Werthel, Jean-David

Background: No biomechanical study has established the effect of different graft positions or bone block options on anterior glenohumeral joint stability. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare graft choice (distal clavicular vs coracoid autograft for Latarjet) and position on stability of the bone block for anterior glenohumeral instability. It was hypothesized that both grafts would be comparable if flush with the glenoid but that the sling effect of the Latarjet procedure would lead to greater stability in case of graft medialization. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Eight cadaveric shoulders were included. Defects stabilized using a distal clavicular graft and a coracoid graft were consecutively positioned at 0, 4, and 8 mm medially. The starting position was determined by the humeral head’s being seated at its most medial position on the glenoid surface. Each experiment comprised maximal external rotation and glenohumeral abduction at 60° while applying a constant 50-N medial compressive force to the humerus under all conditions. The conjoint tendon was routed through a split in the subscapularis and loaded with a 5-N weight using a pulley system for all Latarjet trials to simulate the sling effect. Results: Regarding the clavicular graft, the stability ratio significantly decreased versus the intact condition at all medial offsets ( P = .007 for 0 mm, P < .001 for 4 mm, and P < .001 for 8 mm), and it was significantly lower in the 4-mm versus 0-mm position ( P = .008), significantly higher in the 4-mm versus 8-mm position ( P < .001), and significantly lower in the 8-mm versus 0-mm position ( P < .001). Regarding the coracoid graft, the stability ratio was comparable with intact for the 0-mm position ( P = .12), while it was significantly lower in the 4-mm and 8-mm positions ( P < .001 for both). The distal clavicular graft at 0-mm offset was comparable with the coracoid graft at 0-mm offset. Conclusion: In shoulders with anterior glenoid bone loss, the coracoid and distal clavicular autografts were biomechanically comparable when placed flush with the glenoid. The distal clavicle at 0-mm offset did not restore stability compared with the intact specimen, but the Latarjet at 0-mm offset was not significantly different from the intact condition. Clinical Relevance: The Latarjet procedure provides higher stability compared with distal clavicular autograft when medialized.

Purpose To investigate the gliding resistance dynamics between the supraspinatus (SSP) tendon and the coracoacromial arch, both before and after subacromial decompression (anterolateral acromioplasty) and acromion resection (acromionectomy). Methods Using 4 fresh‐frozen cadaveric shoulders, acromion shapes were classified (2 type I and 2 type III according to Bigliani). Subacromial bursa and coracoacromial ligament maintenance replicated physiologic sliding conditions. Gliding resistance was measured during glenohumeral abduction (0° to 60°) in internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER). Peak gliding resistance between the SSP tendon and the coracoacromial arch was determined and compared between intact, anterolateral acromioplasty, and acromionectomy. Results Peak SSP gliding resistance during abduction in an intact shoulder was significantly higher in IR than in ER (4.1 vs 2.1 N, P < .001). The mean peak SSP gliding resistance during 0° to 60° glenohumeral abduction in IR in the intact condition was significantly higher compared with the subacromial decompression condition (4.1 vs 2.8 N, P = .021) and with the acromionectomy condition (4.1 vs 0.9 N, P < .001). During 0° to 60° glenohumeral abduction in ER, mean peak SSP gliding resistance in the intact condition was not significantly different compared with the subacromial decompression condition (2.1 vs 2.0 N, P = .999). The 2 specimens with a hooked (i.e. type III) acromion showed significantly higher mean peak SSP gliding resistance during glenohumeral abduction in IR and ER when compared with the 2 specimens with a flat (i.e. type I) acromion (IR: 5.8 vs 3.0 N, P = .006; ER: 2.8 vs 1.4 N, P = .001). Conclusions In this cadaveric study, peak gliding resistance between the SSP tendon and the coracoacromial arch during combined abduction and IR was significantly reduced after anterolateral acromioplasty and was significantly higher in specimens with a hooked acromion. Clinical Relevance The clinical benefit of subacromial decompression remains unclear. This study suggests that anterolateral acromioplasty might reduce supraspinatus gliding resistance in those with a hooked acromion and in the typical “impingement” position.

