David A. Woods

Outcomes of Total Elbow Arthroplasty for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparative Study of Three Implants

BACKGROUND As the English-language literature on prosthetic elbow arthroplasty contains only two comparative studies of implants in contemporary use, to our knowledge, comparisons of prosthetic performance is difficult. An improved knowledge of comparative outcomes would be valuable in guiding implant selection. METHODS We identified three groups of consecutive patients who had undergone prosthetic elbow arthroplasty with the Souter-Strathclyde, Kudo, or Coonrad-Morrey implant for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. There were thirty-three elbows in each group. All procedures were done by or under the supervision of one surgeon. Surviving patients in whom the elbow had not been revised were followed for a mean of sixty-one months after treatment with the Souter-Strathclyde implant, sixty-seven months after treatment with the Kudo implant, and sixty-eight months after treatment with the Coonrad-Morrey implant. Clinical function was assessed on the basis of pain relief and the range of flexion. Survivorship was assessed with use of a life-table method, with revision surgery and radiographic signs of loosening as the end points. RESULTS The groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, and mean duration of follow-up. All three implant procedures relieved pain. Sustained improvement in the range of flexion was comparable among the three groups, with no implant procedure dramatically changing the fixed flexion deformity and all three improving maximum flexion. Revision surgery was needed because of infection, dislocation, and aseptic loosening. Survival of the Coonrad-Morrey implant was better than that of the other two implants. The five-year survival rates, with revision and radiographic signs of loosening as the end points, were 85% and 81% for the Souter-Strathclyde implant, 93% and 82% for the Kudo implant, and 90% and 86% for the Coonrad-Morrey implant. While radiographic evidence of loosening of the Coonrad-Morrey implants was less common, we noted focal osteolysis adjacent to 16% of these ulnar components and half of these cases progressed to frank loosening. CONCLUSIONS The clinical function of these implants was similar in terms of pain relief and range of motion. We believe that component linkage with the Coonrad-Morrey implant prevents dislocation without increasing the risk of loosening.

The outcome of manipulation under general anesthesia for the management of frozen shoulder in patients with diabetes mellitus

HYPOTHESIS Frozen shoulder has a greater incidence, more severe course, and resistance to treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus compared with the general population. We hypothesized that diabetic patients with frozen shoulder undergoing treatment with manipulation under general anaesthesia (MUA) would have the same outcome as patients without diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data collected during a 10-year period of referrals for frozen shoulder. In all cases, a standardized MUA protocol was followed once the diagnosis of frozen shoulder in the frozen phase was made; this included an early repeat MUA in individuals with recurrence. We compared outcomes for patients documented as having diabetes with a nondiabetic control group and assessed the effect of insulin dependence and frozen shoulder etiology within the diabetic group. RESULTS Of a consecutive series of 315 frozen shoulders, 36 patients (39 shoulders) were included in the diabetic group, with 256 patients (274 shoulders) as controls. There was a significant improvement in range of movement and Oxford Shoulder Score (P all <.001), with no difference between diabetic and control groups at early or late follow-up (mean, 41 months). A repeat procedure was required in 36% of diabetic patients compared with 15% of control patients. Recurrence in the diabetic group was influenced by etiology (47% of primary vs 0% of secondary frozen shoulders) and insulin requirement (39% insulin-dependent vs. 31% non-insulin-dependent). CONCLUSION We provide a strategy for the management of diabetic frozen shoulders using MUA and estimates of success and recurrence rates that may be useful when informing consent.

The management of secondary frozen shoulder after anterior shoulder dislocation – The results of manipulation under anaesthesia and injection

INTRODUCTION Patients with secondary frozen shoulder following anterior dislocation were treated with manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) and injection. METHODS Ten patients included in study. Oxford Shoulder Scores (OSS), range of motion (ROM) and need for any further treatment measured. RESULTS Mean follow-up of 93 weeks. OSS and ROM improved in all patients. Three patients required repeat MUA. Two patients developed recurrent instability. DISCUSSION Secondary frozen shoulder may be more recalcitrant. Recurrent instability is a risk following anterior shoulder dislocation. It is feasible that by performing an MUA to maximise mobility, stability may be sacrificed. It should be performed with caution.

Recurrent elbow dislocation—an uncommon presentation

A 58 year old female attended our A&E department following a fall in the garden with swelling and bruising of the right arm and the elbow. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were interpreted as showing a normal elbow joint. A diagnosis of soft tissue injury to the elbow was made and the patient was discharged with advice. She returned 2 days later, did not have an x ray, and again given advice. Three weeks later she was referred back to A&E by the general practitioner with persistent swelling of the elbow. Further radiographs showed a posterolateral dislocation of the elbow. The elbow was reduced under sedation but was subsequently dislocated at follow up, and was treated by external fixator and transolecranon pin. The fixator was removed at 4 weeks and the elbow was then stable. This case highlights that recurrent elbow dislocations due to significant ligament injuries can present in joint and subsequently dislocate. A high index of suspicion is necessary and appropriate referral to the specialist must be made to avoid the morbidity associated with recurrent dislocation. It also emphasises the need to always assess the patient on his or her own merits despite previously normal investigations.

