Search

Anxiety and depression are the two most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders in the US. The effect of these disorders on total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) outcomes must be appreciated. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between preoperative diagnosis of anxiety and depression and its association with postoperative outcomes after TSA. The secondary goals were to determine whether patients contemporaneously being treated with medicine for their mental health diagnosis fared better than a non-medicated cohort and to examine the degree to which PROMIS Mental Health (PROMIS-MH) scores correlate with patient outcomes. Our hypothesis is that a history of anxiety and/or depression will negatively impact patient outcomes after TSA.A retrospective analysis was performed on a prospectively collected cohort at a single institution. Anatomic and reverse TSA patients (aTSA, rTSA) with either anxiety and/or depression (aTSApsych+, rTSApsych+) were identified and compared to a cohort of patients without a mental health diagnosis enrolled in an institutional registry from 2011 to 2020. Demographic characteristics, diagnoses, implant type, range of motion (ROM), adverse events (AE) and clinical outcome metric scores:PROMIS-MH, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Constant, Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart Score (SAS) were recorded. Outcomes between cohorts were analyzed using conventional statistics as well as stratification by MCID and SCB thresholds where applicable.218 patients (114 rTSA and 95 aTSA) had a diagnosis of either anxiety and/or depression and 378 (153 rTSA and 217 aTSA) had no history. Although both cohorts achieved MCID and SCB for postoperative ASES, the psych+ cohort resulted in lower postoperative outcomes scores (p0.05), higher AE, and significantly lower Δ differences in all variables when compared to the psych negative cohort. There were no differences in outcome scores after rTSApsych+ or aTSApsych+ between patients being treated for anxiety/depression compared to not receiving treatment. PROMIS-MH score was positively correlated with postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction.The current study demonstrates that patients with anxiety and/or depression who undergo TSA have inferior postoperative outcomes and higher rates of AE compared to a cohort without a mental health diagnosis. Additionally, patients on medications for treatment of depression and/or anxiety did not gain any significant benefit in terms of their postoperative shoulder outcomes or satisfaction rate compared to those with a diagnosis but not on medication. Additionally, we found that, independent of a patient's underlying shoulder pathology or psychiatric diagnosis, lower PROMIS-MH scores was correlated with worse postoperative outcomes.

Since the introduction of the Grammont-style reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, the humeral stem design has been modified with improved clinical outcomes. Two distinct humeral designs have been used extensively: the inlay design, in which the humeral tray is seated within the metaphysis, and the onlay design, in which the humeral tray sits on the metaphysis at the level of the humeral neck cut. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether there are differences in clinical outcomes and complication rates between these designs.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to perform this systematic review. A search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase was performed to identify all studies comparing the clinical results of both humeral designs. Primary outcomes included patient-reported outcome measures, shoulder range of motion, and incidence of complications.From the 156 identified publications, 12 studies were included in the final review. A total of 1447 patients were included, with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. At final follow-up, both implants demonstrated significant improvements in comparison to preoperative baseline. On comparison of the inlay vs. onlay groups, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was higher in the inlay group (mean difference, 2.53 [95% confidence interval, 0.27-4.78]; P = .03). Postoperative motion, even if statistically greater in the onlay group (differences of 5° in forward flexion [P .001], 3° in abduction [P = .003], and 4° in external rotation [P .001]), was not clinically different. On comparison of complications, the inlay group showed more instances of scapular notching (93 of 322 patients vs. 70 of 415 patients; odds ratio, 0.35; P .001) but fewer scapular spine fractures (26 of 727 patients vs. 21 of 559 patients, P = .09).Inlay and onlay humeral tray designs in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty demonstrate similar clinical improvements postoperatively. Onlay implants have a low rate of scapular notching but a higher rate of scapular spine fracture. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the 2 humeral tray designs is important to provide surgeons with options to tailor surgical plans for high-risk patients.

The purpose of our study was to examine the impact that an increased body mass index (BMI) has on arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (aRCR) outcomes.We identified a sample of 313 patients who underwent aRCR at our institution from 2017 to 2020. Patients were classified into cohorts by BMI: normal BMI (25), overweight (25-30), and obese (≥30). Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores (Pain Interference, Pain Intensity, and Upper Extremity) and Clinical Global Impressions scale rating of pain and functional improvement after surgery were obtained at 1 year postoperatively. The significance of the BMI category as a predictor for outcomes was evaluated using multiple linear and multivariable logistic regressions. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with Youden's J-statistic was used to determine optimal BMI cutoff for predicting likelihood of achieving minimum clinically important difference (MCID) and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) on the Clinical Global Impressions scales.Obesity was a significant predictor of reduced preoperative-to-postoperative improvement in the PROMIS Upper Extremity score (Obesity was not found to be an independent risk factor for increased rotator cuff tear size or tendon involvement but was nonetheless associated with worse upper extremity function and pain after aRCR.

Patient's willingness and barriers for discharge after shoulder arthroplasty (SA) has not been studied. The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze patient's willingness for discharge and barriers to discharge beyond postoperative day #1 (POD#1) after SA.In this prospective study, patients undergoing primary or revision SA (anatomic, reverse, or hemiarthroplasty) at our institution were enrolled to determine their willingness and concerns for discharge after SA. Patient's willingness for discharge was inquired daily until discharge. Demographic information, patient's medical history, intraoperative details (duration of surgery, estimated blood loss, intraoperative complication), discharge disposition, length of stay (LOS), and reasons for extension of LOS beyond POD#1 were analyzed.A total of 184 patients who underwent SA were included. Eight patients were discharged on POD#0, 114 patients on POD#1, 37 patients on POD#2, and 25 patients after POD#2. One hundred nineteen (119) patients were discharged to home, 40 were discharged to home with services, 15 were discharged to nursing facilities, and 10 were discharged to rehabilitation centers. Reasons for extension of LOS past POD#1 included patients failing to clear home safety evaluation (n = 4), inadequate pain control (n = 6), worsening of preexisting medical conditions (n = 8), delay in patient disposition (awaiting placement in a rehabilitation facility [n = 6] and awaiting culture results [n = 9]). Social reasons (n = 29) were the most common reasons for extension of LOS. These included patients requesting an extra day of stay (n = 20), patients requesting rehabilitation facility placement (n = 5), lack of a timely ride home (n = 2), and family-related reasons (death in the family [n = 1], lack of home help [n = 1]).This prospective study demonstrates modifiable factors associated with LOS beyond POD#1 (inadequate pain control, logistic delays in disposition, and patient-related social concerns) after SA. With increasing interest in same-day discharge and rising concerns to control cost and use bundled payment initiatives with SA, improving patient's willingness to discharge by addressing their concerns can improve early discharge after SA.

