[Clinical results of arthroscopic tenotomy of the long head of the biceps brachii in full thickness tears of the rotator cuff without repair: 40 cases]. / Résultats de la ténotomie arthroscopique du chef long du biceps brachial dans les ruptures transfixiantes de la coiffe des rotateurs non réparées: a propos de 40 cas.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Appropriate treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears in patients without osteoarthritic shoulder joints remains a subject of debate. Medical treatment, a substitution muscle flap, and palliative arthroscopic treatment have been proposed. Arthroscopic tenotomy of the long head of the biceps brachii is warranted because this tendon is often the cause of part or all of the pain. If there is a full thickness tear of the rotator cuff, the exposed tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii can, because of its anterosuperior position, become impinged against the acromial vault during forward flexion. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the mid-term clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic tenotomy of the long head of the biceps brachii during treatment of full thickness tears of the rotator cuff. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The series included 40 shoulders operated on for tenotomy alone (n=32) or in combination with acromioplasty (n=8). The long head of the biceps brachii was in place in 23 shoulders (58%), displaced in seven and subluxed in five. The position was not determined in five. At last follow-up, the mean rough Constant score was 58 points, giving a gain of 20 points. The gain for pain was +7.1 points, +6.4 points for activity, and +6.6 points for motion. After the operation, muscle force for elbow flexion-supination was decreased 40% compared with an age-, sex- and dominance-matched control group. 86% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome and only two patients were disappointed by the asymmetry of arm muscle volume. Radiographically, at last follow-up there were no signs of superior excentration of the humeral head and the subacromial space, which measured 7.38 mm preoperatively was 7.19 mm postoperatively. Likewise only two shoulders progressed to excentered osteoarthritis at 41 and 72 months. DISCUSSION: Mid-term results of arthroscopic tenotomy of the long head of the biceps brachii are satisfactory. The technique is simple and has limited functional consequences. The procedure has an undeniable impact on pain and has allowed a 34 degree gain in anterior flexion of the shoulder. Complementary acromioplasty was not found to provide a supplementary benefit in this series. Nevertheless, the degradation of the result in one female patient at six years suggests we should be prudent concerning the long-term benefit of this procedure which should be reserved for irreparable tears in patients with minimal functional demands.

Function of subscapularis after surgical treatment for recurrent instability of the shoulder using a bone-block procedure.

We compared the long-term function of subscapularis after the Latarjet procedure using two surgical approaches. We treated 102 patients (106 shoulders) with a mean age of 26.8 years (15 to 51) with involuntary unidirectional recurrent instability. The operation was carried out through an L-shaped incision with trans-section of the upper two-thirds of the muscle in 69 cases and with a subscapularis split in 37. All clinical results were assessed by the Rowe and the Duplay scores and the function of subscapularis by evaluating the distance and strength at the lift-off position. Bilateral CT was performed in 77 patients for assessment of fatty degeneration. The mean follow-up was 7.5 years (2 to 15) and 18% of cases were lost to follow-up. The mean Duplay score was 82 of 100 for the L-shaped incision group and 90 of 100 for those with a subscapularis split (p = 0.02). The mean fatty degeneration score was 1.18 after an L-shaped incision compared with 0.12 after subscapularis split (p = 0.001). The subscapularis split approach is therefore recommended.

[Radiocarpal dislocation: twelve cases and a review of the literature]. / Luxation radio-carpienne: à propos d'une série de 12 cas et revue de la littérature.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Radiocarpal dislocation is an uncommon entity in traumatology. Proper management depends on the type of dislocation and the presence of concomitant injury. The purpose of this study was to detail the pathogenesis of radiocarpal dislocation and describe its complications and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve radiocarpal dislocations were reviewed retrospectively. Nine were associated with multiple trauma. For this review, physical examination was performed to determine the functional status, presence of pain, joint motion, and grip force. The Green and O'Brien score as modified by Cooney was used to assess function. Grip force was measured with a Jamar dynamometer and weighted by the non-dominant/dominant ratio. Dumontier and Moneim classifications were used to define different types of radiocarpal dislocation. Radiological evaluation was based on anteroposterior (ulnar and radial inclination) and lateral views of the wrist. RESULTS: Dorsal displacement was observed for nine dislocations. All were associated with fractures (eleven fractures of the lateral cuneal process and eight fractures of the styloid process). Other associated injuries were distal radioulnar dislocation and intracarpal sprains (two scapholunate and two lunotriquetral). There were three median nerve compressions which all regressed without sequelae. Ten patients were treated by styloradial osteosynthesis alone and two patients by capsule-ligament suture via an anterior approach. Pinning was used to stabilize the two lunotriquetral injuries and the one neglected radioulnar dislocation. RESULTS: At last follow-up (mean 46.2 months), the overall functional outcome was satisfactory. The Green and O'Brien (modified by Cooney) score was excellent for one patient, fair for eight, and mediocre for three (75% satisfactory results). Distal radioulnar degeneration developed in the patient who had a neglected radioulnar dislocation. Three cases of radiocarpal degeneration were observed in patients with neglected scapholunate sprains whose wrist was symptomatic at last follow-up. DISCUSSION: Radiocarpal dislocation is associated with intracarpal fracture and/or injury. Intracarpal injury must be treated in order to limit the risk of future degeneration. Pure radiocarpal dislocation (or in association with a minimal fracture of the styloid) should be treated surgically, irrespective of the approach, in order to achieve capsule-ligament suture. Other radiocarpal dislocations can be simply reduced with osteosynthesis of associated fractures. Intracarpal and/or distal radioulnar lesions must be stabilized. Osteosynthesis or capsule-ligament suture must be achieved to obtain a satisfactory clinical result.