Recurrence of frozen shoulder after manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA)

Aims Manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA) is a recognised form of treatment for patients with a frozen shoulder. However, not all patients benefit. Some have persistent or recurrent symptoms. There are no clear recommendations in the literature on the optimal management of recurrent frozen shoulder after a MUA. We aimed to address this issue in this study. Patients and Methods We analysed a prospectively collected, single‐surgeon, consecutive series of patients who underwent MUA for frozen shoulder between January 1999 and December 2015. The Oxford Shoulder Scores (OSS) and range of movement were the outcome measures. Results A total of 730 patients (792 shoulders) underwent MUA during the study period. A further MUA was undertaken in 141 shoulders (17.8%), for which we had complete data for 126. The mean improvement in OSS for all patients undergoing MUA was 16 (26 to 42), and the mean post‐operative OSS in those requiring a further MUA was 14 (28 to 42; t‐test, no difference between mean improvements, p = 0.57). Improvement was seen after a further MUA, regardless both of the outcome of the initial MUA, and of the time of recurrence. Patients with type‐1 diabetes mellitus were at a 38% increased risk of requiring a further MUA, compared with the 18% increased risk of the group as a whole (p < 0.0001). Conclusion Patients with a poor outcome or recurrent symptoms of a frozen shoulder after a MUA should be offered a further MUA with the expectation of a good outcome and a low complication rate.

Factors affecting short- and long-term outcomes of manipulation under anaesthesia in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder

Background The present study aimed to evaluate and determine the factors that affect short- and long-term outcome following manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) of patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods Patients recruited from January 1999 to January 2010 were retrospectively analyzed and classified as having primary or secondary adhesive capsulitis. All patients were assessed for range of movement (ROM) and Oxford Shoulder Scores (OSS) before and immediately postoperatively, as well as for OSS more than 1 year post MUA. Results In total, 295 patients (315 shoulders) were sequentially recruited, and information was collected at baseline, as well as at a mean follow-up of 28 days and 3.6 years. A significant improvement in OSS and ROM was noted 1 month post MUA (p < 0.0001) with females benefiting more than males (p < 0.0025). Long-term follow-up revealed that the improvement in OSS was maintained (p < 0.0001). Secondary adhesive capsulitis significantly reduced the efficacy of MUA as assessed by ROM (p < 0.0001). Other factors (age, initial ROM and OSS, and length of symptoms prior to MUA) did not significantly affect the outcome over the short- or long-term. Conclusions The findings of the present study show that all patient groups had a significantly improved ROM and OSS in the short-term with long-term maintenance of improved OSS.

Management of post-traumatic stiffness of the shoulder following upper limb trauma with manipulation under anaesthetic:

Background A proportion of patients who sustain upper limb fractures develop post-traumatic stiffness (PTS), which may progress in a similar way to primary frozen shoulder (PFS). We have had success in treating PFS with manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA) and therefore treated PTS using MUA. Oxford Shoulder Scores (OSS), range of motion (ROM) data pre- and post-MUA, and the need for repeat procedure were compared. Methods Sixty-four patients with PTS following an upper limb fracture, unresponsive to conservative measures, were seen between 1 January 1999 and 1 November 2015. Thirty-two patients had sustained a proximal humeral fracture, six of whom had a concurrent shoulder dislocation. MUA was performed using a standard technique. The results were compared with 487 PFS patients undergoing the same procedure. Results There was no significant difference in ROM change between the groups. Improvement in OSS was slightly greater in the PFS group (17 versus 14, p = 0.005) but, upon subgroup analysis of the PTS group, no significant difference was found for patients presenting with humeral fractures alone. Conclusions MUA results for PTS following upper limb fracture are comparable to MUA for PFS. We therefore recommend MUA in PTS cases where conservative methods have failed.

An unusual presentation of metastatic melanoma in the shoulder

A 72-year-old lady underwent a Copeland hemiarthoplasty of the shoulder for rotator cuff arthropathy with a good functional outcome. Her past medical history included previous management of a malignant melanoma. Several years following arthroplasty surgery, she acutely developed signs and symptoms of prosthetic joint infection. The present case report describes the metastatic spread of malignant melanoma mimicking that of prosthetic sepsis.

Cementless surface replacement hemiarthroplasty for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis: results of over 5-year follow-up in patients with or without rotator cuff deficiency:

Background Cementless surface replacement hemiarthroplasty (CSRHA) is an established treatment for glenohumeral osteoarthritis; however, studies evaluating its role in arthritis with rotator cuff deficiency are limited. This study reviews the outcomes of CSRHA for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with and without rotator cuff tears. Methods 41 CSRHA (Mark III Copeland prosthesis) were performed for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with intact rotator cuffs (n = 21) and cuff-deficient shoulders (n = 20). Patients were assessed using Oxford and Constant questionnaires, patient satisfaction, range of motion measurements and by radiography. Results Mean age and follow-up were 75 years and 5.1 years, respectively. Functional gains were significantly higher in patients with intact rotator cuffs compared to cuff-deficient shoulders, with Oxford Shoulder Score improving from 18 to 37.5 and 15 to 27 and forward flexion improved from 60° to 126° and 44° to 77° in each group, respectively. Two patients with deficient cuffs had deficient subscapularis tendons; one of which was dislocated anteriorly. Conclusions CSRHA provides significant improvements in pain and function in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis. In patients with deficient cuffs, functional gains are limited, and should be considered in low-demand patients where pain is the primary problem. Caution should be taken in patients with a deficient subscapularis as a result of the risk of dislocation.

Bilateral Spontaneous Rupture of the Long Head of Biceps Brachii Tendon in a 41 Year Old Man. A Literature Review and Discussion of Treatment Options

Abstract We report an unusual case of bilateral spontaneous rupture of the tendon of the long head of biceps brachii in a 41 year old man, and age of occurrence which to our knowledge has not been previously reported in the medical literature. The condition is reviewed and discussed.