A comparison of the functional results and costs of functional cast and volar-flexion ulnar deviation cast at 2-year follow-up in 105 patients aged 65 and older with dorsally displaced distal radius fracture: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Non-operative treatment is the most common treatment option for older patients with distal radius fracture (DRF). Traditionally, wrists have been placed in volar-flexion and ulnar deviation position (VFUDC). In recent years, there has been a trend towards using a functional position cast (FC). However, long-term results for these different casting positions are lacking. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized, controlled, prospective study evaluates the functional results and costs of the 2 casting positions in patients 65 and older with DRF. Primary end point in this study was Patient-Reported Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) at 24 months, and secondary end points were cost-effectiveness of treatment, health-related quality of life measurement (15D), short version of Disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand score (QuickDASH), and VAS at 24 months. The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02894983, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02894983). RESULTS: We enrolled 105 patients, of which 81 (77%) continued until 24-month follow-up. 8 patients (18%) were operated in the VFUDC group and 4 (11%) in the FC group. Patients in the VFUDC group also received more frequent physical therapy. The difference in PRWE score between the VFUDC and FC groups at 24 months was -4.31. The difference in the cost of treatment per patient was €590. Both findings favored FC. INTERPRETATION: We found a slight, but consistent difference in the functional results between groups. These results suggest that VFUDC is not superior to FC when treating Colles' type DRF. Cost analysis revealed overall costs in the VFUDC group are nearly double those in the FC group, mostly due to more physical therapy, additional visits to hospital, and additional examinations. Therefore, we recommend FC in older patients with Colles' type DRF.

Arthroscopic Bankart versus open Latarjet as a primary operative treatment for traumatic anteroinferior instability in young males: a randomised controlled trial with 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the success rates of arthroscopic Bankart and open Latarjet procedure in the treatment of traumatic shoulder instability in young males. DESIGN: Multicentre randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Orthopaedic departments in eight public hospitals in Finland. PARTICIPANTS: 122 young males, mean age 21 years (range 16-25 years) with traumatic shoulder anteroinferior instability were randomised. INTERVENTIONS: Arthroscopic Bankart (group B) or open Latarjet (group L) procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the reported recurrence of instability, that is, dislocation at 2-year follow-up. The secondary outcome measures included clinical apprehension, sports activity level, the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index, the pain Visual Analogue Scale, the Oxford Shoulder Instability Score, the Constant Score and the Subjective Shoulder Value scores and the progression of osteoarthritic changes in plain films and MRI. RESULTS: 91 patients were available for analyses at 2-year follow-up (drop-out rate 25%). There were 10 (21%) patients with redislocations in group B and 1 (2%) in group L, p=0.006. One (9%) patient in group B and five (56%) patients in group L returned to their previous top level of competitive sports (p=0.004) at follow-up. There was no statistically significant between group differences in any of the other secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic Bankart operation carries a significant risk for short-term postoperative redislocations compared with open Latarjet operation, in the treatment of traumatic anteroinferior instability in young males. Patients should be counselled accordingly before deciding the surgical treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01998048.

Radiographic geometry and clinical glenohumeral range of motion after reverse shoulder athroplasty, a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The range of motion (ROM) in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), is mechanically limited by the surrounding bony obstacles especially in abduction and rotation planes. However, the clinical effect of implant positioning, prosthesis design, and individual differences in bone morphology, on ROM is obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between radiographic geometry and clinical glenohumeral (GH) ROM after RSA. METHODS: RSA patients operated at Turku University Hospital during 2007-2013 were called for radiological and clinical follow-up. Pre- and postoperative true anteroposterior radiographs were obtained and the positioning of the center of rotation (COR) in relation to the surrounding bony structures was measured. Active and passive shoulder and GH abduction, flexion, internal and external rotation ROM were measured with goniometer. The Constant score (CS) and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded. The correlation between the radiographically measured parameters and the active and passive ROM and clinical outcome was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: 91 shoulders were available for analyses with a mean follow-up of 38.7 months ± SD 20 (range 12-83) months. 77% of the patients were female, the mean age was 73 (SD 9) years. The mean angle between the line of supraspinatus fossa, and the line between COR and lateral edge of the acromion (α-angle) was 127° (SD 14) and the mean angle between the lines from lateral edge of the acromion to COR, and from there to the superior edge of the greater tubercle (ß-angle) was 54° (SD 11). The mean active shoulder flexion at follow-up was 118° (SD 26), abduction 104° (SD 32), external rotation 41° (SD 22), internal rotation 77° (SD 21). The mean passive GH flexion was 80° (SD 19), abduction 67° (SD 15), external rotation 31° (SD 16) and internal rotation 34° (SD 14). The mean Constant score at follow-up was 53 (SD 18) and pain VAS 2 (SD 3). The positioning of the radiographically measured COR did not statistically significantly correlate with the ROM or clinical outcome scores. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative radiographically measured two-dimensional geometry and positioning of the COR does not significantly correlate with the glenohumeral range of motion or clinical results after RSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3, retrospective cohort study.

