Elhassan, Bassem T.

Abstract Introduction The costo-osteochondral autograft, vascularized medial femoral trochlear osteochondral autograft, and proximal hamate autograft have been used for the reconstruction of unsalvageable proximal pole scaphoid nonunions. Our hypothesis is that there is no difference in carpal kinematics after the proximal pole of the scaphoid is reconstructed with these three graft options. Methods Wireless sensors were mounted to the carpus that was loaded through cyclical motion. Each specimen was tested under a series of the three reconstructed conditions and their kinematics compared. Results No significant differences were found in scapholunate and lunocapitate joint motion during wrist flexion-extension and wrist radioulnar deviation between the three reconstructed conditions (p > 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion There are minimal differences in carpal kinematics when comparing reconstruction of the proximal pole of the scaphoid with the costoosteochondral, medial femoral trochlear, and proximal hamate grafts.

➤ The term functionally irreparable rotator cuff tear (FIRCT) is intended to capture patients who would experience failure of an attempted primary rotator cuff repair because of the extent of cuff muscle and tendon damage and other patient-related factors. ➤ Debridement, biceps tenodesis, and/or partial repair of the torn rotator cuff may reduce pain and improve function for selected patients with a FIRCT. ➤ Static soft-tissue restraints to abnormal glenohumeral head translation, such as implantation of an absorbable balloon in the subacromial space or superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), appear to reduce pain and improve function, although some have reported a relatively high structural failure rate with SCR. ➤ When improvement of strength is the primary goal of treatment, tendon transfers provide a viable treatment alternative; most tendon transfers for management of a FIRCT are currently performed with arthroscopically assisted techniques. ➤ Transfer of the lower portion of the trapezius has emerged as a successful alternative to transfer of the latissimus dorsi, whereas transfer of the latissimus dorsi to the lesser tuberosity is being explored as an alternative to transfer of the pectoralis major for functionally irreparable subscapularis tears.

Irreparable rotator cuff tears remain one of the most challenging pathologies faced by shoulder surgeons. In both irreparable anterior (subscapularis) and posterosuperior (supraspinatus and infraspinatus) tears, patients experience marked shoulder dysfunction and pain. In this article, we review the surgical considerations for treating patients with these tears, as well as the tendon transfer options. Irreparable rotator cuff tears are associated with advanced fatty infiltration, tendon retraction, and loss of tendon length. Although there are multiple reconstructive options, most are limited to small series with short-term follow-up. Tendon transfers have emerged as very promising reconstructive options for these patients. When considering the ideal tendon transfer, it is critical to consider the four-tendon transfer principles, as well as the ability of patients to retrain the new transfer to perform a different function. The historical option for posterosuperior tears involved a latissimus dorsi transfer, while the lower trapezius transfer emerged in recent years. The historical transfer for irreparable subscapularis tears was the pectoralis major transfer, while the latissimus dorsi emerged in recent years. Further comparative trials with large patient numbers and longer follow-up are needed to better understand the indications for each of these transfers to treat these difficult pathologies.

* Massive rotator cuff tears that are treated nonoperatively demonstrate increases in tear size, fatty infiltration, muscular atrophy, and arthritis. * The pooled retear rate following complete repair of massive rotator cuff tears is 79%. * Absorbable and nonabsorbable graft augmentation following rotator cuff repair can reduce the retear rate and improve functional outcomes. * Irreparable tears can be predicted preoperatively by evaluating the degree of fatty infiltration, muscular atrophy, and tendon length. * Latissimus dorsi transfer, lower trapezius transfer, and superior capsular reconstruction provide improvements in terms of pain, range of motion, and function in patients with irreparable tears.

Background: Anatomic reconstruction techniques are increasingly used to address cases of acromioclavicular (AC) joint chronic instability. These usually involve an additional surgical site for autograft harvesting or an allograft. Purpose: To describe a triple-bundle (TB) anatomic reconstruction using on-site autografts, the semiconjoint tendon (SCT) and the coracoacromial ligament (CAL), and compare its primary stability to the native AC joint ligamentous complex and to a modified Weaver-Dunn (WD) reconstruction. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Intact AC joints of 12 paired cadaveric shoulders were tested for anterior, posterior, and superior translations under cyclic loading with a servo-hydraulic testing system. One shoulder from each pair was randomly assigned to the TB group, where 2 SCT strips were used to reconstruct the coracoclavicular ligaments while the distal end of the CAL was transferred to the distal extremity of the clavicle to reconstruct the AC ligaments; the other shoulder received a modified WD reconstruction. After reconstruction, the same translational testing was performed, with an additional load-to-failure test in the superior direction. Results: In both the TB and the WD groups, no significant differences were found before and after reconstruction in terms of joint displacements after cyclic loading, in all 3 directions. Compared with the WD reconstruction, the TB repair resulted in significantly lower displacements in both the anterior (ie, 2.59 ± 1.08 mm, P = .011) and posterior (ie, 10.17 ± 6.24 mm, P = .014) directions, but not in the superior direction. No significant differences were observed between the 2 reconstructions during the load-to-failure testing, except for the displacement to failure, which was significantly smaller (ie, 5.34 ± 2.97 mm) in the WD group ( P = .037). Conclusion: Anterior, posterior, and superior displacements after an anatomic reconstruction of the AC joint complex using the SCT and CAL as graft material were similar to those of native AC joints and significantly smaller in the axial plane than those of AC joints after a WD repair. Clinical Relevance: An anatomic reconstruction is achievable using the CAL and the SCT as on-site graft materials, providing satisfactory initial stability and thereby allowing earlier mobilization.

Background: Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears in both the primary and the revision setting are challenging problems. There remains controversy over the ideal treatment methods for these patients. In the case of an irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear, tendon transfers 1–12 have emerged as a reliable option, with a durable outcome. The most commonly used tendon transfer options are the latissimus dorsi (LD) 1–6 and the lower trapezius (LT) 12 . Description: The LD transfer is performed by first harvesting the LT tendon from the humeral shaft. It is critical to release the many adhesions to the muscle belly as well as to separate it from the teres major muscle. The tendon is then transferred intra-articularly, in an interval between the deltoid and the teres minor. The tendon is anchored arthroscopically after preparation of the anterolateral aspect of the tuberosity. The LT transfer is performed by harvesting the LT muscle and tendon off its insertion on the medial aspect of the scapular spine. It should be mobilized to maximize excursion by releasing adhesions. An Achilles tendon allograft is anchored into the anterior aspect of the greater tuberosity arthroscopically. The Achilles tendon is then secured to the LT tendon. Alternatives: In addition to tendon transfer, options include: Partial or complete attempted repair 13–17 . Augmentation or bridging with allografts 18–23 . Superior capsular reconstruction 24 . Subacromial balloon 25 . Rationale: There remains a paucity of literature comparing tendon transfers with alternatives. However, when considering a tendon transfer, certain principles are critical in order to achieve an optimal outcome: The recipient and transferred tendons must have similar musculotendinous excursion. The recipient and transferred tendons should have similar lines of pull. One tendon (the transferred) should be designed to replace 1 function (of the recipient). The function of the transferred tendon and muscle should be expendable without substantial donor site morbidity. The strength of the transferred muscle must be at least grade 4. When deciding between the LT and LD transfer, certain considerations should be taken into account. The LD transfer has a proven history of successfully treating massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears in studies with long-term follow-up 1–6 . Alternatively, although the LT transfer has only recently gained popularity, it has the advantage of “in-phase” muscle function, since the trapezius naturally contracts during shoulder external rotation. Furthermore, its line of pull almost completely mimics the infraspinatus.