Comparable low revision rates of stemmed and stemless total anatomic shoulder arthroplasties after exclusion of metal backed glenoid components: a collaboration between the Australian and Danish national shoulder arthroplasty registries.

BACKGROUND: The stemmed anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty is the gold standard in the treatment of glenohumeral osteoarthritis. However, the use of stemless total shoulder arthroplasties has increased in recent years. The number of revision procedures are relatively low and therefore it has been recommended that national joint replacement registries should collaborate when comparing revision rates. Therefore, we aimed to compare the revision rates of stemmed and stemless TSA used for the diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis using data from both the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) and the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry (DSR). METHODS: We included all patients who were registered in the AOANJRR and the DSR from January 1 2012 to December 2021 with an anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty used for osteoarthritis. Revision for any reason was used as the primary outcome. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to illustrate the cumulative revision rates and a multivariate cox regression model to calculate the hazard ratios. All analyses were performed separately for data from AOANJRR and DSR, and the results were then reported using a qualitative approach. RESULTS: 13066 arthroplasties from AOANJRR and 2882 arthroplasties from DSR were included. The hazard ratio for revision of stemmed TSA with stemless TSA as reference, adjusted for age and gender, was 1.67 (95% CI 1.34-2.09, p<0.001) in AOANJRR and 0.57 (95% CI 0.36-0.89, p=0.014) in DSR. When including glenoid type and fixation, surface bearing (only in AOANJRR) and hospital volume in the cox regression model the hazard ratio for revision of stemmed TSA compared to stemless TSA was 1.22 (95% CI 0.85-1.75, p=0.286) in AOANJRR and 1.50 (95% CI 0.91-2.45, p=0.109) in DSR. The adjusted hazard ratio for revision of total shoulder arthroplasties with metal backed glenoid components compared to all-polyethylene glenoid components was 2.54 (95% CI 1.70-3.79, p < 0.001) in AOANJRR and 4.1 (95% CI 1.92-8.58, p<0.001) in DSR. CONCLUSION: Based on data from two national shoulder arthroplasty registries, we found no significant difference in risk of revision between stemmed and stemless total shoulder arthroplasties after adjusting for the type of glenoid component. We advocate that metal-backed glenoid components should be used with caution and not on a routine basis.

Stemmed hemiarthroplasty with a suture collar and a common platform system for acute proximal humeral fractures.

Background: Hemiarthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures gives disappointing results, often due to rotator cuff insufficiency. Better tuberosity fixation might improve results. Therefore, the aim of this study was to: 1) report the outcome of a stemmed hemiarthroplasty with a common platform system and a modular suture collar; 2) compare the outcome with that of a standard stemmed hemiarthroplasty; 3) report the feasibility of revision arthroplasty with retention of the stem; and 4) to evaluate the association between tuberosity healing and functional outcome. Methods: Forty-four fractures that were deemed not suitable for nonsurgical treatment or open reduction and internal fixation were treated with the Global Unite fracture system between January 2017 and July 2019. The functional and radiographic results at 2 years were compared with the results of 44 Global Fx arthroplasties. The results of patients who had adequate healing of the greater tuberosity were compared with the results of patients who had severe malunion or nonunion (resorption). Results: Mean Oxford Shoulder Score, Constant-Murley Score, and Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index was 33 (range: 10 to 48), 40 (range: 10 to 98), and 68 (range: 18 to 98) at 2 years. There were no differences in functional outcome scores or in the risk of inadequate healing of the greater tuberosity between the Global Unite and the Global Fx systems. Five (11%) patients underwent revision surgery with retention of the stem. Inadequate tuberosity healing was associated with an inferior Constant-Murley Score (mean difference: 6; 95% confidence interval: 1 to 10, P = .01) and an inferior Oxford Shoulder Score (mean difference: 9; 95% confidence interval: 1 to 16, P = .03). Conclusion: The use of stemmed hemiarthroplasty with a suture collar did not improve the healing of the greater tuberosity or the functional outcome. Five arthroplasties were revised with retention of the stem. This possibility could be arguments for using the Global Unite system when a stemmed hemiarthroplasty is used for acute proximal humeral fractures.

Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome after shoulder arthroscopy.

A 47-year-old woman developed anterior interosseus nerve (AIN) syndrome after subacromial decompression and acromioclavicular joint resection. The operation was performed in the beach chair position and under general anaesthesia without the application of an interscalene block. Two weeks later, the patient presented with paresis of the distal interphalangeal joint of the second finger. Previous studies have proposed traction-type neuropraxia and extravasation of irrigation fluid as leading causes. Exploration and release of the AIN can be indicated if there is no improvement 3-6 months after the operation.

Previous rotator cuff repair increases the risk of revision surgery for periprosthetic joint infection after reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated an increased risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) compared with patients treated with anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. The reason for this is unclear but may be related to a high prevalence of previous rotator cuff repair in patients who are treated with RSA. The purpose of this study was to determine previous non-arthroplasty surgery as a risk factor for revision owing to PJI after RSA for cuff tear arthropathy, massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, or osteoarthritis. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry and medical records. We included 2217 patients who underwent RSA for cuff tear arthropathy, massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, or osteoarthritis between 2006 and 2019. PJI was defined as ≥3 of 5 tissue samples positive for the same bacteria or as definite or probable PJI evaluated based on criteria from the International Consensus Meeting. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to illustrate the unadjusted 14-year cumulative rates of revision. A Cox regression model was used to report hazard for revision owing to PJI. Results were adjusted for previous non-arthroplasty surgery, sex, diagnosis, and age. RESULTS: Revision was performed in 88 shoulders (4.0%), of which 40 (1.8%) underwent revision owing to PJI. There were 272 patients (12.3%) who underwent previous rotator cuff repair, of whom 11 (4.0%) underwent revision owing to PJI. The 14-year cumulative rate of revision owing to PJI was 14.1% for patients with previous rotator cuff repair and 2.7% for patients without previous surgery. The adjusted hazard ratio for revision owing to PJI for patients with previous rotator cuff repair was 2.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-4.60) compared with patients without previous surgery. CONCLUSION: There is an increased risk of revision owing to PJI after RSA for patients with previous rotator cuff repair. We recommend that patients with previous rotator cuff repair be regarded as high-risk patients when considering RSA.

Elbow hemiarthroplasty vs. open reduction internal fixation for acute Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type 13C fractures-A systematic review.

Background: Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the standard treatment for multifragmentary intra-articular distal humeral fractures. Fractures not amenable by ORIF are treated with total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). In recent years, elbow hemiarthroplasty (EHA) has been used as an alternative to TEA, as weight bearing restrictions and risk of component loosening are lower. We systematically reviewed the literature reporting functional outcomes and complication rates after either EHA or ORIF for Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type 13C fractures. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria were at least 5 patients, aged ≥50 years, AO/OTA type 13C fracture treated with ORIF or EHA, and evaluation with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. Literature screening and data extraction were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The results were synthesized qualitatively using weighted means. No comparative statistical analyses were done. Results: We included 27 articles, which included 96 patients treated with EHA and 535 patients treated with ORIF. We identified 1 randomized controlled trial and 26 case series. The weighted mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 86.9 (n = 89) in the EHA group and 84.7 (n = 535) in the ORIF group. There were 26 (33%) complications (n = 78) in the EHA group and 103 (38%) complications (n = 270) in the ORIF group. Complication rates were generally high in both groups. Conclusion: We found comparable results of EHA and ORIF, which indicate that EHA is a viable treatment option for AO/OTA type 13C fractures not amenable by ORIF. Because of high risk of bias, interpretation of the results should be done with caution.

