Alexander Van Tongel

Measuring shoulder external and internal rotation strength and range of motion: comprehensive intra-rater and inter-rater reliability study of several testing protocols

BACKGROUND Shoulder range of motion (ROM) and strength measurements are imperative in the clinical assessment of the patients status and progression over time. The method and type of assessment varies among clinicians and institutions. No comprehensive study to date has examined the reliability of a variety of procedures based on different testing equipment and specific patient or shoulder position. The purpose of this study was to establish absolute and relative reliability for several procedures measuring the rotational shoulder ROM and strength into internal (IR) and external (ER) rotation strength. METHODS Thirty healthy individuals (15 male, 15 female), with a mean age of 22.1 ± 1.4 years, were examined by 2 examiners who measured ROM with a goniometer and inclinometer and isometric strength with a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) in different patient and shoulder positions. Relative reliability was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Absolute reliability was quantified by standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC). Systematic differences across trials or between testers, as well as differences among similar measurements under different testing circumstances, were analyzed with dependent t tests or repeated-measures analysis of variance in case of 2 or more than 2 conditions, respectively. RESULTS Reliability was good to excellent for IR and ER ROM and isometric strength measurements, regardless of patient or shoulder position or equipment used (ICC, 0.85-0.99). For some of the measurements, systematic differences were found across trials or between testers. The patients position and the equipment used resulted in different outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS All procedures examined showed acceptable reliability for clinical use. However, patient position and equipment might influence the results.

Single bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: surgical technique and results.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are not that common but chronic PCL deficiency can lead to chronic disability and functional limitations. In these situations, the PCL reconstruction can be done. It is also commonly carried out during the treatment of a multiligament injured knee. Several different surgical techniques are described in the literature. This article outlines our surgical approach using the single bundle technique. We also carried out a review of the clinical and biomechanical studies concerning the single bundle PCL reconstruction.

Posterior shoulder instability: current concepts review

PurposePosterior shoulder instability has been difficult to diagnose and even more challenging to manage. However, it is being diagnosed and treated more frequently, particularly after sports injuries. The purpose of this article is to review literature concerning the management of these pathologies.MethodsA literature review was carried out in the main medical databases to evaluate the several studies concerning the open and arthroscopic treatment of posterior shoulder instability.ResultsBecause of better awareness of the pathology, better technical investigations, and a better understanding of shoulder biomechanics, more and more mechanical factors that can cause posterior instability have been described. Structural abnormalities can be divided into bony abnormalities and soft-tissue abnormalities. Each group can also be divided into abnormalities caused by trauma (macro- or microtrauma) or congenital. These abnormalities can be treated with non-anatomic and anatomic stability procedures. During the last decades, the latter have been described more frequently, most of them arthroscopically.ConclusionFor surgical treatment to be successful, the instability must be attributable to mechanical factors that can be modified by surgery. Because of better knowledge of the pathology, a more specific surgery can be performed. This lesion-specific surgery has improved clinical results compared to non-anatomic stability procedures, particularly when that surgery has been performed arthroscopically.

Three-dimensional computed tomography scan evaluation of the pattern of erosion in type B glenoids

BACKGROUND Type B glenoids according to Walch are subclassified into a group with no posterior erosion (B1) and a group with important posterior erosion (B2) based on 2-dimensional axial computed tomography (CT) scan images. Three-dimensional (3D) CT scan reconstruction seems to improve the accuracy of the measurement of erosion because of its independence from positional errors. The aim is to quantify the direction and amount of posterior erosion of type B glenoids using a reproducible 3D measuring technique. METHODS We performed 3D reconstruction of 72 type B glenoids (24 type B1 glenoids and 48 type B2 glenoids) using Mimics (Materialise, Haasrode, Belgium). The native glenoid plane and intermediate glenoid plane were determined by use of 3-Matic (Materialise). The normal glenoid version, eroded retroversion, and difference in retroversion were measured. Next, the maximum erosion and its orientation were quantified. RESULTS There was always minimum erosion of 1.7 mm, and the mean erosion was 4.2 mm. There was a significant difference between the mean erosion in type B1 glenoids (3.5 mm) and type B2 glenoids (4.5 mm) (P = .019). The mean orientation of the erosion was mostly to the posteroinferior side (119°; SD, 26.8). There was a significant difference between the mean orientation in type B1 glenoids (132°; SD, 25.2) and type B2 glenoids (113°; SD, 25.5) (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS With the use of this newly developed reproducible measuring technique, the maximum erosion in type B glenoids can be adequately quantified. All glenoids showed signs of important erosion. Because the orientation of the maximum erosion in type B1 glenoids is situated more inferiorly, the 2-dimensional CT scan technique can be insufficient to evaluate this erosion.

