Partial and complete repairs of massive rotator cuff tears maintain similar long-term improvements in clinical scores.

PURPOSE: The authors have previously published early outcomes of arthroscopic repairs of 86 massive rotator cuff tears (mRCTs) and aimed to determine whether their clinical scores are maintained or deteriorate after 5 more years. METHODS: Of the initial series of 86 shoulders, 2 had deceased, 16 lost to follow-up and 4 reoperated, leaving 64 for assessment. The repairs were complete in 44 and partial in 20, and 17 shoulders had pseudoparalysis. Preoperative assessment included absolute Constant score, shoulder strength, tear pattern, tendon retraction, and fatty infiltration. Patients were evaluated at 8.1 ± 0.6 years (range 7.1-9.3) using absolute and age-/sex-adjusted Constant score, subjective shoulder value (SSV), and simple shoulder test (SST). RESULTS: Absolute Constant score was 80.0 ± 11.7 at first follow-up (at 2-5 years) but diminished to 76.7 ± 10.2 at second follow-up (at 7-10 years) (p < 0.001). Adjusted Constant score was 99.7 ± 15.9 at first follow-up and remained 98.8 ± 15.9 at second follow-up (ns). Comparing other outcomes revealed a decrease in strength over time (p < 0.001) but no change in pain, SSV or SST. Partially-repaired shoulders had lower strength at both follow-ups (p < 0.05). Pseudoparalytic shoulders had lower absolute and adjusted Constant score at second follow-up (p < 0.05), but their net improvements in absolute Constant score were higher (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Both partial and complete arthroscopic repairs grant satisfactory long-term outcomes for patients with mRCTs, regardless of their tear pattern, fatty infiltration and presence of pseudoparalysis. Absolute Constant score decreased over time for both repair types, but adjusted Constant score remained stable, suggesting that decline is due to aging rather than tissue degeneration. The clinical relevance of this study is that arthroscopic repair should be considered for mRCTs, even if not completely repairable, rather than more invasive and/or risky treatments, such as reverse shoulder arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Correction to: Pre-operative templating in THA. Part II: a CT-based strategy to correct architectural hip deformities.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The spelling of the Geert Pagenstert name was incorrect.

Pre-operative planning in THA. Part III: do implant size prediction and offset restoration influence functional outcomes after THA?

INTRODUCTION: Few studies evaluated clinical benefits of pre-operative templating in total hip arthroplasty (THA). We investigated whether mismatch between planned and real implant sizes and medio-lateral offsets compromises THA outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed records of 184 primary THAs with pre-operative CT scans used for templating. Acetabular offset (AO), femoral offset (FO) and global offset (GO) were measured on pre-operative CT scans, during acetate templating, and post-operative antero-posterior radiographs. Multivariable analyses were performed to determine if Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) at > 2 years were associated with differences between post-operative and planned parameters. RESULTS: The FJS and OHS were not influenced by mismatch of component sizes nor of FO and GO. The FJS was better when the post-operative AO was greater than planned (p = 0.050). The FJS differed among arthritic types (p = 0.015). Multivariable analyses confirmed that older patients had better OHS (beta - 0.16; p = 0.033) and FJS (beta 0.74; p = 0.002), medialized hips had worse FJS (beta - 20.1; p = 0.041) and hips with greater AO than planned had better FJS (beta 1.71; p = 0.024) CONCLUSIONS: Implanting a component of different size than planned did not compromise THA outcomes, but medialized hips had worse scores, and conservative acetabular reaming improved scores.

Pre-operative templating in THA. Part II: a CT-based strategy to correct architectural hip deformities.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-operative templating for total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains inaccurate due to improper magnification and alignment. We aimed to describe an improved templating strategy using computed tomography (CT) to predict component sizes and offsets with greater accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 184 CT images acquired for pre-operative templating of primary THA. We aimed to restore native (pre-arthritic) femoral offset and limb length, by raising the head center to the level of the templated cup center cranio-caudally, but maintaining the pathologic (pre-operative) head center medio-laterally (except in medialized hips). Acetabular offset (AO) and femoral offset (FO) were measured on pre-operative CT scans, during acetate templating, and on post-operative true antero-posterior radiographs. RESULTS: The post-operative offsets were within ± 5 mm from templated estimates in 174 hips (91%) for AO, in 116 hips (61%) for FO, in 111 hips (58%) for GO, and in 134 hips (70%) for neck cut level. The post-operative hip architecture reproduced the templated hip architecture within ±5 mm in 77 hips (40%). The agreement between planned and post-operative parameters was moderate for stem size (0.57), cup size (0.62), AO (0.50), but fair for FO (0.45). The AO decreased in most arthritic types, notably in lateralized hips (6.6 mm), but remained unchanged in medialized hips. The FO increased in most arthritic types (1.8-3.1 mm) but remained unchanged in medialized and lateralized hips. CONCLUSIONS: We described a strategy for pre-operative templating in THA. Despite the accuracy of CT, the authors found significant variations between planned and post-operative reconstructions, which suggest that pre-operative templating should only be used as an approximate guide.

