Complications of Locked Plating for Proximal Humeral Fractures in Active Patients in a Level One Trauma Center.

Background: The incidence of complications associated with locked plating of proximal humerus fractures (PHF) has been reported in up to 40% of surgeries. This study aimed to analyze the incidence and risk factors of complications and re-intervention associated with locked plating of PHF in a an young active working population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients indicated for locked plating of displaced PHF at a dedicated workers' accident trauma center. The variables analyzed were patient comorbidities, fracture characteristics, and immediate radiologic surgical outcomes. Postoperative complications and risk factors were determined. Results: A total of 127 patients with a median follow-up of 31 months and a median age of 52 years were included. The complication and reintervention rates were 13.4% and 12.6%, respectively. The main cause of reintervention was post-traumatic stiffness. The incidence of other complications was 4% screw protrusion, 1.6% avascular necrosis, 1.6% varus collapse. Complications were not associated with age, comorbidity, fracture classification, bone mineral density, Hertel's risk factors, presence of calcar comminution, reduction quality, and calcar screw position. Discussion: The incidence of complications and reintervention was low. The main cause of reintervention was persistent stiffness, and no risk factors for complications were found in this study.

Recurrence of glenohumeral instability in patients with isolated rotator cuff repair after a traumatic shoulder dislocation.

INTRODUCTION: The primary objective of this study was to assess the incidence of recurrent glenohumeral instability in patients over 40 years with isolated rotator cuff (RC) repair for traumatic shoulder dislocation. The secondary objectives were to identify risk factors for glenohumeral recurrence after RC repair and to describe the causes and incidences of re-intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, data of consecutive patients at a single trauma center between January 2014 and July 2019 were reviewed, and 84 patients with a mean age of 57 (range: 40-75) years and follow-up duration of 3.9 (2-6) years were included. The inclusion criteria were as follows: first traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation, reparable RC tear, primary arthroscopic RC repair, no labral or bony Bankart lesion repair, and at least 2 years of follow-up. Patients less than 40 years of age were excluded. Shoulder instability recurrences and surgical reinterventions were reviewed with medical records. Statistical analysis was performed for qualitative variables using the Chi-squared test. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: There was one patient with a redislocation episode (1.2%) at 2.5 years after surgery, who was surgically treated. Age, subscapular tears, bony Bankart injuries, humeral defects, and associated neurological injuries were not risk factors for recurrence in this study. Ten patients (11.9%) required reintervention. Nine patients (10.7%) re-tore their RCs. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent glenohumeral instability in active patients over 40 years with isolated RC repair after traumatic shoulder dislocation was infrequent, despite the incidence of significant Hill-Sachs defects, anterior glenoid defects, bipolar bone defects, size of the RC injury, and tendon re-tears. The incidence of re-interventions was 11.9%, with symptomatic RC retear as the main cause.

Conceptos actuales: ventajas del clavo endomedular para fracturas del húmero proximal / Current concepts: advantages of intramedullary nail for proximal humerus fractures

Las fracturas de húmero proximal (FHP) son una de las fracturas más frecuentes en la población anciana. La reducción abierta y fijación interna (RAFI) generalmente está indicada para pacientes con una FHP desplazada en jóvenes o pacientes mayores con alta demanda funcional y buena calidad ósea. No se ha llegado a un consenso sobre la técnica de fijación ideal. La RAFI con placas ha sido la más utilizada, pero se han reportado altas tasas de reintervenciones y complicaciones globales en la literatura. La necesidad de agregar técnicas de aumentación a la RAFI con placas bloqueadas en fracturas complejas puede resultar en un tiempo quirúrgico más largo, abordajes extensos y mayores costos. Debido a esto, se hace necesario considerar otras opciones para la osteosíntesis de FHP. Con una mayor comprensión de los mecanismos de falla de la osteosíntesis, la fijación intramedular se ha convertido en una opción de tratamiento aceptada para las FHP con ventajas biomecánicas y biológicas. La fijación intramedular para las FHP ha demostrado menor tiempo quirúrgico, sangrado intraoperatorio, tiempo hasta la unión ósea y menores tasas de infecciones, que las placas bloqueadas. La fijación intramedular es una opción válida para que las fracturas complejas se resuelvan con un implante que por sí solo puede satisfacer en gran medida todas las necesidades de aumento requeridas por una placa bloqueada

