Arthroscopic repair of glenoid rim fractures: a ligamentotaxis surgical technique.

PURPOSE: Glenoid fractures occur as a result of direct impact of the humeral head against the glenoid rim following high-energy trauma. They frequently involve one-third of the glenoid surface with an oblique fracture rim from 2 to 6-7 o'clock, and they must not be confused with bony Bankart lesions. In medium-age patients, they are frequently associated with acute cuff tear while in older patients with chronic cuff tear: These conditions increase the instability of the shoulder if not treated. With this study, we reported the results of the arthroscopic ligamentotaxis technique treatment of acute antero-inferior glenoid fractures type IA of Ideberg with a cuff repair associated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with IA Ideberg glenoid fracture were treated with ligamentotaxis technique. Mean age: 56 years (45-70); 80% dominant side; male/female: 1.2. Mean extension area of glenoid fracture: 25%. The fragment was fixated reinserting the labro-ligamentous complex with a single 2 o'clock anchor. In six patients (55%), a rotator cuff tear was present, repaired during the surgical intervention. Radiological assessment: X-rays and CT with PICO method to measure the glenoid area involved. Clinical assessment: VAS, constant score, Dash score and Rowe score. RESULTS: After 30 months of follow-up (12-50), no differences in flexion, abduction, rotations and pain were reported compared to the contralateral side (p > 0.05). The mean normalized constant was 101 (60-123), and the mean Rowe was 93 (65-100). X-rays showed good healing without articular surface depressions or step in all cases. Two patients had a progression of gleno-humeral arthritis. CONCLUSION: Acute antero-inferior glenoid rim fractures are uncommon but they are increasing in over 55 years population (frequently associated with cuff tear). Correct classification and treatment are necessary to achieve good results. The X-ray assessment includes the Neer's trauma series and the CT study with PICO measurement of glenoid fragment size. Wrong treatment can lead to chronic instability, degenerative joint disease and poor results. The arthroscopic repair with ligamentotaxis is a good solution and permits the treatment of the associated rotator cuff tear. Arthroscopic technique imposes a long learning curve. CT can be used to confirm the anatomic reduction and the healing of the fracture but since it uses X-rays it must be reserved to comminuted fractures.

Humeral shaft non-union after intramedullary nailing.

BACKGROUND: The humerus shaft is one of the sites with the largest probability of developing pseudoarthrosis after fracture. We present the results of nine patients with atrophic pseudoarthrosis of humeral shaft treated with angular stability plate associated with allograft and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), after a first treatment with intramedullary nail to correct the fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2014, nine patients were treated for atrophic pseudoarthrosis (PSA) of humeral shaft treated previously using intramedullary nail; seven humeral diaphysis fractures were located in the middle-proximal third and two in the middle third. In one case, a reverse shoulder prosthesis implant was associated to treat a co-existent rotator cuff massive lesion. The mean time between injury and treatment of non-union was 32 weeks (min 16-max 180); all patients were evaluated with Constant, DASH and UCLA score. RESULTS: At the final follow-up (23.7 months), the mean Dash score was 22.25 pt, the Constant score was 64 pt, and the UCLA score value was 27 pt. The average pain value was 2 for the arm interested and 0 into PSA focus. Radiographic healing was obtained at 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: The humeral shaft non-union is an invalidating problem which affects the daily living. Our treatment with plate, cortical bone graft, and PRP can build a high-stability structure that can help healing and graft integration.

Hertel 7 fracture of the humeral head. Can two different fixation systems (Diphos/PHP) lead to different outcomes? A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcomes and complication rates in the medium-to-long-term follow-up of Hertel 7 humeral head fractures treated with two different locking plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients with type 7 humeral head fracture (in accordance with Hertel classification) were enrolled retrospectively: 24 patients [4 male, 20 female; mean age (standard deviation [SD]): 68.9 (5.8) years] were treated with Diphos H plate (Group A) and 28 patients [6 male, 22 female; mean age (SD): 61.0 (7.5) years] with Proximal Humeral Plate (PHP; Group B). The mean follow-up periods were 25.6 and 18.9 months, respectively. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Constant score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score; X-ray evaluation was also performed and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean Constant score in the Diphos and PHP groups at follow-up were 75.6 (SD 13.4) and 78.9 (SD 12.8), respectively (p>0.05). The DASH score was similar in both groups (Diphos: 18.6, range 0-51.5; PHP: 16.8, range 0-47.8) (p>0.05). In our series, 9.6% of patients had complications; these included a case of aseptic non-union and a case of avascular necrosis of the humeral head in each group, and a secondary screw perforation in a patient treated with Diphos. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Hertel 7 proximal humeral fractures, Diphos and PHP lead to similar satisfactory functional outcomes and are associated with low complication rates; this confirms that both are useful implants for the treatment of this pattern of fracture.

