Ryan T. Bicknell

Arthroscopic Treatment of Isolated Type II SLAP Lesions Biceps Tenodesis as an Alternative to Reinsertion

Background Overhead athletes report an inconsistent return to their previous level of sport and satisfaction after arthroscopic SLAP lesion repair. Hypothesis Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis offers a viable alternative to the repair of an isolated type II SLAP lesion. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods Twenty-five consecutive patients operated for an isolated type II SLAP lesion between 2000 and 2004 were evaluated at a mean of 35 months postoperatively (range, 24-69). Patients with associated instability, rotator cuff rupture, posterosuperior impingement, or previous shoulder surgery were excluded. Ten patients (10 men) with an average age of 37 years (range, 19-57) had a SLAP repair performed with suture anchors. Fifteen patients (9 men and 6 women) with an average age of 52 years (range, 28-64) underwent arthroscopic biceps tenodesis performed with an absorbable interference screw. Arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment were performed by a single experienced shoulder surgeon, and all patients were reviewed by an independent examiner. Results In the repair group, the Constant score improved from 65 to 83 points; however, 60% (6 of 10) of the patients were disappointed because of persistent pain or inability to return to their previous level of sports participation. In the tenodesis group, the Constant score improved from 59 to 89 points, and 93% (14/15) were satisfied or very satisfied. Thirteen patients (87%) were able to return to their previous level of sports participation following biceps tenodesis, compared with only 20% (2 of 10) after SLAP repair (P = .01). Four patients with failed SLAP repairs underwent subsequent biceps tenodesis, resulting in a successful outcome and a full return to their previous level of sports activity. Conclusion Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis can be considered an effective alternative to the repair of a type II SLAP lesion, allowing patients to return to a presurgical level of activity and sports participation. The results of biceps reinsertion are disappointing compared with biceps tenodesis. Furthermore, biceps tenodesis may provide a viable alternative for the salvage of a failed SLAP repair. As the age of the 2 treatment groups differed, these findings should be confirmed by future studies.

The Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

A reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is a procedure considered for patients whose shoulder problem cannot be effectively managed with a conventional total shoulder replacement. The reverse total shoulder prosthesis is based on a concept introduced by Professor Paul Grammont, in which a convex articular surface is fixed to the glenoid and a concave articular surface is fixed to the proximal part of the humerus1 (Fig. 1). This prosthesis addresses some of the limitations of conventional arthroplasty. To understand the role of the reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, one must first understand the limitations of conventional arthroplasty. A conventional or anatomic shoulder arthroplasty is the replacement of damaged joint surfaces with prosthetic components that approximate the normal joint surfaces and are stabilized by mechanisms similar to those stabilizing a native glenohumeral joint. In performing a conventional arthroplasty, the surgeon is faced with the following limitations. ### Limited Ability to Manage Glenohumeral Translation The normal glenohumeral joint consists of a small, shallow concave glenoid with a compliant rim for articulation with a spherical humeral head. The small articular surface and minimal constraint of the glenoid allow a large range of rotational motion before the humeral neck abuts on the glenoid rim. They also allow small physiologic translations of the humeral head on the glenoid in response to loads that are applied tangential to the glenoid joint surface. Translation also occurs at the extremes of glenohumeral motion, permitting a greater range of motion than would be possible if the humeral head did not translate. While the compliant rim of the normal glenoid enables full surface contact during small humeral translations, this attribute is not replicated by the much less compliant polyethylene joint surface of a conventional shoulder arthroplasty. If the prosthetic glenoid surface conforms exactly to the humeral head (i.e., if each has the same radius of curvature), no translation …

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty after failed rotator cuff surgery

BACKGROUND The purpose is to report the results of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) after previous failed rotator cuff surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective multicenter study of 42 RSA in 40 patients (mean age, 71 years) with a mean follow-up of 50 months. Thirty shoulders presented with a pseudoparalytic shoulder and 12 with a painful shoulder with maintained active anterior elevation (AAE >or= 90 degrees). RESULTS Five complications (12%) occurred and 2 patients (5%) underwent re-operation. In pseudoparalytic shoulders, AAE increased from 56 degrees to 123 degrees and 7% were disappointed or dissatisfied. In painful shoulders, AAE decreased from 146 degrees to 122 degrees and 27% were disappointed or dissatisfied. DISCUSSION RSA can improve function in patients with cuff deficient shoulders after failure of previous cuff surgery. However, results are inferior to primary RSA. RSA when the patient maintains greater than 90 degrees of preoperative AAE risks loss of AAE and lower patient satisfaction.

