Early migration of a partially cemented fluted glenoid component inserted using a cannulated preparation system.

AIMS: Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) allows an extremely accurate measurement of early micromotion of components following arthroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, RSA was used to measure the migration of 11 partially cemented fluted pegged glenoid components in patients with osteoarthritis who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty using an improved surgical technique (seven men, four women, mean age 68). Patients were evaluated clinically using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant-Murley scores and by CT scans two years post-operatively. RESULTS: There were two patterns of migration, the first showing little, if any, migration and the second showing rotation by > 6° as early as three months post-operatively. At two years, these two groups could be confirmed on CT scans, one with osseointegration around the central peg, and the second with cystic changes. Patients with osteolysis around the central peg were those with early migration and those with osseointegration had minimal early migration. Both groups,however,had similar clinical results. CONCLUSION: Rapid early migration associated with focal lucency and absence of osseointegration was observed in three of 11 glenoid components, suggesting that lack of initial stability leads to early movement and failure of osseointegration. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:674-9.

Radiostereographic analysis of a shoulder surface replacement: does hydroxyapatite have a place?

Resurfacing of the humeral head is commonly used within the UK to treat osteoarthritis (OA) of the shoulder. We present the results of a small prospective randomised study of this procedure using the Global CAP prosthesis with two different coatings, Porocoat and DuoFix hydroxyapatite (HA). We followed two groups of ten patients with OA of the shoulder for two years after insertion of the prosthesis with tantalum marker beads, recording pain, Constant-Murley and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) outcome scores, and using radiostereometric analysis to assess migration. The outcomes were similar to those of other series, with significant reductions in pain (p = 0.003) and an improvement in the Constant (p = 0.001) and ASES scores (p = 0.006). The mean migration of the prosthesis three months post-operatively was 0.78 mm (0.51 to 1.69) and 0.72 mm (0.33 to 1.45) for the Porocoat and DuoFix groups, respectively. Analysis of variance indicated that the rate of migration reached a plateau after three months post-operatively in both groups. At follow-up of two years the mean migration was 1 mm (sd 1 (0.25 to 3.32)); in the Porocoat group and 0.8 mm (sd 0.4 (0.27 to 1.45)) in the DuoFix HA group. Significant migration of the prosthesis was seen in one patient who had received an anterior humeral bone graft. This prosthesis was later revised after 2.7 years. The addition of a coating of HA to the sintered surface does not improve fixation of this prosthesis.

The effect of the offset humeral head on the micromovement of pegged glenoid components: a comparative study using radiostereometric analysis.

In a prospective study between 2000 and 2005, 22 patients with primary osteoarthritis of the shoulder had a total shoulder arthroplasty with a standard five-pegged glenoid component, 12 with non-offset humeral head and ten with offset humeral head components. Over a period of 24 months the relative movement of the glenoid component with respect to the scapula was measured using radiostereometric analysis. Nine glenoids needed reaming for erosion. There was a significant increase in rotation about all three axes with time (p < 0.001), the largest occurring about the longitudinal axis (anteversion-retroversion), with mean values of 3.8 degrees and 1.9 degrees for the non-offset and offset humeral head eroded subgroups, respectively. There was also a significant difference in rotation about the anteversion-retroversion axis (p = 0.01) and the varus-valgus (p < 0.001) z-axis between the two groups. The offset humeral head group reached a plateau at early follow-up with rotation about the z-axis, whereas the mean of the non-offset humeral head group at 24 months was three times greater than that of the offset group accounting for the highly significant difference between them.

Outcome of stemmed shoulder hemi-arthroplasty revision.

INTRODUCTION: We report our experience of revision of failed stemmed shoulder hemi-arthroplasty for causes other than infection. MATERIAL/METHOD: Seventeen revisions were followed for a minimum of 2 years. Fifteen cases were revised for symptomatic glenoid erosion. Sixteen were revised to a total shoulder arthroplasty and one to a cuff tear arthropathy head. RESULT: The mean visual analogue pain score following revision surgery was reduced from 6.7 to 3.2 (P = 0.008). However the Constant-Murley and the Association of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores failed to improve significantly. CONCLUSION: We conclude that revision surgery for failed stemmed shoulder hemi-arthroplasty improves pain but not function.

The results of arthroplasty in osteoarthritis of the shoulder.

