Midterm clinical and radiologic survivorship of a stemless total shoulder arthroplasty.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of stemless total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) in patients with glenohumeral arthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of all patients who underwent a TSA with Affinis Short prosthesis during the period 2010-2017. Seventy-two TSAs were performed within our unit, in 62 patients (45 females and 17 males), with 10 patients having bilateral TSAs with this prosthesis. The mean follow-up was 3.9 years (2-8.7 years). Patients were evaluated clinically with the Oxford Shoulder Score, range of movement assessment, and a numerical patient satisfaction score. Follow-up radiographs were evaluated by 2 reviewers assessing for lucency and assigned a Lazarus grade. RESULTS: Six patients were lost to follow-up prior to their 2-year review. At last follow-up, the mean forward elevation was 157° (80°-180°), abduction was 150° (60°-180°), and external rotation was 39° (20°-60°). The mode internal rotation was to the lumbar spine, with 95% of patients achieving internal rotation to L5 or higher. The mean Oxford Shoulder Score was 45 (18-48). The mean patient satisfaction score was 4.93/5. No humeral lucencies were observed. Sixty-four percent (n=47) of the glenoids were Lazarus grade 0, showing no evidence of radiolucency. The remaining patients were Lazarus grade 1-3, although none were progressive and all patients were asymptomatic. No patients were revised for aseptic loosening. Four patients underwent revision: 1 for infection, 1 for heterotrophic ossification and stiffness, and 2 for rotator cuff failure. CONCLUSION: Midterm follow-up results indicate good clinical and radiologic survivorship for this stemless TSA. Our findings suggest good patient function and satisfaction, and no patients have required revision for aseptic loosening. Further follow-up is required to determine long-term survivorship.

Simultaneous bilateral hip fractures following a simple fall in an elderly patient: A case report.

Bilateral fractured necks of femur are rare, particularly in the absence of high energy trauma or metabolic bone disease. We describe a case of an 89 year old man with no history of metabolic bone disease who presented with bilateral neck of femur fractures following a simple fall. Clinicians must be vigilant to ensure that bilateral neck of femur fractures are identified and treated appropriately.

Open release versus radiofrequency microtenotomy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Optimal surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis remains uncertain. Recently, radiofrequency microtenotomy (RFMT) has been proposed as a suitable treatment. We compared RFMT with standard open release (OR) in this prospective randomized controlled trial. METHODS: In total, 41 patients with symptoms for at least 6 months were randomized into two groups: 23 patients had RFMT and 18 had OR. Two patients from RFMT withdrew. Each patient underwent Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain score, grip strength and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores pre-operatively and at 6 weeks. Pain and DASH scores were repeated at 6 months and 12 months. RESULTS: NRS pain scores improved by 4.8 points for RFMT and by 3.9 points for OR. There was a significant improvement in both groups from pre-operative scores, although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at 1 year. Grip strength improved by 31% in the RFMT group compared to 38% in OR. There was no significant difference between the initial and 6 weeks scores or between treatments. At 1 year, DASH was 39.8 points for RFMT and 24.4 points for OR. There was a significant improvement in both groups from pre-operative scores, although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups showed significant improvements and similar benefit to the patient. The results of the present study do not show any benefit of RFMT over the standard OR. As a result of the extra expense of RFMT, we therefore recommend that OR is offered as the standard surgical management.

Assessment Following Distal Radius Fractures: A Comparison of 4 Scoring Systems, Visual Numerical Scales, and Objective Measurements.

PURPOSE: To compare 4 recognized upper-limb scoring systems that are regularly used to assess wrist function after injury. METHODS: We reviewed 116 patients 6 months after volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures. Two purely subjective and 2 composite scoring systems composed of both subjective and objective components were compared along with visual numerical scores for pain and function and objective measures of function. Each score was standardized into a scale from 0 to 100. RESULTS: The distribution of the standardized total scores was statistically significantly different and indicated marked variability between scoring systems and therefore the information provided. Overall, the subjective scoring systems correlated well with each other and with both visual numerical scores for pain and function. However, the composite scores and objective measures of function correlated poorly with the subjective scores including the visual numerical scores. CONCLUSIONS: Results from wrist scoring systems should be interpreted with caution. It is important to ensure that the component parts of each score are taken into consideration separately because total scores may be misleading. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Composite scores may be outdated and should be avoided.

Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection for distal biceps tendinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Distal biceps tendinopathy is an uncommon cause of elbow pain. The optimum treatment for cases refractory to conservative treatment is unclear. Platelet-rich plasma has been used successfully for other tendinopathies around the elbow. METHODS: Six patients with clinical and radiological evidence of distal biceps tendinopathy underwent ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. Clinical examination findings, visual analogue score (VAS) for pain and Mayo Elbow Performance scores were recorded. RESULTS: The Mayo Elbow Performance Score improved from 68.3 (range 65 to 85) (fair function) to 95 (range 85 to 100) (excellent function). The VAS at rest improved from a mean of 2.25 (range 2 to 5) pre-injection to 0. The VAS with movement improved from a mean of 7.25 (range 5 to 8) pre-injection to 1.3 (range 0 to 2). No complications were noted. DISCUSSION: Ultrasound-guided PRP injection appears to be a safe and effective treatment for recalcitrant cases of distal biceps tendinopathy. Further investigation with a randomized controlled trial is needed to fully assess its efficacy.

In vivo temperature measurement in the subacromial bursa during arthroscopic subacromial decompression.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether use of a bi-polar radiofrequency (RF) ablation wand would cause excess heating, which may lead to collateral damage to the surrounding tissues during arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Cadaveric studies have shown that high temperatures can potentially be reached when using RF ablation wands in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Only 1 other published study assesses these temperature rises in the clinical setting. METHODS: Fifteen patients were recruited to participate in the study. A standard arthroscopic subacromial decompression was performed using continuous flow irrigation, with intermittent use of the RF ablation wand for soft tissue debridement. The temperature of the irrigation fluid within the subacromial bursa and the outflow fluid from the suction port of the wand were measured during the procedure using fiber-optic thermometers. RESULTS: The mean peak temperature recorded in the subacromial bursa was 32.0°C (29.3-43.1°C), with a mean rise from baseline of 9.8°C. The mean peak temperature recorded from the outflow fluid from the wand was 71.6°C (65.6-77.6°C), with a mean rise from baseline of 49.4°C. CONCLUSION: High temperatures were noted in the outflow fluid from the wand; however, this was not evident in the subacromial bursa itself. Use of room temperature inflow fluid, maintenance of flow through the bursa, and avoidance of prolonged uninterrupted use of the wand all appear to ensure that safe temperatures are maintained in the subacromial bursa not only in the laboratory but also in a clinical setting.