Andrew S. Rokito

Efficacy of Injections of Corticosteroids for Subacromial Impingement Syndrome

A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical study was performed to determine the short-term efficacy of subacromial injection of corticosteroids for the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome. Forty patients were randomized to receive either six milliliters of 1 per cent lidocaine without epinephrine (the control group) or two milliliters containing forty milligrams of triamcinolone acetonide per milliliter with four milliliters of 1 per cent lidocaine without epinephrine (the corticosteroid group). The patients were re-examined serially until completion of the study. Nineteen patients, whose mean age was fifty-six years (range, thirty-two to eighty years), were randomized to the corticosteroid group, and twenty-one patients, whose mean age was fifty-seven years (range, thirty-two to eighty-one years), were randomized to the control group. The mean duration of symptoms before the injection was eight months for both groups. Eighteen patients in the corticosteroid group and nineteen patients in the control group had moderate or severe pain before the injection. At the most recent follow-up evaluation, at a mean of thirty-three weeks for the corticosteroid group and twenty-eight weeks for the control group, three patients in the corticosteroid group had moderate or severe pain, compared with fifteen patients in the control group. The mean active range of forward elevation and external rotation improved by 24 and 11 degrees, respectively, for the corticosteroid group and by 10 and 5 degrees, respectively, for the control group. We concluded that subacromial injection of corticosteroids is an effective short-term therapy for the treatment of symptomatic subacromial impingement syndrome. The use of such injections can substantially decrease pain and increase the range of motion of the shoulder.

Long-Term Functional Outcome of Repair of Large and Massive Chronic Tears of the Rotator Cuff*

BACKGROUND There have been conflicting reports regarding the effect of the size of a tear of the rotator cuff on the ultimate functional outcome after repair of the rotator cuff. While some authors have reported that the size of the tear does not adversely affect the overall result of repair, others have reported that the outcome is less predictable after repair of a large tear than after repair of a small tear. The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term functional outcome and the recovery of strength in thirty consecutive patients who had had repair of a large or massive tear of the rotator cuff. METHODS Thirty consecutive patients who had operative repair of a large or massive chronic tear of the rotator cuff had a comprehensive isokinetic assessment of the strength of the shoulder preoperatively, twelve months postoperatively, and a mean of sixty-five months (range, forty-six to ninety-three months) postoperatively. The functional outcome was assessed with the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score. RESULTS All patients reported that they were satisfied with the result and had increased strength compared with preoperatively. There was a significant decrease in pain (p < 0.01) and significant improvements in function (p < 0.01) and the range of motion (p < 0.01). The mean University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score increased significantly from 12.3 points preoperatively to 31.0 points at the most recent follow-up examination (p < 0.01). The mean peak torque in flexion, abduction, and external rotation increased significantly to 80 percent (p < 0.01), 73 percent (p < 0.01), and 91 percent (p < 0.01), respectively, of that of the uninvolved shoulder by the time of the most recent follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS Repair of a large or massive tear of the rotator cuff can have a satisfactory long-term outcome. The results of the present study suggest that more than one year is needed for complete restoration of strength. The strength of the affected shoulders still did not equal that of the unaffected, contralateral shoulders by the time of the long-term follow-up.

Medial elbow problems in the overhead-throwing athlete.

&NA; The elbow is subjected to enormous valgus stresses during the throwing motion, which places the overhead‐throwing athlete at considerable risk for injury. Injuries involving the structures of the medial elbow occur in distinct patterns. Although acute injuries of the medial elbow can occur, the majority are overuse injuries as a result of the repetitive forces imparted to the elbow by throwing. Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament complex results in valgus instability. Valgus extension overload leads to diffuse osseous changes within the elbow joint and secondary posteromedial impingement. Overuse of the flexor‐pronator musculature may result in medial epicondylitis and occasional muscle tears and ruptures. Ulnar neuropathy is a common finding that may be due to a variety of factors, including traction, friction, and compression of the ulnar nerve. Advances in nonoperative and operative treatment regimens specific to each injury pattern have resulted in the restoration of elbow function and the successful return of most injured overhead athletes to competitive activities. With further insight into the relevant anatomy, biomechanics, and pathophysiology involved in overhead activities and their associated injuries, significant contributions can continue to be made toward prevention and treatment of these injuries.

