The scapula spine may not be a suitable source of bone graft for glenoid reconstruction in critical bone loss.

AIMS: The hypothesis is that the scapula spine can provide a graft of suitable dimensions for use in cases of shoulder instability with critical bone loss. We aimed to investigate its utility with grafts of differing sizes. METHODS: The scapula spine was measured on CT scans of 50 patients who had undergone anterior stabilization. The theoretical ability to harvest a graft of either 2x1x1cm or 2x0.8x0.8cm was analyzed. RESULTS: Using the 2 x 1 x 1cm threshold, 36% of the scapulae had at least one zone from which a suitable graft could be obtained. 61% had only one zone from which a suitable graft could be obtained. Using the 2 x 0.8 x 0.8cm threshold, 72% had at least one zone from which a graft could be obtained. 47% met the threshold in one zone only. CONCLUSION: The scapula spine can be used as a source of autograft. Grafts up to 2 x 1 x 1cm can be harvested in some individuals, however the anatomy is very variable. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: The scapula spine can be used but we recommend that individualized preoperative planning is undertaken to ensure that a suitable graft can be harvested from the spine and to identify the exact location.

Epileptic patients with anterior shoulder instability: are there specific bone lesions? A case control study.

HYPOTHESIS: Chronic epilepsy may cause important bipolar bony lesions. We aim to compare the specific pathoanatomic metrics of the bony lesions in chronic shoulder anterior instability that occur in patients with epilepsy vs. patients without epilepsy. METHODS: From 2006 to 2020, we included epileptic and nonepileptic patients with anterior recurrent shoulder instability. We randomly adjusted the patients of the 2 groups according to the sex, age, and type of management. We included 50 patients. For each included patient, we performed an in-depth analysis and comparison of the glenoid bone loss based on the computed tomography scan: PICO method (patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcomes) using the best-fit circle; and the Hill-Sachs lesion: the depth and width were given as a percentage of the humeral head diameter on an axial view. We also evaluated the engaging character of the involved lesion using the on-track vs. off-track analysis. Those characteristics were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: We found a glenoid bone loss in 32 patients. Glenoid bone loss was not significantly greater in patients with epilepsy (P = .052). A Hill-Sachs lesion was found in 42 patients (22 in the group with epilepsy and 20 in the group without epilepsy). Hill-Sachs lesions were significantly deeper and larger in the group with epilepsy (depth: 22% vs. 9%, P < .001; width: 43% vs. 28%, P = .003). In the group with epilepsy, 90% of the bone lesions were off-track vs. 30% in the group without epilepsy. Thus, the patients with epilepsy presented more engaging bony lesions than patients without epilepsy (P = .001) (OR = 23). CONCLUSIONS: In a population of patients with epilepsy who had shoulder instability, Hill-Sachs lesions are larger and deeper than in normal patients with shoulder instability. By contrast, there is no significant difference regarding the characteristics of the glenoid bone loss if present. This implies that bone lesions in instable shoulders of patients with epilepsy need at least a bony stabilization procedure on the humeral side in the majority of cases.

Arthroscopic repair of anteroinferior glenoid rim fractures: mean 10-year clinical and radiologic results.

BACKGROUND: To date, long-term results of the arthroscopic repair of glenoid rim fractures are missing. The aim of this study was, to evaluate clinical and radiographic results following arthroscopic repair of anteroinferior glenoid fractures using anchors or bioabsorbable compression screws after a mean follow-up period of 10 years. METHODS: Clinical outcome measures included evaluation of recurrent instability, the Constant Score, Subjective Shoulder Value, Rowe Score (RS), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Score, and Melbourne Instability Shoulder Score. X-ray images were obtained for assessment of an instability arthropathy (IA). RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (7 female and 16 male, mean (±standard deviation) age 48 ± 15 years) who underwent arthroscopic repair of an acute substantial solitary or multifragmented anteroinferior glenoid rim fracture were enrolled. After a mean follow-up period of 10 ± 2 years, patients reached a mean Constant Score of 92 ± 10 points, Subjective Shoulder Value of 93 ± 11%, RS of 84 ± 20 points, Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Score of 98 ± 2%, and Melbourne Instability Shoulder Score of 91 ± 11 points. No patient suffered recurrent dislocation. Radiographic results were obtained of 18 patients. Signs of IA were noted in 9 patients (50%) with progression of IA in all cases in comparison to the preoperative status. Patients with IA were significantly older (52 vs. 38 years, P = .04). Clinical score results did not show a significant difference in patients with vs. without IA except for the RS (74 vs. 94 points, P = .02). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed, and no patient required revision endoprosthetic surgery. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic repair of acute anteroinferior glenoid rim fractures shows good clinical long-term results. High rates of IA were observed especially in older patients. However, the presence of IA did not seem to influence the subjective shoulder score outcomes.