EUROVISCO Guidelines for the Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials Assessing the Disease-Modifying Effect of Knee Viscosupplementation.

OBJECTIVES: Hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation is a commonly used intra-articular treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). Some recent preclinical and clinical trials have demonstrated a potential for its disease-modifying effects. The goal of this expert opinion, consensus-driven exercise is to provide guidelines for the design and conduct of clinical trials assessing the disease-modifying effect of viscosupplementation in the knee. METHODS: The EUROVISCO group constitutes 10 members who had expertise in clinical research methodology in the field of OA and viscosupplementation. They initially drafted issues through an iterative process and had to vote on their degree of agreement on these recommendations. The scores were pooled to generate a median agreement score for each recommendation. RESULTS: The document includes 31 recommendations regarding study population, imaging, clinical and biological assessment of disease-modifying effects of viscosupplementation. Agreements were reached on some recommendations. In particular, the experts reached unanimous agreement on double-blind study design, imaging primary outcomes, time interval between 2 radiographs, x-ray procedure standardization, and the combined use of imaging and biological markers. The group did not recommend the use of ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) scan and CT arthrography as a tool for OA diagnosis or to assess progression over time. CONCLUSION: In summary, the working group identified 31 recommendations that represent the current best practices regarding clinical trials that target the assessment of viscosupplementation disease-modifying effects in patients with knee OA. These recommendations integrate new imaging technologies and soluble biomarkers.

Hidden degloving rotator cuff tears secondary to glenohumeral dislocation.

BACKGROUND: A rare form of rotator cuff tear (RCT) is observed secondary to glenohumeral dislocation, followed by immediate repositioning, as well as formation of scar tissue between tendons and tuberosities. Radiographic diagnosis of such "degloving" tears is problematic because they are obscured by scar tissue. We aimed to describe characteristics of degloving tears and report outcomes following their arthroscopic repair. METHODS: Among 67 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of RCTs secondary to shoulder dislocation, we identified 8 patients (12%) (7 anterior dislocations and 1 posterior dislocation), aged 54.5 years (range, 38-61 years), with typical characteristics of degloving tears. Preoperative imaging revealed massive 2- or 3-tendon tears in all patients (6 with a ruptured or dislocated long head of the biceps), evaluated preoperatively and at greater than 2 years, using the absolute and age- and gender-adjusted Constant scores, Subjective Shoulder Value, and Simple Shoulder Test score. RESULTS: The absolute Constant score improved from 27 (range, 17-54) to 89 (range, 62-95). The age- and gender-adjusted Constant score improved from 31 (range, 24-57) to 97 (range, 83-100). The Simple Shoulder Test score improved from 2 (range, 0-4) to 12 (range, 9-12), while the Subjective Shoulder Value improved from 18 (range, 10-30) to 90 (range, 60-100). All patients were very satisfied (63%) or satisfied (37%). CONCLUSION: We have described a particular form of RCT secondary to glenohumeral dislocation, resulting in degloving of the rotator cuff, followed by repositioning of tendons. The formation of scar tissue can obscure tendon tears on ultrasound, in which case further imaging is recommended to ascertain the diagnosis and avoid therapeutic delays.

Should massive rotator cuff tears be reconstructed even when only partially repairable?

