Superior Capsule Reconstruction Is a Viable Option for Patients with Symptomatic, Isolated, and Irreparable Supraspinatus Tears.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of superior capsular reconstruction for isolated subscapularis tears using a decellularized porcine allograft as a superior capsular reconstruction. Methods: Patients who had symptomatic tears of supraspinatus who had failed to improve a conservative rehabilitation program were included. Previous surgery to the shoulder was not a bar to inclusion. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), the single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE) score, as well as clinically assessed for their shoulder range of motion (ROM). Patients were followed up with in-person clinic appointments for the first year, followed by a postal questionnaire and telephone consultation at a minimum of 2 years following surgery. Results: Twenty patients (11 males and 9 females) with a mean age of 67.5 years were included (range: 54-72 years). The average follow-up period was 31 months (24-50). The mean improvement in OSS was 14 points (P < .001), SANE score was 27 points (P < .01). Significant improvements in mean ROM were recorded (flexion 80.7°; P < .001; abduction: 81°; P < .001; external rotation: 31°; P < .001). Six patients suffered SCR failures diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging, despite this they still recorded improvements in recorded OSS, SANE and ROM (excluding external rotation). Patient demographics for failed superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) highlighted smoking and revision surgery as risk factors. Conclusions: SCR appears to be a viable option for patients with symptomatic, isolated, and irreparable tears of the supraspinatus. Our results demonstrate that there are significant improvements in outcome scores and active range of motion, even in the subgroup in whom postoperative structural failure of the SCR was identified. We recommend caution in patients who have previously failed rotator cuff repair and in heavy smokers. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Elbow arthroplasty is safe for the management of simple open distal humeral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Elbow arthroplasty (EA) is an established technique for the treatment of select distal humeral fractures, yet little data exists regarding the safety and outcome of EA in the presence of an open distal humeral fracture where the risk of periprosthetic infection is an even greater concern. We hypothesized that EA does not carry an increased risk of infection or other postoperative complications when performed for simple open distal humeral fractures. METHODS: Seventeen patients underwent total EA (n = 9) or hemiarthroplasty (n = 8) for an open distal humeral fracture. The open fracture component was classified according to the Orthopaedic Trauma Society system as "simple" or "complex." Outcome measures collected included the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), range of motion, complications, and reoperations. Patients who underwent primary débridement and implantation were compared with those who underwent preliminary débridement procedures and subsequent staged arthroplasty. A systematic review of the existing literature was performed to analyze other reported cases and contextualize our findings. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 46 months (range, 12-138 months). All fractures were multifragmentary and intra-articular. Sixteen patients had a "simple" open fracture and 1 had a "complex" fracture. The overall mean MEPS was 83 (range, 30-100; standard deviation ± 17), with a mean flexion-extension arc of 96°. Patients who underwent primary débridement and implantation demonstrated a higher mean flexion arc (116° vs. 79°, P = .02) than those who underwent staged arthroplasty. The mean MEPS was not significantly different between the groups (90 vs. 78, P = .12). Complications included asymptomatic ulna component loosening (n = 1), joint instability (n = 1), and symptomatic heterotopic ossification (n = 3). There were no deep or superficial infections recorded. CONCLUSION: EA is safe and effective when performed for simple open distal humeral fractures. Primary débridement and implantation may offer functional benefits over a staged approach.

Catching the second wave: clinical characteristics and nosocomial infection rates in major trauma and orthopaedic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIMS: The new COVID-19 variant was reported by the authorities of the UK to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 14 December 2020. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics and nosocomial infection rates in major trauma and orthopaedic patients comparing the first and second wave of COVID-19 infection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected trauma database was reviewed at a level 1 major trauma centre from 1 December 2020 to 18 February 2021 looking at demographics, clinical characteristics, and nosocomial infections and compared to our previously published first wave data (26 January 2020 to 14 April 2020). RESULTS: From 1 December 2020 to 18 February 2021, 522 major trauma patients were identified with a mean age of 54.6 years, and 53.4% (n = 279) were male. Common admissions were falls (318; 60.9%) and road traffic accidents (RTAs; 71 (13.6%); 262 of these patients (50.2%) had surgery. In all, 75 patients (14.4%) tested positive for COVID-19, of which 51 (68%) were nosocomial. Surgery on COVID-19 patients increased to 46 (61.3%) in the second wave compared to 13 (33.3%) in the first wave (p = 0.005). ICU admissions of patients with COVID-19 infection increased from two (5.1%) to 16 (20.5%), respectively (p = 0.024). Second wave mortality was 6.1% (n = 32) compared to first wave of 4.7% (n = 31). Cardiovascular (CV) disease (35.9%; n = 14); p = 0.027) and dementia (17.9%; n = 7); p = 0.030) were less in second wave than the first. Overall, 13 patients (25.5%) were Black, Asian and Minority ethnic (BAME), and five (9.8%) had a BMI > 30 kg/m2. The mean time from admission to diagnosis of COVID-19 was 13.9 days (3 to 44). Overall, 12/75 (16%) of all COVID-19 patients died. CONCLUSION: During the second wave, COVID-19 infected three-times more patients. There were double the number of operative cases, and quadruple the cases of ICU admissions. The patients were younger with less dementia and CV disease with lower mortality. Concomitant COVID-19 and the necessity of major trauma surgery showed 13% mortality in the second wave compared with 15.4% in the first wave. In contrast to the literature, we showed a high percentage of nosocomial infection, normal BMI, and limited BAME infections. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(8):661-670.