Elbow arthroscopy in acute injuries

PurposeArthroscopy of the elbow has become a standard treatment option for many indications. The purpose of this article is to review literature concerning the use of arthroscopy for acute elbow injuries.MethodsThe main medical literature databases were searched for articles on the use of elbow arthroscopy in acute injuries. A total of 13 publications relevant to the topic were included. The Coleman methodology score was used to assess the methods of each article.ResultsAll published articles have been case reports or retrospective case series. In fracture treatment, arthroscopy has been used in the treatment of displaced radial head, coronoid and capitellum fractures in adults and displaced radial neck and lateral humeral condyle fractures in children with good results. Endoscopic techniques have been used in distal biceps rupture and medial avulsion of the triceps. And also new techniques have been developed for the treatment of intra-articular soft-tissue lesions like rupture of the radial ulnohumeral ligament complex. One of the 13 studies analyzed was considered of good quality, 5 of moderate quality and all others of poor quality with inconsistent methodology and outcomes.ConclusionThe range of treatments using elbow arthroscopy in acute injuries is expanding and brings new controversies and challenges. Single reports of arthroscopically treated bony and soft-tissue injuries of the elbow showed satisfactory results. However, further randomized prospective studies are needed to evaluate their safety and efficacy compared with open ‘gold standard’ techniques.Level of evidenceIV.

Accuracy of the glenohumeral subluxation index in nonpathologic shoulders.

BACKGROUND Correction of posterior humeral subluxation, measured by the humeral subluxation index (HSI) according to Walch, is necessary in total shoulder arthroplasty to prevent early loosening. The 3-dimensional (3D) measurement of the shoulder is becoming well accepted and common practice as it overcomes positional errors to which 2-dimensional (2D) glenohumeral measurements are prone. The first objective was to describe the HSI in a nonpathologic population with the 2D HSI according to Walch and a newly described 3D HSI method. The second objective was to compare both measuring methods with each other. METHODS In 151 nonpathologic shoulders, the 2D HSI was measured on the midaxial computed tomography scan cut of the scapula. The 3D HSI, based on the native glenoid plane, was defined as [formula in text], in which X is the projection of the center of the humeral head to the anteroposterior axis of the glenoid fossa and R is the radius of the humeral head. Both measuring methods were compared with each other. Correlation was determined. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the 3D HSI was measured. RESULTS The mean 3D HSI (51.5% ± 2.7%) was significantly (P < .001) more posterior than the mean 2D HSI (48.7% ± 5.2%), with a mean difference of 2.9% ± 5.6%. No correlation was found between the 2D and 3D HSI. The interobserver and intraobserver reliability was excellent. CONCLUSION The 2D HSI seems to underestimate the humeral subluxation compared with a 3D reliable equivalent.

Rocking-horse phenomenon of the glenoid component: the importance of inclination

BACKGROUND Abnormal glenoid version positioning has been recognized as a cause of glenoid component failure caused by the rocking horse phenomenon. In contrast, the importance of the glenoid inclination has not been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The computed tomography scans of 152 healthy shoulders were evaluated. A virtual glenoid component was positioned in 2 different planes: the maximum circular plane (MCP) and the inferior circle plane (ICP). The MCP was defined by the best fitting circle of the most superior point of the glenoid and 2 points at the lower glenoid rim. The ICP was defined by the best fitting circle on the rim of the inferior quadrants. The inclination of both planes was measured as the intersection with the scapular plane. We defined the force vector of the rotator force couple and calculated the magnitude of the shear force vector on a virtual glenoid component in both planes during glenohumeral abduction. RESULTS The inclination of the component positioned in the MCP averaged 95° (range, 84°-108°) and for the ICP averaged 111° (range, 94°-126°). A significant reduction in shear forces was calculated for the glenoid component in the ICP vs the MCP: 98% reduction in 60° of abduction to 49% reduction in 90° of abduction. CONCLUSION Shear forces are significantly higher when the glenoid component is positioned in the MCP compared with the ICP, and this is more pronounced in early abduction. Positioning the glenoid component in the inferior circle might reduce the risk of a rocking horse phenomenon.

