Citations

Background: Total elbow arthroplasty is commonly considered for elderly patients with comminuted distal humeral fractures. Satisfactory short-term outcomes have been reported, but long-term outcomes are unknown. Our purpose was to assess the long-term outcomes of total elbow arthroplasty after distal humeral fracture and to determine differences between elbows with or without inflammatory arthritis at the time of fracture. Methods: Forty-four total elbow arthroplasties were performed after distal humeral fracture; those patients were followed for a minimum of 10 years and were evaluated with regard to pain, motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Scores, complications, and reoperations. The outcomes in elbows with and without inflammatory arthritis were compared. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed. Results: Total elbow arthroplasty provided good pain relief and motion; the mean visual analog scale for pain was 0.6, the mean flexion was 123°, and the mean loss of extension was 24°. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 90.5 points, with 3 patients scoring <75 points. Five elbows (11%) developed deep infection, treated surgically with component retention (3 acute) or resection (2 chronic). Implant revision or resection was performed in 8 elbows (18%): 3 for infections (1 reimplantation and 2 resections), 3 for ulnar loosening (associated with periprosthetic fracture in 1), and 2 for ulnar component fractures. Additional periprosthetic fractures were observed in 5 elbows. The survival rates for elbows with rheumatoid arthritis were 85% at 5 years and 76% at 10 years, and the survival rates for elbows without rheumatoid arthritis were 92% at both 5 and 10 years. The most relevant risk factor for revision was male sex (hazard ratio, 12.6 [95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 93.6]). Conclusions: Selective use of total elbow arthroplasty to treat fractures of the distal part of the humerus for infirm, less active older patients and patients with inflammatory arthritis has acceptable longevity in surviving patients, but at the cost of a number of major complications. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Abstract Reconstruction of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is the primary treatment for recurrent symptomatic posterolateral rotatory instability. Although a number of lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction techniques have been described, the docking technique has received general acceptance. In this technique, the graft is passed through a tunnel on the ulnar side and the 2 free limbs are docked into the humerus at the isometric point on the lateral condyle. Advantages of this method of reconstruction include reduced bone removal, decreased soft tissue damage, and precise control of graft tensioning. When precise surgical steps are followed, this technique can be performed in a reliable, efficient, and reproducible manner for patients with posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

Background Proper soft tissue balance is paramount to maintaining stability and a functional arc of motion in shoulder arthroplasty but is impaired in patients with prior glenohumeral (GH) dislocations. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes, revisions, and complications of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in patients with a history of glenohumeral dislocation. Methods Twenty-four patients with a history of GH dislocations that developed arthropathy underwent primary RSA from 2007 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Mean follow-up was 3.3 years (2–7 years). Mean age was 70 years. Eight patients (33%) and 7 patients (29%) had complete or partial subscapularis deficiency, respectively. Results Twenty-two patients (92%) had little to no pain at final follow-up. Mean shoulder elevation improved from 48° to 120° ( P < .001) and mean external rotation increased from 13.2° to 48° ( P < .001). There were trends toward less complete pain relief and poorer motion in those with complete subscapularis deficiency. None of the patients experienced a postoperative dislocation or evidence of glenoid loosening at final radiographic follow-up, but 1 patient (4.2%) underwent early revision to a hemiarthroplasty for glenoid loosening. Conclusion RSA provides patients with prior glenohumeral dislocations a stable, pain-free arc of motion. Postoperative instability was not identified as a major failure mode at short-term follow-up. Complete subscapularis deficiency is a risk factor for poorer clinical outcome.

AbstractSubstance P (SP), a neurotransmitter released after injury, has been linked to deregulated tissue repair and fibrosis in musculoskeletal tissues and other organs. Although SP inhibition is an effective treatment for nausea, it has not been previously considered as an anti‐fibrotic therapy. Although there are extensive medical records of individuals who have used SP antagonists, our analysis of human registry data revealed that patients receiving these antagonists and arthroplasty are exceedingly rare, thus precluding a clinical evaluation of their potential effects in the context of arthrofibrosis. Therefore, we pursued in vivo studies to assess the effect of SP inhibition early after injury on pro‐fibrotic gene expression and contractures in an animal model of post‐traumatic joint stiffening. Skeletally mature rabbits (n = 24) underwent surgically induced severe joint contracture, while injected with either fosaprepitant (a selective SP antagonist) or saline (control) early after surgery (3, 6, 12, and 24 h). Biomechanical testing revealed that differences in mean contracture angles between the groups were not statistically significant (P = 0.27), suggesting that the drug neither mitigates nor exacerbates joint contracture. However, microarray gene expression analysis revealed that mRNA levels for proteins related to cell signaling, pro‐angiogenic, pro‐inflammatory, and collagen matrix production were significantly different between control and fosaprepitant treated rabbits (P < 0.05). Hence, our study demonstrates that inhibition of SP alters expression of pro‐fibrotic genes in vivo. This finding will motivate future studies to optimize interventions that target SP to reduce the formation of post‐traumatic joint contractures.