Operative versus conservative treatment of small, nontraumatic supraspinatus tears in patients older than 55 years: over 5-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Nontraumatic rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder problem that can be treated either conservatively or operatively. In the previous publications of the 1- and 2-year results of this trial, we found no significant between-group clinical differences. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in mid-term clinical and radiologic outcomes in patients older than 55 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty shoulders with symptomatic, nontraumatic supraspinatus tears were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 cumulatively designed treatment groups: physiotherapy (group 1); acromioplasty and physiotherapy (group 2); and rotator cuff repair, acromioplasty, and physiotherapy (group 3). The change in the Constant score was the primary outcome measure. The secondary outcome measures were the change in the visual analog scale score for pain and patient satisfaction. Radiologic analysis included evaluation of glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) and rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). RESULTS: A total of 150 shoulders (mean age, 71 years) were available for analysis after a mean follow-up period of 6.2 years. The mean sagittal tear size of the supraspinatus tendon tear at baseline was 10 mm in all groups (P = .33). During follow-up, 8 shoulders in group 1 and 2 shoulders in group 2 crossed over to rotator cuff repair. The mean baseline Constant score was 57.1, 58.2, and 58.7 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P = .85). There were no significant differences (P = .84) in the mean change in the Constant score: 18.5 in group 1, 17.9 in group 2, and 20.0 in group 3. There were no statistically significant differences in the change in the visual analog scale pain score (P = .74) and patient satisfaction (P = .83). At follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences in the mean progression of glenohumeral OA (P = .538) or CTA (P = .485) among the groups. However, the mean progression of glenohumeral OA from baseline to follow-up was statistically significant in the trial population (P = .0045). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this study, operative treatment is no better than conservative treatment regarding small, nontraumatic, single-tendon supraspinatus tears in patients older than 55 years. Operative treatment does not protect against degeneration of the glenohumeral joint or CTA. Conservative treatment is a reasonable option for the primary initial treatment of these tears.

Trends of shoulder instability surgery in Finland: a nationwide register study.

OBJECTIVE: Rate of shoulder instability surgery (SIS) has increased in different specific populations. We analysed nationwide trend of SIS in adults in Finland between 1997 and 2014. DESIGN: A retrospective register study. SETTING: National Hospital Discharge Register of Finland. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 22 550 adult patients with SIS in Finland (1997-2014). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis included appropriate diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases 10) and procedure coding combinations applicable for SIS. The primary outcome variable was the incidence of SIS per 100 000 person-years, and the secondary outcomes were the study year, sex, age groups (18-29, 30-49 and over 50 years of age) and the type of hospital (public or private). RESULTS: The overall nationwide rate of SIS in adults increased 177% between 1997 and 2014 in Finland. The rate was the lowest (13/100 000 person-years) in 1997, and the peak rate (40/100 000 person-years) was noted in 2007. The increase in rate was rapid between 1997 and 2007, after which the rate became stable. During the study period, the highest increases were noted in the young adults age group (270%), and especially in the middle-aged group who were operated on in private hospitals (930%). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of SIS increased almost threefold in Finland from 1997 to 2014. The increase was most significant in young and middle-aged adults (18-50 years), in men, and in private hospitals.

