[Influence of timing of surgery on complication rates after cemented hemiarthroplasty for treatment of medial femoral neck fractures]. / Einfluss des Operationszeitpunktes auf die Komplikationsraten nach zementierter Hemiarthroplastik zur Behandlung medialer Schenkelhalsfrakturen.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of the implantation of a cemented hemiarthroplasty in the management of displaced medial femoral neck fractures is still the subject of current research. According to the current recommendations, these cases should be surgically treated within 24 h. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the timing of surgery on operation-specific and nonspecific complications, intensive care treatment as well as mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall, 152 cases were retrospectively investigated regarding several parameters (demographic data, comorbidities, surgery time, duration of hospital stay, intensive care treatment, general, bleeding, operation-specific and nonspecific complications). The statistical analysis was performed using the χ2-test and the unpaired Student's t­test as well as logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients were included and 71.1% of the operations were performed within 24 h and the remaining 28.9% after 24 h. All groups showed a similar profile of comorbidities. The analysis of the intensive care treatment showed no significant differences between the individual groups. The rate of postoperative pneumonia was moderately higher among the patients with a procedure after 24 h; however, with no severe courses. There were no significant differences regarding all other complications and the mortality rate between the individual time points of surgery. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that patients operated on after 24 h showed no disadvantages regarding other complications, intensive care treatment or mortality, except from an increased postoperative pneumonia rate. These results could be taken into consideration for the next update of the treatment guidelines.

Metallosis after knee replacement: a review.

INTRODUCTION: Although metallosis is a well-known complication after total hip arthroplasty, little is known about this phenomenon after total (TKA) or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The aim of the present work was to review the current knowledge about the reasons and the diagnostic as well as therapeutic management of metallosis after knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed through PubMed until April 2019. Search terms were "metallosis" in combination with "knee", "knee prosthesis", "knee arthroplasty" and "knee replacement", respectively. All publications were analyzed regarding publication year, level of evidence, number of knees/patients treated, type of prosthesis, metallosis cause, time period between primary implantation and metallosis emergence, laboratory examination, treatment, complications and follow up. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies reporting on a total of 97 knees were identified. 29 studies reported on metallosis after TKA, 8 after UKA, and one study after both procedures. The time period between the primary implantation and metallosis emergence ranged between 6 weeks and 26 years. The most common reason was the failure of a metal-backed patellar component in 40%, followed by implant/structural- and PE failure (wear/dislocation) in 27% and 18% of the cases, respectively. Complete blood cell count, serum chemistry, erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein serum values were not indicative to diagnose metallosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological analyses and macroscopic evaluation during surgery. Depending on the particular cause various surgical procedures have been performed. Complete prosthesis exchange was the most common one showing no complications in 89.4% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Metallosis after knee arthroplasty is a rare and perhaps underestimated or under published complication. A systematic diagnostic approach is necessary for the timely and correct diagnosis. A thorough debridement as well as a (sub)total synovectomy should be always performed. In cases with a damaged component, a partial/complete prosthesis exchange leads to the best results. Should a malalignment be the cause of the metallosis, then it should be corrected within the revision surgery.

Partial two-stage exchange at the site of periprosthetic hip joint infections.

INTRODUCTION: In the past 10 years an increasing number of studies about partial two-stage exchange arthroplasty in the management of periprosthetic hip infections have been published. The aim of the present work was to systematically review the current knowledge about this procedure, and critically verify the success as well as the complications of this treatment option. MATERIALS-METHODS: A literature search was performed through PubMed until June 2018. Search terms were "partial two stage hip" and "partial retention hip", and "retaining well fixed hip". RESULTS: A total of 7 studies reporting on a total of 80 patients could be identified. All studies had a level of evidence IV. The great majority of the studies reported on the isolated removal of the acetabular cup and placement of an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer head onto the retained, well-fixed stem. Most of the periprosthetic infections were caused by staphylococci. The infection eradication rate varied between 81.3 and 100% at a mean follow-up between 19 and 70 months. Poor outcome was observed at the site of MRSA infections. CONCLUSIONS: The partial two-stage exchange arthroplasty appears to be a possible option in the management of PJI when one prosthetic component is well-fixed so that their removal might result in significant bone loss and compromise of fixation at the time of the later prosthesis reimplantation, and the causative organisms are not multiresistant. The small numbers published about this protocol does not allow for a generalization of application and should be only applied in highly selected patients. Future studies with larger collectives and longer follow-ups are welcome to evaluate the clinical success of this option and its possible role in the management of PJI.