Implant migration and functional outcome of Reverse Shoulder Lateralized Glenosphere Line Extension System: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Inferior scapular notching is a complication unique to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The most efficient technique to avoid inferior scapular notching has been reported to be lateralization of the glenoid offset. This study aims to compare radiological and functional outcomes of the DELTA Xtend® Reverse Shoulder System Lateralized Glenosphere Line Extension (intervention group) with the Standard DELTA Xtend® Reverse Shoulder System (control group). We hypothesize that the lateralization improves the patient outcome by decreasing the risk of inferior scapular notching without increasing the risk of migration and loosening of glenoid component. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, all Danish citizens with rotator cuff arthropathy or degeneration of the glenohumeral joint with severe posterior wear and allocated for a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty at the department of orthopaedic surgery at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, will be considered for participation. The exclusion criteria are as follows: below 50 years of age, cognitive or linguistic impairment, insufficient glenoid bone stock, previous fracture in the upper extremity and autoimmune-mediated inflammatory arthritis. There will be included a total of 122 patients of which 56 will participate in the radiostereometric analysis. This number of patients allows 20% to drop out. The co-primary outcomes are the pattern and magnitude of the migration of the glenoid component assessed by radiostereometric analysis and the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index. The secondary outcomes are inferior scapular notching, patient-reported and functional outcomes (Oxford shoulder score, Constant-Murley score and pain), side effects and complications, changes in bone mineral density and economy. The included patients will be examined before the surgery, within 1 week and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after. DISCUSSION: No previous studies have compared the conventional reverse shoulder arthroplasty with the lateralized reverse shoulder arthroplasty in a randomized controlled trial regarding migration and functional outcome. Furthermore, radiostereometric analysis has not been used to evaluate the migration of reverse shoulder arthroplasty in a randomized controlled trial. This study intends to determine which treatment has the most optimal outcome for the benefit of future patients with an indication for reverse shoulder arthroplasty. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been notified to Pactius and has approval number P-2021-231. Furthermore, the study will be registered on Clinicaltrials.gov before starting the inclusion.

Previous surgery for instability is a risk factor for a worse patient-reported outcome after anatomical shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: a Danish nationwide cohort study of 3,743 arthroplasties.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although most patients have good outcomes after shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis, certain risk factors may lead to disappointing outcomes. We assessed risk factors for a worse outcome after anatomical shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Our hypothesis was that previous surgery for instability would be a risk factor for a worse outcome independent of age, sex, and arthroplasty type. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included arthroplasties reported to the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry between 2006 and 2018 (n = 3,743). The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) index at 1 year was used as outcome. The total score was converted to a percentage of a maximum score. The general linear model was used to analyze differences in WOOS. Age, sex, arthroplasty type, and previous surgery were included in the multivariate model. Estimates were given with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The mean WOOS score was 78 for patients with no previous surgery and 55 for patients with surgery for instability. The mean difference was -16 (CI -10 to -22) in the multivariate model. Hemiarthroplasty had a worse outcome compared with total shoulder arthroplasty and young patients had a worse outcome compared with older patients. The mean differences in the multivariate model were -12 (CI -10 to -14) and -11 (CI -8 to -14) respectively. INTERPRETATION: Patients with previous surgery for instability had worse results independent of age, sex, and arthroplasty type and should be informed about their individual risk of a worse outcome.

Good long-term patient-reported outcome after shoulder arthroplasty for cuff tear arthropathy.

BACKGROUND: The use of the reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) has increased within the last decades, but there is still limited information about the long-term outcome and how it performs in comparison with hemiarthroplasty (HA). The aim of this study was to compare the long-term patient-reported outcomes of RSA and HA for CTA. METHODS: We included all patients with CTA, who according to the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry, underwent either HA or RSA between 2006 and 2010. Patients who were alive were sent the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) questionnaire in 2020. One hundred twenty (65%) patients returned a complete questionnaire. The linear regression model was used to compare RSA and HA. Sex, age, and previous surgery were included in the multivariable model. RESULTS: Forty-two HAs and 78 RSAs were evaluated with a mean follow-up time of 11.5 and 10.6 years, respectively. The mean WOOS score was 66.7 for HA and 71.7 for RSA. The difference of 5.0 was neither statistically significant nor clinically important (95% confidence interval: -4.3 to 14.2, P = .17), nor were there any significant risk of a worse WOOS score for sex, age, or previous surgery. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the long-term patient-reported outcomes of HA and RSA for CTA. Our results indicate that RSA is a reliable and durable treatment option for CTA with good long-term results. Based on this observational study, it is not possible to make safe estimates about the effect of RSA compared with HA, but similar to RSA, HA was associated with relatively good long-term results.

