Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for patients with cuff tear arthropathy: do clinical outcomes differ by inlay vs. onlay design?

BACKGROUND: The influence of position of the humeral tray (inlay or onlay) on clinical outcomes in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a topic of debate. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with cuff tear arthropathy treated with RSA systems with inlay or onlay humeral tray design, similar neck-shaft angles, and lateralized glenospheres. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of prospectively obtained data from 1 tertiary care center. We identified all patients who underwent primary RSA between 2009 and 2017 (N = 511). We included 102 patients with diagnosed cuff tear arthropathy treated with RSA prostheses with a lateralized glenosphere and 135° neck-shaft angle (with either an inlay or onlay humeral tray design) who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up (mean, 44 months; range, 24-125 months). Sixty-three patients (62%) had an inlay humeral tray (inlay group) and 39 (38%) had an onlay tray (onlay group). All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative evaluations, including measures of patient-reported outcomes (PROs), shoulder range of motion (ROM) testing, and radiographic imaging. Clinical relevance of changes in PROs and ROM was evaluated using published values for minimal clinically important differences. RESULTS: The 2 groups did not differ by demographic characteristics except for a higher proportion of women in the inlay group (75%) than in the onlay group (56%) (P = .04). Preoperative PROs and ROM were not significantly different between groups. At final follow-up, PROs and ROM were not different between groups in terms of statistical significance or clinical relevance. We found no significant differences in the rate of baseplate loosening (inlay, 3.2% vs. onlay, 5.1%, P = .63), revision surgery (inlay, 0% vs. onlay 5.1%, P = .07), acromial stress fracture (inlay, 3.2% vs. onlay, 5.1%, P = .63), prosthesis dislocation (inlay, 0% vs. onlay, 2.6%, P = .20), or scapular notching (inlay, 21% vs. onlay, 7.7%, P = .08). CONCLUSION: At 2-year minimum follow-up, the position of the humeral tray in RSA prostheses (either inlay or onlay) for cuff tear arthropathy was not associated with PROs, shoulder ROM, or rates of complications, including baseplate loosening, acromial stress fracture, and scapular notching.

Infection following mini-open rotator cuff repair: a single surgeon experience.

