Siddharth A. Mahure

Disproportionate trends in ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction: projections through 2025 and a literature review

BACKGROUND Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries of the elbow that require surgical management are uncommon. There is growing evidence, however, suggesting that the incidence of UCL reconstruction (UCLR) procedures is rapidly increasing. We sought to quantify the incidence of age-related trends for UCLR from 2003 to 2014 and subsequently to project future trends through 2025. We hypothesized that as the total number of UCLRs performed increased, a disproportionate incidence among younger patients would be observed. METHODS New York States Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was queried from 2003 to 2014 to identify individuals between 10 and 40 years old undergoing UCLR. Poisson regression was used to develop future projections for UCLR and New York State population through 2025, and incidence estimates per 100,000 people were calculated. RESULTS In New York State between 2003 and 2014, there were 890 patients who underwent UCLR, with average annual incidence per 100,000 people equaling 6.3 ± 2.8 for ages 15 to 19 years, significantly greater than for all other age groups (P < .001). Projections from 2015 through 2025 suggest that incidence in 15- to 19-year-olds and 20- to 24-year-olds will continue to rapidly increase while rates for other age groups will remain relatively stable. CONCLUSIONS The number of UCLRs performed between 2003 and 2014 increased by 343%, and a disproportionate trend in average annual incidence for patients between 15 and 19 years old was observed. As our review of the literature questioned outcomes in adolescent athletes after UCLR, continued attempts at preventing these injuries in the young throwing athlete remain paramount.

Total shoulder arthroplasty using a subscapularis-sparing approach: a radiographic analysis

BACKGROUND Traditional total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) involves releasing the subscapularis tendon for exposure. This can potentially lead to subscapularis insufficiency, compromised function, and dissatisfaction. A novel TSA technique preserves the subscapularis tendon by performing the procedure entirely through the rotator interval, allowing accelerated rehabilitation. However, early reports on this approach have noted malpositioning of the humeral component and residual osteophytes. In a randomized trial, we examined the incidence of humeral head malpositioning, incorrect sizing, and residual osteophytes on postoperative radiographs after subscapularis-sparing TSA compared with the traditional approach. METHODS Patients were prospectively randomized to undergo TSA performed through the traditional or subscapularis-sparing approach. The operating surgeon was blinded to the randomization until the day of surgery. Anatomic reconstruction measurements included humeral head height, humeral head centering, humeral head medial offset, humeral head diameter (HHD), and head-neck angle. Two independent reviewers analyzed the postoperative radiographs to determine anatomic restoration of the humeral head and the presence of residual osteophytes. RESULTS We randomized 96 patients to undergo either the standard approach (n = 50) or the subscapularis-sparing approach (n = 46). There were no significant differences in humeral head height, humeral head centering, humeral head medial offset, HHD, head-neck angle, and anatomic reconstruction index between the 2 groups. However, significantly more postoperative osteophytes (P = .0001) were noted in the subscapularis-sparing TSA group. Although the overall mean was not statistically different, further analysis of HHD showed that more patients in the subscapularis-sparing TSA group were outliers (mismatch >4 mm) than in the traditional TSA group. CONCLUSIONS Although anatomic restoration of the shoulder can be accomplished using subscapularis-sparing TSA, retained osteophytes and significant mismatch of the HHD raise concerns regarding long-term outcomes.

Impact of scapular notching on clinical outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: an analysis of 476 shoulders

BACKGROUND Scapular notching is a complication unique to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), although its clinical implications are unclear and remains controversial. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed rTSA patients of a single implant design in 476 shoulders with a minimum 2-year clinical and radiographic follow-up. Clinical measures included active range of motion and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, in addition to one or more of the Constant score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and University of California, Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale. Complications and rates of humeral radiolucencies were also recorded. RESULTS Scapular notching was observed in 10.1% (48 of 476) of rTSAs and was associated with a longer clinical follow-up, lower body weight, lower body mass index, and when the operative side was the nondominant extremity. Patients with scapular notching had significantly lower postoperative scores on the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Constant, Simple Shoulder Test, and University of California, Los Angeles, Shoulder Rating Scale compared with patients without scapular notching. Patients with scapular notching also had significantly lower active abduction, significantly less strength, and trended toward significantly less active forward flexion (P = .0527). Finally, patients with scapular notching had a significantly higher complication rate and trended toward a significantly higher rate of humeral radiolucent lines (P = .0896) than patients without scapular notching. CONCLUSIONS This large-scale outcome study demonstrates that patients with scapular notching have significantly poorer clinical outcomes, significantly less strength and active range of motion, and a significantly higher complication rate than patients without scapular notching. Longer-term follow-up is necessary to confirm that these statistical observations in the short-term will result in greater clinically meaningful differences over time.

