John W. Sperling

Neer Hemiarthroplasty and Neer Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients Fifty Years Old or Less. Long-Term Results*

Seventy-eight Neer hemiarthroplasties and thirty-six Neer total shoulder arthroplasties were performed at our institution, between January 1, 1976, and December 31, 1985, in ninety-eight patients who were fifty years old or less. Two patients (two shoulders) died, and four patients (four shoulders) were lost to follow-up. The remaining seventy-four hemiarthroplasties (95 per cent) in sixty-four patients and thirty-four total shoulder arthroplasties (94 per cent) in thirty-one patients were included in the clinical analysis as the preoperative and operative records were complete and the patients had been followed for at least five years (mean, 12.3 years) or until revision. All 114 shoulders were included in the survivorship analysis. Both total shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty resulted in significant long-term relief of pain (p < 0.0001) as well as improvement in active abduction (p < 0.0001) and external rotation (p < 0.0001). However, with the numbers available, we could not detect a significant difference between the two procedures with respect to these variables. A complete set of radiographs was available for sixty-eight (92 per cent) of the seventy-four shoulders that had a hemiarthroplasty and for thirty-two (94 per cent) of the thirty-four shoulders that had a total shoulder arthroplasty. A radiolucent line around the humeral component was noted after sixteen (24 per cent) of the hemiarthroplasties and after seventeen (53 per cent) of the total shoulder arthroplasties. A radiolucent line around the glenoid component was seen after nineteen (59 per cent) of the total shoulder arthroplasties. Erosion of the glenoid was found after forty-six (68 per cent) of the hemiarthroplasties. The results were graded according to a modification of the system of Neer et al. and of Cofield. Fifteen hemiarthroplasties led to an excellent result; twenty-four, a satisfactory result; and thirty-five, an unsatisfactory or unsuccessful result. Four total shoulder arthroplasties were followed by an excellent result; thirteen, a satisfactory result; and seventeen, an unsatisfactory or unsuccessful result. The estimated survival of the hemiarthroplasty prostheses (with 95 per cent confidence intervals) was 92 per cent (86 to 98 per cent) at five years, 83 per cent (75 to 93 per cent) at ten years, and 73 per cent (59 to 88 per cent) at fifteen years. Analysis of the results in association with the two major diagnoses revealed that the risk of revision was higher for the thirty shoulders that had the hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of the sequelae of trauma than for the twenty-eight that had the procedure for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.017). The estimated survival of the total shoulder prostheses (with 95 per cent confidence intervals) was 97 per cent (92 to 100 per cent) at five years, 97 per cent (91 to 100 per cent) at ten years, and 84 per cent (70 to 100 per cent) at fifteen years. The risk of revision was higher for the seven shoulders that had had a tear of the rotator cuff at the time of the operation than for the twenty-seven that had not had one (p = 0.029). The data from the present study indicate that a shoulder arthroplasty provides marked long-term relief of pain and improvement in motion; however, nearly half of all young patients who have a shoulder arthroplasty have an unsatisfactory result according to a rating system. Care should be exercised when either a hemiarthroplasty or a total shoulder arthroplasty is offered to patients who are fifty years old or less.

Infection after shoulder arthroplasty.

Between 1972 and 1994, 2279 patients underwent primary shoulder arthroplasty (2512 shoulders) and 194 patients underwent revision shoulder arthroplasty (222 shoulders) at the authors’ institution. Of these, 18 patients with primary shoulder arthroplasties (19 shoulders) and seven patients with revision shoulder arthroplasties (seven shoulders) were diagnosed with deep periprosthetic infection. Additionally, during this period, seven patients (seven shoulders) with primary shoulder arthroplasties and one patient (one shoulder) with a previously revised shoulder arthroplasty were referred to the authors’ institution for treatment of deep periprosthetic infection. Two patients (two shoulders) were excluded because of incomplete medical records and with component removal performed elsewhere. The average time from arthroplasty to the diagnosis of infection was 3.5 years (range, 0–14.8 years). The patients were divided into four groups on the basis of treatment. Group I comprised 20 patients (21 shoulders) who underwent resection arthroplasty. Six of the 21 shoulders had additional episodes of infection. Group II comprised six patients (six shoulders) who underwent debridement and prosthetic retention. Three of the six shoulders failed this treatment with subsequent reinfection and underwent a resection arthroplasty. Group III comprised two patients (two shoulders) who had removal of the prosthesis, debridement, and immediate reimplantation. One patient underwent resection arthroplasty 9 months after direct exchange because of reinfection. Group IV comprised three patients (three shoulders) who had removal of the prosthesis, debridement, and delayed reimplantation. Reinfection has not occurred in any of these patients. At final followup, patients with a prosthesis in situ had better pain relief and shoulder function than patients treated with resection arthroplasty. Delayed reimplantation may offer the best hope for pain relief, eradication of infection, and maintenance of shoulder function.