Tophaceous gout affecting the olecranon region can result in local discomfort, skin ulceration, secondary infection, and considerable disability if left untreated. However, there are limited reports of outcomes, including postoperative complications and recurrence after surgical excision of tophaceous gout deposits at the elbow. The aim of this study is to present our surgical technique and minimum one-year outcomes after surgical excision of tophaceous gout involving the elbow.A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients from a single surgeon's practice who underwent surgical excision of gouty tophi of the elbow between January 2016 and December 2019. The indications for surgical excision of tophi included failure of medical management, presence of skin ulceration, and/or large gouty tophi. The relevant data pertaining to patient demographics, preoperative findings, intraoperative findings, surgical pathology reports, and short-term postoperative complications were collected through retrospective chart review. Patients were subsequently contacted for a follow-up telehealth visit to assess recurrence of gouty tophi, functional outcomes, and range of motion (ROM) measurements.Six male patients underwent 7 total procedures (1 bilateral elbow) during the study period. The mean age of the cohort at the time of surgery was 56.0 ± 7.1 years (range: 45.3-63.5). The mean size of the swelling in 2 maximum dimensions was 5.8 × 3.4 cm. There were no intraoperative or immediate postoperative wound complications. There was no recurrence of gouty tophi at a mean follow-up time of 30.8 months (range: 14.0-43.5). Patients reported physiologic ROM (mean flexion-extension arc of 2°-134°) with no pain at final follow-up.Surgical treatment of tophaceous gout of the elbow is associated with a low risk of wound complication and recurrence.

History of prior rotator cuff repair (RCR) may adversely affect the outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), but there is no information regarding the influence of prior superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) surgery on the outcomes of RTSA. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of RTSA following failed arthroscopic SCR.All patients who underwent RTSA for failed SCR (SCR cohort) at our institution were identified from our institutional database. A comparative cohort of patients who had RTSA with a history of failed RCR (Control cohort) was also reviewed. Demographic information, 90-day complication rate, 90-day emergency department visits, length of stay, and outcome scores (patient-reported outcomes measurement information system [PROMIS] physical function upper extremity, Visual Analog Scale score, and range of motion) were compared.From 2015 to 2020, 87 arthroscopic SCRs were performed at our institution and of these, 13 patients underwent RTSA at a mean time of 14.6 months (5.8-32.4) after SCR and were followed up for an average of 17.9 months (1.6-44.6). The average number of shoulder surgeries prior to RTSA was 2.8 (1-7), with the last surgery being SCR. During the same period, we identified 15 patients who underwent an RTSA after a failed RCR (control cohort). The RTSA in the control cohort was performed on average at 12.8 months (1.5-39.5) following the last RCR, and patients were followed up for an average of 27.7 months (2.8-53.9). The average number of shoulder surgeries before the RTSA in the control cohort was 1.4 (1-3). Although the SCR cohort had significant improvements in pain scores and forward flexion (FF), there was only a modest functional improvement with PROMIS scores and no meaningful improvement with external rotation. Complications (23%) in the SCR cohort included 1 periprosthetic joint infection requiring 2-stage revision, 1 acromion stress fracture, and 1 ulnar neuritis. Overall, compared to the SCR cohort, patients in the control cohort had better function (PROMIS physical function upper extremity), lower Visual Analog Scale score, and greater range of motion (FF and external rotation) preoperatively and at last follow-up, but there were no differences in the length of stay and 90-day emergency department visits, infection, and complication rate between the 2 cohorts.RTSA after failed SCR improves pain and FF but is associated with modest functional improvements and high complication rates. However, these findings will require confirmation in a larger cohort with longer follow-up.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to determine why athletes did not return to play (RTP) following operative management of superior-labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears, compare these athletes to those who did RTP, and evaluate the SLAP-Return to Sport after Injury (SLAP-RSI) score to assess the psychological readiness of athletes to RTP after operative management of SLAP tears. METHODS: A retrospective review of athletes who underwent operative management of SLAP tears with a minimum of 24-month follow-up was performed. Outcome data, including visual analog scale (VAS) score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, patient satisfaction, and whether they would undergo the same surgery again was collected. Additionally, the rate and timing of return to work (RTW), the rate and timing of RTP, SLAP-RSI score, and VAS during sport were evaluated, with subgroup analysis among overhead and contact athletes. The SLAP-RSI is a modification of the Shoulder Instability-Return to Sport after Injury (SI-RSI) score, with a score >56 considered to be a passing score for being psychologically ready to RTP. RESULTS: The study included 209 athletes who underwent operative management of SLAP tears. A significantly higher percentage of patients who were able to return to play passed the SLAP-RSI benchmark of 56 compared to those who were unable to return (82.3% vs 10.1%; P < .001), and the mean overall SLAP-RSI scores were also significantly higher among those capable of returning to play (76.8 vs 50.0; P < .0001). Additionally, there was a significant difference between the two groups in every component of the SLAP-RSI score (P < .05 for all). Fear of reinjury and the feeling of instability were the most common reasons for not returning to play among contact athletes. Residual pain was the most common complaint among overhead athletes. A binary regression model predicting return to sports was performed, which demonstrated ASES score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04, 95%; (confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.07; P = .009), RTW within 1 month after surgery (OR: 3.52, 95%; CI: 1.01–12.3; P = .048), and SLAP-RSI score (OR: 1.03, 95%; CI: 1.01–1.05; P = .001) were all associated with greater likelihood of return to sports at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Following the operative management of SLAP tears, patients who are unable to RTP exhibit poor psychological readiness to return, which may be due to residual pain in overhead athletes or fear of reinjury in contact athletes. Lastly, the SLAP-RSI tool in combination with ASES proved to be useful in identifying patients’ psychological and physical readiness to RTP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic case series.