[Periprosthetic hip-TEP infections after dental procedures : Maybe an indication for antibiotic treatment after all?] / Periprothetische Hüft-TEP-Infektion nach zahnmedizinischem Eingriff : Vielleicht doch eine Indikation zur Antibiotikatherapie?

Periprosthetic infections are hazardous complications. After dental procedures, an antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment is actually not recommended according to the current guidelines. In the present work, a case of a hematogenous late infection after primary total hip arthroplasty due to a prior dental procedure is presented. Hereby, the question evolves as to whether in selected cases an antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment might be indicated at the site of dental procedures.

Osteomyelitis of the First Metatarsal Head Treated With Joint-Preserving Surgery and a Synthetic Resorbable Bone Graft Substitute: A Case Report.

Managing infections of the first metatarsophalangeal joint can be demanding because many patients present with late-stage infection and partial or total amputation of the first ray or the phalanx could be necessary. We describe such a patient who was successfully treated with a calcium-based resorbable bone substitute that preserved the first metatarsophalangeal joint. A 38-year-old female presented to our department with a foot infection. Examination revealed a methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus infection of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The histopathologic findings confirmed active osteomyelitis of the first metatarsal head. The metatarsophalangeal joint was debrided with open synovectomy, the metatarsal head was curetted, and the bone defect was filled with 2 mL of a synthetic bone graft substitute. Two years later, she reported no problems with function or pain, the joint had full range of motion, and she had no local or systemic signs of infection. The most recent radiographs revealed no damage to the first metatarsophalangeal joint. A synthetic bone graft substitute can be a good alternative for treating forefoot infections when the soft tissues are intact and the bone defect is not so large that partial or full amputation is necessary.

The biomechanical performance of a new forked knotless biceps tenodesis compared to a knotless and suture anchor tenodesis.

PURPOSE: Biomechanical comparison of three different fixation techniques for a proximal biceps tenodesis. METHODS: Eighteen human cadaver specimens were used for the testing. A tenodesis of the proximal biceps tendon was performed using a double-loaded suture anchor (5.5-mm Corkscrew, Arthrex), a knotless anchor (5.5-mm SwiveLock, Arthrex) or a forked knotless anchor (8-mm SwiveLock, Arthrex). Reconstructions were cyclically loaded for 50 cycles from 10-60 to 10-100 N. Cyclic displacement and ultimate failure loads were determined, and mode of failure was evaluated. RESULTS: Cyclic displacement at 60 N revealed a mean of 3.3 ± 1.1 mm for the Corkscrew, 5.4 ± 1.4 mm for the 5.5-mm SwiveLock and 2.9 ± 1.6 mm for the 8-mm forked SwiveLock. At 100 N, 5.1 ± 2.2 mm were seen for the Corkscrew anchor, 8.7 ± 2.5 mm for the 5.5-mm SwiveLock and 4.8 ± 3.3 mm for the 8-mm forked SwiveLock anchor. Significant lower cyclic displacement was seen for the Corkscrew anchor (p < 0.020) as well as the 8-mm SwiveLock anchor (p < 0.023) compared to the 5.5-mm SwiveLock anchor at 60 N. An ultimate load to failure of 109 ± 27 N was found for the Corkscrew anchor, 125 ± 25 N were measured for the 5.5-mm SwiveLock anchor, and 175 ± 42 N were found for the 8-mm forked SwiveLock anchor. Significant differences were seen between the 8-mm SwiveLock compared to the 5.5-mm SwiveLock (p < 0.044) as well as the Corkscrew anchor (p < 0.009). No significant differences were seen between the Corkscrew and the 5.5-mm SwiveLock anchor. CONCLUSIONS: The new 8-mm forked SwiveLock anchor significantly enhances construct stability compared to a 5.5-mm double-loaded Corkscrew anchor as well as the 5.5-mm SwiveLock suture anchor. However, a restrictive postoperative rehabilitation seems to be important in all tested reconstructions in order to avoid early failure of the construct.

