Abstract: HYPOTHESIS: This study investigates the rate of infectious and thromboembolic complications in shoulder arthroscopy and their association with pharmacologic prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On behalf of the Italian Society for Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy, Sport Traumatology, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technologies (SIGASCOT), we asked the members to complete an on-line Web survey about their experiences and strategies of prophylaxis in shoulder arthroscopy. RESULTS: In the period 2005-2006, 9385 surgeries were performed. We report 15 infections and 6 DVTs. The overall rate of infections was 0.0016 (1.6/1000) and the rate of DVTs was 0.0006 (0.6/1000) CONCLUSION: The association between infection and antibiotic prophylaxis was significant (P=0.01); however, the risk of DVTs was not decreased with heparin prophylaxis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.
Abstract: The effects of posterior plications associated with anterior shoulder instability surgery are still unclear both on shoulder range of motion (ROM) and on recurrence rate. The objective of this randomized study is to evaluate the influence of posterior-inferior plications, performed in association with repair of anterior Bankart lesion, on gleno-humeral (GH) range of motion. In a 24-month period, 40 patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. The criteria for inclusion were age between 17 and 40 years, traumatic unidirectional instability, no previous shoulder surgery, no more than three episodes of dislocation, no relevant glenoid bone deficiency, no clinical evidence of pathological anterior inferior laxity (measured with external rotation with the arm at the side inferior to 90 degrees and Gagey sign negative) and arthroscopic finding of isolated anterior Bankart lesion. A total of 20 patients (group A) were randomized to treat Bankart lesion using three bioadsorbable anchors loaded with a #2 braided polyester suture. In 20 randomized patients (group B) two posterior-inferior capsular plications performed with a #1 polidioxanone suture without any capsular shift were added to the same anterior capsulorraphy performed in group A. Postoperative rehabilitation protocol was the same for all 40 patients. Patients were examined preoperatively and at a 2-year follow-up by a single independent expert physician unaware of the surgical procedure. GH ROM, Constant, UCLA and ASES rating scores as well as recurrence of instability were recorded. At follow-up, forward flexion (FF) decreased by a mean value of 14.5 degrees (median -10 degrees ; range -5 degrees to -35 degrees ; P < 0.001) in group B and increased by a mean value of 3.5 degrees (median 0 degrees ; range -25 degrees to 40 degrees ; P < 0.312) in group A; external rotation with arm adducted (ER1) increased by a mean value of 1.8 degrees (median 0 degrees ; range -15 degrees to 30 degrees ; P < 0.924) in group B, and increased by a mean value of 2.6 degrees (median 2.5 degrees ; range -38 degrees to 40 degrees ; P < 0.610) in group A; external rotation with arm abducted at 90 degrees (ER2) decreased by a mean value of 2.9 degrees (median 0 degrees ; range: -20 degrees to 10 degrees ; P < 0.161) in group B and increased by a mean value of 0.7 degrees (median 0 degrees ; range -30 degrees to 25 degrees ; P < 0.837) in group A; the IR2 decreased by a mean value of 2.4 degrees (median -3.5 degrees ; range -15 degrees to 10 degrees ; P < 0.167) in group B and increased by a mean value of 2.2 degrees (median 0 degrees ; range -20 degrees to 30 degrees ; P < 0.456) in group A. The UCLA mean score gains by 43.1% (median 40; P < 0.001) relatively, and of 45.2% relatively (median 40; P < 0.001), respectively, in group B and A, ASES mean score relatively gains by 21.7% (median 21.2%; P < 0.001) in group B, and of 19.2% (median 18.9%; P < 0.001) in group A, and Constant mean score improves by 20.2% (median 16.5; P < 0.001) in group B, and 10.2% (median 8.4%; P < 0.001) in group A. Thus, the only statistical significant differences were the reduction of forward flexion in group B and the improvements of the scores in both groups. No recurrence of instability was found in the plicated group, while in the non-plicated group we had one traumatic recurrence. In conclusion, arthroscopic posterior-inferior plications associated with a Bankart lesion repair in a selected group of patients seem to reduce only FF, without any effect on rotation. A longer follow-up and a larger number of patients are needed to give definitive conclusions on the benefit to the recurrence rate.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Transtendinous repair is a well-known technique for the arthroscopic management of partial rotator cuff tear. However, there are not a lot of clinical follow-up studies in the literature reporting data on this approach, and, moreover, potential factors responsible to influence the outcomes have not been investigated. PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes after arthroscopic transtendinous repair and to identify predictive factors of residual shoulder symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with a mean age of 56.7 +/- 8.8 years (range, 31-71 years) who had undergone an arthroscopic transtendon repair for a painful articular-sided rotator cuff tear with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up were contacted. Clinical outcomes using a patient-based questionnaire, the Constant score, University of California at Los Angeles score, Simple Shoulder Test, and visual analog scale were evaluated. The influence of patient age, presence or absence of a trauma responsible for the cuff