PURPOSE: (1) To evaluate midterm functional outcomes of arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears and (2) to determine the prognostic factors that could influence outcome. The hypothesis was that both partial and complete repairs would result in equivalent improvement of clinical score. METHODS: From a prospective series of 525 rotator cuff repairs, we analysed records of the 73 patients who were treated for massive tears. The median follow-up was 41 months (range 29-55), and functional outcome was evaluated using the Constant score, shoulder strength, and subjective shoulder value. RESULTS: The median CS improved from 34 points to 81 points (p < 0.001). The scores were better for both types of two-tendon tears, posterosuperior (83, n = 33) and anterosuperior (85, n = 13) (n.s.), than for three-tendon tears (74, n = 27) (p < 0.001). The scores were also better when fatty infiltration was of stage I (84, n = 28) than of stage II (78, n = 34) (p < 0.001) or stage III (74, n = 11) (p = 0.04). The scores were only slightly higher for completely reparable tears (81.5, n = 50) than for partially reparable tears (79, n = 23) (n.s.). Ultrasonic examination revealed incomplete healing, in 10 of the 50 completely repaired tears, and in 11 of the 23 partially repaired tears. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study compare favourably with those in recent literature and confirm the hypothesis that both partial and complete repairs of massive rotator cuff tears produce equivalent improvements of Constant scores. The clinical relevance of these observations is that even if repairs of two-tendon tears result in superior functional outcomes, repairs of three-tendon tears produce equivalent 'relative' improvement that grants sufficient patient satisfaction and autonomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Comparative case series, Level IV.

Varus will have varus; a radiological study to assess and predict varus stem placement in uncemented femoral stems.

BACKGROUND: Varus inclination of the uncemented stem is not necessarily a technical error. The proximal femoral anatomy of hips with a coxa vara deformity frequently predisposes varus inclination. METHODS: We reviewed a series of 200 patients undergoing primary uncemented THA with the Corail® hip system. Preoperative data were based on patient demographics, diagnosis, and radiographic information (preoperative templating-CT measurements), and compared postoperative alignment for each stem and type of stem used. Proximal femoral traits which can alert surgeons, when templating preoperatively, to potential varus alignment were noted. RESULTS: All stems were inserted either in neutral or varus alignments. Low neck shaft angle is strongly predictive of increased varus stem alignment (p<0.001). Stems inserted with higher varus alignment were associated with the preoperative morphological traits associated with coxa vara hip deformities - increased femoral offset (p<0.001), greater trochanteric overhang (p<0.001), greater trochanteric height (p<0.046), and a lower canal flare index (p<0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Varus stem alignment is neither unexpected nor necessarily a technical failure when using this particular uncemented stem system. Coxa vara deformities, due to a combination of morphological traits, are more likely to be inserted with higher varus alignment than hips with normal or higher neck shaft angles. Surgeons need to be aware of this when carrying out preoperative templating and intraoperative assessment, in order to prevent over-compensation for offset, length or stability.

Influence of pre-operative tear size and tendon retraction on repair outcomes for isolated subscapularis tears.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of tendon tear size, in terms of length and retraction, on clinical and anatomic outcomes following repair for isolated subscapularis tears. METHODS: The records of 47 consecutive repairs of isolated subscapularis lesions were studied to correlate pre-operative tear characteristics with clinical and radiographic outcomes. RESULTS: Forty patients had complete radiographic outcomes at 3.2 ± 1.1 years, of which 36 had complete clinical outcomes at 3.5 ± 0.9 years. Re-tears were observed in five shoulders (12.5 %). Fatty infiltration increased by one grade in 20 shoulders (50 %), and by two grades in four shoulders (10 %). Pre-operative tear size was associated with the post-operative belly-press test (BPT) (p = 0.042) and fatty infiltration (p = 0.051). Pre-operative tendon retraction was associated with post-operative BPT (p < 0.001) and fatty infiltration (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not entirely prove that prognostic factors used for superior and posterior tendon tears apply for the subscapularis. Pre-operative tendon retraction is a better predictor of outcomes than tear size. When tear size and tendon retraction are simultaneously severe, re-tears and poor outcomes are more likely.

Platelet-rich plasma as a treatment for chronic patellar tendinopathy: comparison of a single versus two consecutive injections.