The Role of Arthroscopy in Revision of Failed Open Anterior Stabilization of the Shoulder

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of revision arthroscopic stabilization after failed open anterior shoulder stabilization. METHODS We studied a retrospective series of 22 consecutive patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability after open surgical stabilization (12 Latarjet procedures, 4 Eden-Hybinette procedures, 3 open Bankart repairs, and 3 capsular shifts). Failure was associated with a traumatic episode in 12 patients, capsular laxity with persistent Bankart lesions in all patients, and a bone block complication in 13 patients. Labral reattachment and capsuloligamentous retensioning with suture anchors were performed in all cases. An additional rotator interval closure was performed in 4 cases and an inferior capsular application in 12. Bone block screws were removed during arthroscopy in 8 patients because of malpositioning or mobility. Nineteen patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 43 months. RESULTS All patients returned to their previous occupations, including 6 cases of work-related injury. Of the patients, 1 (5%) had recurrent subluxation and 2 (11%) had persistent apprehension. The subjective shoulder value was 83% +/- 23%. A good or excellent result was found in 85% of patients according to the Walch-Duplay score and 13 patients (67%) according to the Rowe score. Shoulder pain was found in 6 patients (32%) (4 with light pain and 2 with moderate pain). Of the 5 patients with osteoarthritis before surgery, 3 progressed by 1 stage. CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopic revision of failed open anterior shoulder stabilization provides satisfactory results in a selected patient population. Some persistent pain and osteoarthritis progression remain concerns. The main advantages of the arthroscopic approach are the avoidance of anterior dissection in front of the subscapularis, which places the axillary nerve at risk, and the ability to address the various soft-tissue pathologies encountered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, therapeutic case series.

The unstable painful shoulder (UPS) as a cause of pain from unrecognized anteroinferior instability in the young athlete

HYPOTHESIS The etiology of shoulder pain in the overhead athlete is often difficult to determine. This study hypothesized that (1) instability can present in a purely painful form, without any apparent history of instability, but with anatomic lesions indicative of instability, termed unstable painful shoulder (UPS), and that (2) arthroscopic shoulder stabilization is effective. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study evaluated 20 patients (mean age, 22 ± 8 years) at a mean of 38 months postoperatively (range, 24-69 months). Inclusion criteria were painful shoulder with lesions indicative of instability on imaging or at surgery, minimum 2-year follow-up. Exclusion criteria were recognized instability, other associated pathologies, and previous shoulder surgery. RESULTS Patients were young, hyperlax athletes who complained of deep, anterior shoulder pain and denied any instability. Pain was reproduced with the arm in an anterior apprehension position and relieved by a relocation test; however, no actual apprehension was experienced. Patients often had glenohumeral laxity and hyperlaxity. Lesions indicative of instability confirmed that at least 1 unapparent shoulder subluxation occurred. The Rowe, Walch-Duplay, and University of California, Los Angeles scores improved significantly (P < .05); 19 patients (95%) were satisfied, and 15 (75%) returned to their previous level of sports. DISCUSSION The diagnosis of UPS is often missed but is important to consider in the young hyperlax athlete. Soft tissue and/or bony lesions consistent with instability are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Arthroscopy certainly deserves a significant place in this form of anteroinferior instability because it allows both the assessment of lesions (ie, diagnosis) and a satisfactory functional result and return to sport.

Does keel size, the use of screws, and the use of bone cement affect fixation of a metal glenoid implant?

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of screws and keel size on the fixation of an all-metal glenoid component. A prototype stainless-steel glenoid component was designed and implanted in 10 cadaveric scapulae. A testing apparatus capable of producing a loading vector at various angles, magnitudes, and directions was used. The independent variables included six directions and three angles of joint load, and five fixation modalities-three different-sized cross-keels (small, medium, and large), screws, and bone cement. Implant micromotion relative to bone was measured by four displacement transducers at the superior, inferior, anterior, and posterior sites. The components displayed a consistent response to loading of ipsilateral compression and contralateral distraction. Use of progressively larger keels did not significantly improve implant stability. Stability decreased as the angle of load application increased (P <.05). Screw and cement fixation resulted in the most stable fixation (P <.05).

Computer navigation and patient-specific instrumentation in shoulder arthroplasty.