Two-year results of arthroscopic conjoint tendon transfer procedure for the management of failed anterior stabilization of the shoulder.

BACKGROUND: Management of failed anterior stabilization is difficult. There are two main options for revision either a revision labral repair which has published high failure rates because of poor quality capsulolabral tissues or a bone block/Latarjet procedure with associated morbidity and complication rates. On this background, the senior author (D.T.) has developed a new procedure to treat this difficult to manage clinical scenario. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 2-year results of an arthroscopic conjoint tendon transfer procedure. The procedure has previously been developed to provide a potential solution for active patients with a failed labral repair, subcritical glenoid bone loss, and an on-track Hill-Sachs lesion. METHODS: Consecutive patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were prospectively recruited. Inclusion criteria were active patients with recurrent shoulder instability owing to failed labral repair, less than 10% anterior glenoid bone loss, and an on-track Hill Sachs lesion. Patients were fully consented and offered a choice of revision with an arthroscopic labral repair, a Latarjet procedure or the arthroscopic conjoint tendon transfer procedure. Preoperative and postoperative Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index and Oxford Instability Score were collected. RESULTS: Eight patients met the inclusion criteria and opted for the conjoint tendon transfer procedure. Mean age was 35 with a male:female ratio of 7:1. No patients had hyperlaxity clinically. At median follow-up of 31 months (range 24-41), there was a significant improvement in both the median Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (53.7 to 13.4, P = .0003) and Oxford Instability Score (27 to 44.5, P = .0017) scores. No patient had a further dislocation, and all were able to resume contact and noncontact sports. CONCLUSION: Our results at a minimum of 2-year follow-up demonstrate that the arthroscopic transfer of the conjoint tendon confers clinical stability in patients with a failed primary labral repair who have minimal bone loss.

What are the risk factors and presenting features of premature physeal arrest of the distal radius? A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Premature physeal arrest (PPA) of the distal radius is considered a rare complication of physeal wrist fractures. Standardised guidelines for duration of follow up do not exist. The aim of this review is to recognise the risk factors of PPA and guide follow up protocols. The secondary aim is to understand the typical presenting symptoms of PPA. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and grey literature were searched from inception to October 2020. Studies included were: (i) original articles, (ii) distal radius physeal injuries, (iii) with at least a partial study population that developed PPA. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included with 616 physeal injuries. There were 114 PPAs reported with a mean age at time of injury of 10.6 years (1-16). The rate of PPA with radiological follow up was 7-23%. Intraarticular fractures and repeated manipulations increased the rate of PPA. K-wire fixation, open reduction and malunion did not. The most common presenting symptom of PPA was: pain (70%), deformity (55%), restricted range of movement (40%), reduced grip strength (40%) and snapping or clicking (30%). All patients with radial shortening of 10 mm or more were symptomatic. CONCLUSION: There were no risk factors that reliably predicted all PPA. The majority of patients who develop PPA will remain asymptomatic until significant shortening or deformity have occurred. We recommend a minimum of 18 months radiological follow up for every distal radius physeal injury.

Radiological outcomes of iliac crest bone graft augmentation for glenoid bone loss using an open all-suture anchor and washer fixation technique.

Background: Many of the complications related to bone block augmentation for recurrent shoulder instability are related to metal screw fixation. Alternative fixation techniques using suspensory fixation have been described with good results, although they require an additional posterior incision to manage the button. It was postulated that the use of an all-suture anchor would remove the requirement for a posterior incision, whilst providing equivalent union rates. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological outcome of a technique using all-suture anchor fixation of iliac crest autograft. Methods: Eleven patients (mean age 28 years, 10 males, 1 female) underwent open anterior shoulder stabilization using an autologous iliac crest bone graft that was fixed with all-suture anchors and supplemented by 2-hole tibial plate. Union of the graft was evaluated 6 months postoperatively using computed tomography. Results: There were no intraoperative complications and none of the participants needed further surgery. All patients reported a stable shoulder at 6 months follow-up. The grafts united in 10 out of the 11 patients. Conclusion: An all-suture anchor construct is a viable alternative to metal screw fixation for iliac crest bone grafting in shoulder instability with critical bone loss, and unlike suspensory techniques does not require a second posterior incision.

40 days and 40 nights: Clinical characteristics of major trauma and orthopaedic injury comparing the incubation and lockdown phases of COVID-19 infection.