Evaluation of the muscle volumes of the transverse rotator cuff force couple in nonpathologic shoulders.

BACKGROUND The balance between the subscapularis muscle and the infraspinatus/teres minor muscles, often referred to as the rotator cuff transverse force couple (TFC), has been proposed to be a critical component for normal shoulder function. The relationship between the muscle volume and the power means that TFC can be evaluated with the measurement of the muscle volume of the subscapularis muscle and the infraspinatus/teres minor. The aim of this study is to evaluate an innovative computed tomography (CT)-based technique to measure the muscle volume and to evaluate if there is a significant difference between muscle volumes of both the subscapularis muscle and the infraspinatus/teres minor in nonpathologic shoulders. MATERIALS AND METHODS CT images of 27 shoulders (21 patients) with a full scapula and a proximal humeral head were evaluated. Two volume masks (subscapularis and infraspinatus/teres minor) were calculated on the basis of the assigned muscle contours on the transverse slices. The intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficient was calculated. RESULTS The intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficient was excellent. The correlation between the anterior and posterior part of the TFC was strong. There was no significant difference between the volume masks. CONCLUSIONS Muscle volume of the TCF can be quantified using CT images. In nonpathologic shoulders, there is no significant difference between the muscle volume of the anterior (subscapularis) and posterior part (teres minor/infraspinatus) of the TFC.

Arthroscopically assisted internal fixation of the symptomatic unstable os acromiale with absorbable screws.

BACKGROUND Symptomatic meso- type os acromiale is a common pathology with inconsistent outcomes of treatment with various surgical techniques. We report the outcome of a new technique for arthroscopic fusion of symptomatic os acromiale with absorbable screws. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 8 shoulders in 8 patients with symptomatic meso- type os acromiale who were treated with the use of a new technique for arthroscopic fusion with absorbable screws. The mean age was 54 years (range, 38-67 years), and the mean time from onset of symptoms to surgery was 18 months (range, 9-25 months). No patients reported a specific traumatic event before the onset of symptoms, and all noted the insidious onset of pain with no precipitating event. RESULTS The average length of follow-up was 22 months (range, 12-36 month). The average Constant score improved from 49 points (range, 35-57 points) to 81 points (range, 75-86 points). The average satisfaction score improved from 4.5 of 10 (range, 2-6) to 8.5 of 10 (range 7-9). All patients made a good clinical recovery at 3 to 6 months after surgery. At the last follow-up, full radiographic union was observed in 6 patients, partial union in 1 patient, and persistent radiologic nonunion in 1 patient. Anterior bulging of the absorbable screws was noted in 2 patients, and the screws were trimmed 6 months after the first procedure. CONCLUSIONS We have found that this new arthroscopic technique of fixation of os acromiale with absorbable screws provides promising clinical, cosmetic, and radiologic results with high patient satisfaction.

A three-dimensional comparative study on the scapulohumeral relationship in normal and osteoarthritic shoulders.

BACKGROUND Eccentric loading due to humeral translation is associated with worse clinical outcomes in hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 3-dimensional relationship of the humeral head to the scapula (scapulohumeral relationship) in nonpathologic shoulders and in shoulders with primary osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three-dimensional reconstructions of computed tomography scans of 151 nonpathologic shoulders (control group) and 110 shoulders with primary glenohumeral arthritis (OA group) were analyzed by measuring the anterior-posterior, inferior-superior, and medial-lateral position of the humeral head in relation to the scapula. Shoulders were classified as centered (type A) or posteriorly subluxed (type B) according to the Walch classification of glenoid morphology. Reproducibility and differences in scapulohumeral relationship were statistically analyzed. RESULTS The scapulohumeral relationship could be determined reliably: the intraclass correlation coefficient ranged between 0.780 and 0.978; the typical error of measurement ranged between 2.4% and 5.0%. Both type A and type B shoulders showed significant posterior translation of the humeral head (P <.001). Type B shoulders had significantly more posterior translation than type A shoulders (P <.001). A tendency of inferior translation was noted, although with only marginal statistical significance (P = .051). In each morphology class, a medial deviation of the humeral head, representing a reduced glenohumeral distance, was measured (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS The main characteristics of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis are posterior humeral head translation relative to the scapula, reduced glenohumeral distance, and a tendency toward inferior humeral head translation in both type A and type B shoulders.