Proximal humeral fractures are one of the most frequent fractures in the elderly population. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is generally indicated for young patients and older patients with high functional demands and good bone quality. No consensus has been reached regarding the ideal fixation technique. Although ORIF with plates is the most widely used technique, high re-intervention rates and global complications with locked plate fixation have been reported in the literature. Addition of augmentation techniques to locked plate fixation in complex fractures may result in longer surgical times, extensive approaches, and higher costs. Therefore, considering other options for ORIF is necessary. With a greater understanding of the mechanisms of fixation failure, intramedullary fixation has become the accepted treatment option for proximal humeral fractures considering the specific biomechanical and biological advantages. Compared with ORIF with locked plates, intramedullary fixation for proximal humeral fractures has low surgical time, intraoperative bleeding, time to bone union, and rate of infections. Intramedullary fixation is a valid option to resolve complex fractures with an implant that may largely supply all the augmentation requirements of a locked plate.

Good functional results with open reduction and internal fixation for locked posterior shoulder fracture-dislocation: a case series.

BACKGROUND: There is no standardized therapeutic strategy for locked posterior shoulder fracture-dislocation (PSFD), and no consensus exists on the analysis of preoperative factors. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate functional results and complications in a series of PSFD cases managed with open surgical treatment. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with locked PSFD who underwent open surgical treatment with reduction and osteosynthesis between April 2016 and March 2020 were included. All participants were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Functional assessment used the modified University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) mod scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) questionnaire, subjective shoulder value (SSV), and visual analog scale (VAS). Complications were evaluated clinically and radiologically by X-ray and computed tomography. RESULTS: Twelve shoulders were included (11 patients; mean age, 40.6 years; range, 19- 62 years). The mean follow-up duration was 23.3 months (range, 12-63 months). The UCLA mod, ASES, SSV, and VAS scores were 29.1±3.7, 81.6±13.5, 78±14.8, and 1.2±1.4 points, respectively. The overall complication rate was 16.6%, with one case of post-traumatic stiffness, 1 case of chronic pain, and no cases of avascular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical treatment of locked PSFD can achieve good functional results. A correct understanding of these injuries and good preoperative planning helped us to achieve a low rate of complications.

High Early-onset acromioclavicular secondary pathologies after acute arthroscopic joint reduction: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: The research aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of early secondary acromioclavicular (AC) joint disease in patients undergoing acute arthroscopic AC joint reduction and fixation and early complications of acute surgical treatment in patients with high-grade AC joint dislocation. METHODS: Overall, 102 patients diagnosed with Rockwood type V AC joint dislocation and undergoing arthroscopic coracoclavicular fixation were included. Early clinical and radiological complications were evaluated, as well as risk factors of secondary AC joint pathology. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (28%) presented with a secondary AC joint pathology, with 24 and 5 cases of osteolysis and osteoarthritis, respectively. The main complication was a loss of reduction of ≥ 1 mm (78%). Patients aged > 55 years were more likely to develop a secondary AC joint disease (odds ratios (OR) = 10.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42 - 72.55, p = 0.021). Patients with osteolysis (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.16 - 9.27, p = 0.025) or loss of reduction of > 5 mm (OR = 7.4, 95% CI 2.31 - 24.08, p = 0.001) were more likely to develop AC joint pain. Patients with an initial over-reduction were less likely to develop a subluxated AC joint (OR = 0.033, 95% CI 0.0021-0.134, p = 0.001) CONCLUSION: Age > 55 years and female sex were identified as risk factors of early-onset secondary AC joint disease. Osteolysis and a loss of reduction of > 5 mm were risk factors of AC joint pain but not of revision surgery. The main early complication was a loss of reduction of ≥ 1 mm. An initial over-reduction of the distal clavicle was a protective factor to avoid AC joint subluxation.

Similar optimal distalization and lateralization angles can be achieved with different reverse shoulder arthroplasty implant designs.

