Most coronoid fractures and fracture-dislocations with no radial head involvement can be treated nonsurgically with elbow immobilization.

HYPOTHESIS: Conservative treatment of isolated coronoid fractures and fracture-dislocations focused on soft-tissue healing can provide good clinical results in the majority of patients. Our aims were (1) to evaluate the outcome of a conservative treatment protocol designed for isolated coronoid fractures with or without associated elbow dislocations (ICFs) and (2) to characterize the fractures with a dedicated image analysis protocol. METHODS: Of 38 consecutive patients sustaining acute ICFs, 28 were treated nonsurgically after meeting specific inclusion criteria, prospectively followed up, and clinically evaluated at least 1 year after sustaining their injuries. All cases underwent elbow computed tomography scans with tri-plane and 3-dimensional reconstructions according to a specific protocol referenced to the proximal ulna. RESULTS: The study included 15 male and 13 female patients, with a mean follow-up period of 32 ± 14 months (range, 12-61 months). An associated dislocation was presented in 8 (29%). Mean extension and flexion were 2° ± 8° (range, -10° to 30°) and 139° ± 11° (range, 110°-155°), respectively. Mean pronation and supination were 74° ± 3° (range, 60°-75°) and 83° ± 9° (range, 40°-85°), respectively. Of the patients, 78% rated their elbow as being normal or nearly normal. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 95 ± 9 (range, 70-100). The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 7 ± 13 (range, 0-57). The mean coronoid fracture height was 5.7 ± 1.2 mm (range, 3.7-7.9 mm). The mean percentage of coronoid height fractured was 33% ± 6% (range, 23%-43%). Mean fracture displacement was 2.7 ± 2 mm (range, 1-9 mm). Of the fractures, 23 (82%) were located at the anteromedial coronoid. CONCLUSION: An ICF with a perfectly reduced ulnohumeral joint, a competent sublime tubercle, and a fractured coronoid height up to 50% can be treated without surgery with excellent or good results in more than 90% of cases regardless of the location of the fracture in the coronoid or the type of soft tissue-associated disruptions.

Tissue on the Transferred Coracoid Graft After Latarjet Procedure: Histological and Morphological Findings.

BACKGROUND: Anterior shoulder instability is a debilitating condition that can require stabilization via a Latarjet procedure. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the histological composition of the articular-sided surface of the coracoid bone graft after Latarjet procedure. Specific features of cells isolated from the coracoid and graft tissues were assessed. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Tissue samples were harvested from 9 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic debridement and screw removal after arthroscopic or open Latarjet procedure. Tissues were processed histologically. In 2 patients, the samples were analyzed to assess specific cellular properties. RESULTS: Safranin O staining indicated that glenoid tissues contained variable amounts of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and round chondrocytic cells mainly organized in clusters. Graft tissues contained less GAG and were more cellular but were not organized in clusters and had variable morphological features. An association appeared to exist between the cartilage quality of glenoid tissues and that of the graft tissues. Cells isolated from glenoid and graft tissues exhibited similar proliferation capacity. CONCLUSION: The results of our analysis show that cells located at the articular-sided surface of transferred coracoid grafts demonstrate fibrocartilaginous properties and may have the capacity for chondral proliferation. Further studies are needed to confirm this observation and future application.

Arthroscopic Double-Layer Lasso Loop Technique to Repair Delaminated Rotator Cuff Tears.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the arthroscopic double-layer lasso loop repair technique for delaminated posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. METHODS: Forty-one patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of a delaminated posterosuperior rotator cuff tear by the double-layer lasso loop technique. Their preoperative and postoperative clinical and functional scores were compared to evaluate surgical outcomes. The prerequisite for inclusion was a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. We excluded patients with a history of shoulder surgery before the double-layer lasso loop repair. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements (P < .001) were found in the Constant score (54 vs 83) and University of California, Los Angeles functional score (6.4 vs 9.5). Pain and strength improved according to the Jobe test, bear-hug test, belly-press test, Gerber lift-off test, and external rotation test (P < .001). No significant difference in strength was noted between the operated and nonoperated sides. There was only 1 complete rerupture (3.1%), whereas 5 patients (15.6%) had partial ruptures. CONCLUSIONS: The arthroscopic double-layer lasso loop repair technique for delaminated posterosuperior rotator cuff tears is an effective procedure. Our series showed a low rerupture rate. At a mean follow-up of 44 months, postoperative recovery with resultant functional, pain, and patient satisfaction scores was good to excellent and was comparable with the nonoperated side. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Arthroscopic and Endoscopic Technique for Subcoracoid Synovial Chondromatosis of the Shoulder Through a Medial Transpectoral Portal.

Synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder is a rare disorder characterized by metaplastic synovial proliferation, causing multiple loose bodies usually localized intra-articularly. Surgical treatment with open techniques through a deltopectoral approach has been commonly used. The evolution of arthroscopy has allowed a complete joint assessment and the extraction of intra-articular loose bodies with less morbidity than open techniques. Nevertheless, this pathology occurs less frequently in the subcoracoid bursa. Access to this bursa may be more complicated when extracting loose bodies that cause pain and functional limitation in performing activities of daily living. We describe an arthroscopic and endoscopic technique for the treatment of subcoracoid synovial chondromatosis through a medial transpectoral portal, allowing safe loose body extraction under direct visualization around the coracoid process and brachial plexus. The literature was reviewed, and benefits of this endoscopic technique were analyzed.

Three-dimensional volume measurement of coracoid graft osteolysis after arthroscopic Latarjet procedure.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: The Latarjet procedure has been shown to be a reliable method to prevent recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Coracoid bone graft osteolysis is a potential catastrophic complication and can lead to recurrent instability. The purpose of our study is to present a novel quantitative method to measure the amount of coracoid bone osteolysis using 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) scan imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study with 15 patients (16 shoulders) who underwent an arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. Three-dimensional CT scans were obtained at 6 weeks and 6 months. Using volumetric analysis, we quantified the amount of bone loss using our described method. Interobserver reliability and intraobserver reliability were calculated. RESULTS: On the basis of our new volumetric analysis of the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure using 3D CT scans, we found that the superior half of the coracoid bone graft undergoes a significant amount of osteolysis at 6 months postoperatively. The interobserver reliability and intraobserver reliability were excellent. DISCUSSION: This study presents a reproducible method to quantify and compare coracoid bone graft osteolysis after an arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. We also developed a description system that may be used for comparison studies. To our knowledge, this is the first method that quantifies the amount of coracoid bone graft osteolysis using more accurate 3D CT scanning. CONCLUSION: The 3D analysis we propose is a valid method to measure the amount of coracoid bone graft osteolysis after an arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. Our description system may guide the surgeon regarding possible revision surgery when faced with significant osteolysis of the coracoid bone graft.

Unexplained proximal tibiofibular joint pain after high tibial osteotomy.

Problems of the proximal tibiofibular joint (pTFj) after high tibial osteotomy (HTO) are rare. With this case report, we strive to highlight the importance of investigating the pTFj in patients with unexplained knee pain after HTO. A 44 year old male patient presented with diffuse pain on his left knee 3 years after medial opening wedge HTO due to medial compartment overloading in a varus knee. Patient described persistent anterior tibial and lateral knee pain. 2 years after HTO, patient underwent implant removal but the knee pain persisted. As the reason for the persistent pain was not identified, further radiological evaluation was done. Single photon emission computerized tomography/computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) revealed that there was no increased uptake within the tibiofemoral joint, indicating a biologically well performed correction of the varus deformity. However, markedly increased tracer uptake was found at the pTFj. On the inherent axial CT scans, it was seen that the proximal screws were too long and placed within the pTFj. Along with this a severe osteoarthritis of the pTFj was identified. The cause of the patient's pain was then confirmed by a CT guided infiltration of local anesthetic. An arthrodesis of the pTFj was performed and at 12 months followup after the arthrodesis the patient was pain free. This case highlights how important it is to evaluate the pTFj in patients with unexplained pain after HTO. SPECT/CT was helpful in identifying the patient's problem in this challenging case.