Purpose The purpose of this cadaveric study was to compare standard and modified coracoid transfer procedures, bicortical and tricortical iliac crest autografts, and tibial plafond and glenoid allografts with respect to glenoid surface curvature restoration. Methods Computed tomography scans of 8 cadaveric shoulders were acquired in 9 conditions: (1) intact, (2) 25% width defect, (3) classic Latarjet, (4) modified congruent‐arc Latarjet, (5) tricortical iliac crest inner table, (6) outer table, (7) bicortical iliac crest, (8) distal tibia, and (9) glenoid allograft. Outcome measures included articular surface area, width, depth, axial and coronal radius of curvature, and subchondral articular step‐off, analyzed in bone and soft‐tissue window. Results Reconstruction of the articular surface area was optimal with the glenoid allograft (99.4%), classic Latarjet (97.4%), and iliac crest bicortical graft (93.2%). Depth was best restored by the congruent‐arc Latarjet (101.0%), tibial (98.9%), and glenoid (95.3%) allografts. Axial curvature was closely matched by the glenoid allograft (97.5%), classic Latarjet (108.7%), and iliac bicortical graft (91.2%). Coronal curvature was most accurately restored by the glenoid allograft (102.6%), the tibial allograft (115.0%), and the classic Latarjet (55.9%). The articular step‐off was smallest using the glenoid allograft. Conclusions Overall, glenoid allografts most accurately restored articular geometry. Alternative grafts provided restoration of some parameters but not others. Classic Latarjet performed well in axial and coronal curvature on average but exhibited large variability. Tibial allograft produced the poorest results in axial curvature, despite excellent coronal curvature reconstruction. The congruent‐arc Latarjet did not restore the axial curvature accurately and overcorrected coronal curvature. Graft geometry must be weighed against availability, morbidity, and the role of additional stabilizers. Clinical Relevance Accurate graft morphology may help prevent postoperative osteoarthritis. Grafts differ significantly regarding geometric parameters. The findings of this study will help surgeons select the most appropriate graft for glenoid reconstruction.

Background: Although obesity is associated with increased complication rates after lower-extremity arthroplasty, there is a relative paucity of studies examining the effect of body mass index (BMI) on shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of BMI on implant survival and the rate of complications after shoulder arthroplasty. Methods: Using an institutional total joint registry, 4,567 consecutive shoulder arthroplasty cases from 1970 to 2013 were studied. The mean BMI was 29.7 kg/m 2 (range, 14 to 66 kg/m 2 ), with 1,622 patients (36%) with a BMI of 30 to 40 kg/m 2 and 297 patients (7%) with a BMI of >40 kg/m 2 . There were 2,493 female patients (55%). BMI was dichotomized after examination of the smoothing spline curve. The associations of factors and complications were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Results: Increasing BMI was associated with an increased risk of a revision surgical procedure, reoperation, revision for mechanical failure, and superficial infection, and it was negatively associated with risk of a periprosthetic fracture. The risk of a revision surgical procedure increased in a linear fashion with increasing BMI (hazard ratio [HR], 1.05, or a 5% increased risk per 1 unit of BMI; p = 0.03). Increased BMI was also associated with an increased risk of revision for mechanical failure (HR, 1.05; p = 0.004). In a multivariate model, the association of BMI and risk of a revision for any reason, revision for mechanical failure, and reoperation maintained significance (p ≤ 0.02). The most marked association between increasing BMI and any complication in shoulder arthroplasty was its association with superficial wound infection (HR, 1.09; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Increasing BMI is strongly associated with increased rates of revision surgical procedures and postoperative complications after shoulder arthroplasty. It is important to consider these findings when counseling patients, estimating risks, and estimating complication risks in policy decisions. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background The purpose of the present study was to determine the cost of two-stage reimplantation for the treatment of deep infection after total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and compare this with primary and aseptic revision TEA. Methods Three hundred and seventy-one primary TEA and 286 revision TEAs (including 47 elbows requiring two-stage reimplantation) were performed. Total direct medical costs during each hospitalization were obtained from our institutional research database and compared for three groups: primary TEA, revision for nonseptic reasons and two-stage reimplantation for deep infection. Results The mean cost of an uncomplicated primary TEA and aseptic revision TEA was $18,464 and $18,796, respectively. The mean overall cost associated with two-stage reimplantation increased to $34,286. Two-stage reimplantation increased both Part A (hospital costs) and Part B (professional costs). The mean Part A cost for septic revision TEA was $29,102 versus $15,844 for primary TEA. The mean Part B cost for septic revision TEA was $5,184 versus $2,621 for primary TEA. Conclusions Two-stage reimplantation for treatment of an infected TEA costs 186% the hospital cost of a primary uncomplicated or aseptic revision TEA. The overall cost to society is even greater if we take into account the cost of antibiotic therapy in between stages and lost days from work.

