Shoulder resurfacing for treatment of focal defects and diffuse osteoarthritis.

This article provides a review of the various options for the treatment of osteoarticular pathology of the shoulder. This can range from focal osteochondral defects to diffuse arthritis and can occur at any age. Although total shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty are the most frequently used methods, they not generally suitable for younger patients under 60 years old due to the lack of long-term stability and deterioration. If conservative treatment is unsuccessful or not an option, resurfacing is an alternative procedure with good long-term results. The various methods that have been reported for resurfacing and partial resurfacing of the humeral head are described as well as the results of studies on these procedures. In this article the indications, biomechanics, outcomes and complications are outlined for the two resurfacing options preferred by the authors.

Radiographic joint space width is correlated with 4-year clinical outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis: data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if quantitative joint space width (JSW) measurements from radiographs correlate with 4-year Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) and clinical performance measures. METHOD: The study group consisted of 942 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). 4-year outcomes for six measures (KOOS Pain, Symptom, Quality of Life, and Function scores, 20-m walk pace, and chair stand time) were used to create six multiple linear regression models. Primary predictors were baseline minimum JSW and 4-year change in JSW measured from fixed flexion radiographs. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), race, knee alignment, and baseline measures of the outcomes of interest were covariates. RESULTS: Lower baseline minimum JSW and a greater decrease in 4-year JSW significantly correlated with worse 4-year KOOS Pain, Symptom, and Quality of Life. With all other factors constant, a 4.1, 4.8, and 5.6 mm lower baseline JSW correlated with a clinically significant eight-point drop in 4-year KOOS Pain, Symptom, and Quality of Life scores respectively. Additionally, a 3.5, 3.1, and 4.0 mm loss of JSW over 4 years correlated with a clinically significant eight-point drop in 4-year KOOS Pain, Symptom, and Quality of Life scores respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate quantitative radiographic JSW measurements correlate with 4-year clinical outcomes. Since patients with narrower JSW at the onset of study had lower KOOS scores at 4 years even after controlling for 4-year change in JSW and baseline KOOS scores, clinical outcomes in knee OA may be predetermined once the disease process begins. These findings suggest early treatment with disease modifying therapies may be necessary to influence outcomes.

Evolution of hypogammaglobulinemia in premature and full-term infants.

There are few data in the literature reporting the evolution of hypogammaglobulinemia in premature and full-term infants during the first years of life. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and immunological evolution of premature and full-term infants with hypogammaglobulinemia. We included 24 children (11 premature and 13 full-term infants), aged 0-36 months, with hypogammaglobulinemia. Fifteen (62.5%) children had an isolated reduction in IgG, 7 (29.2%) had a decrease in both IgG and IgA and 2 (8.3%) a reduction in IgG and IgM. Normalization of IgG serum levels occurred in the premature infants at a mean age of 7.2 months. Full-term infants were divided into 3 groups based on age at normalization of IgG serum level: A) hypogammaglobulinemia with normalization within 12 months of life; B) with normalization within 36 months of life; C) normalization after 36 months. All the premature infants with hypogammaglobulinemia recovered, even though in the lower limits for age in the first years, while transient hypogammaglobulinemia observed in full-term infants has a different age of recovery.

Relationship between Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 specific IgE and food allergy in children with grass pollen respiratory allergy.

