John G. Horneff

Comparison of hemiarthroplasty and reverse arthroplasty for treatment of proximal humeral fractures: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Complex proximal humeral fractures that are not amenable to surgical fixation represent a difficult treatment problem. The purpose of this systematic review was to critically examine the outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty (with use of a fracture-specific stem) for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was performed by means of a search of electronic databases. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality and extracted relevant data from each included study. When outcomes data were similar among studies, the data were pooled by means of frequency-weighted values to generate summary outcomes. RESULTS Fourteen studies fulfilled all inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included. Patients were followed for a frequency-weighted mean of 43.5 months in the reverse arthroplasty group and 31.1 months in the hemiarthroplasty group (p = 0.228). Subjective outcomes (including the Constant score, Constant pain subscore, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score) and range-of-motion parameters (including active forward elevation, abduction, and external rotation) were similar between the two groups. Compared with hemiarthroplasty, reverse arthroplasty was associated with 4.0 times greater odds of a postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS The compiled data and frequency-weighted means demonstrated improvement in function, pain, and range of motion after reverse arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty. Patients and physicians should consider projected functional outcomes, implant costs, and complication rates when selecting an appropriate arthroplasty technique for this indication.

Factors affecting the outcome of fractures of the femoral neck in children and adolescents: A systematic review

Fractures of the femoral neck in children are rare, high-energy injuries with high complication rates. Their treatment has become more interventional but evidence of the efficacy of such measures is limited. We performed a systematic review of studies examining different types of treatment and their outcomes, including avascular necrosis (AVN), nonunion, coxa vara, premature physeal closure (PPC), and Ratliffs clinical criteria. A total of 30 studies were included, comprising 935 patients. Operative treatment and open reduction were associated with higher rates of AVN. Delbet types I and II fractures were most likely to undergo open reduction and internal fixation. Coxa vara was reduced in the operative group, whereas nonunion and PPC were not related to surgical intervention. Nonunion and coxa vara were unaffected by the method of reduction. Capsular decompression had no effect on AVN. Although surgery allows a more anatomical union, it is uncertain whether operative treatment or the type of reduction affects the rate of AVN, nonunion or PPC, because more severe fractures were operated upon more frequently. A delay in treatment beyond 24 hours was associated with a higher incidence of AVN.

Propionibacterium acnes infection in shoulder arthroscopy patients with postoperative pain

BACKGROUND Recent studies have identified Propionibacterium acnes as the causal organism in an increasing number of postoperative shoulder infections. Most reports have found a high rate of P acnes infection after open surgery, particularly shoulder arthroplasty. However, there are limited data regarding P acnes infections after shoulder arthroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prospectively collected data on all shoulder arthroscopies performed by the senior author from January 1, 2009, until April 1, 2013. Cultures were taken in all revision shoulder arthroscopy cases performed for pain, stiffness, or weakness. In addition, 2 cultures were taken from each of a cohort of 32 primary shoulder arthroscopy cases without concern for infection to determine the false-positive rate. RESULTS A total of 1,591 shoulder arthroscopies were performed during this period, 68 (4.3%) of which were revision procedures performed for pain, stiffness, or weakness. A total of 20 revision arthroscopies (29.4%) had positive culture findings, and 16 (23.5%) were positive for P acnes. In the control group, 1 patient (3.2%) had P acnes growth. CONCLUSIONS The rate of P acnes infection in patients undergoing revision shoulder arthroscopy is higher than previously published and should be considered in cases characterized by refractory postoperative pain and stiffness.

Intramedullary Nailing Versus Locked Plate for Treating Supracondylar Periprosthetic Femur Fractures

The objective of this study was to compare retrograde intramedullary femoral nailing with supracondylar locked screw-plate fixation for the treatment of periprosthetic femur fractures following total knee arthroplasty. Time to union and full weight bearing were the primary study outcomes, with perioperative blood loss, need for transfusion, need for revision surgery, and infection being the secondary outcomes. A retrospective review of 63 patients who sustained Rorabeck Type II periprosthetic femoral fractures was undertaken. Patients were pooled from 3 academic institutions between 2001 and 2009. Patients eligible for the study were identified from the electronic medical record using an IDX query of International Classification of Diseases 9 and Current Procedural Terminology codes for fixation of femur fracture with intramedullary implant or plate and screws. In the series, 35 patients were treated with intramedullary femoral nailing and 28 with a locked screw-plate. The 2 groups were compared for radiographic union at 6, 12, 24, and 36 weeks. At 36 weeks, radiographic union was significantly greater in the locked screw-plate group. Time to full weight bearing was not significantly different. A greater perioperative transfusion rate was observed in the locking plate group, but it also had an overall lower rate of reoperation, for any reason, compared with the intramedullary femoral nailing group. The results support the use of a laterally based locked plate in the treatment of Rorabeck type II distal femur periprosthetic fractures.

Propionibacterium acnes infections in shoulder surgery.