Effectiveness of supervised physiotherapy after arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstruction: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of supervised physiotherapy after rotator cuff surgery is unclear. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of supervised physiotherapy after arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstruction. METHODS: Eighty patients with full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears were randomly assigned to either supervised physiotherapy or home exercises only. The primary outcome measure was the Constant score at 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were available for analyses at 1-year follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in the primary outcome between the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Supervised physiotherapy after arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstruction does not provide additional benefit compared with home exercises alone at 1-year follow-up.

Bankart versus Latarjet operation as a revision procedure after a failed arthroscopic Bankart repair.

BACKGROUND: An arthroscopic Bankart operation is the most common operative procedure to treat shoulder instability. In case of recurrence, both Bankart and Latarjet procedures are used as revision procedures. The purpose of this study was to compare the re-recurrence rate of instability and clinical results after arthroscopic revision Bankart and open revision Latarjet procedures following failed primary arthroscopic Bankart operations. METHODS: Consecutive patients operatively treated for shoulder instability at Turku University Hospital between 2002 and 2013 were analyzed. Patients who underwent a primary arthroscopic Bankart operation followed by a recurrence of instability and underwent a subsequent arthroscopic Bankart or open Latarjet revision operation with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up were called in for a follow-up evaluation. The re-recurrence of instability, Subjective Shoulder Value, and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index were assessed. RESULTS: Of 69 patients, 48 (dropout rate, 30%) were available for follow-up. Recurrent instability symptoms occurred in 13 patients (43%) after the revision Bankart procedure and none after the revision Latarjet procedure. A statistically and clinically significant difference in the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index was found between the patients after the revision Bankart and revision Latarjet operations (68% and 88%, respectively; P = .0166). CONCLUSIONS: The redislocation rate after an arthroscopic revision Bankart operation is high. Furthermore, patient-reported outcomes remain poor after a revision Bankart procedure compared with a revision Latarjet operation. We propose that in cases of recurring instability after a failed primary Bankart operation, an open Latarjet revision should be considered.

Two casting methods compared in patients with Colles' fracture: A pragmatic, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures are common fractures and the cornerstone of treatment remains immobilization of the wrist in a cast. At present, there is a scarcity of studies that compare different cast immobilization methods. The objective of the study was therefore to compare volar-flexion and ulnar deviation cast to functional cast position in the treatment of dorsally displaced distal radius fracture among elderly patients. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We performed a pragmatic, randomized, controlled trial in three emergency centers in Finland. After closed reduction of the fracture, the wrist was placed in either volar-flexion and ulnar deviation cast or functional cast position. The follow-up was 12 months. The primary outcome was patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) score at 12 months. The secondary outcomes were Quick-DASH score, grip strength, health-related quality of life (15D), and pain catastrophizing scale. The number of complications was also recorded. In total, 105 participants were included in the study. Of these, 88% were female and the mean age was 73.5 (range 65-94) years. In the primary analysis, the mean difference in patient-rated wrist evaluation measure between groups was -4.9 (95% CI: -13.1.- 3.4., p = .24) in favor of the functional cast position. Operative treatment due to loss of reduction of fracture was performed for four patients (8%) in the FC group and for seven patients (13%) in the volar-flexion and ulnar deviation cast group (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.16-2.1). CONCLUSION: In this study, the data were consistent with a wide range of treatment effects when comparing two different cast positions in the treatment of distal radius fracture among elderly patients at 12-month follow-up. However, the functional cast is more likely to be superior when compared to volar-flexion and ulnar deviation cast. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02894983 Accessible: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02894983.

