Do the radiological changes seen at mid term follow up of stemless shoulder prosthesis affect outcome?

BACKGROUND: The Eclipse® (Eclipse® is a trademark of Arthrex, Naples, Florida) stemless shoulder prosthesis offers the surgeon the advantage of bone stock preservation and at the same time avoids the drawbacks of a resurfacing arthroplasty. Previous studies have shown radiographic changes on serial follow up of the Eclipse prosthesis. This study attempts to assess the significance of these radiographic changes and effect of cuff related pathology on the mid-term outcome of the Eclipse prosthesis. METHODS: Between July 2005 and October 2008, 29 shoulders underwent shoulder arthroplasty with the Eclipse prosthesis; 23 shoulders, (seven women and 16 men) were available for the final follow up. The range of motion, Constant Score; age adjusted Constant Score, Subjective Shoulder Value and radiographs were assessed at serial follow-ups. RESULTS: Significant improvements were seen in the Constant Score (78.9 ±20.1) compared to pre-operative score (32.9 ±5.2); also forward elevation, abduction and external rotation improved to 142.9 ± 36.6 °, 135.2 ± 40.5 ° and 49.8 ± 21.9 ° at 72 months (p < 0.001). Radiolucent lines and localised osteopenia, did not statistically impact on the clinical outcome. Partial tears of the supraspinatus and subscapularis had a negative impact on the Subjective Shoulder Value (p < 0.05) Partial or complete tears of the subscapularis led to worse Constant Score on follow up (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of radiolucent lines or localised osteopenia does not influence the mid term clinical outcome. Pre -operative partial supraspinatus tears or tears of the subscapularis lead to an inferior outcome.

Analysis of the osseointegrative force of a hyperhydrophilic and nanostructured surface refinement for TPS surfaces in a gap healing model with the Göttingen minipig.

BACKGROUND: A lot of advantages can result in a high wettability as well as a nanostructure at a titanium surface on bone implants. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the osseointegrative potential of a titan plasma-sprayed (TPS) surface refinement by acid-etching with chromosulfuric acid. This results in a hyperhydrophilic surface with a nanostructure and an extreme high wetting rate. METHODS: In total, 72 dumbbell shape titan implants were inserted in the spongy bone of the femora of 18 Göttingen minipigs in a conservative gap model. Thirty-six titan implants were coated with a standard TPS surface and 36 with the hyperhydrophilic chromosulfuric acid (CSA) surface. After a healing period of 4, 8, and 12 weeks, the animals were killed. The chronological healing process was histomorphometrically analyzed. RESULTS: The de novo bone formation, represented by the bone area (BA), is increased by approximately 1.5 times after 12 weeks with little additional benefit by use of the CSA surface. The bone-to-implant contact (BIC), which represents osseoconductive forces, shows results with a highly increased osteoid production in the CSA implants beginning at 8 and 12 weeks compared to TPS. This culminates in a 17-fold increase in BIC after a healing period of 12 weeks. After 4 weeks, significantly more osteoid was seen in the gap as de novo formation in the CSA group (p = 0.0062). Osteoid was also found more frequently after 12 weeks at the CSA-treated surface (p = 0.0355). The site of implantation, intertrochanteric or intercondylar, may influence on the de novo bone formation in the gap. CONCLUSIONS: There is a benefit by the CSA surface treatment of the TPS layer for osseointegration over an observation time up to 12 weeks. Significant differences were able to be shown in two direct comparisons between the CSA and the TPS surface for osteoid formation in the gap model. Further trials may reveal the benefit of the CSA treatment of the TPS layer involving mechanical tests if possible.

Interscalene plexus block versus general anaesthesia for shoulder surgery: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: This randomized clinical trial evaluates interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB), general anaesthesia (GA) and the combination of both anaesthetic methods (GA + ISB) in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. METHODS: From July 2011 until May 2012, 120 patients (male/female), aged 20-80 years, were allocated randomly to receive ISB (10 ml mepivacaine 1 % and 20 ml ropivacaine 0.375%), GA (propofol, sunfentanil, desflurane) or ISB + GA. The primary outcome variable was opioid consumption at the day of surgery. Anaesthesia times were analysed as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: After surgery, 27 of 40 patients with a single ISB bypassed the recovery room (p < 0.0001). Postoperative monitoring time was significantly shorter with single ISB compared with both other groups [GA: 93 (5-182) min vs. GA + ISB: 57.5 (11-220) min vs. ISB: 35 (5-106) min, p < 0.0001]. Opioid consumption was reduced using a single ISB at the day of surgery [GA: n = 25 vs. GA + ISB: n = 10 vs. ISB: n = 10, p = 0.0037]. CONCLUSION: ISB is superior to GA and GA + ISB in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy in terms of faster recovery and analgesics consumption.

Latissimus dorsi transfer: L'Episcopo versus Herzberg technique.

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results of two different techniques of latissimus dorsi transfer used in 28 patients, either a modified single incision mini-invasive Herzberg transfer (HT) or a combined latissimus dorsi and teres major transfer according to L'Episcopo (LE). Twenty-eight patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Minimum follow-up was 24 months. Sixteen patients were treated with the Herzberg transfer (HT group) and 12 patients had the L'Episcopo technique (LE group). The Constant score rose from 272 initially to 73.5 four years post-operatively in the LE group and from 32.2 to 76 three years and 3 months post-operatively in the HE group (statistically similar). The pre-operative acromiohumeral distance remained unchanged statistically. Radiological signs of osteoarthritis increased. Constant-Murley score, acromiohumeral distance and progression of rotator cuff tear arthropathy were not significantly different between the two groups.

Modified minimally invasive latissimus dorsi transfer in the treatment of massive rotator cuff tears: a two-year follow-up of 26 consecutive patients.

Since its inauguration by Gerber in 1988, the latissimus dorsi transfer has become an established surgical option for non-reconstructable, massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. We describe 26 consecutive patients, all of whom underwent a latissimus dorsi transfer using a modified single incision mini-invasive Herzberg transfer. The primary focus of this paper was to compare the applied clinical results of this new technique with the published results of the Gerber technique. Following transfer of the latissimus dorsi to restore external rotation, 26 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 60 +/- 18 years. The patients were examined after surgery at an average of 24 months (range: 12-41). The unweighted Constant score rose from 20 (range: 13-34) to 56 (range: 63-81). The acromiohumeral distance remained statistically unchanged from an initial value of 4.7 mm (1-9 mm) to a postoperative value of 4.8 (2-11 mm). In the Hamada classification the level of rotator cuff defect arthropathy increased from 1.7 (1-3) to 1.8 (1-3). On the basis of its low morbidity rate, the latissimus dorsi transfer in Herzberg's modified technique is a sensible alternative to the technique initially described by Gerber, especially when the initial situation exhibits pre-existing weakness of the deltoid muscle.