Todd S. Ellenbecker

Rehabilitation of shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff injuries: an evidence-based review

Rehabilitation of the patient with glenohumeral impingement requires a complete understanding of the structures involved and the underlying mechanism creating the impingement response. A detailed clinical examination and comprehensive treatment programme including specific interventions to address pain, scapular dysfunction and rotator cuff weakness are recommended. The inclusion of objective testing to quantify range of motion and both muscular strength and balance in addition to the manual orthopaedic clinical tests allows clinicians to design evidencebased rehabilitation programmes as well as measure progression and patient improvement.

Concentric versus eccentric isokinetic strengthening of the rotator cuff Objective data versus functional test

Twenty-two male and female college varsity tennis players trained for 6 weeks, one group using eccentric isokinetic internal and external shoulder rotation, and the second group using concentric isokinetic internal and external shoulder rotation. Subjects pretested and posttested both concentrically and eccentrically, so that training overflow and specificity could be examined. Three maximally hit tennis serves made before and after training, which were analyzed by high speed cin ematography to obtain ball velocity, served as a func tional performance measurement. Statistical analysis of peak torque (newton meters) and peak torque to body weight ratio have revealed significant concentric strength gains (P < 0.005) in the concentric as well as the eccentric training groups. Eccentric strength gains were demonstrated by the concentric training group at selected speeds (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005) but were not generated in the eccentric group at the P < 0.05 significance level. Functional test analysis shows an increase in maximal serve velocity at a significance level of P < 0.005 in the concentric training group, with no significant (P > 0.01) increases in the eccentric group.

Shoulder Range of Motion Measures as Risk Factors for Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in High School Softball and Baseball Players

Background: Range of motion deficits in shoulder external rotation (ER), internal rotation (IR), total rotation range of motion (ER + IR), and horizontal adduction (HA) have been retrospectively associated with overhand athletes’ arm injuries. Hypothesis: The authors expected the incidence of upper extremity injury in high school softball and baseball players with side-to-side shoulder range of motion deficits to be greater than the incidence of upper extremity injury in players with normal shoulder range of motion. Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: High school softball and baseball players (N = 246) participated. Before the start of the season, passive shoulder ER, IR, and HA were assessed at 90° of abduction with the scapula stabilized. Relative risk (RR) was calculated to examine range of motion measure, by categorical criteria, and risk of upper extremity injury. Results: Twenty-seven shoulder and elbow injuries (9 softball, 18 baseball) were observed during the season. The dominant shoulder of all injured players and baseball players displayed a significant decrease in HA (P = .05) and IR (P = .04). The dominant shoulder total rotation of injured baseball players displayed a significant decrease (mean difference = 8.0° ± 0.1°; P = .05) as compared with the dominant shoulder of uninjured baseball players. Players who displayed a decrease of ≥25° of IR in the dominant shoulder were at 4 times greater risk of upper extremity injury compared with players with a <25° decrease in IR, especially for baseball players. While we observed a 1.5 to 2 times increased risk of injury for the 10° to 20° loss in rotational range of motion for the overall sample and baseball, the risk estimates were not statistically significant (P > .05). Conclusion: There are large mean deficits in shoulder IR and HA between injured and noninjured players, but not in ER or total rotation. Passive shoulder IR loss ≥25° as compared bilaterally was predictive of arm injury. Shoulder range of motion deficits differed between sports and appeared more predictive of injury for baseball players.

Severe chondrolysis after shoulder arthroscopy: A case series

HYPOTHESIS Chondrolysis has been observed after shoulder arthroscopy and results in severe glenohumeral complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty three cases of post-arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, occurring between 2005-2006, are reported following a variety of arthroscopic shoulder procedures. Presenting complaints, signs and symptoms, associated operative findings, and potential etiological factors are reviewed. Management options are summarized. RESULTS Of the 23 cases of chondrolysis identified in our practice over a two year period, 14 occurred in patients following labral repair using a bioabsorbable device. Seventeen of the 23 patients used a high volume intra-articular pain pump for 48 hours after surgery. Seven of the 23 cases had documented use of a thermal probe. Four cases occurred in shoulders with no reported use of fixation anchors, pain pumps, or thermal probes. All cases had at least a 20 cc intra-articular bolus injection of 0.25% bupivicaine with epinephrine. DISCUSSION This case series identifies several common factors that could be responsible for post-arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis. No single mechanism can be implicated based on the results of this study. Although strong concerns are raised over the use of intra-articular local anesthetics, glenohumeral chondrolysis appears to be an unfortunate convergence of multiple factors that may initiate rapid dissolution of articular cartilage and degenerative changes. CONCLUSION Chondrolysis is a devastating complication of arthroscopic shoulder surgery that can result in long-term disabling consequences. Further research is required to specifically identify causative factors. Until this is a available, we strongly advise against the use of large doses of intra-articular placement of local anesthetics.

