Arthroscopic Joint Preservation in Severe Glenohumeral Arthritis Using Interpositional Human Dermal Allograft.

PURPOSE: To investigate the outcomes of arthroscopic glenoid resurfacing (AGR) for severe glenohumeral arthritis at short- to medium-term follow-up. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing AGR (2005-2013) with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up or until revision. Patients lost to follow-up and those included in a prior study were excluded. The indications for AGR were severe primary shoulder osteoarthritis without significant bone loss in younger, higher-demand patients. Outcome measures included revision, pain and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, and range of motion. Exact logistic regression was used to assess preoperative risk factors for revision. RESULTS: Forty-three shoulders with an average of 60 months' clinical follow-up underwent AGR. The rate of revision to prosthetic arthroplasty was 23% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12%-39%) after a mean of 45 months. The visual analog scale pain score (0-10) improved from a median of 7 to 2 (median difference [Δ], 4 [95% CI, 3-6]; P < .0001), representing pain relief similar to total shoulder arthroplasty in young patients. Improvements in the median ASES score (from 47 to 76; Δ, 28 [95% CI, 17-40]; P < .0001), active forward elevation (from 110° to 140°; Δ, 20° [95% CI, 10°-35°]; P < .0001), and active external rotation (from 0° to 20°; Δ, 10° [95% CI, 5°-20°]; P < .0001) were noted. The mean age of revised shoulders (60 years [95% CI, 54-66 years]) was higher than that of surviving shoulders (53 years [95% CI, 50-57 years], P = .005). The preoperative ASES score of revised shoulders (34 [95% CI, 27-42]) was lower than that of surviving shoulders (47 [95% CI, 43-51], P = .006). No complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: AGR with dermal allograft is a safe option for joint preservation in selected patients, provides pain relief, and has an acceptable rate of revision to prosthetic arthroplasty at short-term to midterm follow-up. Increased age and lower preoperative ASES score were risk factors for failure of AGR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

BiPOD Arthroscopic Acromioclavicular Repair Restores Bidirectional Stability.

Stabilizing the acromioclavicular joint in the vertical and horizontal planes is challenging, and most current techniques do not reliably achieve this goal. The BiPOD repair is an arthroscopically assisted procedure performed with image intensifier guidance that reconstructs the coracoclavicular ligaments as well as the acromioclavicular ligaments to achieve bidirectional stability. Repair is achieved with a combination of 2-mm FiberTape (Arthrex, Naples, Florida) and 20-mm Poly-Tape (Neoligaments, Leeds, England) to achieve rigid repair, prevent bone abrasion, and promote tissue ingrowth. This study is a prospective review of the first 6 patients treated for high-grade acute acromioclavicular injury with the BiPOD technique. The study included 6 men who were 21 to 36 years old (mean, 27 years). At 6-month follow-up, complications were recorded and radiographic analysis was used to determine the coracoclavicular distance for vertical reduction and the amount of acromioclavicular translation on the Alexander axillary view was used to determine horizontal reduction. One patient had a superficial infection over the tape knot. The difference in coracoclavicular distance between the operated side and the uninvolved side was 9±2 mm preoperatively and 0.3±2 mm at 6-month follow-up. On Alexander axillary view, all 6 patients showed stable reduction, which is defined as a clavicle that is in line with the acromion. The findings show that BiPOD acromioclavicular reconstruction restores bidirectional stability of the acromioclavicular joint at 6 months. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(1):e35-e43.].

Evaluation of functional outcomes and complications following modified Latarjet reconstruction in athletes with anterior shoulder instability.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of anterior shoulder instability in athletes continues to be a challenge. The present study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of athletes with anterior shoulder instability following modified Latarjet reconstruction through assessing the timing of return to sport and complications. METHODS: Retrospective assessment was performed of athletes (n = 56) who presented with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and were treated with modified congruent arc Latarjet reconstruction over a 1-year period. Rugby union was the predominant sport performed. Pre-operative instability severity index scores were assessed. Postoperative complications were recorded as was the time taken for the athlete to return to sport. RESULTS: Arthroscopic evaluation revealed that 86% of patients had associated bony lesions affecting the glenohumeral joint. The overall complication rate relating to the Latarjet reconstruction was 7%. No episodes of recurrent shoulder instability were noted. Of the patients, 89% returned to competitive sport at the same level as that prior to surgery. The mean time post surgery to returning to full training was 3.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: The modified congruent arc Latarjet procedure facilitates early rehabilitation and return to sport. These results support our systematic management protocol of performing modified Latarjet surgery in contact sport athletes with recurrent anterior instability.

