Robert E. Boykin

Suprascapular neuropathy in a shoulder referral practice.

HYPOTHESIS Suprascapular neuropathy (SSN) is considered a rare condition, and few studies have analyzed how commonly it is encountered in practice. Electrophysiologic studies are the gold standard for diagnosis; however, there is no consensus on diagnostic criteria. We hypothesized that SSN would be frequently diagnosed by electrophysiologic testing in a subset of patients with specific clinical and radiographic findings suggestive of the pathology. This study characterizes SSN in an academic shoulder referral practice and documents the electrodiagnostic findings that are currently being used to diagnose the condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of a 1-year period was used to identify all patients who completed electrodiagnostic studies to evaluate the suprascapular nerve. Clinical exam findings and associated shoulder pathology was documented. The specific electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) findings were analyzed. RESULTS Electrodiagnostic results were available for 92 patients, and 40 (42%) had confirmed SSN. Patients with a massive rotator cuff tear were more likely to have an abnormal study than those without a tear (P = .006). The most common electrodiagnostic abnormalities were abnormal motor unit action potentials (88%), whereas only 33% had evidence of denervation. The average latency in studies reported as diagnostic of SSN was 2.90 ± 0.08 milliseconds for the supraspinatus and 3.78 ± 0.14 milliseconds for the infraspinatus. DISCUSSION An electrodiagnostically confirmed diagnosis of SSN was seen in 4.3% of all new patients and in 43% of patients with clinical or radiographic suspicion of SSN. Clinical evaluation may be difficult because other shoulder pathology can have overlapping symptoms. CONCLUSION Shoulder surgeons should consider electrophysiologic evaluation of patients with clinical or radiographic signs of SSN and be cognizant of the parameters that constitute an abnormal study.

Association of suprascapular neuropathy with rotator cuff tendon tears and fatty degeneration.

BACKGROUND The mutual influence of suprascapular neuropathy (SSN) and rotator cuff tendon tears on muscle pathology is unclear. Debate continues as to how retracted cuff tears can lead to SSN and whether SSN or tendon retraction causes muscle fatty degeneration. METHODS A cohort of 87 patients suspected of having SSN was identified from a prospectively collected registry. All underwent electromyography/nerve conduction velocity study (EMG/NCV) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their shoulders. EMG/NCVs were performed and interpreted by electrodiagnosticians, and MRI cuff tendon quality and muscle fatty degeneration were interpreted by two surgeons. RESULTS Out of 87 patients, 32 patients had SSN on EMG/NCV, and 55 patients had normal suprascapular nerve. MRI showed that 59 of 87 supraspinatus had no fatty degeneration or mild fatty streaks (Goutallier grades 0 and 1), and 28 patients had significant fatty degeneration (grades 2-4); infraspinatus fatty degeneration was similar. Review of supraspinatus tendon showed 41 patients with intact tendons or partial tears, and 46 with full tears. Infraspinatus tendons pathology was similar. Tendon pathology and fatty degeneration were related (P-value<.001), with more severe tendon pathology leading to higher degree of fatty degeneration. Infraspinatus tendon tears were associated with SSN (P = .01), but SSN was not related to fatty degeneration of either supraspinatus or infraspinatus (P-values .65, .54). CONCLUSION The exact association and etiology of SSN in patients with rotator cuff pathology remain unclear. SSN is correlated to tendon tear size, but it does not have significant influence on fatty degeneration of either supraspinatus or infraspinatus.

Coracoid impingement: current concepts

For many years, coracoid impingement has been a well-recognized cause of anterior shoulder pain. However, a precise diagnosis of coracoid impingement remains difficult in some cases due to the presence of multifactorial pathologies and a paucity of supporting evidence in the literature. This review provides an update on the current anatomical and biomechanical knowledge regarding this pathology, describes the diagnostic process, and discusses the possible treatment options, based on a systematic review of the literature. Level of evidence V.

Pain and Swelling After Radiofrequency Treatment of Proximal Phalanx Osteoid Osteoma: Case Report

Bony tumors in the hand and wrist are uncommon conditions. The objective of this article was to describe an impressive soft-tissue reaction with pain after radiofrequency ablation was used to treat a proximal phalangeal osteoid osteoma in the hand. We feel radiofrequency ablation should be cautiously used in the treatment of these lesions out of concern for similar complications.

Treatment of a hip capsular injury in a professional soccer player with platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate concentrate therapy

This report presents a 27-year-old male professional soccer player who developed heterotopic ossification of his hip capsule and gluteus minimus tendon after an arthroscopic hip procedure. After removal of the heterotopic bone, the patient had a symptomatic deficiency of his hip capsule and gluteus minimus tendon. A series of orthobiologic treatments with platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate concentrate improved the patient’s pain and strength as well as the morphologic appearance of the hip capsule and gluteus minimus tendon on magnetic resonance imaging. A series of motion analyses demonstrated significant improvement in his stance-leg ground reaction force and hip abduction, as well as linear foot velocity at ball strike and maximum hip flexion following ball strike in his kicking leg. Level of evidence IV.