tear, presence of associated shoulder lesions, millimeters of exposed footprint, and millimeters of torn tendon retraction on the outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: The mean cuff tear exposure footprint was 5.2 mm, and the mean retraction of the torn part of the tendon was 8 mm. Only one patient reported dissatisfaction with surgery because of persistence of pain during overhead activities. After arthroscopic repair, University of California at Los Angeles, Constant, and Simple Shoulder Test scores were significantly improved from 14.1, 45.3, and 9.8 to 32.9, 90.6, and 0.8, respectively (P < .001). Twenty-two patients (41%) reported occasional shoulder discomfort at the extremes of range of motion (particularly at extremes of abduction and internal rotation) occurring during some daily living and sports activities. The best multivariate model showed that residual shoulder discomfort is strongly linked with a partial thickness supraspinatus tendon avulsion-type articular-sided rotator cuff lesion consisting of a large tendon retraction and/or a relatively small exposure footprint area in an older patient in the absence of a specific trauma (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic transtendon partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion-type rotator cuff repair was a reliable procedure that resulted in a good outcome in terms of pain relief and shoulder scores in 98% of the 54 patients. Better results could be expected in patients with less tendon retraction, a larger footprint exposure, of younger age, and with a clinical history of trauma.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although the intra-articular portion of the long head of the biceps (LHB) usually runs free, different types of fusions with the inferior surface of the capsule are known to be possible. Anatomic variations of this part of the LHB have been previously described and were nearly always considered to be innocent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 2 populations of 1500 arthroscopies each, we collected prospectively and retrospectively all possible variations of the proximal portion of the LHB. RESULTS: We included 57 cases (1.91%) of this total population in an attempt to describe the complete range of these form variants: the simple vinculum or pulley-like sling, the partial or complete mesotenon between biceps and capsule, the complete adherent LHB, the double-tendon origin, the reversed-type split-tendon, and the complete absence of the LHB. We suggest a classification of 12 variations of the intra-articular portion of the LHB. DISCUSSION: By taking into account an extensive literature review, we suggest that these conditions are congenital and consider them as a result of partial detachment from the mesothelial or synovial fusion with the inferior surface of the capsule. The incidence of these variants and their associated pathologies are investigated. CONCLUSION: By offering this new classification and a physiopathologic hypothesis, we try to explain why some of these anatomic variants may also acquire a pathologic significance.
Abstract: The success of anatomic repair of Bankart lesion diminishes in the presence of a capsule stretching and/or attenuation is reported in a variable percentage of patients with a chronic gleno-humeral instability. We introduce a new arthroscopic stitch, the MIBA stitch, designed with a twofold aim: to improve tissue grip to reduce the risk of soft tissue tear, particularly cutting through capsular-labral tissue, to and address capsule-labral detachment and capsular attenuation using a double loaded suture anchor. This stitch is a combination of horizontal mattress stitch passing through the capsular-labral complex in a "south-to-north" direction and an overlapping single vertical suture passing through the capsule and labrum in a "east-to-west" direction. The mattress stitch is tied before the vertical stitch in order to reinforce the simple vertical stitch, improving grip and contact force between capsular-labral tissue and glenoid bone.
Abstract: One of the most discussed point about arthroscopic full-thickness rotator cuff (RTC) repair is the strength of tendon-stitch interface. In the period between November 2003 and September 2004, in a series of 29 patients with primary isolated supraspinatus tear measuring > 2 cm a reconstruction using one titanium anchor and a modified Mason-Allen (MMA) stitch was done. These patients were prospectively collected in this study and then retrospectively evaluated. There were 21 men and 8 women with a mean age of 59.3 years. Patients were examined pre-operatively by a single sport medicine doctor, very experienced on shoulder pathology problem. Constant score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scale and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) were administered. After a minimum follow-up of 24 months patients were revaluated clinically by the same independent examiner. At the same time patients underwent an ultrasound shoulder examination to evaluate rotator cuff integrity. Clinically there was a significant improvement of Constant score, SST score and UCLA scale at followup. Twenty-five patients (86.2%) were satisfied, whether the other four patients (13.8%) stated that they would decline procedure. Recurrent rotator cuff tear was found in 11 patients (38%), who were all older than 60. All the patients but one with a pre-operative MRI grade III tendon tissue fatty infiltration, had a cuff re-tear. Arthroscopic supraspinatus tendon repair with one single anchor and MMA stitch is a reliable technique leading to a re-tear of 38% that is comparable with results reported in literature.