Metal markers for radiographic visualization of rotator cuff margins: A new technique for radiographic assessment of cuff repair integrity.

Surgically repaired rotator cuff repairs may re-tear in the post-operative follow-up phase, and periodic imaging is useful for early detection. The authors describe a simple surgical technique that provides a visible clue to the tendon edge on an anteroposterior radiograph of the shoulder. The technique involves arthroscopic or mini-open radio-opaque tagging of the tendon edge using a metal marker, and followed by a double-row rotator cuff repair using suture anchors. Serial post-operative radiographs may then be used to monitor the position of the marker. Progressive or marked displacement of the marker suggests a failure of cuff repair integrity and should be evaluated further.

Biomechanical comparison of indirect and direct arthroscopic excision of the distal clavicle.

The purpose of this study was to compare the stability and force of ultimate failure of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) after direct arthroscopic distal clavicle excision (DCE) through superior portals and indirect arthroscopic DCE through inferior portals in paired cadaveric shoulders. Ten paired saline-embalmed cadaveric shoulders were operated alternatively using the indirect and direct technique. Biomechanical testing was performed in the horizontal plane, testing displacement at 15N and 30N and finally failure strength was measured testing the constructs until failure occurred. There was a significant difference in failure strength with the direct DCE being stronger: 766.6 N (SD 233.5) against 5403 N (SD 239.1) for the indirect DCE, p = 0.01334). There was no statistical difference for the displacement measured at 15N and 30N. A direct DCE will result in a postoperative ACJ with greater ultimate failure strength compared to indirect DCE because the inferior ACJ capsule can be better preserved.

Recurrent anterior shoulder instability: accuracy of estimations of glenoid bone loss with computed tomography is insufficient for therapeutic decision-making.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability of glenoid bone loss estimations based on either axial computed tomography (CT) series or single sagittal ("en face" to glenoid) CT reconstructions, and to assess their accuracy by comparing with actual CT-based bone loss measurements, in patients with anterior glenohumeral instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In two separate series of patients diagnosed with recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability, glenoid bone loss was estimated on axial CT series and on the most lateral sagittal (en face) glenoid view by two blinded radiologists. Additionally, in the second series of patients, glenoid defects were measured on sagittal CT reconstructions by an independent observer. RESULTS: In both series, larger defects were estimated when based on sagittal CT images compared to axial views. In the second series, mean measured bone loss was 11.5% (SD = 6.0) of the total original glenoid area, with estimations of 9.6% (SD = 7.2) and 7.8% (SD = 4.2) for sagittal and axial views, respectively. Correlations of defect estimations with actual measurements were fair to poor; glenoid defects tended to be underestimated, especially when based on axial views. CONCLUSION: CT-based estimations of glenoid bone defects are inaccurate. Especially for axial views, there is a high chance of glenoid defect underestimation. When using glenoid bone loss quantification in therapeutic decision-making, measuring the defect instead of estimating is strongly advised.

Video analysis of the mechanisms of shoulder dislocation in four elite rugby players.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder injuries are common in rugby, with the most severe match injury being shoulder dislocation and instability. A limitation of epidemiological studies is that the injury information is based on player interviews after the injury or reports from the medical staff. The objective of this study is to describe the specific injury mechanisms for shoulder dislocation using video recordings in a consecutive series of 4 elite male rugby players who sustained an episode of shoulder dislocation during an official match. METHODS: Videotapes were reviewed to identify the mechanism of the injury. The incidents, including the play leading up to each incident, were analysed. A shoulder dislocation mechanism score was developed to describe the injury mechanism and the events leading up to the injury. RESULTS: For all the athletes, player-to-player contact was responsible for the shoulder dislocation. Three of the four injuries resulted from trauma with the elbow in an extended position forcing the shoulder to exceed the limits of the normal range of motion, causing anterior shoulder dislocation. One injury resulted from trauma with the elbow in a flexed position and the direction of the injuring force along the longitudinal axis of the humerus causing posterior shoulder dislocation. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence that thorough video analysis can provide detailed information about the mechanisms of shoulder dislocation in elite rugby players. Knowledge of the common mechanisms of injuries in these athletes may potentially lead to improved sports technique to attempt to reduce the occurrence of shoulder dislocations. Further studies with a larger number of patients are required to better clarify the exact mechanism of shoulder dislocation in rugby players, and how these results may be applied in training and matches to prevent shoulder dislocation in elite rugby players.