Background: Latissimus dorsi transfer (LDT) has been purported to restore motion in patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) who have preoperative combined loss of forward elevation (FE) and external rotation (ER). This systematic review summarizes the available evidence for the functional outcomes and complications after RSA with LDT. Furthermore, the effect of implant design and whether a concomitant teres major transfer (TMT) was performed were studied. Methods: A systematic review was performed per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We queried PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases to identify articles reporting on LDT with RSA to restore ER. Our primary outcomes were ER, FE, Constant score, and complication incidence. Secondarily, we reported postoperative internal rotation (IR) and compared ER, FE, and Constant score based on lateralized versus medialized global implant design and whether concomitant TMT was performed. Results: Nineteen studies were evaluated; functional outcomes were assessed in 16 articles reporting on 258 RSAs (123 LDT, 135 LDT-TMT). Surgical indication was most commonly cuff tear arthropathy and massive irreparable cuff tear. Mean ER was −12° preoperatively and 25° postoperatively, FE was 72° preoperatively and 141° postoperatively. Mean postoperative Constant score was 65. Of 138 patients (8 studies) describing IR, only 25% reported a mean postoperative IR ≥L3. Subanalysis comparing lateralized versus medialized implants and whether TMT was concomitantly performed demonstrated no significant difference in postoperative ER, FE, and Constant score, nor preoperative to postoperative improvement in ER and FE. The complication rate was 14.1% (of 291 shoulders from 16 studies), including tear in the tendon transfer (n = 3), revision tendon repair (n = 1), nerve-related complication (n = 9), and dislocation (n = 9). Conclusions: RSA with LDT is a reliable option to restore motion, with a comparable complication rate with standard RSA. The use of medialized versus lateralized implants and whether the TM was concomitantly transferred may not influence clinical outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Abstract: Scapulothoracic arthrodesis has been proposed for the treatment of painful scapular winging in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. It was introduced to improve shoulder function. Several methods of fixation have been proposed to obtain the union of the scapula to the ribs. These include plates, screws, cables, or wires with or without bone grafting. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the surgical technique of scapulothoracic arthrodesis using plate and cerclage suture tapes. Level of Evidence: Level IV, treatment study (case series).

Background: It remains unclear whether results differ between a Latarjet procedure performed after a failed arthroscopic Bankart repair and one performed as the primary operation. Purpose: To compare the postoperative outcomes of the Latarjet procedure when performed as primary surgery and as revision for a failed arthroscopic Bankart repair. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A multicenter retrospective comparative case-cohort analysis was performed for all patients undergoing a Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Patients were separated into 2 groups depending on if the Latarjet procedure was performed after a failed arthroscopic Bankart repair (group 1) or as the first operation (group 2). Outcome measures included recurrent instability, reoperation rates, complications, pain, Walch-Duplay scores, and Simple Shoulder Test. Results: A total of 308 patients were eligible for participation in the study; 72 (23.4%) did not answer and were considered lost to follow-up, leaving 236 patients available for analysis. Mean follow-up was 3.4 ± 0.8 years. There were 20 patients in group 1 and 216 in group 2. Despite similar rates of recurrent instability (5.0% in group 1 vs 2.3% in group 2; P = .5) and revision surgery (0% in group 1 vs 6.5% in group 2; P = .3), group 1 demonstrated significantly worse pain scores (2.56 ± 2.7 vs 1.2 ± 1.7; P = .01) and patient-reported outcomes (Walch-Duplay: 52 ± 25.1 vs 72.2 ± 25.0; P = .0007; Simple Shoulder Test: 9.3 ± 2.4 vs 10.7 ± 1.9; P = .001) when compared with those patients undergoing primary Latarjet procedures. Conclusion: Functional outcome scores and postoperative pain are significantly worse in patients undergoing a Latarjet procedure after a failed arthroscopic Bankart repair when compared with patients undergoing primary Latarjet. The assumption that a failed a Bankart repair can be revised by a Latarjet with a similar result to a primary Latarjet appears to be incorrect. Surgeons should consider these findings when deciding on the optimal surgical procedure for recurrent shoulder instability.