Shoulder hemiarthroplasty for acute fractures of the proximal humerus: a minimum five-year follow-up.

Significant discrepancy in the functional outcome of hemiarthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures has been reported with short or mid-term follow-up. This study reports the long-term results and rate of complications of shoulder arthroplasty in the treatment of proximal humerus fractures. The review comprised 57 patients (44 women, 13 men) who underwent hemiarthroplasty between 1976 and 1996 as treatment of a proximal humerus fracture and who had a minimum 5-year follow-up (mean, 10.3 years). The mean patient age was 66 years at the time of surgery (range, 23-89 years). According to a modified Neer result rating system, results were satisfactory in 27 patients and unsatisfactory in 30. The mean active elevation was 100 degrees (range, 20 degrees -180 degrees ) and external rotation was 30 degrees (range, 0 degrees -90 degrees ). At the most recent follow-up, 9 patients (16%) had moderate or severe pain and 2 required implant revision or removal. The study data suggest that patients undergoing arthroplasty as treatment of an acute fracture of the proximal humerus may achieve satisfactory long-term pain relief; however, the result for overall shoulder motion is less predictable. In view of these results, current indications, surgical technique, and postoperative treatment may need to be revisited.

Periprosthetic Humeral Fractures During Shoulder Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Currently, there is little information available on the treatment and outcome of intraoperative periprosthetic humeral fractures that occur during shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to report on the incidence, treatment, and outcome of, as well as the risk factors for, intraoperative periprosthetic humeral fractures. METHODS Between 1980 and 2002, forty-five intraoperative periprosthetic humeral fractures occurred during shoulder arthroplasty at our institution. Twenty-eight fractures occurred during primary total shoulder arthroplasty, three occurred during primary hemiarthroplasty, and fourteen occurred during revision arthroplasty. Nineteen fractures involved the greater tuberosity, sixteen involved the humeral shaft, six involved the metaphysis, three involved the greater tuberosity and the humeral shaft, and one involved both the greater and lesser tuberosities. All patients were followed for a minimum of two years. At the time of the latest follow-up, outcomes were assessed, radiographs were examined, and relative risks were calculated. RESULTS Over the twenty-two-year study period, the rate of intraoperative humeral fractures at our institution was 1.5%. All fractures healed at a mean of seventeen weeks. In the primary arthroplasty group (thirty-one patients), range of motion and pain scores improved significantly (p < 0.05) at the time of follow-up. In the revision arthroplasty group (fourteen patients), range of motion remained unchanged whereas pain scores improved significantly (p < 0.005). Transient nerve injuries occurred in six patients. Four fractures displaced postoperatively and were then treated nonoperatively; all four healed. Significant relative risks for intraoperative fracture were female sex, revision surgery, and press-fit implants (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The data from the present study suggest that although intraoperative humeral fractures are associated with a high rate of healing, there was a substantial rate of associated complications, including transient nerve injuries and fracture displacement. Significant risk factors for intraoperative fractures include female sex, revision surgery, and press-fit humeral implants.

Survival of the glenoid component in shoulder arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION This study was conducted to determine the survival of different glenoid component designs, assess the reasons for revision surgery, and identify patient and diagnostic factors that influence this need. METHODS Between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 2004, 1337 patients underwent 1542 total shoulder arthroplasties with 6 types of glenoid components: Neer II all-polyethylene, Neer II metal-backed, Cofield 1 metal-backed bone-ingrowth, Cofield 1 all-poly keeled, Cofield 2 all-poly keeled, and Cofield 2 all-poly pegged. RESULTS Revision was required in 125 shoulders for glenoid component failure. Survival rates free of revision by glenoid implant type at 5, 10, and 15 years were, respectively, 96%, 96%, and 95% for 99 Neer II all-poly; 96%, 94%, and 89% for 316 Neer II metal-backed; 86%, 79%, and 67% for 316 Cofield 1 metal-backed; 94%, 94%, and 87% for 18 Cofield 1 all-poly; 99%, 94%, and 89% for 497 Cofield 2 all-poly keeled; and 99% at 5 years for 358 Cofield 2 all-poly pegged. Glenoid component type was significantly associated with component revision (P < .001). Male gender was associated with a higher risk of revision (P < .001). Compared with degenerative arthritis, posttraumatic arthritis (P = .02) and avascular necrosis (P = .06) were associated with increased risk of revision. CONCLUSIONS Survival is improved with cemented all-polyethylene glenoid components. Revision of cemented all-polyethylene components may be lessened with the use of pegged components in early follow-up. Male gender and the operative diagnoses of posttraumatic arthritis or avascular necrosis are associated with an increased risk of failure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, Case Series, Treatment Study.

