Risk factors of poor mid-term shoulder functional outcomes of osteosynthesis using antegrade intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures: a retrospective study with a minimum 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Osteosynthesis using antegrade intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures yields satisfactory bone union rates; however, it may adversely affect postoperative shoulder function. To date, factors affecting mid- or long-term shoulder functional outcomes following intramedullary nail fixation have not been clarified. In this study, we aimed to identify the risk factors for poor mid-term functional outcomes over 5 years postoperatively following antegrade intramedullary nail osteosynthesis for humeral shaft fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 33 patients who underwent surgery using an antegrade intramedullary nail for acute traumatic humeral shaft fractures and were followed up for at least 5 years postoperatively. We divided the patients into clinical failure and no clinical failure groups using an age- and sex-adjusted Constant score of 55 at the final follow-up as the cutoff value. We compared preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative factors between the two groups. RESULTS: Five of the 33 patients had poor shoulder functional outcomes (adjusted Constant score < 55) at a mean follow-up of 7.5 years postoperatively. Proximal protrusion of the nail at the time of bone union (P = 0.004) and older age (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with clinical failure in the univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis showed that proximal protrusion of the nail (P = 0.031) was a risk factor for poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide new information on predictive factors affecting mid-term outcomes following osteosynthesis using antegrade nails. Our results demonstrated that proximal protrusion of the nail was significantly associated with poor mid-term functional shoulder outcomes. Therefore, particularly in older adults, it is essential to place the proximal end of the intramedullary nail below the level of the articular cartilage.

Osteosynthesis using a plate lacking the anterior component and canulated cancellous screws to treat an avulsion fracture of the calcaneal tuberosity: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Avulsion fractures of the calcaneal tuberosity with significant displacement can cause soft tissue complications in the heel. However, a treatment strategy for calcaneal tuberosity fractures with poor heel-skin condition is yet to be established. Here, we report a case involving avulsion fracture of the calcaneal tuberosity presenting with superficial skin necrosis that was treated with a plate lacking the anterior component and screws inserted percutaneously. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 74-year-old woman presented with progressive right heel pain following an injury to her heel sustained approximately six weeks previously. She had experienced difficulty walking due to heel pain and superficial necrosis was observed on the posterior surface of the heel. Radiography and computed tomography revealed an avulsion fracture of the calcaneal tuberosity with superior displacement. Open reduction was performed using a lateral L-shaped incision. After inserting two cancellous screws percutaneously into the calcaneal tuberosity, we fixed a plate lacking the anterior component to the lateral surface of the calcaneus. The superficial necrosis healed gradually post-operatively. Bone union was confirmed using radiography six months post-operatively. DISCUSSION: We developed a novel surgical procedure to treat avulsion fractures of the calcaneal tuberosity with poor skin condition. The combination of a plate lacking the anterior component and the percutaneous insertion of canulated cancellous screws can reduce the risk of post-operative soft tissue complications while maintaining fixation of the fractured fragment. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide a novel surgical method for the treatment of avulsion fractures of the calcaneal tuberosity with soft tissue complications.

Symptomatic Nonunion of the Coracoid Process Following Osteosynthesis Using a Suture Button for Coracoid Process and Distal Clavicle Fracture: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Coracoid process fractures are uncommon and are often complicated by many types of shoulder girdle injuries. Previous reports have shown that osteosynthesis for isolated coracoid process fractures results in favorable outcomes and high bone union rates. However, owing to the rarity of coracoid process fractures combined with distal clavicle fractures, there are limited data to guide treatment strategies. We report a case of symptomatic nonunion despite performing osteosynthesis for fractures of the coracoid process and distal clavicle. CASE REPORT A 60-year-old man presented with left shoulder pain after falling from the back of a truck. Radiography and computed tomography (CT) findings revealed fractures of the left distal clavicle and coracoid process. We performed plate and costoclavicular fixation using a suture button for the distal clavicle fracture and cannulated cancellous screw fixation for the coracoid process fracture. However, the patient experienced severe pain around the coracoid and had limited shoulder range of motion 1 year postoperatively. CT revealed nonunion of the coracoid process, prompting a recommendation for surgery. However, despite severe persistent functional impairment, the patient refused surgery 1.5 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS This case suggests the potential for symptomatic nonunion of the coracoid process when using a suture-button device for a distal clavicle fracture. To prevent postoperative nonunion of the coracoid process, postoperative CT evaluation is necessary. If a symptomatic delayed bone union of coracoid process is observed, considering early removal of the suture button is recommended.