Reconstruction of 25 and 50 % subscapularis tears: a single anchor with a double-mattress suture is sufficient for the reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the biomechanical performance of repairs of 25 % (Fox/Romeo II) and 50 % (Fox/Romeo III) full-thickness subscapularis tears using a single-suture anchor. METHODS: Six pairs of human cadaver specimens were used for the testing. Artificial subscapularis tears were created in order to simulate a 25 % (6) and a 50 % (6) full-thickness tear. The reconstructions were made with a double-loaded suture anchor (5.5-mm Bio-Corkscrew with two No. 2 Fiberwire) creating a double-mattress suture repair. Reconstructions were cyclically loaded from 10 to 60 N. The load was increased stepwise up to 100 and 180 N. Cyclic displacement (means + standard dev.) as well as load-to-failure was determined, and mode of failure was recorded. RESULTS: In the reconstructed shoulders at 60 N, a mean cyclic displacement of 3.2 ± 0.7 mm was found in the 25 % tear, 2.6 ± 0.6 mm in the 50 % tear. At 100 N, 5.1 ± 1.2 mm was seen in the 25 % tear and 4.3 ± 0.3 mm in the 50 % tear. At highest load of 180 N, 7.6 ± 2.2 mm was recorded in the 25 % tear, 6.5 ± 0.8 mm was found in the 50 % tear. Ultimate failure load was 486 ± 167 N in the 25 % tear and 455 ± 213 N in the 50 % tear. Statistically significant differences between the tested repairs were seen neither in cyclic displacement nor in ultimate failure loads (p > 0.05). Mode of failure revealed bone fractures and anchor pull-out as major cause in the 25 % group, whereas failure of the suture-tendon interface was the major cause of failure in the 50 % group. CONCLUSIONS: Subscapularis repair using a single double-loaded suture anchor revealed similar biomechanical performance in 25 % compared to 50 % full-thickness subscapularis tears. With increased tear size, however, an optimized suture-tendon interface seems to become more relevant in order to decrease failure rate of the repair. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A single double-loaded suture anchor provides sufficient biomechanical strength even in Fox/Romeo grade III tears of the subscapularis tendon. However, a modified suture configuration is recommended, especially in grade III tears as the suture-tendon interface is the weakest point of the construct.

Two-stage protocol and spacer implantation in the treatment of destructive septic arthritis of the hip joint.

INTRODUCTION: The ideal treatment of the destructive septic arthritis of the hip joint remains controversial. The aim of the present retrospective study was to report on our experience about the use of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers in the treatment of destructive bacterial coxitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 22 consecutive patients (11 male, 11 female, mean age 59.7 years) have been treated with a two-stage protocol and implantation of an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer. All patients' records have been retrospectively evaluated with regard to comorbidities/predisposing factors, infection cause, causative pathogen organism, presence of a psoas abscess, surgical time of spacer implantation, duration of spacer implantation, spacer articulation, impregnation of bone cement, systemic antibiotic therapy, surgical time of prosthesis implantation, implant type, complications, and infection control rate. RESULTS: The most common identified organism was Staphylococcus aureus (73 %). The mean duration of spacer implantation was 88 days. Spacer-specific complications were observed in 23 % of the cases and spacer non-specific ones in 50 % between stages. The mortality rate after the first stage was 18 %. Prosthesis implantation was performed in 16 cases. At a mean follow-up of 44.8 (12-120) months, the primary infection control rate (after one spacer implantation) was 87 % (13/15) and the secondary infection control rate (after two spacer implantations) 100 %. CONCLUSIONS: Two-stage treatment and spacer implantation is associated with a high rate of infection control but also with a high mortality rate between stages.

Negative pressure wound therapy in the management of late deep infections after open reconstruction of achilles tendon rupture.

Infection is a major complication after open reconstruction of Achilles tendon ruptures. We report on the use of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy in the treatment of late deep infections after open Achilles tendon reconstruction. Six patients (5 males [83.33%], 1 female [16.67%]; mean age, 52.8 [range 37 to 66] years) were been treated using an identical protocol. Surgical management consisted of debridement, lavage, and necrectomy of infected tendon parts. The VAC therapy was used for local wound preconditioning and infection management. A continuous negative pressure of 125 mm Hg was applied on each wound. For final wound closure, a split-thickness skin graft was performed. The skin graft healing process was also supported by VAC therapy during the first 5 days. The VAC dressings were changed a mean average of 3 (range 1 to 4) times until split-thickness skin grafting could be performed. The mean total duration of the VAC therapy was 13.6 ± 5.9 days. The mean hospital stay was 31.2 ± 15.9 days. No complications with regard to bleeding, seroma, or hematoma formation beneath the skin graft were observed. At a mean follow-up duration of 29.9 (range 4 to 65) months, no re-infection or infection persistence was observed. The VAC device seems to be a valuable tool in the treatment of infected tendons. The generalization of these conclusions should await the results of future studies with larger patient series.

