Prospective comparison of functional outcomes of primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty for acute fractures versus rotator cuff deficiencies.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were long-term differences in outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) undertaken for acute proximal humeral fracture versus rotator cuff deficiency with a minimum follow-up of five years. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study comparing 67 patients with acute complex proximal humeral fracture and 64 patients with irreparable rotator cuff deficiency who underwent primary RSA. In the fracture group, there were 52 (77.6%) females and 15 (22.4%) males, with a mean age of 73.5 years (51 to 85), while in the arthropathy group, there were 43 (67.1%) females and 21 (32.9%) males, with a mean age of 70.6 years (50 to 84). Patients were assessed by the Constant score, University of California Los Angeles shoulder score (UCLA), short version of the Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand score (QuickDASH), and visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain and satisfaction. Radiological evaluation was also performed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 8.4 years (5 to 11). There were no significant differences in mean absolute (p = 0.125) or adjusted (p = 0.569) Constant, UCLA (p = 0.088), QuickDASH (p = 0.135), VAS-pain (p = 0.062), or range of movement at the final follow-up. However, patient satisfaction was significantly lower in the fracture group (p = 0.002). The complication rate was 1.5% (one patient) versus 9.3% (six patients), and the revision rate was 1.5% (one patient) versus 7.8% (five patients) in the fracture and arthropathy groups, respectively. The ten-year arthroplasty survival was not significantly different (p = 0.221). CONCLUSION: RSA may be used not only for patients with irreparable rotator cuff deficiencies, but also for those with acute complex proximal humeral fractures. We found that RSA provided similar functional outcomes and a low revision rate for both indications at long-term. However, satisfaction is lower in patients with an acute fracture. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(11):1555-1559.

No differences between direct anterior and lateral approach for primary total hip arthroplasty related to muscle damage or functional outcome.

PURPOSE: The aim was to compare the muscle damage and functional outcomes between patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty through a direct anterior (49 patients) or a lateral approach (50 patients). METHODS: A randomized, controlled, prospective study. The study variables were muscle damage based on post-operative levels of serum markers (citokynes and acute phase reactants) and MRI, and Harris hip score. RESULTS: Post-operatively, there were significantly higher mean levels in the lateral group related to interleukin 6 and 8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha up to fourth postoperative day. By MRI at six post-operative months, the fatty atrophy in the gluteus muscles was more in the lateral group, but similar in the other muscles. The mean thickness of the tensor fasciae latae was significantly lower in the anterior group. Functional outcome was similar between groups at three and 12 post-operative months. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle damage due to the surgical approach had no influence on functional outcome after three post-operative months. Both anterior and lateral approaches for THA are similarly safe and feasible, so the choice depends only on the preference and experience of the surgeon.

Arthroscopic Marginal Resection of a Lipoma of the Supraspinatus Muscle in the Subacromial Space.

Subacromial impingement syndrome is a common cause of shoulder pain in young adults and seniors at present. The etiology of this syndrome is associated with several shoulder disorders, most related to aging, overhead activities, and overuse. The subacromial space is well circumscribed and limited in size, and soft-tissue growing lesions, such as tumors, can endanger the normal function of the shoulder girdle. We present a case of shoulder impingement syndrome caused by an intramuscular lipoma of the supraspinatus muscle in the subacromial space in a 50-year-old male bank manager. Radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and a computed tomography scan showed a well-circumscribed soft-tissue tumor at the supraspinatus-musculotendinous junction. It was arthroscopically inspected and dissected and complete marginal excision was performed through a conventional augmented anterolateral portal, avoiding the need to open the trapezius fascia or perform an acromial osteotomy. Microscopic study showed a benign lipoma, and the shoulder function of the patient was fully recovered after a rehabilitation period of 4 months. This less invasive technique shows similar results to conventional open surgery.