BACKGROUND: Optimal postoperative distalization (DSA) and lateralization (LSA) shoulder angles have been described as radiological measurements correlated with function after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The proposed optimal values are DSA between 40° and 65° and LSA between 75° and 95°; however, whether these values can be reached with different implant designs is unclear. AIM: To determine which RSA implant could achieve higher rates of optimal DSA and LSA, to determine any association between each implant and optimal DSA and LSA, and to assess the correlation of the preoperative critical shoulder angle (CSA) and acromial index (AI) with the DSA and LSA. METHODS: This was a retrospective comparative study of all patients who underwent primary RSA for rotator cuff arthropathy. Three RSA implant designs were included, based on which patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (FH Arrow™; 16 patients) comprised onlay implants with a 135° neck-shaft angle (NSA); group 2 (Biomet Comprehensive™; 20 patients) comprised onlay implants with a 147° NSA; group 3 (Mathys Affinis™; 15 patients) comprised inlay implants with a 155° NSA. The AI and CSA were measured on preoperative radiographs. The DSA and LSA were measured on true AP postoperative radiographs. RESULTS: The mean DSAs were 44°, 46°, and 46° (P = 0.671) and the mean LSAs were 92°, 91°, and 82° for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P = 0.003). Group 3 had lower LSA than groups 1 (-10°; P = 0.005) and 2 (-9°; P = 0.002). Optimal DSA and LSA were achieved in 71% and 73% of all arthroplasties, respectively. No association between implant designs and achieving an optimal DSA or LSA was observed. None of the implant designs had DSA >65°. The most common cause of failure to reach an optimal LSA in onlay implants was a combination of LSA >95° and DSA <40°. The most common cause of failure in group 3 was DSA <40°. The DSA was negatively correlated with the AI (-0.384; P = 0.006) and CSA (-0.305; P = 0.033). No correlation was observed between the LSA and AI (P = 0.312) or CSA (P = 0.137). CONCLUSION: The LSA is lower with the Mathys Affinis™ implant than with the Biomet Comprehensive™ and FH Arrow™ implants; however, most LSAs are in the optimal ranges, and no association is observed between different implant designs and optimal DSA and LSA. Implant design, CSA, and AI should be considered during preoperative planning to achieve optimal DSA and LSA.

Aplicación móvil en el diagnóstico de dolor de hombro para médicos generales / Mobile application in the diagnosis of shoulder pain for general physicians

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la concordancia diagnóstica durante la evaluación inicial de pacientes con dolor de hombro entre: (1) Traumatólogos especialistas en hombro realizando una evaluación convencional y (2) un médico general utilizando una nueva aplicación móvil. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Se diseñó una aplicación móvil para asistir a médicos generales a realizar una evaluación del dolor de hombro entregando una hipótesis diagnóstica. Se diseñó un estudio de concordancia diagnóstica. Se evaluó un grupo de 60 pacientes, quienes consultaron por primera vez con un especialista en hombro. Primero, todos fueron evaluados por un médico general utilizando la aplicación. Se registró la hipótesis diagnóstica entregada por la aplicación. Luego, el especialista realizó una evaluación con anamnesis y examen físico, registrando su hipótesis diagnóstica. Se realizó una prueba Kappa para determinar la concordancia entre ambos evaluadores. RESULTADOS: La concordancia global entre los especialistas y la aplicación móvil utilizada por el médico general fue sustancial (k » 0,74; p < 0,001). La concordancia fue casi perfecta para el Pinzamiento subacromial, dolor cervical, lesión acromioclavicular, inestabilidad de hombro, y el pinzamiento interno. CONCLUSIÓN: La concordancia diagnóstica durante la evaluación inicial de pacientes con dolor de hombro entre traumatólogos especialistas y un médico general utilizando una aplicación móvil fue sustancial. NIVEL DE EVIDENCIA: Tipo III.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic concordance during the initial evaluation of patients with shoulder pain between: (1) Shoulder orthopedic surgeons performing a conventional evaluation and (2) a general practitioner using a new mobile application. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A mobile application was designed to assist general practitioners to perform an evaluation of shoulder pain by providing a diagnostic hypothesis. A diagnostic concordance study was designed. A group of 60 patients were evaluated, who consulted for the first time with a shoulder specialist. First, they were all evaluated by a general practitioner using the application. The diagnostic hypothesis delivered by the application was recorded. Then, the specialist made an evaluation with anamnesis and physical examination, recording his diagnostic hypothesis. A Kappa test was performed to determine the agreement between both evaluators. RESULTS: The overall agreement between the specialists and the mobile application used by the general practitioner was substantial (k » 0.74, p < 0.001). The agreement was almost perfect for subacromial impingement, cervical pain, acromioclavicular injuries, shoulder instability, and internal impingement. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic agreement during the initial evaluation of patients with shoulder pain between shoulder specialist and a general practitioner using a mobile application was substantial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Type III.

Shoulder Terrible Triad: Classification, Functional Results, and Prognostic Factors.

