The effect of shoulder manipulation on rotator cuff integrity.

The use of shoulder manipulation in the treatment of frozen shoulder remains controversial. Humeral fractures and neurological damage are the risks associated with the procedure. A concern of causing a rotator cuff tear exists but the incidence of iatrogenic rotator cuff tears is not reported. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of shoulder manipulation for frozen shoulder on the integrity of the rotator cuff. In a prospective study, 32 consecutive patients (33 shoulders) with the diagnosis of frozen shoulder underwent manipulation of the shoulder under anaesthesia (MUA), 18 female and 15 males with mean age at manipulation of 503 years (range: 42-63). The average duration of symptoms before treatment was 6.2 months (range: 2-18 months). The patients were examined prior to the manipulation and at follow-up for combined shoulder range of motion, external and internal rotation and strength. All patients had an ultrasound assessment of the rotator cuff before and at 3 weeks after manipulation of the shoulder. Mean time between manipulation and last follow-up was 133 weeks. None of the patients had ultrasound findings of a rotator cuff tear, prior to the manipulation. In all patients the rotator cuff remained undamaged on ultrasound examination at 3 weeks after the procedure. The mean improvement in motion was 81.2 degrees (from 933 degrees pre-op to 174.5 degrees at last follow-up) for forward flexion; 102.6 degrees (from 68.8 degrees pre-op to 171.4 degrees at last follow-up) for abduction, 49.4 degrees (from 8.8 degrees pre-op to 58.2 degrees at last follow-up) for external rotation and 3.5 levels of internal rotation (range: 2 to 5 levels). These gains in motion were all highly significant (p < 0.0001). No fractures, dislocations or nerve palsies were observed. In this study, manipulation of the shoulder has not been associated with rotator cuff tears. If done properly the procedure appeared to be safe and to result in a marked improvement of range of movement and function.

Management of first-time dislocations of the shoulder in patients older than 40 years: the prevalence of iatrogenic fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of iatrogenic humeral neck fracture after attempted closed reduction in patients older than 40 years who present with a first-time anterior dislocation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study, evidence-based medicine level IV. PATIENTS: Ninety-two patients older than 40 years (mean 66.6 years of age) with a first-time anterior dislocation of the shoulder. INTERVENTION: Closed reductions by the emergency medicine physicians under conscious sedation, in the emergency department. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of iatrogenic fracture on postreduction radiographs. RESULTS: Nineteen (20.7%) patients were diagnosed with a concomitant greater tuberosity fracture on initial radiograph. In the postreduction radiographs, 5 patients (5.4%) were identified with a postreduction humeral neck fracture, and all of them had a greater tuberosity fracture on initial radiographs. A highly significant association (P < 0.0001) was observed between the finding of a greater tuberosity fracture on the initial radiographs and the occurrence of iatrogenic humeral neck fracture after close reduction. DISCUSSION: Previous case reports have described an iatrogenic humeral neck fracture with reduction attempt of shoulder dislocation. In our retrospective study, 21% of the cohort of patients older than 40 years had a concomitant greater tuberosity fracture; 26% of them had an iatrogenic humeral neck fracture after reduction attempt under sedation in the emergency room. These patients ended up with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients older than 40 years, presenting with a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation with an associated fracture of the greater tuberosity have a significant rate of iatrogenic humeral neck fracture during closed reduction under sedation.

Pattern and time phase of shoulder function and power recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: It has been our observation that early during rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair, patients may take a step back before improving. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pattern and time phase of changes in Constant score and strength recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients underwent scoring preoperatively with the Constant score. All were followed up at 3 months and 6 months after surgery. The Constant score and strength at 3 months were compared with those at the 6-month mark. RESULTS: The mean Constant score improved from 46.4 points (SD, 17.3) preoperatively to 51.8 points (SD, 13.5) 3 months postoperatively (P = .0777). At 6 months postoperatively, the mean Constant score was 69.0 points (SD, 11.1), a significant increase from both the preoperative (P < .0001) and 3-month (P < .0001) results. The mean preoperative strength result of 4.5 kg (SD, 3.2) decreased significantly to 3.3 kg (SD, 1.8) at 3 months postoperatively (P = .0154) before improving to 5.8 kg (SD, 2.6) at 6 months postoperatively. The improvement in strength at 6 months was significant compared with both the preoperative (P = .0070) and 3-month (P < .0001) results. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is highly significant improvement in overall function (Constant score) and strength 6 months postoperatively, patients appear to take a step back before improving, in fact with a drop in strength at 3 months. This may cause concern in patients and may require assurance that time and effort with physiotherapy will improve function and symptoms.

