Neurological complications of modern radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Radiotherapy is one of the mainstay treatment modalities for the management of non-metastatic head and neck cancer (HNC). Notable improvements in treatment outcomes have been observed in the recent decades. Modern radiotherapy techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy and charged particle therapy, have significantly improved tumor target conformity and enabled better preservation of normal structures. However, because of the intricate anatomy of the head and neck region, multiple critical neurological structures such as the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, cranial nerves, nerve plexuses, autonomic pathways, brain vasculature, and neurosensory organs, are variably irradiated during treatment, particularly when tumor targets are in close proximity. Consequently, a diverse spectrum of late neurological sequelae may manifest in HNC survivors. These neurological complications commonly result in irreversible symptoms, impair patients' quality of life, and contribute to a substantial proportion of non-cancer deaths. Although the relationship between radiation dose and toxicity has not been fully elucidated for all complications, appropriate application of dosimetric constraints during radiotherapy planning may reduce their incidence. Vigilant surveillance during the course of survivorship also enables early detection and intervention. This article endeavors to provide a comprehensive review of the various neurological complications of modern radiotherapy for HNC, summarize the current incidence data, discuss methods to minimize their risks during radiotherapy planning, and highlight potential strategies for managing these debilitating toxicities.

Disease diagnosis and arthroplasty type are strongly associated with short-term postoperative patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing primary total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) clinical outcomes are incompletely understood. This study investigates the associations of preoperative patient, disease-specific, and surgical factors with 1-year postoperative PENN Shoulder Score (PSS) in patients undergoing primary TSA. METHODS: Cleveland Clinic patients undergoing primary anatomic TSA (aTSA) or reverse TSA (rTSA) for glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) or rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) between February 2015 and August 2019, and having complete preoperative and 1-year postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), were included. Twenty preselected preoperative patient, disease-specific, and surgical factors were used to fit multivariable models for 1-year PSS and its subscores. RESULTS: Of 1427 eligible primary TSAs, 1174 had 1-year follow-up by PROMs (82%), with 1042 analyzed after additional exclusions, including 30% rTSAs for CTA (n = 308), 26% rTSAs for GHOA (n = 275), and 44% aTSAs for GHOA (n = 459). All PROMs showed statistically significant improvements postoperatively, with 89% of patients reaching an acceptable symptom state. Lower 1-year PSS was associated with younger age, female sex, current smoking, chronic pain diagnosis, history of prior surgery, worker's compensation claim, lower preoperative mental health, lower baseline PSS, absence of glenoid bone loss, and diagnosis-arthroplasty type (CTA-rTSA < GHOA-rTSA < GHOA-aTSA). The most important prognostic factors associated with 1-year PSS were diagnosis-arthroplasty type, baseline mental health status, and insurance status. CONCLUSIONS: Disease diagnosis, arthroplasty type, and several other baseline factors are strongly and individually associated with PROMs following primary TSA, with patients undergoing aTSA for GHOA demonstrating the highest PROM scores at 1-year follow-up. Patient, disease-specific, and surgical factors can be used to guide postoperative prognosis following primary TSA for improved preoperative patient counseling regarding expected outcomes of these procedures.

One-year patient-reported outcomes following primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair vary little by surgeon.