Point of care ultrasound combined with CTS-6 to diagnose idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of our new diagnostic chart using point of care ultrasound combined with CTS-6 for diagnosing idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the data of patients who visited our department and received point of care ultrasound combined with CTS-6 from 2020 to 2023. Data regarding age, sex, initial and final diagnosis, cross-sectional area of the median nerve, CTS-6 score, and electrodiagnostic severity were obtained and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 177 wrists included in our study, 138 (78 %) were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, while 39 (22 %) were not (non-carpal tunnel syndrome). With our diagnostic method, 127 wrists (72 %) were diagnosed initially with carpal tunnel syndrome, 23 wrists (13 %) with non-carpal tunnel syndrome, and the rest 27 wrists (15 %) as borderline. Our initial diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome and non-carpal tunnel syndrome were maintained in all cases except for two. Cross-sectional area, CTS-6 score, and electrodiagnostic severity showed a positive correlation. A post hoc analysis showed that the new scoring system (CTS-6 score + 2 × cross-sectional area) with a cutoff value of 31.25 points showed a sensitivity as high as 95 % and a specificity of 100 %. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that most suspected idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome cases can be diagnosed correctly using the diagnostic chart. Although additional tools, including electrodiagnostic studies, may be needed for borderline cases, the use of point of care ultrasound combined with CTS-6 may be a recommendable first-line confirmatory test because point of care ultrasound and CTS-6 could be complementary tools, and this chart may be especially beneficial for atypical or outlier cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic III.

Surgical Repair for Rhomboid Major Tear: A Case Report.

Rhomboid tears are a rare type of tendon injury. Although rhomboid tears can present with periscapular pain and scapular dyskinesis, their clinical presentations and diagnostic procedures remain largely unknown. In addition, few reports are available on the surgical treatment of rhomboid tears. We report a rhomboid repair case for a complete rhomboid major tear diagnosed based on physical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 28-year-old man presented with right medial scapular pain that appeared after carrying a heavy box. He had right medial scapular tenderness, with worsening pain during shoulder joint elevation. The inferior pole of the right scapula was lateral compared with the left scapula, and a dent was observed on the medial scapula. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tear in the right rhomboid major at its insertion, with muscle retraction. Two months of conservative treatment failed to improve his symptoms; therefore, we performed a surgical repair. We created the bone holes on the medial border of the scapula and repaired the torn rhomboid major muscle to its insertion using the Krackow stitch technique. He had a satisfactory functional outcome without postoperative retearing. This case report provides new information on the clinical presentation and surgical procedure of rhomboid major tears and the first MRI finding that depicts a rhomboid tear clearly. In cases of rhomboid tears, persistent medial scapular pain and winging scapula can be clinically problematic, requiring surgery. In addition to physical findings, a periscapular MRI is useful in diagnosing rhomboid tears. The results of this case study suggest that surgical repair using locking sutures is an option for treating complete rhomboid tears with muscle retraction.

Osteosynthesis using scorpion plate for nonunion of distal clavicle fracture with small distal bone fragment: A case report.

Distal clavicle nonunion is a relatively common complication of unstable, displaced distal clavicle fractures; however, its standard surgical procedure has not been fully established. We describe a case of symptomatic nonunion of a distal clavicle fracture with a very small distal bone fragment that was treated with a scorpion plate. A 63-year-old man presented with left shoulder pain after a bicycle fall 5 months earlier. Plain radiographs and computed tomography revealed atrophic nonunion of the distal clavicle with a small distal bone fragment measuring 12 mm in length. Shoulder pain interfered with his work and daily life; therefore, we scheduled surgery. After releasing the nonunion site, cancellous bone was grafted from the iliac crest. We placed a scorpion plate with two grasping arms that fixed the distal clavicular fragment without straddling the acromioclavicular joint. One year postoperatively, his pain subsided, and bone union was confirmed. Our case presents a surgical procedure for treating the nonunion of distal clavicle fractures using a scorpion plate and an autologous bone graft. This procedure is especially beneficial for cases with small distal bone fragments, because the grasping arms of the scorpion plate allow secure fixation of the distal bone fragment and bone graft without further fragmentation.

