Glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis is not associated with clavicle fractures in a large arthroplasty cohort.

Introduction: A recent study based on a large osteological collection reported an association between clavicle fractures and osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint. No clinical study has yet addressed this potential association. Other radiographic parameters such as the critical shoulder angle have been associated with the risk of glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis. The primary outcome of this study was to determine if there is an association between glenohumeral joint arthritis and clavicle fractures. The secondary outcome was to determine the association between critical shoulder angle and glenohumeral joint arthritis in our patient cohort. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 572 consecutive shoulder arthroplasty surgeries. Osteoarthritis was the indication for 343 shoulder arthroplasties. 229 shoulder arthroplasties were performed due to another diagnosis such as trauma or fracture, cuff arthropathy, or revision surgery. Three fellowship trained consultant shoulder surgeons assessed the pre- and post-operative radiographs of all patients. Results: A clavicle fracture was suspected in 5/343 (1.5 %) shoulder arthroplasties performed due to osteoarthritis and 5/229 (2.1 %) shoulder arthroplasties performed for another diagnosis. Interobserver variability was assessed using a Fisher Exact test and showed no significant relationship between osteoarthritis and a fracture of the clavicle (p = 0.531). Critical shoulder angle results correlated with the previously published literature regarding critical shoulder angle and osteoarthritis and rotator cuff arthropathy. Conclusion: Clavicle fractures were not associated with glenohumeral osteoarthritis in our patient cohort of shoulder arthroplasty patients. Critical shoulder angle results were consistent with published literature. Further research in the form of prospective long term studies are needed to establish if any association exists between clavicle fractures and osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint. Level of evidence: Level III. Retrospective analysis.

Analysing the variation in volume and nature of trauma presentations during COVID-19 lockdown in Ireland.

AIMS: Europe has found itself at the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic. Naturally, this has placed added strain onto healthcare systems internationally. It was feared that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could overrun the Irish healthcare system. As such, the Irish government opted to introduce a national lockdown on the 27 March 2020 in an attempt to stem the flow of admissions to hospitals. Similar lockdowns in the UK and New Zealand have resulted in reduced emergency department presentations and trauma admissions. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of the national lockdown on trauma presentations to a model-3 hospital in Dublin, Ireland. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. All emergency department presentations between 27 March 2019 to 27 April 2020 and 27 March 2020 to 27 April 2020 were cross-referenced against the National Integrated Medical Imaging System-Picture Archiving Communication System (NIMIS-PACS) radiology system to identify those with radiologically proven skeletal trauma. These patients were grouped according to sex, age, discharge outcome, mechanism of injury, and injury location. RESULTS: A 21% decrease in radiologically proven trauma was observed on comparison with the same time-period last year. Additionally, a 40% reduction in trauma admissions was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown. A 60% reduction in sports-related injuries and road traffic accident-related injuries was noted during the national lockdown. However, a 17% increase was observed in patients sustaining trauma because of domestic accidents. CONCLUSION: Variation was observed in both the volume and nature of trauma presentations during the COVID-19 lockdown. As would be expected, a reduction was seen in the number of injuries resulting from outdoor activities. Interestingly, increased rates of domestic injuries were seen during this period which could represent an unintended consequence of the prolonged period of lockdown.Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-6:261-266.

Distal biceps reconstruction using an Achilles tendon allograft, transosseous EndoButton, and Pulvertaft weave with tendon wrap technique for retracted, irreparable distal biceps ruptures.

BACKGROUND: Distal biceps ruptures can result in ongoing pain and weakness when treated nonoperatively. If retraction of the tendon renders primary repair impossible, reconstruction using a graft is recommended. The current literature includes a variety of techniques with studies reporting small patient numbers. The aim of this study was to report the results of a larger cohort of patients using a technique modified from those previously described in the literature. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive male patients underwent distal biceps reconstruction through 2 small anterior incisions using an Achilles tendon allograft that was fixed distally using a transosseous EndoButton and secured proximally using a Pulvertaft weave and tendon wrap. The mean age was 44 years, and the mean time to surgery was 25 months (range, 2-96 months). Functional outcomes were collected prospectively. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score (11 patients) was 1.9 (range, 0-4.5). The mean postoperative Oxford Elbow Score, QuickDASH score, and Mayo Elbow Performance Score were 44.7 (range, 35-48), 4 (range, 0-20.5), and 92.9 (range, 70-100), respectively, at a mean follow up of 15 months (range, 6-35 months). The mean postoperative QuickDASH score was significantly improved compared with preoperatively (P < .001). All patients were satisfied and all returned to their previous level of activity. There were 2 transient lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve paresthesias, and 2 patients had a 5° extension lag. There were no other complications. CONCLUSION: Achilles allograft reconstruction of retracted irreparable distal biceps ruptures provides consistently good results with few complications using this technique.