The active elevation lag sign and the triangle sign: new clinical signs of trapezius palsy.

BACKGROUND: Spinal accessory nerve palsy causing trapezius dysfunction can lead to significant disability. Diagnosis is frequently delayed or inaccurate leading to inappropriate treatment. METHODS: We describe new clinical signs for trapezius muscle dysfunction and palsy, and accessory nerve palsy, viz. The Active Elevation Lag sign and the Triangle sign. These signs help to differentiate between scapular winging due to trapezius dysfunction and that due to serratus anterior dysfunction. The signs are based on the principle that the deficiency of trapezius function causes an ;active forward elevation lag' with compensatory spinal hyperextension, and lead to the Triangle sign in the prone position, whereas no such lag is found in patients with pure serratus anterior dysfunction. Video recordings of clinical examination of 10 patients, 5 with isolated spinal accessory nerve palsy and 5 with long thoracic nerve palsy (confirmed by neurophysiology studies) were blinded and reviewed by 8 assessors. RESULTS: Of the total of 80 readings, 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity were found, in correlation with the diagnosis confirmed by neurophysiology studies, with positive predictive value of 95% and negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: These are simple clinical signs, easy to perform which are useful in diagnosing trapezius weakness in clinical practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2-1; Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.

Arthroscopic capsular release for posttraumatic shoulder stiffness.

Severe pain and shoulder stiffness after soft tissue trauma or fracture is a major cause of dysfunction. Some patients may have residual, resistant, significant shoulder stiffness that causes long-term functional impairment. This study reports the results of arthroscopic capsular release in 21 patients who presented with posttraumatic stiff shoulders resistant to nonoperative therapy. They underwent arthroscopic circumferential capsular and subacromial release of adhesions under interscalene block, followed with immediate regular physiotherapy. A highly significant improvement in the range of motion (ROM) was achieved immediately postoperatively (P < .0001). At 6 months, a mean 48% of the ROM gain was lost. Thereafter, ROM steadily improved to a mean net gain of 110% compared with the immediate postoperative time (mean follow-up, 33 months). Most patients (95%) expressed satisfaction with their outcome. Arthroscopic capsular release is a useful treatment for resistant posttraumatic stiff shoulder, particularly to alleviate of pain and restore a functional ROM.

Peripheral paresthesia in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Some patients presenting with subacromial impingement syndrome complain of tingling and numbness radiating to hand. In the current literature, there is no description of such paresthesia being a part of the clinical picture of impingement syndrome. OBJECTIVE: This observational study aimed at looking whether these symptoms resolve with successful arthroscopic decompression of the impingement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery were enlisted for the study. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent reported paresthesia during the course of the shoulder problem (63% of them had radial sided symptoms, 29.6% ulnar-sided symptoms and 7.4% involving all fingers). Significant association was observed between the occurrence of paresthesia and worst pain levels (P = 0.0053), age of the patient (P = 0.0104) and the acromial impingement grade (P = 0.0377). Nerve conduction studies done in seven patients (with paresthesia) selected by systematic random sampling did not show any significant attributable entrapment neuropathy. Up to 12 months follow-up, 48 of 54 (88%) had complete relief of pain and paresthesia and 50 (92.5%) were satisfied. CONCLUSION: Some patients with subacromial impingement syndrome report associated peripheral paresthesia radiating to hand, which is strongly associated with the age, pain level and the grade of impingement. In most (88%) of such cases, these symptoms are relieved after treatment of the impingment lesion. The incidence and aetiology of such paresthesia is the subject of further studies.

The "purse-string" technique: an arthroscopic technique for stabilization of anteroinferior instability of the shoulder with early and medium-term results.

