Safe time frame of staged bilateral arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the outcomes of staged bilateral arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). This study aimed to determine the influencing factors related to the outcomes of patients who underwent staged bilateral ARCR and to verify an optimal interval for performing the second rotator cuff repair in staged bilateral ARCR. METHODS: We analyzed 166 shoulders that underwent staged bilateral ARCR. The average interval between the first- and second-side surgical procedures was 21.9 ± 19.7 months. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years. RESULTS: Clinical outcomes and retear rates were not significantly different according to the order of surgical procedures, sex, arm dominance, age, and tear size (P > .05 for all). The cutoff value for the optimal interval between the first and second surgical procedures for the University of California, Los Angeles score and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 9 months, with the area under the curve equal to 0.815 (P < .001) for the University of California, Los Angeles score and 0.806 (P < .001) for the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score. The group with an interval of 9 months or less between the first- and second-side surgical procedures showed significantly inferior clinical outcomes and a higher retear rate (35%) compared with the group with an interval greater than 9 months (retear rate, 10%) (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Staged bilateral ARCR resulted in significant improvements in clinical outcomes regardless of the order of surgical procedures, sex, arm dominance, age, and tear size. To optimize clinical outcomes of staged bilateral ARCR, second-side surgery should be delayed until 9 months after the first-side surgical procedure.

Evaluation of the Acromioclavicular Joint Morphology for Minimizing Subacromial Erosion after Surgical Fixation of the Joint Using a Clavicular Hook Plate.

BACKGROUND: Subacromial erosion remains a major concern after surgical fixation of acromioclavicular (AC) joint using a clavicular hook plate. To minimize postoperative subacromial erosion, we investigated the structural relationship between distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint by considering the surgical fixation of the joint using the hook plate technique. METHODS: Computed tomography scans of 101 AC joints without any inherent pathology were analyzed. The angle between the distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint (AC angle), depth of the acromion, differences in height between distal clavicle and acromion (AC height difference), and thickness of distal clavicle and acromion at the AC joint were measured. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each anatomical parameter, and all results were compared between gender groups. RESULTS: The mean AC angle was 17.1°(range, -8.0° to 39.0°), and the mean AC height difference was 3.5 mm (range, -0.7 to 8.7 mm). Both factors showed very high variability (coefficients of variation=62.6% and 46.6%, respectively). The mean AC angle was significantly higher in the female gender than in the male gender (19.8° vs. 13.8°, p=0.048). The mean acromion thickness and distal clavicular thickness were both significantly thinner in the female group than in the male group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we believe our results might be helpful in minimizing postoperative subacromial erosion when performing surgical fixation of the AC joint using the hook plate, and be valuable in improving future design of the hook plate.

Total elbow arthroplasty under unfavourable soft tissue conditions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and soft tissue reconstruction. METHODS: We investigated six patients who underwent TEA and soft tissue reconstruction (two elbows with 1-stage surgery and four elbows with 2-stage surgery). The mean patient age at the time of the surgical procedure was 43.2 years; the mean follow-up duration was 88.2 months. RESULTS: The mean pain visual analogue scale (VAS) during motion was improved from 6.3 pre-operatively to 0.7 at the last follow-up. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) improved from 26.7 pre-operatively to 81.7 at the last follow-up. The mean flexion-extension arcs of the 1- and 2-stage surgery groups increased from 12.5° and 13.8° pre-operatively to 72.5° and 100° at the last follow-up, respectively. The mean MEPS of the one and two stage surgery groups were 75 and 85, respectively, at the last follow-up. One of the six elbows had loosening on the simple radiograph at the last follow-up, and there were no cases with bushing wear. Three elbows needed additional skin debridement owing to wound complications (2/2 elbows in the 1-stage surgery group and 1/4 elbows in the 2-stage surgery group). CONCLUSIONS: Under unfavorable soft tissue conditions, performing soft tissue reconstruction with TEA provides satisfactory functional improvement and pain relief. The two stage surgery provided a lower rate of wound complication and better elbow function than the one stage surgery, which led to high patient satisfaction post-operatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.