Complex proximal humerus fractures: Hertel's criteria reliability to predict head necrosis.

BACKGROUND: The risk of post-traumatic humeral head avascular necrosis (AVN), regardless of the treatment, has a high reported incidence. In 2004, Hertel et al. stated that the most relevant predictors of ischemia after intracapsular fracture treated with osteosynthesis are the calcar length, medial hinge integrity and some specific fracture types. Based on Hertel's model, the purpose of this study is to evaluate both its reliability and weaknesses in our series of 267 fractures, assessing how the anatomical configuration of fracture, the quality of reduction and its maintenance were predictive of osteonecrosis development, and so to suggest a treatment choice algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study, level of evidence IV, was conducted to duly assess the radiographic features of 267 fractures treated from 2004 to 2010 following Hertel's criteria treated with open reduction and internal fixation by angular stability plates and screws. The average age was 65.2 years. The average follow-up was 28.3 ± 17.0 months. The percentage of AVN, the quality and maintenance of reduction obtained during surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: The AVN incidence was 3.7 %. No significant correlation with gender, age and fracture type was found. At the last follow-up X-ray, only 30 % presented all Hertel's good predictors in the AVN group, 4.7 % in the non-AVN group (p < 0.05). About quality of reduction in the AVN group, it was poor in 50 %; while in the non-AVN group, it was poor in 3.4 % (p < 0.05). Four patients with AVN were symptomatic, and three needed a second surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Hertel's criteria are important in the surgical planning, but they are not sufficient: an accurate evaluation of the calcar area fracture in three planes is required. All fractures involving calcar area should be studied with CT.

Hemiarthroplasty versus reverse shoulder arthroplasty: comparative study of functional and radiological outcomes in the treatment of acute proximal humerus fracture.

PURPOSE: To compare functional and radiographic results of reverse prosthesis versus hemiarthroplasty after complex displaced proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients when adequate ORIF cannot be achieved and prosthetic shoulder replacement is required. METHODS: From 2008 to 2012, 67 patients were treated with hemiarthroplasty or reverse arthroplasty. We evaluated 53 cases with an average follow-up of 27.5 months (range 12-64). Twenty-eight patients with an average age of 71.4 years were treated with a hemiarthroplasty and 25 patients with an average age of 77.3 years with a reverse prosthesis. All patients were assessed before and after surgery by Constant-ASES-DASH score, strength in abduction, ER1, ER2, and X-rays. RESULTS: In hemiarthroplasty group, we observed a mean Constant score of 42.3 pt, ASES score 51.3 pt, and DASH score 46.1, with an average strength of 1.3 lb in abduction and of 3.7 lb in ER1 and 1.8 lb in ER2. In reverse arthroplasty group, we measured a mean Constant of 56.2 pt, ASES 69.3 pt, and DASH score 40.4, with an average strength of 4.3 lb in abduction and of 3.3 lb in ER1 and 3.2 lb in ER2. Radiographically, it is interesting to observe that greater tuberosity healing rate was 37 % in hemiarthroplasty group compared to 84 % in reverse arthroplasty group. About complications, the highest rate was recorded in the hemiarthroplasty group. CONCLUSION: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty indication is steadily increasing in acute displaced proximal humeral fracture. Pain and articular movement results appear better than those with hemiarthroplasty. Our data are similar to the international literature.

Strength recovery after proximal humeral fractures treated with locking plate.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to understand whether the isokinetic strength could be a valid objective data of functional recovery evaluating a group of patients with proximal humeral fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation with locking plate comparing the clinical and functional recovery (isokinetic strength) with the not involved side. METHODS: Seventy patients underwent surgery with locking plate placement for proximal humeral fractures. The strength of each patient's shoulders, both involved and not involved, was evaluated using isokinetic tests and Constant-Murley score. Finally, the study included 48 patients and the mean follow-up of 33 months. RESULTS: The functional outcome showed no significant differences between operated and not operated shoulder. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the assessment of the force can be supported by use of tools such as the evaluation with isokinetic machines with the advantage of having, in this way, an objective data on the functional recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Gap formation in a transosseous rotator cuff repair as a function of bone quality.