BACKGROUND: platelet-rich-plasma is increasingly used in chronic patellar tendinopathy. Ideal number of PRP injections needed is not yet established. This study compares the clinical outcomes of a single versus two consecutive PRP injections. METHOD: between December 2009 and January 2012, 40 athletes with proximal patellar tendinopathy were treated by PRP injection. Patients received single (20 patients) or two PRP injections 2 weeks apart (20 patients). All patients underwent prospective clinical evaluation, including Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) score, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and Tegner scale before PRP and after a minimum of 2 year follow-up. RESULTS: 9 patients failed PRP treatment and needed surgery. 1 patient was lost to follow-up. For the remaining patients, the VISA-P, VAS, and Tegner scores all significantly improved from 35.2 to 78.5 (p = 0.0001), 6.6 to 2.4 (p = 0.0001), and 4.8 to 6.9 (p = 0.0003). Patients who received two injections had better scores than those who received single injection with VAS of 1.07 versus 3.7 (p = 0.0005), Tegner score of 8.1 versus 5.9 (p = 0.0003) and VISA-P of 93.2 versus 65.7 (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: two consecutive PRP injections in chronic patellar tendinopathy showed better improvement in outcomes when compared to single injection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: randomized prospective consecutive series, Level 2.

Evaluation of lengthening in reverse shoulder arthroplasty comparing X-rays and computerised tomography.

PURPOSE: The correct amount of arm lengthening in reverse shoulder arthroplasty is crucial to provide joint stability and good results. Determination has been proposed according to radiographs. However, radiographic measurements are error prone in regards to positioning of the arm with regard to the radiographic beam. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the precision of radiographic measurements compared to CT scans of the upper limb following reverse shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing onlay reverse shoulder arthroplasty with comparative radiographs and CT scans of both humeri were included in this study. Arm length, humeral length as well as the arm and humeral lengthening were evaluated on pre- and postoperative radiographs compared to postoperative CT scans following a previously validated protocol. RESULTS: We found an excellent correlation for arm length and humeral length for radiographic and CT measurements (r > 0.90). The postoperative humeral and arm lengthening compared to the contralateral side was 0.1 (-1.2 to 1.2) cm and 2.8 (0.2 to 5.2) cm for the CT scans, and -0.6 (-4.1 to 2.0) cm and 1.9 (-2.3 to 5.0) cm for the radiographs. For arm lengthening, correlation coefficient was good (r = 0.7) even though radiographs indicated arm shortening in five cases whereas arm lengthening was observed on CT scans. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements on radiographs and CT scans are comparable in most of the cases. However, we observed some important variations that question the reliability of radiographic measurements in up to 20 % of cases. Therefore, a CT scan appears to be necessary in the event of postoperative complications (e.g., instability, neurological problems).

Arthroscopic suture-bridge repair for small to medium size supraspinatus tear: healing rate and retear pattern.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess the repair site integrity after transosseous equivalent/suture-bridge (TOE/SB) repair with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: One hundred seven consecutive shoulders with a small to medium-size full-thickness supraspinatus tear were repaired arthroscopically with use of the TOE/SB technique. There were 64 men and 41 women, and mean age at the time of surgery was 54.8 years (range, 21 to 74 years). All patients underwent postoperative MRI and clinical examination. Mean follow-up was 16.1 months (range, 12 to 28 months). RESULTS: The mean Constant score improved from 54.5 ± 12.5 points preoperatively to 80 ± 12.1 points postoperatively (P < .0001). The mean pain score improved from 7 ± 2 points preoperatively to 13 ± 2.5 postoperatively (P < .0001). The mean active forward flexion improved from 151° ± 37° preoperatively to 169° ± 14° postoperatively (P < .0001). The mean Constant score was 81 points when repaired tendon had healed and it was 72.6 points when repaired tendon was unhealed (P = .02). Smoking status was found to have detrimental influence on the tendon healing (P = .04). Postoperative MRI showed a healed repair in 96 (89.7%) of 107 shoulders. Among 11 retears, 10 occurred at the greater tuberosity and 1 occurred at the musculotendinous junction. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic TOE/SB repair of full-thickness supraspinatus tendon led to a healing rate of 89.7%. Patients with healed tendons according to MRI had significant better functional and subjective outcome. Smoking habit was found to be detrimental on healing. Retears occurred mainly at tendon-bone interface at the greater tuberosity, whereas medial cuff failure was observed in only one case in the mean time of follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Posterolateral Bundle Reconstruction With Anteromedial Bundle Remnant Preservation in ACL Tears: Clinical and MRI Evaluation of 39 Patients With 24-Month Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation consisting of a selective reconstruction of the ruptured bundle while preserving the remnant bundle has been proposed as a treatment option for partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Good clinical outcomes after selective anteromedial (AM) bundle augmentation have been reported, whereas little is known about selective reconstruction of the posterolateral (PL) bundle with preservation of the AM bundle remnant. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of selective PL bundle reconstruction with a median follow-up of 24 months. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: In a consecutive series of 741 ACL reconstructions, 44 patients underwent a selective PL bundle reconstruction with preservation of the AM remnant. Four patients with contralateral knee ligament surgery and 1 patient who sustained a traumatic rupture of his graft were excluded, leaving 39 patients for final evaluation. Clinical evaluation of knee function and laxity were recorded preoperatively and at a mean 24.2-month follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 35 patients at a mean 25.9-month follow-up for evaluation of graft and remnant bundle continuity, tunnel enlargement, and graft remodeling status by measuring the signal intensity of the graft (contrast/noise quotient [CNQ]). RESULTS: Tegner and Lysholm knee scores were significantly improved after surgery. The subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 43.5 ± 16.6 preoperatively and 89.9 ± 6.6 at the final follow-up (P < .01). The objective IKDC score was "B" for 17 patients, "C" for 21 patients, and "D" for 1 patient preoperatively, while it was "A" for 34 patients and "B" for 5 patients postoperatively (P < .01). The mean side-to-side anteroposterior laxity was 5 mm (range, 4-10 mm) preoperatively and 1.5 mm (range, -1 to 4 mm) at final follow-up (P < .01). On MRI, the graft was visible and continuous in all cases. No cyclops lesions were noted. The average CNQ for the PL graft and the AM remnant bundle was 3.2 ± 1 and 2.9 ± 1.2, respectively. Minimum bone tunnel enlargement was found. CONCLUSION: Selective PL bundle reconstruction restores knee stability and function. At final follow-up, MRI showed continuity of the PL graft without signs of dramatic tunnel enlargement or cyclops syndrome.

