Suketu Vaishnav

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: scientific rationale, surgical technique, and early clinical and functional results of a knotless self-reinforcing double-row rotator cuff repair system.

BACKGROUND Rotator cuff repair has shown to improve shoulder function and reduce pain experienced by patients. Successful repairs should have high fixation strength, allow minimal gap formation, maintain stability, and restore normal anatomy and function of the supraspinatus footprint. The purpose of this study is to describe our preferred method for rotator cuff repair using a knotless self-reinforcing double-row system, and to cite biomechanical data rationalizing its use. METHODS AND MATERIAL Seventeen of 22 patients were identified as undergoing primary rotator cuff repair with minimum follow-up of 1 year (mean, 535 days; range, 370-939). The average age was 63 (range, 43-79). Data collected included average pain today, average worst pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and patient satisfaction. RESULTS For all patients, average pain today and average worst pain decreased and functional scores (SANE) increased. Patient satisfaction was 9.8 out of 10 (range, 7-9). The patients also began rehabilitation earlier and returned to full activities at 4 months. CONCLUSION These results indicate that the knotless self-reinforcing double-row repair system is a viable option in treating rotator cuff tears. This system provides improved contact area and restores the native footprint of the tendon leading to better outcomes.

Position of the distal fibular fragment in pronation and supination ankle fractures: a CT evaluation.

Background: Although classically the fibula has been reported to be in external rotation after supination-external rotation (SER) or pronation-external rotation (PER) ankle fractures, a previous CT study demonstrated that what had traditionally been interpreted as external rotation of the distal fibular fracture fragment is actually internal rotation of the proximal fibular fragment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a series of CT scans in patients who have suffered type IV SER or PER ankle fractures to assess the rotational deformity of the fibular fragment. Materials and Methods: CT scans of the injured and uninjured extremities were performed on 30 extremities which had sustained either SER (21) or PER (9) injuries. The rotational relationship between the tibia and fibula was determined by a measured rotational ratio. A qualitative assessment of the rotational relationship between the tibia and fibula above, at, and below the fracture site at the level of the mortise was also performed. The difference in the ratio (calculated by subtracting the rotation ratio of the normal side from the fracture side) demonstrated whether the fractured fibula is externally or internally rotated compared to the uninjured side. Results: The average rotational ratio difference above the fracture compared to below the fracture for the SER group demonstrated significant external rotation (p < .001). The PER fracture also demonstrated external rotation of the distal fragment compared to the proximal fragment (p = .002). Additionally, qualitative assessment of the relationship demonstrated no obvious change in the rotational relationship in any patient above the fracture site except one where mild internal rotation of the proximal fragment was noted. However, at the level of the mortise, all had a normal talofibular rotational relationship while 24 of 30 had widening of the medial clear space with external rotation clearly evident on 15 of these 24 scans. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the distal fibular fragment in both SER and PER fractures is externally rotated relative to both the contralateral normal side and compared to the proximal fibular fragment.

New Techniques in Allograft Tissue Processing

With the increasing reliance on tissue allografts in orthopedic reconstructive and sports surgery, there is a realistic concern on behalf of both the surgeon and the patient as to the safety of these implanted tissues and the possibility of disease transmission. New Food and Drug Administration guidelines in association with independent agency scrutiny have served to decrease this risk in light of recent publicized reports of infection transmission associated with allograft use. In addition, tissue banks are constantly developing new proprietary techniques for allograft processing and sterilization. However, clinical studies are needed to validate disinfection efficacy and to evaluate the effect of these processes on tissue structural properties. This article serves as a review of historical disease transmission, current governmental and nongovernmental tissue regulations, and specific processing techniques used by tissue banks.

