Glenoid Fracture Fixation Using an Acu-Loc Distal Radius Plate.

Displaced fractures of the glenoid require surgical fixation. This poses multiple problems, including a difficult approach and achieving adequate reduction with current implants. We provide a surgical technical tip for fixing scapula neck and glenoid rim fractures with an Acu-Loc distal radius plate (Acumed, Weyhill, UK), illustrated with two recent case reports. Here, we present two cases of a 58-year-old female and a 51-year-old male presenting to a hospital following a fall, both sustaining an isolated right glenoid intra-articular fracture evident on plain radiographs. CT scans revealed a displaced and fragmented glenoid surface. A reverse Judet posterior approach facilitated exposure to enable the reduction of the glenoid, an uncommon approach. Current plate designs provide surgeons with limited options to fix complex fractures of the scapula and were not suitable here. The lateral scapula border and inferior glenoid have a similar anatomical shape to the distal radius. An Acu-Loc locking distal radius plate with a radial styloid plate was trialled and provided a good reduction to the fragmented glenoid. A distal radius plate can be a useful option to consider in complex scapula neck and glenoid rim fractures. A better understanding of glenoid shape will facilitate the further development of orthopaedic implants. Familiarity with various surgical approaches is needed to operate on these complex fractures.

Is It Time to Rethink the Relationship Between Subscapularis Tears and the Long Head of Biceps Tendon?

Introduction Pre-operative diagnosis of subscapularis tears remains a difficult challenge. Ultrasound has been shown to be ineffective at directly detecting subscapularis tears. It has been widely accepted that medial subluxation of the long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) is associated with full-thickness subscapularis tears. The aims of this study are to assess whether LHBT subluxation on ultrasound scanning has any predictive value for subscapularis tears and to determine the relationship between LHBT subluxation and subscapularis tears at arthroscopy. Methods Pre-operative ultrasound and arthroscopic findings for patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at our institution between March 2011 and January 2016 were analysed. The accuracy of LHBT subluxation on ultrasound and at arthroscopy as a predictor of subscapularis tears at arthroscopy was calculated. The correlation between LHBT subluxation and subscapularis tears was determined. A standardised technique was used for ultrasound scans, and the grade of the sonographer was recorded. Results Three hundred fifty-nine rotator cuff repairs were performed. Twenty-four patients had a subluxed LHBT. Ultrasound was poorly sensitive (50%), and a subluxed LHBT on ultrasound only correlated very weakly with subscapularis tears at arthroscopy (R = 0.268, p<0.001). At arthroscopy, 92 patients had full-thickness subscapularis tears. Of these, only 16 patients (17%) had a subluxed/dislocated LHBT. Of the 24 patients with a subluxed LHBT, eight had no subscapularis tears. Thus, LHBT subluxation/dislocation only correlated weakly with full-thickness subscapularis tears (R=0.252, p<0.001). Conclusion Due to their close anatomical relationship, traditional teaching suggests subscapularis tears are associated with medial LHBT subluxation. Our data indicate that, contrary to popular belief, the two are only weakly correlated. In our series, the majority of patients with subscapularis tears (83%) had their LHBT in-groove. The authors therefore recommend high vigilance during arthroscopy for the diagnosis and repair of subscapularis tears, regardless of pre-operative ultrasound findings and the intra-operative position of the LHBT.

Rising to the challenge: medical students as Doctors' Assistants; an evaluation of a new clinical role.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 Pandemic brought clinical placements to a halt for many UK medical students. A University Hospitals Trust offered clinical phase students the opportunity to support the National Health Service (NHS) in newly defined roles as Doctors' Assistants (DAs). This study evaluates the experience of students working in a single NHS Trust. To our knowledge, this is the first report of medical students' perspectives on taking up a novel clinical role in the UK. METHODS: An anonymised novel electronic survey was sent to all 40 DAs across a single University Hospitals Trust via email to determine student perceptions of several aspects of the role, including its value to learning and development, impact on well-being, and benefit to the clinical environment. A formal statistical analysis was not required. RESULTS: Of the total cohort participating in the programme, 32 DAs responded (80% response rate). The experience was considered valuable to multiple aspects of learning and development, particularly familiarisation with the role of a Foundation doctor. Levels of confidence in training and support were high, and most DAs felt valued as part of the clinical team, and experienced no mental health issues resulting from their role. 53% of the participants felt their work was necessary or valuable to the team, and all reported a positive experience overall. CONCLUSION: A new role allowed medical students to effectively provide clinical assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This provided immediate support to clinical teams as well as learning opportunities for the participants without detriment to their mental well-being, and could be a model for effective retention of medical students in clinical environments in the face of resurgence of COVID-19.

Predicting the Behavior of Humeral Shaft Fractures: An Independent Validation Study of the Radiographic Union Score for HUmeral Fractures and Value of Assessing Fracture Mobility.