The communicating branches between the sural and superficial peroneal nerves in the foot: a review of 55 cases.

The rich sensory innervation of the ankle and foot is manifest through the numerous communicating branches linking the neural trunks, particularly the superficial peroneal and sural nerves on the anterolateral aspect of the hindfoot. The 35 communicating branches seen in 55 dissections (58%) were proximal in half of the cases, lying in the malleolar and lateral tarsal regions, and distal in the other half, in the metatarsal region. The communicating branch was straight in 25 cases and curved in 11. The average distances of the communicating branch from the crest of the lateral malleolus and the tubercle of the 5th metatarsal was 4.7 and 4.1 cm, but there was a wide range of values. We believe that stretching of the proximal communicating branch during forced inversion of the ankle and/or foot or during fractures of the calcaneus or direct injury in surgical approaches or arthroscopy of the ankle may lead to unexplained pre- and submalleolar pain. Advances in modern imaging may allow recognition of these branches and guidance of infiltration and even neurolysis in cases of failure of conservative treatment.

[Correction of acquired metatarsus elevatus and hallux flexus: technique used in nine cases]. / Technique de correction du metatarsus elevatus acquis avec hallux flexus. A propos de 9 cas.

Nine cases of acquired metatarus elevatus or horizontalization of the first metatarsal with hallux flexus (dorsal bunion) were treated surgically associating: plantar wedge resection of the base of the first metatarsal or the first cuneiform; distal disinsertion of the long hallux flexor which was then positioned under the base of the first metatarsal and finally fixed on the distal dorsal segment of the metatarsophalangeal capsule; distal disinsertion of the anterior tibial tendon and tenodesis of the posterior tibial tendon. Weight bearing was allowed after pinning for one Month to position the axis of the first ray. Morphological results, recorded at 11 Years follow-up (mean) were satisfactory. There were no recurrent deformations and no residual instability of the first ray. The only observation was a minimal stiffness of the metatarsophalangeal joint with no tendency to degeneration.

[High incidence of total hip arthroplasty aseptic loosening with ion-coated titanium femoral heads]. / Fréquence élevée des descellements prothétiques aseptiques après utilisation d'un couple titane implanté-polyéthylène.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of aseptic loosening among a series of total hip arthroplasties evaluated at 84 months and to search for the cause. Two types of acetabular cups had been implanted. It was hypothesized that the ion coating of the titanium head could be involved in the deterioration of titanium/polyethylene implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two non-cemented acetabular cups differing only by the presence or not of a hypoxyapatite coating were studied. Different types of femoral heads (stainless steal, chromium-cobalt, alumina, zincrona, nitrurated titanium, ion-coated titanium) and femoral stems (with or without cement) were implanted. Sixty-two ion-coated titanium heads were implanted and 47 patients with 52 heads were reviewed. Clinical outcome was assessed with the Postel-Merle-d'Aubigné score and the Livermoore method was used for radiological assessment of the bone-implant interface and polyethylene wear. The physico-chemical properties of one titanium head explanted after aseptic loosening were also studied. RESULTS: At 84 months follow-up, the mean clinical score was 15.8/18 points. Mean polyethylene wear was 0.18 mm/year. There were 13 revisions for aseptic loosening: two bipolar, nine acetabular and two femoral. Mean wear for the explanted implants was 0.34 mm/year. Metallosis was observed in eight cases. Arthroplasties with the same types of femoral stem and acetabular implants but with other types of heads (stainless steal, chromium-cobalt, alumina, zincrona, nitrurated titanium) led to only one case of aseptic loosening among 118 implantations. Electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of scratch lines, disappearance of the nitrogen ion layer, decreased hardness, and increased roughness of the titanium head. DISCUSSION: The poor friction properties of titanium are well known. To improve performance, ion coating has been proposed. This technique consists in projecting nitrogen ions onto the surface of the head to form a surface coating measuring about one micron. The high incidence of aseptic loosening, polyethylene wear, metallosis, and modifications of the head surface (disappearance of the nitrogen ion layer, scratch marks, etc.) suggest ion-coated titanium heads could be the cause of these aseptic loosenings. CONCLUSION: Ion-coating has not provided good protection of the titanium head. Patients with this type of head should be followed carefully in order to detect aseptic loosening or metallosis early.

A study of reproducibility of an original method of CT measurement of the lateralization of the intertubercular groove and humeral retroversion.