Low risk of revision after reverse shoulder arthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has gained popularity in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures (PHFs), especially in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of RSA implants for acute PHFs and risk of revision, as well as risk factors for revision. METHODS: RSA implants for acute PHFs were identified from the Nordic Arthroplasty Register Association registry data from 2004 to 2016. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate implant survival. Cox multiple regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted revision rate for sex, age, country of operation, and year of surgery. RESULTS: The study included 1523 RSA implants for PHFs (84% women; average age, 77 years; average follow-up time, 2.5 years). The 5-year cumulative implant survival rate was 97% (confidence limits, 95.5% and 98%). Revision was performed for 33 implants (2%). The most common reason for revision was instability, occurring in 11 cases (0.7%), followed by fracture, occurring in 6 (0.4%), and infection, occurring in 5 (0.3%). Four different arthroplasty brands were used in this cohort, with the Delta Xtend in two-thirds of cases (n = 1025). Age younger than 60 years and male sex were associated with slightly higher rates of revision; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance (hazard ratio of 2.02 with P = .075 and hazard ratio of 3.23 with P = .057, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of RSA for acute PHFs is increasing in the Nordic countries. The short-term risk of revision is low. The main reason for revision of RSA for this indication is instability.

Acute kidney injury following hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture causes disability and excess mortality in the aging population. Acute kidney injury (AKI), is known to diminish survival of critically ill and trauma patients. AKI is also a common perioperative complication among surgical patients. We examined the effect of AKI on the survival of hip fracture patients in a Finnish hip fracture population and the risk factors for AKI in a prospective study. METHODS: The study cohort constituted of 486 consecutive low-energy trauma hip fracture patients referred to Satakunta Central Hospital (Pori, Finland) and Turku University Hospital (Turku, Finland). The patients underwent standard diagnostics and treatment in the emergency department (ER) and were operated according to the local treatment protocol. Serum creatinine (sCr) was analyzed daily pre- and post-operatively during the hospital stay. Patients were divided into groups; AKI and non-AKI based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. RESULTS: The incidence of AKI in the study cohort was 8.4% (40/475). Eleven patients were excluded due to missing sCr data. The baseline characteristics of AKI and non-AKI groups differed significantly concerning baseline sCr but were otherwise similar. At 90-day follow-up, the overall mortality was 14.4%. Patients with AKI had a significantly higher mortality (35.0%) than those with no AKI (12.7%) (p < 0.001). Dementia, preoperative sCr and any stage of AKI were independent predictors for mortality. Dementia and preoperative sCr were independently associated with post-operative AKI. CONCLUSION: In this study AKI was a significant factor associated with a 3 -fold mortality during the first three months after surgery for low-energy trauma hip fracture.

Acute Cuff Tear Repair Trial (ACCURATE): protocol for a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial on the efficacy of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

INTRODUCTION: Rotator cuff tear is a very common and disabling condition that can be related to acute trauma. Rotator cuff tear surgery is a well-established form of treatment in acute rotator cuff tears. Despite its widespread use and almost a gold standard position, the efficacy of an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is still unknown. The objective of this trial is to investigate the difference in outcome between arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and inspection of the shoulder joint defined as placebo surgery in patients 45-70 years of age with an acute rotator tear related to trauma. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Acute Cuff Tear Repair Trial (ACCURATE) is a randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre efficacy trial with sample size of 180 patients. Concealed allocation is done in 1:1 ratio. The randomisation is stratified according to participating hospital, gender and baseline Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC). Both groups receive the same standardised postoperative treatment and physiotherapy. The primary outcome measure is the change in WORC score from baseline to 2-year follow-up. Secondary outcome measures include Constant-Murley Score, the Numerical Rating Scale for pain, subjective patient satisfaction and the health-related quality of life instrument 15 dimensions (15D). Patients and outcome assessors are blinded from the allocated intervention. The primary analysis of results will be conducted according to intention-to-treat analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol for this clinical trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland and Regional Ethics Committee in Linköping Sweden and Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics South East in Norway. Every recruiting centre will apply local research approvals. The results of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02885714; Pre-results.