Good functional outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation for AO/OTA type 13-C2 and -C3 acute distal humeral fractures in patients aged over 45 years.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report the functional outcomes and complications after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO)/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) type 13-C2 and -C3 acute distal humeral fractures with minimum 2-year follow-up. Our hypothesis was that ORIF would provide functional outcomes that are comparable to those of total elbow arthroplasty and elbow hemiarthroplasty reported in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 6-year period, 23 patients aged > 45 years were treated with double plating for AO/OTA type 13-C2 or -C3 fractures. The mean age was 62 years (range, 46-80 years). The Oxford Elbow Score was used as the primary outcome; the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, pain severity score (on a visual analog scale), range of motion, reoperations, and complications were used as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The median Oxford Elbow Score was 42 (range, 25-48), where a score of 48 represents a normal elbow; 20 patients achieved good to excellent outcomes, and 3 achieved fair outcomes. The median Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 85 (range, 60-100), where a score of 100 represents a normal elbow; 18 patients achieved good to excellent outcomes, and 5 achieved fair outcomes. The median visual analog scale score was 2 (range, 0-5). The median flexion-extension and supination-pronation arcs were 120° (range, 70°-155°) and 160° (range, 75°-170°), respectively. Eight complications were recorded in 7 patients; 4 of them required reoperation because of fracture pseudarthrosis or elbow stiffness. Ten patients were working at the time of trauma, and nine of them returned to the same occupation. Our results are comparable to the results of previously published studies regarding the outcome of ORIF, elbow hemiarthroplasty, or total elbow arthroplasty for AO/OTA type 13-C fractures. CONCLUSION: ORIF is a reliable treatment option for AO/OTA type 13-C2 and -C3 acute distal humeral fractures in middle-aged and elderly patients, despite the considerable rate of complications. Good to excellent results can be obtained in most patients.

Ten-year follow-up of stemmed hemiarthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures.

AIMS: There is no consensus on the treatment of proximal humeral fractures. Hemiarthroplasty has been widely used in patients when non-surgical treatment is not possible. There is, despite extensive use, limited information about the long-term outcome. Our primary aim was to report ten-year patient-reported outcome after hemiarthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures. The secondary aims were to report the cumulative revision rate and risk factors for an inferior patient-reported outcome. METHODS: We obtained data on 1,371 hemiarthroplasties for acute proximal humeral fractures from the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry between 2006 and 2010. Of these, 549 patients (40%) were alive and available for follow-up. The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) questionnaire was sent to all patients at nine to 14 years after primary surgery. Revision rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors for an inferior WOOS score were analyzed using the linear regression model. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 67 years (24 to 90) and 445 (81%) patients were female. A complete questionnaire was returned by 364 (66%) patients at a mean follow-up of 10.6 years (8.8 to 13.8). Mean WOOS score was 64 (4.3 to 100.0). There was no correlation between WOOS scores and age, sex, arthroplasty brand, or year of surgery. The 14-year cumulative revision rate was 5.7% (confidence interval 4.1 to 7.2). Patients aged younger than 55 years and patients aged between 55 to 74 years had 5.6-times (2.0 to 9.3) and 4.3-times (1.9 to 16.7) higher risk of revision than patients aged older than 75 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the largest long-term follow-up study of acute proximal humeral fractures treated with hemiarthroplasty. We found a low revision rate and an acceptable ten-year patient-reported outcome. The patient-reported outcome should be interpreted with caution as we have no information about the patients who died or did not return a complete WOOS score. The long-term outcome and revision rate suggest that hemiarthroplasty offers a valid alternative when non-surgical treatment is not possible. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1063-1069.