Infections after high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: High tibial osteotomy is an established method in the treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Infections are a rare but severe complication that might endanger the clinical, radiological and functional outcome and might require several surgical revisions. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed through PubMed until November 2011. Search terms were "HTO" or "(high) tibial osteotomy", alone or in combination with "infection(s)", "infected" or "septic". Only articles focussing on the infection treatment or analysis of risk factors for emergence of infection after high tibial osteotomy were included. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies could be identified. Seven studies were published before and 19 in or after 2000. One study had a level of evidence II, five level of evidence III and 20 level of evidence IV. Superficial infections were found in 1-9% and deep infections in 0.5-4.7% of the cases. Pin tract infections occurred in 2-71% of the cases. One study reported on a secondary bacterial arthritis in 4.5% of the cases. An oblique skin incision, non-smokers and a one-day hospitalization were found to be risk factors for infection emergence. Depending on the type of infection, treatment consisted of oral or systemic antibiotic therapy, alone or in combination with surgical revision, debridement and hardware removal. In some cases, antibiotic-loaded cement beads were inserted for local antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Infections after high tibial osteotomy are rare. Current data about infection rates, infection localization, risk factors for emergence of infection and treatment options allow not for a generalization of conclusions. A large multi-centre study is required to develop a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Patella baja after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The literature data on patellar height following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are scarce. METHODS: A total of 41 knee joints in 37 patients after UKA were prospectively evaluated for patellar height by using the Insall-Salvati and modified Insall-Salvati ratio. Patellar height was measured preoperatively, postoperatively, at 6, 12 weeks, and, at 1 year postoperatively. Patients were categorized according to age, gender, operated side, and rehabilitation program. RESULTS: Regarding all the patients, the Insall-Salvati ratio demonstrated a significant decrease only for the time period "postoperatively-1 year postoperatively", whereas the modified Insall-Salvati ratio showed a significant decrease only for the period "preoperatively-postoperatively". The Insall-Salvati ratio showed a significant decrease in the patellar height of men and left knees, whereas the modified Insall-Salvati ratio revealed a significant decrease in patients older than 65 years and those who followed a specific rehabilitation program. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in the patellar height after UKA occurs within the first postoperative year. Women, right knees, patients younger than 65 years and those who do not follow a specific rehabilitation program are less prone to decrease in the patellar height; ratio-specific differences are evident for each subgroup. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level III.

Fungal periprosthetic hip and knee joint infections clinical experience with a 2-stage treatment protocol.

Fungal periprosthetic joint infections are a rare entity in orthopedic surgery, and there exist no guidelines according to which these infections can be successfully managed. Between 2004 and 2009, 7 patients with fungal periprosthetic joint infections (4 total hip arthroplasties and 3 total knee arthroplasties) have been treated with a 2-stage protocol and implantation of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers. Most of the infection was caused by Candida species. Systemic antifungal agents were administered for 6 weeks in 6 cases and 6 months in 1 case. The mean spacer implantation time was 12 weeks. At a mean follow-up of 28 months (5-70 months), no persistence of infection or reinfection could be observed. A 2-stage treatment protocol with implantation of an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer is an efficient option in the treatment of fungal periprosthetic infections.

Antifungal-Loaded Acrylic Bone Cement in the Treatment of Periprosthetic Hip and Knee Joint Infections: A Review.

Little is known about the clinical use of antifungal-loaded acrylic bone cement in the treatment of periprosthetic hip and knee joint infections (PJIs). Hence, we performed a literature search using PubMed/MEDLINE from inception until December 2021. Search terms were "cement" in combination with 13 antifungal agents. A total of 10 published reports were identified, which described 11 patients and 12 joints in which antifungal-loaded cement was employed. All studies were case reports or case series, and no randomized controlled trials were identified. In 6 of 11 patients, predisposing comorbidities regarding the emergence of a fungal PJI were present. The majority of the studies reported on infections caused by Candida species. In six cases (seven joints), the cement was solely impregnated with an antifungal, but no antibiotic agent (amphotericin B, voriconazole, and fluconazole). In the other five joints, the cement was impregnated with both antibiotic(s) and antifungals. Great discrepancies were seen regarding the exact loading dose. Four studies investigated the local elution of antifungal agents in the early postoperative period and observed a local release of antifungals in vivo. We conclude that there is a paucity of data pertaining to the clinical use of antifungal-loaded bone cement, and no studies have assessed the clinical efficacy of such procedures. Future studies are urgently required to evaluate this use of antifungals in PJI.