Correlation between the Child Health Questionnaire and the International Knee Documentation Committee score in pediatric and adolescent patients with an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

Background: The modified International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Form has recently been shown to be valid, reliable, and responsive in a pediatric and adolescent population. The correlations between the Pedi-IKDC and quality-of-life-related health measures have not been studied in depth to determine how a knee injury affects patients in this age group. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the Pedi-IKDC score and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) in a group of pediatric patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Methods: A prospectively collected registry of patients with ACL injuries was searched to indentify all patients who had completed both the Pedi-IKDC and CHQ (CHQ-CF87) questionnaires. These were analyzed to determine significant correlations between domains of the CHQ and the Pedi-IKDC. Results: A total of 135 patients were included (80 male, 55 female) with a median age of 15.3 years (range, 13.1 to 17.2 y). The cohort included patients treated both operatively (120) and nonoperatively (15). The total Pedi-IKDC score was found to correlate with the majority of the CHQ including expected domains such as physical function (correlation coefficient=0.64), bodily pain (0.7), and family activities (0.41), in addition to emotional role (0.45), mental health (0.46), self-esteem (0.45), and social limitations—physical (0.38) (P<0.001 for all correlations). Conclusions: Seven of the 12 domains on the CHQ are significantly correlated with the IKDC in adolescent patients with an ACL tear. Self-esteem, mental health, emotional role, and social limitations categories are significantly correlated with knee function suggesting that quality-of-life in this population is affected in domains outside of physical function and pain. A greater understanding of the psychosocial impact of injury may be of utility in these patients. Study Design: Level III cross-sectional study.

Preliminary results of calcaneofibular ligament transfer for recurrent peroneal subluxation in children and adolescents.

Background Subluxation of the peroneal tendons over the lateral malleolus is an uncommon condition in both pediatric and adult populations. The primary dislocation is thought to occur with rupture of the superior peroneal retinaculum and may be associated with marginal fractures of the lateral malleolus or a preexisting shallow groove inferiorly. Various operative techniques have been reported earlier, but little data exists regarding surgical management and outcome in a pediatric and adolescent population with open physes. Methods A retrospective review of patients presenting to our institution over a 5-year period yielded 9 cases of recurrent peroneal subluxation refractory to nonoperative management in 7 children or adolescents (mean age 12 y). Both traumatic and atraumatic etiologies were represented. All patients failed nonoperative treatment and were treated operatively with calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) transfer to reroute the peroneal tendons underneath the CFL. All patients were observed in follow-up and sent validated outcomes questionnaires, including the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale. Results Mean clinical follow-up was 20.9 months (range: 12 to 35 mo). At follow-up, all patients had returned to sports and activity and there were no instances of recurrence of subluxation. Complications included 1 postoperative infection and 1 patient requiring revision surgery for fibrosis. Six of 9 ankles (66.6%) returned the outcomes surveys. The average Foot and Ankle Ability Measure activities of daily living score was 90.8 (±4.4) and the sports subscale was 62.5 (±9.3). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 86 (±3.2). Conclusions Peroneal subluxation is an uncommon condition in pediatric and adolescent athletes. CFL transfer over the peroneal tendons should be considered as it provides excellent stability, a low rate of recurrent subluxation, and good functional outcomes without risk of injury to the distal fibular physis which can occur with distal fibular osteotomy or groove deepening procedures. Level of Evidence IV (Case series).

Intraoperative distraction in the upper extremity.

Intraoperative distraction aids in the restoration of length, facilitates reduction, assists in maintaining rotational alignment, and provides a temporary stable platform for definitive fixation of acute fractures, malunions, and nonunions. This technique has been described at length in the lower extremity; however, there is a paucity of literature regarding its use in the upper extremity. Distraction is the application of tension across a fracture site. Proximal and distal fixation may be achieved in several ways, with common instrumentation including the use of an external fixator set. Intraoperative distraction may be invaluable in the treatment of displaced fractures of the upper extremity. The objective of this paper was to detail the technique of intraoperative distraction in the surgical treatment of fractures of the clavicle, humerus, radius, and ulna.

Femoroacetabular impingement in a professional soccer player

AbstractPresented is the case of a 25-year-old professional soccer player with a long-standing history of hip injuries, including a hamstring injury, adductor partial tearing with surgical release and labral tearing in the hip joint. The patient was eventually found to have a mixed type femoracetabular impingement and adaptive bony changes of the hip. The patient was treated with an arthroscopic acetabuloplasty of the pincer lesion, femoroplasty for the treatment of the cam lesion and labral repair along with open proximal adductor repair to restore the native biomechanics of the hip. Level of evidence V.

Epidural Pneumatosis of the Cervicothoracic Spine Associated With Transient Upper Motor Neuron Findings Complicating Haemophilus influenzae Pharyngitis, Bronchitis, and Mediastinitis

Background Epidural pneumatosis and pneumomediastinum are rare findings. Reports in children are exceedingly rare. Abnormal neurologic findings have yet to be reported. Methods We report on the case of a 7-year-old girl who was diagnosed with epidural pneumatosis with signs of neurologic compression in the setting of Haemophilus influenzae upper and lower respiratory infection. After urgent direct laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy, and pharyngeal biopsy was carried out, CT scan of the chest revealed extensive pneumomediastinum tracking along vessels throughout the neck and chest in addition to epidural pneumatosis from C6 to T5. Upper motor neuron findings were present. Broad spectrum antibiotics were administered, and interval neurologic examination and repeat CT scans showed resolution of abnormal neurologic exam in addition to epidural pneumatosis dissipation. Results Rapid clinical improvement was noted on broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics with extubation on postoperative day one. She was discharged home on oral augmentin on postoperative day 4 with intact neurologic examination. At 11 month follow-up, she remained symptom-free with normal neurologic examination and unremarkable cervical and thoracic spine radiographs. Conclusion Resolution of clinical and radiographic findings is possible with conservative treatment. Level of Evidence IV.