Periprosthetic infections after total shoulder arthroplasty: a 33-year perspective.

BACKGROUND To examine the rates and predictors of deep periprosthetic infections after primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). METHODS We used prospectively collected data on all primary TSA patients from 1976-2008 at Mayo Clinic Medical Center. We estimated survival free of deep periprosthetic infections after primary TSA using Kaplan-Meier survival. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the association of patient-related factors (age, gender, body mass index), comorbidity (Deyo-Charlson index), American Society of Anesthesiologists class, implant fixation, and underlying diagnosis with risk of infection. RESULTS A total of 2,207 patients, with a mean age of 65 years (SD, 12 years), 53% of whom were women, underwent 2,588 primary TSAs. Mean follow-up was 7 years (SD, 6 years), and the mean body mass index was 30 kg/m(2) (SD, 6 kg/m(2)). The American Society of Anesthesiologists class was 1 or 2 in 61% of cases. Thirty-two confirmed deep periprosthetic infections occurred during follow-up. In earlier years, Staphylococcus predominated; in recent years, Propionibacterium acnes was almost as common. The 5-, 10-, and 20-year prosthetic infection-free rates were 99.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 98.9-99.6), 98.5% (95% CI, 97.8-99.1), and 97.2% (95% CI, 96.0-98.4), respectively. On multivariable analysis, a male patient had a significantly higher risk of deep periprosthetic infection (hazard ratio, 2.67 [95% CI, 1.22-5.87]; P = .01) and older age was associated with lower risk (hazard ratio, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.95-1.00] per year; P = .05). CONCLUSIONS The periprosthetic infection rate was low at 20-year follow-up. Male gender and younger age were significant risk factors for deep periprosthetic infections after TSA. Future studies should investigate whether differences in bone morphology, medical comorbidity, or other factors are underlying these associations.

Revision Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Glenoid Arthrosis

The development of painful glenoid arthrosis is the most common reason for reoperation after replacement of the humeral head. We performed twenty-two revision total shoulder arthroplasties, between 1983 and 1992, for the treatment of painful glenoid arthrosis in shoulders that had a prosthetic replacement of the humeral head. Eighteen shoulders (seventeen patients) were included in the study as their preoperative and operative records were complete and they had been followed for at least two years (mean, 5.5 years; range, 2.3 to 10.0 years). The indications for the hemiarthroplasty were trauma (ten shoulders), osteoarthrosis (four), rheumatoid arthritis (two), and osteonecrosis secondary to the use of steroids (two). The mean interval between the hemiarthroplasty and the total shoulder replacement was 4.4 years (range, 0.8 to 12.7 years). The mean score for pain in the shoulder decreased from 4.3 points before the revision to 2.2 points after it (p = 0.0001). The mean active abduction increased from 94 degrees before the revision to 124 degrees after it (p = 0.01), and the mean external rotation increased from 32 to 58 degrees (p = 0.007). Two shoulders needed another operation after the revision because of a late infection in one and particulate synovitis associated with instability in the other. With the numbers available for study, we did not detect a significant difference in pain relief and range of motion with respect to gender, diagnosis, subluxation, or the presence of periprosthetic radiolucency. Our findings indicate that most patients with painful glenoid arthrosis after a hemiarthroplasty have marked pain relief and improvement in motion after revision to a total shoulder replacement. However, seven of the eighteen shoulders that had this procedure had an unsatisfactory result due to a limited range of motion or the need for a subsequent operation. Therefore, long-term studies are necessary to evaluate the durability of total shoulder replacement in this group of patients.

C-Reactive Protein, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Orthopedic Implant Infection

