Soft tissue tumour causing coracoid impingement syndrome.

Coracoid impingement syndrome results from subscapularis tendon entrapment between the humerus and the coracoid. This syndrome is an uncommon cause of shoulder pain that has many different aetiologies. Although synovial cysts have been reported as cause of coracoid impingement at this level, solid tumoural lesions are a rare cause of symptoms in this location. Two cases of benign soft tissue solid tumours are presented. Both patients developed symptoms compatible with coracoid impingement syndrome. The lesions were fully resected under arthroscopic visualization. Both patients had complete resolution of the symptoms and are asymptomatic at 2-year follow-up. Arthroscopic removal of benign soft tissue tumours that cause coracoid impingement syndrome has good results.

Evolution of C-reactive protein values in the first month after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: reference values.

PURPOSE: C-reactive protein (CRP) is often used as an infection marker in orthopaedic patients and in particular after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. The aim of this study is to obtain the reference values of CRP during the first month after an ACL reconstruction and to analyse the epidemiological and surgical parameters that affect these values. METHODS: One hundred and twenty ACL reconstructions were included. A CRP determination was performed preoperatively and 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after surgery. CRP values under 5 mg/l were considered to be normal. RESULTS: One patient developed a septic arthritis in the second week postoperatively and was excluded. One hundred and seventeen patients [93 males and 24 females; mean age (standard deviation) 31.6 years (7.6)] underwent 119 ACL reconstructions with different techniques and grafts. Preoperative CRP (n = 119) was 1.80 mg/ml (2.6). Mean values at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days were, respectively, 8.5 mg/ml (11.6), 10.5 mg/ml (17.0), 4.5 mg/ml (3.43), 4.4 mg/ml (7.59) and 3.4 mg/ml (3.03). Multivariate analysis showed that males had postoperative CRP levels 1.7 higher than females (p < 0.0001; 95 % CI 1.8-2.5); the patients operated by less experienced surgeons had levels 2.5 times higher than those operated by a highly experienced surgeons (p = 0.007; 95 % CI 1.2-3.4) and that if microfracture of a chondral lesion was associated, the levels increased 1.9 times (p = 0.021; 95 % CI 1.1-3.4). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant variations in CRP levels after ACL reconstruction in half of patients without infectious complications. Males, patients operated by less experienced surgeons and those with chondral lesions treated with microfracture had increased postoperative CRP levels. CRP values up to five times the normal limit are common in the month after an ACL reconstruction and are not necessarily associated with infection, especially in these groups.

High Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain Features in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The present epidemiological research evaluated the prevalence of neuropathic pain characteristics in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the plausibility that such neuropathic features were specific of OA. METHODS: Outpatients with chronic pain associated with knee OA who attended orthopedic surgery or rehabilitation clinics were systematically screened for neuropathic pain with the Douleur Neuropathique in 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire. Data from medical files and those obtained during a single structured clinical interview were correlated with the DN4 scores. Information on potential confounders of neuropathic-like qualities of knee pain was collected to evaluate as much as possible only the symptoms attributable to OA. RESULTS: Of 2,776 patients recruited, 2,167 patients provided valid data from 2,992 knees. The DN4 was scored positively (≥ 4) in 1,125 patients (51.9%) and 1,459 knees (48.8%). When patients with potential confounders were excluded, the respective prevalences were 33.3% and 29.4%. Patients who scored positively in the DN4 had more severe pain, greater structural damage, and more potential confounders of neuropathic pain. Three potential confounders conveyed much of the variability explained by regression analyses. However, latent class analyses revealed that the concourse of other factors is required to explain the neuropathic pain qualities. CONCLUSIONS: A relevant proportion of patients with chronic pain associated with knee OA featured neuropathic pain qualities that were not explained by other conditions. The present research has provided reasonable epidemiological grounds to attempt their definite diagnosis and classification.

Pectoralis major transfer for subscapular deficiency: anatomical study of the relationship between the transferred muscle and the musculocutaneous nerve.

PURPOSE: Pectoralis major transfer is indicated for irreparable subscapularis tendon tears. One surgical option is transferring the sternal part of the pectoralis major to the humeral insertion of the subscapularis under the conjoined tendon of the coracobrachialis and biceps muscles. The purpose of this study is to define the anatomical relationship between the transferred tendon and the musculocutaneous nerve. METHODS: In 52 cadaveric fresh-frozen shoulders, the relevant structures were dissected and a pectoralis major transfer was performed. The relationship between the transferred tendon, the musculocutaneous nerve branches distally and the coracoid process proximally was examined. Measurements were taken at the conjoined tendon level. RESULTS: The distance between the coracoid process and the most proximal musculocutaneous nerve branch was 54.2 ± 33.2 mm. In 25 cases (48%), the transferred tendon passed freely between both structures. In 16 cases (31%), there was contact distally with the musculocutaneous nerve. In 11 cases (21%), there was contact both proximally with the coracoid process and distally with the musculocutaneous nerve, making a safe transfer impossible. CONCLUSIONS: When performing a pectoralis major transfer, it is essential to identify the musculocutaneous nerve and its branches. In some cases, a subcoracobicipital transfer may not be feasible and a more superficial transfer should be considered.

Stem cell therapy in the management of shoulder rotator cuff disorders.

