Andrew Choo

Clinical outcomes in patients undergoing revision rotator cuff repair with extracellular matrix augmentation.

Outcomes following revision surgery for failed rotator cuff repairs are far less predictable than and are associated with decreased patient satisfaction compared with primary repairs. Extracellular matrix augmentation (ECM) may improve the biologic potential for healing during revision repair. The authors examined clinical outcomes and healing rates based on postoperative imaging of patients who underwent revision open rotator cuff repair with an ECM patch for symptomatic recurrent rotator cuff tear. Twenty-four (77%) of 31 patients with a mean follow-up of 50 months (range, 30-112 months) completed post-revision surgery outcome questionnaires at a mean of 5.3 years after revision surgery, and 16 patients (67%) underwent a physical examination and repeat imaging (ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging) at a mean of 4.2 years after revision surgery. Ten (63%) of those 16 patients were found to have failed revision rotator cuff repair on imaging, with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) outcome measures that were significantly (P=.04) better in patients with confirmed intact repairs than those with confirmed failed revision repair. Outcome measures for all patients (n=24) included a mean ASES score of 67.2 (SD, 27.9) and a mean Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score of 66.9 (SD, 26.0). Based on these scores, excellent results were achieved in 24% of patients, good in 13%, fair in 21%, and poor in 42%. Results of this investigation demonstrated that augmentation of revision rotator cuff repair with an ECM patch through an open approach showed no significant improvement in outcomes when compared to historical reports without augmentation.

Snapping of the proximal hamstring origin: a rare cause of coxa saltans: a case report.

The term “snapping bottom” was initially used by Rask1 to describe subluxation of the long head of the biceps femoris tendon at the ischial tuberosity, in what we believe to be the only reported case of this phenomenon in the literature. This entity was discovered by reproduction of the snapping during active hip flexion and with direct palpation of the snapping long head of the biceps femoris tendon over the ischial tuberosity. After unsuccessful nonoperative treatment, a tenotomy was performed; all symptoms were alleviated. There are several etiologies of the snapping hip, “coxa saltans,” which include snapping of the iliotibial band or gluteus maximus over the greater trochanter, snapping of the the iliopsoas over the iliopectineal eminence, and intra-articular lesions2. However, subluxation of the proximal hamstring origin is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis. We present the case of a woman with coxa saltans caused by subluxation of the proximal hamstring origin over the ischial tuberosity. Institutional review board approval and the patients informed consent for publication of this information were obtained. A fifty-five-year-old female recreational tennis player presented to us with a one-year history of left buttock pain as well as audible snapping of the buttock when she bent at the hips. The symptoms began approximately one month after she sustained a hamstring strain while playing tennis. Because of the pain, she had been unable to return to athletic activities. Physical examination revealed tenderness at the hamstring origin. Full motion of the hips, knees, and back was present with no contractures. The patient reproduced the snapping with hip flexion of approximately 90° while she was in the standing position. The snapping was palpable at the ischial tuberosity and was audible. Pelvic radiographs showed no abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a partial tear of the proximal …

Total Elbow Arthroplasty: Current Options

&NA; Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has changed considerably in the past three decades. Based on the good long‐term results with TEA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the indications expanded to include management of acute traumatic and posttraumatic conditions in young, higher‐demand patients. Today, unlinked, linked semiconstrained, and convertible devices are available. The high complication rate with earlier surgeries led to surgical advances such as new cementing technique and a focus on managing the triceps. Complications such as infection, aseptic loosening, polyethylene wear, periprosthetic fracture, triceps insufficiency, wound breakdown, and ulnar nerve injury will continue to spur the evolution of surgical technique and implant design. Refinement of surgical indications and improvement in implant fixation, polyethylene design, component implantation, and pathology‐specific implants will determine the future success of TEA.

Early Mechanical Failures of the Synthes Variable Angle Locking Distal Femur Plate.