Background C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) have been shown to be useful for diagnosis of prosthetic hip and knee infection. Little information is available on CRP and ESR in patients undergoing revision or resection of shoulder arthroplasties or spine implants. Methods/Results We analyzed preoperative CRP and ESR in 636 subjects who underwent knee (n = 297), hip (n = 221) or shoulder (n = 64) arthroplasty, or spine implant (n = 54) removal. A standardized definition of orthopedic implant-associated infection was applied. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to determine ideal cutoff values for differentiating infected from non-infected cases. ESR was significantly different in subjects with aseptic failure infection of knee (median 11 and 53.5 mm/h, respectively, p = <0.0001) and hip (median 11 and 30 mm/h, respectively, p = <0.0001) arthroplasties and spine implants (median 10 and 48.5 mm/h, respectively, p = 0.0033), but not shoulder arthroplasties (median 10 and 9 mm/h, respectively, p = 0.9883). Optimized ESR cutoffs for knee, hip and shoulder arthroplasties and spine implants were 19, 13, 26, and 45 mm/h, respectively. Using these cutoffs, sensitivity and specificity to detect infection were 89 and 74% for knee, 82 and 60% for hip, and 32 and 93% for shoulder arthroplasties, and 57 and 90% for spine implants. CRP was significantly different in subjects with aseptic failure and infection of knee (median 4 and 51 mg/l, respectively, p<0.0001), hip (median 3 and 18 mg/l, respectively, p<0.0001), and shoulder (median 3 and 10 mg/l, respectively, p = 0.01) arthroplasties, and spine implants (median 3 and 20 mg/l, respectively, p = 0.0011). Optimized CRP cutoffs for knee, hip, and shoulder arthroplasties, and spine implants were 14.5, 10.3, 7, and 4.6 mg/l, respectively. Using these cutoffs, sensitivity and specificity to detect infection were 79 and 88% for knee, 74 and 79% for hip, and 63 and 73% for shoulder arthroplasties, and 79 and 68% for spine implants. Conclusion CRP and ESR have poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of shoulder implant infection. A CRP of 4.6 mg/l had a sensitivity of 79 and a specificity of 68% to detect infection of spine implants.

Stabilizing mechanism in bone-grafting of a large glenoid defect.

BACKGROUND Conventional wisdom suggests that the glenoid defect after a shoulder dislocation is anteroinferior. However, recent studies have found that the defect is located anteriorly. The purposes of this study were (1) to clarify the critical size of the anterior defect and (2) to demonstrate the stabilizing mechanism of bone-grafting. METHODS Thirteen cadaver shoulders were investigated. With use of a custom testing machine with a 50-N compression force, the peak translational force that was needed to move the humeral head and lateral humeral displacement were measured. The force was used to evaluate the joint stability. An osseous defect was created stepwise in 2-mm increments of the defect width. The bone graft was harvested from the coracoid process. The defect size was expressed as the estimated defect size divided by the measured glenoid length. Testing was performed with (1) the glenoid intact, (2) a simulated Bankart lesion, (3) the Bankart lesion repaired, (4) a 2-mm defect, (5) the Bankart lesion repaired, (6) the defect bone-grafted, (7) a 4-mm defect, (8) the Bankart lesion repaired, (9) the defect bone-grafted, (10) a 6-mm defect, (11) the Bankart lesion repaired, (12) the defect bone-grafted, (13) an 8-mm defect, (14) the Bankart lesion repaired, and (15) the defect bone-grafted. RESULTS Force and displacement decreased as the size of the osseous defect increased. The mean force after the formation of a defect of > or =6 mm (19% of the glenoid length) with the Bankart lesion repaired (22 +/- 7 N) was significantly decreased compared with the baseline force (52 +/- 11 N). Both the mean force (and standard deviation) and displacement returned to the levels of the intact condition (68 +/- 3 N and 2.6 +/- 0.4 mm, respectively) after bone-grafting (72 +/- 12 N and 2.7 +/- 0.3 mm, respectively). CONCLUSIONS An osseous defect with a width that is > or =19% of the glenoid length remains unstable even after Bankart lesion repair. The stabilizing mechanism of bone-grafting was the restoration of the glenoid concavity.

Strategies in Biologic Augmentation of Rotator Cuff Repair A Review

BackgroundDegenerative rotator cuff tears are increasing with the aging population, and healing is not uniform after surgery. Rotator cuffs may show improved healing when biologic factors are added during surgery.Questions/purposesWe asked: (1) What cellular processes are involved in normal bone-to-tendon healing? (2) What approaches are being developed in tendon augmentation? (3) What approaches are being developed with the addition of growth factors?MethodsWe reviewed research in relating to biologic augmentation and cellular processes involved in rotator cuff repair, focusing on animal models of rotator cuff repair and nonrandomized human trials.ResultsRegular bone-to-tendon healing forms a fibrous junction between tendon and bone that is distinct from the original bone-to-tendon junction. Tendon augmentation with cellular components serves as scaffolding for fibroblastic cells and a possible source of growth factors and fibroblastic cells. Extracellular matrices provide a scaffold for incoming fibroblastic cells, although current research does not conclusively confirm which if any of these scaffolds enhance repair owing in part to intermanufacturer variations and the limited human research. Growth factors and platelet-rich-plasma are established in other fields of research and may enhance repair but have not been rigorously tested.ConclusionsThere is potential application of biologic augmentation to improve healing after rotator cuff repair. However, research in this field is still inconclusive and has not been sufficiently demonstrated to merit regular clinical use. Future human trials can elucidate the use of biologic augmentation in rotator cuff repairs.