Outcomes of 188 Proximal Humeral Fractures Treated with a Dedicated External Fixator with Follow-up Ranging from 2 to 12 Years.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of a displaced proximal humeral fracture is still a matter of controversy. Minimally invasive techniques are considered promising options. The purpose of this study was to report outcomes at medium to long-term follow-up after surgical treatment with pins stabilized with an external fixator. METHODS: A total of 235 patients (average age, 64 years [95% confidence interval (CI), 62 to 65 years]) were treated with closed or open reduction and fixation with pins stabilized by an external fixator specifically designed for proximal humeral fractures. The pins were inserted using a "pins-crossing-fracture" or a "pins-bridging-fracture" technique. One hundred and eighty-eight patients had a minimum radiographic and clinical follow-up of 2 years. Outcomes were assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), the subjective shoulder value (SSV), a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and, for 155 patients, the Constant score. RESULTS: Eighty-one (43%) of the 188 patients had a 2-part fracture, 60 (32%) had a 3-part fracture, and 47 (25%) had a 4-part fracture. The reduction was performed with percutaneous maneuvers in 120 shoulders or a deltopectoral approach, in 68. The external fixator was applied using a "pins-crossing-fracture" technique in 133 shoulders and using a "pins-bridging-fracture" technique in 55. At last follow-up, mean clinical scores were as follows: OSS, 42.6 (95% CI, 42 to 44); SSV, 85.5 (95% CI, 83 to 88); and VAS for pain, 1 (95% CI, 0.7 to 1.2). The complication rate at 3 months was 16% (37 of 235). The most frequent complication was pin-track infection (19 of 235, 8%). A total of 50 patients had ≥1 complication (50 of 188, 27%) and 6 (3%) underwent revision surgery. More complications were observed with the "pins-crossing-fracture" technique. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the use of the external fixator has been a valuable option in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures. The complication and revision rates were acceptable. Most of the complications encountered were manageable without revision surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Arthroscopic Bankart Repair Versus Open Bristow-Latarjet for Shoulder Instability: A Matched-Pair Multicenter Study Focused on Return to Sport.

BACKGROUND: The arthroscopic Bankart repair and open Bristow-Latarjet procedure are the 2 most commonly used techniques to treat recurrent shoulder instability. PURPOSE: To compare in a case control-matched manner the 2 techniques, with particular emphasis on return to sport after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A study was conducted in 2 hospitals matching 60 patients with posttraumatic recurrent anterior shoulder instability with a minimum follow-up of 2 years (30 patients treated with arthroscopic Bankart procedure and 30 treated with open Bristow-Latarjet procedure). Patients with severe glenoid bone loss and revision surgeries were excluded. In one hospital, patients were treated with arthroscopic Bankart repair using anchors; in the other, patients underwent the Bristow-Latarjet procedure. Patients were matched according to age at surgery, type and level of sport practiced before shoulder instability (Degree of Shoulder Involvement in Sports [DOSIS] scale), and number of dislocations. The primary outcomes were return to sport (Subjective Patient Outcome for Return to Sports [SPORTS] score), rate of recurrent instability, Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), and range of motion (ROM). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (range, 2-9 years), patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair obtained better results in terms of return to sport (SPORTS score: 8 vs 6; P = .02) and ROM in the throwing position (86° vs 79°; P = .01), and they reported better subjective perception of the shoulder (SSV: 86% vs 75%; P = .02). No differences were detectable using the OSIS or WOSI. The rate of recurrent instability was not statistically different between the 2 groups (Bankart repair 10% vs Bristow-Latarjet 0%; P = .25), although the study may have been underpowered to detect a clinically important difference in this parameter. The multiple regression analysis showed that the independent variables associated with return to sport were preoperative DOSIS scale, type of surgery, and recurrent dislocations after surgery. Patients who played sports with high upper extremity involvement (eg, swimming, rugby, martial arts) at a competitive level (DOSIS scale 9 or 10) had a lower level of return to sport with both repair techniques. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic stabilization using anchors provided better return to sport and subjective perception of the shoulder compared with the open Bristow-Latarjet procedure in the population studied. Recurrence may be higher in the arthroscopic Bankart group; further study is needed on this point.