Abstract: Different clinical tests have been suggested in the literature as significant indicators of anterior shoulder instability. Sometimes patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability may show some muscular guarding thus making the evaluation of specific clinical tests very difficult. These patients may also report a medical history with posterior shoulder pain that can be also elicited during some clinical manoeuvres. From September 2005 to September 2006 we prospectively studied patients who underwent an arthroscopic anterior capsuloplasty. Shoulder clinical examination was performed including anterior shoulder instability tests (drawer, apprehension and relocation tests). Furthermore the exam was focused on the presence of scapular dyskinesia and posterior shoulder pain. The patients were also evaluated with ASES, Rowe, SST (Simple Shoulder Test), Constant and UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) scoring system preoperatively and at the latest follow-up time. In the period of this study we observed 16 patients treated for anterior gleno-humeral arthroscopic stabilisation, who preoperatively complained also of a posterior scapular pain. The pain was referred at the level of lower trapezium and upper rhomboids tendon insertion on the medial border of the scapula. It was also reproducible upon local palpation by the examiner. Four of these patients also referred pain in the region of the insertion of the infraspinatus and teres minor. After arthroscopic stabilisation the shoulder was immobilised in a sling with the arm in the neutral rotation for a period of 4 weeks. A single physician supervised shoulder rehabilitation. After a mean time of 6.8 months of follow-up, all the shoulder scores were significantly improved and, moreover, at the same time the patients referred the disappearance of the posterior pain. Posterior scapular shoulder pain seems to be another complaint and sign that can be found in patients affected by anterior shoulder instability. It can also be related to eccentric work of posterior stabilising muscles of scapula during the altered biomechanics observed in case of anterior shoulder instability. This pain responds positively to surgical intervention showing that re-centring the humeral head probably also re-establishes the periscapular muscle-firing pattern with a mechanism mediated by the proprioceptive system.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare virtual MR arthroscopic reconstructions with arthroscopic images in patients affected by shoulder joint instability. MR arthrography (MR-AR) of the shoulder is now a well-assessed technique, based on the injection of a contrast medium solution, which fills the articular space and finds its way between the rotator cuff (RC) and the glenohumeral ligaments. In patients with glenolabral pathology, we used an additional sequence that provided virtual arthroscopy (VA) post-processed views, which completed the MR evaluation of shoulder pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 36 patients, from whom MR arthrographic sequence data (SE T1w and GRE T1 FAT SAT) were obtained using a GE 0.5 T Signa-before any surgical or arthroscopic planned treatment; the protocol included a supplemental 3D, spoiled GE T1w positioned in the coronal plane. Dedicated software loaded on a work-station was used to elaborate VAs. Two radiologists evaluated, on a semiquantitative scale, the visibility of the principal anatomic structures, and then, in consensus, the pathology emerging from the VA images. RESULTS: These images were reconstructed in all patients, except one. The visualization of all anatomical structures was acceptable. VA and MR arthrographic images were fairly concordant with intraoperative findings. CONCLUSIONS: Although in our pilot study the VA findings did not change the surgical planning, the results showed concordance with the surgical or arthroscopic images.
Abstract: It is generally recognised that any medical-surgical activity entails the risk of failure, placing the physician at risk of malpractice claims. In order to protect both the physician and the patient, it is important to identify the risk factors relating to the various pathological situations and assess both the incidence and significance of such risks. Hence, a "Potential Failure Rating" could be devised already during the preliminary stages for every type of medical process. Such a rating would be useful both in clinical and medicolegal settings. This article considers the most common and important risk factors involved in typical diseases of the shoulder, from which a relative failure rating is formulated.