Influence of Proximal Humeral Cortical Bone Thickness on the Radiographic Outcome After Osteosynthesis of Proximal Humeral Fractures: Propensity Matching Score Analysis.

Introduction: Osteoporosis can affect the surgical outcomes of proximal humeral fractures in older people. Recently, the cortical bone thickness of the proximal humerus on plain radiograph has been proposed to reflect local osteoporosis of the proximal humerus; however, its effect on the surgical outcome of proximal humeral fractures remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of cortical bone thickness on postoperative radiographic outcomes after osteosynthesis for proximal humeral fractures. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively identified 190 patients (≥50 years) who underwent osteosynthesis with an intramedullary nail or plate for proximal humeral fractures. The patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the cut-off value of an average proximal humerus cortical bone thickness of 6 mm on plain radiographs: patients with and without local osteoporosis. After propensity score matching, we compared the incidence of postoperative radiographic complications between the 2 groups. We also performed subgroup analyses of outcomes in a subgroup of patients who underwent intramedullary nailing and those who underwent plate fixation. Results: Propensity score matching yielded 60 patients in each group. No significant difference in complication rates was observed between the 2 groups. However, in the intramedullary nailing subgroup, the incidence of reduction loss was significantly higher in patients with local osteoporosis than in those without local osteoporosis (51.7% vs 14.3%, P = .002). Discussion: The proximal humeral cortical bone thickness had no significant effect on the overall radiographic outcome; however, reduction loss after intramedullary nailing was susceptible to local osteoporosis of the proximal humerus. Conclusion: Our study suggests that plate fixation is advantageous in preventing postoperative reduction loss in patients with lower cortical bone thickness.

Curettage and external fixation for displaced pathological fracture through non-ossifying fibroma in the radius: A case report.

Non-ossifying fibromas are extremely rare in the upper extremity, such as those in the radius and humerus. The treatment of completely displaced fractures following non-ossifying fibromas in the radius has not been reported. We present the case of a pathological fracture caused by a non-ossifying fibroma in the radius treated using external fixation. The patient was a 10-year-old girl who presented to our hospital with right forearm pain after an accidental fall. She had no remarkable medical history. Radiographs and computed tomography showed a pathological fracture through osteolytic lesions with sclerotic rims in the diaphysis of the radius, suggesting a pathological fracture through a non-ossifying fibroma in the radius. We performed tumor curettage and external fixation due to marked fracture displacement. Histological findings were compatible with those of non-ossifying fibroma. Six months post-surgery, there were no limitations in the range of motion of supination and pronation of the forearm, and radiographs confirmed a bone union. Although non-ossifying fibromas in the radius are rare, cases with large lesions can cause pathological fractures after minor trauma. This case suggests that curettage and external fixation are beneficial, especially if early surgery is required due to unacceptable displacement and when there is no time for a biopsy to rule out malignancy.

Artificial Lunate Arthroplasty for Kienböck Disease With Multiple Extensor Tendon Ruptures: A Case Report.

CASE: A 73-year-old woman presented with wrist pain and loss of extension in the middle and ring fingers. Radiography revealed a dorsally displaced lunate fragment, resulting in a diagnosis of Kienböck disease with extensor tendon rupture. Artificial lunate replacement and tendon transfer were performed as treatment. Two years postoperatively, the pain was relieved, and the extension lag was 0°. The wrist motion and carpal height had also improved. CONCLUSION: Lunate excision, partial wrist arthrodesis, or proximal row carpectomy are known treatments for Kienböck disease with extensor tendon rupture. Lunate arthroplasty is a novel, useful treatment option for this condition.

Factors Associated with Change in Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome after Electrodiagnostic Studies.

