Current trends in rotator cuff repair: surgical technique, setting, and cost.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate national trends in the surgical setting and hospital costs of shoulder arthroscopy and rotator cuff repair (RCR) using the Florida State surgical database and national inpatient database. METHODS: In part I we analyzed population-adjusted shifts in RCR technique (arthroscopic v open) in the Florida surgical database from 2000-2007 and quantified the procedural codes associated with arthroscopic and open RCR. In part II we analyzed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2001-2009 for the total number of inpatient RCRs, the inpatient hospital type (rural, urban non-teaching, or urban teaching), and the cost. RESULTS: Part I showed a 163% increase in outpatient procedures in Florida, with a 353% increase in arthroscopic RCRs. There was a concurrent decrease in open RCRs; however, the overall trend was a 2-fold increase in total RCRs. Associated procedures such as subacromial decompression, distal clavicle resection, and extensive glenohumeral debridement increased by 440%, 589%, and 1,253%, respectively. Part II showed an overall 58.8% decrease in inpatient RCRs that was similar across all hospital settings, with an increase in RCR-associated hospital charges by 144.9%, whereas hospital costs only increased by 85.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms a shift toward arthroscopic RCR and associated procedures in the outpatient setting. The increased financial cost partly explains the shift; nevertheless, future studies are needed to further examine national trends. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study examining RCR trends by hospital type, cost, and setting further elucidates how orthopaedic surgery practice is evolving with the implementation of arthroscopic RCR in the past decade.

Preventing and Treating Infection in Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Periprosthetic infection after shoulder arthroplasty is relatively uncommon though associated with severe long-term morbidity when encountered. The purpose of the review is to summarize the recent literature regarding the definition, clinical evaluation, prevention, and management of prosthetic joint infection after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. RECENT FINDINGS: The landmark report generated at the 2018 International Consensus Meeting on Musculoskeletal Infection has provided a framework for diagnosis, prevention, and management of periprosthetic infections after shoulder arthroplasty. Shoulder specific literature with validated interventions to reduce prosthetic joint infection is limited; however existing literature from retrospective studies and from total hip and knee arthroplasty allows us to make relative guidelines. One and two-stage revisions seem to demonstrate similar outcomes; however, no controlled comparative studies exist limiting the ability to make definitive recommendations between the two options. We report on recent literature regarding the current diagnostic, preventative, and treatment options for periprosthetic infection after shoulder arthroplasty. Much of the literature does not distinguish between anatomic and reverse shoulder arthroplasty, and further high-level shoulder specific studies are needed to answer questions generated from this review.

Evaluation and management of proximal humerus fractures.

Fractures of the proximal humerus occur frequently, and are primarily insufficiency fractures that occur in the elderly. Thorough clinical evaluation is essential in identifying associated neurovascular injury, which warrants emergent surgical referral. Good quality radiographs remain a necessary diagnostic tool in the evaluation of proximal humerus injuries. An appreciation of the relevant anatomy and predictable patterns of deformation aid in understanding the basic classification of proximal humerus fractures. Most of these fractures are minimally displaced and can be treated nonoperatively with acceptable clinical outcomes. Familiarity with the basic surgical treatment modalities is helpful to physicians involved in the pre- and postoperative management. Significantly displaced proximal humerus fractures are typically treated with surgical reduction and internal fixation. Complex fractures in the elderly and fracture dislocations are indications for humeral head prosthetic replacement. Proximal humerus fractures are strongly associated with decreased bone mineral density and future fracture risk, and should prompt a referral for medical management of osteoporosis.

The curveball as a risk factor for injury: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: The curveball is regarded by many as a potential risk factor for injury in youth baseball pitchers. OBJECTIVE: To critically evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the curveball and its impact on pitching biomechanics and the overall risk of arm injuries in baseball pitchers. STUDY TYPE: Systematic review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE from 1946 to 2012. STUDY SELECTION: Ten biomechanical studies on kinematic or electromyographic analysis of pitching a curveball were included, as well as 5 epidemiologic studies that assessed pain or injury incidence in pitchers throwing the curveball. DATA EXTRACTION: When possible, demographic, methodology, kinetics, and kinematics variables and pain/injury incidence were compiled. RESULTS: Two biomechanical studies found greater horizontal adduction of the shoulder at ball release and less shoulder internal torque during the curveball pitching motion. Two studies demonstrated less proximal force and less torque at the elbow as the arm accelerated when throwing a curveball compared with a fastball, as well as greater supination of the forearm and less wrist extension. Electromyographic data suggested increased activity of extensor and supinator muscles for curveballs. No studies found increased force or torque about the elbow or shoulder. Three epidemiologic studies showed no significant association between pitching a curveball and upper extremity pain or injury. One retrospective epidemiologic study reported a 52% increase in shoulder pain in pitchers throwing a curveball, although this may have been due to confounders. CONCLUSION: Despite much debate in the baseball community about the curveball's safety in youth pitchers, limited biomechanical and most epidemiologic data do not indicate an increased risk of injury when compared with the fastball.

