Discovery Elbow System arthroplasty polyethylene bearing exchange: outcomes and experience.

BACKGROUND: The Discovery Elbow System (DES) utilizes a polyethylene bearing within the ulnar component. An exchange bearing requires preoperative freezing and implantation within 2 minutes of freezer removal to allow insertion. We report our outcomes and experience using this technique. METHODS: This was an analysis of a two-surgeon consecutive series of DES bearing exchange. Inclusion criteria included patients in which exchange was attempted with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Clinical and radiographic review was performed 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10 years postoperative. Outcome measures included range of movement, Oxford Elbow Score (OES), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), complications and requirement for revision surgery. RESULTS: Eleven DESs in 10 patients were included. Indications were bearing wear encountered during humeral component revision (n=5); bearing failure (n=4); and infection treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR; n=2). Bearing exchange was conducted on the first attempt in 10 cases. One case required a second attempt. One patient developed infection postoperatively managed with two-stage revision. Mean follow-up of the bearing exchange DES was 3 years. No further surgery was required, with no infection recurrence in DAIR cases. Mean elbow flexion-extension and pronosupination arcs were 107° (±22°) and 140° (±26°). Mean OES was 36/48 (±12) and MEPS was 83/100 (±19). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the use of DES bearing exchange in cases of bearing wear with well-fixed stems or acute infection. This series provides surgeons managing DES arthroplasty with management principles, successful and reproducible surgical techniques and expected clinical outcomes in performing DES polyethylene bearing exchange. Level of evidence: IV.

Does long-term follow-up and monitoring of primary shoulder arthroplasty identify failing implants requiring revision?

BACKGROUND: Published scoping review has identified evidence paucity related to long-term follow-up of shoulder arthroplasty. We aim to report effectiveness of elective primary shoulder arthroplasty surveillance in identifying failing implants requiring revision. METHODS: A prospective database recording shoulder arthroplasty and subsequent follow-up surveillance in a shoulder unit was analyzed. Shoulder arthroplasty was performed by 4 fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons for accepted elective indications including the use of anatomic arthroplasty in arthritic shoulders with intact rotator cuff and a reverse prosthesis being used in rotator cuff-deficient shoulders and rotator cuff-competent arthritic shoulders when deemed preferable by the treating surgeon. All shoulder arthroplasty implants used had achieved a minimum 7A Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) rating. The included shoulder arthroplasties were performed between May 1, 2004, and December 31, 2021, with minimum 1-year follow-up. Surveillance program involves specialist physiotherapist review at 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 15 years postoperatively, including clinical examination, outcome scoring, and radiographs. Patient-initiated review occurred between time points if a patient requested assessment because of symptoms. Outcome measures include ratio of failing implants identified by surveillance and patient-initiated review, with number of surveillance reviews offered and proportion that identified a failing implant requiring revision calculated. RESULTS: A total of 1002 elective primary shoulder arthroplasty with minimum 1-year follow-up were performed (547 reverse total shoulder arthroplasty [rTSA], 234 anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty [aTSA], and 221 hemiarthroplasty [HA]). A total of 238 patients died prior to December 31, 2022, resulting in 4019 surveillance appointments offered. Thirty-eight prostheses required revision ≥1 year postoperatively (6 rTSA, 9 aTSA, and 23 HA), with surveillance identifying requirement in 53% (33% rTSA, 56% aTSA, and 57% HA) and patient-initiated review in 47%. Mean years from implantation to revision was 5.2 (2.7 rTSA, 3.6 aTSA, and 6.6 HA). Revision indications included rotator cuff failure (56% aTSR and 43% HA) and glenoid erosion (57% HA). CONCLUSION: This is the first series reporting effectiveness of shoulder arthroplasty surveillance in identifying implants requiring revision. Surveillance identified more than half of implants requiring revision, although only 0.5% of appointments identified revision requirement. Surveillance enrolment may influence patient-initiated review utilization; therefore, similar studies using only patient-initiated follow-up would help inform recommendations.