Grass allergy is the most common pollinosis in Northern Italy. Some patients with grass allergy show polysensitization against other pollens and plant-derived foods. In these patients oral allergic syndrome (OAS) is frequently associated. To evaluate the correlation between food allergy or food sensitization and specific IgE against panallergens such as Bet v 1 and Bet v 2, we studied 56 children (mean age: 8 years 5 months) suffering from respiratory allergy due to grass pollens were enrolled. Specific IgE against the most important food, inhalant allergen and Bet v 1, Bet v 2 were performed by ImmunoCAP technology (UniCAP 1000, Pharmacia Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden). We found 14 children (25%) sensitized to Bet v 1 and 13 (23%) to Bet v 2; in 24 cases (42.3%) a sensitization to at least one of the 2 panallergens was observed. Five of the 14 cases (36%) sensitized to Bet v 1 showed food allergy and 8 (57%) food sensitization; 6 (46%) of the 13 children sensitized to Bet v 2 showed food allergy and 7 (54%) food sensitization; only one case of Bet v 1 specific IgE without food allergy or sensitization was seen. Sixteen subjects (29%) showed food allergy (group A); 20 children (35.5%) multiple sensitizations to inhalant and at least one plant-derived food (group B); 20 subjects (35.5%) only inhalant allergens (group C). Sensitization to Bet v 1 (P<0.03) and Bet v 2 (P<0.009) is from a statistical point of view significantly higher in groups A and B than in group C. In the 16 patients with food allergy hazelnut was the major triggering food (50%), followed by peanut (38%), kiwi (31%), apple and walnut (19%). Specific IgE for Bet v 1 is more associated with nuts and legumes, while Bet v 2 is more related to fresh fruit and vegetables. In conclusion grass pollinosis is frequently associated with polysensitization to other pollen and food allergens. Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 specific IgE are significantly higher in these patients than in patients with grass monosensitization, and this sensitization may be considered a possible risk factors to evolve later into food allergy. Among the offending foods, legumes and the nut group are mostly related to Bet v 1, while vegetables and fresh fruits to Bet v 2.

Analgesic effects of low-dose ropivacaine for interscalene brachial plexus block for outpatient shoulder surgery-a dose-finding study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) with low-dose bupivacaine provides effective postoperative shoulder analgesia in outpatients. The analgesic effect of low-dose ropivacaine for ISB is unknown. METHODS: In this double-blind study, 66 outpatients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomly assigned to receive an ISB with 10 mL of 0.125%, 0.25%, or 0.5% ropivacaine before surgery. Postoperative verbal pain rating score, analgesic consumption, and the extent of motor and sensory block was assessed for 120 minutes after surgery. RESULTS: The degree of shoulder analgesia was dose dependent. Postoperative pain scores were lowest with 0.5% ropivacaine, and analgesic was not required in the hospital in 70% of the patients who received 0.25% and 0.5% ropivacaine, compared to 30% with 0.125% ropivacaine (P < .03). In the patients who required no analgesic in the hospital, the time to first oral analgesic at home was approximately 10 hours irrespective of ropivacaine concentration. Motor and sensory block distal to the elbow was detected in 25% of the patients in the 0.5% group but none in the 0.125% group. CONCLUSIONS: Interscalene brachial plexus block with low-dose ropivacaine, 10 mL of 0.25% and 0.5%, provides effective long-lasting shoulder analgesia in a majority of patients after arthroscopic surgery.

Arthroscopic mosaic arthroplasty in the equine third carpal bone.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate survival and function of autogenous heterotopic osteochondral grafts in a site where injuries are common. STUDY DESIGN: Three osteochondral grafts were harvested arthroscopically from the femoropatellar joint and transplanted to the third carpal bone (C(3)). Nine months later, histologic, histomorphometric, and biochemical comparisons were made between the transplanted grafts in C(3) and tissue adjacent to the recipient site, the opposing radial carpal bone (C(r)), the donor site in the femoropatellar joint, and the sham-operated contralateral C(3). ANIMALS: One mixed-breed pony and 5 Standardbred horses aged 3 to 8 years old. METHODS: Using instruments modified for equine use, four 4.5-mm-diameter osteochondral grafts were harvested arthroscopically from the distal aspect of the lateral trochlea of the right femur and inserted into the radial facet of the right third carpal bone. The fourth graft was kept as a donor-site control sample. Three months later, regular exercise was started and at 6 months, repeat arthroscopy was conducted to evaluate healing. The horses were euthanatized 9 months after transplantation, and comparisons were made between the grafts, opposing radial carpal bone, and contralateral third carpal bone. The assessment criteria included paravital staining, a modified Mankin scoring system, and biochemical analyses for collagen type, total collagen content, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan concentration. RESULTS: All horses were sound 21 days' postoperatively. At 6 months, all 18 grafts were intact but somewhat soft and opaque compared with surrounding carpal cartilage. Nine months' postoperatively, the bony portions of the grafts were well integrated with the recipient sites, but 6 grafts had histologic evidence of cartilage degeneration. From biochemical analysis of grafts, there was little or no new repair tissue invading the experimental sites, but sulfated glycosaminoglycan (proteoglycan) loss from the transplanted cartilage was marked. CONCLUSIONS: Heterotopic transfer of osteochondral grafts from the distal aspect of the lateral femoral trochlea to the third carpal bone is feasible with minor modifications of human mosaic arthroplasty instruments. The bony portion of the osteochondral grafts was quickly remodeled to provide subchondral support to the transplanted articular cartilage. The loss of proteoglycan from the transplanted cartilage indicates that the grafts might have been injured during harvesting or insertion, or, more likely, did not remodel to meet the demands of a new biomechanical environment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that arthroscopic resurfacing of focal osteoarticular defects will not be successful in the long term unless donor and recipient sites can be matched with respect to cartilage thickness, biochemical constituents, and physical properties. Mosaic arthroplasty may be indicated in selected cases in which no other options exist to create a confluent cartilage-covered surface.

