Anatomic risk factors for arthroscopic Bankart repair failure: A case-control study comparing failure and non-failure groups in an Asian population.

Introduction: Post-arthroscopic Bankart repair failure/re-dislocation rates are influenced by several risk factors, including anatomic defects. There is limited evidence on the role of anatomic defects, especially for Hill-Sachs size in on-track lesions. This study aimed to assess glenoid bone loss, Hill-Sachs lesion and labral tear size and evaluate their contribution to post-operative instability after a primary repair. Material and methods: Across 169 patients with on-track Bankart lesions who underwent primary arthroscopic Bankart repair from 2010 to 2015, this study matched 14 failure with 14 non-failure cases based on age/gender. Patient demographics, pre-operative radiological parameters (including size of glenoid bone loss and Hill-Sachs lesion) and labral tear size were compared between the failure and non-failure groups. Result: All patients were male with a mean age of 21.01 ± 4.97. Significantly greater glenoid bone loss (p = 0.024) and labral tear size (p = 0.039) were found in the failure group. However, there was no significant difference in mean volume of Hill-Sachs lesion between the two groups (p = 0.739). Conclusion: Extensive glenoid bone loss and labral tears are risk factors for post-arthroscopic Bankart failure. However, the size of Hill-Sachs lesion is not a risk factor for failure, in a specific group of on-track Hill-Sachs lesions. Level of evidence: Retrospective Study, Level IV.

Four-dimensional computed tomography scan for dynamic elbow disorders: recommendations for clinical utility.

BACKGROUND: Four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) is rapidly emerging as a diagnostic tool for the investigation of dynamic upper limb disorders. Dynamic elbow pathologies are challenging to diagnose, and at present, limitations exist in current imaging modalities. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the clinical utility of 4D CT in detecting potential dynamic elbow disorders. METHODS: Twenty-eight elbow joints from 26 patients with symptoms of dynamic elbow pathology were included in this study. They were first assessed by a senior orthopedic surgeon with subsequent qualitative data obtained via a Siemens Force Dual Source CT scanner (Erlangen, Germany), producing two- and three-dimensional "static" images and 4D dynamic "movie" images for assessment in each clinical scenario. Clinical assessment before and after scan was compared. RESULTS: Use of 4D CT scan resulted in a change of diagnosis in 16 cases (57.14%). This included a change in primary diagnosis in 2 cases (7.14%) and secondary diagnosis in 14 cases (50%). In 25 cases (89.29%), the 4D CT scan allowed us to understand the pathological anatomy in greater detail which led to a change in the management plan of 15 cases (53.57%). CONCLUSION: 4D CT is a promising diagnostic tool in the management of dynamic elbow disorders and may be considered in clinical practice. Future studies need to compare it with other diagnostic modalities such as three-dimensional CT.

Is single stage capsular release and rotator cuff repair suitable for rotator tears with concomitant stiffness?

INTRODUCTION: It is common for patients with a rotator cuff tear to present with shoulder stiffness. There is no consensus on the acceptable level of stiffness at time of rotator cuff repair.We aim to determine if patients with stiffness undergoing rotator cuff repair and concomitant capsular release have different outcome than those with no stiffness undergoing rotator cuff repair alone. We hypothesize that patients with stiffness will not have poorer outcome than patients with no stiffness. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study of prospectively collected data for 47 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair under a single surgeon from 2010 to 2015. 25 patients were considered stiff (Stiff group) and 22 patients were considered to have no pre-operative stiffness (Non-stiff group).Range of motion and functional outcomes were collected preoperatively and post-operatively at two-years. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in gender distribution, age and cuff tear size between both groups. Pre-operatively, patients in the Stiff group had significantly poorer active range of motion (Forward flexion - Stiff 74.8° vs Non-stiff 100.2°, P = 0.001) and poorer function (Constant score - Stiff 23.5 vs Non-stiff 43.2, P < 0.001). Post-operatively, both groups of patients had increased range of motion, strength and reported lesser pain compared to pre-operation. There were no significant differences in post-operative outcomes between both groups. CONCLUSION: Single-stage surgery combining capsular release and rotator cuff repair is effective for patients with stiffness as they are able to achieve similar results to those without shoulder stiffness.

Which Patients Require a Contralateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Within 5 Years of Index Surgery?

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee often presents bilaterally. However, not all patients with severe bilateral knee OA require bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to identify predictive factors for contralateral TKA in patients presenting with severe bilateral knee OA undergoing unilateral TKA. We prospectively collected perioperative data from 209 consecutive patients of a single surgeon who had severe bilateral OA knees at presentation. All patients underwent unilateral TKA on the more symptomatic knee. Patients were then stratified by their need for a contralateral TKA within the next 5 years. Using regression analysis, we compared patients who underwent contralateral knee surgery within 5 years (n = 115) against patients who did not (n = 94), so as to create a predictive model. Significant factors identified by the multiple regression models were incorporated into a decision tree using classification and regression tree analysis. Body mass index (BMI), degree of varus angulation, and Oxford knee scores were identified as significant predictive factors. The generated decision tree model was able to stratify patients according to their BMI and Oxford scores into four subgroups, the highest with more than 90% odds of contralateral surgery and the lowest with less than 40% odds of contralateral surgery. BMI, degree of varus angulation, and preoperative Oxford knee scores seem to predict the need for contralateral TKA in patients with severe bilateral OA knees undergoing unilateral TKA. These patients should be counseled on their requirement for the second TKA based on these factors.

Patterns of Weight Change and Their Effects on Clinical Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in an Asian Population.

BACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study was designed to evaluate weight change patterns and their effects on clinical outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the Asian population. We hypothesized that Asian patients will have a different pattern of weight change following TKA compared to Western patients and that weight loss following TKA will be associated with better clinical outcomes. METHODS: A cohort of consecutive patients who underwent TKA from 2004 to 2015 was included. All patients received a conventional posterior-stabilized TKA implant and underwent a standard perioperative care pathway. Assessments were done preoperatively, at 6 months, and 2 years after surgery. The range of motion, Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score, and the Short-Form 36 questionnaire were used to assess outcomes. Height and weight of patients were recorded for body mass index (BMI) calculation. Patterns of weight loss following TKA in this cohort were charted. Clinical outcomes were then analyzed against the change in BMI. RESULTS: A total of 602 patients (602 knees) were reviewed. Mean age was 66.39 ± 7.27 years. Mean BMI was 27.75 ± 4.51 kg/m2. Overall, 63.12% of all our patients gained weight following TKA. Moreover, weight loss did not influence patients' odds for better clinical outcomes. Furthermore, patients who were in the preoperative BMI category of obese class I were more likely to gain weight as compared to those in the normal category (odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.61, P < .001). Moreover, older people were more likely to gain more weight compared to younger people. We also showed that the mean 2-year Knee Society Knee Score was significantly higher in the patients who gained weight while the patients who lost weight had the highest mean 2-year Oxford Knee Score and the lowest mean 2-year Knee Society Function Score. CONCLUSION: Asians tend to gain weight following TKA. However, this weight change following TKA does not affect clinical outcomes, which remain good across all BMI groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.