The Influence of the Acromioclavicular Joint Degeneration on Supraspinatus Outlet Impingement and the Acromion Shape

Purpose. To assess the anatomic association of acromioclavicular joint degeneration to supraspinatus outlet impingement and the acromion shape. Methods. Sagittal oblique magnetic resonance images of 49 shoulders in 49 patients were reviewed. 29 of them (mean age, 59 years) underwent surgery for impingement with or without rotator cuff tear (group 1), whereas the 20 controls (mean age, 27 years) were treated for shoulder instability without rotator cuff disease or acromioclavicular joint derangement (group 2). The supraspinatus outlet and the acromion shape of the 2 groups were compared. Results. The difference in the mean supraspinatus outlet between groups 1 and 2 was 11% (514 vs 577 mm2, p=0.095) and between the subgroup (of group 1) with full thickness rotator cuff tears and group 2 was 17% (481 vs 577 mm2, p=0.036). Six of the acromions in group 1 were type III (hooked) compared to none in group 2. Conclusion. In severe acromioclavicular degeneration, distal clavicular excision is recommended, even in cases with an asymptomatic acromioclavicular joint, so as to prevent further osteophyte formation.

Computed tomography study of radial head morphology

Computed tomography scans of 22 cadaveric adult elbows were obtained in 3 forearm positions: full supination, neutral, and full pronation. The radial head dimensions, the radiocapitellar joints, and the proximal radioulnar joints were measured. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine which portions of each articulation were the most congruent. The results showed that the radial head tended to become uncovered at the radial lip (P < .001). The radiocapitellar joint was tighter in pronation than in supination (P = .001). The proximal radioulnar joint was most congruent at the middle proximal radioulnar joint, at the midportion and posterior aspects rather than the anterior aspect (P < .001). The proximal radioulnar joint coverage was between 69 degrees and 79 degrees . Prosthesis trial sizing should be judged by the articulations providing the most congruency: (1) the ulnar lip or trough of the radiocapitellar joint in pronation and (2) the posterior or midportion of the middle proximal radioulnar joint.

Biologic resurfacing of the glenoid with meniscal allograft: long-term results with minimum 2-year follow-up

BACKGROUND There is a lack of consensus in treating glenohumeral arthritis in younger patients. Hemiarthroplasty has historically been favored because of complications associated with total shoulder arthroplasty. Biologic resurfacing of the glenoid has been investigated as a potential treatment that would decrease glenoid erosion and pain, the major complications of hemiarthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS We report on 19 shoulders treated with meniscal allograft glenoid resurfacing and shoulder hemiarthroplasty. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years postoperatively (mean, 4.25 years) with Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores. In addition, we compared the outcomes related to preoperative concentric versus eccentric glenoid wear. RESULTS At final follow-up, the mean score for the DASH questionnaire was 28; SST, 8; and VAS, 3.5. Whereas the eccentric wear group (DASH score, 19.4; SST score, 9.1; VAS score, 2.5) exhibited better shoulder function and pain scores compared with the concentric wear group (DASH score, 37.6; SST score, 8.4; VAS score, 4.1), the difference was not statistically significant (P = .098, P = .647, and P = .198, respectively). There were 6 complications (32%), all resulting in repeat surgery. Three patients underwent total shoulder arthroplasty and one shoulder had revision hemiarthroplasty, whereas synovectomy was performed in another shoulder. The sixth patient underwent lysis of adhesions and capsular release. DISCUSSION With long-term follow-up, we have observed that biologic resurfacing of the glenoid with meniscal allograft exhibits inconsistent results and high complication rates. Strong consideration should be given to performing total shoulder arthroplasty in patients in whom all conservative treatment options have failed.

The effect of radial osteotomy on the position of the posterior interosseous nerve

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a radial shaft fracture would decrease the protection provided to the posterior interosseous nerve by the pronation maneuver during posterolateral exploration. The position of the nerve in 14 cadaveric elbows, before and after a radial osteotomy, was determined using CT scans in full supination and full pronation after injection of the nerve with radio-opaque dye. The angle formed by the olecranon, radial head and posterior interosseous nerve, and the distance between the nerve and the most lateral aspect of the radial head were measured.Pronation increased the distance between the lateral radial head and the nerve by a mean of 6.5 mm (range 3.6–10.7). After radial osteotomy, the mean increase was 4.2 mm (range 1.0–8.3), difference 2.3 mm (p = 0.044, 95% CI 0.10 to 3.33). The posterolateral approach requires additional care in the presence of a radial shaft fracture, but pronation is still beneficial.