Early migration of stemless and stemmed humeral components after total shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis-study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Glenohumeral osteoarthritis can, in the most severe cases, require surgery with insertion of a shoulder arthroplasty. A design with a stem in the humeral bone canal is currently regarded as the standard treatment option in patients who have an intact rotator cuff function, but complications related to the stem including humeral fractures can have devastating consequences. By using a stemless humeral component, stem-related complications can be reduced. The aim of this study is to compare the Comprehensive Nano stemless total shoulder arthroplasty (intervention group) with the Comprehensive stemmed total shoulder arthroplasty (control group). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial comparing the stemless and the stemmed total shoulder arthroplasty. All Danish citizens with glenohumeral osteoarthritis indicating a total shoulder arthroplasty referred to the orthopedic department at Copenhagen University Hospital in Herlev/Gentofte will be offered participation. The following exclude from participation: below 18 years of age, cognitive or linguistic impairment, insufficient function of the rotator cuff, poor bone quality, and ASA groups 4-5. A total of 122 patients will be included of which 56 will be part of a radiostereometric analysis (RSA) study of humeral component migration. The primary outcomes are magnitude of migration of the humeral component assessed by RSA and patient-reported outcome by Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index (WOOS). The secondary outcomes are additional patient-reported outcomes, functional outcome, readmission, complications, revisions, and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal humerus assessed by duel energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and economy (cost-utility analysis). The patients are examined before the operation and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperative. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, RSA has never been used to access migration of a stemmed or a stemless humeral component nor has the stemmed and the stemless humeral component been compared with regard to pain relief and shoulder function in a randomized clinical trial. Today, the two designs are considered equal in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The study will provide surgeons and patients with information about shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis and assist them in decision-making. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04105478 . Registered on 25 September 2019.

Elbow hemiarthroplasty versus open reduction and internal fixation for AO/OTA type 13 C2 and C3 fractures of distal humerus in patients aged 50 years or above: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intraarticular distal humeral fractures of AO/OTA type 13 C2 and C3 pose a surgical challenge despite the evolution of surgical implants and techniques. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is often preferred as the first choice of treatment, but the results vary and are sometimes disappointing. Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has been widely used for fractures that are not amenable to ORIF in elderly patients, but the mechanical complications remain a challenge, especially in active patients. Elbow hemiarthroplasty (EHA) provides a modern alternative that might avoid the mechanical complications and weight bearing restrictions related to the linked articulation in semi-constrained TEA. No studies have compared the results of EHA to that of ORIF, but case series have reported promising results. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a study protocol describing an investigator-initiated, non-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing the outcome of EHA with ORIF for AO/OTA type 13 C2 and C3 fractures of the distal humerus in patients who are 50 years or older. Forty-four patients with AO/OTA type 13 C2 and C3 fractures of distal humerus will be randomized to either EHA or ORIF. The Oxford Elbow Score (OES) will be used as primary outcome. Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), pain severity score (VAS), range of motion, and patient satisfaction will be used as secondary outcomes. Reoperations, complications, and the length of sick leave will be recorded. The patients will be examined after the operation and at 3 months and 1, 2, 5, and 10 years. DISCUSSION: The main objective of this study is to investigate the best treatment option for AO/OTA type 13 C2 and C3 fractures of distal humerus in patients aged 50 years or above. We hypothesize that EHA results in fewer complications and superior functional outcome compared with ORIF and that the mechanical complications related to the linked articulation of TEA can be avoided. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, PRS, NCT04163172. Registered November 13, 2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=evori&cntry=&state=&city=&dist= (Table 2). The protocol has been approved by The Scientific Ethics Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (Jr. no.: H- 19,035,590). The processing of personal data has been approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (Jr. no. P-2019-246). Inclusion started on February 1, 2020.

Increased use of total shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis and improved patient-reported outcome in Denmark, 2006-2015: a nationwide cohort study from the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry.

