Hubert Lenoir

Radiocapitate Congruency as a Predictive Factor for the Results of Proximal Row Carpectomy

PURPOSE To evaluate whether the congruency between the joint surfaces of the lunate fossa of the distal radius and the proximal capitate might be a prognostic factor for functional, clinical, or radiographic results after proximal row carpectomy (PRC). METHODS After reconstructing the computed tomographic arthrogram of patients with PRC, we evaluated the shape of the proximal capitate by measuring the radius of curvature of the tip of the capitate. The congruency of the future radiocapitate joint was then evaluated by the radiocapitate index in the frontal and sagittal planes. This was calculated by dividing the radius of curvature of the tip of the capitate by the mean radius of curvature of the lunate fossa. We determined the relationship between these morphological results and the functional (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [DASH] score, Mayo Wrist score, and pain relief), clinical (mobility and strength) and x-ray results (radiocapitate arthrosis). RESULTS A total of 27 patients were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 59 months. The shape of the proximal capitate did not affect outcomes. In the frontal plane, a better radiocapitate congruency was significantly associated with an increase in wrist flexion and better functional results for the DASH. There was a non-significant relationship between congruency and improvement of Mayo Wrist score and pain relief. In the sagittal plane, the DASH score tended to improve when congruency was better. CONCLUSIONS The shape of the capitate was not a prognostic factor for functional outcome after PRC. The radiocapitate index seems more relevant in predicting results at last follow-up. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic II.

Nerve stress during reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a cadaveric study

BACKGROUND Neurologic lesions are relatively common after total shoulder arthroplasty. These injuries are mostly due to traction. We aimed to identify the arm manipulations and steps during reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) that affect nerve stress. METHODS Stress was measured in 10 shoulders of 5 cadavers by use of a tensiometer on each nerve from the brachial plexus, with shoulders in different arm positions and during different surgical steps of RTSA. RESULTS When we studied shoulder position without prostheses, relative to the neutral position, internal rotation increased stress on the radial and axillary nerves and external rotation increased stress on the musculocutaneous, median, and ulnar nerves. Extension was correlated with increase in stress on all nerves. Abduction was correlated with increase in stress for the radial nerve. We identified 2 high-risk steps during RTSA: humeral exposition, particularly when the shoulder was in a position of more extension, and glenoid exposition. The thickness of polyethylene humeral cups used was associated with increased nerve stress in all but the ulnar nerve. CONCLUSION During humeral preparation, the surgeon must be careful to limit shoulder extension. Care must be taken during exposure of the glenoid. Extreme rotation and oversized implants should be avoided to minimize stretch-induced neuropathies.

Long Head of the Biceps as a Suitable Available Local Tissue Autograft for Superior Capsular Reconstruction: “The Chinese Way”

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears remain a challenging condition during daily clinical practice. Irreversible fatty infiltration of muscles and excessive chronic retraction of tendons predispose to high failure rates of their surgical treatment. Superior capsular reconstruction with either fascia lata autograft or a dermal allograft patch is a newly described solution that could prevent superior humeral head migration and restore the anteroposterior shoulder muscle force couples. The purpose of this article is to propose a technical modification of superior capsular reconstruction using long head of the biceps tendon autograft. The tendons insertion into the glenoid is left intact, whereas laterally, it is tenotomized, transferred, and sutured with anchors onto the footprint of the supraspinatus tendon acting as a superior static stabilizer of the shoulder joint. Although this surgical modification has theoretical biological advantages, could be performed with the least technical demands, and simplifies the original demanding procedure, further prospective studies with large cohort populations and long-term follow-up are necessary to establish its effectiveness.