Background: This study's purpose was to investigate the extent to which differences among operating surgeons may influence 1-year patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair (RCR) surgery, after controlling for general and disease-specific patient factors. We hypothesized that surgeon would be additionally associated with 1-year PROMs, specifically the baseline to 1-year improvement in Penn Shoulder Score (PSS). Methods: We used mixed multivariable statistical modeling to assess the influence of surgeon (and alternatively surgical case volume) on 1-year PSS improvement in patients undergoing RCR at a single health system in 2018, controlling for eight patient- and six disease-specific preoperative factors as possible confounders. Contributions of predictors to explaining variation in 1-year PSS improvement were measured and compared using Akaike's Information Criterion. Results: 518 cases performed by 28 surgeons met inclusion criteria, with median (quartiles) baseline PSS of 41.9 (31.9, 53.9) and 1-year PSS improvement of 42 (29.1, 55.3) points. Contrary to expectation, surgeon and surgical case volume were neither statistically significantly nor clinically meaningfully associated with 1-year PSS improvement. Baseline PSS and mental health status (VR-12 MCS) were the dominant and only statistically significant predictors of 1-year PSS improvement, with lower baseline PSS and higher VR-12 MCS predicting larger 1-year PSS improvement. Conclusion: Patients generally reported excellent 1-year outcomes following primary RCR. This study did not find evidence that the individual surgeon or surgeon case volume influences 1-year PROMs, independently of case-mix factors, following primary RCR in a large employed hospital system.

Understanding Medical Optimization for Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Many surgeons seek to optimize their patients' comorbid conditions preoperatively to reduce postoperative complications. To effectively optimize patients before total shoulder arthroplasty, the surgeon should be familiar with recognizing and treating common medical comorbidities found in an orthopedic patient including anemia, diabetes, malnutrition, cardiovascular conditions, and history of deep venous thrombosis. Screening for depression or other mental illness should also be conducted preoperatively and managed accordingly before surgery. Preoperative opioid use and smoking have significant effects on postoperative outcomes and should be addressed before surgery.

Surgical Treatment of Shoulder Infection Following Rotator Cuff Repair.

Background: Deep infection after rotator cuff repair (RCR) can cause significant morbidity and healthcare burden. Outcomes of surgical treatment of infection following RCR are limited. This study aimed to assess the clinical course and outcomes related to surgical management of deep infection following RCR. Methods: Patients treated with debridement for infection after RCR at a single institution were included. Postoperative deep infection included the following criteria: persistent drainage more than five days from index surgery, development of a sinus tract to the joint, ≥ 2 positive cultures at the time of revision surgery with the same bacteria, or presence of purulence. Functional outcomes (ASES, SANE, SF-12) were assessed at a minimum of 1-year post-debridement. Results: Twenty-three patients were included and analyzed at mean six years post-debridement. All were free of infection at the final follow-up. The average age was 55 years; fifteen (65.2%) had infection after primary RCR and eight (34.8%) after revision RCR. Twelve (52.2%) patients required a repeat debridement prior to eradicating infection for an average of 1.9 surgeries before clearance of infection. Statistically significant predictors of need for a repeat debridement included initial open RCR (P = .02), open debridement (P = .002) and infection requiring IV antibiotics (P = .014). Postoperative ASES, SANE, SF-12M, SF-12P, and satisfaction scores were 71.7±25.7, 67.0±28.1, 55.5±6.5, 38.4±14.3 and 3.7±1.3, respectively. Conclusion: Deep infection after RCR can be treated with open or arthroscopic debridement. However, more than 50% of patients may require multiple debridements. Final functional results after infection control following RCR are satisfactory. However, chronic infection predicts worse functional outcomes.

The Influence of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Implant Design on Biomechanics.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As reverse total shoulder arthroplasty indications have expanded and the incidence of its use has increased, developments in implant design have been a critical component of its success. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent literature regarding the effect of implant design on reverse total shoulder arthroplasty biomechanics. RECENT FINDINGS: Implant design for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has evolved considerably from the modern design developed by Paul Grammont. The Grammont design had a medialized center of rotation and distalized humerus resulting from a 155° humeral neck shaft angle. These changes intended to decrease the forces on the glenoid component, thereby decreasing the risk for implant loosening and improving the deltoid moment arm. However, these features also led to scapular notching. The Grammont design has been modified over the last 20 years to increase the lateral offset of the glenosphere and decrease the prosthetic humeral neck shaft angle to 135°. These changes were made to optimize functional range of motion while minimizing scapular notching and improving active external rotation strength. Lastly, the introduction of preoperative planning and patient-specific instrumentation has improved surgeon ability to accurately place implants and optimize impingement-free range of motion. Success and durability of the reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has been contingent upon changes in implant design, starting with the Grammont-style prosthesis. Current humeral and glenoid implant designs vary in parameters such as humeral and glenoid offset, humeral tray design, liner thickness, and neck-shaft angle. A better understanding of the biomechanical implications of these design parameters will allow us to optimize shoulder function and minimize implant-related complications after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

