Does the Suprascapular Nerve Move within the Suprascapular Notch?Biomechanical Perspective Using the Finite Element Method

Purpose@#We aimed to analyze changes in suprascapular nerve (SSN) position within the suprascapular notch during in vivo shoulder abduction. @*Materials and Methods@#Three-dimensional models of the shoulder complex were constructed based on magnetic resonance imaging of the brachial plexus (BP-MR) in a patient diagnosed with SSN dysfunction but normal scapular movement. Using BP-MR in neutral position and computed tomography data on shoulder abduction, shoulder abduction was simulated as the transition between two positions of the shoulder complex with overlapping of a neutral and abducted scapula. SSN movement during abduction was evaluated using the finite element method. Contact stress on the SSN was measured in the presence and absence of the transverse scapular ligament (TSL). @*Results@#In the neutral position, the SSN ran almost parallel to the front of the TSL until entering the suprascapular notch and slightly contacted the anterior-inferior border of the TSL. As shoulder abduction progressed, contact stress decreased due to gradual loss of contact with the TSL. In the TSL-free scapula, there was no contact stress on the SSN in the neutral position. Towards the end of shoulder abduction, contact stress increased again as the SSN began to contact the base of the suprascapular notch in both TSL conditions. @*Conclusion@#We identified changes in the position of the SSN path within the suprascapular notch during shoulder abduction. The SSN starts in contact with the TSL and moves toward the base of the suprascapular notch with secondary contact. These findings may provide rationale for TSL release in SSN entrapment.

A Comparison between Clinical Results of Selective Bundle and Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic anatomical double bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with either selective anteromedial (AM) or posterolateral (PL) bundle reconstruction while preserving a relatively healthy ACL bundle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors evaluated 98 patients with a mean follow-up of 30.8±4.0 months who had undergone DB or selective bundle ACL reconstructions. Of these, 34 cases underwent DB ACL reconstruction (group A), 34 underwent selective AM bundle reconstruction (group B), and 30 underwent selective PL bundle reconstructions (group C). These groups were compared with respect to Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, side-to-side differences of anterior laxity measured by KT-2000 arthrometer at 30 lbs, and stress radiography and Lachman and pivot shift test results. Pre- and post-operative data were objectively evaluated using a statistical approach. RESULTS: The preoperative anterior instability measured by manual stress radiography at 90° of knee flexion in group A was significantly greater than that in groups B and C (all p<0.001). At last follow-up, mean side-to-side instrumented laxities measured by the KT-2000 and manual stress radiography were significantly improved from preoperative data in all groups (all p<0.001). There were no significant differences between the three groups in anterior instability measured by KT-2000 arthrometer, pivot shift, or functional scores. CONCLUSION: Selective bundle reconstruction in partial ACL tears offers comparable clinical results to DB reconstruction in complete ACL tears.

An Analysis of Stress Pattern in the Coracoclavicular Ligaments with Scapular Movements: A Cadaveric Study Using Finite Element Model

BACKGROUND: Acromioclavicular (AC) stability is maintained through a complex combination of soft-tissue restraints that include coracoclavicular (CC), AC ligament and overlying muscles. Among these structures, the role of the CC ligament has continued to be studied because of its importance on shoulder kinematics, especially after AC injury. This study was designed to determine the geometric change of conoid and trapezoid ligaments and resulting stresses on these ligaments according to various scapular motions. METHODS: The scapuloclavicular (SC) complex was isolated from a fresh-frozen cadaver by removing all soft tissues except the AC and CC ligaments. The anatomically aligned SC complex was then scanned with a high-resolution computed tomography scanner into 0.6-mm slices. The Finite element model of the SC complex was obtained and used for calculating the stress on different parts of the CC ligaments with simulated movements of the scapula. RESULTS: Average stress on the conoid ligament during anterior tilt, internal rotation, and scapular protraction was higher, whereas the stress on the trapezoid ligament was more prominent during posterior tilt, external rotation, and retraction. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CC ligament plays an integral role in regulating horizontal SC motion as well as complex motions indicated by increased stress over the ligament with an incremental scapular position change. The conoid ligament is the key structure restraining scapular protraction that might occur in high-grade AC dislocation. Hence in CC ligament reconstructions involving only single bundle, every attempt must be made to reconstruct conoid part of CC ligament as anatomically as possible.

An Analysis of Stress Pattern in the Coracoclavicular Ligaments with Scapular Movements: A Cadaveric Study Using Finite Element Model

BACKGROUND: Acromioclavicular (AC) stability is maintained through a complex combination of soft-tissue restraints that include coracoclavicular (CC), AC ligament and overlying muscles. Among these structures, the role of the CC ligament has continued to be studied because of its importance on shoulder kinematics, especially after AC injury. This study was designed to determine the geometric change of conoid and trapezoid ligaments and resulting stresses on these ligaments according to various scapular motions. METHODS: The scapuloclavicular (SC) complex was isolated from a fresh-frozen cadaver by removing all soft tissues except the AC and CC ligaments. The anatomically aligned SC complex was then scanned with a high-resolution computed tomography scanner into 0.6-mm slices. The Finite element model of the SC complex was obtained and used for calculating the stress on different parts of the CC ligaments with simulated movements of the scapula. RESULTS: Average stress on the conoid ligament during anterior tilt, internal rotation, and scapular protraction was higher, whereas the stress on the trapezoid ligament was more prominent during posterior tilt, external rotation, and retraction. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CC ligament plays an integral role in regulating horizontal SC motion as well as complex motions indicated by increased stress over the ligament with an incremental scapular position change. The conoid ligament is the key structure restraining scapular protraction that might occur in high-grade AC dislocation. Hence in CC ligament reconstructions involving only single bundle, every attempt must be made to reconstruct conoid part of CC ligament as anatomically as possible.

Telemedicine in the U.S.A. with Focus on Clinical Applications and Issues

Telemedicine usually refers to the use of information-based technologies, such as, computer and communications systems, to provide healthcare across geographic distances. Although telemedicine has the potential to improve healthcare, the number of clinical applications is still small and constrained by custom, regulatory, reimbursement and technical issues. In this review paper, a short historical review of telemedicine is provided, followed by an overview of clinical telemedicine applications, including cardiology, dermatology, emergency medicine and trauma care, homecare, pathology, psychiatry, radiology and surgery. Current telemedicine issues in clinics and technological problems to be decided, improved, and challenged, are reviewed. This is followed by conclusions.