Fate of coracoid grafts after the Latarjet procedure: will be analogous to the original glenoid by remodelling.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the location, magnitude, and change over time of osteolysis of coracoid grafts after Latarjet procedure. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 54 patients (55 shoulders) who underwent the Latarjet procedure. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans were performed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at follow-up (mean 7.7 and 31.7 months postoperative). "En face" views of the glenoid, size of glenoid defect and changes in the glenoid surface area postoperatively were measured relative to the area of an assumed outer-fitting circle. On the oblique sagittal planes, location and subsequent severity of osteolysis of the graft at follow-up were documented. RESULTS: The mean glenoid surface area increased significantly from 79.7 ± 4.8% of the original circle preoperatively to 111.3 ± 8.0% immediately postoperatively. At 7.7 and 31.7 months of follow-up, glenoid surface area decreased to 102.2 ± 6.0% and 100.3 ± 5.3%, respectively. Osteolysis occurred on the outer side of the graft in all cases, but did not occur on the inner side. Maximum osteolysis was observed in the superior third of the graft (78.5 ± 17.1%), followed by the middle third (15.8 ± 10.4%), and the inferior third (8.0 ± 5.1%). No significant difference in magnitude of osteolysis was observed between 7.7 and 31.7 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Osteolysis of the grafted coracoid mainly occurred on the outer side of the superior portion, resulting in reshaping of the rectangular shape of graft coracoids after Latarjet procedure. Coracoid graft remodelling was almost completed approximately 8 months postoperatively to reach the original glenoid dish with no further changes thereafter. These results may help surgeons to understand changes of grafts after the surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Return to sports after the latarjet procedure: high return level of non-collision athletes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes, including the level of return to sport, of collision and non-collision athletes who had the Latarjet procedure. METHODS: A total of 56 shoulders of 29 collision and 27 non-collision athletes were retrospectively analyzed. All study participants underwent the Latarjet procedure between 2007 and 2014. Median age at the time of surgery was 26.5 years(18-43) and follow-up duration was 67.0 months(24-113). RESULTS: At the final follow-up, 54 (96.4%) patients returned to sports. Nine patients (16.1%) returned to the same level of sports. In a group of collision athletes, 1 patient (3.4%) returned to the same level, 16 (55.2%) returned to lower level, 10 (34.5%) changed sports, and 2 (6.9%) quit sports. In a group of noncollision athletes, 8 (29.6%) returned to same level, 11 (40.7%) returned at a lower level and 8 (29.6%) changed sports. The level of return to sports in collision group was statistically different from that in noncollision group (p = 0.046). The mean VAS, Rowe and UCLA scores improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.001) with no statistically significant difference between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the clinical outcomes were not significantly different between collision and non-collision athletes, the level of return to sports was significantly higher in the non-collision group than in the collision group. The result suggests that the level of physical demand according to sport type is an important prognostic factor which predicts the level of return to sport after the Lartarjet procedure in athletes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Interstitial tears of the rotator cuff: difficulty in preoperative diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the characteristic findings of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the clinical and radiologic outcomes of interstitial tear of the rotator cuff treated with arthroscopic repair after tear completion. METHODS: Forty-one patients (14 men and 27 women; mean age, 56.5 years) with arthroscopically confirmed interstitial tears underwent single-row repair after tear completion. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (68.3%) were properly evaluated with MRI before surgery. Seven cases (17.1%) were misdiagnosed as bursal-sided tears and 5 cases (12.2%) were misdiagnosed as articular-sided tears on the basis of presurgical MRI findings. Arthroscopy revealed fibrillation and dimpling of the tendon surface in all cases and congestion within the defect in 36 cases (87.8%). At the final follow-up, the visual analog scale score for pain during motion decreased to 0.8 from a preoperative mean of 6.1 (P <.001). Moreover, at the final follow-up, the mean University of California-Los Angeles score and Constant score improved from 15.7 and 51.8 to 32.1 and 83.8, respectively (P <.001 for all). At 9 months after surgery, MRI revealed no cases of retear. CONCLUSION: Interstitial tears are difficult to diagnose before surgery because MRI findings may lead to the misdiagnosis of interstitial tears as articular- or bursal-sided tears. If MRI-based diagnosis is indicative of articular- or bursal-sided tears but arthroscopy reveals fibrillation and dimpling of the tendon surface, interstitial tears should be suspected. The defective sites in interstitial tears are usually accompanied by congestion.