Postoperative pain control after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) can provide excellent clinical results for patients who fail to respond to conservative management of symptomatic rotator cuff tears. ARCR, however, can be associated with severe postoperative pain and discomfort that requires adequate analgesia. As ARCR continues to shift toward being performed as an outpatient procedure, it is incumbent on physicians and ambulatory surgical centers to provide appropriate pain relief with minimal side effects to ensure rapid recovery and safe discharge. Although intravenous and oral opioids are the cornerstone of pain management after orthopedic procedures, they are associated with drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and increased length of hospital stay. As health care reimbursements continue to become more intimately focused on quality, patient satisfaction, and minimizing of complications, the need for adequate pain control with minimal complications will continue to be a principal focus for providers and institutions alike. We present a review of alternative modalities for pain relief after ARCR, including cryotherapy, intralesional anesthesia, nerve blockade, indwelling continuous nerve block catheters, and multimodal anesthesia. In choosing among these modalities, physicians should consider patient- and system-based factors to allow the efficient delivery of analgesia that optimizes recovery and improves patient satisfaction.

Impact of glenosphere size on clinical outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: an analysis of 297 shoulders

BACKGROUND Although increasing glenosphere diameter has been found to increase passive range of motion (ROM) in simulated models of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), the clinical implications of glenosphere size are unclear. The purpose of our study was to determine the impact that glenosphere size had on short-term and midterm clinical outcomes, specifically American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores and ROM. METHODS Prospectively collected data comparing patients receiving an rTSA with either a 38- or 42-mm glenosphere after a minimum 2-year follow-up were obtained. Clinical outcome measures included active ROM and ASES scores. RESULTS We included 297 primary rTSAs in 290 patients: a 38-mm-diameter glenosphere was used in 160 shoulders and a 42-mm-diameter glenosphere in 137 shoulders. Of the patients, 191 were women and 99 were men. The mean age at the time of surgery was 72 years (range, 50-88 years). At last follow-up, improvements in active forward elevation (aFE) and active external rotation (aER) were significantly greater in shoulders with a 42-mm glenosphere (+59° vs +44° for aFE and +24° vs +18° for aER). Female shoulders treated with a 42-mm glenosphere had significantly greater improvements in aFE, aER, and functional scores. Male shoulders treated with a 38-mm glenosphere had significantly greater improvements in pain levels and ASES scores but less improvement in aFE. Complications and rates of scapular notching were similar between glenosphere sizes. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated with 42-mm glenospheres had greater improvements in aFE and aER when compared with 38-mm glenospheres. Our results suggest a potential association among gender, glenosphere size, and improvement in clinical outcome scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III; Retrospective Cohort Design; Treatment Study.

Two-stage revision for infected shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Periprosthetic shoulder infections (PSIs) are challenging to treat and often result in significant patient morbidity. Without a standardized treatment protocol, PSIs are often managed similarly to periprosthetic hip and knee infections. Because 2-stage revision is the gold standard for treating periprosthetic hip and knee infections, we performed a case series and literature review to determine its effectiveness in PSIs. METHODS We identified 19 patients (14 men) from our institution who were treated with a 2-stage revision after presenting with a PSI. Mean patient age was 63 ± 9 years, and average body mass index was 30.8 ± 5.8. The average time from the index arthroplasty to treatment was 40 months, 8 of 13 positive cultures were Propionibacterium acnes, and 9 of 19 patients had multiple shoulder operations before presenting with infection. Minimum follow-up for all patients was 2 years. RESULTS After a mean follow-up of 63 months (range, 25-184 months), 15 of 19 patients in our study were successfully treated for PSI. Average postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Assessment score was 69 (range, 32-98) and average postoperative forward elevation was significantly increased from 58° to 119° (P < .001). The incidence of recurrent infection was 26%. The rate of noninfection complications was 16%, for a total complication rate of 42%. CONCLUSION In patients with PSIs, especially those with intractable, chronic infections, a 2-stage revision represents a viable treatment option for eradicating infection and restoring function. However, it is important to recognize the risk of recurrent infection and postoperative complications in this challenging patient population.