Total elbow arthroplasty: Influence of implant positioning on functional outcomes

BACKGROUND Restoring the axis of rotation is often considered crucial to achieving good functional outcomes of total elbow arthroplasty. The objective of this work was to evaluate whether variations in implant positioning correlated with clinical outcomes. HYPOTHESIS Clinical outcomes are dictated by the quality of implant positioning. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of data from 25 patients (26 elbows). Function was assessed using a pain score, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Score, and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). The patients also underwent a clinical evaluation for measurements of motion range and flexion/extension strength. Position of the humeral and ulnar implants was assessed by computed tomography with reconstruction using OsiriX software. Indices reflecting anterior offset, lateral offset, valgus, height, and rotation were computed by subtracting the ulnar value of each of these variables from the corresponding humeral value. These indices provided a quantitative assessment of whether position errors for the two components had additive effects or, on the contrary, counterbalanced each other. Elbows with prosthetic loosening or extensive epiphyseal destruction were excluded. RESULTS Of the 26 elbows, 5 were excluded. In the remaining 21 elbows, the discrepancy between the humeral and ulnar lateral offsets was significantly associated with pain intensity (P ≤ 0.05) and the MEPS (P ≤ 0.05). Anterior position of the ulna relative to the humerus was associated with decreased extension strength (P ≤ 0.05) and worse results for all functional parameters (P ≤ 0.05). DISCUSSION In the absence of loosening, positioning errors seem to adversely affect functional outcomes, probably by placing inappropriate stress on the soft tissues. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.

Free vascularized fibular graft as a salvage procedure for large clavicular defect: A two cases report

UNLABELLED The gold standard technique for treating clavicle non-union is based on cortico-cancellous bone graft harvested from the iliac crest and fixed with a plate. In cases of large clavicular defects, this surgical procedure becomes ineffective and only reconstruction using vascularized bone grafts can be considered. Nevertheless, there are few reports in the literature dealing with this procedure and surgical technique remains unclear. We expose here a technique and results of free vascularized fibular graft for two patients with large clavicular defects. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE Level IV, technical note.

Trapeziectomy and ligament reconstruction tendon interposition after failed trapeziometacarpal joint replacement

Total trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint replacement is increasingly being performed for the treatment of basal joint arthritis. However, complications such as instability or loosening are also frequent with TMC ball-and-socket joint replacement. Management of these complications lacks consensus. The purpose of this study was to report the results of 12 cases of failed TMC joint replacement that were treated by trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) arthroplasty. The follow-up consisted of functional (numerical scale, DASH score, satisfaction), physical (range of motion, strength) and radiological (Barron and Eaton ratio measurement) assessments. At a mean follow-up of 21 months, 11 patients were satisfied or very satisfied after surgery. The mean pain score was 2/10 and the mean DASH score 30/100. Mean thumb palmar and radial abduction was 40°. Thumb opposition measured by the Kapandji technique was 9/10. The height ratio was slightly increased. Trapeziectomy with LRTI after TMC joint replacement appears to be an attractive salvage procedure.

Proximal row carpectomy in total arthrodesis of the rheumatoid wrist.

BACKGROUND Advanced proximal carpal row damage is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) simplifies total wrist arthrodesis, obviating the need for an iliac bone graft. In theory, PRC also improves the chances of healing, as fusion of a single joint space is needed for the procedure to be successful. Potential effects of the loss of carpal height related to PRC are unknown. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesised that PRC performed concomitantly with total wrist arthrodesis in patients with RA produces good clinical and radiological outcomes, without inducing loss of strength or digital deformities. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 38 total arthrodeses of rheumatoid wrists, a clinical evaluation was performed, including a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), grip strength, digital deformities, and patient satisfaction. A standard radiographic workup was obtained to assess healing and carpal height indices. RESULTS After a mean follow-up of 50 months, the mean VAS pain score was 0.4 (range: 0-7), the mean PRWE score was 21 (range: 0-80.5), and grip strength as a percentage of the contralateral limb was 76%. The healing rate was 92% (35/38 wrists), and 34 (90%) patients reported being satisfied or very satisfied. No effects of carpal height loss on clinical or radiographic parameters was detected. DISCUSSION Total wrist arthrodesis combined with PRC provides reliable and reproducible benefits. This study found no evidence of adverse effects related to the loss of carpal height. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV, retrospective study.

Combined Treatment of Wrist and Trapeziometacarpal Joint Arthritis.