We have undertaken a prospective clinical and radiological analysis of 124 shoulder arthroplasties (113 patients) carried out for osteoarthritis. The clinical results showed improvement in the absolute Constant score and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score of 22 and 43, respectively. Both were statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the scores after hemiarthroplasty and total arthroplasty in those patients with an intact rotator cuff. When revision was used as the end-point for survival at ten years, survival of 86%, or 90% if glenoid components made of Hylamer sterilised in air were omitted, was obtained in primary osteoarthritis. The most common cause for revision in the hemiarthroplasty group was glenoid pain at a mean of 1.5 years; in the total arthroplasty group it was loosening of the glenoid at a mean of 4.5 years. Analysis of pre-operative factors showed that the risk of gross loosening of the glenoid increased threefold when there was evidence of erosion of the glenoid at operation. Shoulder arthroplasty should not be delayed once symptomatic osteoarthritis has been established and should be undertaken before failure of the cuff or erosion of the glenoid are present.

The treatment of lateral clavicle fractures.

This study assesses the results of surgical treatment of 15 displaced Neer type II fractures of the lateral clavicle in 15 patients, which occurred between November 1988 and March 1995 and which were followed up for a mean period of 4.6 years (range 2-9 years). The patients fell into two groups, one 'acute group' and one 'non-union' group. Patients treated initially by a non-operative approach had suffered prolonged morbidity and time off work prior to and after surgery. The ultimate result was good. The fixation used was a Dacron arterial graft as a sling around the clavicle and coracoid process. Delayed (non-union) cases were augmented with bone graft and inter-fragmentary screw fixation. All fractures eventually united. We question the place of prolonged non-operative management in the treatment of displaced Neer type II fractures of the lateral clavicle.

Analgesic effect of intra-articular bupivacaine or diamorphine after arthroscopic surgery of the knee joint in day-case patients.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy of intra-articular bupivacaine and diamorphine. Ninety-six day-case patients were allocated randomly to receive intra-articular injections of either 20 mL 0.9% saline (control, n = 35), 20 mL 0.5% plain bupivacaine (n = 31), or 20 mL 0.9% saline with 5 mg diamorphine (n = 30) prior to tourniquet release. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were completed at 1 h, 3 h (discharge) and 24 h, and supplementary analgesia noted. Intra-articular analgesics conferred a noticeable improvement in patient comfort. First, the quantity of supplementary analgesia required prior to discharge was significantly reduced (P = 0.016); second, patients reported a less disturbed night's sleep (P = 0.034).

An early sign to confirm intra-articular injection of fluid in shoulder arthroscopy.

To ensure that the injection of fluid before the insertion of the arthroscope into the shoulder is actually intra-articular and not periarticular, we describe an early sign to confirm this.

Nail gun injuries to the hand.

Three cases of nail gun injury to the non-dominant hand are reported. The hazards of using this high powered tool are stressed and a possible pitfall in the surgical removal of the nails is outlined.

Surgical treatment of adult trigger finger under local anaesthetic: the method of choice?

A prospective trial releasing 25 adult trigger fingers under a local anesthetic (5 ml 1% lignocaine with 1500 units hyalase) and a tourniquet was undertaken. All patients had excellent results and there was no complication. The adequacy of the release could be checked on the table by asking the patient to make a first actively, and any further measures necessary were carried out at the same time. It is recommended that the release of trigger fingers be carried out by this technique to minimize failures, as coexisting pathology causing two-level triggering can be identified and treated at the same time. The potential of complications is far less than with a general anaesthetic or a regional anaesthetic.

Is conservative treatment of displaced tibial shaft fractures justified?

All tibial shaft fractures treated at one hospital during a five-year period were studied in a prospective trial. Ninety-one displaced fractures in adults were treated using a conservative policy that included early bone grafting when indicated. Sound bony union was obtained in all cases. Those that healed primarily took on average 16.3 weeks whereas the 24 per cent that required bone grafts took 35.1 weeks. The number of complications, most of which were minor, was considered acceptable. It is concluded that provided early bone grafting is performed when necessary, a basically conservative policy of treatment is satisfactory; bony union of all displaced tibial fractures is achieved in a reasonable period of time.

Bilateral rupture of the Achilles tendon in patients on steroid therapy.

Three patients are presented who sustained bilateral rupture of the Achilles tendon while on systemic steroid therapy for chest disease; a fourth patient with polymyalgia rheumatica on steroids is also presented. This is further evidence that tendon rupture can be a direct complication of steroid treatment. The English-language literature on bilateral Achilles tendon rupture is reviewed.

Short-stay surgery in orthopaedics.

This paper reviews the orthopaedic operations performed on patients from one consultant's waiting list using two short-stay wards. In a twelve-month period over 200 operations were performed with no major complication. The ultimate clinical result was not impaired by the short period of hospitalization. The advantages short-stay wards have over day wards in reducing orthopaedic waiting lists are discussed, as are the precautions necessary to make this a safe method of managing non-urgent orthopaedic problems.