Cementless humeral resurfacing arthroplasty in active patients less than fifty-five years of age.

BACKGROUND Cementless humeral resurfacing arthroplasty is a bone-conserving arthroplasty option for patients with glenohumeral arthritis. It has been successful in the older patient population. However, data regarding the results of arthroplasty in younger, more active patients are lacking. We report the two-year results of this procedure in active patients who were less than fifty-five years of age. METHODS We reviewed prospectively collected clinical data on a series of thirty-six patients under fifty-five years of age with end-stage glenohumeral arthrosis, but without osteonecrosis, who had undergone a cementless humeral resurfacing hemiarthroplasty performed by a single surgeon. All patients were followed for a minimum of two years. We assessed pain, function, and patient satisfaction and documented all complications. Radiographs were evaluated for implant loosening. RESULTS The thirty-six patients had a mean age of 42.3 years and were followed for a mean of 38.1 months. Scores measured with a visual analog pain scale, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scale, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scale all improved significantly from preoperatively to two years postoperatively (p < 0.001). Complications included one traumatic subscapularis rupture at six weeks, three cases of arthrofibrosis, and one deep hematoma. No obvious radiographic evidence of loosening was noted at the time of the latest follow-up. One shoulder was converted to a stemmed total shoulder arthroplasty at twenty-four months because of pain, but the implant was not loose at the revision. The remaining thirty-five patients were satisfied with the outcome at the time of the latest follow-up and had returned to their desired activity. CONCLUSIONS Cementless humeral resurfacing arthroplasty is a viable treatment option for younger, active patients. Early results indicate that the desired function and pain relief can be expected. Implant loosening and glenoid wear do not appear to be concerns in the short term despite the high activity levels of many patients. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine if these results persist.

Medial Elbow Joint Laxity in Professional Baseball Pitchers A Bilateral Comparison Using Stress Radiography

Injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament frequently occur in throwing athletes because of large, repetitive valgus stresses to the elbow during the cocking and acceleration phases of throwing. Identification of injury to this ligament is important in evaluating the throwing elbow. The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in medial elbow laxity exist between the dominant and nondominant extremities in uninjured baseball pitchers. Forty uninjured professional baseball pitchers were tested bilaterally with a Telos GA-IIE stress radiography device. Joint space width between the trochlea of the humerus and the coronoid process of the ulna was measured on anteroposterior radiographs obtained with no stress applied and with a 15-daN valgus stress. Results showed significant differences between the medial joint space opening of the dominant and nondominant elbows with no stress applied. With stress, the dominant elbow opened 1.20 0.97 mm, while the nondominant elbow opened 0.88 0.55 mm. A significantly greater difference in medial joint space opening between the stressed and unstressed elbows was measured in the dominant elbow compared with the nondominant elbow (0.32 0.42 mm). This study identifies increased medial elbow laxity in the dominant arm in uninjured pitchers.

TESTING ISOKINETIC MUSCULAR FATIGUE OF SHOULDER INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ROTATION IN ELITE JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYERS

STUDY DESIGN Single group, post-test only descriptive analysis of isokinetically measured shoulder internal and external rotation muscular fatigue. OBJECTIVES To determine whether differences in isokinetically measured muscular fatigue exist between shoulder external (ER) and internal rotation (IR) and between the dominant (DOM) and nondominant (NDOM) extremity in elite junior tennis players. BACKGROUND The importance of the rotator cuff in stabilizing the humeral head during repetitive athletic overhead motions has been identified in biomechanical investigations. The application of exercise to improve muscular function of the shoulder and prevent injury is a common practice in physical therapy, but shoulder fatigue in tennis players has received little attention in the literature. METHODS AND MEASURES Seventy-two elite junior tennis players (ages 12 to 18) underwent bilateral isokinetic testing with 90 degrees of glenohumeral joint abduction. A muscular fatigue protocol consisting of 20 maximal-effort concentric contractions of ER and IR was used to measure muscular fatigue at 300 degrees/s. A relative fatigue ratio was calculated by dividing the work in the last 10 repetitions by the work in the first 10 repetitions. Higher fatigue ratios indicate improved muscular fatigue resistance. A 2x2 ANOVA was used to assess differences in fatigue in DOM versus NDOM arm, and in IR versus ER. RESULTS Relative muscular fatigue ratios for ER and IR were 69.1+/-15.3% and 82.93+/-14.81% for the DOM extremity, respectively. In the NDOM extremity, ER and IR fatigue ratios were 71.13+/-15.07% and 83.9+/-16.5%, respectively. These results indicate significant differences between the fatigue ratios for ER and IR. No significant difference between extremities in either ER or IR relative fatigue ratios was found. CONCLUSIONS These data have implications for rehabilitation and conditioning of the rotator cuff musculature.