Salter-Harris type II proximal humerus injuries: our experience with a new external fixator.

Proximal humeral fractures in the pediatric population are commonly treated conservatively. When there is an indication for surgery, percutaneous pinning is considered to be the elective choice. We report our experience with a new external fixator that reduces the risk of pin migration and permits an early rehabilitation. The range of motion was completely restored in all patients and no pain or discomfort was detected at follow-up. According to the literature, a small varus malunion at the first x-ray control can be tolerated in the pediatric population because of the remodeling ability of the bone. We conclude that this system provides a good stability and healing of Salter-Harris type II proximal humerus injuries.

The hybrid technique: potential reduction in complications related to pins mobilization in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Proximal humeral fracture fixation has a high incidence of complications especially when pins are used in elderly patients. In 2005, we introduced a new technique that augmented osteosutures by using 2.5-mm fully threaded pins and an external fixator (hybrid technique). The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes of the hybrid technique (HT) with traditional pins fixation. METHODS: A prospective nonrandomized study was organized on 2 consecutive series of patients: 51 patients treated with percutaneous fixation using 2.5-mm terminally threaded pins and 55 patients treated with the Hybrid technique. In both groups, an open reduction and osteosutures augmented with percutaneous fixation was used when closed reduction was insufficient to provide anatomical reduction. The patients were assessed at 6- and 12-month follows-ups using DASH score, Constant score, and Modified Constant score (MCS). RESULTS: Sixteen patients treated with traditional pins experienced complications compared to 6 patients in the HT group (P = .006). The revision rate was 19% for the traditional pins group and 4% for the HT group (P = .04). Pins migration affected 8 patients in the traditional pins group and 1 case in the hybrid group (P = .01). The MCS at the 12-month follow-up was 89 ± 9 in the HT group and 77 ± 14 in the traditional pins group (P = .03). The MCS was negatively affected by complications and malreduction (P = .001). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the HT is a valuable option for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures. It has benefits compared to the traditional technique.

The impacted varus (A2.2) proximal humeral fracture in elderly patients: is minimal fixation justified? A case control study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective case control study was to assess the outcome of K-wire osteosynthesis of a varus displaced proximal humeral fracture in patients over 65 years old, compared to a control group treated nonoperatively. METHODS: The patient cohort was taken from our database in the period 2003-2007. After data extraction, the patients were re-examined and scored by the Constant score (CS), modified Constant score (MCS), and the QuickDASH score. The control group was carefully selected and matched to the surgical one for age, type of fracture, and degree of displacement. Minimum follow-up was 12 months, with a mean of 30 months in the surgery group, and 27 months in the nonoperative group. RESULTS: K-wire osteosynthesis in our series yielded consistently good results in older patients who sustained an A2.2 proximal humeral fracture, with an average MCS of 88 points and a QuickDASH score of 15. The surgery group had a statistically significant higher CS and modified Constant score at follow-up than did the conservatively treated group (p = .03). CONCLUSION: Operative treatment of varus displaced proximal humerus fractures treated with K-wire osteosynthesis yields good results that are superior to those treated nonoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3; Case control study, treatment study.

Importance of neurological evaluation before reverse shoulder arthroplasty in patients with previous poliomyelitis.

We present a case report of a patient, affected by post-polio syndrome and cuff tear arthropathy of his right shoulder, who underwent reverse shoulder arthroplasty. A previous radial deficiency was unmasked in the post-operative follow-up, with passive elbow bending when the forearm was put in an antigravitational position. A precise preoperative neurological evaluation is mandatory in shoulder replacement in order to estimate the functional outcome after surgery.

Prospective follow-up of a simple arthroscopic-assisted technique for lateral tibial plateau fractures: results at 5 years.

