Arthroscopic subscapularis repair using single-row mattress suture technique: clinical results and structural integrity.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of the subscapularis (SSC) tendon, isolated or combined, is rare, and the treatment modalities are controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the clinical outcomes and structural integrity of the SSC tendon after all-arthroscopic repair with single-row mattress suture for isolated or combined SSC tendon tears. METHODS: This study included 68 patients who underwent all-arthroscopic repair using single-row mattress suture for isolated or combined SSC tendon tears between April 2011 and January 2013. The patients were evaluated by the visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant shoulder score, and SSC muscle strength measurement. MRI was used for assessment of the postoperative integrity of the SSC tendon. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 29.5 ± 4.0 months, the preoperative Constant shoulder and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were 50.3 ± 21.0 and 46.6 ± 18.3, respectively, which improved at the last follow-up to 75.7 ± 16.6 and 81.3 ± 18.1, respectively, with statistical significance (P < .001). Belly-press and bear-hug test results showed some improvement in the last follow-up (>2 years) compared with the presurgical state (P = .125 and .650). A statistically significant SSC muscle strength deficit persisted in the postoperative state (P = .015). MRI evaluation showed a retear rate of 8.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair of isolated or combined SSC tears with the single-row mattress suture technique results in significant clinical improvements and enduring tendon integrity, although SSC strength remains reduced from that on the normal side.

Long-term survivorship analysis of hip arthroplasty with vitallium mold cup.

BACKGROUND: Cup arthroplasty was used in the initial attempts to preserve the bone stock of the femoral head and neck for hip reconstruction. However, little conclusive data are available regarding its long-term survivorship. METHODS: We present a long-term survivorship analysis (mean follow-up, 19.3 years; range, 5-36.6 years) after vitallium mold arthroplasty in 77 secondary osteoarthritic hips. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis predicted a survival rate for vitallium mold arthroplasty of 81.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.7-86.5) at 20 years and 59.1% (95% CI, 51.8-66.5) at 30 years, with conversion to total hip arthroplasty as the endpoint. The mean Merle d'Aubigné and Postel hip score showed a significant decrease in mobility from 4.12 (range, 3.18-5.86) 6 months after the operation to 3.19 (range, 1.7-4.6) at the last follow-up. No significant differences were observed for the pain score from 6 months after the operation (5.05; range, 4.2-5.9) to the last follow-up (4.46; range, 2.88-6.04)) or score for the ability to walk, from 6 months after the operation (2.5; range, 1.4-3.6) to the last follow-up (3.13; range, 1.59-4.67). Radiographically, the proximal and medial migration of the cup measured at the last follow-up was 10.4 +/- 5.4 mm (P < 0.01) and 0.2 +/- 2.1 mm (P > 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate inferior long-term survivorship after vitallium mold compared with that after Charnley low-friction arthroplasty.

Osteochondroma in the lumbar intraspinal canal causing nerve root compression.

Osteochondromas, which are benign bone tumors that usually develop on long bones, tubular bones, are rarely found in the spine. If they are located in the spinal canal, they may cause nerve root or spinal cord compression, which is a rare but potentially catastrophic manifestation of osteochondromas. In this article, we report a case of a 38-year-old man who presented with low back pain, paresthesia, and weakness of the right lower extremity aggravating gradually for 5 months. No family history of this disease can be traced. The L4-L5 level computed tomography scan showed an abnormal bony protrusion arising from the right interior wall of L5 right lamina toward the intraspinal canal. The protrusion compressed the L5 nerve root severely. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the same level revealed that the L5 nerve root and spinal dura mater were notably compressed by the intraspinal extradural exostosis attached to the right lamina of L5. Considering differential diagnosis, lumbar facet synovial cysts must be excluded as they can also cause myeloradiculopathy with the similar mechanism. The tumor, approximately 6x7x11 mm, was identified after laminectomy of the L5 laminae. Postoperative histopathologic examination confirmed our hypothesis of benign osteochondroma. Postoperatively, the patient recovered rapidly in neurological function and was free of symptoms. Surgery is essential to this rare case. Computed tomography and MRI are helpful for the preoperatively precise indication of tumor extent and its relationships with the adjacent.