Abstract: Between January 1996 and July 2003, 93 consecutive patients operated on with a diagnosis of olecranon fractures were identified from our trauma unit files. Fourteen transolecranon fracture-dislocations were found after a retrospective X-radiographic evaluation. Eight patients were women and six were men, with a mean age of 54 years. There were 4 noncomminuted olecranon fractures, treated with K-wires and single tension-band wiring. The remaining 10 fractures were complex fractures, treated in 3 cases with multiple K-wires and single tension-band wiring, in 2 by use of one-third tubular plates, in 1 with a 3.5-mm dynamic compression plate, and in the remaining 4 with 3.5-mm reconstruction plates. Ligament repair was not performed in any case. Three patients needed reoperation because of early failure of primary fixation. Patients were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 3.6 years. Two reported difficulties in daily activities, none with any symptoms of elbow instability. According to the Broberg and Morrey score, 4 patients had excellent results, 6 had good results, 2 had fair results, and 2 had poor results. Four patients showed signs of degenerative arthritis on the radiographs obtained at follow-up. We conclude that transolecranon fracture-dislocation is an underreported and misdiagnosed injury. Various fixation techniques can restore the anatomic relationships and contour of the trochlear notch; the imperative goal is to obtain a good stable primary fixation and allow early active mobilization.
Abstract: Long head biceps (LHB) tendon pathologies are becoming increasingly recognized causes of shoulder pain in the published literature. Instability of LHB presenting as dislocation or subluxation has been recently recognized as a possible cause of disabling pain or discomfort of the shoulder. A clinical diagnosis of LHB instability is very difficult and often confounding because of association with other shoulder pathologies. However, an early diagnosis of LHB instability is important in order to prevent the evolution of lesions of the biceps pulley until an internal anterosuperior impingement of the shoulder (ASI) and subscapular tear occur. The advent of arthroscopy contributed to enhance understandings. The goal of this article is to describe an arthroscopic sign, the chondral print on the humeral head, associated with a LHB instability, that when present can be very useful to help the surgeon to make the diagnosis of unstable LHB tendon.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to report the characteristic conditions in which a posterior humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (PHAGL) lesion occurs, defining also the different possibility of association with other intra-articular shoulder pathologies. METHODS: We identified in our database 16 consecutive patients with a PHAGL lesion who underwent surgical treatment. Six of these patients had previous failed anterior shoulder stabilization, and 1 patient failed thermal shrinkage for a multidirectional instability and were not included in this study. The 9 remaining patients were enrolled in this study. All 9 patients developed a PHAGL lesion after a sports-related trauma. Clinical symptoms reported by the patients and clinical examination data were variable depending also on associated intra-articular shoulder pathology. The diagnosis of a PHAGL lesion was not made in any of the cases preoperatively. All 9 patients underwent arthroscopic repair of the PHAGL lesion. During the surgical procedure, any additional intra-articular shoulder lesion was treated. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively for pain and range of motion using standardized shoulder scales including the Simple Shoulder Test (SST), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) rating score, and Constant score. RESULTS: Arthroscopic evaluation revealed that PHAGL was seen as an isolated lesion in only 3 patients. At a mean follow-up of 34.2 months, all patients were pain free and reported a complete resumption of sports and daily living activities. Two patients had a limitation of internal rotation to the T11 level. The UCLA score improved from 16.3 to 34.7, the Constant score improved from 52.3 to 80.2, and the SST score improved from 7.9 to 4.2. CONCLUSIONS: The PHAGL lesion is challenging to diagnose clinically. It can be the cause of posterior instability or a component of the spectrum of shoulder instability and associated with anterior labral or capsular pathology. Because physical examination can be misleading, a gadolinium-magnetic resonance arthrogram and comprehensive arthroscopic evaluation visualizing from the anterior and posterior portals can confirm the diagnosis. We repaired the PHAGL lesions arthroscopically along with all associated shoulder abnormalities resulting in a good outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic cases series.