Increasing incidence of primary shoulder arthroplasty in Finland - a nationwide registry study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of shoulder arthroplasties is reportedly increasing and the types of arthroplasty are changing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of primary shoulder arthroplasty in Finland. METHODS: We analyzed nationwide data from the Finnish Arthroplasty Register (FAR) and the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register (NHDR) during time period 2004-2015. The primary outcome variable was the incidence of shoulder arthroplasty per 100,000 person-years stratified by age, sex and year of surgery. The secondary outcome variables were surgical indication, arthroplasty type and prosthesis model. RESULTS: The number of primary shoulder arthroplasties was 7504 (women = 4878, men = 2625). The rate of operations increased from 6 to 15 per 100,000 person-years among men, and 11 to 26 per 100,000 person-years among women. The indication for arthroplasty was osteoarthritis in 56%, acute fracture in 21%, inflammatory arthritis in 13%, and rotator cuff arthropathy in 4% of the cases. Hemiarthroplasties accounted for 66%, total shoulder arthroplasties 8%, and reverse shoulder arthroplasties 12% of the cases, 14% of the cases was missing. During the 12-year study period the incidence of hemiarthroplasties decreased by 23% and the number of total shoulder and reverse shoulder arthroplasty increased by 500 and 4500%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of primary shoulder arthroplasty has increased by 160% during the study period in Finland. The incidence of hemiarthroplasties decreased while total and reverse shoulder arthroplasties increased.

Nordic Innovative Trial to Evaluate OsteoPorotic Fractures (NITEP-group): non-operative treatment versus surgery with volar locking plate in the treatment of distal radius fracture in patients aged 65 and over - a study protocol for a prospective, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In the literature, there are numerous studies that compare different surgical procedures in the treatment of distal radius fractures (DRF). It is, however, unknown whether operative treatment and better restoration of anatomy with volar locking plate yields a better functional outcome in the elderly population when compared with non-operative treatment. METHODS AND DESIGN: This study is a prospective, randomized, controlled, multi-center trial. The purpose will be to compare the non-operative and operative treatment of initially or early malaligned distal radius fractures in patients aged 65 and older. The primary outcome in this study will be the patient rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) score measured after 1 and 2 years. DISCUSSION: We expect that initial operative treatment of a DRF with volar locking plate will not yield superior results when compared with non-operative treatment with cast immobilization in terms of functional outcome, pain, disability, quality of life, grip strength, and number of complications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov , identifier NCT02879656 , registration date 08/17/2016.

Comparison of volar-flexion, ulnar-deviation and functional position cast immobilization in the non-operative treatment of distal radius fracture in elderly patients: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are the second most common fractures, after hip fractures, seen in clinical practice. The high incidence of low-energy trauma DRFs in elderly patients raises questions about the best treatment method in terms of function, pain, and quality of life. Although the majority of these fractures are treated non-operatively with cast immobilization, valid scientific evidence of the optimal cast immobilization is lacking. In addition, several publications, including Cochrane review have outlined the need for more evidence to determine the most appropriate method of cast immobilization. METHODS: This study is a pragmatic, prospective, randomized, multi-centre trial. The trial is designed to compare two widely used cast positions (volar flexion-ulnar deviation position and functional position) for the non-operative treatment of DRF in patients over 64 years of age. The main hypothesis of the trial is that function position yields corresponding functional outcome, pain relief and quality of life when compared to the volar flexion-ulnar deviation position. The primary outcome measure is Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score and the secondary outcome measures will be the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), 15-dimensional (15D) value and rate of surgical interventions. The results of the trial will be analysed after 1 and 2-years. DISCUSSION: This publication presents a prospective, pragmatic, randomized, national multi-centre trial study protocol. It provides details of patient flow, randomization, follow-up and methods of analysis of the material as well as publication plan. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02894983 22 August 2016.

