Biomechanical Analysis of Medial-Row All-Suture Suture Anchor Fixation for Rotator Cuff Repair in a Pair-Matched Cadaveric Model.

PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanical properties of all-suture suture anchors (ASSAs) with conventional suture anchors (CSAs) for double-row rotator cuff repair (RCR). METHODS: Fourteen fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders were randomized into 2 RCR treatment groups: ASSA and CSA. All constructs received a double-row repair, with the lateral-row implants consisting of two 5.5-mm PEEK (polyether ether ketone) Footprint anchors. Each construct was loaded to a 10-N preload for 2 minutes, followed by cyclic loading from 10 to 160 N at a rate of 100 N/s for 100 cycles. Load-to-failure testing was performed immediately after cyclic loading testing at 1 mm/s from the zero position until failure. Cyclic creep, elongation amplitude, maximum load, stiffness, energy, and failure mode were recorded. RESULTS: No significant difference in cyclic creep (P = .117) or elongation amplitude (P = .428) was found between the ASSA and CSA groups during cyclic testing. Three specimens in each group (43% in each) failed by the suture tearing through the tendon. The remaining specimens in each group failed by the anchor pulling out of the humeral head. The mean maximum load was 617.73 ± 177.77 N and 545.13 ± 212.98 N for the ASSA and CSA groups, respectively (P = .339). Maximum elongation before failure was not different between groups (P = .122). Mean energy and stiffness were not statistically different between the ASSA and CSA groups (P = .629 and P = .973, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this cadaveric analysis with a simplified unidirectional experimental setup, failure mechanics and maximum load between the ASSA and CSA constructs were similar, with no difference in energy and stiffness. Although the ASSA group showed slightly larger elongation than the CSA group, these differences may not be clinically relevant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides a biomechanical head-to-head comparison of ASSAs and CSAs, indicating that ASSAs may be clinically equivalent to CSAs for use in an RCR.

Biomechanical Analysis of All-Suture Suture Anchor Fixation Compared With Conventional Suture Anchors and Interference Screws for Biceps Tenodesis.

PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanical properties of all-suture suture anchors (ASSAs) with conventional interference screws (CISs) and conventional suture anchors (CSAs) for long head of the biceps tendon fixation during proximal biceps tenodesis (BT). METHODS: We randomized 21 fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders into 3 subpectoral BT treatment groups: ASSA, CSA, and CIS. Each construct was cyclically loaded from 5 to 70 N for 500 cycles (1 Hz). All specimens that survived cyclic loading were then pulled to failure (1 mm/s). Elongation, maximum load, energy, and failure mode were recorded. The humerus was stripped of tissue and then subjected to torsional displacement at a rate of 1°/s until fracture occurred. Maximum load, displacement, stiffness, and energy were recorded. RESULTS: During tendon testing, 3 specimens (43%) in the CIS group failed early during cyclic testing by the tendon tearing at the screw-tendon interface. All other specimens in the CIS group, as well as all specimens in the ASSA and CSA groups, survived cyclic testing and failed during pull-to-failure testing. Failure occurred at the tendon-anchor or -screw interface in all specimens (100%), with no anchor or screw pullout. The CIS group had significantly decreased elongation (8.9 ± 2.23 mm) at maximum load compared with the ASSA (19.2 ± 5.2 mm) and CSA (18.9 ± 2.23 mm) groups (P = .001). During torsional testing, the ASSA group was able to withstand significantly greater torsional displacement (9.22° ± 0.86°) before failure and had greater energy to failure (497.3 ± 45 Nmm-degrees) than the CIS group (6.13° ± 1.24° and 256.6 ± 70.3 Nmm-degrees, respectively; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the biomechanical properties of ASSA, CSA, and CIS constructs are similar. The interference screw group had lower tendon elongation at maximum load but had several early failures compared with the suture anchor groups. The use of suture anchors results in maximum tendon and torsional bone loads similar to interference screws for the long head of the biceps tendon. Torsional testing of the CIS resulted in spiral fractures traversing the screw tunnel in 100% of the specimens, which was not found in the suture anchor groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ASSA is a viable fixation method for BT in comparison with the CSA and CIS.