PURPOSE: To assess the preoperative and postoperative performance of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity (PROMIS-UE, version 2.0) outcome score in comparison to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) instruments in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study included 91 patients undergoing rotator cuff repair. Patients completed the PROMIS-UE, ASES, and WORC instruments preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between these tools was calculated at each time point. Correlations were graded as excellent (>0.7), excellent-good (0.61-0.7), good (0.4-0.6), or poor (

Background The objective of this study was to assess patient satisfaction and preference for telemedicine vs. in-person visits for outpatient shoulder and elbow musculoskeletal consultation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and in the future. Methods Patients who had telemedicine visits for shoulder and elbow musculoskeletal complaints at a single institution from March through June 2020 were invited to respond to a post-visit survey. The survey included a standardized questionnaire that focused on the patient’s satisfaction with the telemedicine visits during the pandemic and preference for using the telemedicine platform in the future, following the pandemic. Additional details regarding their virtual visits (severity of medical condition, as well as previous virtual or emergency department visits) were also obtained. Data regarding patient demographic characteristics and visit details (primary diagnosis, type of visit, length of visit, and treating physician) were extracted from the electronic medical records. Results In total, 153 patients participated in the study. Overall, high satisfaction scores regarding the telemedicine visits were noted: 91% of patients reported that their concerns were adequately addressed, 89% would recommend telemedicine to a friend, and 94% stated that they would use the telemedicine platform again in the presence of a situation similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the majority of patients (76%) reported a preference for in-person visits for the same musculoskeletal complaint if it were not for COVID-19. A telemedicine visit duration > 10 minutes and a first-time telemedicine visit correlated with higher satisfaction rates (P = .037 and P = .001, respectively). Conclusions COVID-19 has provided a boost to the use of our telemedicine platform, with a high satisfaction rate among patients with shoulder and elbow musculoskeletal complaints, largely owing to safety reasons and limited access to in-person doctor visits. However, a considerable number of patients would have preferred in-person visits for similar health complaints if there were no pandemic. Further research on optimizing the selection of patients for telemedicine visits and addressing their expectations and concerns regarding their visits will improve patients’ preference for future telemedicine visits.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes of open Latarjet (OL) compared to arthroscopic Latarjet (AL) for anterior shoulder instability. Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent either OL or AL for anterior shoulder instability between 2011 and 2019 was performed. Recurrent instability, visual analog scale (VAS) score, Shoulder Instability-Return to Sport after Injury (SIRSI), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) score, patient satisfaction, willingness to undergo surgery again, and return to work/sport (RTW/RTS) were evaluated. A P value of < .05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Our study included 102 patients in total; 72 patients treated with OL, and 30 treated with AL. There were no demographic differences between the two groups (P > .05 for all). At final follow up (mean of 51.3 months), there was no difference between those that underwent OL or AL in the reported WOSI, VAS, VAS during sports, SSV, and SIRSI scores, nor in patient satisfaction, or whether they would undergo surgery again (P > .05). Overall, there was no significant difference in the total rate of RTP (65% vs 60.9%; P = .74), or timing of RTP (8.1 months vs 7 months; P = .35). Additionally, there was no significant difference in the total rate of RTW (93.5% vs 95.5%; P = .75). Overall, 3 patients in the OL group and 2 patients in the AL group had recurrent instability events (6.9% vs 6.7%; P = .96), with no significant difference in the rate of recurrent dislocation (4.2% vs 3.3%; P = .84). Conclusion: In patients with anterior shoulder instability, both the OL and AL are reliable treatment options, with a low rate of recurrent instability, and similar patient-reported outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to report the outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tear (RCT).This is a retrospective cohort study comparing preoperative and postoperative data of patients undergoing arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable RCT. Exclusion criteria included open tuberoplasty, concomitant partial RCT repair, glenohumeral arthritis, concomitant ipsilateral extremity fractures,12 months follow-up, or pseudoparalysis. Demographics, shoulder range of motion (ROM), RCT morphology, re-operation rates, satisfaction and outcome scores were collected from medical records and questionnaires. Outcome scores included Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Upper Extremity (PROMIS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and pain Visual Analog Score (VAS).Out of 28 patients identified between 2012 and 2019, 20 (21 shoulders) were available for follow-up at a mean of 43.3 ± 20.9 months. Mean age was 64.6 ± 8.8 years. Mean PROMIS was 37.7 ± 7.3, ASES was 82.9 ± 13.8, and SVV was 67.1 ± 19.4. VAS with activity decreased from 5.0 ± 2.9 preoperatively to 2.3 ± 2.6 (Arthroscopic tuberoplasty demonstrates high levels of satisfaction and pain reduction in symptomatic irreparable RCT. In appropriately indicated patients, this treatment should be considered prior to other salvage options.