Descriptive Profile of Hip Rotation Range of Motion in Elite Tennis Players and Professional Baseball Pitchers

Background Repetitive loading to the hip joint in athletes has been reported as a factor in the development of degenerative joint disease and intra-articular injury. Little information is available on the bilateral symmetry of hip rotational measures in unilaterally dominant upper extremity athletes. Hypothesis Side-to-side differences in hip joint range of motion may be present because of asymmetrical loading in the lower extremities of elite tennis players and professional baseball pitchers. Study Design Cohort (cross-sectional) study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 1. Methods Descriptive measures of hip internal and external rotation active range of motion were taken in the prone position of 64 male and 83 female elite tennis players and 101 male professional baseball pitchers using digital photos and computerized angle calculation software. Bilateral differences in active range of motion between the dominant and nondominant hip were compared using paired t tests and Bonferroni correction for hip internal, external, and total rotation range of motion. A Pearson correlation test was used to test the relationship between years of competition and hip rotation active range of motion. Results No significant bilateral difference (P > .005) was measured for mean hip internal or external rotation for the elite tennis players or the professional baseball pitchers. An analysis of the number of subjects in each group with a bilateral difference in hip rotation greater than 10° identified 17% of the professional baseball pitchers with internal rotation differences and 42% with external rotation differences. Differences in the elite male tennis players occurred in only 15% of the players for internal rotation and 9% in external rotation. Female subjects had differences in 8% and 12% of the players for internal and external rotation, respectively. Statistical differences were found between the mean total arc of hip range of internal and external rotation in the elite tennis players with the dominant side being greater by a clinically insignificant mean value of 2.5°. Significantly less (P < .005) dominant hip internal rotation and less dominant and nondominant hip total rotation range of motion were found in the professional baseball pitchers compared with the elite male tennis players. Conclusion This study established typical range of motion patterns and identified bilaterally symmetric hip active range of motion rotation values in elite tennis players and professional baseball pitchers. Asymmetric hip joint rotational active range of motion encountered during clinical examination and screening may indicate abnormalities and would indicate the application of flexibility training, rehabilitation, and further evaluation.

Quantification of Anterior Translation of the Humeral Head in the Throwing Shoulder Manual Assessment Versus Stress Radiography

Clinical evaluation of humeral head translation relies mainly on manual tests to measure laxity in the human shoulder. The purposes of this study were to determine whether side-to-side differences exist in anterior humeral head translation in professional baseball pitchers, to compare manual laxity testing with stress radiography for quantifying humeral head translation, and to test intrarater reliability of the manual humeral head translation and stress radiography tests. Twenty professional baseball pitchers underwent bilateral manual anterior humeral head translation and stress radiographic tests. Stress radiography was performed by imparting a 15-daN anterior load to the shoulder in 90° of abduction with both neutral and 60° of external rotation and recording the glenohumeral joint translation at rest and under stress in each position. Eight subjects were retested to assess the reliability of these methods. Results showed no significant difference between the dominant and nondominant extremity in the amount of anterior humeral head translation measured manually and with stress radiography, nor significant correlation between anterior humeral head translation measured manually and by stress radiography. Testretest reliability was moderate-to-poor for the manual humeral head translation test and moderate for stress radiography.

Isokinetic profile of wrist and forearm strength in elite female junior tennis players

Background: In tennis, injuries to the elbow and wrist occur secondary to the repetitive nature of play and are seen at increasingly young ages. Isokinetic testing can be used to determine muscular strength levels, but dominant/non-dominant and agonist/antagonist relations are needed for meaningful interpretation of the results. Objectives: To determine whether there are laterality differences in wrist extension/flexion (E/F) and forearm supination/pronation (S/P) strength in elite female tennis players. Methods: 32 elite female tennis players (age 12 to 16 years) with no history of upper extremity injury underwent bilateral isokinetic testing using a Cybex 6000 dynamometer. Peak torque and single repetition work values for wrist E/F and forearm S/P were measured at speeds of 90°/s and 210°/s, with random determination of the starting extremity. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine differences between extremities for peak torque and single repetition work values. Results: Significantly greater (p<0.01) dominant arm wrist E/F and forearm pronation strength was measured at both testing speeds. Significantly less (p<0.01) dominant side forearm supination strength was measured at both testing speeds. Conclusions: Greater dominant arm wrist E/F and forearm pronation strength is common and normal in young elite level female tennis players. These strength relations indicate sport specific muscular adaptations in the dominant tennis playing extremity. The results of this study can guide clinicians who work with young athletes from this population. Restoring greater dominant side wrist and forearm strength is indicated after an injury to the dominant upper extremity in such players.