OBJECTIVES: To externally validate the Radiographic Union Score for HUmeral fractures (RUSHU) and to quantify the predictive relationship of fracture motion on physical examination to nonunion. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single institutional center (University teaching hospital). PATIENTS: Ninety-two consecutive patients undergoing nonoperative treatment of a diaphyseal humeral shaft fracture were identified over a 4-year period. The average age of the population was 62 years and 42% of the cohort was men. INTERVENTION: Clinical examination for fracture stability was routinely performed on patients by the treating physicians. Radiographic assessment of fracture callus (RUSHU score) at 6 weeks was retrospectively determined. Patients were followed up until union. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Stability was graded as motion at the fracture site or the humerus moving as a single functional unit. RESULTS: Fractures with a RUSHU score ≤7 were 14 times more likely to proceed to nonunion at 6 months (78% sensitivity, 80% specificity). The time to union was 49 weeks for a RUSHU score of ≤7 versus 16 weeks for a RUSHU score of ≥8. The number of operations needed to avoid one nonunion was 1.7. Fractures mobile at 6 weeks were 6.5 times more likely to proceed to nonunion at 6 months (77% specificity, 67% sensitivity). Mobile fractures had a longer time to union (41 weeks) than nonmobile fractures (17 weeks). CONCLUSION: The RUSHU score and clinical assessment of fracture mobility are effective and valid tools in identifying patients at risk of developing nonunion of humeral shaft fractures and can enhance early decision making in fracture management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

6-Year clinical results and survival of Copeland Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder in a consecutive series of 279 cases.

BACKGROUND: Medium-term clinical results and survival of the Copeland resurfacing hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder (CRHA) in a large consecutive group are presented with a comparison of outcomes for underlying pathologies. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients undergoing CRHA over 14 years was retrospectively analysed with no exclusions. Patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up by an independent assessor. Functional outcome was assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and Constant-Murley Score (CMS). Pain and satisfaction was assessed using a visual analogue score. RESULTS: 279 CRHAs were performed in 242 patients between 2002 and 2016. The mean follow-up was 6 years. The indication for surgery was osteoarthritis (OA) in 212, inflammatory arthropathy (RA) in 35, rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) in 22 and avascular necrosis (AVN) in 2. For the OA group, 5-year survival was 90%, 10-year survival was 83% and mean survival was 13.2 years (95% CI 12.5-13.9). The mean OSS was 35.0 and mean CMS 49.9. CRHA for CTA had significantly poorer (p < 0.001) 5-year survival (55%), 10-year survival (41%) and mean survival (5.9 years, 95% CI 4.7-7.2). Mean OSS was 23.6 and mean CMS 30.3, which was poorer than for OA (p < 0.001). A subgroup analysis of OA patients found significantly better survival (p = 0.013) in those aged over 65 years but no difference in functional outcome. CONCLUSION: CRHA remains a reasonable option for OA in patients with an intact rotator cuff and with sufficient bone stock, especially in those aged over 65 years. With poorer functional outcomes and survival, CRHA should not be offered in those with CTA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III (retrospective comparative study).

Anxiety and depression predict poor outcomes in arthroscopic subacromial decompression.

BACKGROUND: Subacromial impingement is common and frequently treated with arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD); however, its efficacy has recently been questioned. Poor surgical outcomes have been associated with anxiety and depression within other orthopedic subspecialties but not within this group of patients. We hypothesized that anxiety and depression are associated with worse outcomes after ASD. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was carried out of patients undergoing ASD. Inclusion criteria were short-term relief with injection therapy and presence of Hawkins sign. Rotator cuff tears were excluded. Patients completed the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and visual analog scale for pain before and after surgery in outpatient clinic follow-up at 6 weeks and by postal questionnaire at 6 months. RESULTS: The 86 patients who participated in the study were analyzed in 2 groups defined by HADS scores, group A being depressed and group B nondepressed. Both groups had less pain and improved OSS at 6 months; however, group B improved faster with improved scores at 6 weeks, which were maintained to 6 months. Group B had less pain and higher OSS at 6 months than group A. There was strong negative correlation (P < .01) between preoperative HADS score and 6-week and 6-month OSS and HADS scores. There was strong positive correlation (P < .01) between HADS score and 6-week and 6-month pain scores. High preoperative HADS score was negatively correlated to 6-month satisfaction (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Patients with HADS score >11 before ASD have worse outcomes. This should be taken into account when counseling patients for surgery.

Transformation of solitary osteochondroma to dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma arising in the distal radius: a case report.

We present the case of a 35-year-old patient suffering from an untreated solitary osteochondroma and subsequent rare transformation to a dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. This case highlights the potential risk of malignant transformation and raises the question of patient and clinician responsibility in identifying changes in a premalignant condition.