Arthroscopic stabilization surgery for first-time anterior shoulder dislocations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of first-time anterior shoulder dislocations (FTASDs) remains controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of arthroscopic stabilization surgery for FTASDs through a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to December 18, 2022, for single-arm or comparative studies assessing FTASDs managed with arthroscopic stabilization surgery following first-time dislocation. Eligible comparative studies included studies assessing outcomes following immobilization for an FTASD, or arthroscopic stabilization following recurrent dislocations. Eligible levels of evidence were I to IV. Primary outcomes included rates of shoulder redislocations, cumulative shoulder instability, and subsequent shoulder stabilization surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies with 2222 shoulder dislocations were included. Of these, 5 studies (n = 408 shoulders) were randomized trials comparing immobilization to arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR) after a first dislocation. Another 16 studies were nonrandomized comparative studies assessing arthroscopic Bankart repair following first-time dislocation (ABR-F) to either immobilization (studies = 8, n = 399 shoulders) or arthroscopic Bankart repair following recurrent dislocations (ABR-R) (studies = 8, n = 943 shoulder). Mean follow-up was 59.4 ± 39.2 months across all studies. Cumulative loss to follow-up was 4.7% (range, 0%-32.7%). A composite rate of pooled redislocation, cumulative instability, and reoperations across ABR-F studies was 6.8%, 11.2%, and 6.1%, respectively. Meta-analysis found statistically significant reductions in rates of redislocation (odds ratio [OR] 0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.3, P < .001), cumulative instability (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.03-0.08, P < .001), and subsequent surgery (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.04-0.15, P < .001) when comparing ABR-F to immobilization. Rates of cumulative instability (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.22-0.47, P < .001) and subsequent surgery rates (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.09-0.76, P = .01) were significantly reduced with ABR-F relative to ABR-R, with point estimate of effect favoring ABR-F for shoulder redislocation rates (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.19-1.83, P = .36). Return to sport rates to preoperative levels or higher were 3.87 times higher following ABR-F compared to immobilization (95% CI 1.57-9.52, P < .001), with limited ABR-R studies reporting this outcome. The median fragility index of the 5 included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was 2, meaning reversing only 2 outcome events rendered the trials' findings no longer statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic stabilization surgery for FTASDs leads to lower rates of redislocations, cumulative instability, and subsequent stabilization surgery relative to immobilization or arthroscopic stabilization surgery following recurrence. Although a limited number of RCTs have been published on the subject matter to date, the strength of their conclusions is limited by a small sample size and statistically fragile results.

A history of shoulder instability is more common in young patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown an association between shoulder instability and the development of glenohumeral arthritis leading to total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The primary goal of this study was to evaluate if a history of shoulder instability was more common in patients aged <50 years undergoing TSA. The secondary objective was to determine if a history of prior surgical stabilization is more common in patients aged <50 years undergoing TSA. METHODS: Using the military health system data repository (MDR) and the Military Analysis and Reporting Tool (M2), we identified 489 patients undergoing primary TSA from October 1, 2013, to May 1, 2020, within the Military Health System (MHS). Patients aged <50 years were matched 1:2 with patients aged ≥50 years based on sex, race, and military status, with the final study population comprising 240 patients who underwent primary TSA during the study period. Electronic medical records were examined, and factors showing univariate association (P < .2) were included in a binary logistic regression analysis to determine associations between demographic or clinical factors and TSA prior to age 50 years. RESULTS: The groups differed significantly in shoulder arthritis subtype, with the older group having significantly more primary osteoarthritis (78% vs. 51%, P < .001). The younger group had significantly more patients with a history of shoulder instability (48% vs. 12%, P < .001), prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery of any type (74% vs. 34%, P < .001), and prior ipsilateral shoulder stabilization surgery (31% vs. 5%, P < .001). In the resultant logistic regression model, a history of shoulder instability (OR 5.0, P < .001) and a history of any prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery (OR 3.5, P < .001) were associated with TSA prior to the age of 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder instability is a risk factor for TSA before age 50 years. It is unclear how surgical stabilization influences the development of secondary glenohumeral arthritis in shoulder instability. Patients should be counseled that recurrent instability could lead to earlier TSA, regardless of whether surgical stabilization is performed.

