Arthroscopic double-row cuff repair with suture-bridging: a structural and functional comparison of two techniques.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the functional and structural outcomes of 2 techniques for double-row, suture-bridging cuff repair. METHODS: A consecutive series of 73 patients who underwent arthroscopic, double-row, suture-bridge primary rotator cuff repair of full-thickness supraspinatus tear were evaluated. Thirty-eight shoulders were repaired by the arthroscopic, tied, suture-bridging technique (group A), and 35 shoulders by knot-less bridging with suture tape material (group B). Constant scores, pain, range of motion, strength, and complications were measured after a minimum follow-up period of 12 months post-operatively. Structural integrity of the repairs was evaluated systematically by either magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography arthrography. RESULTS: Median follow-up after surgery was 29 (23-32) months in group A, and 21 (12-23) months in group B. Mean pain relief, range of motion, strength, and constant score improved significantly in both groups. No statistical differences were found between groups in the post-operative period. According to control imaging, the re-tear rate trended to be higher in group A (23.4 %) than in group B (17.1 %), although not significantly. CONCLUSION: Both bridging repair techniques achieved successful functional outcomes. In terms of structural outcome, the knot-less tape-bridging construct showed a lower but not significant re-tear rate. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results and to evaluate potential differences between the two techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: A prospective, non-randomized, comparative study, Level III.

Survey of practices in surgical management of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis in France in 2020.

The purpose of this study was to obtain an overview of French surgical practices for treating trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis in 2020. An online survey was sent to 64 French hand surgeons: 32 authors of articles on carpometacarpal osteoarthritis of the thumb and 32 other surgeons randomly selected from the membership of the French Society of Hand Surgery (SFCM). The questions concerned demographic data, surgical practice, operative indications, choices for revision surgery, and eight clinical cases. The response rate was 56.2%. The most popular technique was trapeziometacarpal replacement (63.9%). During the previous 5 years, 31.6% of respondents had changed their practices, 69.2% of whom had adopted total joint replacement. Total trapeziectomy with ligamentoplasty and interposition was the second most frequent method. Most surgeons (77.8%) implemented medical treatment for 6 months to 1 year before resorting to surgery. In the clinical cases, agreement between surgeons was very low, with an overall inter-rater concordance coefficient of 0.182. Except for two cases (a young manual worker and a patient with a flattened trapezium) where no technique was significantly preferred, trapeziometacarpal replacement was chosen by a majority of respondents (p < 0.001). It was the most frequently performed surgical technique in France in 2020. However, there is no real consensus on choice of technique, which reflects the absence of guidelines.

Partial arthroscopic trapeziectomy with or without ligament reconstruction to treat primary thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.

Many surgical options have been proposed for the treatment of first carpometacarpal (CMC1) osteoarthritis. Conventional techniques are invasive, so we wanted to develop an arthroscopic technique. Partial trapeziectomy combined with various interpositions and ligament reconstruction is a long-standing intervention. As in total trapeziectomy, the combination with ligament reconstruction remains controversial. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the benefits of adding an abductor pollicis longus (APL) ligament reconstruction to partial trapeziectomy performed under arthroscopy. This study analyzes the results of two consecutive case series carried out by a single surgeon. Thirty-four patients underwent an isolated partial trapeziectomy and 49 patients underwent partial trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction using the APL. The patients were reviewed with an average follow-up of 3.7 years (13 months to 8.6 years) by an independent observer. The assessment included the analysis of pain, thumb appearance, QuickDASH score, Nelson Hospital score, and measurements of mobility and strength. For all patients, there was a marked reduction in pain (7.13 preoperatively vs.1.37 postoperatively) with 71% of patients having a painless thumb, the Nelson (11.14) and QuickDASH (17.89) scores as well as a clinical improvement in mobility and grip strength (14.5 KgF preop vs. 19.6 KgF postop) and key pinch (4.4 KgF preop vs. 5.4 KgF postop). The mean recovery time was 18.8 weeks. Eighty-four percent of patients were satisfied with the procedure with 90% having a stable thumb. No CRPS was found. However, the results were better for patients who underwent ligament reconstruction. There was a significant gain in grip strength, better first web opening and a lower percentage of painful thumbs. The other items were also slightly improved, but not significantly (Nelson Hospital score, QuickDASH score, key grip strength, percentage of stable thumbs, subjective thumb value estimated by patients). This technique is a less aggressive treatment of CMC1 osteoarthritis, with simplified and rapid rehabilitation. The addition of ligament reconstruction using the APL appears useful. The advantages of arthroscopy are a less painful postoperative course, low morbidity, ligament conservation, along with better access to remove loose bodies, osteophytes and to perform synovectomy. Partial trapeziectomy, which is especially indicated when the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint is not symptomatic, is much less used than total trapeziectomy; however, it is an attractive surgical option for young patients with significant functional demands. Arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy is a safe and reliable procedure.

Management of upper cervical spine fractures in elderly patients: current trends and outcomes.

Upper cervical spine fractures in the elderly represent serious injuries. Their frequency is on the rise. Their early accurate diagnosis might be compromised by the existence of extensive degenerative changes and deformities. Adequate stabilisation allowing fracture healing is of paramount importance. However, the debate is ongoing as to the best protocol that can be applied taking into consideration the presence of comorbidities and the increase risk of mortality in this frail patient population. A literature review, based on PubMed, related to protocols reporting on fracture fixation of the upper cervical spine, fractures (C1-C2) was carried out. Papers including information about type of fracture, treatment carried out, complication rates, mortality and morbidities were eligible to be included in this study. Fourteen papers met the inclusion criteria. Six reported on all types of injuries of the upper cervical spine, and eight only odontoid fractures (C2). Overall mortality rate ranged between 0 to 31.4%. Overall morbidity rate was from 10.3 to 90.9%. No significant difference was identified between three types of treatment (rigid collar cuff without fracture reduction, halo cast with reduction of fracture displacement, and surgical treatment). Halo-cast got the highest rate of complications. Surgical treatment got a mortality rate from 0 to 40.0%, and a morbidity rate from 10.3 to 62.5%. Non-union rate ranged between 8.9 to 62.5%. Elderly patients with upper cervical spine fractures must be notified that these injuries are associated with high incidence of non-union, morbidity and mortality.