Comparison of five patellar height measurement methods in 90° knee flexion.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the patellar height in 90° knee flexion. METHODS: A total of 85 patients with 95 knee joints were included in the study. Patellar height was measured according to the Blackburne-Peel, Labelle-Laurin, Insall-Salvati, Linclau, and Caton-Deschamps methods in the whole group and in subgroups based on age, gender, and side. RESULTS: The BP-ratio showed a patella norma in 45 cases, and in 25 cases a patella alta and infera, respectively. The Labelle-Laurin method determined a patella norma in eight knees, in 35 a patella alta and in 52 a patella infera. The IS-ratio revealed a patella norma in 52 patients, a patella alta in six and in 37 a patella infera. The Linclau method demonstrated in 52 cases a patella norma, in 17 a patella alta and in 26 a patella infera. The CD-ratio showed the highest values of a patella norma among all tested methods in 67 knees, whereas a patella alta was evident in 13 and a patella infera in 15 cases. In the subgroups, discrepancies depended on the subgroup and method used. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate a method-dependent discrepancy in the measurement of patellar height. A future study should evaluate this effect in a direct comparison between 30° and 90° knee flexion.

Are Cement Spacers and Beads Loaded with the Correct Antibiotic(s) at the Site of Periprosthetic Hip and Knee Joint Infections?

The optimal impregnation of antibiotic-loaded bone cement in the treatment of periprosthetic hip and knee joint infection is unknown. It is also unclear, whether a suboptimal impregnation might be associated with a higher persistence of infection. A total of 93 patients (44 knee, 49 hip) were retrospectively evaluated, and the most common organism was a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, followed by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Of all the organisms, 37.1% were resistant against gentamicin and 54.2% against clindamycin. All organisms were susceptible against vancomycin. In 41 cases, gentamicin-loaded beads were inserted and in 52 cases, spacers: (2 loaded only with gentamicin, 18 with gentamicin + vancomycin, 19 with gentamicin + clindamycin, and 13 with gentamicin + vancomycin + clindamycin). The analysis of each antibiotic impregnation showed that complete susceptibility was present in 38.7% of the cases and partial susceptibility in 28%. In the remaining 33.3%, no precise statement can be made because either there was a culture-negative infection or the antibiotic(s) were not tested against the specific organism. At a mean follow-up of 27.9 months, treatment failure was observed in 6.7% of the cases. Independent of which antibiotic impregnation was used, when the organism was susceptible against the locally inserted antibiotics or not tested, reinfection or persistence of infection was observed in the great majority of cases. Future studies about the investigation of the optimal impregnation of antibiotic-loaded bone cement are welcome.

Antibiotics in Orthopedic Infections.

The management of orthopedic infections has continuously been gaining increasing interest in the past few years [...].

Retained Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Foams as a Cause of Infection Persistence.

Significance: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become a valuable adjunct in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds in several surgical disciplines. Retained foams are among its side effects, and they pose a rare but devastating complication at the site of this therapy, which might be associated with wound-healing complications, infection persistence, repeated surgical revisions, and prolonged antibiotic courses. Recent Advances: In the past 15 years, an increasing number of studies have identified this potential problem. Although the exact incidence remains unknown, initial studies have indicated rates of up to 10% in large collectives being treated by NPWT. Critical Issues: The lack of radiopaque markers does not allow for the visual control of retained foams using plain radiographs. Further imaging methods (e.g., CT and MRI) also do not help in adequate differential diagnosis. The lack of routine documentation of the number, type, and localization of the inserted foam(s) and unplanned surgery with a different surgical team pose risk factors for foam retainment. Future Directions: Introducing new documentation records for wounds treated with NPWT is recommended. At foam removal, all dressing materials should be examined for integrity. The development of foams with radiopaque markers by the industry, such as those routinely used in surgical gauze swabs, might also be a useful step to minimize the risk of foam retainment within wounds.