Low rates of serious complications after open Latarjet procedure at short-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To report on intraoperative and short-term postoperative adverse events after open Latarjet procedure in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability. These complications were classified into different grades of severity based on the treatment required and the learning curve of the procedure. METHODS: Ninety-six patients (102 shoulders) underwent open Latarjet procedure for recurrent post-traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability between 2012 and 2020. The minimum duration of patients' follow-up was 6 months. Adverse events were classified into 3 classes based on the severity and subsequent treatment. The complications in the first 50% of all cases were compared with the latter 50% to evaluate the role of learning curve on the complication rates. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 7.2 ± 2.8 months. The patients' mean age was 26.7 ± 8.9 years and consisted of 83 (86.4%) male and 13 (13.6%) female patients. The total adverse events rate was 18.6%. Adverse events requiring no additional treatment (class 1) occurred in 6 cases (5.8%) including fibrous union (3.9%) and asymptomatic resorption of the graft (1.9%). Adverse events requiring additional or extended nonoperative management (class 2) occurred in 8 cases (7.8%), including coracoid fracture (2.9%), musculocutaneous nerve palsy (1.9%), axillary nerve palsy (0.9%), suprascapular nerve palsy (0.9%), and stiffness (0.9%). All the nerve palsies recovered without long-term sequelae. Adverse events requiring secondary operative procedures (class 3) occurred in 5 cases (4.9%), including symptomatic hardware (1.9%), medial healing of the graft (0.9%), screw loosening (0.9%), and deep infection (0.9%). The rate of adverse events in revision cases was higher than primary cases in 11.7% and 6.8%, respectively (P = .119). The complication rate was significantly higher in the first half of the surgeons' practice (14.7%) than in the second half (3.9%) (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: The overall complication rate reported in this open Latarjet series is 18.6%; however, the rate of class 3 adverse events that required additional surgery or long-term medical treatment was only 4.9%. Revision cases had a higher rate of complications than primary cases, and the learning curve has had a significant impact on the rate of adverse events.

Minimally invasive reconstruction of acute acromioclavicular joint injuries using the TwinBridge button system.

INTRODUCTION: Acute acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injuries are among the most common shoulder injuries in active young adults. The most frequently used surgical treatments include the hook plate implantation and arthroscopic treatment using flip-button systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of treating acute ACJ injuries using a new minimally invasive implant based on a flip-button system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2016 to October 2019, a total of 20 patients with acute ACJ injuries (1 × Type III, 3 × Type IV, 16 × Type V) underwent surgery using the Twinbridge implant (Smith & Nephew). It is a prefabricated construct consisting of two Endobuttons connected with an UltraTape. One button is placed under the coracoid using a special aiming device and two buttons are placed on the clavicle. Preoperatively, 1 day postoperatively, 3 months and at least 1 year postoperatively, patients were clinically examined and bilateral stress view and axial radiographs were obtained. At final follow-up, the simple shoulder test (SST), Taft score, Constant score, and ACJ instability (ACJI) score were recorded and a side-to-side ratio of the coracoclavicular (CC) distance was calculated. RESULTS: All 20 patients were contacted at final follow-up at a mean of 28 (min. 13, max 50) months. Six patients were not willing to come for a clinical and radiographic examination and were contacted via telephone. All six patients were free of complaints. Another two patients free of complaints refused radiographs at final follow-up. The patients presented a mean SST of 99.6% (20 patients, min. 91.7, max. 100), Taft score of 11.6/12 points (12 patients, min. 10, max. 12), ACJI of 85.5/90 points (12 patients, min. 78, max. 90), and a Constant score of 97.1 (14 patients, min. 81.0, max. 100) for the affected shoulder. Preoperative stress view images revealed a mean side-to-side difference of the CC distance with a ratio of 1:2.34 (min. 1:1.80, max. 1:3.33). At final follow-up, CC distance was calculated with a mean ratio of 1:1.12 (min. 1.1, max. 1:1.38). Axial images showed a proper position in all cases. A "perfect" radiological result was achieved in six patients (50%) with a side-to-side CC distance of less than 10% (ratio 1:1.1 or less). A Rockwood type II result was achieved in five patients (42%) with a distance of 10 to 25% (ratio 1.11-1.25). One (8%) presented with a Rockwood type III result with a difference of more than 25% (ratio 1:1.38) and was considered a radiological failure. CONCLUSIONS: When used correctly, the Twinbridge implant offers good-to-excellent clinical and radiographic results using a minimally invasive surgical technique. Complication rate is comparable to other button-systems.

