Functional Outcomes Following Interposition Elbow Arthroplasty Using Fascia Lata Graft for Post-Traumatic Elbow Osteoarthritis Without Ligament Reconstruction: A Minimum 3-Year Follow-Up Study.

Purpose: Elbow osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease for patients. Surgical options are to be considered when conservative management becomes unsatisfactory. Total elbow arthroplasty is an effective surgical option for patients older than 65 years and those with a sedentary lifestyle. Meanwhile, interposition elbow arthroplasty is suitable for young, high-demand patients. The retrospective study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of interposition elbow arthroplasty for elbow osteoarthritis. Methods: Eight patients who underwent interposition elbow arthroplasty from 2018 to 2020 in our center were retrospectively reviewed. Interposition elbow arthroplasty was performed using fascia lata autografts. Mayo elbow performance score; disability of arm, shoulder, and hand scores; and range of motion were evaluated and compared with that of the preoperative state. Results: The mean Mayo elbow performance score significantly improved from 53.7 ± 14.6 (before surgery) to 85.6 ± 12.1 (after surgery). The mean disability of arm, shoulder, and hand score also significantly improved from 93.1 ± 11.8 (before surgery) to 57.5 ± 15.9 (after surgery). The mean arc of motion increased by 85.8°, from a mean before surgery value of 6.2° ± 5.8° to 92.0° ± 34.0° after surgery. Satisfaction rate was 92.5%. Conclusions: Interposition elbow arthroplasty is a nonprosthetic reconstruction that respects the joint and does not burn any bridge for further total elbow arthroplasty if needed. It provides favorable surgical outcomes with high satisfaction rates among young patients with elbow osteoarthritis. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.

Musicians' medicine: musculoskeletal problems in string players.

There is increasing attention to medical problems of musicians. Many studies find a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians, ranging from 73.4% to 87.7%, and string players have the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal problems. This paper examines the various positions and movements of the upper extremities in string players: 1) basic postures for holding instruments, 2) movements of left upper extremity: fingering, forearm posture, high position and vibrato, 3) movements of right upper extremity: bowing, bow angles, pizzicato and other bowing techniques. These isotonic and isometric movements can lead to musculoskeletal problems in musicians. We reviewed orthopedic disorders that are specific to string players: overuse syndrome, muscle-tendon syndrome, focal dystonia, hypermobility syndrome, and compressive neuropathy. Symptoms, interrelationships with musical performances, diagnosis and treatment of these problems were then discussed.

Locking plate for proximal humeral fracture in the elderly population: serial change of neck shaft angle.

BACKGROUND: We conducted this radiographic study in the elderly population with proximal humeral fracture aiming to evaluate 1) the serial changes of neck-shaft angle after locking plate fixation and 2) find relationship between change in neck shaft angle and various factors such as age, fracture pattern, severity of osteoporosis, medial support and initial reduction angle. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent surgical treatment for proximal humeral fracture with locking plate between September 2008 and August 2010 are included. True anteroposterior and axillary lateral radiographs were made postoperatively and at each follow-up visit. Measurement of neck shaft angle was done at immediate postoperative, 3 months postoperative and a final follow-up (average, 11 months; range, 8 to 17 months). Severity of osteoporosis was assessed using cortical thickness suggested by Tingart et al. RESULTS: The mean neck shaft angles were 133.6° (range, 100° to 116°) at immediate postoperative, 129.8° (range, 99° to 150°) at 3 months postoperative and 128.4° (range, 97° to 145°) at final follow-up. The mean loss in the neck-shaft angle in the first 3 months was 3.8° as compared to 1.3° in the period between 3 months and final follow-up. This was statistically significant (p = 0.002), indicating that most of the fall in neck shaft angle occurs in the first three months after surgery. Relationship between neck shaft angle change and age (p = 0.29), fracture pattern (p = 0.41), cortical thickness (p = 0.21), medial support (p = 0.63) and initial reduction accuracy (p = 0.65) are not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The proximal humerus locking plate maintains reliable radiographic results even in the elderly population with proximal humerus fracture.