Hip Arthroplasty for Fracture vs Elective Care

BACKGROUND To quantify how baseline differences in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for fracture vs elective care potentially lead to significant differences in immediate health care outcomes and whether these differences affect feasibility of current bundled payment models. METHODS New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database for the years 2000-2014. RESULTS A total of 76,654 patients underwent total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty between 2010 and 2014; 82.8% of the sample was for elective care and 17.2% for fracture-related etiology. Fracture patients were significantly older, more likely to be female, Caucasian, reimbursed by Medicare, and receive general anesthesia. Comorbidity burden and postoperative complications were significantly higher in the fracture group, and hospital charges were significantly greater for fracture patients as compared with those of the elective cohort. CONCLUSION Patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for fracture care are significantly older and have more medical comorbidities than patients treated on an elective basis, leading to more in-hospital complications, greater length of stay, increased hospital costs, and significantly more hospital readmissions. The present bundled payment system, even with the recent modification, still unfairly penalizes hospitals that manage fracture patients and has the potential to incentivize hospitals to defer providing definitive surgical management for these patients. Future amendments to the bundled payment system should consider further separating hip arthroplasty patients based on etiology and comorbidities, allowing for a more accurate reflection of these distinct patient groups.

Definitive Treatment of Infected Shoulder Arthroplasty With a Cement Spacer

Infection in the setting of shoulder arthroplasty can result in significant pain, loss of function, and the need for additional surgery. As the use of shoulder arthroplasty increases, the medical and economic burdens of periprosthetic joint infection increase as well. The ideal management of infected shoulder prostheses has not been established. This report describes 9 patients from a single institution who had an infected shoulder arthroplasty that was definitively managed with a cement spacer. All patients had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Of the 9 patients in this study, 6 were men. Mean age was 73±9 years. Of the study patients, 1 had diabetes, 2 presented with Parkinsons disease, and 5 had a history of tobacco use. Average body mass index was 27.9±7 kg/m(2). After mean follow-up of 4 years, none of the patients had clinical or radiographic evidence of infection. Functional outcomes, as measured by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, were good or fair in 89% of patients, and the average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 57. A review of recent literature suggested that the current findings were similar to those in studies reporting 1- or 2-stage revision procedures. Although cement spacers are typically used as part of a 2-stage revision procedure, the current findings suggest that cement spacers can be used effectively to eradicate infection and allow for acceptable functional recovery and range of motion in patients who have severe medical comorbidities and cannot tolerate additional surgery. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(5):e924-e930.].

Clinical Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy in Patients 60 or Older: A Minimum of 2-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE To examine clinical outcomes and survivorship in patients aged 60 years or older who underwent hip arthroscopy for management of hip pain. METHODS Prospectively collected data for patients 60 or older undergoing hip arthroscopy were obtained. All patients were indicated for hip arthroscopy based on standard preoperative examination as well as routine and advanced imaging. Demographic data, diagnosis, and details regarding operative procedures were collected. Baseline preoperative modified Harris Hip Scores (mHHS) and Non-arthritic Hip Scores (NAHS) were compared to mHHS and NAHS at the 2-year follow-up. Survivorship was assessed to determine failure rates, with failure defined as any subsequent ipsilateral revision arthroscopic surgery and/or hip arthroplasty. RESULTS Forty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age (standard deviation) and body mass index were 65.8 years (4.5 years) and 26.1 (4.7), respectively. Baseline mean mHHS and NAHS for all patients improved from 47.8 (±12.5) and 47.3 (±13.6) to 75.6 (±17.6) and 78.3 (±18.6), respectively (P < .001 for both). Five patients (11.9%) met failure criteria and underwent additional surgery at an average of 14.8 (8-30) months. Three underwent conversion to total hip arthroplasty (7.1%), whereas 2 had revision arthroscopy with cam/pincer resection and labral repair for recurrent symptoms (4.7%). One- and 2-year survival rates were 95.2% and 88.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that in patients 60 or older with Tonnis grade 0 or 1 osteoarthritic changes on initial radiographs-treatment with hip arthroscopy can lead to reliable improvement in early outcomes. As use of hip arthroscopy for treatment of mechanical hip pain increases, additional studies with long-term follow-up are needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: Double-Row Transosseous Equivalent Suture Bridge Technique

Following a failed course of conservative management, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) has become the gold standard treatment for patients presenting with symptomatic rotator cuff (RC) tears. Traditionally, the single-row repair technique was used. Although most patients enjoy good to excellent clinical outcomes, structural healing to bone remains problematic. As a result, orthopaedic surgeons have sought to improve outcomes with various technological and technical advancements. One such possible advancement is the double-row technique. We present a method for repairing an RC tear using double-row suture anchors in a transosseous equivalent suture bridge technique. The double-row technique is believed to more effectively re-create the anatomic footprint of the tendon, as well as increase tendon to bone surface area, and apposition for healing. However, it requires longer operating times and is costlier. This report highlights this technique for ARCR in an adult by using a double-row transosseous equivalent suture bridge.