Coracoid fracture is a rare injury. The aim of this study is to present the demographics, clinical and radiologic characteristics, and outcomes of coracoid fracture in a cohort of 32 patients. We queried our institutional electronic medical record database (years 2012–2020) to identify patients with coracoid fractures using specific International Classification of Disease-10 codes. Demographic data, injury details including mechanism of injury and associated injuries, imaging performed, and treatment outcomes were obtained from retrospective chart review. A radiologist reviewed all available imaging studies (radiographs/CT/MRI) and classified the fractures according to Ogawa and Eyres classifications. Missed diagnoses were determined by comparing initial imaging reports with the follow-up imaging obtained in the office. Thirty-two patients with coracoid fractures were identified during the study period. Sixteen fractures (50%) occurred in the setting of low-energy trauma. Twelve fractures were missed on initial radiographs, and diagnosis with three-view radiographs (AP, scapular-Y and axillary) was 88% compared to 33% (p

Background The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System minimal clinically important difference (PROMIS MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) of patient-reported outcome measures provide clinical significance to patient-reported outcome measures scores. The goal of this study is to measure the MCID, SCB, and PASS of PROMIS Upper Extremity v2.0 (PROMIS UE) in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Methods All patients who underwent TSA since October 2017 were identified from our institutional database. Patients who had completed the PROMIS UE outcome measure before surgery were asked to complete a PROMIS UE and anchor survey that contained two transition questions to assess patient satisfaction and change in symptoms since treatment. The anchor-based MCID, SCB, and PASS were calculated as the change in PROMIS UE score that represented the optimal cutoff for a receiver operating characteristic curve. The distribution-based MCID was calculated as a range between the average standard error of measurement multiplied by 2 different constants: 1 and 2.77. Results This study enrolled 165 patients. The anchor-based MCID for PROMIS UE was calculated to be 8.05 with an AUC of 0.814. The anchor-based SCB was calculated to be 10.0 with an AUC of 0.727. The distribution-based MCID was calculated to be between 3.12 and 8.65. The PASS was calculated to be 37.2 with an AUC of 0.90. Conclusions The establishment of MCID, SCB, and PASS for PROMIS UE scores after shoulder arthroplasty provides meaningful and objective clinical interpretation of the improvements in outcome scores after TSA.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine if addition of CT to axillary radiographs (AXR) alters preoperative decision making for shoulder arthroplasty. Methods Preoperative deidentified images (XR alone and XR with CT) of 50 patients with glenohumeral arthritis were reviewed independently by 3 reviewers in a blinded fashion. Each reviewer graded images for glenoid wear pattern as simple (Walch A1 or B1) or advanced [A2, B2, C]), adequacy of AXR and need for advanced imaging. The reviewers determined a preoperative plan for all patients based on XR alone vs. XR and CT including the arthroplasty type (anatomic or reverse total shoulder) and their plan for treating glenoid wear (eccentric or standard reaming vs. bone graft or augment). Kappa values (κ) were calculated to determine inter-rater agreement and consistency among multiple reviewers. Fisher's exact test was used to assess any difference in preoperative plan once the shoulders were separated into simple and advanced glenoid wear patterns. Results The 3 reviewers agreed that quality of AXRs was significantly inadequate (P Conclusion Axillary radiographs are often inadequate for preoperative planning in shoulder arthritis with advanced glenoid wear patterns (Walch A2, B2, C types). Addition of CT imaging to radiographs in shoulder arthritis with advanced glenoid wear can affect the preoperative decision with respect to type of shoulder arthroplasty and/or plan for addressing glenoid wear (reaming, bone graft or augmented glenoids). Level of evidence Level IV

Purpose To describe the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes in patients with complex region pain syndrome (CRPS) following shoulder surgeries. Methods Three patients were diagnosed with CRPS according to the Budapest criteria. Patients were followed up prospectively at regular intervals for a minimum of 2 years. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, treatment received, and outcomes were collected and reported. Results The minimum time interval between surgery and diagnosis was 3 weeks (average, 8 weeks). The index procedures included 2 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs and 1 open Latarjet. Neurologic pain, muscle spasms, hand and wrist swelling, and joint stiffness were seen in the shoulder, wrist, and hand, but the elbow was spared in all patients. Despite the use of multimodal treatment modalities, the symptoms were refractory to treatment for prolonged periods (range, 6-12 months). Hand and wrist symptoms took an average of 4 months longer than shoulder symptoms to improve. At the latest follow-up (range, 24-26 months), varying degrees of residual hand dysfunction, pain, and inability to make a fist or fully extend the fingers were noted in all 3 patients. Conclusions CPRS type 1 following shoulder surgery is a disabling condition with a long-protracted clinical course. CRPS can present as early as few weeks after shoulder surgery, with symptoms of neuropathic pain, spasm, and stiffness affecting the entire upper-extremity joints except the elbow. CRPS symptoms resolve earlier in the shoulder compared with the wrist and hand, with pain improving first, followed by recovery of motion and function. Residual stiffness affecting grip function is last to recover and can present up to 2 years after onset of symptoms. Although prompt recognition and multimodal approach are considered the mainstay of treatment, there is no gold standard treatment modality that can reproducibly alter the natural history of CRPS. Level of Evidence IV, therapeutic case series.

With an ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States, it is important to examine if decreased opioid prescribing can affect patient experience, namely satisfaction with pain control.The purpose of this study was to investigate what effect, if any, decreased opioid prescribing after total shoulder arthroplasty had on Press Ganey satisfaction surveys.A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent primary anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty between October 2014 and October 2019. Patients with complete Press Ganey survey information and no history of trauma, fracture, connective tissue disease, or prior shoulder arthroplasty surgery were included in the analysis. Patients were segregated into 2 groups, pre-protocol and post-protocol, based on the date of surgery relative to implementation of an institutional opioid reduction protocol, which occurred in October 2018. Prescriptions were converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for direct comparison between different opioid medications.A total of 201 patients met inclusion criteria, and there were 110 reverse total shoulder arthroplasties and 91 anatomic total shoulder arthroplasties. Average opioids prescribed on discharge for the pre-protocol group were 426.3 ± 295 MME (equivalent to 56.8 tablets of oxycodone 5 mg), whereas after the initiation of the protocol, they were 193.8 ± 199 MME (equivalent to 25.8 tablets of oxycodone 5 mg); P.0001. Average satisfaction with pain control did not change significantly between pre-protocol and post-protocol (4.71 ± 0.65 pre-protocol and 4.74 ± 0.44 post-protocol, P = .82).A reduction in opioids prescribed after a total shoulder replacement is not associated with any negative effects on patient satisfaction, as measured by the Press Ganey survey.