Agreement between intraoperative and magnetic resonance imaging assessments of rotator cuff pathology and 2 magnetic resonance imaging-based assessments of supraspinatus muscle atrophy.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based rotator cuff assessment is often qualitative and subjective; few studies have tried to validate such preoperative assessments. This study investigates relationships of preoperative MRI assessments made by conventional approaches to intraoperative findings of tear type, location, and size or MRI-assessed muscle occupation ratio. Methods: Intraoperatively, surgeons assessed tear type, location, anterior-posterior (AP) width, and medial-lateral length in 102 rotator cuff repair patients. Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently assessed the preoperative MRI scans for these same parameters and supraspinatus muscle atrophy by both Warner classification and quantitative occupation ratio. Exact agreement proportions, kappa statistics, and correlation coefficients were used to quantify agreement relationships. Results: Agreement between MRI readers' and surgeons' observations of tear status averaged 93% with κ = 0.38, and that of tear location averaged 77% with κ = 0.50. Concordance correlations of MRI and intraoperative measures of anterior-posterior and medial-lateral tear length averaged 0.59 and 0.56 across readers, respectively. Despite excellent interrater agreement on Warner classification (exact agreement proportion 0.91) and occupation ratio (concordance correlation 0.93) separately, correlations between these 2 measures were -0.54 and -0.64 for the 2 readers, respectively. Patients with Warner grade 0 had occupation ratios ranging from 0.5 to 1.5. Conclusion: Correlations of preoperative MRI tear dimensions and muscle atrophy assessed by conventional approaches with intraoperatively measured tear dimensions and quantitative occupation ratio, respectively, were only fair. Since tear size and muscle atrophy are known strong predictors of outcomes following rotator cuff repair that may influence treatment decisions, surgeons need to be aware of the limitations of MRI methods. Continued development and validation of quantitative preoperative imaging methods to accurately assess these parameters are needed to improve surgical planning and prognosis.

Changes From Baseline in Patient- Reported Outcomes at 1 Year Versus 2 Years After Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Most orthopaedic journals currently require reporting outcomes of surgical interventions for at least 2 postoperative years, but there have been no rigorous studies on this matter. Various patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures (PROMs) have been used to assess the status of the shoulder after rotator cuff repair (RCR). HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that the mean shoulder-specific PROMs at 1 year improve substantially over baseline but that there is no clinically meaningful difference between the mean 1- and 2-year PROMs after RCR. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies (level of evidence 1 and 2) reporting the shoulder-specific American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), the Constant, or the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) Index scores at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years after RCR. The methodologic quality of studies was assessed. Also, the random effects meta-analyses of changes in PROMs for each of the first and second postoperative years were conducted. RESULTS: Fifteen studies (n = 11 RCTs; n = 4 cohort studies) with a total of 1371 patients were included. Studies were highly heterogeneous, but no visual evidence of major publication bias was observed. The weighted means of the baseline PROMs were 46.2 points for the ASES score, 46.4 points for the Constant score, and 38.8 points for the WORC Index. The first-year summary increments were 41.1 (95% CI, 36.0-46.2) points for the ASES score, 34.2 (95% CI, 28.8-39.6) points for the Constant score, and 42.9 (95% CI, 37.3-48.4) points for the WORC Index. In contrast, the second-year summary increments were 2.3 (95% CI, 1-3.6) points for the ASES score, 3.2 (95% CI, 1.9-4.4) points for the Constant score, and 2 (95% CI, -0.1 to 4) points for the WORC Index. CONCLUSION: All PROMs improved considerably from baseline to 1 year, but only very small gains that were below the minimal clinically important differences were observed between 1 year and 2 years after RCR. This study did not find any evidence for requiring a minimum of 2 years of follow-up for publication of PROs after RCR. Our results suggest that focusing on 1-year PROMs after RCR would foster more timely reporting, better control of selection bias, and better allocation of research resources.