Background Combined thumb basal and wrist joint arthritis (excluding scaphotrapeziotrapezoid arthritis) is rare considering the frequency of arthritis of either joint alone. Combined surgical treatment has never been described in the literature. Furthermore, the scaphoidectomy common to all interventions for Watson stage 2 or 3 wrist arthritis theoretically makes it impossible to perform a trapeziectomy for thumb basal joint arthritis. Question/Purpose The aim of this study was to present and analyze the results of two types of surgical treatment when both wrist and thumb arthritis was present. Materials and Methods Our retrospective series included 11 patients suffering from Eaton Stage III thumb basal joint arthritis and scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) II and III-type wrist arthritis. Five patients (group A) underwent trapeziectomy and palliative surgery for their wrist with conservation of the distal pole of the scaphoid (one proximal row carpectomy [PRC] and four four-corner fusions), and six (group B) patients had a trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty either with PRC (two cases) or four-corner arthrodesis (four cases) including total scaphoidectomy. Results The mean follow-up was 57 months. The overall visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain was 1.5 at rest, with no difference between the trapeziectomy and arthroplasty groups. The average Kapandji score was 9.3 (9 in group A and 9.5 in group B). The flexion/extension range of motion for the wrist was 64° following four-corner arthrodesis and 75° following PRC. Only one case of algodystrophy was observed. The radiological analysis revealed no complications. Discussion This study shows that thumb basal joint arthritis and SLAC type wrist arthritis may be treated by combined treatment during the same intervention without any complications. The results of palliative surgery for the wrist, either with trapeziectomy or with a trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty, are comparable. With a trapeziectomy, the distal pole of the scaphoid must be fused to the capitate to help stabilize the thumb column. Level of Evidence Level IV.

The effect of the anatomy of the distal humerus and proximal ulna on the positioning of the components in total elbow arthroplasty.

Determining and accurately restoring the flexion-extension axis of the elbow is essential for functional recovery after total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). We evaluated the effect of morphological features of the elbow on variations of alignment of the components at TEA. Morphological and positioning variables were compared by systematic CT scans of 22 elbows in 21 patients after TEA. There were five men and 16 women, and the mean age was 63 years (38 to 80). The mean follow-up was 22 months (11 to 44). The anterior offset and version of the humeral components were significantly affected by the anterior angulation of the humerus (p = 0.052 and p = 0.004, respectively). The anterior offset and version of the ulnar components were strongly significantly affected by the anterior angulation of the ulna (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). The closer the anterior angulation of the ulna was to the joint, the lower the ulnar anterior offset (p = 0.030) and version of the ulnar component (p = 0.010). The distance from the joint to the varus angulation also affected the lateral offset of the ulnar component (p = 0.046). Anatomical variations at the distal humerus and proximal ulna affect the alignment of the components at TEA. This is explained by abutment of the stems of the components and is particularly severe when there are substantial deformities or the deformities are close to the joint.

Arthroscopic arthrodesis of the shoulder in brachial plexus palsy.

BACKGROUND Shoulder arthroscopic arthrodesis is an uncommon and non-standardized procedure. Results are poorly evaluated. We describe the findings in 8 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopic arthrodesis for brachial plexus injury. METHODS The humeral head and glenoid were excised through standard arthroscopic portals. A Hoffmann external fixator and cannulated screws were used to stabilize the shoulder. Standard clinical assessment and radiographic evaluation were performed each month until bony fusion occurred. With a mean follow-up of 28 months, functional evaluation included pain level (on a 0- to 10-mm visual analog scale); American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons index; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score; and Simple Shoulder Test score. Mobility was systematically investigated. Blood loss was assessed by measuring hematocrit proportion. RESULTS Glenohumeral fusion was achieved in all 8 patients. The mean time to arthrodesis was 3 months (range, 2-8 months). At last follow-up, the mean pain level was 1 (range, 0-4); the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 69; the mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 36; and the mean Simple Shoulder Test score was 4. Mean active flexion and abduction were 80° (range, 60°-90°) and 59° (range, 40°-80°), respectively. Mean blood loss during the perioperative period was 432 mL (range, 246-792 mL). We observed one superficial wound infection and one migration of an acromiohumeral screw. These complications did not compromise the final results. CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopic arthrodesis of the shoulder can be a reliable procedure and associated with a low rate of complications.