Osteolysis with secondary arthritis of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint in Hajdu-Cheney syndrome: a case report.

We describe a case of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome affecting the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint presently being treated non-operatively. This syndrome poses the problem of non-union when surgical intervention is required.

Defining the impaction frequency and threshold force required for femoral impaction grafting in revision hip arthroplasty. A human cadaveric mechanical study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The two most common complications of femoral impaction bone grafting are femoral fracture and massive implant subsidence. We investigated fracture forces and implant subsidence rates in embalmed human femurs undergoing impaction grafting. The study consisted of two arms, the first examining the force at which femoral fracture occurs in the embalmed human femur, and the second examining whether significant graft implant/subsidence occurs following impaction at a set force at two different impaction frequencies. METHODS: Using a standardized impaction grafting technique with modifications, an initial group of 17 femurs underwent complete destructive impaction testing, allowing sequentially increased, controlled impaction forces to be applied until femoral fracture occurred. A second group of 8 femurs underwent impaction bone grafting at constant force, at an impaction frequency of 1 Hz or 10 Hz. An Exeter stem was cemented into the neomedullary canals. These constructs underwent subsidence testing simulating the first 2 months of postoperative weight bearing. RESULTS: No femurs fractured below an impaction force of 0.5 kN. 15/17 of the femurs fractured at or above 1.6 kN of applied force. In the second group of 8 femurs, all of which underwent femoral impaction grafting at 1.6 kN, there was no correlation between implant subsidence and frequency of impaction. Average subsidence was 3.2 (1-9) mm. INTERPRETATION: It is possible to calculate a force below which no fracture occurs in the embalmed human femur undergoing impaction grafting. Higher impaction frequency at constant force did not reduce rates of implant subsidence in this experiment.

A cadaveric study of injectate spread in the psoas compartment with a direct iliopsoas injection suggested for use during surgery.

Total hip replacement produces significant postoperative pain. Psoas compartment block is the most effective block of the lumbar plexus in terms of pain relief and reduced blood loss. It is a proven regional technique for analgesia and anaesthesia during and after total hip replacement conferring a number of benefits to the patient. However, traditional techniques used to produce this block require increased theatre time and are associated with a number of serious complications. We present a surgeon-delivered technique for producing a lumbar plexus block using direct injection into the iliopsoas muscle when it is visible intraoperatively. This study shows a cadaveric model using methylene blue and radiopaque contrast produces injectate spread in a fashion which would produce a successful lumbar plexus block. This novel technique for lumbar plexus block affords the benefits of psoas compartment block with reduced complications and reduced administration time.

The threshold force required for femoral impaction grafting in revision hip surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Femoral impaction grafting requires vigorous impaction to obtain adequate stability without risk of fracture, but the force of impaction has not been determined. We determined this threshold force in a preliminary study using animal femurs. METHODS: Adult sow femurs were used because of their morphological similarity to human femurs in revision hip arthroplasty. 35 sow femurs were impacted with morselized bone chips and an increasing force was applied until the femur fractured. This allowed a threshold force to be established. 5 other femurs were impacted to this force and an Exeter stem was cemented into the neomedullary canal. A 28-mm Exeter head was attached and loaded by direct contact with a hydraulic testing machine. Axial cyclic loading was performed and the position sensor of the hydraulic testing machine measured the prosthetic head subsidence. RESULTS: 29 tests were completed successfully. The threshold force was found to be 4 kN. There was no statistically significant correlation between the load at fracture and the cortex-to-canal ratio or the bone mineral density. Following impaction with a maximum force of 4 kN, the average axial subsidence was 0.28 mm. INTERPRETATION: We achieved a stable construct without fracture. Further studies using human cadaveric femurs should be done to determine the threshold force required for femoral impaction grafting in revision hip surgery.

Adhesive shoulder capsulitis: does the timing of manipulation influence outcome?

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of timing of manipulation under anaesthesia for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder on the long-term outcome. One hundred and eighty consecutive patients with a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis according to Codman's criteria were selected from a shoulder surgery database; 145 were available for follow-up after a mean period of 62 months (range: 12 to 125). All patients underwent manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) with intra-articular steroid injection. A statistically significant improvement in range of movement, function (Oxford Shoulder Score) (OSS) and Visual Analogue pain intensity Score (VAS) was obtained following manipulation. Ninety percent of the 145 patients who successfully completed the study were satisfied with the procedure. Eighty-nine percent indicated that they would choose the same procedure again, if the same problem arose in the opposite shoulder. Eighty-three percent of the patients had manipulation performed less than 9 months from onset of symptoms (early MUA). The remainder had manipulation performed after 9-40 months (late MUA). Patients who had early intervention had a significantly better Oxford Shoulder Score at final follow up; mobility and pain (VAS) were also letter than in the late group, but not significantly.