Surgery or conservative treatment for rotator cuff tear: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Comparative evidence on treating rotator cuff tear is inconclusive. The objective of this review was to evaluate the evidence on effectiveness of tendon repair in reducing pain and improving function of the shoulder when compared with conservative treatment of symptomatic rotator cuff tear. METHOD: Search on CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and Pedro databases. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing surgery and conservative treatment of rotator cuff tear. Study selection and extraction based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic reviews of Interventions. Random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Three identified RCTs involved 252 participants (123 cases and 129 controls). The risk of bias was considered low for all three RCTs. For Constant score, statistically insignificant effect size was 5.6 (95% CI -0.41 to 11.62) points in 1-year follow up favouring surgery and below the level of minimal clinically important difference. The respective difference in pain reduction was -0.93 (95% CI -1.65 to -0.21) cm on a 0-10 pain visual analogue scale favouring surgery. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.012) in 1-year follow up but below the level of minimal clinically important difference. CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence that surgery is not more effective in treating rotator cuff tear than conservative treatment alone. Thus, a conservative approach is advocated as the initial treatment modality. Implications for Rehabilitation There is limited evidence that surgery is not more effective in treating rotator cuff tear than conservative treatment alone. There was no clinically significant difference between surgery and active physiotherapy in 1-year follow-up in improving Constant score or reducing pain caused by rotator cuff tear. As physiotherapy is less proneness to complications and less expensive than surgery, a conservative approach is advocated as the initial treatment modality to rotator cuff tears.

Treatment of Nontraumatic Rotator Cuff Tears: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Two Years of Clinical and Imaging Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for symptomatic, nontraumatic rotator cuff tear is unknown. The purpose of this trial was to compare the effectiveness of physiotherapy, acromioplasty, and rotator cuff repair for this condition. We hypothesized that rotator cuff repair yields superior results compared with other treatment modalities. METHODS: One hundred and eighty shoulders with symptomatic, nontraumatic, supraspinatus tears were randomized into one of three cumulatively designed intervention groups: the physiotherapy-only group (denoted as Group 1), the acromioplasty and physiotherapy group (denoted as Group 2), and the rotator cuff repair, acromioplasty, and physiotherapy group (denoted as Group 3). The Constant score was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were visual analog scale for pain, patient satisfaction, rotator cuff integrity in a control imaging investigation, and cost of treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-seven shoulders (160 patients) were available for analysis at two years. There were no significant differences (p = 0.38) in the mean change of Constant score: 18.4 points (95% confidence interval, 14.2 to 22.6 points) in Group 1, 20.5 points (95% confidence interval, 16.4 to 24.6 points) in Group 2, and 22.6 points (95% confidence interval, 18.4 to 26.8 points) in Group 3. There were no significant differences in visual analog scale for pain scores (p = 0.45) and patient satisfaction (p = 0.28) between the groups. At two years, the mean sagittal size of the tendon tear was significantly smaller (p < 0.01) in Group 3 (4.2 mm) compared with Groups 1 and 2 (11.0 mm). Rotator cuff repair and acromioplasty were significantly more expensive than physiotherapy only (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in clinical outcome between the three interventions at the two-year follow-up. The potential progression of the rotator cuff tear, especially in the non-repaired treatment groups, warrants further follow-up. On the basis of our findings, conservative treatment is a reasonable option for the primary initial treatment for isolated, symptomatic, nontraumatic, supraspinatus tears in older patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The effect of tear size on the treatment outcome of operatively treated rotator cuff tears.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the tear size and the short-term clinical outcome of rotator cuff reconstruction. The hypothesis was that the size of the rotator cuff tear has a direct negative correlation with post-operative clinical outcome. METHODS: Five hundred and seventy-six consecutive shoulders with a primarily arthroscopically treated full-thickness rotator cuff tear were followed up. Rotator cuff tear size (anteroposterior dimension) was measured intraoperatively with an arthroscopic measuring probe. The Constant score was used as an outcome measure and was measured pre-operatively and 1-year post-operatively. RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty-nine patients (99 %) were available for 1-year follow-up. The mean age of patients was 59.6 (SD 9.6) years. There were 225 (40 %) female and 344 (60 %) male patients. The mean size of the rotator cuff tear was 25 mm (SD 18). The mean pre- and post-operative Constant score was 52.3 (SD 17.4) and 74.2 (SD 15.5), respectively (p < 0.0001). The intraoperatively detected tear size correlated significantly with the pre-operative Constant score (r = -0.20, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, there was even stronger and significant correlation between the tear size and the final post-operative Constant score (r = -0.36, p < 0.0001). The correlation was similar between the genders, but the Constant scores were significantly lower in women (p < 0.0001). The lowest scores were detected in tears with infraspinatus tendon involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The size of the rotator cuff tear linearly correlates with the Constant scores both pre- and post-operatively. The outcome of rotator cuff reconstruction is strongly related to the intraoperatively detected tear size. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective comparative register study, Level III.