Arthroscopic Hill-Sachs remplissage: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Failure to address humeral osseous defects during arthroscopic stabilization surgery for glenohumeral instability leads to an increased rate of recurrence. Arthroscopic remplissage has been proposed as a treatment option for substantial Hill-Sachs lesions. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the outcomes of the remplissage procedure for the treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability of the shoulder with a humeral head defect. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic Hill-Sachs remplissage. Studies that reported on patients who underwent arthroscopic infraspinatus tenodesis concomitant with a standard Bankart repair were included if they had relevant clinical outcomes and associated complications. The frequency-weighted mean was calculated for outcome measures that were similar across several studies. RESULTS: Six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The studies included 167 patients (mean age, 27.5 years) with a mean follow-up of 26.8 months (range, twelve to forty-three months). Patients had a frequency-weighted mean adjusted Rowe score of 36.1 preoperatively compared with 87.6 postoperatively (p < 0.001). In the studies with motion measurements, shoulder motion was not affected postoperatively (p > 0.05); mean forward elevation changed from 165.7° preoperatively to 170.3° postoperatively, and mean external rotation changed from 57.2° to 54.6°. Nine of 167 shoulders experienced an episode of recurrent glenohumeral instability (overall recurrence rate, 5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative clinical outcome scores were generally good to excellent following arthroscopic remplissage. No studies indicated a significant loss of shoulder motion following the procedure. The failure rate following Hill-Sachs remplissage compared favorably with previously published rates for patients without clinically important Hill-Sachs lesions who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair alone. The overall complication rate across the studies was low, further supporting the use of this technique along with Bankart repair in the treatment of glenohumeral instability with a concurrent osseous defect of the humeral head.

Nonoperative treatment of proximal humerus fractures: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Proximal humerus fractures are common in the setting of osteopenia and osteoporosis and can often be treated nonoperatively. There are few studies that evaluate the long-term outcomes of nonoperative treatment of these fractures. We performed a systematic review of the literature to examine the results of nonoperative treatment of proximal humerus fractures. METHODS: The PubMed search engine and EMBASE database were used. Inclusion criteria were: 1) proximal humerus fractures resulting from trauma; 2) age older than 18 years; 3) more than 15 patients in the study; 4) greater than 1 year follow-up; 5) at least one relevant functional outcome score; and 6) a quality outcome score of at least a 5 of 10 according to previously published scoring system. RESULTS: We identified 12 studies that included 650 patients with a mean age of 65.0 years (range, 51-75 years) and a mean follow-up of 45.7 months (range, 12-120 months). There were 317 one-part fractures, 165 two-part fractures, 137 three-part fractures, and 31 four-part fractures. The rate of radiographic union was 98% and the complication rate 13%. The average range of motion reported in five studies was 139° forward flexion, 48° external rotation, and 52° internal rotation. The average Constant score reported in six studies was 74 (range, 55-81). Varus malunion was the most common complication reported, whereas avascular necrosis was uncommon (13 cases). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that our systematic review of the literature on the nonoperative treatment of proximal humerus fractures demonstrates high rates of radiographic healing, good functional outcomes, and a modest complication rate.

A systematic review of locking plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures.

PURPOSE: Technique for the fixation of two, three, and four part proximal humerus fractures has rapidly shifted towards the use of specially contoured proximal humerus locking plates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short to medium term functional results and common complications associated with the fixation of proximal humerus fractures with locking plates. METHODS: The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to perform a systematic review of the English literature to assess the functional results and complications associated with proximal humerus locking plates. Our inclusion criteria were proximal humerus fracture due to trauma (excluding pathologic fractures), patients greater than 18 years of age, more than 15 patients in the study or subgroup of interest, at least 18 months follow-up, at least one relevant functional outcome score, and quality outcome score of at least 5/10. Studies that did not meet these criteria were excluded. All institutional, author, and journal information was concealed to minimize reviewer bias. RESULTS: Twelve studies including 514 patients met the inclusion criteria. At most recent follow-up patients achieved a mean Constant score of 74 and a mean DASH score of 27. The overall rate of complications was 49% including varus malunion, 33% excluding varus malunion, and reoperation rate was 14%. The most common complications included varus malunion 16%, AVN 10%, screw perforation of the humeral head into the joint 8%, subacromial impingement 6%, and infection 4%. DISCUSSION: Fixation of proximal humerus fractures with proximal humerus locking plates is associated with a high rate of complications and reoperation. Further study is needed to determine what technical errors and patient characteristics are risk factors for failure of this now common fixation technique.