Glenoid Radiolucent Lines in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty are Unaffected by Thrombin Glenoid Preparation.

BACKGROUND: Modern glenoid cementing techniques for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty has improved the ability to achieve a stable cement mantle, but the efficacy of adjunctive agents in glenoid preparation is unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare the early radiolucency rates of glenoids prepared with and without thrombin. METHODS: We identified patients between January 2017 and February 2019 undergoing primary anatomic TSA using two glenoid types. Group A glenoids had a cemented central peg without peripheral peg cementation, and Group B glenoids had cemented peripheral pegs without central peg cementation. The first postoperative radiograph was assessed for radiolucent lines. All patients had the same glenoid preparation except some had the addition of thrombin as a preparation agent. RESULTS: We identified 83 Group A glenoids with and 63 without thrombin glenoid preparation, and109 Group B glenoids with and 48 without thrombin preparation. All Group A glenoids had no radiolucent lines and 5 (3%) Group B glenoids had radiolucent lines. Use of thrombin showed no difference in early radiolucencies (p=1.00) in either Group. CONCLUSION: The addition of thrombin as a preparation agent had no effect on early glenoid radiolucent lines in anatomic TSA, and its routine use should be reconsidered.

Inter-rater agreement of rotator cuff tendon and muscle magnetic resonance imaging parameters evaluated preoperatively and during the first postoperative year following rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is standard of care for rotator cuff evaluation, with clinical interpretation usually limited to qualitative judgments. The reliability of MRI-based measurements and scoring systems has been evaluated only preoperatively or ≥6 months following rotator cuff repair, when repairs are in the later stages of healing. This study describes the MRI assessments and inter-rater agreement of various rotator cuff tendon and muscle parameters evaluated preoperatively and 4 times during the first postoperative year. METHODS: Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently assessed MRI scans of 42 patients preoperatively and 3, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after rotator cuff repair. Using standardized reading rules, readers assessed tendon integrity (5-point Sugaya classification), tear dimensions, muscle fat (5-point Goutallier classification) and atrophy (4-point Warner classification), muscle cross-sectional areas, and myotendinous junction distance. Raw exact agreement proportions, κ statistics, and correlation coefficients were used to quantify inter-rater agreement. RESULTS: Readers showed moderate to substantial above-chance agreement in scoring rotator cuff tendon integrity and supraspinatus muscle atrophy and good to excellent agreement on tear dimensions and muscle cross-sectional areas but only fair to moderate agreement for fatty infiltration and myotendinous junction distance. Only fatty infiltration grades evidenced observer bias. Inter-rater agreement did not appear time dependent. CONCLUSION: By use of defined reading rules in a research setting, MRI evaluations of rotator cuff tendon integrity, tear dimensions, muscle atrophy, and cross-sectional areas have reasonable reliability at all time points in the first postoperative year. However, the presence of clinically significant disagreements, even in such favorable circumstances, indicates the need for improved imaging tools for precise rotator cuff evaluation.

