Twisting technique for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow: new possibilities toward enhancing the strength of autografts.

Background: Although the ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction procedure has been increasing in popularity annually owing to its stable postoperative outcomes, the number of revision surgeries following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction has increased. The success of the initial reconstruction surgery and further improvement in the return-to-play rates of the initial surgery are crucial. In this study, we report on ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction using the twisting technique, which aims to enhance the strength of the graft (palmaris longus tendon) to improve return-to-play rates. Methods: We investigated the return-to-play rate and period in 60 cases (2016-2021) that underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction using the twisting technique and 211 cases (2007-2019) that did not use the twisting technique. The twisting technique involved inserting the graft through the bone tunnel and then twisting the doubled tendon. Results: According to the Conway-Jobe scale, the twisting technique group had 98.3% excellent, 1.7% good, 0% fair, and 0% poor results, with a mean return-to-play period of 9.8 months. The non-twisting technique group had 86.7% excellent, 9.0% good, 1.9% fair, and 2.4% poor results, with a mean return-to-play period of 11.4 months. The two groups showed significant differences in return-to-play rate (P = .020) and period (P = .022). Conclusion: The clinical results of the twisting technique showed that the return-to-play rate of the twisting technique group was higher after than before the procedure, and the return-to-play period was shortened by more than 1 month. The twisting technique may improve the results of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery.

Arthroscopic findings of the glenohumeral joint in symptomatic anterior instabilities: comparison between overhead throwing disorders and traumatic shoulder dislocation.

BACKGROUND: The term shoulder instability refers to a variety of mechanisms and clinical presentations. One of the common pathologies of throwing disorders is internal impingement with anterior instability. Most throwing athletes with symptomatic internal impingement with anterior instability exhibit positive apprehension and relocation test results, whereas those with recurrent anterior shoulder instability display positive apprehension test results. While the glenoid labrum-inferior glenohumeral ligament complex is a significant critical stabilizer for the prevention of anterior shoulder dislocation, the characteristics of the essential lesion in internal impingement with anterior instability have not been determined yet. This study aimed to compare the intra-articular lesion of athletes with internal impingement related to the overhead throwing motion in athletes with a traumatic shoulder dislocation. METHODS: Sixty-one athletes (all men; mean age, 25.2 ± 12.6 yr) who underwent an arthroscopic procedure were divided into 2 groups: 25 in the throwing group and 36 in the dislocation group. All shoulders had subtle glenohumeral instability defined by a positive anterior apprehension test and a relocation test. Those with voluntary and multidirectional instability and large glenoid bone loss (more than 25%) were excluded from the current study. All shoulders were evaluated for the following evidence: rotator cuff injury, superior labrum tear anterior and posterior lesions, labral pathologies including Bankart lesions, osteochondral lesions to the humeral head, biceps tendon fraying or rupture, and inferior glenohumeral ligament and middle glenohumeral ligament (MGHL) conditions. RESULTS: Arthroscopic findings of the throwing group showed more supraspinatus injuries (92% and 25%, P < .001), type II superior labrum tear anterior and posterior lesions (60% and 3%, P < .001), posterosuperior labral lesions (92% and 39%, P < .001), and hypoplastic MGHLs (56% and 6%, P < .001) and lesser Bankart lesions (8% and 92%, P < .05) than those of the dislocation group. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the characteristic lesions of internal impingement with anterior instability in throwing athletes include partial thickness rotator cuff tears, superior labrum tear anterior and posterior lesions, posterosuperior labral tears, and hypoplastic MGHLs. As expected, the physiopathology of internal impingement with anterior instability in throwing athletes may be related to the dysfunction of the anterosuperior glenohumeral capsular ligament, including the MGHL, rather than the inferior glenohumeral ligament as in traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations. These findings would be useful for defining treatment strategies for internal impingement with anterior instability in overhead throwing athletes.

Anterior glenohumeral capsular ligament reconstruction with hamstring autograft for internal impingement with anterior instability of the shoulder in baseball players: preliminary surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain and dysfunction are common in baseball players, and although "internal impingement" is recognized as one of the most common pathologies of shoulder dysfunction, the optimal surgical treatment for internal impingement with anterior instability of the shoulder remains controversial. This study evaluated baseball players' preliminary outcomes following anterior glenohumeral capsular ligament reconstruction for internal impingement with anterior instability of the shoulder. METHODS: Twelve baseball players (all male; mean age, 20.5 ± 2.2 years) with internal impingement and anterior instability managed via anterior glenohumeral capsular ligament reconstruction were examined. The mean follow-up period was 25.3 ± 4.6 months. Anterior glenohumeral capsular ligament reconstruction was performed with a knee hamstring autograft for balanced stability and laxity with two major targets: to prevent hyperangulation and translation in horizontal abduction and to mimic the individual arm cocking position at the final decision of tension. Preoperative and final follow-up evaluations were performed using Jobe's postoperative grading system; the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Overhead Athletes Shoulder and Elbow Score; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand sports module; plain radiographs; and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Jobe's postoperative grading system score, the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Overhead Athletes Shoulder and Elbow Score, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand sports module score improved significantly from 20.4 ± 12.2, 28.4 ± 8.3, and 80.2 ± 11.1 points preoperatively to 88.8 ± 13.6, 80.8 ± 7.7, and 22.4 ± 18.7 points postoperatively, respectively (P < .001, .0025, <0.001, respectively). Both clinical and imaging evaluations revealed improved internal impingement with anterior instability after anterior glenohumeral capsular ligament reconstruction. The mean external rotation at abduction significantly decreased from 113° preoperatively to 104° postoperatively. At follow-up, 10 of the 12 athletes (83.3%) returned to their prior competitive level. Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no obvious loosening of the graft or screws. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior glenohumeral capsular ligament reconstruction resulted in preferable clinical outcomes for young baseball players who experienced pain during the throwing motion. Stabilization of the glenohumeral joint with autografting of the knee hamstring may thus represent a solution for internal impingement with anterior instability in overhead throwing athletes.