Glenoid bone defects--open latarjet with congruent arc modification.

Recurrent anterior shoulder instability is commonly associated with glenoid bone defects. When the defect is significant, bony reconstruction is typically necessary. The congruent arc modification of the Latarjet procedure uses the concavity of the undersurface of the coracoid to optimally reconstruct the glenoid. Outcomes are maximized and complications minimized.

Arthroscopic debridement and biological resurfacing of the glenoid in glenohumeral arthritis.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the intermediate-term results of an arthroscopic procedure to debride and resurface the arthritic glenoid, in a middle-aged population, using an acellular human dermal scaffold. Between 2003 and 2005, thirty-two consecutive patients underwent an arthroscopic debridement and biological glenoid resurfacing for glenohumeral arthritis. The diagnoses included primary osteoarthrosis (28 patients), arthritis after arthroscopic reconstruction for anterior instability (1 patient) and inflammatory arthritis (3 patients). All shoulders were assessed clinically using the Constant and Murley score, and results graded according to Neer's criteria. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant parameters and associations. A significant improvement (P < 0.0001) in each parameter of the subjective evaluation component (severity of pain, limitation in daily living and recreational activities) of the Constant score was observed. The Constant and Murley score increased significantly (P < 0.0001) from a median of 40 points (range 26-63) pre-operatively to 64.5 (range 19-84) at the final assessment. Overall, the procedure was considered as "successful outcome" in 23 patients (72%) and as a "failure" in 9 patients (28%). According to Neer's criteria, the result was categorized as excellent in 9 (28%), satisfactory in 14 (44%) and unsatisfactory in 9 (28%). Within the unsatisfactory group, there were five conversions to prosthetic arthroplasty. A standard magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 22 patients in the successful outcome group; glenoid cartilage was identified in 12 (thick in 5, intermediate in 1, thin in 6) and could not be identified in 10 patients (complete/incomplete loss in 5, technical difficulties in 5). Overall, five complications included transient axillary nerve paresis, foreign-body reaction to biological material, inter-layer dissociation, mild chronic non-specific synovitis and post-traumatic contusion. Dominance of affected extremity and generalized disease (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, generalized osteoarthritis) was associated with an unsatisfactory outcome (P < 0.05). Arthroscopic debridement and biological resurfacing of the glenoid is a minimally invasive therapeutic option for pain relief, functional improvement and patient satisfaction, in glenohumeral osteoarthritis, in the intermediate-term.

An anatomic study of inferior glenohumeral recess portals: comparative anatomy at risk.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the musculotendinous relations and neurologic structures at risk during establishment of posterior portals for access to the inferior glenohumeral recess (IGHR). METHODS: Three 18-gauge spinal needles were used to establish 2 posteroinferior portals and 1 axillary pouch portal in 14 embalmed cadaveric shoulders, without joint distention and arthroscopic visualization. At dissection, musculotendinous structures traversed by the needles were recorded, and distances from the (1) axillary nerve (at the deltoid undersurface, quadrangular space, and capsule), (2) nerve to teres minor (at the inferior border of the teres minor muscle and at the capsule), and (3) suprascapular nerve were measured. Additional parameters studied included the vertical distances between the acromion and IGHR and between the acromion and axillary nerve. Statistical analysis (multiple comparisons procedure) was performed to compare relative portal safety. RESULTS: The mean distance of the axillary pouch portal to the 3 nerves, at each level, was greater than that of the posteroinferior portals. In 1 specimen (7.1%), the posteroinferior portal tracts were in close proximity (within 2 mm) to the axillary nerve and its branch to the teres minor. The distance of the axillary pouch portal to the nerves was significantly greater (P < .05) at every level, except at the deltoid undersurface. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that posterior portal techniques described for access to the IGHR are safe; the risk of axillary nerve injury with posteroinferior portals is low, though possible. The axillary pouch portal is relatively farther away from the neurologic structures and provides safer access to the same region. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Arthroscopic procedures that require access to the IGHR can be safely performed with posteroinferior and axillary pouch portals. The axillary pouch portal may be used preferentially for this access because it is placed farthest from the neurologic structures.

Direct arthroscopy of the bicipital groove: a new approach to evaluation and treatment of bicipital groove and biceps tendon pathology.