Background: Hand surgeons sometimes place more weight on clinical findings and may not always consider the results of electrodiagnostic studies (EDX) in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The aim of this study is to determine factors associated with a change in diagnosis of CTS after EDX. Methods: This is a retrospective study of all patients with an initial clinical diagnosis of CTS who underwent EDX at our hospital. We identified patients whose diagnosis changed from CTS to non-CTS after EDX and used univariate and multivariate analysis to determine if age, sex, hand dominance, unilateral symptoms, history of diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, haemodialysis, cerebral lesion, cervical lesion, mental disorder, initial diagnosis by a non-hand surgeon, the number of examined items in CTS-6 and a CTS-negative EDX result were associated with a change in diagnosis after EDX. Results: A total of 479 hands with a clinical diagnosis of CTS underwent EDX. The diagnosis was changed to non-CTS in 61 hands (13%) after EDX. Univariate analysis demonstrated that unilateral symptoms, cervical lesion, mental disorder, initial diagnosis by a non-hand surgeon, the number of examined items and a CTS-negative EDX result were significantly associated with a change in diagnosis. In the multivariate analysis, only the number of examined items was significantly associated with a change in diagnosis. Conclusions: EDX results were particularly valued in hands where the initial diagnosis was uncertain for CTS. In hands with an initial diagnosis of CTS, the performance of sufficient history-taking and physical examination was more valued at the final diagnosis than EDX results or other aspects of the patient's background. The process of confirming a clear initial clinical diagnosis of CTS using EDX may be of little value for decision-making at the final diagnosis. Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic).

Plate fixation using parallelogram prism iliac bone grafts for clavicle oblique nonunion with shortening deformity: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Plate fixation using a tricortical iliac bone graft can provide a high ratio of bone union and restore clavicle length in cases of atrophic nonunion. However, the surgical treatment of clavicle oblique nonunions with marked shortening deformity remains challenging and unresolved. Here, we describe a case of clavicle oblique nonunion with shortening that was treated using plate fixation with parallelogram prism iliac bone grafts. CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old man presented to our hospital with severe medial scapular pain. He had been diagnosed with a right clavicle mid-shaft fracture in a motorcycle accident 9 months earlier. He underwent conservative treatment, but radiographs and computed tomography showed clavicle oblique nonunion with marked shortening. Physical examination revealed no pain at the nonunion site; however, tenderness was noted on the medial side of the right scapula and protrusion of the inferior scapular angle was prominent. His symptoms interfered with daily life and required surgery. After release of the nonunion, we harvested the parallelogram prism bone grafts from the iliac crest. We inserted these bone grafts into the fracture ends and fixed them with lag screws, after which we performed plate fixation. Immediately after surgery, right medial scapular pain and scapula winging subsided. Bone union was achieved, and the length of the clavicle was restored at 9 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This case report provides new information on the surgical treatment of clavicle oblique nonunion with shortening deformity. The presence of medial scapular pain and winging scapula can be clinically problematic in cases of clavicle nonunion with marked shortening. Our case revealed that reliable bone union and clavicle length recovery can be achieved with plate fixation and iliac bone grafts.

Inferior subluxation of humeral head after osteosynthesis for greater tuberosity fracture.