Background and purpose - Osteoarthritis has become the most common indication for shoulder arthroplasty in Denmark, and the treatment strategies have changed towards the use of anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty. We investigated whether changes in the use of arthroplasty types have changed the overall patient-reported outcome from 2006 to 2015. Patients and methods - We included 2,867 shoulder arthroplasties performed for osteoarthritis between 2006 and 2015 and reported to the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry. The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) index at 1 year was used as patient-reported outcome. The raw score was converted to a percentage of a maximum score. General linear models were used to analyze differences in WOOS. Results - The proportion of anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty increased from 3% and 7% in 2006 to 53% and 27% in 2015. The mean WOOS score was 70 (SD 26) after resurfacing hemiarthroplasties (n = 1,258), 68 (SD 26) after stemmed hemiarthroplasty (n = 500), 82 (SD 23) after anatomical total shoulder arthroplasties (n = 815), and 74 (SD 23) after reverse shoulder arthroplasties (n = 213). During the study period, the overall WOOS score increased with 18 (95% CI 12-22) in the univariate model and 10 (CI 5-15) in the multivariable model, and the WOOS scores for anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty increased by 14 (CI 5-23). Interpretation - We found an increased WOOS score from 2006 to 2015, which was primarily related to a higher proportion of anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty towards the end of the study period, and to improved outcome of anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty.

Low revision rate despite poor functional outcome after stemmed hemiarthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures: 2,750 cases reported to the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry.

Background and purpose - The revision rate of stemmed hemiarthroplasty (SHA) for acute proximal humeral fractures is low, but does not necessarily reflect the functional outcome. We report the revision rate of SHA for acute proximal humeral fractures and the proportion of arthroplasties that are not revised despite low functional outcome scores. Patients and methods - The Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry was used to identify all patients with a proximal humeral fracture that was treated with a SHA between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015. Information on demographics, surgical procedures, and revisions was collected by the registry. The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) index at 1 year was used as functional outcome score. We converted the score to a percentage of a maximum score with 100 being the best. Results - 2,750 SHAs in 2,719 patients were included. Mean age was 72 years (SD 11); 79% were women. Mean WOOS at 1 year was 55 (SD 26). A total of 101 (4%) arthroplasties were revised, and the 10-year cumulative implant survival rate was 95%. The Cox regression model showed a statistically significant impact on implant survival of age, but not of sex or arthroplasty brand. A WOOS score below 30 and 50 was reported in 11% and 25% of patients, respectively. Interpretation - We found a high implant survival rate, but also a high proportion of patients with a low functional outcome score 1 year after surgery.

Good outcome after elbow hemiarthroplasty in active patients with an acute intra-articular distal humeral fracture.

BACKGROUND: This study reported the clinical outcomes and complications after elbow hemiarthroplasty (EHA) for acute distal humeral fractures Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO)/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) type C2 and C3. METHOD: During a 6-year period, 24 active patients with acute intra-articular and multifragmentary distal humeral fractures were treated with an EHA by 1 of 4 experienced elbow surgeons. Mean age was 65 years (range, 47-80 years). Median follow-up time was 20 months (range, 12-70 months). RESULTS: The median Oxford Elbow Score was 40 points (range, 17-48 points), where 48 points represents a normal elbow. Outcomes were "good to excellent results" in 21 patients, "fair" in 2 patients, and "poor" in 1 patient. The median Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 85 points (range, 50-100 points), where 100 points represents a normal elbow. Outcomes were "good to excellent" in 19 patients, "fair" in 4 patients, and "poor" in 1 patient. The median pain severity score was 2 (range, 0-7) in a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 represents a pain-free elbow. The median flexion/extension and supination/pronation arcs were 110° (range, 60°-140°) and 160° (range, 115°-180°), respectively. Complications were recorded in 7 patients, and 3 of them underwent reoperation because of stiffness, which was treated with open release. CONCLUSIONS: EHA provides a good and reliable option in the treatment of an acute intra-articular distal humeral fracture unsuitable for open reduction and internal fixation, especially in active patients.

Low inter-observer agreement among experienced shoulder surgeons assessing overstuffing of glenohumeral resurfacing hemiarthroplasty based on plain radiographs.