Mid- to long-term outcomes of a cemented, all-polyethylene pegged glenoid component in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate mid- to long-term survival of an all-polyethylene pegged glenoid component used in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The secondary aim was to review clinical and radiologic outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected local arthroplasty register of consecutive patients undergoing TSA with an all-polyethylene pegged glenoid between January 2009 and December 2018 was undertaken. In total, 108 TSAs using this implant were performed in our unit in 98 patients (18 men and 80 women), with 10 patients undergoing bilateral TSA. The mean age at the time of the operation was 71.3 years (range, 44-87 years). The mean follow-up period was 5.1 years (range, 2-10.6 years). In addition to survival analysis, clinical evaluation included the postoperative Oxford Shoulder Score, Constant score, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, as well as range-of-motion assessment. Radiologic outcomes included an assessment of radiolucency based on the Lazarus grade. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a 6-year survival estimate of 94.1% for all-cause revision. Revision was required in 6 patients: 4 for cuff failure and 2 for instability. At follow-up, the mean Oxford Shoulder Score was 38.2 (standard deviation [SD], 12.3); mean Constant score, 59.3 (SD, 17.0); and mean VAS pain score, 1.8 (SD, 2.5). Mean forward elevation at final follow-up was 111° (SD, 26.6°); mean abduction, 102° (SD, 34.0°). Clinical outcomes were maintained at long-term follow-up (>8 years), with the exception of the VAS pain score, which increased by 2.1 points (P = .034). Radiologic assessment revealed that 28 patients had radiolucency consistent with Lazarus grade ≥ 3 with clinical outcomes not being affected. CONCLUSIONS: Mid- to long-term follow-up indicates a low revision rate and good clinical survivorship for cemented, all-polyethylene glenoid components. No patients, so far, have undergone revision for glenoid loosening, but radiographic follow-up has shown that 36% of these implants have signs of radiolucency. Further follow-up is required to determine longer-term survivorship.

Effectiveness of early versus delayed rehabilitation following total shoulder replacement: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of early versus delayed rehabilitation following total shoulder replacement. DESIGN: Intervention systematic review with narrative synthesis. LITERATURE SEARCH: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to the 29th of July 2021. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing early versus delayed rehabilitation following primary anatomic, primary reverse, or revision total shoulder replacement. DATA SYNTHESIS: A revised Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool for randomised controlled trials was used, as well as the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to evaluate the quality of evidence. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. RESULTS: Three eligible randomised controlled trials (n = 230) were included. There was very low-quality evidence of no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in pain, shoulder function, health-related quality of life or lesser tuberosity osteotomy healing at 12 months between early or delayed rehabilitation. There was conflicting and very low-quality evidence of a difference between the effect of early and delayed rehabilitation on shoulder range of movement. There was limited, very low-quality evidence of statistically significantly improved pain and function (P < 0.05) in the early post-operative period with early rehabilitation following anatomic total shoulder replacement. CONCLUSIONS: No differences were seen in patient-reported or clinician-reported outcomes at 12 months post-surgery between early and delayed rehabilitation following total shoulder replacement. There is very low-quality evidence that early rehabilitation may improve shoulder pain and function in the early post-operative phase following anatomic total shoulder replacement.

Introduction of an enhanced recovery programme for total shoulder arthroplasty: report of a novel pathway.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery (ER) programmes are well established in hip and knee arthroplasty, but are not yet commonplace for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). This study analyses the effect of implementing an ER programme with TSA, on length of stay (LOS), functional outcome and patient satisfaction. LOCAL PROBLEM: No established programme applying ER to the specifics of upper-limb arthroplasty existed at our unit. METHODS: A three-cycle plan-do-study-act quality improvement methodology was applied, involving development of our multifactorial programme, a pilot phase and wider roll-out. A consecutive series of patients who underwent TSA and were enrolled in an ER programme were compared with a matched control group of consecutive patients who underwent TSA in the year before the programme started. For all patients, LOS as well as mean Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and Constant Score (CS) were quantified and patient satisfaction assessed. INTERVENTIONS: A dedicated multidisciplinary team led preoperative class involving patient education, advice and occupational therapy assessment. A standardised perioperative anaesthetic regime based on regional anaesthetic techniques with preoperative analgesic and nutritional loading was introduced. Postoperative rehabilitation was also standardised with slings for comfort only and early safe-zone mobilisation. New patient information was developed. RESULTS: 71 patients were included in matched cohorts. Mean LOS was reduced from 2.4 nights to 1.9 nights. The single night stay rate improved from 40% to 49%. Across the ER cohort, 15 less nights were required to complete same volume of surgeries as in the non-ER cohort.Parity in OSS and CS measured at 3 and 12 months after surgery were observed in both cohorts.Satisfaction was already high before ER but scores stayed the same or improved across all areas surveyed.Absolute complication rates of 9.9% in the non-ER group and 7% in the ER group were recorded. CONCLUSION: Our ER programme benefited patients and the Trust by reducing time in hospital and improving patient satisfaction without an adverse effect on complication rate.

