Rotator cuff surgery in patients older than 75 years with large and massive tears.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether rotator cuff repair improves subjective and functional outcomes in patients aged ≥75 years. METHODS: From May 2005 to March 2013, 121 elderly patients who underwent rotator cuff repair for large and massive rotator cuff tears were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system grade ≥4 were excluded. The patients were evaluated using visual analog scales, subjective satisfaction surveys, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, and Constant scores. The Katz index of activity of daily living (ADL) and functional independence measure motor score were used to evaluate ADLs. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to investigate the structural integrity of repaired cuffs. RESULTS: In total, 64 patients were enrolled in the study; 80% were satisfied with their results. Visual analog scale scores improved from 6.4 to 2.3, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores from 42 to 84, and Constant scores from 42 to 76. Katz ADL scores improved from 3.4 to 5.0. Functional independence measure motor score improved from 22 to 51. Of the 64 patients, 46 underwent MRI 1 year postoperatively. Follow-up MRI revealed retears in 26% of patients. All patients with retears had improved subjective outcomes and functional scores. No patients died or experienced complications requiring intensive care or extended hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for large to massive rotator cuff tears in elderly patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists grade <4 provides good functional outcomes without morbidity, even in those with retears.

Comparative analysis of visual field and image distortion in 30° and 70° arthroscopes.

PURPOSE: There have been very few attempts to compare the visual fields and image distortion in arthroscopes. To better understand the images generated using existing arthroscopes, we performed image-mapping experiments to assess field of view and image distortion. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the visual fields obtained using 30° and 70° arthroscopes and assess image distortion in each arthroscope. METHODS: A complete arthroscopy system was used in this study. To perform this quantitative analysis, we created a customized measurement device that consisted of three parts: (1) distance marker, (2) chessboard pattern, and (3) angle marker. Three observers collectively assessed the appropriate position of the arthroscope during simulation. For each scope, ten simulations were performed at distances between 1 and 3 cm. Using the obtained arthroscope images, field of view and image distortion were measured and calculated. RESULTS: The field of view of the 70° arthroscope was 5, 10, and 15 mm wider in diameter in comparison with the 30° arthroscope at 1, 2, and 3 cm, respectively. Moreover, the 70° arthroscope had less 0.66, 0.13, and 0.26 pixels of root-mean-square distance than the 30° arthroscope at 1, 2, and 3 cm, respectively. The 70° arthroscope also contained 0.78 pixels less at the maximal error than the average 30° arthroscope. Therefore, the 70° arthroscope demonstrated less distortion than the 30° arthroscope. There was no significant difference between the two scopes with respect to median curvature measurement at 1-cm distance. CONCLUSION: The 70° arthroscope demonstrates technical advantages over the 30° arthroscope, including a wider field of view and a less image distortion at the periphery. A wide angle and less image distortion can help better orient the surgeon within the joint cavity when a panoramic picture is needed to repair rotator cuff tears, in case of hip arthroscopy, or while treating the lesions of posterior horn of medial meniscus.

Reconstruction of rotator cuff tears in wheelchair-bound paraplegic patients.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff surgery in wheelchair-bound patients is challenging, and clinical data on this condition are limited. We hypothesized that rotator cuff repair in these patients might improve functional outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective study, data on 13 paraplegic patients (8 men and 5 women; 16 shoulders) who underwent rotator cuff repair were analyzed. The average age at the time of surgery was 48.7 years. The causes of paraplegia were poliomyelitis in 9 patients, spinal fracture in 4, and cerebral infarction in 2. Open rotator cuff repair was performed in 11 patients and arthroscopic repair in 2 patients. No wheelchair propulsion was allowed until 6 months postoperatively to protect the repaired cuffs. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Constant score were used for functional evaluation. To assess tendon integrity, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography was used at an average of 31.2 months postoperatively. RESULTS: ASES scores improved from 53 to 85, and Constant scores improved from 48 to 75. Radiographic evaluation revealed healing in 88% of the cases and retear in 12%. In the retear group, functional scores improved. CONCLUSION: Rotator cuff repair surgery for paraplegic wheelchair-bound patients provides satisfactory functional outcomes. Careful postoperative management can help in obtaining positive functional outcomes.

Rapidly destructive arthrosis of the shoulder joints: radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathologic findings.

BACKGROUND: Rapidly destructive arthrosis of the humeral head is a rare condition with an elusive pathophysiologic mechanism. In this study, radiographic and histopathologic findings were analyzed to determine the clinical characteristics of this rare condition. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 189 patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty from January 2001 to August 2012. Among them, 9 patients showed a particular pattern of rapid collapse of the humeral head on plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 12 months from symptom onset. Patients with trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, steroid intake, neurologic osteoarthropathy, osteonecrosis, renal osteoarthropathy, or gout were excluded. RESULTS: All patients were women, with a mean age of 72.0 years (range, 63-85 years). The right side was involved in 7 cases and the left in 2 cases. The mean duration of humeral head collapse was 5.6 months (range, 2-11 months) from the onset of shoulder pain. Plain radiographs of all patients showed a unique pattern of humeral head flattening, which appeared like a clean surgical cut with bone debris around the humeral head. MRI findings revealed significant joint effusion and bone marrow edema in the humeral head, without involvement of the glenoid. Pathologic findings showed both fragmentation and regeneration of bone matrix, representing fracture healing. CONCLUSION: The important features of rapidly destructive shoulder arthrosis are unique flattened humeral head collapse with MRI showing massive joint effusion and bone marrow edema in the remnant humeral head. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly women with insidious shoulder pain.