Objectives Sustained intra-articular delivery of pharmacological agents is an attractive modality but requires use of a safe carrier that would not induce cartilage damage or fibrosis. Collagen scaffolds are widely available and could be used intra-articularly, but no investigation has looked at the safety of collagen scaffolds within synovial joints. The aim of this study was to determine the safety of collagen scaffold implantation in a validated in vivo animal model of knee arthrofibrosis. Materials and Methods A total of 96 rabbits were randomly and equally assigned to four different groups: arthrotomy alone; arthrotomy and collagen scaffold placement; contracture surgery; and contracture surgery and collagen scaffold placement. Animals were killed in equal numbers at 72 hours, two weeks, eight weeks, and 24 weeks. Joint contracture was measured, and cartilage and synovial samples underwent histological analysis. Results Animals that underwent arthrotomy had equivalent joint contractures regardless of scaffold implantation (-13.9° versus -10.9°, equivalence limit 15°). Animals that underwent surgery to induce contracture did not demonstrate equivalent joint contractures with (41.8°) or without (53.9°) collagen scaffold implantation. Chondral damage occurred in similar rates with (11 of 48) and without (nine of 48) scaffold implantation. No significant difference in synovitis was noted between groups. Absorption of the collagen scaffold occurred within eight weeks in all animals Conclusion Our data suggest that intra-articular implantation of a collagen sponge does not induce synovitis or cartilage damage. Implantation in a native joint does not seem to induce contracture. Implantation of the collagen sponge in a rabbit knee model of contracture may decrease the severity of the contracture. Cite this article: J. A. Walker, T. J. Ewald, E. Lewallen, A. Van Wijnen, A. D. Hanssen, B. F. Morrey, M. E. Morrey, M. P. Abdel, J. Sanchez-Sotelo. Intra-articular implantation of collagen scaffold carriers is safe in both native and arthrofibrotic rabbit knee joints. Bone Joint Res 2016;6:162–171. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.63.BJR-2016-0193.

Background Dislocation is a challenging complication after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). We sought to evaluate the outcome of nonoperative and operative management of the dislocation after primary and revision RSA. Methods Between 2006 and 2013, dislocation occurred in 12/1081 primary RSAs (1.1%) and 15/342 revision RSAs (4.4%). Seventeen (69%) shoulders dislocated within 3 months of surgery. Ten (68%) patients underwent revision RSA for prosthetic instability. Mean age was 69 years, and mean follow-up after index RSA was 4 years. Results Closed reduction and bracing achieved a stable shoulder in 60% (3/5 patients) after primary and 20% (1/5 patients) after revision RSA dislocation. Operative management achieved a stable shoulder in 88% (7/8 patients) of primary and 64% (7/11 patients) of revision RSAs ( P = .40). Overall, 9 shoulders (33%) had persistent instability at the final follow-up: 2/12 (17%) primaries versus 7/15 (47%) revisions ( P = .08). Preoperative prosthetic instability was the main risk factor for chronic instability in the revision cohort ( P = .02). Worse functional outcomes were associated with the dislocation of a revision RSA ( P = .02). Conclusion After primary RSA dislocations, closed reduction is successful in half, while revision surgery is successful in 85% of cases. Conversely, closed reduction of a dislocated revision RSA is rarely successful, while revision surgery is successful 65% of the time. Every attempt should be made to achieve stability at the time of primary and revision RSA, since reduction or revision surgery does not guarantee the restoring stability.

Abstract As our knowledge and technology advance, the indications for elbow arthroscopy continue to grow rapidly. During this expansion, a number of new portals have been described and reported using variable nomenclature and location descriptions. Accordingly, a comprehensive review of these portals is warranted. Given the concern for potential iatrogenic injury to surrounding neurovascular structures, a discussion of these critical nerves and vessels is also timely. In this work, we review pertinent surface anatomy; portal nomenclature, locations, and utility; and review distances to the nearest structures at risk. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.