Minimum five-year outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using a trabecular metal glenoid base plate.

AIMS: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) using trabecular metal (TM)-backed glenoid implants has been introduced with the aim to increase implant survival. Only short-term reports on the outcomes of TM-RTSA have been published to date. We aim to present the seven-year survival of TM-backed glenoid implants along with minimum five-year clinical and radiological outcomes. METHODS: All consecutive elective RTSAs performed at a single centre between November 2008 and October 2014 were reviewed. Patients who had primary TM-RTSA for rotator cuff arthropathy and osteoarthritis with deficient cuff were included. A total of 190 shoulders in 168 patients (41 male, 127 female) were identified for inclusion at a mean of 7.27 years (SD 1.4) from surgery. The primary outcome was survival of the implant with all-cause revision and aseptic glenoid loosening as endpoints. Secondary outcomes were clinical, radiological, and patient-related outcomes with a five-year minimum follow-up. RESULTS: The implant was revised in ten shoulders (5.2%) with a median time to revision of 21.2 months (interquartile range (IQR) 9.9 to 41.8). The Kaplan-Meier survivorship estimate at seven years was 95.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 91.7 to 98; 35 RTSAs at risk) for aseptic mechanical failure of the glenoid and 94.8% (95% CI 77.5 to 96.3; 35 RTSAs at risk) for all-cause revision. Minimum five-year clinical and radiological outcomes were available for 103 and 98 RTSAs respectively with a median follow-up time of six years (IQR 5.2 to 7.0). Median postoperative Oxford Shoulder Score was 38 (IQR 31 to 45); median Constant and Murley score was 60 (IQR 47.5 to 70); median forward flexion 115° (IQR 100° to 125°); median abduction 95° (IQR 80° to 120°); and external rotation 25° (IQR 15° to 40°) Scapular notching was seen in 62 RTSAs (63.2%). CONCLUSION: We present the largest and longest-term series of TM-backed glenoid implants demonstrating 94.8% all-cause survivorship at seven years. Specifically pertaining to glenoid loosening, survival of the implant increased to 95.9%. In addition, we report satisfactory minimum five-year clinical and radiological outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(8):1333-1338.

Mid- to long-term survivorship of the cemented, semiconstrained Discovery total elbow arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is increasing, and an improved understanding of elbow kinematics and biomaterials has driven advances in implant design. In modern practice, cemented, semiconstrained devices are most frequently used. The Discovery TEA has demonstrated promising early results, although there are a paucity of follow-up studies and no dedicated mid- to long-term series. We therefore present the longest, most complete such study to date. METHODS: A prospectively maintained local joint registry was interrogated to yield a consecutive series of Discovery TEAs performed at a single non-design center. The minimum follow-up period was set at 5 years. Revision procedures and TEAs performed for acute trauma were excluded. The primary outcome was survivorship of the implant. The secondary outcomes included clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 67 TEAs in 58 patients for inclusion at a mean of 98.5 ± 20.4 months from surgery. Four cases (6%) were lost to follow-up, and implant survival was censored accordingly. The implant was revised in 14 cases (20.9%). The Kaplan-Meier method showed an implant survivorship rate of 76.8% at 119 months. A significant difference in survival was found between dominant and nondominant elbows (P = .012, Breslow test), with elbow dominance conferring a 4.5-fold increased risk of revision (relative risk, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-18.5). Pooled clinical outcomes (70.9% follow-up at minimum of 60 months and median of 77.8 months) were also determined. CONCLUSIONS: We present the longest-term and most complete single-center follow-up study of the Discovery TEA to date. Further long-term survival studies are required to elucidate the performance of this implant compared with more established designs. We have also demonstrated differences in implant survivorship owing to hand dominance for the first time.

Promoting Student Wellness and Self-Care During COVID 19: The Role of Institutional Wellness.

Stress and burnout are serious and growing threats to the mental health of medical trainees. Recent estimates of burnout in medical students and residents are quite high, with more than half displaying signs of stress, anxiety and depression. The COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened the state of poor mental health in these student populations. It is the position of LSU Health Shreveport Office of Institutional Wellness that a critical need exists for academic institutions to evaluate challenges to self-care and wellbeing in medical trainees. Such evaluations may pave the way for the development of effective institutional wellness initiatives and strategies, with the goal of reducing barriers to self-care to promote better mental and physical health, and facilitate improved quality of life in medical students and residents.

