Anterior shoulder dislocation with avulsion fracture of the greater tuberosity results in reliable good outcomes after closed reduction.

Background: Avulsion of the greater tuberosity (GT) due to traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation (ASD) is a commonly observed fracture pattern. After closed reduction of the dislocated humerus, the GT typically reduces itself into its anatomic position enabling the patient to undergo conservative treatment. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review a consecutive series of patients with conservatively treated GT avulsion fractures after closed reduction of an ASD and analyze radiographic outcome, shoulder function and glenohumeral stability and the conversion rate to surgical treatment. Methods: All patients who underwent closed reduction of a GT avulsion fracture after ASD with the primary intention of conservative treatment between 2017 and 2022 were included. Complications (i.e. conversion to surgical treatment), shoulder function assessed with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and subjective shoulder value, instability assessed with the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability score, radiological impingement (greater tuberosity index = GTI and impingement index = II) and GT fracture pattern were assessed as outcome measurements. Results: A total of 29 patients (mean age 44 years, 27% female) with a mean follow-up of 32.6 (range, 8-96) months were enrolled. Seven patients (24%) underwent surgery due to secondary displacement (n = 4, 14%) or impingement symptoms (n = 3, 10%). All patients who underwent secondary surgery showed a multifragmentary fracture pattern of the GT. Shoulder stiffness (n = 7) and neuropraxia of the axillary nerve (n = 3) were observed temporarily and resolved during the follow-up period. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and subjective shoulder value of the conservatively treated patients at the last follow-up was 89.2 ± 19.1 respectively 86 ± 18.2%. No recurrent glenohumeral dislocation was documented. The mean Western Ontario Shoulder Instability score at last follow-up was 8(0-71). The mean GTI decreased from 1.2 ± 0.1 after ASD to 1.1 ± 0.1 at the last follow-up (P = .002). The mean II decreased from 0.6 ± 0.5 after ASD to 0.4 ± 0.3 at the last follow-up (P = .110). Conclusion: The GT avulsion fragment reduces typically into a close to anatomic position after closed reduction and the GTI even improves with further conservative treatment over time. Close radiological follow-up is necessary to rule out secondary displacement which occurs typically in a multifragmentary fracture pattern. Patients without the need for surgery showed good clinical outcomes without recurrence of glenohumeral instability.

Reversed total shoulder arthroplasty after acromioclavicular joint resection yields equivalent clinical results compared to a matched control group.

INTRODUCTION: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is a well-establish procedure with increasing incidence. Depending on the medical history, many patients undergo multiple soft-tissue procedures before RTSA. The role of acromioclavicular pathology as well as the consequences of a distal clavicle resection (DCR) before RTSA has not been evaluated yet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center review was performed on all patients undergoing primary RTSA with or without DCR with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. We compared patient-reported outcome measures (Constant score (CS), subjective shoulder values (SSV), and range of motion (ROM)) with a matched control group. The control group consisted of patients treated with a RTSA without DCR and matching was performed for age, sex, operating side, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), body mass index (BMI), and indication. Surgical time and complication rate were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with a mean follow-up of 63 months (SD 33) were enrolled in the study group. Mean age was 67 years (SD 7) with 44% male patients for both groups. The mean relative CS improved from 43% (SD 17) to 73% (SD 20) in the study group, and from 43% (18) to 73% (22) in the control group. The SSV improved from 29% (SD 17) to 63% (SD 29) in the study group, and from 28% (SD 16) to 69% (SD 26) in the control group (both n.s.). The postoperative ROM did not significantly differ between the two groups. Five patients in the study group and six in the control group had reoperations. CONCLUSION: Patients who received a DCR before RTSA showed equivalent clinical outcomes compared to a match-control group with RTSA only. Surgical time was not different, and no complication related to the open DCR was observed in the study group. Therefore, we conclude that a prior DCR does not influence the postoperative outcome after RTSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Retrospective comparative study.

Excessive femoral torsion is not associated with patellofemoral pain or instability if TKA is functionally aligned and the patella denervated.

PURPOSE: Recent data suggest that individual morphologic factors should be respected to restore preoperative patellofemoral alignment and thus reduce the likelihood of anterior knee pain. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of excessive femoral torsion (FT) on clinical outcome of TKA. METHODS: Patients who underwent TKA and complete preoperative radiographic evaluation including a long-leg radiograph and CT scan were included. 51 patients showed increased FT of > 20° and were matched for age/sex to 51 controls (FT < 20°). Thirteen patients were lost to follow-up. Thirty-eight matched pairs were compared after a 2 year follow-up clinically (Kujala and patellofemoral score for TKA) and radiographically (FT, frontal leg axis, TT-TG, patellar thickness, patellar tilt, and lateral displacement of patella). Functional alignment of TKA was performed (hybrid-technique). All patellae were denervated but no patella was resurfaced. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between clinical scores two years after surgery between patients with normal and excessive FT (n.s.). Kujala score was 64.3 ± 16.7 versus 64.8 ± 14.4 (n.s.), and patellofemoral score for TKA was 74.3 ± 21 versus 78.5 ± 20.7 (n.s.) for increased FT group and control group, respectively. There was no correlation between preoperative FT and clinical scores. Other radiographic parameters were similar between both groups. No correlations between clinical outcomes and preoperative/postoperative frontal leg axis or total leg axis correction were found (n.s.). CONCLUSION: If the leg axis deformity is corrected to a roughly neutral alignment during cemented TKA, including patellar denervation, then excessive FT was not associated with patellofemoral pain or instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective comparative study, level II.