Rotator cuff disease.

The important role played by the rotator cuff in the stability and movement of the glenohumeral joint make it susceptible to damage and injury in patients of all age groups. A number of extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms have been described for the development of rotator cuff disease, although it is more likely that the actual etiology in any one individual is multifactorial. The key to successful management in a particular patient is an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause by thorough clinical examination and the use of appropriate investigations. The mainstay of treatment of patients with rotator cuff disease is nonoperative. Surgical intervention is usually considered only after failure of at least 6 months of conservative therapy. However, there are a few situations where early surgical intervention is indicated.

An investigation of 2 techniques for optimizing joint surface congruency using multiple cylindrical osteochondral autografts.

PURPOSE: To compare 2 techniques for optimizing joint congruency for miniature osteochondral autografting in the knee: intrinsic postoperative forces acting on overdrilled autografts protruding from the femur versus alignment by a surgeon at the time of grafting. TYPE OF STUDY: Controlled animal model experiment. METHODS: A full-thickness cartilage defect was created on the weight-bearing surface of the medial femoral condyle of 13 mature sheep. Three 4.5 x 10 mm cylindrical autografts were inserted into 14-mm deep recipient holes such that the grafts were held in place by side-wall friction alone. One treatment group received grafts that were delivered flush with the surrounding cartilage and the second group received grafts that were left 2-mm proud of the joint surface. RESULTS: Three months postoperatively, the proud grafts had been repositioned by weight bearing but perigraft fissuring and fibroplasia, and subchondral cavitations were serious complications. It is suspected that these complications were caused by excessive motion between the graft and recipient site in the proud grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Grafts should be delivered flush with the joint surface when performing osteochondral transfers to avoid graft micromotion and the consequent interference with graft integration and function.

Femoral nerve block and ketorolac in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The primary objective was to evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of femoral nerve block and ketorolac following ACL reconstruction. The secondary objective was to examine their effects on recovery milestones. METHODS: Prior to standard general anesthesia, 90 patients were randomized into three groups of preoperative treatment: 1) femoral nerve block (15 mL bupivacaine 0.5%) and 1 mL normal saline i.v. (FNB group); 2) placebo femoral nerve block (15 mL normal saline) and 30 mg (1 mL) ketorolac i.v. (KT group); 3) placebo femoral nerve block (15 mL normal saline) and 1 mL normal saline i.v. (PL group). Postoperatively, pain was assessed by visual analogue score, demand and consumption of morphine via patient-controlled analgesia pump. The times for patients to tolerate oral fluid, food, sit up, ambulate and void were also noted. RESULTS: Morphine consumption within one hour, three hours and until POD 1 in the FNB group was lower than the PL group (7 +/- 6, 11 +/- 9, 27 +/- 23 mg vs 13 +/- 5, 20 +/- 9, 49 +/- 28 mg respectively), whereas only that within one hour in the KT group was lower than the PL group. Pain score was lower in FNB and KT groups in the first postoperative hour than in the PL group (P < 0.05). There were no differences among the three groups in the times to meet recovery milestone and discharge criteria. CONCLUSION: Femoral nerve block provides superior analgesia than placebo for ACL reconstruction but was insufficient to facilitate early recovery.