BACKGROUND: Surgical technique has been shown to influence risk of surgical site infection following rotator cuff repair (RCR). Few studies have reported the rate of infection associated with mini-open RCR. The goal of this study was to report the postoperative infection rate and risk factors for infection among patients undergoing RCR performed by a single surgeon using a modified mini-open technique. Our hypothesis was that the rate of infection after mini-open RCR would be lower than previously reported for this surgical approach. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed an institutional shoulder surgery database to identify patients who underwent mini-open RCR performed by one surgeon at an academic tertiary care institution between 2003 and 2020. Patient records were reviewed to determine which individuals returned within 3 months postoperatively with a superficial or deep surgical site infection requiring operative management. Patient demographics, preoperative clinical characteristics, intraoperative variables, microbiological findings, infection management, and clinical course after infection were recorded. Backward elimination multivariate regression was used to assess for significant risk factors for infection. RESULTS: Of the 925 patients identified, 823 (89%) had at least 3 months of follow-up and were included for further analysis. A majority of the patients undergoing RCR were men (57%). The mean age was 58.4 ± 9.9 years, and the mean body mass index was 29.3 ± 5.9 kg/m2. Fourteen cases (1.7%) of postoperative surgical site infection were identified in 13 patients. Ten infections (1.2%) were superficial and 4 (0.49%) were deep. The most commonly identified organisms were Staphylococcus aureus and Cutibacterium acnes. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% CI 1.2-15.3) and diabetes mellitus (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2-12.6) were found to be associated with greater risk of infection. The RCR construct was found to be intact in all 10 patients with superficial infections and 2 of the 4 patients with deep infections. All infections were successfully treated with 1 round of surgical débridement and wound irrigation, and with 6 or fewer weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy. All patients with postoperative infections recovered with no sequelae at a median final follow-up of 63.5 months (range, 3-215 months). CONCLUSIONS: This single-surgeon series of a large patient cohort undergoing mini-open RCR over an 18-year period demonstrated a low overall infection rate of 1.7%. Only 4 infections were deep, which suggests that deep infection after mini-open RCR is uncommon and approximates infection rates seen with arthroscopic techniques.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Dog Walking-Related Injuries Among Children Presenting to US Emergency Departments, 2001 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: Dog walking is associated with a significant injury burden among adults, but the risk of injury associated with dog walking among children is poorly understood. This study describes the epidemiology of children treated at US emergency departments for injuries related to leash-dependent dog walking. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database was retrospectively analyzed to identify children (5 to 18 years of age) presenting to US emergency departments between 2001 and 2020 with dog walking-related injuries. Primary outcomes included annual estimates of injury incidence, injury characteristics, and risk factors for fracture or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Weighted estimates, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated using NEISS sample weights. RESULTS: An estimated 35,611 children presented to US emergency departments with injuries related to dog walking. The mean age of patients was 11 years, and most patients were girls (63%). Over half (55%) of injuries were orthopaedic, and patients commonly injured their upper extremity (57%) and were hurt while falling when pulled or tripped by the leash (55%). The most frequent injuries were wrist strain/sprain (5.6%), finger strain/sprain (5.4%), and ankle strain/sprain (5.3%). On multivariable analysis, injured children aged 5 to 11 years were more likely to have sustained a TBI (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.1-9.7) or fracture (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3). Boys were more likely than girls to have experienced a fracture (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-2.5). CONCLUSIONS: Dog walking-related injuries in children are primarily orthopaedic and involve the upper extremity. Younger children and boys are at greater risk for serious dog walking-related injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Outcomes of shoulder arthroplasty by year of index procedure: are we getting better?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether postoperative patient-reported outcomes improved over time following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes from our institution's registry between 2008 and 2018 (N = 1899). American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively were required. Univariable linear models were used to test the association between year of surgery and improvement in ASES scores at 2- and 5-year follow-up, as well as any association with age, sex, primary or revision surgery, hand dominance, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, rotator cuff status, primary diagnosis, and Walch classification. Multivariable models were created to analyze ASES score improvement by index year while controlling for significant factors. RESULTS: In the univariable analysis, 5-year ASES difference scores increased each year by a mean of 1.65 (P < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-2.55) for TSA, 2.50 (P = .014; 95% CI, 0.52-4.49) for RTSA, and 1.64 (P < .001; 95% CI, 0.81-2.47) for the overall population. Patient sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, rotator cuff status, primary diagnosis, Walch classification, and revision procedures were also significant factors affecting ASES scores. On multivariable analysis controlling for these factors, 5-year ASES difference scores were still significantly associated with year of surgery, increasing each year by a mean of 2.20 (P < .001; 95% CI, 0.91-3.50) for TSA, 4.83 (P < .001; 95% CI, 1.17-8.49) for RTSA, and 1.66 (P < .001; 95% CI, 0.81-2.51) for the entire population. CONCLUSION: Both anatomic TSA and RTSA patients reported increasing ASES difference scores at 5-year follow-up as time passed. These findings may indicate that advances in shoulder arthroplasty have resulted in better patient outcomes over time. Further research is needed to clarify which factors influence improvements in outcomes, particularly for revision procedures.

Minimum 15-year follow-up for clinical outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery is one of the most common shoulder procedures performed in the United States. Although several studies have shown considerable symptomatic relief in the short term following surgery, a relatively high rate of recurrent defects has led surgeons to question the long-term durability of this operation. We hypothesized that outcomes at a minimum of 15 years of follow-up in patients who underwent all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair would be maintained and would remain significantly improved compared with the preoperative status. METHODS: All-arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were performed in 193 patients from 2003 to 2005. Patient-reported outcomes were collected preoperatively and at 1, 2, 5, and ≥15 years postoperatively. The primary outcome was the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. Secondary outcomes included Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), Shoulder Activity Scale (SAS), visual analog scale, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-Upper Extremity (UE) scores. Patient demographic characteristics, revision surgical procedures, and complications were recorded. Generalized estimating equations were used to model scores over time, and multiple comparisons between time points were performed using Tukey adjustment. RESULTS: This study included 60 patients with a mean follow-up period of 16.5 years (range, 15.8-17.7 years). The mean ASES score improved from 60.2 ± 18.8 preoperatively to 93.0 ± 9.4 at ≥15 years (P < .0001). The mean visual analog scale pain score decreased from 4.1 ± 0.7 preoperatively to 0.7 ± 0.3 at ≥15 years (P < .0001). The average SANE, SAS, and PROMIS-UE scores at ≥15 years were 87.8 ± 14.8, 8.8 ± 4.3, and 49.6 ± 10.2, respectively. Of 60 patients, 7 underwent revision surgery. Older age and female sex were associated with lower SAS scores at 15 years, whereas female sex was associated with lower PROMIS-UE scores. There were no factors predictive of ASES or SANE scores. CONCLUSION: At long-term follow-up (≥15 years), the patient-reported outcomes of all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair show significant improvement from baseline preoperative function and remain durable over a period of 15 years. This information is useful in counseling patients regarding the long-term results of this procedure.