Occurrence of Rare Pathogens at the Site of Periprosthetic Hip and Knee Joint Infections: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study.

The frequency and clinical relevance of rare pathogens at the site of periprosthetic infections of the hip and knee joint and their antibiotic resistance profiles have not yet been assessed in-depth. We retrospectively analyzed all periprosthetic hip and knee joint infections that occurred between 2016 and 2020 in a single center in southwest Germany. Among 165 infections, 9.7% were caused by rare microorganisms such as Veilonella sp., Pasteurella sp., Pantoea sp., Citrobacter koseri, Serratia marcescens, Parvimonas micra, Clostridium difficile, Finegoldia magna, Morganella morganii, and yeasts. No resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam, carbapenemes, fluoroquinolones, or gentamicin was observed. Some bacteria displayed resistance to ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, and cefuroxime. We present follow-up data of patients with infections due to rare pathogens and discuss the importance of close, interdisciplinary collaboration between orthopedic surgeons and clinical microbiologists to carefully select the most appropriate anti-infective treatment regimens for the increasing number of patients with such infections.

Three-dimensional evaluation of the cyclic loading behavior of different rotator cuff reconstructions.

PURPOSE: To perform a biomechanical comparison of single-row rotator cuff repairs with modified suture configurations versus double-row repairs using radiostereometric analysis (RSA). METHODS: The infraspinatus tendon and the humerus of 40 porcine cadaveric shoulders were marked with tantalum beads and placed in an RSA calibration cage that allows for calculation of 3-dimensional positions of the tantalum markers. The intact tendon was cyclically loaded (50 cycles/20 N). After sharp dissection of the infraspinatus from the bone, the repairs were made by use of 3 single-row (modified Mason-Allen, double mattress, inclined mattress) and 2 double-row (modified Mason-Allen, suture bridge) configurations. The reconstructions were cyclically loaded for 50 cycles (10 N to 40, 60, 80, and 100 N). Displacements under cyclic loading were quantified in the anteroposterior (x), craniocaudal (y), and mediolateral (z) direction. The craniocaudal measurements were compared with the results of a video extensometer. RESULTS: Cyclic loading of the intact tendon showed a mean displacement of 0.06 +/- 0.08 mm at the x-level, 0.16 +/- 0.18 mm at the y-level, and 0.19 +/- 0.28 mm at the z-level. High correlations between the RSA and the video extensometer measurements were found (0.87). Comparison of rotator cuff repairs showed significant differences in gap formation at 40, 60, 80, and 100 N in the craniocaudal plane (P < .0001) and the mediolateral plane (P .05). CONCLUSIONS: Single-row repairs using modified Mason-Allen or double-mattress repair were able to achieve biomechanical results comparable to double-row repairs as measured by RSA and digital video. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Single-row repairs, using modified suture configurations, were able to decrease implant costs compared with double-row repairs, by achieving comparable results. Furthermore, RSA gives additional information on the applied forces acting on the rotator cuff repair in 3 different planes, which may help to decrease the rerupture rate of rotator cuff reconstructions.

Nonoperative management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: oral cortisone application versus intra-articular cortisone injections.

HYPOTHESIS: Oral and intra-articular injections of cortisone will lead to significant improvement and comparable results in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective randomized evaluation, 40 patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder were treated with an oral corticoid treatment regimen or 3 intra-articular injections of corticosteroids. Follow-up was after 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and 6 and 12 months. For the clinical evaluation, the Constant-Murley (CM) score, the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain, function, and satisfaction were used. RESULTS: In the patients treated with oral glucocorticoids, significant improvements were found for the CM score (P < .0001), SST (P=.035), VAS (P < .0001), and range of motion (P < .05) at the 4-week follow-up. The patients treated with an intra-articular glucocorticoid injection series also significantly improved in the CM score (P < .0001), SST (P < .0001), the VAS (P < .0001), and range of motion (P < .05) after 4 weeks. These results were confirmed at all other follow-up visits. Superior results were found for intra-articular injections in range of motion, CM score, SST, and patient satisfaction (P < .05). Differences in the VAS for pain and function were not significant (P > .05). DISCUSSION: The use of cortisone in the treatment of idiopathic shoulder adhesive capsulitis leads to fast pain relief and improves range of motion. Intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids showed superior results in objective shoulder scores, range of motion, and patient satisfaction compared with a short course of oral corticosteroids.