The Incidence of Vertebral Exostoses in Multiple Hereditary Exostoses and Recommendations for Spinal Screening.

BACKGROUND: Multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE) lead to the development of pedunculated or sessile osteocartilaginous lesions. Vertebral involvement occurs in MHE and encroaching intracanal exostoses can result in devastating consequences. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the entire spine has been used to screen for vertebral exostoses to detect high-risk patients. The primary purpose of this investigation is to determine the incidence of vertebral and encroaching intracanal exostoses in patients with MHE. A secondary purpose is to determine if pelvis and rib exostoses serve as "harbinger" lesions of vertebral involvement in MHE. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 39 patients (21 male and 18 female individuals) with MHE who underwent routine spinal screening with noncontrast entire spine MRI. The average age at screening was 12.3 years (range, 3 to 17 y). Screening was ordered consecutively on patients seen during the study period who were between ages 8 and 18 years or had complaints that could be related to encroaching intracanal exostoses. RESULTS: The incidence of vertebral exostoses in this cohort of 39 patients with MHE was 28% (11 total). An encroaching intracanal exostosis was seen in 3 patients (2 cervical, 1 thoracic). Nonencroaching vertebral exostoses were discovered in 8 patients. Sufficient pelvis and rib imaging to determine the presence of pelvis and rib exostoses was available in 8 of those with vertebral exostoses and 19 of those with no vertebral exostoses on screening MRI. In this cohort, the sensitivity and specificity of the presence of both pelvis and rib exostoses for determining the presence of spinal involvement in MHE are 88% and 5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this cohort, vertebral exostoses are common in MHE, and screening MRI of the entire spine can be used to determine which patients need close observation. If a more selective screening protocol is utilized, an entire spine MRI could be obtained for patients who desire increased physical activity levels or for patients with both pelvis and rib exostoses. At a minimum, treating physicians should monitor patients with MHE closely for neurological symptoms and have a low threshold to obtain advanced spinal imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-diagnostic.

Radiographic comparison of finned, cementless central pegged glenoid component and conventional cemented pegged glenoid component in total shoulder arthroplasty: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Radiographic lucency of the glenoid component remains a problem after cement fixation in primary total shoulder arthroplasty. Glenoid component design likely contributes to rates of glenoid lucency. The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare radiographic lucency between a finned, cementless central pegged glenoid component (CL component) and a conventional cemented pegged glenoid component (P component) on immediate postoperative and minimum 2-year follow-up radiographs. METHODS: Fifty-four patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty were prospectively randomized to receive an all-polyethylene CL component or a conventional all-polyethylene P component. Three raters graded glenoid lucency and bone interdigitation on immediate postoperative and latest follow-up radiographs. Patients who had undergone revision surgery or had died before evaluation were excluded. Minimum 2-year follow-up was required for inclusion of radiographic evaluation. RESULTS: Fifty patients met inclusion criteria; 42 patients (84%; 20 CL and 22 P) were available for follow-up with the original glenoid implant in place. The mean follow-up duration was 35 months (24-64 months). There were no significant differences in glenoid radiolucency between CL (1/20 [5%]) and P (2/22 [9%]) components at last follow-up (P = .999). Five patients (25%) in the CL group had bone interdigitation. No instances of aseptic glenoid loosening occurred. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the rate of glenoid lucency between the 2 groups at immediate or an average 35-month follow-up. Both techniques appear to be viable options for initial glenoid component fixation, with CL components allowing possible osseointegration, imparting potential long-term stability.

Obesity Has Minimal Impact on Short-Term Functional Scores After Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy.

The potential adverse effect of body mass index (BMI) on shoulder function scores after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has not been investigated. We conducted a study to examine outcomes of RSA performed for rotator cuff tear arthropathy (RCTA) across BMI categories (normal weight, overweight, obese). We hypothesized that, compared with normal-weight patients, obese patients would have worse shoulder function scores, worse mobility, and more complications. Using a prospective shoulder arthroplasty registry, we identified 77 primary RSAs performed for RCTA with minimum 2-year follow-up. Thirty-four patients had normal weight (BMI <25 kg/m2), 21 were overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2), and 22 were obese (BMI >30 kg/m2). Shoulder function scores, mobility, and satisfaction were evaluated before surgery and at final follow-up. The 3 BMI groups were not significantly different on demographic factors, preoperative shoulder function scores, or preoperative mobility (P > .05). For each group, shoulder function scores and mobility significantly improved between the preoperative and final follow-up assessments (P < .001). Patient satisfaction was similar between groups (P = .967). Improved shoulder function scores, mobility, and patient satisfaction can be expected after RSA for RCTA in patients regardless of BMI.

Outcomes of staged bilateral reverse shoulder arthroplasties for rotator cuff tear arthropathy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tear arthropathy after staged bilateral reverse shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs) and to compare them with an age-, gender-, and diagnosis-matched control group with a unilateral RSA. METHODS: We identified 11 patients with bilateral RSAs for rotator cuff tear arthropathy with a minimum of 2-year follow-up in a prospective shoulder arthroplasty registry. The bilateral group was matched to a control group of 19 patients with a unilateral RSA. Shoulder function scores, mobility, patient satisfaction, and activities of daily living were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the first RSA or second RSA and the control group regarding age, gender, or follow-up. No group differences were noted preoperatively for shoulder function scores or mobility (P > .10). All groups significantly improved on all shoulder function scores (Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score) and mobility at final follow-up (all P < .01). There were no significant differences in shoulder function scores or mobility between the first and second RSA in the bilateral group or between either shoulder in the bilateral group and the unilateral group (all P > .10). Patient satisfaction improved and patients were successfully able to perform many important activities of daily living after bilateral RSAs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bilateral rotator cuff tear arthropathy can be advised that staged bilateral RSAs can be successful when indicated. Improvements in shoulder function scores, patient satisfaction, and mobility are possible for both the first RSA and the second RSA.

Workers' compensation claims and outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The effect of workers' compensation claims on outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes after RSA in patients with a workers' compensation claim and to compare them with a control group without a workers' compensation claim. METHODS: We identified 14 primary RSAs completed in patients with a workers' compensation claim and a minimum of 2 years of follow-up in a prospective shoulder arthroplasty registry. Fourteen patients without a workers' compensation claim served as the age-, gender-, and diagnosis-matched control group. The Constant score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, mobility, and the patient's satisfaction were assessed for both groups preoperatively and at final follow-up. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups regarding patient demographics, duration of follow-up, complications, preoperative shoulder function scores, or preoperative mobility (P > .05). Both groups significantly improved on all shoulder function scores and for mobility from preoperative to final follow-up (all P < .001); however, the workers' compensation group had significantly worse Constant (P = .002), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (P = .003), and Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index (P = .001) scores. Only 57% of the workers' compensation group reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied at final follow-up compared with 93% in the control group. The workers' compensation group had a lower return to work rate (14.2% vs 41.7%), but this did not reach statistical significance (P = .117). CONCLUSION: Patients with a workers' compensation claim had significant improvements after RSA, but they achieved significantly worse outcomes compared with the control group.