Assessment of the intra-articular and intertubercular regions of the long tendon of the biceps forms an important aspect of routine glenohumeral arthroscopic examination. We describe a new technique of direct visualization of the bicipital groove and tendon by positioning the arthroscope in linear alignment with the bicipital groove. A 4.5-mm cannula is introduced through a superior-medial (Neviaser) portal, into the glenohumeral joint, parallel and adjacent to the superior aspect of the biceps tendon, and is used as a viewing portal. The arm is then positioned in abduction, external rotation, and forward flexion, to align the groove with the arthroscope, thereby attempting to "look down the groove." The biceps tendon, as well as the structures forming its medial and lateral pulleys, can be evaluated from the glenohumeral and intertubercular aspects. A greater length of the medial and lateral lips and the floor and roof of the bicipital groove can be visualized by advancing the arthroscope deeper within the groove. A fat pad along the lateral wall of the groove serves as an anatomic landmark to limit dissection in this region, thereby preventing damage to the anterolateral ascending branch of the anterior circumflex artery. An extension of this technique, to facilitate instrumentation for arthroscopic biceps tenodesis, is described.

The sensory branch distribution of the suprascapular nerve: an anatomic study.

The suprascapular nerve is responsible for most of the sensory innervation to the shoulder joint and is potentially at risk during surgery. In this study, 31 shoulders in 22 cadavers were dissected to investigate the sensory innervation of the shoulder joint by the suprascapular nerve, with special reference to its sensory branches. In 27 shoulders (87.1%), a small sensory branch was observed that splits off from the main stem of the suprascapular nerve proximal (48.2%), inferior (40.7%), or distal (11.1%) to the transverse scapular ligament. This percentage is considerably higher than has been previously found. In 74.2% of the shoulders, an acromial branch was also found, originating just proximal to the scapular neck, running to the infraspinatus tendon. These cadaveric results indicate that sensory branches to the shoulder joint are more common and numerous than previously described and therefore should be considered in shoulder surgery and nerve blocks to this area.

The axillary pouch portal: a new posterior portal for visualization and instrumentation in the inferior glenohumeral recess.

Arthroscopic access to the inferior glenohumeral recess is necessary in several surgical procedures on the shoulder. Posteroinferior portals described for access to this region may pose a theoretic risk to the posterior neurovascular structures (outside-in technique) and to the articular cartilage (inside-out technique). The first author (D.N.B.) has devised a new posterior portal that permits direct linear access to the entire inferior glenohumeral recess. The portal is placed higher and more lateral compared with the previously described portals; this places it further away from the posterior neurovascular structures and facilitates linear access to the axillary pouch. The portal is created via an outside-inside technique, with a spinal needle to ascertain the correct portal site and angulation. The portal is placed at a mean distance of 20.45 +/- 4.9 mm (range, 15 to 35 mm) directly inferior to the lower border of the posterolateral acromial angle and 21.3 +/- 2 mm (range, 20 to 25 mm) lateral to the posterior viewing portal. The spinal needle or cannula is angulated medially at a mean of 30.6 degrees +/- 4.7 degrees (range, 25 degrees to 40 degrees ) in the axial plane and slightly inferiorly (mean, 2 degrees ; range, 20 degrees superiorly to 20 degrees inferiorly). Use of 30 degrees and 70 degrees arthroscopes through the axillary pouch portal facilitates visualization of the entire recess and of the humeral attachment of the inferior glenohumeral ligament complex for evaluation of humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament lesions. The portal also permits instrumentation in combination with the standard posterior or anterosuperior viewing portal for removal of loose bodies, synovectomy, capsular shrinkage, capsulotomy, and anchor placement in the posteroinferior glenoid rim.

Transfer of segmentally split pectoralis major for the treatment of irreparable rupture of the subscapularis tendon.

Irreparable ruptures of the subscapularis tendon represent a difficult surgical problem. An accepted treatment has been to utilize the pectoralis major as a transfer, using the superior half of the tendon, which involves parts of both the sternal and clavicular heads of the muscle. We undertook an anatomic study to investigate the possibility of using a segmentally split pectoralis transfer of the sternal portion alone, which may provide a transfer with a vector more closely matching that of the functioning subscapularis muscle. From 22 dissected cadaveric shoulders, it was possible in all cases to obtain a segmentally split tendon suitable for transfer. We describe the morphology of the pectoralis major musculotendinous unit and neurovascular structures pertinent to the performance of a safe and effective transfer.