Relationship Between Glenoid Component Shift and Osteolysis After Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate glenoid component position and radiolucency following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) using sequential 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) analysis. METHODS: In a series of 152 patients (42 Walch A1, 16 A2, 7 B1, 49 B2, 29 B3, 3 C1, 3 C2, and 3 D glenoids) undergoing anatomic TSA with a polyethylene glenoid component, sequential 3D CT analysis was performed preoperatively (CT1), early postoperatively (CT2), and at a minimum 2-year follow-up (CT3). Glenoid component shift was defined as a change in component version or inclination of ≥3° from CT2 to CT3. Glenoid component central anchor peg osteolysis (CPO) was assessed at CT3. Factors associated with glenoid component shift and CPO were evaluated. RESULTS: Glenoid component shift occurred from CT2 to CT3 in 78 (51%) of the 152 patients. CPO was seen at CT3 in 19 (13%) of the 152 patients, including 15 (19%) of the 78 with component shift. Walch B2 glenoids with a standard component and glenoids with higher preoperative retroversion were associated with a higher rate of shift, but not of CPO. B3 glenoids with an augmented component and glenoids with greater preoperative joint-line medialization were associated with CPO, but not with shift. More glenoid component joint-line medialization from CT2 to CT3 was associated with higher rates of shift and CPO. A greater absolute change in glenoid component inclination from CT2 to CT3 and a combined absolute glenoid component version and inclination change from CT2 to CT3 were associated with CPO. Neither glenoid component shift nor CPO was associated with worse clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative 3D CT analysis demonstrated that glenoid component shift commonly occurs following anatomic TSA, with increased inclination the most common direction. Most (81%) of the patients with glenoid component shift did not develop CPO. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the relationships of glenoid component shift and CPO with loosening over time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Short-Term Outcomes of Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer With Achilles Allograft for Irreparable Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears.

PURPOSE: To evaluate functional outcomes, return to work, and reoperations associated with lower trapezius tendon transfer (LTT) for irreparable rotator cuff tears. METHODS: This is a retrospective study performed by a single surgeon with minimum 1-year follow-up. LTT was performed using an open (n = 9; 60%) or arthroscopically assisted (n = 6, 40%) technique. Outcomes included failure rate, range of motion, satisfaction, return to work, and pre- and postoperative functional scores, as well as American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and the Simple Shoulder Test. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included. LTT was performed using an open or arthroscopically assisted technique. Mean age was 52 (range 31-62 years), 13 (92.9%) were manual laborers, and 9 (60%) had a worker's compensation claim. Three patients (20%) underwent conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Of the remaining 12 patients, there were significant improvements in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and Simple Shoulder Test at 24.1 ± 9.6 (range 12-38.5) months. Active forward elevation, abduction, and external rotation were all significantly improved. Postoperative satisfaction ratings indicated 67% of the revision-free cohort was "very satisfied" and 33% was "somewhat satisfied" with their outcome. Seven (50%) returned to full duty, 4 (28.6%) returned to modified duty, and 3 (21.4%) were unable to return to work. Two patients (open techniques) underwent a superficial wound debridement for seroma and wound breakdown. CONCLUSIONS: LTT results in successful clinical outcomes with a high rate of return to work in a challenging patient population. However, only 67% of patients rated themselves as "very satisfied," and 20% of patients were revised to reverse shoulder arthroplasty before 1 year. Limited preoperative active forward elevation (<90°) appears to predict poor functional results and risk for reoperation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Central-peg radiolucency progression of an all-polyethylene glenoid with hybrid fixation in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty is associated with clinical failure and reoperation.

BACKGROUND: Glenoid component loosening is a common cause of failure after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. Prior studies of all-polyethylene glenoid implants with hybrid fixation did not show early glenoid radiolucency to be clinically significant. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of progression of radiolucency around the central peg of the glenoid component. METHODS: We identified 73 shoulders that underwent primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty between January 1995 and May 2015 for osteoarthritis with an all-polyethylene pegged glenoid, with a minimum follow-up interval of 2 years between early and late follow-up. Demographic, radiographic (central-peg osteolysis [CPO] and central-peg grading [CPG]), and outcome variables comprising the Penn Shoulder Score (PSS) and revision surgery were collected. Clinical failure was defined as a PSS decrease >11.4 points (ie, PSS failure) or revision surgery. RESULTS: The average patient age at surgery was 65 ± 7 years, and 63% of patients were men. The median initial follow-up period was 14 months (interquartile range, 12-25 months), and the final median follow-up period was 56 months (interquartile range, 47-69 months). Revision surgical procedures were performed in 4 patients, and 17 PSS failures occurred. We found that CPO at final follow-up, CPG progression, and worse PSS at follow-up were associated with revision surgery (P < .05). We also found younger age at surgery, CPO at final follow-up, CPG progression, and greater glenoid component retroversion at final follow-up to be associated with clinical failure (PSS failure or revision surgery) (P < .05). Multivariate analysis found only CPG progression to be associated with clinical failure (P < .001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CPO and CPG progression were associated with clinical failure, defined as decreasing clinical outcome scores or revision surgery.