Biomechanical analysis of anterior stability after 15% glenoid bone loss: comparison of Bankart repair, dynamic anterior stabilization, dynamic anterior stabilization with Bankart repair, and Latarjet.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic anterior shoulder stabilization (DAS) with Bankart repair is a recently described stabilization technique thought to be more robust than an isolated Bankart repair while avoiding many coracoid transfer-related complications and technical demands. DAS involves transfer of the long head biceps through a subscapularis split to the anterior glenoid to create a sling effect. We hypothesize that DAS with Bankart repair will restore anterior stability in a human-cadaveric model with subcritical (15%) glenoid bone loss. METHODS: Eight cadaveric shoulders were tested using an established shoulder simulator to record glenohumeral translations with an accuracy of ±0.2 mm. Shoulders were tested in 5 states-intact soft tissues, Bankart defect with 15% bone loss, isolated Bankart repair, DAS with Bankart repair, isolated DAS, and Latarjet. A 45 N anterior force was applied through the pectoralis major tendon, and translation of the humeral head was recorded and compared with repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The anterior translation in the intact (native) glenoid was 4.7 mm at neutral position and 4.6 mm at 45° external rotation. Anterior translation significantly increased after introducing a Bankart defect with 15% glenoid bone loss to 9.1 mm (neutral, P = .002) and 9.5 mm (45° external rotation, P < .001). All repair conditions showed a significant decrease in anterior translation relative to Bankart defect. DAS with Bankart repair decreased anterior translation compared with the Bankart defect: 2.7 mm (neutral, P < .001) and 2.1 mm (45° external rotation, P < .001). DAS with Bankart repair significantly decreased anterior translation compared with the isolated Bankart repair (2.7 mm vs. 4.7 mm, P = .023) and the isolated DAS (2.7 mm vs. 4.3 mm, P = .041) in neutral position. The Latarjet procedure resulted in the greatest reduction in anterior translation compared with the Bankart defect: 1.2 mm (neutral, P < .001) and 1.9 mm (45° external rotation, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: DAS with Bankart repair is a viable alternative to restore anterior glenohumeral stability with a 15% glenoid defect at a greater degree than either DAS or Bankart repair alone. The Latarjet procedure was the most effective in reducing anterior translation but restrained the anterior translation significantly more than the native glenoid.

Failed Latarjet procedure: a systematic review of surgery revision options.

BACKGROUND: Revision surgery after the Latarjet procedure is a rare and challenging surgical problem, and various bony or capsular procedures have been proposed. This systematic review examines clinical and radiographic outcomes of different procedures for treating persistent pain or recurrent instability after a Latarjet procedure. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed using the Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Ovid databases with the combined keywords "failed", "failure", "revision", "Latarjet", "shoulder stabilization" and "shoulder instability" to identify articles published in English that deal with failed Latarjet procedures. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies (five retrospective and six case series investigations), all published between 2008 and 2020, fulfilled our inclusion criteria. For the study, 253 patients (254 shoulders, 79.8% male) with a mean age of 29.6 years (range: 16-54 years) were reviewed at an average follow-up of 51.5 months (range: 24-208 months). CONCLUSIONS: Eden-Hybinette and arthroscopic capsuloplasty are the most popular and safe procedures to treat recurrent instability after a failed Latarjet procedure, and yield reasonable clinical outcomes. A bone graft procedure and capsuloplasty were proposed but there was no clear consensus on their efficacy and indication. Level of evidence Level IV Trial registration PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020185090- www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.

Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization in the young athlete: return to sport and revision stabilization rates.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder instability in young athletes is a complex problem with higher recurrence, higher reoperation, and lower return to sport (RTS) rates after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization compared with adults. METHODS: This is a prospective case series of young athletes with anterior shoulder instability after arthroscopic stabilization surgery. Primary outcomes were RTS and revision surgery, minimum follow-up was 24 months. Exclusion criteria were more than 3 preoperative episodes of instability, significant bone loss, or primary posterior instability. Demographic data, recurrent instability, revision surgery, sports pre- and postsurgery, patient satisfaction, level of RTS, time to RTS, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven athletes met inclusion criteria, 19 females and 48 males, with a mean age of 17.5 years (range, 13-21 years). Fifty-nine (88%) athletes returned to sport at an average of 7.1 months (standard deviation, ±1.8); 50 (75%) returned to the same level or higher. Football and lacrosse were the most common sports. Four of 67 athletes (6%), all male, underwent revision stabilization at 11-36 months for recurrent instability. The overall mean SANE score was 88. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that when the high-risk athlete, 21 years old or younger, is appropriately selected for arthroscopic shoulder stabilization by excluding those with 3 or more preoperative shoulder instability episodes and those with off-track and engaging instability patterns, excellent outcomes can be achieved with low revision surgery rates, high RTS rates, and high patient satisfaction.

Return to play and performance after shoulder instability in National Basketball Association athletes.

HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who sustained a shoulder destabilizing injury could return to play (RTP) successfully at a high rate regardless of treatment type. METHODS: We used publicly available data to identify and evaluate 50 players who sustained an in-season shoulder instability event (subluxation/dislocation) while playing in the NBA. Demographic variables, return to NBA gameplay, incidence of surgery, time to RTP, recurrent instability events, and player efficiency rating (PER) were collected. Overall RTP was determined, and players were compared by type of injury and mode of treatment. RESULTS: All players (50/50) returned to game play after sustaining a shoulder instability event. In those treated nonoperatively, athletes who sustained shoulder subluxations returned after an average of 3.6 weeks, compared with 7.6 weeks in those who sustained a shoulder dislocation (P = .037). Players who underwent operative management returned after an average of 19 weeks. Athletes treated operatively were found to have a longer time interval between a recurrent instability event (70 weeks vs. 28.5 weeks, P = .001). CONCLUSION: We found 100% rate of RTP after a shoulder instability event in an NBA athlete. Players who experience shoulder dislocations were found to miss more time before RTP and were more likely to undergo surgical intervention compared with those who experienced a subluxation. Surgical repair maintained a longer interval between recurrent instability. Future investigations should aim to evaluate outcomes based on surgical procedures and identify possible risk factors predictive of recurrent instability or failure to RTP.

Declining trends in Medicare physician reimbursements for shoulder surgery from 2002 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: As the current health care system evolves toward cost-containment and value-based approaches, evaluating trends in physician reimbursements will be critical for assessing and ensuring the financial stability of shoulder surgery as a subspecialty. METHODS: The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Look-up Tool was used to retrieve average reimbursement rates for 39 shoulder surgical procedures (arthroscopy with or without repair, arthroplasty, acromioclavicular or clavicular open reduction-internal fixation, fixation for proximal humeral fracture and/or shoulder dislocation, open rotator cuff repair or tendon release and/or repair, and open shoulder stabilization) from 2002 to 2018. All reimbursement data were adjusted for inflation to 2018 dollars. RESULTS: After adjusting for inflation to 2018 dollars, average reimbursement for all included procedures decreased by 26.9% from 2002 to 2018. After stratifying the analysis by 3 distinct time groups, we observed that reimbursement decreases were the most significant prior to 2010. However, reimbursement rates still declined by an average of 2.9% from 2010 to 2014 and 7.2% from 2014 to 2018. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, capsulorrhaphy, and biceps tenodesis experienced smaller declines in reimbursement than their open-surgery counterparts. CONCLUSION: Medicare physician reimbursements for shoulder surgical procedures have decreased over time. Health care policy makers need to understand the impact of decreasing reimbursements to develop agreeable financial policies that will not only ensure provider satisfaction but also maintain access to care for patients.

Handedness-related outcome following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization.

