocándonos en los resultados clínicos de estas, y además exponer nuestra experiencia. Materiales y Método: Búsqueda en la base de datos PubMed. Se incluyeron estudios que se centraran específicamente en los resultados clínicos y artrométricos. Resultados: La búsqueda original produjo 389 resultados. Se eliminaron los que no cumplían los criterios de inclusión-exclusión quedando 10 estudios para revisión los cuales fueron divididos en: 1 revisión sistemática o metanálisis (nivel I), 5 estudios prospectivos randomizados (nivel I) y 4 estudios de cohorte prospectivos (nivel II). Conclusión: Las técnicas anatómicas de reconstrucción del LCA permiten restaurar de forma más adecuada la anatomía normal del LCA. Sin embargo esto aún no se ha visto reflejado en resultados clínicos mejores respecto a la técnica transtibial. El efecto protector en relación al desarrollo de artrosis futura también está en discusión. Por esto ambas técnicas siguen siendo una opción válida para ofrecer a nuestros pacientes. Nivel de Evidencia: V. Tipo de estudio: Revisión Bibliográfica...

Introduction: A decade ago the transtibial technique for ACL reconstruction was the most popular technique. Despite the good results there is concern regarding rotational stability and osteoarthritis. Looking for answers it has been suggested that anatomic ACL reconstruction could reduce these complications. The main objective of this study is to review high level evidence of the last 5 years regarding anatomic ACL reconstruction. Methods: Search in PubMed database. We included studies that focused on clinical results in anatomic ACL reconstruction. Results: 389 results. All the studies that not filled the inclusion-exclusion criteria were eliminated. 10 studies remained for revision: 1 systematic review/metanalysis (level I), 5 prospective randomized studies (level I) y 4 prospective cohort studies (level II). Conclusion: Anatomic ACL reconstruction techniques allows restoration of the normal anatomy of the ACL. However this does not improved clinical results compared to the transtibial technique. Finally both techniques are valid options to offer to our patients. Level of evidence: V. Type study: Review...