Rotator cuff tears are frequent shoulder problems that are usually dealt with surgical repair. Despite improved surgical techniques, the tendon-to-bone healing rate is unsatisfactory due to difficulties in restoring the delicate transitional tissue between bone and tendon. It is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms that determine this failure. The study of the molecular environment during embryogenesis and during normal healing after injury is key in devising strategies to get a successful repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can differentiate into different mesodermal tissues and have a strong paracrine, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory and angiogenic potential. Stem cell therapy is thus a potentially effective therapy to enhance rotator cuff healing. Promising results have been reported with the use of autologous MSC of different origins in animal studies: they have shown to have better healing properties, increasing the amount of fibrocartilage formation and improving the orientation of fibrocartilage fibers with less immunologic response and reduced lymphocyte infiltration. All these changes lead to an increase in biomechanical strength. However, animal research is still inconclusive and more experimental studies are needed before human application. Future directions include expanded stem cell therapy in combination with growth factors or different scaffolds as well as new stem cell types and gene therapy.

Arthroscopic technique for the treatment of patellar chondral lesions with the patient in the supine position.

We describe an arthroscopic approach for the treatment of patellar chondral lesions with the patient in the supine position. This approach can be used to perform certain procedures such as matrix autologous chondrocyte implantation and autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis. It is possible to perform these arthroscopic techniques working at an angle perpendicular to the patellar joint surface. First, with the patient in the supine position, arthroscopic longitudinal sectioning of the lateral patellar retinaculum is performed, and the patella is reverted with the help of a Codivilla forceps. It is then possible to place the chondral surface perpendicular to the floor, and it can be accessed directly through a lateral parapatellar portal. Short-term follow-up has shown the benignity of opening the patellar retinaculum. This procedure reduces morbidity compared with the traditional open surgery.

Treatment satisfaction after switching to another therapy in Spanish orthopaedic clinic outpatients with knee or hip osteoarthritis previously refractory to paracetamol.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hip and knee osteoarthritis is highly prevalent in the elderly, and the incidence is estimated to increase in the coming decades. Prior to surgery, symptomatic treatment, starting with non-pharmacological therapies, should be prescribed. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the recommended first pharmacological treatment for osteoarthritis. If paracetamol is ineffective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment is indicated. The superiority of NSAIDs over paracetamol has been demonstrated in several studies. Furthermore, the assessment of patient satisfaction could be an adequate indicator of the quality of care given and is likely related to the evolution of the condition and the therapeutic regimen. The objective of this study was to assess the satisfaction of patients diagnosed with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis who had been previously treated with paracetamol and switched to NSAID treatment due to a lack of effectiveness by paracetamol. METHODS: An observational, prospective, multicentre and comparative study was conducted in 2009 among patients diagnosed with hip and knee OA who visited outpatient orthopaedic clinics. The evaluation of treatment effectiveness was carried out using a patient-based visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The satisfaction regarding change of treatment due to a lack of effectiveness and/or the presence of adverse effects was evaluated using the osteoARthritis Treatment Satisfaction (ARTS) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 2437 patients were evaluated (knee OA: 1438 [59%]; hip OA: 621 [25.5%]; knee and hip OA: 124 [5.1%]; and without OA location registered: 254 [10.4%]). The study findings showed an increase in patient satisfaction after abandoning the use of paracetamol to treat OA. Statistically significant increases in both overall satisfaction mean (from 57.7 [SD 13.5] to 71.3 [SD 12.0]) and in each of the four domains of the ARTS questionnaire were observed (p < 0.0001 in all cases). According to the WOMAC and a VAS, treatment effectiveness increased significantly after 3 months (p < 0.0001) and significant correlations with satisfaction were observed (r = -0.32 and r = -0.29, respectively; p < 0.0001). The mean (SD) change in global satisfaction in patients treated with NSAIDs was 14.9 (15.5) versus 7.2 (14.4) for patients treated with non-NSAIDs (p < 0.0001). Patients taking NSAID treatment showed substantially more improvement over those taking non-NSAID treatment. CONCLUSION: NSAIDs relieve pain due to OA in paracetamol-resistant patients and improve treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction with treatment. Furthermore, paracetamol-refractory subjects under conventional medical treatment with NSAIDs experienced the drug as more effective and also tended to be more satisfied with treatment than those treated with non-NSAIDs.

Scoliosis after median sternotomy in children with congenital heart disease.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of spinal deformity in patients with congenital heart disease surgically treated through a median sternotomy before the age of 8 years. Assessment was done on chest roentgenograms at skeletal maturity. OBJECTIVES: To determine if patients surgically treated through a median sternotomy present a higher prevalence of spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Congenital heart disease is associated with a higher prevalence of scoliosis. The etiology of scoliosis in this group of patients is unknown. Thoracotomy causes scoliosis, but median sternotomy has not been identified as a causal agent in these patients. METHODS: Chest roentgenograms were done after skeletal maturity in 128 patients to assess for the presence of a spinal deformity in the sagittal or coronal plane as a result of a median sternotomy for treatment of congenital heart disease before the age of 8 years in patients without any prior radiographic evidence of spinal or costal deformity before surgery. RESULTS: Forty-four (34.3%) of these patients had scoliosis greater than 10 degrees , 16 of them (12.5%) had curves greater than 20 degrees , and 33 (25.8%) had thoracic kyphosis lesser than 20 degrees . Patients operated before the age of 18 months had a significantly increased risk of developing scoliosis than those operated at a later age (odds ratio = 3.5; confidence interval = 1.3-9.6; P = 0.016). The presence of scoliosis was not related to the type of congenital heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of scoliosis in patients with congenital heart disease surgically treated through a median sternotomy. The prevalence of scoliosis increases in patients operated at an earlier age.