Clinical Outcomes of Arthroscopic 360° Capsular Release for Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis in the Lateral Decubitus Position.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes after arthroscopic 360° capsular release in the lateral decubitus position for idiopathic glenohumeral adhesive capsulitis without manipulation under anesthesia. METHODS: A retrospective case series of patients who underwent arthroscopic capsular release in the lateral decubitus position for idiopathic adhesive capsulitis with minimum 2-year follow-up was conducted. Patient demographics, preoperative range of motion (ROM), postoperative ROM, and the postoperative outcome scores, visual analog scale for pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Simple Shoulder Test, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, were recorded. Complications and reoperations were recorded. Paired t-tests were used to compare preoperative and postoperative ROM, with P < .05. RESULTS: Overall, 43 patients were identified, of whom 10 were excluded because of post-traumatic etiology. Of the remaining 33 patients, 27 (81.8%) completed a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The mean age was 54.8 with a standard deviation of 7.4 years and 78% were female, with the duration of symptoms of 16.2 ± 21.0 (range, 3-125) months. Hypothyroidism was present in 7% and diabetes present in 30%. Active forward flexion improved from 115.0° ± 21.9° to 156.2° ± 16.1° at the final follow-up (mean difference, 41.2; 95% confidence interval [33.7, 48.7]; P < .001). Active external rotation with the arm adducted improved from 28.1° ± 16.3° preoperatively to 56.8° ± 15.7° at the final follow-up (mean difference, 27.7; 95% confidence interval [19.1, 36.3]; P < .001). Significant ROM improvements were seen even as early as 2 weeks postoperatively (P < .001). Two patients (7%) had manipulation under anesthesia postoperatively due to early recurrent stiffness 4 to 6 weeks after arthroscopic capsular release. There were no revision surgeries or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic 360° capsular release in the lateral decubitus position for idiopathic adhesive capsulitis results in a significant early and lasting improvement in ROM, excellent functional outcomes, and low revision and complication rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

A simple method to directly evaluate the lateral extension of the acromion: an anatomic study of 128 cadaveric scapulae.

BACKGROUND: The lateral extension of the acromion from the glenohumeral joint is the critical variable that both the acromial index and critical shoulder angle reflect. The purpose of this study was to establish a simple and reproducible method to directly measure the lateral extension of the acromion that will be independent of patient demographic characteristics, scapular rotation, or other morphologic features of the shoulder. METHODS: This study used 128 unpaired cadaveric scapulae with a mean age of 69.4 ± 11.1 years (66 right and 62 left scapulae, 65 female and 63 male cadaveric specimens). The lateral extension of the acromion was measured from the supraglenoid tubercle to the most lateral point of the acromion with a digital caliper placed perpendicular to the scapula long axis. This distance was called the "lateral offset of the acromion." RESULTS: The lateral offset was 2.62 ± 0.72 cm in men and 2.69 ± 0.73 cm in women. The offset was 2.61 ± 0.66 cm in right and 2.70 ± 0.78 cm in left scapulae. The offset in the group aged 46-60 years was 2.85 ± 0.76 cm; in the group aged 61-75 years, it was 2.62 ± 0.76 cm; and in the group aged 76 years or older, it was 2.54 ± 0.60 cm. No significant difference was found between any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study established a simple method to directly measure the lateral extension of the acromion based on the longitudinal axis of the scapula, which eliminates bias that may exist in the acromial index and critical shoulder angle from the position of the scapula and glenoid inclination. The lateral offset was found to be independent of sex, side, or age, limiting bias in a potential future clinical application.