BACKGROUND: In a clinical setting, a visual evaluation of post-implant radiographs is often used to assess the restoration of glenohumeral joint anatomy after resurfacing hemiarthroplasty and is a part of the decision-making process, in combination with other parameters, when evaluating patients with inferior clinical results. However, the reliability of this method of visual evaluation has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the inter- and intra-observer agreement among experienced shoulder surgeons assessing overstuffing, implant positioning, and size following resurfacing hemiarthroplasty using plain standardized radiographs. METHODS: Six experienced shoulder surgeons independently classified implant inclination, size of the implant and if the joint seemed overstuffed, in 219 cases of post-implant radiographs. All cases were classified twice 3 weeks apart. Only radiographs with an anterior-posterior projection with a freely visible joint space were used. Non-weighted Cohen's kappa values were calculated for each coder pair and the mean used as an estimate of the overall inter-observer agreement. RESULTS: The overall inter-observer agreement for implant size (kappa, 0.48 and 0.41) and inclination angle was moderate in both rounds (kappa, 0.46 and 0.44), but only a fair agreement was found concerning the evaluation for stuffing of the joint (kappa, 0.24 and 0.28). Intra-observer agreement for implant size and stuffing ranged from fair to substantial while the agreement for inclination was moderate to substantial. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that a visual evaluation of plain radiographs may be inadequate to evaluate overstuffing, implant positioning, and size following resurfacing hemiarthroplasty using plain standardized radiographs. Future studies may contribute to elucidate whether reliability increases if consensus on clear definitions and standardized methods of evaluation is made.

Outcome of Revision Shoulder Arthroplasty After Resurfacing Hemiarthroplasty in Patients with Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Patients are often treated with a resurfacing hemiarthroplasty in the expectation that the bone-preserving design facilitates revision should the need for a revision arthroplasty arise. The aim of this study was to report the outcome of patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis who underwent revision shoulder arthroplasty after resurfacing hemiarthroplasty. METHODS: We reviewed all patients with osteoarthritis reported to the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry from 2006 to 2013. There were 1,210 primary resurfacing hemiarthroplasties, of which 107 cases (9%) required a revision surgical procedure, defined as the removal or exchange of the humeral component or the addition of a glenoid component. The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) index was used to evaluate outcome at 1 year. RESULTS: The median WOOS of revision arthroplasty after failed resurfacing hemiarthroplasty was 62 points (interquartile range, 40 to 88 points). Of the 80 cases that had follow-up, 33 (41%) had an unacceptable outcome, defined as a WOOS of ≤50 points. Of the 107 cases that required a revision surgical procedure, 11 arthroplasties (10%) required a further revision surgical procedure. The resurfacing hemiarthroplasty was revised to a stemmed hemiarthroplasty (n = 39), anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (n = 31), or reverse shoulder arthroplasty (n = 30). In 7 cases, the revision arthroplasty design was unknown. The median WOOS of patients who underwent revision stemmed hemiarthroplasty (48 points) was significantly inferior (p = 0.002) to that of patients who underwent primary stemmed hemiarthroplasty (75 points); the median WOOS of patients who underwent revision anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (74 points) was also significantly inferior (p = 0.007) to that of patients who underwent primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (93 points). However, the median WOOS of patients who underwent revision reverse shoulder arthroplasty (68 points) was not significantly different (p = 0.66) from that of patients who underwent primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty (77 points) used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of revision shoulder arthroplasty after failed resurfacing hemiarthroplasty was variable and, in many cases, disappointing. It is important that resurfacing hemiarthroplasty is used for the correct indications and with adequate technique and skill. When resurfacing hemiarthroplasty is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, revision cannot be counted upon as a fallback. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Mortality after shoulder arthroplasty: 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year mortality after shoulder replacement--5853 primary operations reported to the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim was to quantify the 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year mortality rates after primary shoulder replacement. The secondary aims were to assess the association between mortality and diagnoses and to compare the mortality rate with that of the general population. METHODS: The study included 5853 primary operations reported to the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry between 2006 and 2012. Information about deaths was obtained from the Danish Cause of Death Register and the Danish Civil Registration System. Age- and sex-adjusted control groups were retrieved from Statistics Denmark. RESULTS: The mean age was 69.3 ± 11.6 years, and 69.2% of patients were women. Of the patients, 39 (0.7%) died within 30 days, 88 (1.5%) within 90 days, and 222 (3.8%) within 1 year. Fracture patients had an incidence rate of 1256 per 100,000 within 30 days, which was significantly higher than the incidence rate of 182 per 100,000 in the general population (P < .001), whereas osteoarthritis patients had an incidence of 111 per 100,000, which was significantly lower than the incidence rate of 125 per 100,000 in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture patients had a 6 times higher incidence of death within 30 days than the general population. However, the difference was equalized during the first year. This finding indicates that the injury and arthroplasty procedure are associated with an increased risk of death for these patients. Pulmonary, cardiac, and abdominal causes of death were common, and for fracture patients in particular, close postoperative monitoring of pulmonary, cardiac, and abdominal conditions seems important.