Predictors of acromial and scapular stress fracture after reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a study by the ASES Complications of RSA Multicenter Research Group.

BACKGROUND: Acromial (ASF) and scapular spine (SSF) stress fractures are well-recognized complications of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), but much of the current data are derived from single-center or single-implant studies with limited generalizability. This study from the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Complications of Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Multicenter Research Group determined the incidence of ASF/SSF after RSA and identified preoperative patient characteristics associated with their occurrence. METHOD: Fifteen institutions including 21 ASES members across the United States participated in this study. Patients undergoing either primary or revision RSA between January 2013 and June 2019 with a minimum 3-month follow-up were included. All definitions and inclusion criteria were determined using the Delphi method, an iterative survey process involving all primary investigators. Consensus was achieved when at least 75% of investigators agreed on each aspect of the study protocol. Only symptomatic ASF/SSF diagnosed by radiograph or computed tomography were considered. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with ASF/SSF development. RESULTS: We identified 6755 RSAs with an average follow-up of 19.8 months (range, 3-94). The total stress fracture incidence rate was 3.9% (n = 264), of which 3.0% (n = 200) were ASF and 0.9% (n = 64) were SSF. Fractures occurred at an average 8.2 months (0-64) following RSA with 21.2% (n = 56) following a trauma. Patient-related factors independently predictive of ASF were chronic dislocation (odds ratio [OR] 3.67, P = .04), massive rotator cuff tear without arthritis (OR 2.51, P < .01), rotator cuff arthropathy (OR 2.14, P < .01), self-reported osteoporosis (OR 2.21, P < .01), inflammatory arthritis (OR 2.18, P < .01), female sex (OR 1.51, P = .02), and older age (OR 1.02 per 1-year increase, P = .02). Factors independently associated with the development of SSF included osteoporosis (OR 2.63, P < .01), female sex (OR 2.34, P = .01), rotator cuff arthropathy (OR 2.12, P = .03), and inflammatory arthritis (OR 2.05, P = .03). CONCLUSION: About 1 in 26 patients undergoing RSA will develop a symptomatic ASF or SSF, more frequently within the first year of surgery. Our results indicate that severe rotator cuff disease may play an important role in the occurrence of stress fractures following RSA. This information can be used to counsel patients about potential setbacks in recovery, especially among older women with suboptimal bone health. Strategies for prevention of ASF and SSF in these at-risk patients warrant further study. A follow-up study evaluating the impact of prosthetic factors on the incidence rates of ASF and SSF may prove highly valuable in the decision-making process.

MicroRNA (miR) 125b regulates cell growth and invasion in pediatric low grade glioma.

Members of the miR-125 family are strongly expressed in several tissues, particularly brain, but may be dysregulated in cancer including adult and pediatric glioma. In this study, miR-125 members were downregulated in pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) as a group compared to non-neoplastic brain in the Agilent platform. In the Nanostring platform, miR-125 members were downregulated primarily in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas and gangliogliomas. Using CISH for miR-125b, highest levels of expression were present in grade II tumors (11/33, 33% grade II tumors with 3+ expression compared to 3/70, 4% grade I tumors) (p < 0.001). When focusing on the two histologic subgroups with the largest number of samples, PA and diffuse astrocytoma (DA), the highest expression levels were present in DA, in comparison with the PA group (p = 0.01). Overexpression of miR-125b in pediatric low grade glioma (PLGG) derived cell lines (Res186, Res259, and BT66) resulted in decreased growth and invasion, as well as apoptosis. Additionally, miR-125b overexpression in BT66 resulted in senescence. These findings suggest that miR-125 is frequently underexpressed in PLGG, and overexpression results in a decrease in cell growth and induction of apoptosis, findings that deserve further investigation given its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for PLGG.