Adverse reaction to metal debris after ReCap-M2A-Magnum large-diameter-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The clinical findings of adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD) following large-diameter-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (LDH MoM THA) may include periarticular fluid collections, soft tissue masses, and gluteal muscle necrosis. The ReCap-M2a-Magnum LDH MoM THA was the most commonly used hip device at our institution from 2005 to 2012. We assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for ARMD with this device. METHODS: 74 patients (80 hips) had a ReCap-M2a-Magnum LDH MoM THA during the period August 2005 to December 2006. These patients were studied with hip MRI, serum chromium and cobalt ion measurements, the Oxford hip score questionnaire, and by clinical examination. The prevalence of ARMD was recorded and risk factors for ARMD were assessed using logistic regression models. The mean follow-up time was 6.0 (5.5-6.7) years. RESULTS: A revision operation due to ARMD was needed by 3 of 74 patients (3 of 80 hips). 8 additional patients (8 hips) had definite ARMD, but revision was not performed. 29 patients (32 hips) were considered to have a probable or possible ARMD. Altogether, 43 of 80 hips had a definite, probable, or possible ARMD and 34 patients (37 hips) were considered not to have ARMD. In 46 of 78 hips, MRI revealed a soft tissue mass or a collection of fluid (of any size). The symptoms clicking in the hip, local hip swelling, and a feeling of subluxation were associated with ARMD. INTERPRETATION: ARMD is common after ReCap-M2a-Magnum total hip arthroplasty, and we discourage the use of this device. Asymptomatic patients with a small fluid collection on MRI may not need instant revision surgery but must be followed up closely.

[Surgical treatment of shoulder instability]. / Olkanivelen epävakauden leikkaushoito TYKS:n kokemusten valossa.

Most commonly, shoulder instability results from a traumatic dislocation of the shoulder joint, usually happening to men under the age of 30. The first uncomplicated dislocation is treated conservatively. Instability refers to symptomatic instability of the shoulder joint, i.e. recurrent dislocations or fear of dislocation. Clinical examination and X-ray are usually sufficient for diagnosis. While mechanical instability of the shoulder joint is an indication for surgery, the operative technique should be selected in a patient-specific manner.

Investigating minimal clinically important difference for Constant score in patients undergoing rotator cuff surgery.

BACKGROUND: The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is increasingly used to evaluate treatment effectiveness. The MCID for the Constant score has not been previously reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospectively collected cohort of 802 consecutive shoulders with arthroscopically treated partial- or full-thickness rotator cuff tears was analyzed. The Constant score was measured preoperatively and at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. At follow-up visits, the patients were asked a simple 2-stage question: Is the shoulder better or worse after the operation compared with the preoperative state? This single 2-level question was used as an indicator of patient satisfaction and as an anchor to calculate the MCID for the Constant score. RESULTS: At 1 year, 781 (97.4%) patients (474 men, 307 women) were available for follow-up. The preoperative Constant score was 53.1 (SD 17.2) in all patients, 56.2 (SD 17.4) in male patients, and 48.2 (SD 15.6) in female patients. Postoperatively at 3 months, the scores were 61.7 (SD 16.4) in all patients, 65.1 (SD 16.1) in male patients, and 56.8 (SD 15.5) in female patients. At 1 year, the scores were 75.9 (SD 15.2) in all patients, 79.0 (SD 14.9) in male patients, and 71.0 (SD 14.3) in female patients. At 3 months postoperatively, 92.2% of male patients and 87.2% of female patients were satisfied with the outcome (P = .027); at 1 year, the satisfaction was 93.2% and 89.5%, respectively (P = .067). Five different statistical approaches yielded 5 different MCID estimates (range, 2-16). The 3-month mean change estimate of MCID was 10.4 points. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates an MCID estimate of 10.4 points as the threshold for the Constant score in patients with rotator cuff tear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Basic science study, validation of outcomes instruments/classification systems.