INTRODUCTION: Bankart's repair technique represents a standard procedure for arthroscopic shoulder stabilization with excellent functional outcomes. Information concerning handedness-related outcome is missing. Here, we compare the postoperative outcome following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization in relation to handedness, taking sex and age as covariates into account. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our retrospective dual-cohort study included 36 patients with dominant side shoulder instability (mean follow-up 33 months) and 31 patients with non-dominant side shoulder instability (mean follow-up 41 months), who underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilization due to traumatic anterior-inferior shoulder instability. All had experienced recurrent dislocations preoperatively. The impact of handedness, and of age and sex as covariates on postoperative outcome was evaluated by the Rowe score, the apprehension test and self-reported VAS. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the Rowe score of the dominant side (mean 81.8, median 97.5) and the non-dominant side (mean 84.8, median 100) was not different (P = 0.718). Likewise, the univariate analysis for handedness (P = 0.806), sex (P = 0.627) and age (P = 0.929) as well as multivariate analysis for handedness (P = 0.721), sex (P = 0.583) and age (P = 0.898) showed no difference. The apprehension test for dominant versus non-dominant side operated patients was not different (P = 0.194). The univariate and multivariate analysis for handedness (P = 0.202 and P = 0.387, respectively) and age (P = 0.322 and P = 0.310, respectively) revealed no difference. However, the univariate and multivariate analysis for sex (P = 0.007 and P = 0.013, respectively) showed a difference. In relation to handedness, the results for the validated self-reported pain (rest pain P = 0.696, load-dependent pain P = 0.332) and surgery outcome satisfaction (P = 0.912) VAS were not different. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with shoulder instability, who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair for stabilization of their dominant or non-dominant shoulder showed no handedness-related difference in postoperative outcome based on Rowe score, apprehension test and self-reported VAS. For the orthopedic practice, this suggests that handedness is not a risk factor for patients outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, cohort study.

Opioid use following shoulder stabilization surgery: risk factors for prolonged use.

HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of opioid use before and after shoulder stabilization surgery for instability due to recurrent dislocation and assess patient factors associated with prolonged opioid use postoperatively. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary shoulder stabilization procedures for shoulder instability due to recurrent dislocation were accessed from the Humana administrative claims database. Patients were categorized as those who filled 1 or more opioid prescriptions within 1 month, those who filled opioid prescriptions between 1 and 3 months, and those who never filled opioid prescriptions before surgery. Rates of opioid use were evaluated preoperatively and longitudinally tracked for each group. Multiple binomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with opioid use at 3 months and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 4802 patients (45.9% opioid naive) underwent shoulder stabilization surgery for shoulder instability during the study period. Rates of opioid use significantly declined after the first postoperative month; however, at 1 year, the rate of opioid use was significantly greater in patients who filled opioid prescriptions preoperatively (13.4% vs. 1.9%, P < .0001). Filling opioid prescriptions 1 to 3 months prior to surgery was the strongest risk factor for opioid use at 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who were prescribed opioids 1 to 3 months before surgery had the highest risk of prolonged opioid use following surgery. Obesity, tobacco use, and a preoperative diagnosis of fibromyalgia were independently associated with prolonged opioid use following surgery.

Ninety-day complications following the Latarjet procedure.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the rate and type of complications occurring within 90 days following the Latarjet procedure for anterior glenohumeral instability. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing the Latarjet procedure by fellowship-trained surgeons from a single institution between 2007 and 2016 were included for analysis. Indications for the Latarjet procedure included primary or recurrent anterior instability with clinically significant anterior glenoid bone loss and/or failed prior arthroscopic stabilization. Patients undergoing the Latarjet procedure after prior glenoid bone grafting were excluded. All complications that occurred within 90 days of surgery were analyzed and correlated with demographic factors. RESULTS: A total of 146 consecutive patients (146 shoulders) were included. Of these patients, 11 were lost to follow-up and 2 were excluded for having undergone prior open bone grafting. Among the remaining 133 patients (average age, 28.5 ± 11.8 years; 75% male patients), 10 total complications occurred within 90 days of surgery, for an overall short-term complication rate of 7.5%. Of these 10 complications, 6 required subsequent surgery, with recurrent instability in 2 cases (overall rate, 1.50%), infection in 2 (overall rate, 1.50%), musculocutaneous nerve palsy in 1 (overall rate, 0.75%), and postoperative pain in 1 (overall rate, 0.75%). The remaining 4 complications were transient, resolving with nonoperative treatment. No cases of hardware failure or graft osteolysis were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The overall 90-day complication rate following the Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder stabilization was 7.5%. In 6 of the 10 cases, complications led to subsequent surgery, including recurrent instability in 2, while in the remaining 4 cases, the complications were transient and resolved with nonoperative treatment.