Midterm outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients aged 75 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Full-thickness rotator cuff tears remain a significant cause of pain and dysfunction in the elderly. Substantial improvement in pain and functional outcomes with arthroscopic cuff repair is possible. Recent data has shown that patients older than 70-75 years still have clinical improvement with operative rotator cuff repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients aged ≥75 years undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at a minimum of 24 months after surgery. Outcome measurements included range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) scores, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores, and Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) scores. Reoperation and rates of conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) were determined. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included with an average follow-up of 56.9 ± 25.9 months (range 24-127 months). Six (7.2%) patients had additional surgery, including 3 revision rotator cuff repairs for retear, 2 conversion to RSA, and 1 capsular release and loose anchor removal. There were statistically significant improvements in shoulder ROM, ASES, SANE, VAS, and SF-12 scores postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Rotator cuff repair in select patients aged ≥75 years results in reliable improvements in pain and function. There was a low reoperation rate or conversion to RSA (7.2%) at midterm follow-up. This study indicates a role for rotator cuff repair in an elderly population and argues against the routine use of reverse arthroplasty for repairable rotator cuff tears in this population.

Early radiographic failure of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with structural bone graft for glenoid bone loss.

INTRODUCTION: Structural glenoid bone grafting in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has previously been reported to have good functional outcomes and low complication rates. We have observed different complication rates and hypothesized that baseplate fixation and severity of deformity may be predictors of early failure. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 44 patients who underwent RSA with structural bone grafting for glenoid bone defects. All patients had preoperative and postoperative (Grashey and axillary) radiographs at a minimum of 1 year after surgery and within 3 months of surgery for evaluation of implant and graft positioning. Clinical data and outcome scores were collected at the same intervals. RESULTS: There were 61% females and 39% males, with an average age of 74 ± 8 years at the time of surgery. The median final radiographic follow-up was 20 months, with 37 primary RSA and 7 revision RSA. Graft resorption was found in 11 of 44 patients (25%), and radiographic failure was found in 11 of 44 patients (25%) at a median of 8 months (range 3-51 months). Forward elevation, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores all significantly improved postoperatively (P < .0001). Radiographic baseplate failure was associated with graft resorption (P = .002), more retroversion correction (P = .02), and worse SANE scores at final follow-up (P = .01). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: RSA with structural bone graft improved range of motion and function, but there was a larger than previously reported baseplate loosening rate. This early radiographic loosening appeared to be associated with graft resorption, retroversion correction, and worse outcome scores.

Arthroscopic débridement of irreparable rotator cuff tears: predictors of failure and success.

HYPOTHESIS/BACKGROUND: Many techniques have been described to treat irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCT). Arthroscopic débridement for massive, irreparable RCT has been previously described to be a successful operation. The primary objective of our study was to analyze the mid-term outcomes and failure rates of arthroscopic débridement for irreparable RCTs and identify risk factors associated with failure and poor outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively identified all patients between 2008 and 2013 who underwent arthroscopic débridement for an irreparable RCT. Demographics, operative reports, and preoperative imaging were collected from the medical record and outcome scores (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] and visual analog scale) were collected at a minimum of 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included with a median follow-up of 98 months (range, 58-115 months). The average age at the time of surgery was 60 ± 11 years. Six patients (23%) had a reoperation at a median 11 months (range, 1-91 months), with 5 of those being revised to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Median ASES and visual analog scale pain scores improved significantly from preoperatively to postoperatively (P < .01). Lower preoperative forward elevation was associated with worse postoperative ASES scores (P = .004) and revision to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. We found no associations between preoperative radiographic variables and reoperation or lower outcome scores. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic débridement for irreparable RCT shows good mid-term success with improvements in patient-reported outcome scores and pain. Cost-effectiveness of more expensive procedures should be considered in the context of these successful results. Poor preoperative forward elevation appears to be a negative predictor of outcome and should be considered carefully when indicating patients for this procedure.