AIMS: The first death in the UK caused by COVID-19 occurred on 5 March 2020. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of major trauma and orthopaedic patients admitted in the early COVID-19 era. METHODS: A prospective trauma registry was reviewed at a Level 1 Major Trauma Centre. We divided patients into Group A, 40 days prior to 5 March 2020, and into Group B, 40 days after. RESULTS: A total of 657 consecutive trauma and orthopaedic patients were identified with a mean age of 55 years (8 to 98; standard deviation (SD) 22.52) and 393 (59.8%) were males. In all, 344 (approximately 50%) of admissions were major trauma. Group A had 421 patients, decreasing to 236 patients in Group B (36%). Mechanism of injury (MOI) was commonly a fall in 351 (52.4%) patients, but road traffic accidents (RTAs) increased from 56 (13.3%) in group A to 51 (21.6%) in group B (p = 0.030). ICU admissions decreased from 26 (6.2%) in group A to 5 (2.1%) in group B. Overall, 39 patients tested positive for COVID-19 with mean age of 73 years (28 to 98; SD 17.99) and 22 (56.4%) males. Common symptoms were dyspnoea, dry cough, and pyrexia. Of these patients, 27 (69.2%) were nosocomial infections and two (5.1%) of these patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admission with 8/39 mortality (20.5%). Of the patients who died, 50% were older and had underlying comorbidities (hypertension and cardiovascular disease, dementia, arthritis). CONCLUSION: Trauma admissions decreased in the lockdown phase with an increased incidence of RTAs. Nosocomial infection was common in 27 (69.2%) of those with COVID-19. Symptoms and comorbidities were consistent with previous reports with noted inclusion of dementia and arthritis. The mortality rate of trauma and COVID-19 was 20.5%, mainly in octogenarians, and COVID-19 surgical mortality was 15.4%.Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-7:330-338.

Construct Validity, Assessment of the Learning Curve, and Experience of Using a Low-Cost Arthroscopic Surgical Simulator.

OBJECTIVE: We have developed a low-cost, portable shoulder simulator designed to train basic arthroscopic skills. This study aimed to establish the construct validity of the simulator by determining which parameters discriminated between experience levels and to assess the experience of using the simulator. DESIGN: Participants were given an introductory presentation and an untimed practice run of a 6-step triangulation task using hooks and rubber bands. A total of 6 consecutive attempts at the task were timed, and the number of times the participant looked at their hands during the task was recorded. Participants then completed a questionnaire on their experience of using the simulator. SETTING: St George's Hospital, London and the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre, Surrey. PARTICIPANTS: Medical students, trainee doctors and surgeons, and consultant surgeons were approached to use the simulator. Participation was voluntary and nonincentivized. In total, 7 orthopedic consultants, 12 trainee doctors (ranging from foundation year 1 to clinical fellow post-Certificate of Completion of Training), and 9 medical students were recruited. RESULTS: The average time for medical students to complete the task was 161 seconds, compared to 118 seconds for trainees, and 84 seconds for consultants. The average fastest time for medical students was 105 seconds, 73 seconds for trainees, and 52 seconds for consultants. Students were significantly slower than trainees (p = 0.026) and consultants (p = 0.001). However, times did not differ significantly between trainees and consultants. Consultants looked at their hands 0.7 times on average during the task compared with 2.8 and 3.4 times for trainees and students, respectively. More than 95% of participants found the exercise interesting and agreed or strongly agreed that the simulator was easy to use, easily portable, and well designed and constructed. DISCUSSION: This study has established construct validity of the simulator by demonstrating the ability to distinguish between surgical experience levels. The learning curve shows improvement in individuals with or without arthroscopic or surgical experience. Simulation is becoming increasingly important in the training of medical students and surgical trainees; this study has established that low-cost portable arthroscopic box trainers may play a significant role.

Artificial ligament reconstruction of sternoclavicular joint instability: report of a novel surgical technique with early results.

Symptomatic instability of the sternoclavicular (SC) joint is an uncommon problem. The majority of patients respond well to nonoperative measures, although a small number require reconstructive surgery for symptomatic instability, with varying surgical techniques reported in the literature. We report a series of 5 operations (in 4 patients) with chronic SC joint instability treated by reconstruction of SC and costoclavicular ligaments using an artificial ligament weave (LARS: Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System). Preoperative and postoperative disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Scores and Oxford Shoulder Scores were collected to evaluate the outcomes. The patients had a mean age of 20 years (range, 17 to 22 y), with 2 male and 2 female patients. Three of the patients had traumatic dislocation of the SCJ and 1 patient had bilateral symptomatic atraumatic instability. Anterior instability was observed in 4 joints and posterior instability in 1 joint. In all cases, reconstruction was achieved with a 30 mm LARS ligament. Postoperative follow-up was for an average of 29 months (range, 19 to 41 mo). The DASH Score improved from 51.7 points (range, 24.2 to 75.0) preoperatively to 13.7 points (range, 8.3 to 20.8) postoperatively. The Oxford Shoulder Scores improved from 20.6 preoperatively (range, 15 to 32) to 41.8 postoperatively (range, 39 to 47). All patients returned to full activity including competitive sports. In conclusion, stabilization of the SC joint using a LARS ligament with a weave technique is a feasible option for young, active patients with symptomatic SC joint instability after failure of nonoperative treatment.