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Background: Multiple biomechanical studies have analyzed the potential influence of inferior glenosphere tilt on scapular notching in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). The purpose of this study was to clinically determine the likelihood of scapular notching in a series of shoulders, with the glenospheres placed in neutral versus inferior tilt. Methods: From a database of all RTSA performed by the senior author, shoulders with a Delta III-type prosthesis and minimum 12-month follow-up (71 shoulders) were included. Notching in shoulders with neutrally placed glenosphere base plates (Group 1) was compared to notching with 10-15° inferiorly tilted base plates (Group 2). The prosthesis-scapular border angle (PSBA) was also defined and used to determine whether the radiographically quantified amount of inferior tilt was predictive of scapular notching independent of group assignment. Results: There were no significant differences in the grade of notching or incidence of notching between groups 1 and 2 after adjusting for length of follow-up and prosthesis selection. The PSBA was also not predictive of scapular notching. Conclusion: Despite previous biomechanical studies’ predictions that inferiorly tilting the glenosphere might reduce inferior scapular neck impingement and subsequent scapular notching, our data showed no difference at 1-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scapular notching is a well-recognized complication of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). This paper analyzes the effects of prosthesis design on scapular notching in RTSA. Methods: From a database of all RTSA performed by the senior author, shoulders with minimum 12-month follow-up were included (65 shoulders). Notching in shoulders with a prosthesis neck-shaft angle of 155° and no center-of-rotation (COR) offset (group 1) was compared to notching in shoulders with a neck-shaft angle of 143° and 2.5-mm COR offset (group 2). P values less than .05 were considered significant. Results: The notching grade was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2, even after statistically adjusting for differences in length of follow-up (P = .0081). The incidence of notching in group 1 at 60.7% was significantly higher than the 16.2% incidence in group 2 (P = .0107). Conclusion: Using prostheses with a smaller neck-shaft angle and increased COR offset can significantly reduce scapular notching in RTSA at 1 year, possibly improving prosthesis survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of intramedullary nails for the treatment of long bone fractures has become increasingly frequent over the last decade with gradually expanding indications and technological advances. Improved biomechanics relative to plates and less direct fracture exposure are some of the potential benefits of intramedullary nails. However, persistent insertion-related pain is common and may limit satisfactory long term outcomes. The etiologies of this phenomenon remain unclear. Proposed theories for which there is a growing body of supporting evidence include hardware prominence, suboptimal nail entry points leading to soft tissue irritation and structural compromise, local heterotrophic ossification, implant instability with persistent fracture micromotion, and poorly defined insertional strain. Many factors that lead to insertion-related pain are iatrogenic, and careful attention to detail and refined surgical techniques will optimize outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]