Profile of Current Opinion on Arthroscopic Acromioplasty: A Video Survey Study.

PURPOSE: To provide a baseline profile of current opinion on use of arthroscopic acromioplasty and evaluate the consistency of surgical decision making on whether or not to perform acromioplasty across different surgeon practices. METHODS: Twenty-two fellowship-trained orthopaedic shoulder surgeons from the Association of Clinical Elbow and Shoulder Surgeons completed an Internet-based survey on practices associated with acromioplasty, including questions related to 15 arthroscopic videos. Based on video cases, interobserver and intraobserver agreement regarding clinically based decisions related to acromioplasty were assessed. RESULTS: Acromioplasty was uncommonly performed in isolation among this group and was most commonly performed in conjunction with repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Nineteen of 22 (86%) surgeons favored an arthroscopic approach for acromioplasty. Depth of bony resection was determined most commonly based on clinical judgment and experience (68%). The video portion of the survey revealed slight interobserver agreement for classification of acromion morphology (κ = 0.099), need for acromioplasty (κ = 0.020), and adequacy of decompression (κ = 0.1). In contrast, there was fair intraobserver reliability regarding acromion morphology (κ = 0.370) and decision whether to perform acromioplasty in a given case (κ = 0.348) whereas there was moderate intraobserver reliability in the presence of a reparable rotator cuff tear (κ = 0.507) and assessment of the adequacy of decompression (κ = 0.453). CONCLUSIONS: Although surgeons had similarities regarding principles of acromioplasty, including indications, surgical approach, and technique, there was lack of consensus when surgeons reviewed the video of clinical cases. Although surgeons may have similar goals in terms of treatment of pathology related to subacromial impingement, individual surgeon thresholds for the need and adequacy of decompression are varied and are not standardized. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion.

Suture anchor fixation of displaced olecranon fractures in the elderly: a case series and surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: Olecranon fractures are common in elderly patients, causing significant morbidity and functional impairment. Traditional surgical treatments are often complicated by hardware failure and prominence, frequently requiring reoperation. To address these concerns, a suture anchor fixation technique was developed and clinically evaluated. METHODS: A consecutive series of elderly patients treated with this technique from 2006 to 2013 at a single institution were studied. All cases were surgically repaired with nonmetallic fully threaded suture anchors in a double-row fashion. Clinical outcome measures including the shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, the Oxford Elbow Score, and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey score were obtained. RESULTS: Eight female patients with Mayo IIA or IIB fractures were identified. The mean age of the patients at time of operation was 73.5 ± 10.7 years (range, 59.3-88.8 years). The average time from injury to operation was 5.7 ± 3.7 days. The average follow-up was 5.1 ± 2.5 years (range, 0.8-7.4 years). Six patients were available for long-term follow-up; 1 patient had died, and 1 patient was unable to be contacted despite multiple attempts. There were no intraoperative complications or reoperations. All 8 patients healed uneventfully in an acceptable position without displacement. Postoperatively, the average Oxford Elbow Score was 47.17 ± 2.04; the average shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 6.43 ± 9.47; and the average 12-Item Short Form Health Survey scores were 49.02 ± 16.59 and 55.38 ± 4.05 for the physical and mental component scales, respectively. CONCLUSION: Suture anchor fixation of olecranon fractures in the elderly population provides excellent long-term radiographic and clinical outcomes without hardware complications associated with traditional fixation methods.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fractures: update on indications, technique, and results.

The introduction of the reverse shoulder arthroplasty has provided shoulder surgeons with more options for the treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures in the elderly. Early reported results suggest that the average functional outcome may be better than hemiarthroplasty in certain patients and specific clinical scenarios. In addition, these results seem to be reached more quickly with less dependence on rehabilitation. The reverse prosthesis may be particularly useful in patients aged older than 70 years, especially those with severely comminuted fractures in osteopenic bone. These factors likely have a negative impact on the results of hemiarthroplasty and internal fixation. Despite the potential benefits of reverse arthroplasty for fracture, there is a significant learning curve with the use of this prosthesis, and it has its own set of complications. The surgeon must show appropriate judgment when selecting a reverse arthroplasty in the setting of a proximal humeral fracture and, furthermore, be well acquainted with the surgical technique and prosthetic options at the time of surgery. Although the longevity of this prosthesis remains unknown, midterm outcomes are promising.