Analysis of complication after open coracoid transfer as a revision surgery for failed soft tissue stabilization in recurrent anterior shoulder instability.

BACKGROUND: The coracoid transfer represents a treatment option for patients with recurrent shoulder instability. Only a few studies exist about the complication rate of the coracoid transfer as a revision surgery following failed soft tissue stabilization. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results and complication rate after coracoid transfer as a revision surgery. METHODS: In this study 38 patients (4 females, 34 males, mean age 27 years) were included of whom 29 patients were available for follow-up after a mean of 27 months. Previous shoulder stabilization procedures were predominantly arthroscopic (n = 25). Complications were divided according to their timely appearance into early (< 3 months) and late (> 3 months) postoperatively as well as need for revision. Clinical scores [Constant Score (CS), Rowe Score (RS), Walch-Duplay-Score (WDS), WOSI and Subjective-Shoulder-Value (SSV)] were evaluated preoperatively and at final follow-up. RESULTS: In this patient cohort, the overall complication rate was 27.6%, all of them occurred > 3 months postoperatively. In seven of eight cases (24.1%) a repeat surgical procedure was conducted. Recurrent instability occurred in three patients (10.3%) of which two received a revision surgery (n = 1 iliac-crest bone graft, n = 1 labral repair). Due to persistent pain five patients underwent an arthroscopic implant removal. The complication rate was with 40% higher in patients with two or more previous surgeries (n = 4 out of 10 patients) compared to patients with one previous surgery (21%, n = 4 out of 19 patients). The scores increased significantly comparing pre- to postoperative [CS 74-90 points, RS 27-91 points, WDS 16-89 points, WOSI 40-76% and SSV 41-82% (p < 0.05)]. CONCLUSION: The open coracoid transfer as a revision surgery after failed soft tissue stabilization leads to satisfying clinical results. However, the complication rate is high though comparable to data in the literature when used as a primary surgery. The indication for a coracoid transfer should be judged carefully and possible alternatives should be considered.

The effect of leg angle during push-up plus exercise on shoulder stabilization muscle activity.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of different leg angles during push-up plus exercise on shoulder stabilization muscle activity. [Participants and Methods] Fifteen healthy adult males participated in this study. The smart phone application Clinometer was used to measure leg angles of 70°, 90°, and 110° during push-up plus exercise. The muscle activities of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius fibers, and pectoralis major muscles involved in shoulder stabilization were analyzed using surface electromyogram. [Results] Leg angle significantly affected serratus anterior muscle activity, but it did not affect activities of the upper trapezius fibers or pectoralis major muscles. Post-hoc analysis revealed that serratus anterior muscle activity at the leg angle of 110° was significantly higher than at leg angles of 70° and 90°. [Conclusion] A higher leg angle during push-up plus exercise is a more effective intervention for the serratus anterior muscle activity.

The arthroscopic Bankart repair procedure enables complete quantitative labrum restoration in long-term assessments.