Purpose To compare biomechanical and clinical outcomes between knotless and knotted anchors in arthroscopic labral repair, specifically in (1) Bankart repair, (2) SLAP repair, (3) posterior labral repair, and (4) remplissage augmentation of Bankart repair. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to find biomechanical and clinical studies comparing knotted and knotless anchors using the search term “knotless anchor.” Results Overall, 17 studies met inclusion criteria. There were 7 studies evaluating the biomechanical outcomes, of which 5 found mixed results between knotted and knotless anchors for arthroscopic Bankart repair, 1 demonstrated a difference for SLAP repair favoring knotless anchors, and 2 showed no significant difference for Remplissage in terms of ultimate load-to-failure. Four studies evaluated knotless labral anchors compared with knotted anchors in patients undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair with no significant differences in outcomes reported between the 2 anchor types, except in one study that found an improved visual analog scale score and a lower recurrence and revision rate with knotted anchors. Five studies evaluated knotless anchors compared with knotted anchors in patients undergoing SLAP repair, and none of the included studies found any significant differences in the patient reported outcome measures or revision rates. Of the 5 studies comparing operative time, 4 found a reduced time with knotless anchors. Conclusions The clinical results show no significant differences in outcomes between knotless and knotted anchors for labral repair in the shoulder, including Bankart repair, SLAP repair, and posterior labral repair. However, there was conflicting evidence supporting knotless or knotted anchors in the biomechanical studies. However, operative times may be reduced with the use of knotless anchors. Level of Evidence III, A Systematic Review of Level II and III studies.

To correlate the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity (PROMIS UE) score with pre-existing validated outcome scores, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), and Constant score (CS) in patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis (AC).Patients with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic AC ("freezing" or "frozen" phases) who agreed to complete the ASES, CS, and PROMIS UE scores during their office visit were included in this study. Trained researchers performed the objective clinical assessments on the included patients. Responses to the 3 outcome scores were statistically analyzed and compared using Pearson correlation coefficients. Floor and ceiling effects were calculated.The final cohort included 100 patients with AC, of whom there were 72% female and 87% right hand dominant, with a mean age of 55 years. The PROMIS UE required fewer question responses (5.02 ± 1.84) compared with the fixed question burden with ASES (12) and CS (9). The mean outcome scores were 34.6 ± 2.5 (PROMIS UE), 55 ± 22 (ASES), and 51 ± 16 (CS). The PROMIS UE displayed an excellent correlation with both the ASES (r = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [0.72, 0.86], P.001) and CS (r = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [0.67, 0.83], P .001). Neither ceiling nor floor effects were present.The PROMIS UE displayed comparable efficacy to commonly used legacy outcome scores (ASES and CS) in AC. A lower question burden with the PROMIS UE carries potential for wider acceptability with the researchers and patients with shoulder pathology.

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of primary rTSA utilizing glenoid bone grafting (BG rTSA) to primary rTSA utilizing augmented glenoid baseplates (Aug rTSA) with a minimum 2-year follow-up.520 primary rTSA patients treated with 8° posterior glenoid augments (n=246), 10° superior glenoid augments (n=97), or combined 10° superior/8° posterior glenoid augments (n=177) were compared to 47 patients undergoing glenoid bone grafting for glenoid bone insufficiency. Mean follow-up of 37.0(±16) and 53.0(±27) months. Outcomes were analyzed preoperatively and at the latest follow-up using conventional statistics and stratification by minimum clinically important difference (MCID) and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) thresholds where applicable. Radiographs were analyzed for baseplate failure and the incidence of postoperative complications and revisions were recorded.The glenoid Aug rTSA cohort had greater improvements in patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and ROM when compared to the BG rTSA group at a minimum of 2-year follow-up including: simple shoulder test (SST), Constant Score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES)score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)score, Shoulder Function, Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart (SAS)score, abduction, and external rotation(p0.05). Patient satisfaction was higher in Aug rTSA group compared to BG rTSA group(p=0.006). The utilization of an augmented glenoid component instead of glenoid bone grafting resulted in approximately 50% less total intraoperative time (p0.001), nearly 33% less intraoperative blood loss volume (p0.001), approximately threefold less scapular notching (p0.01) and approximately fifteenfold less adverse events requiring revision (p0.01) when compared to BG rTSA cohort. Aside from SCB for abduction, the Aug rTSA cohort achieved higher rates of exceeding MCID and SCB for every PROM compared to BG rTSA. More specifically, 77.6% and 70.2% of the Aug rTSA achieved SCB for ASES and SPADI versus 55% and 48.6% in the BG rTSA, respectively(p=0.003 and p=0.013).The present midterm clinical and radiographic study demonstrates that the utilization of an augmented base plate for insufficient glenoid bone stock is superior as judged by multiple PROMs and ROM metrics when compared to bone graft augmentation at minimum 2-year follow-up. Additionally, when analyzed according to MCID and SCB thresholds, the use of augmented baseplates outperforms the use of glenoid bone grafting. Complication and revision rates also favor the use of augmented glenoid baseplates over glenoid bone grafting. Long-term clinical and radiographic follow-up is necessary to confirm that these promising mid-term results are durable.