Diagnostic accuracy of noncontrast MRI for detection of glenohumeral cartilage lesions: a prospective comparison to arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of glenohumeral articular cartilage lesions in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy and to assess the accuracy of noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting these defects compared with the "gold standard" of arthroscopy. METHODS: Noncontrast MRI studies obtained in 84 consecutive patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy for rotator cuff tendinopathy (mean age, 54.8 years; range, 17-82 years) were prospectively evaluated for glenohumeral cartilage lesions. Two fellowship-trained, experienced musculoskeletal radiologists were blinded from the arthroscopic findings and independently evaluated the glenoid and humeral head cartilage on 2 separate occasions. RESULTS: At arthroscopy, cartilage lesions of the humeral head were detected in 23 patients (frequency, 27.4%), and glenoid cartilage lesions were found in 20 patients (frequency, 23.8%). For detection of a humeral lesion on MRI, the radiologists' combined accuracy was 78%, sensitivity was 43%, and specificity was 91%. The combined accuracy for detection of glenoid lesions on MRI was 84%, sensitivity was 53%, and specificity was 93%. Combining the readers, low-grade lesions (International Cartilage Repair Society grades 1 and 2) of the glenoid and humerus were read as negative on MRI in 63% and 86% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall accuracy of noncontrast MRI for detection of glenohumeral articular cartilage lesions is good; however, interpretation is reader dependent, and accuracy is significantly reduced for detection of low-grade lesions. On the basis of these findings, we recommend that patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy undergoing arthroscopy be informed that the presence and severity of cartilage lesions may be underestimated on MRI.

Venous air embolism: an under-recognized and potentially catastrophic complication in orthopaedic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Venous air embolism (VAE) is the entry of air or other medical gases into the central venous system, producing an air embolism to the right heart or pulmonary artery. VAE is a largely iatrogenic complication with potentially devastating sequelae that can occur in a variety of surgical procedures. METHOD: Within orthopaedics, VAE has been associated with both open and arthroscopic surgeries with the patient in a variety of positions (ie, prone, supine, sitting). These articles, as well as reports of VAE in other surgical settings outside of orthopaedics, are examined. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of VAE requires a high index of suspicion, as clinical presentation ranges from completely asymptomatic to fatal cardiopulmonary collapse. The vigilant surgeon should carefully watch for air entry at the operative site and the astute anesthesiologist must closely monitor end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2). Prevention of VAE is of paramount importance, as management is largely supportive and aimed at inhibiting further air ingress.

Precontoured plating of clavicle fractures: decreased hardware-related complications?

BACKGROUND: Operative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures reportedly decreases the risk of symptomatic malunion, nonunion, and residual shoulder disability. Plating these fractures, however, may trade these complications for hardware-related problems. Low-profile anatomically precontoured plates may reduce the rates of plate prominence and hardware removal. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We compared the outcomes after precontoured and noncontoured superior plating of acute displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. Primary outcomes were rate of plate prominence, rate of hardware removal, and rate of complications. Secondary outcomes were ROM and pain and function scores. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients with 52 acute, displaced midshaft clavicle fractures treated with either noncontoured or precontoured superior clavicle plate fixation. Fourteen patients with noncontoured plates and 28 with precontoured plates were available for followup at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Postoperative assessment included ROM, radiographs, and subjective scores including visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, and Simple Shoulder Test. RESULTS: Patients complained of prominent hardware in nine of 14 in the noncontoured group and nine of 28 in the precontoured group. Hardware removal rates were three of 14 in the noncontoured group and three of 28 in the precontoured group. Postoperative ROM and postoperative subjective scores were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Precontoured plating versus noncontoured plating of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures results in a lower rate of plate prominence in patients who do not undergo hardware removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Distal biceps rupture: the coil sign.

Delayed repair of the distal biceps brachii tendon can lead to the formation of scar tissue and coiling of the tendon. Dissection of the scar tissue and unraveling of the tendon may allow for anatomic repair to the radial tuberosity. A 50-year-old man had a distal biceps brachii tendon tear with an intact lacertus fibrosis. Surgery was performed 22 days after injury. On inspection, the distal biceps tendon was coiled, encased in scar tissue, and unable to be reduced to the radial tuberosity. Dissection of the scar tissue and unraveling of the tendon provided additional length, allowing anatomic repair. Postoperatively, the patient regained full range of motion and strength and returned to work without restrictions. After a distal biceps brachii tear in which the lacertus fibrosis remains intact, the coiled tendon may become enveloped in a sheath of scar tissue. Dissection of the "pseudosheath" unveils the native tendon and allows reduction to the radial tuberosity. Cadaveric analysis shows that the pseudosheath may conceal 6 cm of coiled tendon. When the lacertus fibrosis remains intact after distal biceps tendon rupture, the tethered tendon stump may coil, become encased in scar tissue, and resemble the native tendon. Failure to identify the native tendon could result in the loss of 6 cm of tendon.

