Arthroscopic instability and rotator cuff repair techniques have rapidly evolved over the past decade with expanding indications; however, there has been a corresponding increase in complications. Careful attention to detail and patient... more
Arthroscopic instability and rotator cuff repair techniques have rapidly evolved over the past decade with expanding indications; however, there has been a corresponding increase in complications. Careful attention to detail and patient selection will result in satisfactory outcomes for most patients.
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Little is known about the perioperative complication rates of the surgical management of midshaft clavicle nonunions. The purpose of the current study was to report on the perioperative complication rates after surgical management of... more
Little is known about the perioperative complication rates of the surgical management of midshaft clavicle nonunions. The purpose of the current study was to report on the perioperative complication rates after surgical management of nonunions and to compare them with complication rates of acute fractures using a population cohort. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify patients who had undergone open reduction-internal fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures between 2007 and 2013. Patients were stratified by operative indication: acute fracture or nonunion. Patient characteristics and 30-day complication rates were compared between the 2 groups using univariate and multivariate analyses. A total of 1215 patients were included in our analysis. Of these, 1006 (82.8%) were acute midshaft clavicle fractures and 209 (17.2%) were midshaft nonunions. Patients undergoing surgical fixation for nonunion had a higher rate of total complications compared with the acute fracture group (5.26% vs. 2.28%; P = .034). On multivariate analysis, patients with a nonunion were at a >2-fold increased risk of any postsurgical complication (odds ratio, 2.29 [95% confidence interval, 1.05-5.00]; P = .037) and >3-fold increased risk of a wound complication (odds ratio, 3.22 [95% confidence interval, 1.02-10.20]; P = .046) compared with acute fractures. On the basis of these findings, patients undergoing surgical fixation for a midshaft clavicle nonunion are at an increased risk of short-term complications compared with acute fractures. This study provides additional information to consider in making management decisions for these common injuries.
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ABSTRACT Intraosseous ganglia are rare lesions that can cause pain and leave patients susceptible to pathologic fracture. To date, these lesions have been treated with curettage and bone grafting through an open approach, although more... more
ABSTRACT Intraosseous ganglia are rare lesions that can cause pain and leave patients susceptible to pathologic fracture. To date, these lesions have been treated with curettage and bone grafting through an open approach, although more recent techniques have allowed arthroscopic treatment of lesions located at the wrist, knee, and ankle. We present a novel, arthroscopic technique to treat intraosseous ganglion lesions of the proximal humerus. Using an arthroscopic approach, these lesions can be visualized, decompressed and curettage, with the ability to evaluate the extent of pathologic tissue remaining. This approach also allows for identification and treatment of additional glenohumeral pathology. Furthermore, we present a novel, completely arthroscopic technique of bone grafting and compaction to fill the resultant void.
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Lipoma arborescens, described as lipomatous infiltration and distention of synovial villi resulting in a frond-like appearance, most frequently affects the suprapatellar recess of the knee. While there have been reports of this entity... more
Lipoma arborescens, described as lipomatous infiltration and distention of synovial villi resulting in a frond-like appearance, most frequently affects the suprapatellar recess of the knee. While there have been reports of this entity involving the upper extremity joints, bursa, and tendon sheaths, we present the first reported case of lipoma arborescens isolated to the biceps tendon sheath. We describe imaging and histologic findings with clinical correlation.
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Tendon transfer is one treatment option for patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Although surgical indications are not clearly defined, the traditional thought is that the ideal candidate is young and lacks significant... more
Tendon transfer is one treatment option for patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Although surgical indications are not clearly defined, the traditional thought is that the ideal candidate is young and lacks significant glenohumeral arthritis. The proposed benefits of tendon transfers are pain relief and potential increase in strength. The biomechanical rationale for the procedure is to restore the glenohumeral joint force couple and possibly to restore normal shoulder kinematics. The selection of donor tendon depends on the location of the rotator cuff deficiency. Transfers of latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major tendons have been shown to consistently improve pain; however, functional benefits are unpredictable. Trapezius tendon transfer may be an alternative in patients with massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, although longer-term follow-up is required.
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The purpose of this study was to characterize the biomechanical effects of the lower trapezius transfer and to compare it with the latissimus dorsi transfer in a cadaveric model of a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear. Eight... more
The purpose of this study was to characterize the biomechanical effects of the lower trapezius transfer and to compare it with the latissimus dorsi transfer in a cadaveric model of a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear. Eight cadaveric shoulders were tested at 0°, 30°, and 60° of shoulder abduction. Range of motion, humeral rotational position due to muscle loading, joint reaction forces, and kinematics were measured. All specimens were tested in 4 conditions: intact, massive posterosuperior cuff tear, lower trapezius transfer, and latissimus dorsi transfer. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Internal rotation due to muscle loading increased with massive cuff tear compared with the intact condition (P < .05). The latissimus transfer corrected this change at 0° abduction, whereas the trapezius transfer corrected this at all abduction angles. The massive cuff tear decreased glenohumeral joint compression forces at all abduction angles;...