Compartment pressure monitoring during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

A prospective double blind randomized study was carried out using 20 healthy males with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency undergoing bone-patellar tendon-bone ACL reconstruction. The subjects were randomized into either water or saline irrigation and then underwent identical reconstructive procedures using an arthroscopic pump. Continuous preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative pressures were monitored using the slit catheter technique. Blood pressure and compartment pressure measurements were continuously recorded and noted at all stages of the procedure. Mean preoperative anterior and posterior compartment pressures were similar in both groups. No significant differences were noted between the anterior and posterior compartments of each group. No difference between water and saline irrigation was identified throughout the procedure. In both groups, postoperative pressures were slightly lower in the anterior and posterior compartments compared with preoperative pressures, but not significantly.

Transfer of the latissimus dorsi muscle after failed repair of a massive tear of the rotator cuff. A two to five-year review.

INTRODUCTION: Seventeen patients with an average age of fifty-five years (range, thirty-two to seventy-seven years) who had ongoing pain and impaired function following failed operative treatment of a massive tear of the rotator cuff were managed with a transfer of the latissimus dorsi muscle as a salvage operation. METHODS: The patients were examined at an average of fifty-one months (range, twenty-four to seventy-two months) after the operation. Pain, function, and satisfaction were assessed with use of a questionnaire, visual analog and ordinal scales, physical examination, and the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score. RESULTS: Fourteen of the seventeen patients were found to have significant relief of pain (p<0.0001) and a significant improvement in function (p<0.001 for all activities except lifting more than fifteen pounds [6.8 kilograms], for which the p value was <0.0036) and were satisfied with the result of the operative procedure. Fifteen patients stated that they would have the operative procedure again under similar circumstances. Seven of eight patients with a detached or nonfunctional anterior portion of the deltoid had substantial improvement. Three operations were classified as failures because the patients were not satisfied with the result and had ongoing pain and impaired function. All three failures were in patients who had a work-related injury. Overall, six patients had a work-related injury, and only three of them had a satisfactory result. There were three complications, all related to contracture of a hypertrophic axillary scar. CONCLUSIONS: The results in this series indicate that transfer of the latissimus dorsi muscle is a reasonable approach for salvage after failed operative treatment of a massive tear of the rotator cuff.

Prospective randomized clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of immediate arthroscopic stabilization versus immobilization and rehabilitation in first traumatic anterior dislocations of the shoulder.

Our purpose was to compare the effectiveness of traditional treatment with immediate arthroscopic stabilization in young patients who have sustained a first traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder. Forty skeletally mature patients younger than 30 years of age were randomly allocated to immobilization for 3 weeks followed by rehabilitation (group T) or arthroscopic stabilization (within 4 weeks of injury) followed by an identical immobilization and rehabilitation protocol (group S). A blinded research assistant performed all follow-up evaluations. The dominant arm was involved in 35% of subjects. The injury occurred in a sporting event in 70% of subjects. At 24 months, there was a statistically significant difference in the rate of redislocation (T = 47%, S = 15.9%, P = .03). An intention-to-treat analysis comparing disease-specific quality of life using the validated Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) index showed statistically significantly better results in the surgically treated group at the 33 months (T = 633.93 v S = 287.1, P = .03) and no significant difference in range of motion. At an average 32 months follow-up, a significant reduction in redislocation and improvement in disease-specific quality of life is afforded by early arthroscopic stabilization in patients less than 30 year of age with a first, traumatic, anterior dislocation of the shoulder.

Treatment of unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the knee using autogenous osteochondral grafts (mosaicplasty).

Symptomatic osteochondritis dissecans lesions with minimal fragmentation that may be replaced within their crater have classically been treated by reattachment. The choice for internal fixation is varied. This article reports on the treatment of unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesions using autogenous osteochondral plugs as a means of biological internal fixation. The appearance on magnetic resonance imaging of osteochondral plugs at 6 and 9 months after transplantation is also presented.