Rehabilitation following shoulder arthroplasty in the United Kingdom National Health Service: A survey of publicly facing information.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of shoulder arthroplasty (SA) is rising, but there is limited research evaluating rehabilitation following SA and whether there is an optimal approach remains unknown. The aim of this study was to understand current National Health Service (NHS) practice for rehabilitation following SA as a platform for conducting much needed further research. METHODS: Two reviewers independently undertook electronic searches for publicly available information sheets (PIS) from websites of NHS Trusts that included detail about rehabilitation following SA, for example, duration of immobilisation. One reviewer extracted data, and a second reviewer verified this. ETHICAL APPROVAL: Not required. RESULTS: Forty-three PIS from 40 Trusts were identified. Twenty-four referred to more than one type of arthroplasty (anatomic, reverse and hemiarthroplasty) but did not describe different approaches to rehabilitation based on prosthesis type. Twenty-five PIS provided some instruction regarding movement restrictions, which varied considerably. All PIS referred to postoperative immobilisation, typically with a sling, with median duration of 4 weeks (range 0 to 8). Thirty-four PIS reported commencing passive exercise immediately. Median time to commencing active exercise was 4 weeks (range 1 to 6) and 5 weeks (range 1 to 16) for resisted exercise. Median time expected to return to driving was 6 weeks (range 3 to 12) and general work 12 weeks (range 3 to 26). CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted significant heterogeneity between rehabilitation approaches following SA, not previously reported in the United Kingdom, with a lack of specific rehabilitation PIS for different prosthesis types. Our results will facilitate evaluation of rehabilitation strategies in future research.

6-Year clinical results and survival of Copeland Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder in a consecutive series of 279 cases.

BACKGROUND: Medium-term clinical results and survival of the Copeland resurfacing hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder (CRHA) in a large consecutive group are presented with a comparison of outcomes for underlying pathologies. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients undergoing CRHA over 14 years was retrospectively analysed with no exclusions. Patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up by an independent assessor. Functional outcome was assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and Constant-Murley Score (CMS). Pain and satisfaction was assessed using a visual analogue score. RESULTS: 279 CRHAs were performed in 242 patients between 2002 and 2016. The mean follow-up was 6 years. The indication for surgery was osteoarthritis (OA) in 212, inflammatory arthropathy (RA) in 35, rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) in 22 and avascular necrosis (AVN) in 2. For the OA group, 5-year survival was 90%, 10-year survival was 83% and mean survival was 13.2 years (95% CI 12.5-13.9). The mean OSS was 35.0 and mean CMS 49.9. CRHA for CTA had significantly poorer (p < 0.001) 5-year survival (55%), 10-year survival (41%) and mean survival (5.9 years, 95% CI 4.7-7.2). Mean OSS was 23.6 and mean CMS 30.3, which was poorer than for OA (p < 0.001). A subgroup analysis of OA patients found significantly better survival (p = 0.013) in those aged over 65 years but no difference in functional outcome. CONCLUSION: CRHA remains a reasonable option for OA in patients with an intact rotator cuff and with sufficient bone stock, especially in those aged over 65 years. With poorer functional outcomes and survival, CRHA should not be offered in those with CTA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III (retrospective comparative study).

Preference evaluation of ground beef by untrained subjects with three levels of finely textured beef.

After receiving bad publicity in 2012 and being removed from many ground beef products, finely textured beef (referred to as 'pink slime' by some) is making a comeback. Some of its proponents argue that consumers prefer ground beef containing finely textured beef, but no objective scientific party has tested this claim-that is the purpose of the present study. Over 200 untrained subjects participated in a sensory analysis in which they tasted one ground beef sample with no finely textured beef, another with 15% finely textured beef (by weight), and another with more than 15%. Beef with 15% finely textured beef has an improved juiciness (p < 0.01) and tenderness (p < 0.01) quality. However, subjects rate the flavor-liking and overall likeability the same regardless of the finely textured beef content. Moreover, when the three beef types are consumed as part of a slider (small hamburger), subjects are indifferent to the level of finely textured beef.

Outcomes for a large metaphyseal volume hemiarthroplasty in complex fractures of the proximal humerus.