Outcome after total elbow arthroplasty: a retrospective study of 167 procedures performed from 1981 to 2008.

BACKGROUND: Total elbow arthroplasties (TEAs) are traditionally grouped into linked and unlinked design. The aim was to analyze the difference in clinical outcomes after TEA based on implant design and indication for surgery and to evaluate primary and revision TEAs. METHODS: A total of 167 TEAs (126 primary and 41 revision TEAs) in 141 patients were evaluated with patient-reported outcome measure by the Oxford Elbow Score (OES) and clinically assessed with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), range of motion (ROM), and standard radiographs. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 10.5 years for primary and 7.5 years for revision TEAs. There was no difference in OES or MEPS between linked and unlinked primary TEAs. The OES score in the social-psychological domain was significantly lower in TEAs performed due to fracture (67) compared with rheumatoid arthritis (81; P = .025). ROM in extension-flexion was 116° for primary linked TEAs compared with 110° for primary unlinked TEAs (P = .02). Revision TEAs were associated with a poorer outcome in OES, MEPS, and ROM compared with primary TEAs. Radiographic signs of loosening were seen in 15 primary and 7 revision TEAs at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We found no clinically significant differences in outcomes after linked or unlinked TEAs. Patients with TEAs due to fracture had poorer social-psychological results than rheumatoid arthritis patients. The results after revision surgery were significantly inferior compared with primary procedures. The OES contributes to the evaluations of the outcome after TEA surgery with a nuanced picture of the patient's perception.

Resurfacing shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis: outcome in 167 patients from the Danish Shoulder Registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is no consensus on which type of shoulder prosthesis should be used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We describe patients with RA who were treated with shoulder replacement, regarding patient-reported outcome, prosthesis survival, and causes of revision, and we compare outcome after resurfacing hemi-arthroplasty (RHA) and stemmed hemi-arthroplasty (SHA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used data from the national Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry and included patients with RA who underwent shoulder arthroplasty in Denmark between 2006 and 2010. Patient-reported outcome was obtained 1-year postoperatively using the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index (WOOS), and rates of revision were calculated by checking revisions reported until December 2011. The patient-reported outcome of RHA was compared to that of SHA using regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, and previous surgery. RESULTS: During the study period, 167 patients underwent shoulder arthroplasty because of rheumatoid arthritis, 80 (48%) of whom received RHA and 34 (26%) of whom received SHA. 16 patients were treated with total stemmed shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), and 24 were treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). 130 patients returned a completed questionnaire, and the total mean WOOS score was 63. The cumulative 5-year revision rate was 7%. Most revisions occurred after RHA, with a revision rate of 14%. Mean WOOS score was similar for RHA and for SHA. INTERPRETATION: This study shows that shoulder arthroplasty, regardless of design, is a good option in terms of reducing pain and improving function in RA patients. The high revision rate in the RHA group suggests that other designs may offer better implant survival. However, this should be confirmed in larger studies.