Analgesic effect of interscalene block using low-dose bupivacaine for outpatient arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) is often used to provide anesthesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery, its selective analgesic effect, provided by low-dose local anesthetic, has not been studied. We hypothesized that ISBPB using a low volume and low concentration of bupivacaine can provide effective postoperative analgesia for shoulder surgery without producing significant sensory or motor block elsewhere. METHODS: In this double-blind study, 30 outpatients scheduled to undergo shoulder arthroscopy were randomly assigned to receive either an ISBPB with 10 mL 0.125% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:400,000 (n = 15) or 10 mL of normal saline (n = 15). The block was performed preoperative, prior to a standardized general anesthetic. Postoperative pain scores, imorphine and oral analgesic consumption, recovery profile, and patient satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: In the ISBPB group, verbal analog pain scores within 120 minutes after surgery were lower, morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit was significantly lower (2.7+/-2.6 mg vs 9.5+/-5.2 mg), the time to postoperative administration of the first systemic or oral analgesic was significantly longer (141+/-182 minutes vs 13+/-10 minutes), the degree of motor and sensory block 120 minutes after surgery was minimal, time to reach hospital discharge criteria was earlier, and patient satisfaction with postoperative analgesia at 24-hour follow-up was greater. Thirty-three percent of the patients receiving ISBPB did not require any analgesic prior to hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Interscalene brachial plexus block with low-dose bupivacaine is a useful and selective analgesic technique for outpatient shoulder arthroscopic surgery.

Clinical exam of the shoulder.

This paper outlines the important features of the clinical assessment of the shoulder in a systematic and thorough manner. We highlight the key symptoms, particularly pain and instability, and describe how they may be associated with the various different pathologies. The physical examination is detailed in order of inspection, palpation, and motion, and then considerable emphasis is given to specific shoulder tests looking for evidence of rotator cuff weakness, impingement, biceps pathology, and instability. A number of specific tests of instability are outlined including an examination technique for posterior instability that has not previously been described.

The outcome of operatively treated anterior cruciate ligament disruptions in the skeletally immature child.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of transphyseal ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature children with midsubstance anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption. Five consecutive patients (mean age, 12.9 years; range, 8 to 14 years) with radiographically documented "wide" open growth plates and a minimum of 5 cm of expected remaining growth, underwent intra-articular reconstruction of the ACL. Operative treatment included three ACL reconstructions using hamstring tendons and two with quadriceps patellar tendon. All involved a centrally placed 6-mm or smaller tibial drill hole through an open physis and graft placement in an over-the-top position on the femur. At an average follow-up of 7.4 years (range, 4.5 to 9.9 years), no patient had a positive anterior drawer, Lachman, or pivot shift test. On KT-1000 arthrometer testing, all patients had 3 mm or less of increased anterior-posterior displacement (mean +/- SD = 1.0 +/- 1.6 mm). Magnetic resonance imaging showed that four tibial physes had fused in a symmetric fashion and one was still open. Orthoroentgenograms showed that no patient had a significant leg length discrepancy (-0.8 mm +/- 3.4 mm). The mean increase in height postoperatively was 17.7 cm (range, 7.6 to 31.0 cm). Overall, using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation form, there were four patients with grade A and one with grade C. The one patient with a poor IKDC grade had sustained a subsequent patellar dislocation with osteochondral fracture. In conclusion, ACL reconstruction using small drill holes placed through open tibial physes does not seem to adversely affect outcome or future growth.

Suprascapular nerve block for postoperative pain relief in arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a new modality?

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery has a 45% incidence of severe postoperative pain. Opiates and interscalene nerve blocks have a high incidence of side effects, and intraarticular local anesthetic has been shown to be ineffective when used for postoperative pain relief. The suprascapular nerve supplies 70% of the sensory nerve supply to the shoulder joint, and local anesthetic block of this nerve is effective in certain shoulder pain disorders. To determine the efficacy of a suprascapular nerve block, subcutaneous saline was compared with a suprascapular nerve block using 10mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine before general anesthesia was induced. In the immediate postoperative period, a 51% reduction in demand and a 31% reduction in consumption of morphine delivered by a patient-controlled analgesic system was demonstrated. There was more than fivefold reduction in the incidence of nausea, as well as reduced visual analog and verbal pain scores for patients who received a suprascapular nerve block. The duration of hospital stay was reduced by 24% in the suprascapular nerve block group. A 24-h phone call interview revealed a 40% reduction in analgesic consumption and a reduction in verbal pain scores at rest and on abduction. There were no complications from the suprascapular nerve block. This study demonstrates that a suprascapular nerve block for pain relief in arthroscopic shoulder surgery is an effective and safe modality of postoperative pain relief.

The rotator cuff. Commentary.

To add clinical perspective to the articles of this two-issue collection, eight prominent shoulder surgeons discuss their approach to the treatment of rotator cuff disease. There is broad agreement in many areas, however, significant controversies remain.