Comparison of radiographic and clinical outcomes of revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with structural versus nonstructural bone graft.

BACKGROUND: Revision shoulder arthroplasty in the setting of glenoid bone loss poses substantial surgical challenges. This study's purpose was to compare radiographic and clinical results of patients requiring structural iliac crest bone autograft (ICBA) for severe bone loss versus patients with less severe bone loss treated with nonstructural bone allograft (NSBA) in the setting of revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 30 patients (70% of the 43 patients who met the inclusion criteria) undergoing revision RSA with ICBA (n = 15) or NSBA (n = 15) between 2007 and 2015 were analyzed at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Radiographic assessment included bone graft integration, bone graft resorption, glenosphere tilt, glenosphere version, and the presence of scapular notching. Clinical assessment included active range of motion, Penn Shoulder Score, Veterans RAND 12-item health survey, and need for revision surgery. RESULTS: No radiographic difference was found between the ICBA and NSBA groups with regard to implant position, graft integration, scapular notching, implant shift, or failure of fixation (P > .05). Of 15 patients with ICBA, 14 (93%) had at least partial integration of the bone graft. Some degree of resorption of the bone graft was noted in 6 of 15 patients (40%). There was no significant difference in postoperative active range of motion, Penn Shoulder Score, or Veterans RAND 12-item health survey score (P > .05 for all comparisons). One patient in the ICBA group underwent revision surgery for glenoid baseplate failure. CONCLUSION: Revision RSA with glenoid bone grafting resulted in good clinical and radiographic outcomes at short-term follow-up. Patients requiring structural ICBA were not at increased risk of component failure, radiographic or clinical complications, or inferior clinical outcomes.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of a Posteriorly Augmented Glenoid Component in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Primary Osteoarthritis with Posterior Glenoid Bone Loss.

BACKGROUND: The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the ability of a posteriorly stepped augmented glenoid component, used in patients with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis with B2 or B3 glenoid morphology, to correct preoperative retroversion and humeral head subluxation and to identify factors associated with radiographic radiolucency and patient-reported clinical outcomes. METHODS: We identified 71 shoulders with B2 or B3 glenoid morphology that underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty with use of a posteriorly stepped augmented glenoid component and with a preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) scan and a minimum of 2 years of clinical and radiographic follow-up. The Penn Shoulder Score (PSS), shoulder range of motion, glenoid center-peg osteolysis, and postoperative version and humeral head subluxation were the main outcome variables of interest. RESULTS: Follow-up was a median of 2.4 years (range, 1.9 to 5.7 years); the mean patient age at treatment was 65 ± 7 years (range, 51 to 80 years). PSS, range of motion, humeral head centering, and glenoid version were significantly improved among all patients (p < 0.0001). Patients with persistent posterior subluxation of the humeral head postoperatively had worse preoperative fatty infiltration of the teres minor and greater postoperative component retroversion (p < 0.05). Patients with center-peg osteolysis had more preoperative joint-line medialization and posterior glenoid bone loss (p < 0.05). Patients with more preoperative humeral head posterior subluxation had a lower PSS, adjusting for confounders (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Posteriorly stepped augmented glenoid components can improve pathologic retroversion and posterior subluxation of the humeral head in B2 and B3 glenoids, with significant improvements found in clinical outcome scores at a minimum of 2 years of follow-up in the vast majority of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.