Morrey, B.F.

Summary Nine fresh frozen cadaveric shoulders were used to examine the changes in intraarticular pressure (IAP) of the shoulder joint and the position of the humeral head under various loads to determine the relationship between these parameters. All the soft tissues superficial to the rotator cuff were removed. The position of the humerus relative to the scapula was monitored using an electromagnetic tracking system before and after venting the capsule with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 kg of load applied to the humerus inferiorly in addition to the weight of the arm. Simultaneously, the IAP was monitored using a pressure transducer before venting the capsule. Venting had a significant effect on the position of the humeral head: the positions of the head after venting were significantly lowered in all loading conditions. The average IAP was −76 cm H 2 O without load, and the value decreased in a linear fashion with increased load; the correlations were significant in four of six shoulders without dislocation. The correlations were less significant between the pressure and the position, and there were no significant correlations between the load and the position. IAP, which is determined primarily by the load applied, is important to stabilize the shoulder inferiorly. Because IAP is intimately related to the external load and the response is specific to individuals, examination of IAP response to external load may be helpful in characterizing various instabilities of the shoulder.

We reviewed 20 patients who had undergone a Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty after resection of a primary or metastatic tumour from the elbow or distal humerus between 1980 and 2002. Eighteen patients underwent reconstruction for palliative treatment with restoration of function after intralesional surgery and two after excision of a primary bone tumour. The mean follow-up was 30 months (1 to 192). Five patients (25%) were alive at the final follow-up; 14 (70%) had died of their disease and one of unrelated causes. Local control was achieved in 15 patients (75%). The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score improved from 22 (5 to 45) to 75 points (55 to 95). Four reconstructions (20%) failed and required revision. Seven patients (35%) had early complications, the most frequent being nerve injury (25%). There were no infections or wound complications although 18 patients (90%) had radiotherapy, chemotherapy or both. The Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty provides good relief from pain and a good functional outcome after resection of tumours of the elbow. The rates of complications involving local recurrence of tumour (25%) and nerve injury (25%) are of concern.

Abstract The compliance, capacity, and the position of minimum intraarticular pressure were measured in 13 thawed, fresh‐frozen human elbows. The capacity of the joint capsule was 23 ± 4 ml. The intraarticular pressure was the lowest at 80° of flexion. Capsular rupture occurred at relatively low intraarticular pressures—80 ± 42 mm Hg. Knowledge of the capacity of the normal elbow joint combined with the fact that this joint capsule tends to rupture or permit extravasation of fluid into the periarticular soft tissues should be considered when infusing fluids during arthroscopy. Finally, the “resting position” of 80° of flexion minimizes capsular tension and therefore might contribute to the development of joint contracture associated with prolonged immobilization in this position. This would be consistent with the observation that patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness have an average arc of flexion of 60–90°.

Three-dimensional kinematics of the ulnohumeral joint under simulated active elbow joint flexion-extension was obtained by using an electromagnetic tacking device. The joint motion was analyzed based on Eulerian angle description. In order to minimize the effect of "downstream cross-talk" on calculation of the three Eulerian angles, an optimal axis to best represent flexion-extension of the elbow joint was established. This axis, on average, is close to the line joining the centers of the capitellum and the trochlear groove. Furthermore, joint laxity under valgus-varus stress was also examined. With the weight of the forearm as the stress, maximums of 7.6° valgus-varus laxity and 5.3° axial rotation laxity were observed within a range of elbow flexion. The results of this study provide useful baseline information on joint laxity for the evaluation of elbow joints with implant replacements and other surgical treatment modalities.