PURPOSE: We report the early and midterm results of the "purse-string" technique, a simple, new arthroscopic technique for stabilization of anteroinferior instability of the glenohumeral joint that addresses both the Bankart lesion and capsular stretching. METHODS: The patients comprised 36 individuals (37 shoulders), with a mean age of 26 years, who had recurrent anteroinferior post-traumatic instability as a result of a traumatic Bankart lesion. They had sustained a mean of 5 dislocations per shoulder (range, 1 to 11). The cohort included 5 professional and 6 semiprofessional athletes, all of whom were involved in collision or overhead sports. A purse-string suture anchor at the 4-o'clock position was used to ensure a purse-string effect in tightening the capsule in the inferior-superior plane and creation of anterior glenoid bumper. All of the patients were assessed by an independent investigator (T.M.) at a mean of 36 months (range, 27 to 87 months) after surgery. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the mean Rowe score was 93 (range, 55 to 100), the mean Walch-Duplay score was 93 (range, 70 to 100), and the mean Constant score was 97 (range, 77 to 100). Of the patients, 97% returned to the same sport that they had played before injury. Furthermore, 66% of patients returned to their preinjury level of sports, and all of the professional athletes resumed full activities. One patient continued to have symptoms of instability, and one patient had a further dislocation after a new traumatic event. CONCLUSIONS: The early and medium-term results obtained are very encouraging, with a rate of failure of only 5.4%, a high level of return to preinjury sporting activities (with 97% of patients returning to the same sport and 66% returning to their preinjury level of sports), and a high patient satisfaction rate (with excellent or good results in 94% of patients). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Histologic evaluation of the glenohumeral joint capsule after radiofrequency capsular shrinkage for atraumatic instability.

We evaluated histologically 10 biopsy specimens taken preoperatively from the anterior-inferior glenohumeral ligament from patients with atraumatic instability who had undergone radiofrequency capsular shrinkage, 10 taken immediately postoperatively, and 13 taken before revision. The synovial and subsynovial layers returned to normal histology in biopsy specimens taken from 6 months onwards. Collagen bundles in the fibrous layer continued to have a reparative histology during the period of the study (up to 37 months). The type of radiofrequency probe used (monopolar or bipolar) had no effect on the histologic healing process (P > 0.5, chi2 test). A histologic score was introduced, and this was found to have an excellent intraobserver agreement (weighted kappa, 0.840) and a moderate interobserver agreement (weighted kappa, 0.698).

Subacromial plica as a cause of impingement in the shoulder.

The subacromial bursa is the largest bursa in the body. In 1934, Codman described the presence of subacromial plicae, similar to the suprapatellar plicae found in the knee. It is recognized that plicae in the knee can cause anterior knee pain with impingement against the patella in young persons. We investigated the possibility that a similar situation exists with plicae of the subacromial bursa. The aims of this study were to document the prevalence of bursal plicae seen at bursoscopy during arthroscopic subacromial decompression of the shoulder and to assess whether there is any pattern in the occurrence of these plicae, as well as the relationship to impingement lesions seen at bursoscopy. Between January 1996 and July 2001, all cases undergoing arthroscopic decompression were evaluated for anatomic-pathologic changes of the subacromial bursa, including the presence of plicae and impingement lesions. A total of 1732 cases complying with inclusion criteria were recorded, with plicae observed in 104 (6.0%). The occurrence of plicae showed a highly significant younger age predilection (P = .0008, chi(2) test) but no differences between sexes or sides. The occurrence of subacromial plicae was highly associated with the combined severity of the impingement lesion on the acromial and bursal side. Plicae were most common in shoulders showing an impingement lesion on the cuff bursal side, with no impingement lesion on the acromial side. The odds of the impingement lesion being milder on the acromial side was 3.41 times higher in shoulders with a plica compared with shoulders without a plica. This suggests that impingement of the cuff may be due to the plica itself. This study is the first to describe the presence of subacromial plicae in living subjects and correlates with previous anatomic studies. The younger age predominance correlates with the findings of plicae in the knee. Our findings suggest that subacromial plicae may be a cause of impingement in young patients.

Mechanical properties of regenerated coracoacromial ligament after subacromial decompression.

Recent publications suggest that the coracoacromial ligament regenerates after it has been partially excised during subacromial decompression or acromioplasty. This observation may aid the understanding of the successes and failures of this very commonly performed surgical procedure. This study determines the mechanical properties of the apparently regenerated ligament. Eight regenerated coracoacromial ligaments were excised during revision surgery after subacromial decompression and were taken for mechanical testing. It appears that the ligament does have the ability to re-form relatively quickly after subacromial decompression or acromioplasty but takes time to regain strength. The results indicate that the ligament may possibly regain normal mechanical properties after regeneration times in excess of 3 years.