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The precise surgical anatomy of the lower trapezius tendon transfer has not been well described. A precise anatomic description of the different trapezius segments and the associated neurovascular structures is crucial for operative... more
The precise surgical anatomy of the lower trapezius tendon transfer has not been well described. A precise anatomic description of the different trapezius segments and the associated neurovascular structures is crucial for operative planning and execution. We aimed (1) to establish a reliable demarcation between the middle and lower trapezius, (2) to establish the precise relationship of the main neurovascular pedicle to the muscle belly, and (3) to evaluate the utility of the relationships established in (1) and (2) by using the results of this study to perform cadaveric lower trapezius tendon harvest. In phase 1, a single surgeon performed all measurements using 10 cadavers. In phase 2, 10 cadaveric shoulders were used to harvest the tendon by using the relationships established in phase 1. We found anatomically distinct insertion sites for the lower and middle trapezius. The lower trapezius inserted at the scapular spine dorsum and the middle trapezius inserted broadly along the superior surface of the scapular spine. The distance from tip of tendon insertion to the nearest nerve at the most superior portion of the lower trapezius was 58 mm (standard deviation ± 18). By use of these relationships, there were no cases of neurovascular injury during our cadaveric tendon harvests. The lower trapezius can be reliably and consistently identified without violating fibers of the middle trapezius. Muscle splitting can be performed safely without encountering the spinal accessory nerve (approximately 2 cm medial to the medial scapular border).
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Mixing implants with differing metallic compositions has been avoided for fear of galvanic corrosion and subsequent failure of the implants and of bone healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate upper-extremity fractures treated... more
Mixing implants with differing metallic compositions has been avoided for fear of galvanic corrosion and subsequent failure of the implants and of bone healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate upper-extremity fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation with metallic implants that differed in metallic composition placed on the same bone. The authors studied the effects of using both stainless steel and titanium implants on fracture healing, implant failure, and other complications associated with this method of fixation. Their hypothesis was that combining these metals on the same bone would not cause clinically significant nonunions or undo clinical effects from galvanic corrosion. A retrospective review was performed of 17 patients with upper-extremity fractures fixed with metal implants of differing metallic compositions. The primary endpoint was fracture union. Eight clavicles, 2 proximal humeri, 3 distal humeri, 3 olecranons, and 1 glenoid fracture with an average follow-up 10 months were reviewed. All fractures healed. One patient experienced screw backout, which did not affect healing. This study implies that mixing implants with differing metallic compositions on the same bone for the treatment of fractures does not adversely affect bone healing. No evidence existed of corrosion or an increase in complications with this method of treatment. Contrary to prior belief, small modular hand stainless steel plates can be used to assist in reduction of smaller fracture fragments in combination with anatomic titanium plates to obtain anatomic reduction of the fracture without adversely affecting healing.
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The patient was a 25-year-old male college student with a chief complaint of right shoulder pain. The patient was initially diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis by his physician and had been treated for 4 weeks by a physical therapist.... more
The patient was a 25-year-old male college student with a chief complaint of right shoulder pain. The patient was initially diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis by his physician and had been treated for 4 weeks by a physical therapist. However, his symptoms did not improve and he was unable to return to his preinjury activity levels, so he sought the services of another physical therapist for a second opinion. Due to concern for a labrum tear, the physical therapist referred the patient to an orthopaedic surgeon. Magnetic resonance arthrography revealed findings consistent with a superior labrum anterior-to-posterior tear.
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Operative fixation is indicated for most type-II and III supracondylar humeral fractures in order to prevent malunion. Medial comminution is a subtle finding that, if treated nonoperatively, is likely to lead to unacceptable varus... more
Operative fixation is indicated for most type-II and III supracondylar humeral fractures in order to prevent malunion. Medial comminution is a subtle finding that, if treated nonoperatively, is likely to lead to unacceptable varus malunion. Angiography is not indicated for a pulseless limb, as it delays fracture reduction, which usually corrects the vascular problem. A high index of suspicion is necessary to avoid missing an impending compartment syndrome, especially when there is a concomitant forearm fracture or when there is a median nerve injury, which may mask symptoms of compartment syndrome. Lateral entry pins have been shown, in biomechanical and clinical studies, to be as stable as cross pinning if they are well spaced at the fracture line, and they are not associated with the risk of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury.