Outcome Following Intramedullary Nailing of Tibial Diaphyseal Fractures: Suprapatellar Nail Insertion Results in Superior Radiographic Parameters But No Difference in Mid-Term Function.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to compare the radiographic parameters (nail insertion-point accuracy [NIPA] and fracture malalignment) of patients who had undergone tibial intramedullary nailing via the suprapatellar (SP) and infrapatellar (IP) approaches. The secondary aims were to compare clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between these approaches. METHODS: All adult patients with an acute tibial diaphyseal fracture who underwent intramedullary nailing at a single level-I trauma center over a 4-year period (2017 to 2020) were retrospectively identified. The nailing approach (SP or IP) was at the treating surgeon's discretion. Intraoperative and immediate postoperative radiographs were reviewed to assess NIPA (mean distance from the optimal insertion point) and malalignment (≥5°). Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to evaluate the rates of malunion, nonunion, and other postoperative complications. The Oxford and Lysholm Knee Scores (OKS and LKS) and patient satisfaction (0 = completely dissatisfied, 100 = completely satisfied) were obtained via a postal survey at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 219 consecutive patients (mean age, 48 years [range, 16 to 90 years], 51% [112] male). There were 61 patients (27.9%) in the SP group and 158 (72.1%) in the IP group. The groups did not differ in baseline demographic or injury-related variables. SP nailing was associated with superior coronal NIPA (p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] for IP versus SP, 1.17 to 3.60 mm) and sagittal NIPA (p < 0.001; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.97 mm) and with a reduced rate of malalignment (3% [2 of 61] versus 11% [18 of 158] for IP; p = 0.030). PROs were available for 118 of 211 patients (56%; 32 of 58 in the SP group and 86 of 153 in the IP group) at a mean of 3 years (range, 1.2 to 6.5 years). There was no difference between the SP and IP groups in mean OKS (36.5 versus 39.6; p = 0.246), LKS (71.2 versus 73.5; p = 0.696), or satisfaction scores (81.4 versus 79.9; p = 0.725). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with IP nailing, SP nailing of tibial shaft fractures was associated with superior NIPA and a reduced rate of intraoperative malalignment but not of malunion at healing. However, the superior NIPA may not be clinically important. Furthermore, there were no differences in PROs at mid-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Functional outcome following arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears is equal to smaller rotator cuff tears: a retrospective case-control study.

Background: There is a paucity of studies comparing patient-reported outcomes of arthroscopic massive rotator cuff repairs against non-massive rotator cuff repairs. The aim of this study is to assess the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and Oxford Shoulder Score at a minimum of one-year follow-up according to the size of the rotator cuff tear. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was undertaken. All patients underwent rotator cuff repairs using the same technique by a single surgeon. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and Oxford Shoulder Score were collected pre-operatively and at final review with a minimum follow-up of one year. Patients with massive rotator cuff repairs were compared to patients who had non-massive rotator cuff repairs. Results: Eighty-two patients were included in the study of which 42 (51%) underwent massive rotator cuff repair. The mean follow-up period was 17.5 months. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire improved significantly (p < 0.001) from 46.1 pre-operatively to 15.6 at final follow-up for massive rotator cuff repairs. Oxford Shoulder Score improved significantly (p < 0.001) from 26.9 pre-operatively to 41.4 at final follow-up for massive rotator cuff repairs. There was no significant difference in the final Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (p = 0.35) or Oxford Shoulder Score (p = 0.45) between the groups. No revision surgery was required within the follow-up period. Conclusion: Arthroscopic massive rotator cuff repairs have comparable functional outcome to smaller rotator cuff repair in the short-term and should be considered in a selected group of patients.

Revisiting the dogma of the Edinburgh position for safe immobilization.

Since the concept was first described 50 years ago in Edinburgh by J. I. P. James, the term 'Edinburgh position' has been synonymous with the position of safe immobilization for the hand. Widely employed for the management of injured hands, the position is associated with splinting the metacarpophalangeal joints at 90° and the proximal interphalangeal joints completely straight, namely, 'the intrinsic-plus position', to help reduce the long-term consequences of a stiff hand. Over the decades, the strict joint angles of the Edinburgh position have been debated due to changes in patterns of injury, treatment and rehabilitation. This article challenges the dogma that surrounds the use of the Edinburgh position in clinical practice. The history of the position was explored, and the results of a survey about current practice of hand immobilization from two study centres in Edinburgh is presented.Level of evidence: IV.