Effects of General Anesthesia Plus Multimodal Analgesia on Immediate Perioperative Outcomes of Hamstring Tendon Autograft ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft (H-ACLR) is a standard ambulatory procedure with the potential for considerable postoperative pain. We hypothesized that general anesthesia combined with a multimodal analgesia regimen would reduce postoperative opioid use associated with H-ACLR. Methods: This study was a single-center, surgeon-stratified, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. The primary end point was the total postoperative opioid use during the immediate postoperative period, and secondary outcomes included postoperative knee pain, adverse events, and ambulatory discharge efficiency. Results: One hundred and twelve subjects, 18 to 52 years of age, were randomized to placebo (57 subjects) or combination multimodal analgesia (MA) (55 subjects). The MA group required fewer opioids postoperatively (mean ± standard deviation, 9.81 ± 7.58 versus 13.88 ± 8.49 morphine milligram equivalents; p = 0.010; effect size = -0.51). Similarly, the MA group required fewer opioids within the first 24 hours postoperatively (mean ± standard deviation, 16.56 ± 10.77 versus 22.13 ± 10.66 morphine milligram equivalents; p = 0.008; effect size = -0.52). The subjects in the MA group reported lower posteromedial knee pain (median [interquartile range, IQR]: 3.0 [0.0 to 5.0] versus 4.0 [2.0 to 5.0]; p = 0.027) at 1 hour postoperatively. Nausea medication was required for 10.5% of the subjects receiving the placebo versus 14.5% of the subjects receiving MA (p = 0.577). Pruritis was reported for 17.5% of subjects receiving the placebo versus 14.5% receiving MA (p = 0.798). The median time to discharge was 177 minutes (IQR, 150.5 to 201.0 minutes) for subjects receiving placebo versus 188 minutes (IQR, 160.0 to 222.0 minutes) for those receiving MA (p = 0.271). Conclusions: A combination of general anesthesia and local, regional, oral, and intravenous multimodal analgesia appears to reduce postoperative opioid requirements after H-ACLR compared with placebo. Adding preoperative patient education and focusing on donor-site analgesia may maximize perioperative outcomes. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The Impact of Unguided Trauma Simulation Practice on Novice Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of simulator practice on task completion time, radiation use, success rate, and overall quality in a simulation of placing a distal locking screw. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized control trial with one-to-one randomization and parallel group design. Twenty-eight volunteer novice trainees (medical and premedical students) participated. Using the TraumaVision Virtual Reality Simulator (Swemac, Sweden), subjects performed locking screw placement using the "perfect circle" technique. All subjects underwent a pretest and posttest on the simulator. The simulator group completed three additional simulator training sessions. The primary outcome variables were simulator-collected task completion time, success rate, radiation exposure time, and overall score. RESULTS: No notable difference existed between groups for pretest completion time, radiation use, success rate, or overall score. No notable difference in posttest radiation use or overall procedure score was found between groups. A significant difference existed in posttest total completion time (trained = 251.2 ± 103.4; control = 497.3 ± 223.1; P = 0.001) and success rate (64.3% versus 100%; P = 0.041) between groups. In addition, a significant difference existed in variance between groups for completion time (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that independent simulator practice leads to improved speed and success rates; however, radiation use and overall score do not improve in the same manner. The design of simulator-based curriculum must be tailored to specific educational objectives and ultimately validated in the clinical setting.

Clinical Outcomes After Revision Distal Biceps Tendon Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the clinical indications of performing a revision distal biceps tendon repair/reconstruction, and there is even less data available on the clinical outcomes of patients after revision surgery. PURPOSE: To determine the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing revision distal biceps tendon repair/reconstruction and evaluate the causes of primary repair failure. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing ipsilateral primary and revision distal biceps tendon repair/reconstruction at a single institution. Between 2011 and 2016, a total of 277 patients underwent distal biceps tendon repair, with 8 patients requiring revision surgery. Patient characteristics, surgical technique, and patient-reported outcome scores (shortened version of Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand [QuickDASH], 12-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12], visual analog scale [VAS] for pain, and Mayo Elbow Performance Score [MEPS]), were assessed. Complications as well as indications for reoperation after primary and revision surgery were examined. RESULTS: The overall revision rate was 2.9%. The number of single- and double-incision techniques utilized were similar among the primary repairs (50% single-incision, 50% double-incision) and revision repairs/reconstructions (62.5% single-incision, 37.5% double-incision). Reasons for reoperation included continued pain and weakness (n = 7), limited range of motion (n = 2), and acute traumatic re-rupture (n = 1). The median duration between primary and revision surgery was 9.5 months (interquartile range [IQR], 5.8-12.8 months). Intraoperatively, the most common finding during revision was a partially ruptured, fibrotic distal tendon with extensive adhesions. At a median of 33.7 months after revision surgery (IQR, 21.7-40.7 months), the median QuickDASH was 12.5 (IQR, 1.7-23.3), MEPS was 92.5 (IQR, 80.0-100), SF-12 mental component measure was 53.4 (IQR, 47.6-58.2), SF-12 physical component measure was 52.1 (IQR, 36.9-55.4), and VAS for elbow pain was 1.0 (IQR, 0-2.0). Revision surgery had a complication rate of 37.5% (3 of 8 patients), consisting of persistent pain and weakness (2 patients; 25%) and numbness over the dorsal radial sensory nerve (1 patient; 12.5%). Two patients required reoperation (25% reoperation rate). CONCLUSION: The overall revision distal biceps repair/reconstruction rate was approximately 3%. While patients undergoing revision distal biceps repair demonstrated improved outcomes after revision surgery, these outcomes remained inferior to previously reported outcomes of patients undergoing only primary distal biceps repair.