BACKGROUND: Inferior subluxation of the humeral head is frequently observed immediately after surgery for proximal humerus fractures; however, the incidence and risk factors of inferior subluxation after osteosynthesis for isolated greater tuberosity fractures remain unsolved. Additionally, the postoperative course of inferior subluxation has not been elucidated. The purpose of the present study is to identify the predictors for the occurrence of postoperative inferior subluxation by multivariate analysis and investigate the postoperative shift of inferior subluxation and its effect on surgical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 68 patients who underwent surgery for isolated greater tuberosity fractures. The dependent variable was the inferior subluxation at 1 week postoperatively. The explanatory variables were age, sex, affected side of the shoulder, body mass index, history of smoking, local osteoporosis, time period to surgery, axillary nerve injury, inferior subluxation before surgery, fracture dislocation, surgical approach, surgical method, operative time, amount of blood loss, and postoperative drainage. Baseline variables that were statistically significant in the univariate analyses were included in the logistic regression analysis. The patients were further categorized into two groups according to the presence of inferior shoulder subluxation exhibited 1 week postoperatively: patients with inferior subluxation (+ IS group) and patients without inferior subluxation (- IS group). We compared the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 68 patients, 17 (25.0%) had inferior shoulder subluxation observed 1 week postoperatively. Multivariate analysis showed that long operative time was a risk factor for postoperative subluxation (odds ratio = 1.03; P = 0.030). In all cases, inferior subluxation disappeared within 3 months of surgery. No significant difference in complication rate was observed between the + IS and - IS groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides novel information regarding postoperative inferior subluxation of fractures of the greater tuberosity. Inferior subluxation occurred in 25% of patients immediately after surgery. Long operative time contributes to the onset of postoperative inferior subluxation; however, this was temporary in all cases and had no significant effect on the surgical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Evaluation of Radiographic Changes 5 Years After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Background: Radiographic changes in the glenohumeral joint often occur after rotator cuff repair; however, the details of the progression and underlying causes remain unknown. Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the timing and frequency of radiographic changes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and to clarify the predictive factors that affect the onset of such changes using multivariate analysis. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients with 5 years of follow-up after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and evaluated the postoperative shift in radiographic findings on plain radiographs every year during follow-up. Factors related to osteoarthritis, acromial spur re-formation, and greater tuberosity resorption at 5 years after surgery were evaluated using logistic regression analyses. Explanatory variables included preoperative factors, intraoperative factors, and postoperative retear. Baseline variables significant in the univariate analyses were included in the multivariate models. Results: Of the 100 patients, 12 developed osteoarthritis, 26 developed acromial spur formation, and 16 developed greater tuberosity resorption at 5 years after surgery. The incidence and grade of osteoarthritis and acromial spur gradually increased over time postoperatively. On the other hand, greater tuberosity resorption developed within 2 years after surgery but did not progress later. Multivariate analysis showed that a larger anteroposterior tear size (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01-1.17; P = .037) was a risk factor for postoperative osteoarthritis. Early retear (OR, 10.26; 95% CI, 1.03-102.40; P = .047) was a risk factor for acromial spur re-formation. Roughness of the greater tuberosity (OR, 9.07; 95% CI, 1.13-72.82; P = .038) and larger number of suture anchors (OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.66-6.74; P = .001) were risk factors for greater tuberosity resorption. Conclusion: Our study showed that radiographic changes occurred in 40% of patients within 5 years after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. While the osteoarthritic changes and acromial spur re-formation gradually progressed postoperatively, the greater tuberosity resorption stopped within 2 years after surgery. Tear size, morphology of the greater tuberosity, and the number of suture anchors can affect radiographic changes. Furthermore, this study suggested that acromial spur re-formation may be an indicator of early retears.

Risk factors of radiographic severity of massive rotator cuff tear.

As massive rotator cuff tears progress, various radiographic changes occur; however, the factors associated with radiographic changes remain largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the factors that affect radiographic severity in massive rotator cuff tears using multivariate analyses. We retrospectively reviewed 210 shoulders with chronic massive rotator cuff tears. The dependent variables were superior migration of the humeral head (Hamada grades 2-3), narrowing of the glenohumeral joint (grade 4), and humeral head collapse (grade 5). Baseline variables that were significant in univariate analyses were included in multivariate models. There were 91, 59, 43, and 17 shoulders classified as Hamada grades 1, 2-3, 4, and 5, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that infraspinatus tear (P = 0.015) and long head of biceps (LHB) tendon rupture (P = 0.007) were associated with superior migration of humeral head. Superior subscapularis tear (P = 0.003) and LHB tendon rupture (P < 0.001) were associated with narrowing of glenohumeral joint. Female sex (P = 0.006) and superior subscapularis tear (P = 0.006) were associated with humeral head collapse. This study identified the rupture of infraspinatus and LHB as risk factors of superior migration of humeral head, and the rupture of subscapularis and LHB and female sex as risk factors of cuff tear arthropathy.

Arthroscopic Distal Clavicle Resection for an Acromioclavicular Ganglion Cyst with Cuff Tear Arthropathy: A Case Report.

CASE: A 77-year-old man with an acromioclavicular joint ganglion cyst with cuff tear arthropathy had a large mass in the left shoulder. Arthroscopic distal clavicle resection successfully relieved his symptoms without loss of shoulder function by enlargement of the bypass between the cyst and subacromial space through the acromioclavicular joint. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic distal clavicle resection can remove a 1-way check valve in a minimally invasive manner. This case indicated that arthroscopic distal clavicle resection could be a useful treatment option for patients with acromioclavicular joint ganglion cysts with functional but irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Bone Block Grafting for Posterior Instability After Anatomical Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

CASE: A 60-year-old woman with avascular necrosis of the right humeral head underwent anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA); however, recurrent posterior dislocation occurred 13 months postoperatively. We performed bone block grafting of an autologous iliac crest to the posterior glenoid and posterior capsular plication, after which satisfactory postoperative shoulder function without residual joint instability was achieved. CONCLUSION: The presented case had recurrent posterior dislocation after TSA without any abnormal findings in the prosthetic components. Posterior bone block grafting with capsular plication should be considered a viable option for posterior instability after anatomical TSA.