Aspiration of the olecranon bursa is a treatment option for acute olecranon bursitis (OB). Typically, the aspirate is sent for microbiologic analysis, cell count, and crystal analysis. This study investigates the utility of fluid aspirate analysis from patients with clinically diagnosed aseptic OB.In this prospective study (IRB #i20-00986), patients presenting with acute aseptic OB were treated with aspiration as standard of care. Patients consented to participate in this study via phone. Patients with suspected infectious bursitis, open draining wound, and chronic OB were excluded. The aspirate was sent out for routine microbiologic analysis (aerobic and anaerobic cultures and Gram staining) and fluid analyses, including cell count with differential and crystal analysis. Nucleated and differential cell count was reported as absolute numbers per cubic millimeter and percentage, respectively. Compression wrap was applied after OB aspiration, and patients were asked to ice and take anti-inflammatory medications. Clinical follow-up was done after 6 weeks and at 3 months for resolution vs. recurrence of symptoms, and the mean time to resolution was reported.A total of 26 patients (28 cases) with aseptic OB were enrolled in this study. Two patients had bilateral OB. The mean time to aspiration after the onset of symptoms was 26.4 days. One patient had recurrence of swelling after the first aspiration and underwent repeat bursa aspiration. No organisms were isolated or reported on Gram staining on any of the aspirate samples. Two aspirates were reported positive for calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. No patient had monosodium urate crystals. All patients had resolution of swelling and symptoms without the development of postaspiration infection.This study demonstrates limited clinical utility of routine microbiologic analysis (cell count, microbiologic, and crystal evaluation) of fluid aspirate from clinically diagnosed aseptic OB. Although 7% of fluid aspirates were positive for calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals, it did not change the overall treatment.

The majority of proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) in patients who are ≥65 years of age are treated nonoperatively, but certain complex fracture patterns benefit from surgical intervention. However, there continues to be debate regarding the indications for surgery and the optimal surgical treatment (repair versus replacement) in this population.Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has grown in popularity for surgical treatment of fracture-dislocations and displaced complex PHFs in patients who are ≥65 years of age; it has definite advantages over surgical repair and hemiarthroplasty, but this finding requires additional higher-quality evidence.RTSA provides early pain relief and return of shoulder function as well as predictable elevation above shoulder level in the forward plane, but the indications for and understanding of the effect of timing on RTSA after a PHF continue to evolve.RTSA for an acute PHF is indicated in patients who are ≥65 years of age with 3- and 4-part fracture-dislocations, head-split fractures, and severely displaced fractures, and is an option in patients who are not able to tolerate nonoperative treatment of severely displaced 3- and 4-part fractures.RTSA is also indicated as a salvage operation for PHFs that have failed initial surgical repair (i.e., fixation failure, implant failure, rotator cuff failure, or osteonecrosis) and is an option for symptomatic nonunion or malunion after nonoperative treatment.

Background: Shoulder arthroscopy is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures used to treat a variety of conditions, with >500,000 procedures performed each year. Purpose: To systematically review the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pain control after shoulder arthroscopy in the acute postoperative setting and to ascertain the best available evidence in managing pain after shoulder arthroscopy to optimize patient outcomes. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies were included if they were RCTs evaluating interventions to reduce postoperative pain after shoulder arthroscopy: nerve blocks, nerve block adjuncts, subacromial injections, patient-controlled analgesia, oral medications, or other modalities. Meta-analyses and network meta-analyses were performed where appropriate. Results: Our study included 83 RCTs. Across 40 studies, peripheral nerve blocks were found to significantly reduce postoperative pain and opioid use, but there was no significant difference among the variable nerve blocks in the network meta-analysis. However, continuous interscalene block did have the highest P-score at most time points. Nerve block adjuncts were consistently shown across 18 studies to prolong the nerve block time and reduce pain. Preoperative administration was shown to significantly reduce postoperative pain scores ( P < .05). No benefit was found in any of the studies evaluating subacromial infusions. Conclusion: Continuous interscalene block resulted in the lowest pain levels at most time points, although this was not significantly different when compared with the other nerve blocks. Additionally, nerve block adjuncts may prolong the postoperative block time and improve pain control. There is promising evidence for some oral medications and newer modalities to control pain and reduce opioid use. However, we found no evidence to support the use of subacromial infusions or patient-controlled analgesia.

Preoperative 3D planning and intraoperative navigation for shoulder arthroplasty has recently gained interest because of the potential to enhance the surgeon's understanding of glenoid anatomy and improve the accuracy of glenoid component positioning. The purpose of our study was to assess the impact of preoperative 3D planning on the surgeon's selection of the glenoid component (standard vs. augmented) and compare duration of surgery with and without intraoperative navigation.We retrospectively analyzed 200 consecutive patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty. The first group of 100 patients underwent shoulder arthroplasty using standard 2D preoperative planning based on standard radiographs and computed tomographic scans. The second group of 100 patients underwent shoulder arthroplasty using 3D preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation. Type of glenoid component and operative time were recorded in each case.For the group of patients with standard preoperative planning, only 15 augmented glenoid components were used, whereas in the group of patients with 3D preoperative planning and navigation, 54 augments were used (P.001). The operative time was 11 minutes longer for the procedures that used intraoperative navigation, compared with those that did not (P.001). This difference diminished as the surgeon became more proficient with the navigation technique.Use of preoperative 3D planning changes the surgeon's understanding of the patient's glenoid anatomy. In our study, using 3D planning increased the likelihood that the surgeon selected an augmented glenoid component compared with 2D planning. Intraoperative navigation slightly lengthened the duration of surgery, but this became insignificant as part of a learning curve within 6 months.