BACKGROUND: The transosseous approach has been well known for a long time as a valid repair approach. Over time, various criticisms have been raised over this technique principally classifiable in two main categories: technical difficulty and related reproducibility in an arthroscopic environment, and repair stability (in the suture-bone contact area). About cyclic performance, several authors have conceived test setups with the aim of simulating a real environment in dynamic load conditions. The aim of this study was to monitor gap formation in a cyclic test setup. METHODS: The performance (measured as gap formation) has been monitored as a function of bone density to verify the effect of the latter. The test blocks have been shaped using sawbones® test bricks (Malmo, Sweden) of different densities, and the following values have been tested: 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40pcf. FINDINGS: The comparison has been made between the two groups: traditional transosseous and new approach with an interposed device. Regarding the traditional transosseous approach in a 10-pcf environment, not even the first loading cycle was completed, the whole bone bridge was destroyed in the first loading ramp and no further loading capability was present in the repair. By increasing the block density, the surface damage in the suture-block contact decreased. INTERPRETATION: With this work, it has been demonstrated how the traditional transosseous approach is strongly influenced by the bone quality up to the point where, in certain conditions, a safe and reliable repair is not guaranteed.

The rotator cuff tear repair with a new arthroscopic transosseous system: the Sharc-FT(®).

PURPOSE: Today, in rotator cuff tear repair, the transosseous sutures are considered superior from a biological and biomechanical point of view. Our purpose is to present the early clinical and biomechanical data of a new arthroscopic rotator cuff tear transosseous repair system: the Sharc-FT®. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients with rotator cuff tear affecting supraspinatus and infraspinatus, 1 to 3 cm wide, were treated and evaluated from 2010 to 2013. The average age was 63.2 years. Mean follow-up was 18.6 months. All patients were assessed through Constant score in the preoperative step and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up, performing an MRI 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The patients have shown a mean preoperative Constant score of 24.5 pt that constantly increases after surgery, until a mean value of 86.9 at 12 months. Regarding complications two cases of adhesive capsulitis were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: This device permits to obtain transosseous sutures with cortical fixation; to greatly reduce the problems of lack of bone resistance; to decrease motion at tendon-footprint interface improving fatigue resistance; to make the stress-load distribution homogeneous at the footprint, thus optimizing biological healing. A later evaluation will be necessary, especially for the incidence of retears.

Comparison between 2D and 3D computed tomography evaluation of glenoid bone defect in unilateral anterior gleno-humeral instability.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the agreement between 2D and 3D computed tomography (CT) measurements in identifying the size and type of glenoid-bone defect in anterior glenohumeral instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients affected by unilateral anterior glenohumeral instability underwent a CT of both shoulders. Images were processed with both 2D [multiplanar reconstruction (MPR)] and 3D [volumerendering (VR)] methods. The area of the missing glenoid was calculated in comparison with the healthy glenoid and expressed as a percentage. Agreement between the two measurements was assessed according to the Bland-Altman method; a 5% mean difference was considered as clinically relevant. RESULTS: Analysis of agreement between MPR and VR measurements of the percentage of missing glenoid showed a mean difference equal to 0.62%±1.96%. Percent agreement between the two measurements in detecting the presence of bone defect was 97% (p<0.0001). Percent agreement between the two measurements in discriminating the type of bone defect was 97% (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between 2D (MPR) and 3D (VR) CT measurements to identify the size and type of glenoid-bone defect in anterior glenohumeral instability was so high that the two measurements can be considered interchangeable.

How to identify and calculate glenoid bone deficit.

In recent years, we have seen increased interest in bone lesions of the glenoid rim as acute fractures (Bony-Bankart) and as chronic bone defect in instability. This derives from three main clinical and statistical findings: a significant incidence of bony Bankart lesion after a first dislocation, a high percentage of glenoid bone defects in chronic instability, and, finally, a close relationship between bone defect and incidence of recurrence after arthroscopic stabilization. The authors agree on determining glenoid bone defect that exceeds 15-20% as the main contraindication to arthroscopic stabilization. It is thus necessary to accurately calculate bone defect in order to be able to plan the most suited type of surgery. The authors report their simple, accurate and reproducible CT method known as Pico to quantify and measure bone defect in terms of percentage bone area and in terms of square mm of defect.

[Traumatic lesions of the diaphragm (experiences with 36 cases)]. / Le lesioni traumatiche del diaframma. (Esperienza su 36 casi).

The Authors report on their experience with 36 cases of traumatic lesions of the diaphragm. Such lesions should be suspected in all cases of thoraco-abdominal trauma. The possibility of a preoperative diagnosis depends entirely on thorough chest x-rays and administration of contrast medium via a nasogastric tube. In emergency surgery, lesions of the diaphragm are treated by the laparotomy route, which allows complete exploration of the abdominal cavity. The morbidity and mortality of such lesions depend on the associated lesions, on prompt diagnosis and surgery and on appropriate postoperative treatment.