Strength after surgical repair of the rotator cuff

Forty-two consecutive patients (20 men and 22 women, age range 39 to 78 years) with full-thickness rotator cuff tears underwent a comprehensive isokinetic strength assessment before and at 3-month intervals for 1 year after surgery. All patients underwent acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair and were treated with a standardized postoperative rehabilitation program. Isokinetic strength testing was performed in flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and external/internal rotation at 60 degrees/sec. The unaffected contralateral shoulder was tested for comparison. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the University of California Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (maximum = 35 points). The average University of California Los Angeles score was 31.2 by 1 year after operation. Patients with small and medium tears had an average rating of 33.5, whereas those with large and massive tears had an average score of 28.3. Strength increased gradually during the first postoperative year. The preoperative mean peak torque was 54%, 45%, and 64% of the uninvolved shoulder in flexion, abduction, and external rotation, respectively; after operation it increased to 78%, 80%, and 79% by 6 months and 84%, 90%, and 91% by 12 months. The greatest improvement in strength consistently occurred during the first 6 months after surgery. Patients also showed marked increases in both work and power. By 12 months after operation mean work had increased to 70% in flexion and abduction and 90% in external rotation of the uninvolved shoulder. Similarly, mean power had increased to 68%, 79%, and 90% of the uninvolved shoulder in flexion, abduction, and external rotation, respectively, by 12 months after operation. Recovery of strength correlated primarily with the size of the tear: for small and medium tears recovery of strength was almost complete during the first year, and for large and massive tears it was much slower and less consistent. By using isokinetic strength evaluation we found that recovery of strength after rotator cuff repair requires at least 1 year of rehabilitation.

Patients with femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures. Are they the same

A prospective analysis was performed involving 680 geriatric patients with hip fractures to determine whether the demographic profile of patients with femoral neck fractures was similar to that of patients with intertrochanteric fractures. All patients were community dwelling, cognitively intact, previously ambulatory elderly with femoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture. Three hundred fifty-eight patients (52.6%) sustained a femoral neck fracture; 322 (47.4%), an intertrochanteric fracture. Patients with an intertrochanteric fracture were significantly older, more likely to be limited to home ambulation, and were more dependent regarding basic and instrumental activities of daily living. After stratification by gender and adjustment for age, these differences remained significant in women only. There were no differences in age, prefracture ambulatory ability, or dependence in activities of daily living in men with either type of fracture.

The Rising Incidence of Rotator Cuff Repairs

BACKGROUND Rotator cuff repairs (RCRs) have become increasingly common. Several studies have shown variation in the indications for this procedure. We chose to track the incidence of RCRs in New York State (NYS) from 1995 to 2009. We hypothesized that after the introduction of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 29827 for arthroscopic RCR, there would be a significant increase in the rate of RCRs performed in NYS. MATERIALS AND METHODS The NYS Department of Healths Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database was queried for reported RCRs between the years 1995 and 2009. Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification procedural code 83.63 and CPT codes 23410, 23412, 23420, and 29827, we collected and analyzed data on RCR procedures. RESULTS A total of 168,780 RCRs were performed in NYS from 1995 to 2009. In 1995, the population incidence of RCRs was 23.5 per 100,000. In comparison, in 2009, the population incidence was 83.1 per 100,000, an increase of 238% (P < .0001). The percentage of individuals aged between 45 and 65 years undergoing RCR increased from 53.0% to 64.2% during this same period. CONCLUSIONS There has been a notable increase in the volume of RCRs performed in NYS. In addition, after the introduction of CPT code 29827 in 2003, the increase in the incidence of RCRs became significantly more pronounced. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, cross-sectional design, epidemiology study.

