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Aims: Long-term follow-up and monitoring of asymptomatic shoulder and elbow arthroplasty remains contentious, with a wide spectrum of non-evidence-based mechanisms used. This scoping review aims to outline related evidence, thereby informing research requirements. Methods: Studies relevant to shoulder and elbow arthroplasty follow-up, surveillance and time-related failure were included. The review included randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and economic studies indexed in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CDSR and Cochrane CENTRAL since 1 January 2012. In addition, all registry studies, follow-up studies, cohort studies and case reports indexed in MEDLINE since 1 January 2020 were included. The screening was undertaken by two reviewers. Key characteristics of each study were described, alongside a narrative review. Results: Twenty-one articles were included. We were unable to identify evidence that long-term follow-up and monitoring of asymptomatic shoulder and elbow arthroplasty identifies failure or leads to a revision that is of reduced patient morbidity and cost. In addition, no evidence was apparent to inform whether patients will self-present with a failing implant. Several surveillance mechanisms were identified. Conclusion: This scoping review highlights the paucity of evidence related to long-term follow-up and monitoring of shoulder and elbow arthroplasty, and the need for high-quality data to inform the development of evidence-based care pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is the established treatment for end-stage rheumatoid arthritis but improved surgical techniques have resulted in expanded indications. The aim of this study is to review the literature to evaluate the evolution of surgical indications for TEA. Methods: A systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE databases was conducted. Case series and comparative studies reporting results after three types of primary TEA were eligible for inclusion. Results: Forty-nine eligible studies were identified (n = 1995). The number of TEA cases published annually increased from 6 cases in 1980 to 135 cases in 2008. The commonest indication for TEA throughout the review period was rheumatoid arthritis but its annual proportion reduced from 77% to 50%. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score significantly improved for all indications. Three comparative studies reported statistically improved functional outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis over the trauma sequelae group. Complication and revision rates varied; rheumatoid arthritis 5.2–30.9% and 11–13%, acute fracture 0–50% and 10–11%, trauma sequelae 14.2–50% and 0–30%, osteoarthritis 50% and 11%, respectively. Discussion: TEA can provide functional improvements in inflammatory arthritis, acute fractures, trauma sequelae and miscellaneous indications. Long-term TEA survivorship appears satisfactory in rheumatoid arthritis and fracture cases; however, further research into alternative surgical indications is still required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a growing recent interest in the use of elbow hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of distal humeral trauma in select patients. However, the current available evidence regarding outcome after elbow hemiarthroplasty is limited to case series and biomechanical data. Consequently, the procedure remains unfamiliar to many surgeons. The aim of the present review is to outline the evidence regarding elbow hemiarthroplasty and to use this, along with the author’s experience, to better describe the indications, surgical technique and outcomes after this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To report the outcomes, complications, and survivorship of pyrocarbon metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty in noninflammatory arthropathy at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Methods A retrospective review of 51 implants in 36 patients was undertaken. Patient demographics, complications, further surgery, and implant revision were recorded. Objective outcome was assessed by grip strength, range of motion, and radiological assessment of alignment, loosening, and subsidence. Subjective outcome was assessed by Patient Evaluation Measure, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and visual analog scores (0, best; 10, worst) for appearance, satisfaction, and pain. Results There were 35 index and 16 middle fingers. The average follow-up was 103 months (range, 60–172 months). The mean arc of motion was 54° (range, 20° to 80°). There was no difference in grip strength between operated and nonsurgical side. Six implants were revised, and 3 of these required additional surgery. The average Patient Evaluation Measure and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores were 27 (range, 10–54) and 29 (range, 0–57), respectively. Mean visual analog scores for pain, satisfaction, and appearance were all 1 with the respective ranges being 0–7, 0–4, and 0–6. Most implants were Herren grade 1 lucency with the remaining 5 proximal and 12 distal implants being grade 2. Mean subsidence in the proximal component was 2 mm (range, 0–4 mm) and 1 mm (range, 0–3 mm) in the distal component. The degree of loosening or subsidence did not correlate with outcome. Implant survival as assessed by Kaplan–Meier was 88% at 10 years. Conclusions Good pain relief, a functional range of motion, and high satisfaction were seen in the majority of patients. All implant revisions were performed within 18 months of the index procedure. This may represent technical issues rather than problems with the implant. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tendon transfer surgery can be employed to improve function in a select group of patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears or used in combination with reverse geometry shoulder arthroplasty performed for rotator cuff deficiency and arthrosis. This review aims to aid shoulder surgeons in patient selection for surgery, including the indications and contra-indications to tendon transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shoulder arthroplasty is being performed with increasing volumes worldwide. This inevitability means that complications will be encountered with greater frequency. Periprosthetic fractures around the shoulder are an uncommon but daunting complication related to this type of surgery. This article represents a detailed review of the epidemiology, risk factors, classification and management of these complex injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To report the outcomes, complications, and survivorship of pyrocarbon proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty at a minimum of 5-year follow-up. Methods A review of 97 implants in 72 consecutive patients from our joint arthroplasty database was undertaken. Patient demographics, complications, further surgery, and implant revision were recorded. Objective outcome was assessed by grip strength, range of motion, and radiological assessment of alignment, loosening, and subsidence. Subjective outcome was assessed by Patient Evaluation Measure; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score; and visual analog scores (0, best; 10, worst) for appearance, satisfaction, and pain. Results Diagnosis was osteoarthritis in 60 joints, rheumatoid arthritis in 12 joints, psoriatic arthritis in 11 joints, and trauma in 14 joints. The average follow-up was 118 months (range, 60–164 months). The mean arc of motion was 35° (range, 0° to 90°). There was no difference in grip strength between operated and nonoperated side. Of the 97 implants, 36 required additional surgery, of which 14 were revised and 22 required reconstruction around a retained implant. The average Patient Evaluation Measure and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores were 33 (range, 10–69) and 35 (range, 0–93), respectively. Mean visual analog scores for pain, satisfaction, and appearance were 2 (range, 0–8), 7 (0–10), and 8 (0–10), respectively. All implants had a lucent line with nearly all classified as either Herren grade 2 or 3. Progressive loosening was seen in 48% of implants. Implant survival as assessed by Kaplan–Meier was 85% at both 5 and 10 years. Conclusions Good pain relief and maintenance of preoperative arc of motion was achieved with no major deterioration over time. Most implant revisions were performed within 24 months of the index procedure. Currently progressive loosening was not translated into revision surgery. Implant revision rate was higher than with other prostheses. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to quantify the incidence and timing of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) after total knee replacement (TKR). Data from 5100 consecutive TKRs performed over 10 years were prospectively collected. Cases were reviewed to identify thromboprophylaxis given, the diagnosis of VTE, treatment and adverse outcomes. There were 3 deaths (0.059%) from pulmonary embolism (PE). Of 123 VTEs identified, 55 had PE, 17 had above knee deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 28 had calf DVT and 14 had been incorrectly coded as VTE. There was considerable inappropriate treatment of calf DVT with resultant morbidity. There was an increase in diagnosis of PE between days 1 and 5 post surgery in the later part of the study, corresponding with increasing use of CT Pulmonary Angiography. Increasing diagnosis of PE may be due to detection of embolic debris from surgery due to greater vigilance rather than post-operative thromboembolism. Death from PE is rare following TKR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]