Clinical and structural results of arthroscopic repair of isolated subscapularis tear.

BACKGROUND: Even though the frequency of arthroscopic repair of isolated lesions of the subscapularis tendon has increased, few studies have presented clinical and anatomical outcomes of this treatment. We hypothesized that, after an arthroscopic repair, structural outcomes in the muscle have an influence on functional results. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on twenty-two patients who had undergone arthroscopic repair of an isolated tear of the subscapularis tendon and had a mean follow-up of thirty-six months. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with use of the Constant-Murley score, a subjective shoulder value, the lift-off test, the belly-press test, and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography arthrography. The results were compared with those of a cohort of thirteen patients who underwent open repair of the subscapularis tendon tear. RESULTS: In the arthroscopic group, the Constant-Murley score improved from a mean of 66 points preoperatively to a mean of 85 points postoperatively (p < 0.05). The subscapularis tendon was healed in 86% of the patients. Three patients (14%) had a partial rupture limited to the superior tendon. Postoperatively, progression of fatty infiltration of the subscapularis muscle was observed in 55% of the patients. Ten patients (45%) had a severe but localized fatty infiltration area of the subscapularis muscle related to the larger tears. Subjective and functional outcomes were not influenced by tendon-healing or postoperative fatty infiltration (p > 0.05). Clinical testing was significantly improved, but incomplete corrections remained frequent. Although open repair resulted in higher subjective shoulder scores and better strength scores, most other clinical parameters, postoperative subscapularis testing results, and structural outcomes were comparable between the arthroscopic repair and the open repair group. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair of isolated subscapularis tears was associated with improved shoulder function and improved results on clinical testing. The tendon-healing rate was high but resulted in incomplete correction of the results of clinical testing. Progression of fatty infiltration in the subscapularis muscle was observed on magnetic resonance imaging but did not influence the clinical outcomes.

Is the anterior tibial tuberosity a reliable rotational landmark for the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty?

To analyze the morphology of the tibial plateau, we studied 100 computed tomographic scans of arthritic knees and measured the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) dimensions as well as their aspect ratio using 3 reference axes of rotation: transepicondylar axis (TEA), posterior tibial margin (PTM), and anterior tibial tuberosity (ATT) axis. Relative to the TEA, the PTM was internally rotated by 1.6° ± 5.1°, and the ATT externally rotated by 14.8° ± 7.2°. The AP and ML dimensions and aspect ratio differ significantly when the reference axis was ATT compared with PTM or TEA and variations were greater while using ATT axis. Our data demonstrate (1) that design of the tibial component restricts the choice of rotational alignment and (2) that ATT is not a reliable landmark for rotation of the tibial component.