INTRODUCTION: The shoulder terrible triad (STT) is a traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation, associated with rotator cuff (RC) tear and nerve injury from the brachial plexus. This study aimed to describe the functional results and prognostic factors of surgery in patients with STT. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with acute STT were included at the same institution. All patients were examined with x-rays, MRI, and electromyography. Surgical treatment in the acute setting was indicated to address an RC injury or a displaced greater tuberosity fracture. Variables registered on the day of surgery were preoperative Constant and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) scores and injury pattern. At final discharge, Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), WORC, and subjective shoulder value scores were recorded by an independent evaluator. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent a complete follow-up. The dominant arm was affected in 50% of cases. The mean follow-up was 27 (12 to 43) months. The mean WORC and Constant scores improved from 1,543 to 1,093 (P = 0.015) and 31 to 54 (P = 0.003), respectively. The ASES and subjective shoulder value scores at the end of the follow-up were 60 and 56 points, respectively. RC tears and nerve injuries that did not involve the axillary or suprascapular nerves were associated to better results than greater tuberosity fractures and injuries to the axillary or suprascapular nerves, respectively, in WORC (P = 0.028), Constant (P = 0.024), and ASES scores (P = 0.035). Preoperative WORC and Constant scores were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent patterns include complete RC tears, anterior capsular injuries, and an axillary nerve injury. Patients had improved functional scores at the end of follow-up after surgery. Better functional results were correlated to RC tears, injuries to nerves with innervation distal to the shoulder, and higher preoperative Constant and WORC scores.

Acute Surgery vs. Non-union Surgery of Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures: A Case-control Study.

Introduction There is a lack of information about the results of surgical treatment and complications in midshaft clavicle fracture non-unions. Our hypothesis was that there is no difference in functional outcomes between the surgical treatment of an acute displaced middle-third clavicle fracture and the surgical treatment of a chronic symptomatic non-union of a displaced middle-third clavicle fracture. Methods This was a case-control study. Fourteen cases were considered with a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture, initially treated non-surgically, but which developed symptomatic non-union and required surgical treatment. The control group was a cohort of 18 patients with a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture, who had surgical treatment in an acute setting (<3 weeks). Our cases had a median follow-up of 77 months and were retrospectively analyzed. All those in the control group had a 12-month prospective follow-up evaluation. The variables measured were Constant score, time to discharge to work, and bone union rate. Results The median Constant score at final follow-up for surgically treated non-unions was 87.5 (control group 84.5, p > 0.05). The median time to complete return to work was 3.2 months in the control group and 9.7 months in the case group (p=0.001). Hundred percent of those patients who were initially treated with surgery had bone union without other treatment. Two out of 14 cases required a second surgery with a plate and bone graft to achieve bone union. Conclusion Symptoms from displaced midshaft clavicular fracture non-unions are due to related pain and dysfunctional deficits that result from displacement and shortening. According to our study, patients with a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture non-union who needed surgery achieved similar functional results as compared to patients treated in an acute setting for a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture. The median time to discharge and return to work was more than doubled in the non-union surgery group.

Arthroscopic Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction With TightRope and FiberTape Loop.

High-grade acromioclavicular (AC) injuries are frequent in the active population, and their treatment in the acute setting has reduced sequelae such as chronic pain, functional impairment, and inability to return to sports. Multiple techniques have been described to achieve reduction and fixation of the AC joint, but still there is no consensus. The objective of this Technical Note is to describe the reduction and internal fixation under arthroscopic assistance of the AC joint with the use of a double button implant plus high-strength tape in the acute setting.

Prevalencia de lesiones por sobreuso en jugadores de las selecciones de rugby de Chile y Uruguay / Overuse injury prevalence in national team rugby players of Chile and Uruguay