Objectives: To document the high failure rate of a specific implant: the Synthes Variable Angle (VA) Locking Distal Femur Plate. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Urban University Level I Trauma Center. Patient/Participants: All distal femur fractures (OTA/AO 33-A, B, C) treated from March 2011 through August 2013 were reviewed from our institutional orthopaedic trauma registry. Inclusion criteria were fractures treated with a precontoured distal femoral locking plate and age between 18 and 84. Exclusion criteria were fractures treated with intramedullary nails, arthroplasty, non-precontoured plates, dual plating, or screw fixation alone. The population was divided into 3 groups: less invasive stabilization system (LISS) group (n = 21), treated with LISS plates (Synthes, Paoli, PA); locking condylar plates (LCPs) group (n = 10), treated with LCPs (Synthes, Paoli, PA); and VA group (n = 36), treated with VA distal femoral LCPs (Synthes, Paoli, PA). Average age was 54.6 ± 17.5 years. Intervention: Open reduction internal fixation with one of the above implants was performed. Main Outcome Measures: The patients were followed radiographically for early mechanical implant failure defined as loosening of locking screws, loss of fixation, plate bending, or implant failure. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between groups for age, gender, open fracture, mechanism of injury, or medial comminution. There were 3 failures (14.3%) in group LISS, no failures (0%) in group LCP, and 8 failures (22.2%) in group VA. All 3 failures in group LISS were in A-type fractures (2 periprosthetic) and all failures in group VA were in C-type fractures. When all fractures for all 3 groups were compared for failure rate, there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.23). However, when only 33-C fractures were compared, there was significantly greater failure rate in the VA group (P = 0.03). The mean time to failure in group VA was 147 days (range 24–401 days) and was significantly earlier (P = 0.034) when compared with group LISS (mean 356 days; range 251–433 days). Conclusions: Early mechanical failure with the VA distal femoral locking plate is higher than traditional locking plates (LCP and LISS) for OTA/AO 33-C fractures. We caution practicing surgeons against the use of this plate for metaphyseal fragmented distal femur fractures. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Does Postoperative Radiation Decrease Heterotopic Ossification After the Kocher-Langenbeck Approach for Acetabular Fracture?

BackgroundControversy regarding heterotopic ossification (HO) prophylaxis exists after Kocher-Langenbeck for treatment of acetabular fracture. Prophylaxis options include antiinflammatory oral medications, single-dose radiation therapy, and débridement of gluteus minimus muscle. Prior literature has suggested single-dose radiation therapy as the best prophylaxis to prevent HO formation. However, recent reports have emerged of radiation-induced sarcoma after radiotherapy for HO prophylaxis, which has led many surgeons to reconsider the risks and benefits of single-dose radiation therapy. We set out to determine if radiotherapy, in addition to standard débridement of gluteus minimus muscle, affected postoperative HO formation after a Kocher-Langenbeck approach for acetabular fracture.Questions/purposes(1) After the Kocher-Langenbeck approach and gluteus minimus débridement, is single-dose radiotherapy associated with a decreased risk of HO? (2) Does addition of single-dose radiotherapy prolong length of stay after a Kocher-Langenbeck approach and gluteus minimus débridement as compared with patients without radiotherapy?MethodsAfter institutional review board approval, all adult patients treated for acetabular fracture by a single surgeon with a Kocher-Langenbeck approach between August 2011 and October 2014 were identified (n = 60). Débridement of gluteus minimus muscle caudal to the superior gluteal bundle was standard in all patients. Radiotherapy was given with a single dose of 700 cGy within 72 hours of surgery from August 2011 until April 2013. Patients treated subsequently did not receive radiotherapy. Patients treated with indomethacin (n = 1) and with fewer than 10 weeks followup were excluded (n = 12) because several studies suggest that most HO that develops is visible by that point in time. Our study group totaled 46 patients with 24 in the radiotherapy and débridement group and 22 in the débridement group. Charts were reviewed to determine length of stay. Attending orthopaedic trauma surgeons who were blinded to the patient’s treatment group graded all followup radiographs according to the Brooker system, and Classes III and IV HO were considered clinically important Fisher’s exact test was used to analyze clinically significant differences HO between the two groups. Length of stay was compared using a t-test.ResultsSingle-dose radiotherapy is associated with a decreased risk of clinically important (Brooker III–IV) HO after a Kocher-Langenbeck approach and gluteus minimus débridement (radiotherapy: one of 24 [4%], no radiotherapy: seven of 22 [32%], relative risk: 0.131 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.018–0.981], p = 0.020). Addition of single-dose radiotherapy did not result in increased length of stay (radiotherapy: 12 ± 7.0 days; no radiotherapy: 11 ± 7.2 days; mean difference: 1.0 [95% CI, −3.2 to 5.2] days, p = 0.635).ConclusionsSingle-dose radiation in combination with gluteus minimus débridement decreases the risk of clinically important HO compared with gluteus minimus débridement alone after a Kocher-Langenbeck approach for acetabular fracture. No differences in length of stay were seen. Surgeons who chose not to use radiotherapy as a result of concern for future sarcoma may see higher rates of clinically significant HO after a Kocher-Langenbeck approach for acetabular fracture fixation.Level of EvidenceLevel III, therapeutic study.