Bursal-Sided Rotator Cuff Tears: Simple Versus Everted Type.

BACKGROUND: No studies have focused on the everted type of bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs). PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiological characteristics, arthroscopic findings, and clinical and structural outcomes after arthroscopic repair of the everted type of bursal-sided PTRCTs. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Two groups of patients with bursal-sided PTRCTs (simple type, 25 shoulders; everted type, 25 shoulders) were enrolled. The mean age was 59.6 years (range, 47-73 years) and 60.8 years (range, 48-72 years) among patients with the simple and everted type, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 2.7 years (range, 2.0-5.1 years). RESULTS: The everted type always exhibited an acromial spur (hat-shaped, 52%; heel-shaped, 48%) and bony changes in the greater tuberosity (bony spur, 52%; sclerotic changes, 48%). Hat-shaped spurs of the acromion were not observed in the simple type. The everted type showed significantly thicker tendon on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as the stump was retracted superomedially (mean thickness: 8.1 ± 1.2 mm vs 5.5 ± 1.1 mm for the everted and simple type, respectively). During arthroscopic repair, additional sutures were needed more often for the everted type than for the simple type (64% vs 16%, respectively). After repair, the tendon margin was uneven and ragged in 16% of shoulders with the everted type. Preoperatively, the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain during motion and range of motion (ROM) were significantly worse in patients with the everted type than in those with the simple type (VAS score, 7.2 vs 5.6, respectively; ROM for forward flexion, 146.8° vs 156.4°, respectively). Postoperatively, no significant differences in the VAS score, ROM, or clinical outcomes were observed between the 2 groups, with no retears on follow-up MRI in either group. CONCLUSION: The everted type of bursal-sided PTRCTs showed a characteristic hat-shaped acromion, often with bony spurs of the greater tuberosity. On MRI, the tendon stump appeared thickened because of the everted flap. The everted type was more likely to require additional sutures because of an uneven or ragged tendon margin. However, satisfactory clinical and structural outcomes were observed for both the simple and everted types.

Glenohumeral arthritis after Latarjet procedure: Progression and it's clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors of glenohumeral arthritis after the Latarjet procedure remain relatively unexplored. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the clinical significance of glenohumeral arthritis after the Latarjet procedure, and to investigate risk factors associated with arthritis progression. METHODS: We evaluated 110 patients (110 shoulders) who underwent the Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Patients had a mean age of 23.8 years (range, 14-52 years) at the time of the operation, and the mean duration of follow-up was 31 months (range, 24-111 months). RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Rowe and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scores significantly improved from 3.1, 36.5 and 23.6 points preoperatively to 1.6, 87.6 and 32.6 points (all P < 0.05, respectively). The postoperative rate of recurrence was 5.4%. Among the 14 shoulders with preoperative arthritis, 8 (57.1%) showed progression of arthritis at the last follow up. New occurrence or progression of arthritis after the Latarjet procedure was in 20 shoulders (18.2%). At the final, overall prevalence of arthritis was 23.6% (26 shoulders). The non-arthritis group showed significantly better functional outcomes (VAS score: 0.9, Rowe Score: 89.3, UCLA score: 33.5) than the arthritis group (2.1, 84.9, 29.2; all P < 0.05, respectively). Preoperative generalized laxity and lateral overhang were associated with glenohumeral arthritis progression after surgery. (all P < 0.05, retrospectively). CONCLUSION: The Latarjet procedure yielded satisfactory functional outcomes with low recurrent rate at mid-term follow-up. Development or progression of arthritis was observed in 18.2% of patients, postoperatively. Glenohumeral arthritis after the Latarjet procedure had an adverse effect on clinical outcome. Generalized laxity and lateral overhang should be considered as risk factors of progression to glenohumeral arthritis after the Latarjet procedure.