First-Rib Stress Fracture in Overhead Throwing Athletes.

BACKGROUND: First-rib stress fracture is considered a potential cause of nonspecific atraumatic chronic shoulder pain in adolescent athletes. However, the etiology in throwing athletes with first-rib fracture is still unknown. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the characteristic clinical features and radiographic findings of overhead throwing athletes with first-rib fracture. METHODS: Twenty-four first-rib stress fractures in 23 players were studied retrospectively. Clinical features, including age, initial symptom, sports, pain-related activity, diagnostic method, treatment method, and final follow-up, were reviewed. RESULTS: The following characteristic clinical features were identified: mean age of 16.8 years (range, 13 to 25 years), 19 dominant arm injuries and 5 non-dominant arm injuries, and an acute increase in pain while swinging the bat or pitching the ball. Sixteen fractures presented with posterior shoulder or upper thoracic back pain. At a mean time of 7.5 months after the initiation of conservative treatment, 17 healing fractures (71%) and 7 nonunion fractures (29%) among throwing athletes with first-rib stress fracture were identified. On image analysis, first-rib stress fractures were classified into 3 types depending on the direction and location of fracture lines: groove, intrascalene, and posterior types. Three symptomatic patients underwent first-rib resection due to thoracic outlet syndrome. On average, 46% of the first rib was visible on the shoulder radiographs and 97% was visible on the cervical spine radiographs. The Cohen kappa coefficient for the above percentages was 0.87 and the percent agreement was 89.4% for the shoulder, and the Cohen kappa coefficient was 0.80 and the percent agreement was 99.0% for the cervical spine. CONCLUSIONS: First-rib stress fracture should be considered when adolescent overhead throwing athletes have acute-onset posterior shoulder pain while swinging the bat or pitching the ball. Anteroposterior radiography of the cervical spine is available for initial diagnosis. Although 71% of the patients healed at a mean follow-up of 7.5 months with conservative treatment, some patients may have symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Variation in stress distribution patterns across the radial head fovea in osteochondritis dissecans: predictive factors in radiographic findings.

BACKGROUND: Predictive factors for the development of osteoarthritis in adolescent osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum remain unclear. The objectives of this study were to assess subchondral bone density in the radial head fovea of patients with OCD and to evaluate stress distribution in the radiocapitellar joint. The relationship between radiologic classification and stress distribution, according to multivariate ordinal regression analysis, was also investigated. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) imaging data from 54 male patients with OCD (mean age, 13.1 years) were collected. Stress in the radial head fovea was measured using CT osteoabsorptiometry. A stress map was constructed and divided into 4 sections, and percentages of high-density regions in each section were quantitatively analyzed. Multivariate ordinal regression analyses were performed of bone density, incorporating the stage, location, and size of the OCD lesion and the presence of medial elbow disturbance in the radiographic images. RESULTS: The percentage of high-density area in the anteromedial, posteromedial, and the anterolateral sections of the radial head fovea were significantly increased compared with the posterolateral section. Multivariate ordinal regression analysis revealed that the location and size of the lesion and a history of excessive valgus stress were associated with imbalances in the radial head fovea. CONCLUSIONS: When the OCD lesion is large and located laterally and a medial epicondyle disturbance is apparent on radiographs, the risk for developing advanced radiocapitellar osteoarthritis should be considered. These findings can be useful in the decision-making process for treating OCD.

Quadrilateral Space Syndrome With Involvement of the Tendon of the Latissimus Dorsi.

Quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS) is the term used to describe axillary nerve palsy due to compression of the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex artery in the quadrilateral space. The precise pathophysiology of QSS is still unclear; hence, a consensus of diagnosis and treatment for QSS has not yet been achieved. The authors present the case of a 17-year-old male baseball player with symptoms of QSS, including right elbow and shoulder joint pain and upper limb numbness while throwing. The symptoms had worsened during baseball. Conservative management for 3 months failed to resolve the symptoms, so surgery was performed. Axillary nerve decompression resulted in functional improvement. The cause of QSS has been previously reported to be fibrous bands, the long head of the triceps, and Bennett lesions. However, the cause of QSS in this case was compression of the axillary nerve between the proximal humerus and the tendinous attachment of the latissimus dorsi. The authors incised a 10- to 15-mm segment of the medial edge of the tendinous insertion of the latissimus dorsi, which resulted in resolution of QSS symptoms. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(4):e714-e716.].