BACKGROUND: A large metaphyseal volume shoulder hemiarthroplasty has been in use within our department since 2008; however, no clinical outcome data are available for this prosthesis apart from the designer surgeon series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 5-year period, data were collected for 40 patients (30 women, 10 men) treated consecutively with the Zimmer Anatomical Shoulder Fracture hemiarthroplasty system (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN, USA). RESULTS: The final analysis included 26 patients. The median age was 79 years (range, 58-91 years), and the median follow-up was 3.7 years (range, 2.0-5.8 years). The median Constant Score was 34 points (range, 16-70 points), and the median Oxford Shoulder Score was 27 points (range, 5-46 points). The greater tuberosity healed satisfactorily in 12 patients. Resorption of the greater tuberosity was seen radiologically in 18 patients. The presence of resorption had no significant effect on the Constant Score (P = .264) or the Oxford Shoulder Score (P = .469). Three patients (12%) required revision. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report from a nondesigner center for outcomes for this prosthesis to date. The results demonstrate reduced functional performance compared with the designer series.

Effectiveness of interventions to improve occupational performance of people with cognitive impairments after stroke: an evidence-based review.

This evidence-based review was conducted to determine which interventions are effective in improving occupational performance after stroke. Forty-six articles met the inclusion criteria and were examined. Interventions for the following impairments were reviewed: general cognitive deficits, executive dysfunction, apraxia, memory loss, attention deficits, visual field deficits (included because of their close relationship with neglect), and unilateral neglect. Evidence is available from a variety of clinical trials to guide interventions regarding general cognition, apraxia, and neglect. The evidence regarding interventions for executive dysfunction and memory loss is limited. There is insufficient evidence regarding impairments of attention and mixed evidence regarding interventions for visual field deficits. The effective interventions have some commonalities, including being performance focused, involving strategy training, and using a compensatory as opposed to a remediation approach. The implications of the findings for practice, research, and education are discussed.

Heart rate changes in functional capacity evaluations in a workers' compensation population.

OBJECTIVE: Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) have been utilized by healthcare professionals for over twenty years to provide an objective assessment of an individual's ability to safely perform functional work activities. Biomechanical observations have been established as a reliable method of determining safe maximal performance levels during dynamic lift testing in FCEs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate heart rate (HR) responses between participants in two performance levels (biomechanical safe-maximal and sub-maximal) and to attempt to establish a minimum threshold for HR changes that should be expected during specific functional testing protocols within FCEs. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 500 men and women aged 20 to 85 years whom were injured on the job. METHODS: Variables measured included resting HR, pre-test HR, peak-HR, and resting blood pressure. Percent HR change was calculated for the safe-maximal and sub-maximal performance level groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p=0.0000000306) were found in HR change from pre-test to peak HR between performance level groups. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences were found in percent change in pre-test to peak HR, between the safe-maximal and sub-maximal performance level groups. This study provides the foundation for further research in establishing appropriate minimum expected changes in HR during FCE testing allowing clinicians to make more confident judgments relative to performance level.

Comparison of demographic and direct methods to calculate probabilistic maturation reaction norms for Flemish Cap cod (Gadus morhua).

Age and length at maturation have declined in many fish populations and this has been hypothesized to be a genetic change caused by high fishing mortality. Probabilistic Maturation Reaction Norms (PMRNs) have been used as a tool to gain a better understanding of the possible genetic nature of these changes. The demographic and direct methods are two ways to calculate PMRNs. The data requirements are more often met for the demographic method than for the direct method which requires the identification of recruit spawners. However, the demographic method relies on more assumptions than the direct method, typically assuming equality of growth and mortality rates for immature and mature individuals within an age class. This study provides the first direct comparison of demographic and direct methods and shows that both methods produce comparable results. Differences between methods are hypothesized to be owed to possible differences in growth rate between mature and immature individuals in Flemish Cap cod.

Cigar smoking: an ignored public health threat.

Cigar smoking is rapidly increasing. Studies have exposed the move to cigar smoking by smokers who do not necessarily believe cigar smoking is risky behavior. However, cigar smoking poses significant risk that leads to well-documented morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is a dearth of primary prevention efforts related to cigar smoking. Furthermore, the literature is lacking in program, practice, and theory development as well as in the planning, execution, and evaluation of programs targeting cigar smoking cessation. A clear need exists to promote early prevention of cigar smoking, and to incorporate cigar smoking cessation into other tobacco cessation projects.