PURPOSE: The restoration of the labrum complex and the influence on secondary osteoarthritis after arthroscopic Bankart repair on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remain unclear. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were retrospectively followed after unilateral primary arthroscopic Bankart repair with knot-tying suture anchors (8.8 ± 2.5 years after surgery, age 25.3 ± 6.3 years). Bilateral structural MRI was performed to assess labrum-glenoid restoration by measurements of the labrum slope angle, height index, and labrum interior morphology according to the Randelli classification. Osteoarthritic status was bilaterally assessed by a modified assessment based on the Samilson-Prieto classification. RESULTS: MRI assessment revealed full labrum-glenoid complex restoration with equivalent parameters for anterior slope angle (mean ± SD: 21.3° ± 2.6° after Bankart repair vs. 21.9° ± 2.6° control) and height index (2.34 ± 0.4 vs. 2.44 ± 0.4), as well as the inferior slope angle (23.1° ± 2.9° vs. 23.3° ± 2.1°) and height index (2.21 ± 0.3 vs. 2.21 ± 0.3) (all n.s.). The labrum morphology showed only for the anterior labrum significant alterations (1.4 ± 0.9 vs. 0.6 ± 0.7, p < 0.05), the inferior labrum occurred similarly (1.3 ± 0.8 vs. 0.8 ± 0.5, n.s.). Osteoarthritic changes were significantly increased after Bankart repair compared to the uninjured shoulder (4.8 ± 5.1 mm vs. 2.5 ± 1.0 mm; p < 0.05), with a significant correlation of osteoarthritis status between both shoulders (p < 0.05). Scores generally decreased after Bankart repair (constant 84.6 ± 9.5 vs. 94.5 ± 4.9 control, p < 0.05; Rowe 84.5 ± 6.5 vs. 96.2 ± 4.2, p < 0.05; Walch-Duplay 82.4 ± 7.0 vs. 94.3 ± 4.0, p < 0.05) with a strong correlation with osteoarthritis status (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic Bankart repair enabled good clinical outcomes and complete quantitative labrum restoration parameters. Next to several well-known parameters, secondary osteoarthritis after arthroscopic Bankart repair significantly correlated with osteoarthritic status of the uninjured contralateral shoulder but was not influenced by quantitative labrum restoration. The recommendation for arthroscopic Bankart repair should be based on clinical parameters and not on prevention of secondary osteoarthritis. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Surgical stabilization for first-time shoulder dislocators: a multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anterior shoulder dislocations in young patients are associated with high rates of recurrent instability. Although some surgeons advocate for surgical stabilization after a single dislocation event in this population, there is sparse research evaluating surgical treatment for first-time dislocators. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgical stabilization for anterior shoulder instability were prospectively enrolled at multiple institutions from 2015-2017 and stratified by number of dislocations before surgery. Demographic data, preoperative patient-reported outcomes, imaging findings, surgical findings, and procedures performed were compared between groups. Analysis of variance, χ2, and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study included 172 patients (mean age, 25.3 years; 79.1% male patients) for analysis (58 patients with 1 dislocation, 69 with 2-5 dislocations, 45 with >5 dislocations). There were no intergroup differences in demographic characteristics, preoperative patient-reported outcomes, or physical examination findings. Preoperative imaging revealed increased glenoid bone loss in patients with multiple dislocation events (P = .043). Intraoperatively, recurrent dislocators were more likely to have bony Bankart lesions (odds ratio [OR], 3.26; P = .024) and biceps pathology (OR, 6.27; P = .013). First-time dislocators more frequently underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair and/or capsular plication (OR, 2.22; P = .016), while recurrent dislocators were more likely to undergo open Bristow-Latarjet procedures (OR, 2.80; P = .049) and surgical treatment for biceps pathology (OR, 5.03; P = .032). CONCLUSIONS: First-time shoulder dislocators who undergo stabilization are more likely to undergo an arthroscopic procedure and less likely to have bone loss or biceps pathology compared with recurrent dislocators. Future studies are needed to ascertain long-term outcomes of surgical stabilization based on preoperative dislocation events.

Current pain prescribing habits for common shoulder operations: a survey of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons membership.

BACKGROUND: Orthopedic surgeons are among the highest prescribers of narcotic pills, and no guidelines currently exist for appropriate management of postoperative pain within this field. The purpose of this study was to gain understanding of the current pain management strategies used perioperatively and postoperatively among orthopedic shoulder surgeons. METHODS: Members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons were e-mailed an online survey regarding methods for managing pain in the perioperative and postoperative setting for total shoulder arthroplasty, labral and capsular stabilization procedures, and rotator cuff repair. Postoperative narcotic prescribing amounts were converted into oral morphine equivalents. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 25.8% (170/658), with >90% of surgeons reporting use of a standard pain management regimen in the perioperative and postoperative periods. A regional nerve block was used on the operative day by >80% of surgeons for all 3 procedures. Short-acting narcotics are prescribed for postoperative pain control by >85% of surgeons, with long-acting narcotics provided by <14%. More than 400 oral morphine equivalents of short-acting narcotic are prescribed by shoulder surgeons. Referral to a pain specialist or primary care physician is made after 12 weeks by 92.3% of surgeons if patients continue to require narcotic painkillers. CONCLUSION: The majority of shoulder surgeons use a standard pain management protocol in perioperative and postoperative settings. Regimens frequently include a regional nerve block, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and short-acting oral narcotics. Findings from this study provide guidelines on standard pain management strategies for common shoulder operations based on expert opinion.