Perioperative shoulder infections involving Propionibacterium acnes can be difficult to identify in a patient who presents with little more than pain and stiffness in the postoperative period. Although indolent in its growth and presentation, infection of the shoulder with P acnes can have devastating effects, including failure of the surgical intervention. This article reviews the importance of a comprehensive physical, radiologic, and laboratory evaluation, and discusses appropriate preventive and treatment strategies for P acnes infections of the shoulder.

Immobilization After Rotator Cuff Repair: What Evidence Do We Have Now?

Recurrent tears after rotator cuff repair are common. Postoperative rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair is a modifiable factor controlled by the surgeon that can affect re-tear rates. Some surgeons prefer early mobilization after rotator cuff repair, whereas others prefer a period of immobilization to protect the repair site. The tendon-healing process incorporates biochemical and biomechanical responses to mechanical loading. Healing can be optimized with controlled loading. Complete load removal and chronic overload can be deleterious to the process. Several randomized clinical studies have also characterized the role of postoperative mobilization after rotator cuff repair.

Thumb Injuries in Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse

Background Mens intercollegiate lacrosse is played at a fast pace and with significant force. Glove protection is required. However, the thumb is at risk because of contact with opponents’ sticks, the ball, other players, and the ground or artificial surface. Purpose To characterize patterns of hand injuries in mens intercollegiate lacrosse and to compare them with those in similar intercollegiate stick-handling sports that require gloves. Study Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System was utilized to evaluate thumb injuries in intercollegiate stick-handling sports (mens lacrosse, womens lacrosse, and mens ice hockey) during 16 intercollegiate seasons. Injuries were defined as events requiring an athlete to seek medical treatment and miss competition. Data were collected for injuries to the thumb, phalanges, and hand. Descriptive statistics were performed to calculate rates of injury per 1000 athlete-exposures and the relative exposure of the thumb with respect to total hand injuries. χ2 testing with the Yates correction for continuity was performed to determine differences in proportions of injury among the 3 sports studied. Results During 16 intercollegiate seasons, there were 692 thumb, finger, and hand injuries in 3 038 255 athlete-exposures. Total thumb injuries were significantly higher in mens lacrosse, accounting for 59.4% of total hand injuries, when compared with womens lacrosse (42%) and mens ice hockey (35.8%) (P < .001). Thumb fractures and contusions were each also found to be significantly more prevalent (P < .001) when compared with womens lacrosse and mens ice hockey. Conclusion Mens intercollegiate lacrosse requires the use of gloves; nonetheless, injury rates of the thumb are significantly elevated in this sport compared with other gloved, stick-handling sports. Recommendations include the development of gloves with improved thumb protection.

Orthopedic Evaluation and Surgical Treatment of the Spastic Shoulder

The spastic shoulder can often result from brain injury that causes disruption in the upper motor neuron inhibitory pathways. Patients develop dyssynergic muscle activation, muscle weakness, and contractures and often present with fixed adduction and internal rotation deformity to the limb. This article reviews the importance of a comprehensive preoperative evaluation and discusses appropriate treatment strategies based on preoperative evaluation.

Acute closed dislocation of the second through fourth carpometacarpal joints: satisfactory treatment with closed reduction and immobilization

Fracture dislocations of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joints are a rare injury in the hand. Dorsal dislocations are the most frequently reported [11]. Stronger dorsal ligaments and wrist extensor restraints cause failure of the bone dorsally with subsequent rupture of the volar ligaments, allowing for dorsal fracture dislocations to occur more commonly than volar dislocations [7]. In most cases, treatment of such injuries requires open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or closed reduction with percutaneous pinning [9]. The purpose of this report is to present a patient with radially deviated fracture dislocations of the second through fourth CMC joints that were satisfactorily treated with closed reduction.

Total Knee Arthroplasty in Hemophiliacs: Gains in Range of Motion Realized beyond Twelve Months Postoperatively

Background Hemophiliacs have extrinsic tightness from quadriceps and flexion contractures. We sought to examine the effect of a focused physical therapy regimen geared to hemophilic total knee arthroplasty. Methods Twenty-four knees undergoing intensive hemophiliac-specific physical therapy after total knee arthroplasty, at an average age of 46 years, were followed to an average 50 months. Results For all patients, flexion contracture improved from -10.5 degrees preoperatively to -5.1 degrees at final follow-up (p = 0.02). Knees with preoperative flexion less than 90 degrees were compared to knees with preoperative flexion greater than 90 degrees. Patients with preoperative flexion less than 90 degrees experienced improved flexion (p = 0.02), along with improved arc range of motion (ROM) and decreased flexion contracture. For those patients with specific twelve-month and final follow-up data points, there was a significant gain in flexion between twelve months and final follow-up (p = 0.02). Conclusions Hemophiliacs with the poorest flexion benefited most from focused quadriceps stretching to a more functional length, with gains not usually seen in the osteoarthritic population. This data may challenge traditional views that ROM gains are not expected beyond 12-18 months.