The purpose of this study was to compare the 90-day complication rate between the open and arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. A retrospective review of patients who underwent an open or arthroscopic Latarjet procedure at NYU Langone Health between 2012 and 2019 was performed. The complications, readmissions, and reoperations within 90 days were assessed. Outcomes were compared between the two approaches, and a p value of

Introduction There is no current standard by which culture specimens from revision shoulder arthroplasty should be handled, processed, cultured, and reported. Due to the relatively low numbers of cases multicenter study may provide information to form consensus recommendations. However, assimilation of multicenter data requires comparable methodologies. The objective of this study was to document and evaluate the extent of variability between surgeons and institutions. Methods An 11-question survey was sent to 20 shoulder surgeons as part of the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) Multicenter Workgroup. Questions addressed how samples are handled in the operating room by surgeons, processing of tissue samples and explants by laboratories, number of media, culture incubation durations, and culture reporting. Results Common practices regarding specimen handling and processing were identified including prolonged culture incubation times >13 days (94% of participants). However, substantial variation in handling of tissue and explant specimens, number and type of media used, and reporting of results were identified. The majority of surgeons reported using a sterile instrument to harvest each individual tissue specimen (10/17, 59%), more so than using any available instrument (4/17, 24%) or washing and re-using the same instrument (3/17, 18%). Half of the institutions require a time limit by which samples must be processed in the laboratory (8/16, 50%). Nine institutions (9/16, 56%) report cultures in a semi-quantitative manner, while 7 (44%) report cultures in a binary fashion. Five institutions reported having performed a negative control study, and the rate of positive cultures ranged between 0% and 17%. The majority of positive cultures from the negative controls contained Cutibacterium (92%). Discussion Specimen handling, processing, culturing, and reporting varies widely between institutions. Due to the risk of false positives as demonstrated by negative control studies, surgeons should be cognizant of potential sources of contamination at the specimen handling level in the operating room and specimen processing level in the laboratory. Given the challenges in interpretation of positive cultures in revision shoulder arthroplasty, further studies are needed to determine whether assimilation of data across institutions is acceptable or whether a standard culturing methodology across institutions is necessary. Level of Evidence: V

The aims of this study were to examine variances in inpatient opioid consumption after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and to determine factors influencing inpatient opioid utilization.The sample included patients undergoing elective TSA at a tertiary-level institution between January 2016 and April 2018. Opioid consumption during the inpatient stay was converted into morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), accounting for dosage and route of administration. The MMEs were calculated per patient encounter and used to calculate mean opioid consumption. Bivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of patient-related factors and surgery-related factors on inpatient opioid consumption.Altogether 20 surgeons performed 622 TSAs. The average opioid dose per encounter was 47.4 ± 65.7 MME/d. MMEs prescribed varied significantly among surgeon providers (P .01). Pre-existing psychiatric disorders (P = .00012), preoperative opioid use (P = .0013), highest quartile of median household income (P = .048), current-smoker status (P.001), age60 years (P.01), and general anesthesia (vs. regional anesthesia, P = .005) were associated with significant inpatient opioid consumption after TSA. Sex, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, replacement type (anatomic TSA vs. reverse TSA), and prior shoulder surgery did not show any significant differences.There is considerable variation in inpatient opioid consumption after TSA at the same institution. Knowledge of modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors that increase inpatient opioid consumption will help to optimize multimodal analgesia protocols for TSA.

Retrospective analysis of outcomes in cervical spine and shoulder arthroscopy patients.The objective of this study is to assess differential improvements in health-related quality of life for cervical spine surgery compared with shoulder surgery.An understanding of outcome differences between different types of orthopedic surgeries is helpful in counseling patients about expected postoperative recovery. This study compares outcomes in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery with arthroscopic shoulder surgery using computer-adaptive Patient-reported Outcome Information System scores.Patients undergoing cervical spine surgery (1-level or 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, cervical disc replacement) or arthroscopic shoulder surgery (rotator cuff repair±biceps tenodesis) were grouped. Patient-reported Outcome Information System scores of physical function, pain interference, and pain intensity at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months were compared using paired t tests.Cervical spine (n=127) and shoulder (n=91) groups were similar in sex (25.8% vs. 41.8% female, P=0.731) but differed in age (51.6±11.6 vs. 58.60±11.2, P0.05), operative time (148.3±68.6 vs. 75.9±26.9 min, P0.05), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASAs) (2.3±0.6 vs. 2.0±0.5, P=0.001), smoking status (15.7% vs. 4.4%, P=0.008), and length of stay (1.1±1.0 vs. 0.3±0.1, P=0.000). Spine patients had worse physical function (36.9 ±12.6 vs. 49.4±8.6, P0.05) and greater pain interference (67.0±13.6 vs. 61.7±4.8, P=0.001) at baseline. Significant improvements were seen in all domains by 3 months for both groups, except for physical function after shoulder surgery. Spine patients had greater physical function improvements at all timepoints (3.33 vs. -0.43, P=0.003; 4.81 vs. 0.08, P=0.001; 6.5 vs. -5.24, P=0.05). Conversely, shoulder surgery patients showed better 6-month improvement in pain intensity over spine patients (-8.86 vs. -4.46, P=0.001), but this difference resolved by 12 months.Cervical spine patients had greater relative early improvement in physical function compared with shoulder patients, whereas pain interference and intensity did not significantly differ between the 2 groups after surgery. This will help in counseling patients about relative difference in recovery and improvement between the 2 surgery types.III.