Electromyographic analysis of shoulder function during the volleyball serve and spike

The purpose of this study was to describe the electromyographic (EMG) pattern and relative intensities of 8 shoulder muscles during the volleyball serve and spike in 15 professional or collegiate-level athletes. The EMG analysis was synchronized with high-speed cinematography to discern phases of the spike and serve. During the spike, the anterior deltoid and supraspinatus functioned together to elevate and place the humerus throughout all phases. During cocking the infraspinatus and teres minor acted together to rotate the humerus externally. In acceleration, however, these muscles behaved independently; activity of the teres minor remained high, whereas the activity of the infraspinatus declined. The anterior wall muscles functioned to decelerate the humerus during cocking and acted as internal rotators during acceleration. Muscle activities recorded for the serve followed similar patterns as those seen for the spike, but with lower amplitudes. These data illustrate the complex sequence of shoulder muscle activity necessary to play competitive volleyball.

The rising incidence of arthroscopic superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) repairs

BACKGROUND Superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions of the shoulder that require surgical repair are relatively uncommon. However, recent observations suggest that there may be a rise in the incidence of SLAP lesion repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative Systems (SPARCS) database from the New York State Department of Health was used to acquire data for all outpatient ambulatory surgery procedures that were performed in New York State from 2002 to 2010. The data were reviewed and analyzed to compare the incidence of arthroscopic SLAP lesion repairs relative to other outpatient surgical procedures. RESULTS Within New York State, from 2002 to 2010, the number of all ambulatory surgical procedures increased 55%, from 1,411,633 to 2,189,991. Correspondingly, the number of ambulatory orthopedic procedures increased 135%, from 118,126 to 278,136. In comparison, the number of arthroscopic SLAP repairs increased 464%, from 765 to 4,313 (P < .0001). This represented a population-based incidence of 4.0/100,000 in 2002 and 22.3/100,000 in 2010. The mean age of patients undergoing arthroscopic SLAP repair in 2002 was 37 ± 14 years. The mean age in 2010 was 40 ± 14 years (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS The data suggest a substantial increase in the number of arthroscopic SLAP repairs that is significantly more rapid than the rising rate of outpatient orthopedic surgical procedures. In addition, there is a significant increase in the age of patients who are being treated with arthroscopic SLAP repairs.

The Effect of the Angle of Suture Anchor Insertion on Fixation Failure at the Tendon―Suture Interface After Rotator Cuff Repair: Deadman's Angle Revisited

PURPOSE To evaluate what effect the angle of screw-in suture anchor insertion has on fixation stability at the suture-tendon interface. METHODS Supraspinatus tendons from 7 matched pairs of human cadaveric shoulders were split, yielding 4 tendons per cadaver. An experimental rotator cuff tear was created and repaired, using a 5.0-mm diameter screw-in suture anchor. In a staggered, matched pair arrangement, the angle of anchor insertion was varied between 45 degrees (deadmans angle) and 90 degrees to the articular surface. Each repair underwent cyclic loading, and 2 failure points were defined: the first at 3 mm of repair site gap formation and the second at the point of complete failure. The number of cycles to failure was compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS The mean number of cycles to 3-mm gap formation for anchors inserted at 90 degrees was 380. This was significantly higher than for repairs made with the 45 degrees angle of anchor insertion (mean, 297 cycles). Complete failure occurred at a significantly greater number of cycles with the 90 degrees anchors (mean, 443 cycles) compared with the 45 degrees anchors (mean, 334 cycles). CONCLUSIONS Compared with anchors placed at the current standard of the deadmans angle of 45 degrees, suture anchors placed at 90 degrees to the junction of the greater tuberosity and the humeral head articular surface provided improved soft tissue fixation in an experimental rotator cuff model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The angle of suture anchor insertion into the greater tuberosity during rotator cuff repair has an effect on the soft tissue fixation at the tendon-suture interface.

Snapping Scapula Syndrome

Snapping scapula syndrome arises from either a soft-tissue or a skeletal anomaly within the scapulothoracic space that creates a cracking sound during scapulothoracic motion that patients associate with pain. Nonoperative measures consisting of supervised physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and therapeutic injections are the mainstay of treatment. Open, arthroscopic, and combined operative approaches have been described for the treatment of refractory cases, with good overall outcomes in many relatively small case series. However, the optimal operative approach has yet to be determined.