Background: The preoperative number of dislocations has been previously proved to be a major factor influencing the results after Bankart repair with more preoperative dislocations correlated with higher recurrence rates and more reoperations. This could possibly be because of the lower quality of the tissue repaired during the procedure after multiple dislocations. On the other hand, the Latarjet procedure does not “repair” but rather reconstructs and augments the anterior glenoid. Purpose/Hypothesis: The main objective was to report the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing a Latarjet procedure after 1 dislocation versus multiple (≥2) dislocations. The hypothesis was that the preoperative number of dislocations would not influence clinical results. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients older than 18 years who had undergone a primary Latarjet procedure for shoulder instability with at least 2 years of follow-up were included. Three different techniques were used: a mini-open technique using 2 screws, an arthroscopic technique using 2 screws, and an arthroscopic technique using 2 cortical buttons. Patients were evaluated and answered a questionnaire to assess the number of episodes of dislocation before surgery, the time between the first dislocation and surgery, recurrence of the dislocation, revision surgery, the Walch-Duplay score, the Simple Shoulder Test score, and the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain. Results: A total of 308 patients were included for analysis with a mean follow-up of 3.4 ± 0.8 years. Of that, 83 patients were included in the first-time dislocation group and 225 in the recurrent dislocation group. At last follow-up, the rates of recurrence and reoperation were not significantly different between groups: 4.8% in the first-time dislocation group versus 3.65% in the recurrent dislocation group and 6.1% versus 4.0%, respectively. The overall Walch-Duplay scores at last follow-up were also comparable between the 2 groups, 67.3 ± 24.85 and 71.8 ± 25.1, even though the first-time dislocation group showed a lower pain subscore (15.0 ± 8.6 vs 18.0 ± 7.5; P = .003). The VAS for pain was also significantly higher in the first-time dislocation group compared with the recurrent dislocation group (1.8 ± 2.3 vs 1.2 ± 1.7; P = .03). Conclusion: The number of episodes of dislocation before surgery does not affect postoperative instability rates and reoperation rates after the Latarjet procedure. However, patients with first-time dislocations had more postoperative pain compared with patients with recurrent dislocations before surgery.

Background The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence of acromial stress fractures in a population of reverse shoulder arthroplasties (RSA) and determine potential risk factors for fracture. Patients and Methods Between August 2004 and December 2013, 1082 primary RSA were performed at a single institution. Twelve (1.11%) patients were diagnosed with a postoperative acromial stress fracture. This group was case-matched to a control group of 48 shoulders. Clinical and radiographic risk factors for fracture were assessed. Results Compared to controls, fractures were less satisfied with their outcome despite equivalent American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, pain scores, and range of motion. Osteoporosis was significantly associated with acromial fractures ( P = .027). A smaller lateral offset of the greater tuberosity, greater arm lengthening, and a thinner acromion were more common in the fracture group ( P = .026, P = .004, and P = .008, respectively). Conclusions In summary, postoperative acromial stress fractures appear to be incidental lesions with little influence on the outcome after RSA. The combination of a thin acromion and superior migration of the humeral head increase the risk of acromial fracture. Lateralized designs that do not excessively verticalize the deltoid line of pull on the acromion may decrease the risk of postoperative acromial fractures.

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.

Abstract The arthroscopic Latarjet procedure is challenging because it can be difficult to place 2 screws parallel to the glenoid surface and a medial portal (dangerous for the brachial plexus) is mandatory. In addition, precise positioning of the coracoid bone block flush with the joint line and in a subequatorial position as recommended is troublesome without the use of a guiding system because of the arthroscopic lens distortion. To improve the reproducibility of the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure and to minimize the risk of nerve complications, we developed a guiding system to optimize the positioning of the coracoid bone block and 2 cortical buttons to facilitate its fixation. Four portals are used: a posterior standard portal and 3 anterior portals, all lateral to the conjoint tendon. The anterior rim of the glenoid and the coracoid process are prepared. Two holes are drilled in the glenoid and in the coracoid process with 2 specific guides. The subscapularis is then split, and 2 cortical buttons are passed from posterior to anterior through the tunnels with a shuttle relay. The coracoid process undergoes osteotomy and is guided through the split in the subscapularis to the anteroinferior rim of the glenoid by pulling on the cortical buttons. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

AbstractLinear morphea of the limb primarily affects children, and extracutaneous manifestations are common. Orthopedic surgeons are often essential in the care of patients with linear morphea, yet there are few reports outlining specific orthopedic complications in this population. We sought to improve the understanding of orthopedic complications in linear morphea of the limb. Between 1999 and 2014, 51 children were evaluated for linear morphea of an extremity. Twenty‐six (51%) had documented orthopedic manifestations. Outcome measures included limb length discrepancy, angular malalignment, limb atrophy, and orthopedic surgical intervention. Joint contractures were most common, affecting 88% of patients, followed by limb atrophy, angular deformity, and limb length discrepancy; 14% required surgical intervention. Despite the use of systemic immunosuppressive therapy in many patients, approximately half of patients with linear morphea of an extremity have orthopedic disease. Early orthopedist involvement is crucial to improve limb alignment and preserve function.