Long-term results of cruciate-retaining total knee replacement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a minimum 15-year review.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy about whether to retain or excise the posterior cruciate ligament in rheumatoid knees because attenuation of the ligament is often present in this subgroup of patients. We reviewed more than 15 years of results of cruciate-retaining total knee replacements (TKRs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: We reviewed patients' charts and radiographs to evaluate knee range of motion and flexion contractures, component loosening and osteolysis at the bone-cement interface. Our primary outcome was revision of a femoral or tibial component for any reason, and the secondary outcome was revision for any reason and periprosthetic fracture during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Our study included 112 patients (7 men, 105 women, 176 knees). Their mean age was 49.3 (range 33-64) years. Twenty-one patients died and 16 were lost to follow-up, leaving 75 patients (119 knees) with a minimum follow-up of 15 (mean 16.1) years for our analysis. Of these, 61 patients (101 knees) were available for clinical and radiological evaluation at the final follow-up assessment. At a mean of 12.2 (range 6-16) years, revision was necessary in 14 patients (19 knees), including 1 patient with an infection. Eleven patients (11 knees) had periprosthetic fractures at a mean of 11.4 (range 5-14) years after the index operation. The survival rate, with the end point being revision of the femoral or tibial component for any reason, was 98.7% at 10 years and 83.6% at 17 years. The survival rate of revision and periprosthetic fracture was 97.6% at 10 years and 76.9% at 17 years. CONCLUSION: Special attention should be paid to component loosening or periprosthetic fracture after more than 10 years of follow-up in this subgroup of patients.

CONTEXTE: On ne s'entend pas sur la nécessité de conserver ou d'exciser le ligament croisé postérieur dans les genoux rhumatoïdes en raison de l'affaiblissement du ligament, souvent présent chez cette catégorie de patients. Nous avons passé en revue sur plus de 15 ans les résultats de prothèses totales du genou (PTG) avec préservation du ligament croisé chez des patients atteints de polyarthrite rhumatoïde. MÉTHODES: Nous avons examiné les dossiers et les radiographies des patients pour évaluer l'amplitude de mouvement et les contractures en flexion des genoux, le descellement des composants et l'ostéolyse à l'interface os­ciment. Notre paramètre principal était la révision d'un composant fémoral ou tibial, peu importe la raison, et le paramètre secondaire était la révision, peu importe la raison, ainsi que les fractures périprothétiques durant la période de suivi. RÉSULTANTS: Notre étude a regroupé 112 patients (7 hommes, 105 femmes; 176 genoux). L'âge moyen était de 49,3 ans (entre 33 et 64 ans). Vingt-et-un patients sont décédés et 16 ont été perdus au suivi, ce qui laissait 75 patients (119 genoux) et un suivi minimum de 15 ans (moyenne 16,1 ans) pour notre analyse. Parmi ces patients, 61 (101 genoux) étaient disponibles pour évaluation clinique et radiologique à la dernière évaluation de suivi. Sur une moyenne de 12,2 ans (entre 6 et 16 ans), une révision a été nécessaire chez 14 patients (19 genoux), y compris 1 patient porteur d'une infection. Onze patients (11 genoux) ont présenté des fractures périprothétiques en moyenne 11,4 ans (entre 5 et 14 ans) après l'intervention initiale. Le taux de survie, avec pour paramètre principal la révision d'un composant fémoral ou tibial, qu'elle qu'en soit la raison, a été de 98,7 % à 10 ans et de 83,6 % à 17 ans. Le taux de survie des révisions et de fractures périprothétiques a été de 97,6 % à 10 ans et de 76,9 % à 17 ans. CONCLUSION: Il faut porter une attention spéciale au descellement des composants ou à la fracture périprothétique après plus de 10 ans de suivi dans cette catégorie de patients.