Abstract: The wide spectrum of shoulder instability is difficult to include in 1 classification. The distinction between traumatic, unidirectional, and atraumatic multidirectional instability is still widely used, even though this classification is not sufficiently precise to include all the different pathological findings of shoulder instability. We present "minor instability," which is a pathological condition causing a dysfunction of the glenohumeral articulation, especially in combination with microtrauma, repetitive or not, or after a period of immobilization or inactivity. When "minor shoulder instability" is suspected, the patient's history and detailed clinical examination represent the most important factors when establishing the diagnosis. In particular, the apprehension test stressing the middle glenohumeral ligament (MGHL)/labral complex in the position of midabduction and external rotation may be painful and may even reveal anterior instability or subluxation. Conventional radiographs are negative in most cases, as is magnetic resonance imaging arthrography. It is only after an accurate arthroscopic assessment that the pathological lesion can be found. The major pathological process can be identified at the level of the anterior superior labrum, in particular the MGHL complex, and appears as hyperemia, fraying, stretching, loosening, thinning, hypoplasia, or even absence. It may, however, be difficult to distinguish between a normal variant and a pathological lesion. Clinical symptoms and examination should always be correlated with arthroscopic findings. Recommended treatment is to restore shoulder stability and thereby prevent shoulder pain secondary to the increase in laxity. A reduction in range of motion should be expected during the postoperative phase, at least up to six to nine months. External rotation is usually permanently reduced by a few degrees.
Abstract: Surgical repair of the rotator cuff must have good resistance and should restore the tendon footprint. To attain this goal, a stitch with a strong biomechanical profile that avoids tissue strangulation should be used. We describe an arthroscopic suture technique undertaken to repair rotator cuff tears with a single triple-loaded suture anchor. The technique consists of a combination of a horizontal mattress and 2 vertical simple sutures that are positioned medial to the mattress suture. The suture anchor used is the 5-mm self-tapping ThRevo (Linvatec). This anchor is loaded with 3 sutures: 2 No. 2 nonabsorbable braided polyester sutures of different colors and a central high-strength No. 2 polyethylene suture. The shape of the anchor eyelet permits all 3 sutures to glide freely. A modified Mason-Allen technique (Alex stitch) that combines a horizontal side-to-side suture and 2 simples sutures as vertical loops is used. With use of the Spectrum suture passing device and shuttle relay system (Linvatec), both limbs of the centrally located polyethylene suture are passed through the cuff from bottom to top, approximately 1 cm from the tendon edge. This suture is not immediately tied. Next, with use of the same system, the other 2 sutures are placed medially and over the previous horizontal suture. Simple sutures are placed at an approximately 30 degrees angle from the center of the anchor; 1 is placed anterior and the other posterior. The sutures are tied through the lateral portal. The mattress horizontal central stitch is always tied first, followed by the 2 vertical sutures. The horizontal mattress suture serves as a "rip stop stitch" and theoretically reduces the possibility of cutting out of the simple sutures.
Abstract: Alcaptonuria is an inherited hereditary metabolic disorder, which is associated with various systemic abnormalities and related to the accumulation of homogentisic acid and a derived melanine-like pigment in the connective tissues; the latter is termed ochronosis. We present the arthroscopic findings in the shoulder of a 58-year-old female with ochronotic arthropathy and discuss the role of arthroscopy in the diagnosis and management of this rare metabolic disorder.
Abstract: Treatment of long head biceps (LHB) tendon pathology has become an area of renewed interest and debate among orthopaedic surgeons in recent years. The background of this manuscript is a description of biceps tenodesis which ensure continual dynamic action of the tendon which depresses the head and impedes lateral translation. A new technique has been developed in order to treat LHB tendon irreversible structural abnormalities associated with cuff rotator lesions. This technique entails the construction of a biological anchor between the LHB and supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus tendons according to arthroscopic findings. The rationale, although not supported by biomechanical studies is to obtain a triple, biomechanical effect. The first of these biomechanical effects which we try to promote through the procedure of transposition is the elimination of the deviation and oblique angle which occurs as the LHB completes its intra-articular course prior to reaching the bicipital groove. Furthermore, we have found this technique extremely useful in the presence of large ruptures of the rotator cuff with muscle retraction. The most common complication associated to this particular method, observed in less than 3%, is failed biological fixation which manifests as subsidence of the tenodesis and consequent descent of the tendon with evident aesthetic deformity.
Abstract: Recently the posterior humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral capsule (Reverse HAGL or RHAGL) has been reported in the orthopaedic literature as another possible cause of posterior traumatic shoulder instability. In the present paper we describe three patients in whom a RHAGL was probably a consequence of a tight open anterior shoulder stabilisation. The main complaint of these patients was a stiff shoulder after an open anterior stabilisation. A progressive and worsening discomfort was reported by patients in spite of an accurate rehabilitation program. At persistence of symptoms arthroscopy was performed with evidence of RHAGL that was repaired in association with an anterior release. Clinical and functional improvement was observed but the final outcome seems to be related to range of motion recovery and not only to the posterior repair.