Pharmacologic reversal of warfarin-associated coagulopathy in geriatric patients with hip fractures: a retrospective study of thromboembolic events, postoperative complications, and time to surgery.

PURPOSE: Patients with acute hip fractures who are on maintenance warfarin for anticoagulation present a significant challenge and their management remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess thromboembolic and systemic complications associated with pharmacological reversal of warfarin-associated coagulopathy in a population of geriatric patients with hip fractures. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study identified patients with operative hip fractures on oral warfarin therapy who had an international normalized ratio (INR) >1.50 on admission (N = 93) approximately over a 13-year span. The control group consisted of patients whose warfarin was held upon admission without further intervention preoperatively (n = 23). The treatment group consisted of patients who underwent pharmacologic reversal of elevated INR with vitamin K and/or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in addition to holding warfarin (n = 70). Primary outcomes included thromboembolic and other complications as well as mortality within 3 months of presentation. Time to surgery was a secondary outcome. RESULTS: The 3-month mortality rate was 4% in the pharmacological intervention group and 17% in the watch-and-wait group; this difference trended toward statistical significance (P = .06). There were no significant differences in the likelihoods of other thromboembolic or nonthromboembolic complications between groups. While the difference in mean time to surgery was not significantly different overall between groups, this difference was significant in a subgroup of patients with higher baseline INRs (n = 46, INR >2.17), with a mean difference of 4.0 fewer days until surgery in the pharmacological intervention group (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological reversal of warfarin-associated coagulopathy with a combination of vitamin K and FFP appears to be a safe way to optimize patients for operative fixation of hip fractures and is associated with a shorter delay to surgery in patients with more elevated INRs preoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: retrospective cohort study (level III).

MRI measurement of the 2 bundles of the normal anterior cruciate ligament.

Anatomical studies have shown that the normal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) consists of 2 distinct functional bundles: the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles. To date, no study has assessed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles. The purpose of this study was to measure the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles using high-field digital MRI. Fifty MRIs of the knees of 50 patients were prospectively collected using a 1.5-T magnet. The length and width of each ACL bundle was measured on sagittal and coronal digital MRIs, independently performed by 2 observers blinded to each other's measurements. The average length and width of the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles were determined for all patients. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to determine intertester test-retest reliability. In the sagittal plane, the anteromedial bundle averaged 36.9+/-2.8 mm in length and 5.1+/-0.7 mm in width. The posterolateral bundle, by contrast, averaged 20.5+/-2.4 mm in length and 4.4+/-0.8 mm in width. In the coronal plane, the width of the anteromedial bundle averaged 4.2+/-0.8 mm and of the posterolateral bundle averaged 3.7+/-0.8 mm. Interobserver reliability for length of the ACL in the sagittal plane was 0.85, with a 95% CI of 0.75 to 0.91 for the anteromedial bundle and 0.75 with a 95% CI of 0.60 to 0.85 for the posterolateral bundle. Providing precise measurement of the ACL anteromedial and posterolateral bundles on MRI may improve the ability to detect damage to 1 or both of the bundles following injury.

Assessment of normal ACL double bundle anatomy in standard viewing planes by magnetic resonance imaging.

Anatomical studies show that the native ACL consists of two distinct functional bundles, termed the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles. The utility of using routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to distinguish the individual bundles of the ACL has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-observer agreement for assessment of the AM and PL bundles using MRI in the axial, coronal, and sagittal viewing planes. We identified a series of patients seen in the senior author's clinic during a 16-month period. Images were independently evaluated in blinded fashion at two separate time points by a musculoskeletal radiologist and two orthopaedic residents. The AM bundle was detected in most planes of view with high frequency and reliability, while detection of the PL bundle was less frequent and had a lower associated reliability. Our results indicate that it is difficult to reliably detect both the AM and PL bundles using a low-field strength magnet with standard planes of view. It has been demonstrated that the ACL may be imaged effectively in planes that are based on the natural course of the ligament, and it is likely that this will also facilitate visualization of the individual AM and PL bundles. The use of additional oblique planes of view offers a potential approach for improved evaluation of the ACL, even with low field strength magnets. Future work in this area may assist in the pre-operative assessment of isolated AM or PL bundle injuries, facilitating a more anatomic approach to ACL reconstruction.