Longevity of total anatomic and reversed shoulder arthroplasty largely depends on accurate correction of glenoid deformity and correct positioning and fixation of the glenoid component. However, the morphology of the scapula is inconsistent, varying degrees of osteoarthritis cause numerous anatomic changes, and standard 2-dimensional imaging and standard surgical instrumentation are imprecise for preoperative planning and execution of glenoid reconstruction. Recently, various authors have shown that preoperative 3-dimensional surgical planning and computer navigation technology may increase the accuracy and repeatability of the implantation of the glenoid component, especially for the position and orientation of the glenosphere and screws in reversed arthroplasty. These novel techniques may allow the surgeon to better define the preoperative deformity, select the optimal implant position, and then accurately execute the plan at the time of surgery. Future studies are needed to determine the long-term effect on functional outcome and cost-effectiveness of computer-assisted technology in shoulder arthroplasty.

Humeral head translation during glenohumeral abduction following computer-assisted shoulder hemiarthroplasty

This study compared the effect of a computer-assisted and a traditional surgical technique on the kinematics of the glenohumeral joint during passive abduction after hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder for the treatment of fractures. We used seven pairs of fresh-frozen cadaver shoulders to create simulated four-part fractures of the proximal humerus, which were then reconstructed with hemiarthroplasty and reattachment of the tuberosities. The specimens were randomised, so that one from each pair was repaired using the computer-assisted technique, whereas a traditional hemiarthroplasty without navigation was performed in the contralateral shoulder. Kinematic data were obtained using an electromagnetic tracking device. The traditional technique resulted in posterior and inferior translation of the humeral head. No statistical differences were observed before or after computer-assisted surgery. Although it requires further improvement, the computer-assisted approach appears to allow glenohumeral kinematics to more closely replicate those of the native joint, potentially improving the function of the shoulder and extending the longevity of the prosthesis.

From the unstable painful shoulder to multidirectional instability in the young athlete.

In conclusion, instability as a cause of shoulder pain in the young athlete is a difficult and often missed diagnosis. These young patients often seek treatment of shoulder pain but do not recall any episodes of shoulder instability. As a result, these uncommon, poorly described forms of instability are often misdiagnosed. A heightened clinical suspicion and an accurate, prompt diagnosis of instability is of paramount importance in this athletic group. It dictates appropriate treatment of the condition, avoids treatment delays and failure, provides better outcomes, and ensures timely return to play. UPS and MDI are two forms of this diagnosis. In UPS, patients at risk are young hyperlax athletes with a history of direct trauma or forceful overextension of the shoulder. They have shoulder pain that is described as deep anterior, reproduced with an anterior apprehension test and relieved with a relocation test. Soft tissue and/or bony lesions consistent with instability (observed on imaging or at arthroscopy) are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of UPS. Once the diagnosis is made, standard arthroscopic techniques with labrum reinsertion and/or anteroinferior capsule plication can lead to predictable good results and return to sport. In MDI, patients at risk are also young hyperlax athletes. However, these patients often do not have a history of trauma. They have shoulder pain that is often somewhat vague in location and is reproduced with a sulcus and/or hyper abduction test. Soft tissue and/or bony lesions consistent with instability are uncommon, with the exception of capsular laxity. The mainstay of treatment is physiotherapy rehabilitation. When surgery is necessary, open capsular shift and arthroscopic capsular plication are effective.

A new technique for management of ulnar bone loss in revision total elbow arthroplasty using a tuberized tricortical iliac crest autograft: a case report.

Total elbow arthroplasty has become a relatively common procedure for the treatment of the arthritic elbow. Because the number of primary total elbow replacements performed is likely to increase as the population ages, the incidence of technically demanding revision procedures is also expected to increase. These procedures often involve complex problems, such as major bone loss, which contribute to their complexity. Different techniques can be used for the reconstruction of bone defects in total elbow arthroplasty, depending on the location and size of the defect. Several methods have been described, using both standard and custom longstem components, including cancellous autograft, impaction grafting, an allograft-prosthesis composite, and cortical strut allograft. These techniques have led to a variable rate of union and implant survival. However, they have also been plagued by a high rate of deep infection and allograft-related complications. Furthermore, proximal ulnar bone loss is particularly problematic owing to its essential role in triceps attachment. This suggests the need for additional methods for reconstruction of bone defects in revision total elbow arthroplasty. This report describes a new method for reconstruction of a proximal ulnar bone defect in revision total elbow arthroplasty using a tricortical iliac crest autograft.