Prevalence of rotator cuff tears in operative proximal humerus fractures

Proximal humerus fractures and rotator cuff tears have been shown to have increasing rates with advancing age, theoretically leading to significant overlap in the 2 pathologies. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence, associated factors, and effect on treatment of rotator cuff tears in surgically treated proximal humerus fractures. A retrospective review was performed of all patients who had surgery for a proximal humerus fracture from January 2007 to June 2012 in the shoulder department of a large academic institution. Patient demographics, the presence and management of rotator cuff tears, and surgical factors were recorded. Regression analysis was performed to determine which factors were associated with rotator cuff tears. This study reviewed 349 fractures in 345 patients. Of these, 30 (8.6%) had concomitant rotator cuff tears. Those with a rotator cuff tear were older (average age, 68.7 vs 63.1 years), were more likely to have had a dislocation (40% vs 12.5%), and were more likely to have undergone subsequent arthroscopic repair or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty than those without a rotator cuff tear. Most (22 of 30) were treated with suture repair at the time of surgery, but 5 patients underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty based primarily on the intraoperative finding of a significant rotator cuff tear. A concomitant rotator cuff tear in association with a proximal humerus fracture is relatively common. Rotator cuff tears are associated with older patients and those with a fracture-dislocation. In rare cases, these cases may require the availability of a reverse shoulder prosthesis.

Treatment of Infected Forearm Nonunions With Large Complete Segmental Defects Using Bulk Allograft and Intramedullary Fixation.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to report the results of a series of infected forearm nonunions treated from 1998 to 2012 using a staged reconstruction technique. METHODS At a median of 42 months follow-up, 7 patients who had an average segmental defect of 4.9 cm (range, 2.3-10.4 cm) were available for clinical and radiographic evaluation. Treatment consisted of serial debridement, implantation of an antibiotic cement spacer, and staged reconstruction using a bulk radius or ulna allograft with intramedullary fixation. RESULTS All 7 patients ultimately achieved solid bone union, although 4 patients (57%) required additional surgery, consisting of autologous bone grafting and plating, to achieve healing at 1 of the allograft-host junction sites. No patient had recurrence of infection, and all reported substantial improvement with increased function and decreased pain. CONCLUSIONS Our approach ultimately resulted in a 100% union rate without recurrence of infection, although many patients may require additional surgery to attain healing at both allograft-junction sites. Using bulk allograft provides the ability to span a large defect while reconstituting the forearm anatomy. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic V.

Scapulothoracic dissociation: Evaluation and management

Scapulothoracic dissociation is a rare, potentially limb- and life-threatening injury of the shoulder girdle. The injury is characterized by lateral displacement of the scapula resulting from traumatic disruption of the scapulothoracic articulation. The typical physical examination findings consist of substantial swelling of the shoulder girdle, along with weakness, numbness, and pulselessness in the ipsilateral upper extremity. Radiographic evaluation includes measurement of the scapular index on a nonrotated chest radiograph and assessment for either a distracted clavicle fracture or a disrupted acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular joint. Although vascular injury occurs in most patients, emergent surgery is performed only in patients with either limb-threatening ischemia or active arterial hemorrhage. Management of neurologic injury can be delayed if necessary. The location and severity of neurologic injury determine whether observation, nerve grafting, nerve transfer, or above-elbow amputation is performed. Skeletal stabilization procedures include plate fixation of clavicle fractures and reduction of distracted acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular joints. The extent of neurologic injury determines clinical outcomes. Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form scores are significantly lower in patients with complete brachial plexus avulsion injury than in patients with postganglionic injury.

Symptomatic implant removal following dual mini-fragment plating for clavicular shaft fractures.

Objectives: To determine the proportion of patients requiring secondary surgery for symptomatic implant removal after open reduction, internal fixation using dual mini-fragment plating technique for clavicular shaft fractures. Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Single university Level 1 trauma center. Patients: Eighty-one patients treated with open reduction, internal fixation using dual mini-fragment plating technique for clavicular shaft fractures (OTA/AO 15-B1, B2, and B3) with minimum 12-month follow-up (median 477 days; range 371–1549 days). Intervention: Open reduction, internal fixation using dual mini-fragment plating technique for clavicular shaft fractures. Main Outcome Measurements: Incidence of secondary surgery, QuickDASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) scores. Results: Six of 81 patients (7.4%) underwent secondary surgery for implant removal for any reason. Of these, 3 (3.7%) underwent symptomatic implant (soft-tissue irritation) removal, 2 (2.5%) required implant removal in the setting of infection, and 1 patient (1.2%) required revision open reduction internal fixation for early implant failure. The mean QuickDASH score in this series was 8.44 (±6.94, range 0–77.27). The associated implant cost of the typical construct utilized in this series was

Are cephalomedullary interlocking screws superior to standard interlocking screws in subtrochanteric femoral fractures with an intact lesser trochanter

1511.38. The mean surgical time was 97 minutes (range 71–143 minutes). Conclusions: The utilization of a dual mini-fragment plating technique in the treatment of clavicular shaft fractures results in a low rates of secondary surgery for symptomatic implant removal (3.7%) and similar QuickDASH scores when compared with historical controls treated with 3.5-mm plates placed on the superior clavicle. Potential disadvantages in using this technique include a higher surgical implant cost and length of surgery. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.