Risk Factors for Loss of Active Shoulder Range of Motion in Massive Rotator Cuff Tears.

BACKGROUND: Patients with massive rotator cuff tears often exhibit loss of active range of shoulder motion, which can interfere with activities of daily living. The risk factors for loss of motion remain largely unknown. PURPOSE: To clarify the predictive factors that affect the range of motion in chronic massive rotator cuff tears using multivariate analyses. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 204 consecutive patients who were evaluated at their institution with chronic massive rotator cuff tears. In this study, the dependent variable was determined to be active anterior elevation limited to ≤90° or external rotation (ER) with the arm at the side limited to ≤0°. Explanatory variables included age; sex; affected side; duration of symptoms; smoking history; existence of diabetes, hypertension, or rheumatoid arthritis; involved tendons; presence of a 3-tendon tear; rupture of the long head of biceps tendon; superior migration of the humeral head; and cuff tear arthropathy. Baseline variables that were observed to be significant in the univariate analyses were included in multivariate models, which used logistic regression to identify independent predictors of loss of motion. RESULTS: Overall, 73 patients (35.8%) exhibited limited anterior elevation, and 27 (13.2%) exhibited limited ER. Multivariate analyses showed that inferior subscapularis tear (odds ratio [OR], 14.66; 95% CI, 2.95-72.93; P = .001), smoking (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.94-8.79; P < .001), superior migration of humeral head (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.80-8.53; P = .001), and 3-tendon tear (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.32-8.20; P = .011) were significantly associated with the loss of anterior elevation. Teres minor tear (OR, 73.37; 95% CI, 9.54-564.28; P < .001) and superior migration of the humeral head (OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.04-12.19; P = .044) were significantly associated with loss of ER. CONCLUSION: In the current study, a history of smoking, type of torn tendons, and superior migration of the humeral head were associated with loss of active shoulder motion. In particular, the status of inferior subscapularis or teres minor contributed to the onset of pseudoparalysis in massive rotator cuff tears.

Blocking screw augmentation in intramedullary nailing for displaced surgical neck fractures of the proximal humerus.

A displaced surgical neck fracture can be a good indication for antegrade intramedullary nailing. However, nail insertion may result in malreduction and translational displacement of the humeral head fragment because of muscle traction and size discrepancies between the diameters of the medullary canal and the intramedullary nail. We used blocking screw augmentation in 20 fractures with residual medial displacement of the distal fragment after nail insertion to anatomically reduce displacement of the fracture and to maintain the reduced position before bone union. A blocking screw was placed percutaneously at the lateral side of the canal. Next, a straight intramedullary nail was reinserted medial to the blocking screw. Finally, the nail was locked both proximally and distally. All cases showed bone union without fixation failure at the time of the final follow-up. Blocking screw augmentation with intramedullary nailing is feasible for the treatment of humeral surgical neck fractures and is thought to be helpful for fracture reduction during surgery and stable fixation after surgery.

Residual coracoclavicular separation after plate fixation for distal clavicle fractures: comparison between fracture patterns.

BACKGROUND: Plate fixation is an established treatment for Neer type II and V distal clavicle fractures; however, residual coracoclavicular (C-C) separation after osteosynthesis for unstable distal clavicle fractures has rarely been discussed. This study aimed to reveal the extent of postoperative C-C separation after plate fixation for distal clavicle fractures and to evaluate the relationship between residual C-C separation and the risk of postoperative complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 60 patients with a displaced distal clavicle fracture that was treated with a Scorpion plate without C-C reconstruction and successfully united. Distal clavicle fractures were divided as per the Neer classification into type IIA (12 patients), IIB (36 patients), and V (12 patients) groups. The modified C-C distance ratio at the time of injury and after bone union, and the postoperative complications (plate-related pain, delayed union, infection, and contracture) were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The mean postoperative modified C-C distance ratio was 115.0% ± 12.0%; this ratio was significantly larger in the type IIB and V groups than in the type IIA group (P = .021 and P = .006, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the frequency of postoperative complications among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that a certain degree of C-C separation remained after plate fixation for Neer type II and V distal clavicle fractures, even when bone union was achieved. The postoperative residual C-C separation was greater for the type IIB and V groups than for the type IIA group; however, this difference may not affect postoperative complications.