This study reports the 5-year clinical and radiological outcomes of a simple arthroscopic-assisted technique for Schatzker types II and III tibial plateau fractures, without bone grafting. Forty six patients (46% males, 54% females, average age 48 years, SD 13.6 years), with tibial plateau fractures Schatzker types II (41%) and III (59%), underwent an arthroscopic-assisted technique conceived to use a compacted cancellous bone graft, taken from the medial metaphyseal side of the tibia, and a percutaneous fixation. The patients were prospectively followed-up at 1, 3 and 5 years from surgery. Independent assessments were carried out using Knee Society Score, HSS score and Rasmussen's clinical and radiological scores. At 5-year follow-up patients underwent a weight-bearing radiograph of both limbs. At last follow-up evaluation Knee Score (average 93.2, SD 7.7) was excellent in 37 patients (80%), good in six (13%), fair in three (7%). Function Score (average 94.8, SD 8.51) was excellent in 38 patients (83%), good in five (11%), fair in three (6%). HSS score (average 93.4, SD 8.23) was excellent in 41 patients (89%), good in five (11%). The average Rasmussen clinical score was 28.2 (SD 1.4). The radiological Rasmussen score was excellent in five patients (11%), good in 39 (85%) and fair in two (4%). In the weight-bearing radiographs a valgus deviation was present in four patients (8.7%). This technique has outcomes encouraging and comparable to the results of other techniques that use either iliac crest graft or bone substitutes.

Cross-pin femoral fixation in PCL reconstruction: a cadaver study.

In PCL reconstruction many techniques have been described. Crucial item in pre-operative planning is graft choice and graft fixation. Compared to other grafts, hamstring is getting more popular because it is longer, has higher mechanical properties and doesn't harm extensor apparatus of the knee. Furthermore the absence of the bone block makes easier hamstring insertion in the femoral tunnel. Hamstring greater disadvantage is fixation. Many fixation devices, used in ACL reconstruction, have been described for PCL procedure. One of these, recently proposed, is a cross-pin femoral fixation technique, for hamstring PCL reconstruction [10]. The authors drilled the femoral tunnel in an inside-out manner [11] (width 8 mm and depth 35 mm) and fixed the hamstring with the Rigidfix (Mitek, Norwood, MA), passing the device via the anterolateral (AL) portal. The aim of this anatomical cadaver study is to evaluate the entrance points of cross-pins and the possible iatrogenic damages, during transverse fixation via anterolateral portal. The device we used is the Rigidfix (Mitek, Norwood, MA), designed to use two biodegradable pins for ACL femoral fixation. Femoral drilling and cross pins insertion were performed on 20 (10x2) fresh frozen cadaver knees. The risk of chondral damage, evaluated during the knees dissection, is high.

Arthroscopic treatment of lateral tibial plateau fractures: a simple technique.

We present a new technique for arthroscopic-assisted fluoroscopic treatment of external tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker type I, II, III), using custom-made instrumentation. The instrument includes 4 basic elements: 2 cutting guides, a hollow trephine cutter with a saw-toothed tip, and a bone plunger. The lateral plateau is restored from the opposite side. An anteromedial rectangular cortical window in the proximal diaphysis of the tibia is created using the cutting guides. To achieve the reduction, the hollow trephine cutter is introduced into the opening created. The bone plunger is inserted into the hollow trephine cutter until resistance is felt. At this point the cancellous bone is compacted by applying force onto the plunger with the hammer so as to obtain a strong compact bone carrot. The plunger then pushes it under the depressed area, filling it out and pushing it upward, creating an indirect reduction. The arthroscopy comes into play estimating the precise anatomic reduction of the articular surface of the tibia. No graft is necessary and cannulated lag screws fix and strengthen the reduction. This new technique is reproducible, easy, less invasive than others, and ensures a stable cartilage and subchondral support without the need for grafts.

Humeral head impression fracture in acute posterior shoulder dislocation: new surgical technique.

Posterior shoulder dislocation with humeral head impression fracture is rare and its early diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Although literature describes several surgical options, most are based on the detachment of the subscapularis or on more complex techniques that change the humeral joint anatomy even more. This report describes a new operative technique that is only slightly invasive, where the depressed chondral surface is raised to regain a normal articular contour. The chondral surface is supported by an interference biabsorbable screw and the insertion of the subscapularis tendon is left intact. Two male patients with an acute shoulder posterior dislocation associated with anteromedial impression fracture of about 40 and 50%, respectively, of the articular humeral shape were treated in our department. The average follow-up was 26 months where plain X-ray and CT scan showed an anatomical humeral surface free from signs of arthritis or necrosis. Functional results were excellent in both cases. This new technique is easy, less invasive than others and ensures a stable cartilage and subchondral support without the use of grafts.