An original method of CT measurement of the lateralization of the humeral intertubercular groove is described based on geometric construction following Thales theorem. A study of intra- and interobserver reproducibility was done of this measurement and humeral retroversion on 32 healthy volunteers. The results show good reproducibility of these measurements. The average value of humeral retroversion was lower than the average values found in the literature: 11.71 degrees on average on the dominant side and 7.03 degrees on average on the non-dominant side with a large spread of values. The reasons for these differences are discussed. The average values of lateralization of the intertubercular groove were 114.97 degrees on the dominant side and 121.9 degrees on the non-dominant side. These CT measurements are important to consider in the pathophysiology of chronic anterior instability of the shoulder.

[Clinical and computed tomography results of 106 Latarjet-Patte procedures at mean 7.5 year follow-up]. / Résultats cliniques et tomodensitométriques d'une série continue de 106 butées de Latarjet-Patte au recul moyen de 7,5 ans.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We reviewed, at a mean follow-up of 7.5 years, overall functional outcome, bony architecture of the humerus predisposing to anterior instability, and treatment failure after 106 Latarjet-Patte procedures performed in 102 patients (mean age 34 years). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The reproducibility of computed tomographic findings was validated prior to analysis. There were 5 men for 1 woman in this series. The initial injury, occurring at the age of 22 years on the average, was caused by trauma in 87% of the patients and generally involved the dominant upper limb. Ninety-seven patients practiced sports activities, a high risk sport for 48%. Clinical outcome was assessed with the Duplay score. Standard x-rays were also obtained, with bilateral computed tomography in 80 patients. RESULTS: The osteosynthesis screw had to be removed in 6% of the cases due to posterior pain. The Latarjet-Patte procedure yielded 76.4% excellent or good results according to the Duplay scoring system. Sixty percent of the competition-level athletes like amateur athletes resumed their former sports activities at the same level. Seventy-percent of the patients were pain free. At last follow-up, complaints of pain, generally minor pain, were related to age of onset of instability, preoperative pain, and presence of joint degeneration. Loss of rotation was less than 11 degrees (mean). There was one case of recurrence subsequent to secondary trauma and 13.2% of the patients experienced residual apprehension. This lack of perfect stability was not related to a technical error but rather to a functional section of the head cartilage which remained in an overly anterior position because of a Malgaigne notch extending to the surface. Grade 2 or 3 joint degeneration was observed in 15% of the patients. It was related to duration of follow-up, patient age, mode of instability, and overlap of the bone block. Standard x-rays underestimated the incidence and degree of joint degeneration since the computed tomographic analysis revealed 17.5% of joint space narrowing (overall or posterior). Single cortex screwing led to nonunion, observed in 7% of the cases. Advanced osteolysis led to pain with altered overall function. DISCUSSION: Operated patients appear to have a constitutional morphology predisposing to anterior instability due to more marked bicipital lateralization than seen in controls. The differences concerning humeral version are less pronounced. There was a difference in version, independently of the presence of a notch, between the unstable and the healthy side. Conversely, in comparison with controls, a more anterior sector of the head cartilage (secondary anteversion) was only seen in patients with a notch. CONCLUSION: We consider that preoperative measurement of humeral retroversion and lateralization of the bicipital gutter can be helpful in establishing a precise therapeutic indication. Rather than searching for a constitutionally anomalous retroversion, we advocate searching for a more anterior functional section of the head cartilage (aggravated anteversion) caused by the presence of a Malgaigne notch on the unstable side (retroversion< or =0 degrees ). When this anomaly is present, we prefer associating a derotation retroversing osteotomy of the humerus with the classical technique. This should avoid persistent residual apprehension.

Accessory coracobrachialis muscle as a cause of anterior impingement syndrome of the rotator cuff in an athlete.

Subcoracoid impingement is a rare but well-know cause of anterior shoulder pain in throwing and overhead athletics. Bulging of the walls or the contents of the coracohumeral space may hamper the smooth gliding of soft tissue between the coracoid process and glenohumeral joint, especially in forward elevation and internal rotation of the arm. Following is a case report of subcoracoid impingement caused by an accessory coracobrachialis muscle in an alpinist treated by resection of the muscular supernumerary slip.

[Influence of the method of measurement of muscle force on results of isolated resections of the head of the radius in the adult]. / Influence de la méthode de mesure de la force musculaire dans les résultats des résections isolées de la tête radiale chez l'adulte.

A statistical study of a group of 50 patients determined the mean difference in grip strength between the dominant and non-dominant hands. For every position of the wrist a mean non-dominant/dominant ratio was calculated. This ratio, 87% in the neutral position, was then used to assess grip strength in relation to the dominance of the injured limb in 15 patients who had undergone 16 radial head excisions, a mean time of 74.4 months earlier. Using this method as a correction factor, results vary considerably according to the functional scoring system used. Loss of grip strength was more frequent and more pronounced in men who had been operated on and in those whom a statistical increase in distal radio-ulnar variance was noted. Loss of grip strength was also greatest when the dominant hand had undergone surgery. Excision of the radial head is still indicated in isolated and comminuted fractures when internal fixation is not possible, especially in less active patients when the non-dominant side is affected.