OBJETIVO Determinar la prevalencia de lesiones por sobreuso en las selecciones de rugby adulta y juvenil de Chile y Uruguay. Objetivos secundarios: 1. Describir el impacto en el rendimiento, factores de riesgo y las diferencias entre adultos y juveniles; 2. Evaluar la definición de lesión según tiempo perdido para el estudio de las lesiones por sobreuso. METODOLOGÍA: Grupo de estudio: selecciones adultas y juveniles de rugby de Chile y Uruguay (106 jugadores). Se utilizó el Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Injury Questionnaire, para el registro y la evaluación de las lesiones. Se definió lesión por sobreuso como todos los problemas articulares de origen no traumático, ocurridos hasta los 7 días previos al registro. Se registró la edad, peso, talla, posición de juego y volumen de entrenamiento para el análisis de factores de riesgo. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia fue de un 31%. Solo el 6% requirió más de 24 horas de reposo deportivo. El principal factor de riesgo fue la edad (OR 1,12 IC 1,017­1,24), aumentando un 12% por cada año cumplido. Se observó una mayor prevalencia en los adultos y los juveniles presentaron un puntaje mayor de gravedad (23,2 versus 15,8 p = 0,03). CONCLUSIONES La prevalencia de lesiones por sobreuso en este grupo fue alta. El impacto en el rendimiento en la mayoría fue leve, siendo mayor en los juveniles. El principal factor de riesgo fue la edad. La definición de lesión según tiempo perdido fue insuficiente para el tamizaje de lesiones por sobreuso, pesquisando una minoría de los jugadores afectados.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of overuse injuries in the senior and junior teams of the Chilean and Uruguayan rugby national teams. Secondary objectives: 1. Describe the impact on performance, risk factors and differences between senior players and junior players; 2. Evaluate the time lost injury definition for studies in overuse injuries. METHOD: Study group: senior and junior national rugby teams of Chile and Uruguay (106 players). The "Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Injury Questionnaire" was used for the registration and evaluation of overuse injuries. An overuse injury was defined as all joint problems of non-traumatic origin, which occurred up to 7 days prior to the interview. Age, weight, height, playing position and training volume were recorded for the analysis of risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of overuse injuries was 31%. Only 6% required more than 24 hours of rest from sports. The main risk factor was age (OR 1.12 CI 1.017 to 1.24), increasing by 12% for every year of age. A higher prevalence in senior players was noted, however, juniors had a higher severity score than adults (23.2 versus 15.8 p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overuse injuries in this group was high. The impact on performance was mild in most players, being higher in juniors. The main risk factor was age. The time lost injury definition was insufficient for the screening of overuse injuries, only diagnosing a minority of the affected players.

Surgical treatment of displaced middle-third clavicular fractures: a prospective, randomized trial in a working compensation population.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of displaced middle-third clavicular fractures resulted in shorter complete return to work periods with earlier consolidation documented on computed tomography (CT) scans in this prospective, randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The study randomized 76 consecutive patients with displaced fractures (2B1-2B2 according to Robinson) to conservative (C, n = 42) and surgical (S, n = 34) treatment with plates and screws. Bone union was documented with CT scans at 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Risk factors known to increase the risk of nonunion were similar between groups. Time until discharge for complete return to work was 3.7 ± 1.1 months for C and 2.9 ± 0.8 months for S (P = .003). On the CT scan at 6 weeks, 24.1% of the patients presented advanced bone union in S vs 5.3% in C (P = .05). At 12 weeks, 81% of the patients presented advanced bone union in S vs 16.7% in C (P = .005). At final follow-up, 4 nonunions were present in the C group that required surgery; in the S group, 4 patients underwent revision surgery for plate removal. At 6 and 12 months of follow-up, Constant scores were higher for the S group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment with ORIF of displaced middle-third clavicular fractures achieved good and excellent functional results, shorter time to complete return to work, earlier bone union, and fewer cases of nonunions in a working population under injury compensation.

Epidemiological study of injuries in men's international under-20 rugby union tournaments.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, nature, and causes of match injuries sustained during Under-20 (U-20) international rugby. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study; definitions and procedures were compliant with the international consensus statement for epidemiological studies in rugby. SETTING: 2008 and 2010 IRB U-20 Junior World Championships and Junior World Rugby Trophies. PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred forty-one players representing 35 international teams. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Injuries reported as functions of playing position and nature and cause of injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence, location, type, severity, and causes of match injuries. RESULTS: Incidence of injury was 57.2 per 1000 player-match-hours (forwards, 55.3; backs, 59.4) with a mean severity of 22.4 days (forwards, 27.7; backs, 16.9) and a median severity of 6 days (forwards, 8; backs, 6). Lower limb ligament (25.3%) and muscle (21.3%) pathologies were the main injuries. Most injuries were acute (90.4%) and sustained during tackles (45.1%) and collisions (17.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the overall risk of injury for players in international U-20 rugby is significantly lower than that reported at the full international level of play; the nature and causes of injury at U-20 are similar to those at the full international level of play.