Irreducible Posterior Shoulder Dislocation With Concomitant Fracture of Both the Greater and Lesser Tuberosity: An Extremely Rare Shoulder Injury.

Posterior shoulder dislocation is a relatively rare injury representing only 5% of all shoulder dislocations. It is usually the result of a high-energy trauma or an epileptic seizure. Diagnosis is challenging with half of these injuries missed in the emergency room (ER). Often the dislocation is accompanied by a lesser tuberosity fracture as a result of the impact between the posterior glenoid and the proximal humerus. Additionally, fractures of the greater tuberosity or even the metaphysis are extremely rare, and their treatment remains challenging. We present a rare case of posterior locked shoulder dislocation with a concomitant lesser and greater tuberosity fracture in a young patient. A 29-year-old male was brought to the ER following a motor vehicle accident. The patient reported significant pain and inability to move his left shoulder. The arm was locked in an internal rotation and was neurovascularly intact. Simple radiographs revealed a locked posterior dislocation with fractures of both the lesser and greater tuberosity. The CT scan confirmed the fracture pattern and excluded metaphyseal fracture. Surgical treatment was decided. Under general anesthesia and a classic thoracodeltoid approach, both tuberosities were recognized and the dislocation was gently reduced. Fixation of the tuberosities with an anatomic plate and Ethibond No. 5 sutures was performed. He was discharged the next day with a 30-degree abduction sling cast. He was instructed to perform passive shoulder and scapula exercises once a day. After one month, the sling was removed and active elevation and rotation exercises were started. Plane X-rays were performed at one, six, and twelve months. The reduction remained stable and the patient recovered full range of motion with a slight loss of external rotation (10 degrees) compared to the contralateral limb. He returned to his previous activities without any complications. Posterior shoulder dislocations with additional fractures of the tuberosities are rare and severe injuries requiring open surgery as the humeral head may remain locked prohibiting closed reduction. Even after the reduction, the stable fixation of the tuberosities is crucial for shoulder stability and postoperative clinical and functional results.

Functional reconstruction of chronic acromioclavicular joint separation using a double suture technique combined with semitendinosus autograft.

PURPOSE: We present the functional and clinical results of a combined surgical technique that functionally restores chronic Acromioclavicular Joint Instability (AJI). The method combines a double-looped suture fixation augmented with a semitendinosus autograft. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2021, 15 patients were treated using the surgical technique. All patients suffered an Acromioclavicular Joint Separation that remained untreated for at least 6 (6-16) weeks after the initial injury. Four Ethibond sutures were passed below the coracoid process and through a 4.5 drill hole in the clavicle. The sutures provided adequate horizontal and vertical reduction and stabilization of the clavicle. A semitendinosus autograft was passed below the coracoid process and looped around the clavicle. The remaining graft limbs were used to reconstruct the acromioclavicular capsule. Patients were radiologically evaluated with bilateral anteroposterior (AP), Zanca, and Alexander views. The clinical evaluation was based on the Acromioclavicular Joint Instability Score and the Constant-Murley Score. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 31.2 months (17-61). The mean last ACJIS and CMS scores were 96 (90-100) and 97.67 (87-100), respectively. Reduction of the clavicle was radiologically confirmed in all cases throughout the follow-up period. AC arthritis was reported in 1 case without associated clinical symptoms. No significant complications were reported, and all patients returned to the pre-injury activity level. CONCLUSION: The presented functional reconstruction of the AC joint disruption in chronic cases is an effective and secure method with low complication rates and good clinical results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Three Column Fixation Through a Single Incision in Distal Radius Fractures.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and functional results of 67 patients with distal radius fracture (DRF), treated with a modified surgical technique that allows three-column fixation through the same palmar approach. Patients and Methods Between 2014 and 2019, we treated 67 patients using a particular surgical technique. All patients suffered DRF, classified using the universal classification system. Two different intervals were developed palmary: the first ulnarly to the flexor carpi radialis tendon for direct visualization of the distal radius and the second one radially to the radial artery for direct visualization of the styloid process. An anatomic volar locking compression plate was applied to all patients. The radial styloid process was fixed and stabilized either with Kirschner-wires or an anatomic plate through the same incision. Functional results were evaluated based on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and Mayo wrist scores. Range of motion and grip strength of the injured wrist were statistically compared with the opposite side. Results The mean follow-up was 47 months (13-84). All fractures were united, and all patients recovered to the preinjury level of activity. The mean flexion-extension range was 73.8° to 55.2° and the supination-pronation range 82.8° to 67°. No infection or nonunion occurred. No major complications were reported. Conclusion Open reduction and internal fixation, under specific indications, is the best treatment option in DRF. The described technique provides excellent visualization to the distal radius surfaces and allows the internal fixation of the radial columns through the same skin incision. Therefore, it can constitute an efficient choice in the treatment armamentarium of DRF.