Impact of Simulation Training on Diagnostic Arthroscopy Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of training on a virtual reality arthroscopy simulator on both simulator and cadaveric performance in novice trainees. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of 28 participants without prior arthroscopic experience was conducted. All participants received a demonstration of how to use the ArthroVision Virtual Reality Simulator and were then randomized to receive either no training (control group, n = 14) or a fixed protocol of simulation training (n = 14). All participants took a pretest on the simulator, completing 9 tasks ranging from camera-steadying tasks to probing structures. The training group then trained on the simulator (1 time per week for 3 weeks). At week 4, all participants completed a 2-part post-test, including (1) performing all tasks on the simulator and (2) performing a diagnostic arthroscopy on a cadaveric knee and shoulder. An independent, blinded observer assessed the performance on diagnostic arthroscopy using the Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool scale. To compare differences between non-normally distributed groups, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. An independent-samples t test was used for normally distributed groups. The Friedman test with pair-wise comparisons using Bonferroni correction was used to compare scores within groups at multiple time points. Bonferroni adjustment was applied as a multiplier to the P value; thus, the α level remained consistent. Significance was defined as P < .05. RESULTS: In both groups, all tasks except task 5 (in which completion time was relatively fixed) showed a significant degree of correlation between task completion time and other task-specific metrics. A significant difference between the trained and control groups was found for post-test task completion time scores for all tasks. Qualitative analysis of box plots showed minimal change after 3 trials for most tasks in the training group. There was no statistical correlation between the performance on diagnostic arthroscopy on either the knee or shoulder and simulation training, with no difference in Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool scores in the training group compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that an early ceiling effect is shown on the evaluated arthroscopic simulator model and that additional training past the point of proficiency on modern arthroscopic simulator models does not provide additional transferable benefits on a cadaveric model. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

Surgical technique for arthroscopic onlay suprapectoral biceps tenodesis with an all-suture anchor.

The long head of the biceps is a frequent pain generator in the shoulder. Tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps may be treated with biceps tenodesis. There has been great debate about the optimal technique for biceps tenodesis, without a clear distinction between different techniques. Biceps tenodesis fixation may include interference fixation, suspensory fixation, all-suture anchors, and soft tissue fixation. In this technical note, we describe an all-arthroscopic onlay suprapectoral biceps tenodesis with an all-suture anchor.

Anatomic Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction With Semitendinosus Allograft: Surgical Technique.

Acromioclavicular joint separations are common shoulder injuries in the active patient population. Nonoperative management is recommended for Rockwood type I and II injuries, whereas surgical reconstruction is recommended for type IV and VI separations. The management for type III and V injuries is more controversial and is determined on a case-by-case basis. A multitude of surgical reconstruction techniques exist, and there is little evidence to support one technique over another. The anatomic technique aims at reconstructing the coracoclavicular ligaments and bringing the clavicle back into its anatomic position. When the anatomic technique is augmented with a graft, biomechanical studies have shown superior reconstruction strength and stability compared with standard nonanatomic techniques. Additionally, anatomic reconstruction allows for better cosmesis and functional outcome measures at midterm follow-up compared with nonanatomic techniques. In this Technical Note, we describe our preferred technique for anatomic repair of acromioclavicular joint separation using a semitendinosus allograft.

Arthroscopic Anterior Shoulder Stabilization With Incorporation of a Comminuted Bony Bankart Lesion.

Bony Bankart lesions are a common finding in patients with anterior glenohumeral dislocation. Although there are no defined guidelines, small bony Bankart fractures are typically treated arthroscopically with suture anchors. The 2 main techniques used are double- and single-row suture anchor stabilization, with debate over superiority. Biomechanical studies have shown improved reduction and stabilization with the double-row over the single-row suture anchor technique; however, this has not been reported for small or comminuted bony fragments. Both techniques have shown promising preliminary clinical outcomes. In this Technical Note, we describe our preferred technique for arthroscopic instability repair using a single-row all-suture anchor method with the incorporation of a comminuted bony Bankart fragment in the lateral decubitus position.