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Test (PROMIS UE CAT) is a newer patient-reported outcome measure for upper extremity physical function. To date, no longitudinal study exists assessing PROMIS UE CAT responsiveness in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study is to report PROMIS UE CAT responsiveness to change and correlation to legacy instruments in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Ninety-six patients (97 shoulders) undergoing TSA completed the PROMIS UE, Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and after 6 months. Spearman's correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between PROMIS UE and other scores at each time-point. Responsiveness to change was assessed using the effect size (Cohen's d) and standardized response mean compared with the preoperative time-point. Floor and ceiling effects were also assessed. PROMIS UE CAT demonstrated positive responsiveness at all time-points after TSA. It demonstrated excellent correlation (range: 0.68-0.84) with ASES, SST, and OSS at all postoperative time-points, but the correlation was weaker (r 0.6, except OSS) preoperatively. Only OSS and SST showed ceiling effects at the 6-12-month time-point (16.8% and 18.2%, respectively). PROMIS UE CAT responsiveness to change and strength of correlation with legacy instruments improves with time elapsed after TSA. Further quantification of meaningful responsiveness to change will require estimation of the minimal clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefit for PROMIS UE CAT.

To investigate the variance in 90-day complication, emergency department (ED) visit, revision, and readmission rates between the Latarjet procedure (LP) performed as a primary procedure for the treatment of recurrent shoulder instability associated with critical levels of glenohumeral bone loss and the LP performed as a salvage surgical procedure after failed arthroscopic instability repair (FAIR).Patients who underwent a primary LP from 2016-2021 in a single surgeon's practice were identified and divided into 2 cohorts based on the indication for surgery: primary LP for critical bone loss (unipolar or bipolar) (LP-PBL) or LP as salvage surgery for FAIR (LP-FAIR). Patients without a minimum follow-up period of 90 days were excluded. Chart review was conducted to analyze the prevalence of complications, ED visits and/or admissions, and secondary procedures in the 90-day postoperative period. Radiographic images were reviewed to evaluate for graft and/or hardware failure. An unpairedThe final sample sizes consisted of 54 patients in the LP-PBL group and 23 patients in the LP-FAIR group. In the postoperative period, 4 complications were observed in the first 90 days. These included complex regional pain syndrome (n = 1) and superficial wound dehiscence (n = 1) in the LP-PBL cohort. Superficial suture abscess (n = 1) and audible crepitation (n = 1) were observed in the LP-FAIR cohort. There was 1 secondary intervention (arthroscopic debridement) in the LP-FAIR cohort. No statistically significant difference in complication rates, ED visits or admissions, or secondary procedures was found between the LP-PBL and LP-FAIR groups.The results of this study indicate that the 90-day complication, ED visit, revision, and readmission rates after open LP are low irrespective of the extent of glenoid or bipolar bone loss and history of arthroscopic instability repair.Level III, retrospective cohort study.

» For shoulder arthroplasty, regional anesthesia is safer when compared with general anesthesia. There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate the superiority of regional anesthesia with respect to pulmonary complications and hospital length of stay. » Infiltration of the shoulder with local anesthetics offers no additional benefits compared with single-shot or continuous brachial plexus blocks for shoulder arthroplasty. » There is high-quality evidence (Level I) demonstrating lower pain scores and lower perioperative opioid requirements after a continuous peripheral nerve block compared with a single-shot nerve block. However, catheter dislodgment and logistical issues with catheter insertion are impediments to the widespread usage of a continuous nerve block with an indwelling catheter. » Liposomal bupivacaine is comparable with non-liposomal local anesthetic agents with respect to pain relief, the opioid-sparing effect, and adverse effects in the first 48 hours after total shoulder arthroplasty. » Perioperative dexamethasone administration improves postoperative pain control, decreases perioperative opioid requirements, and reduces postoperative nausea.

Deep tissue culture specimens obtained at the time of revision shoulder arthroplasty are commonly positive for Cutibacterium. Clinical interpretation of positive cultures can be difficult. This was a multi-institutional study evaluating the accuracy of cultures for Cutibacterium using positive control (PC) and negative control (NC) samples. The relationship between time to culture positivity and strength of culture positivity was also studied.Eleven different institutions were each sent 12 blinded samples (10 PC and 2 NC samples). The 10 PC samples included 2 sets of 5 different dilutions of a Cutibacterium isolate from a failed total shoulder arthroplasty with a probable periprosthetic infection. At each institution, the samples were handled as if they were received from the operating room. Specimen growth, time to culture positivity, and strength of culture positivity (based on semiquantitative assessment) were reported.A total of 110 PC samples and 22 NC samples were tested. One hundred percent of specimens at the 4 highest dilutions were positive for Cutibacterium. At the lowest dilution, 91% of samples showed positive findings. Cutibacterium grew in 14% of NC samples. Cutibacterium grew in PC samples at an average of 4.0 ± 1.3 days, and all of these samples showed growth within 7 days. The time to positivity was significantly shorter (P .001) and the strength of positivity was significantly higher (P .001) in true-positive cultures compared with false-positive cultures.This multi-institutional study suggests that different institutions may report highly consistent rates of culture positivity for revision shoulder arthroplasty samples with higher bacterial loads. In contrast, with lower bacterial loads, the results are somewhat less consistent. Clinicians should consider using a shorter time to positivity and a higher strength of positivity as adjuncts in determining whether a tissue culture sample is a true positive.

» Pectoralis major (PM) tendon tears are predominantly seen in young men, and the majority of tears occur as tendon avulsions involving the sternal head. Weightlifting, specifically bench-pressing, and sporting activities with eccentric overloading of the PM tendon are the 2 most common activities that result in PM injury. » Early surgical repair or reconstruction should be offered to younger, active patients with a complete PM tear; the majority of the patients undergoing surgical repair achieve good-to-excellent outcomes. » Nonsurgical treatment of a complete PM tear is an option but will result in cosmetic deformity and a deficit in adduction strength of the arm. Outcomes after nonsurgical treatment of complete PM tears are less satisfactory than those obtained after surgical treatment. » Currently, there is no consensus on the chronological definition of PM tears (acute versus chronic), the critical time limit for performing surgical repair, the ideal fixation device (cortical button, bone tunnel, or suture anchors), the indications for allograft use, and the ideal rehabilitation protocol after treatment of PM tears.

Introduction Management of the subscapularis during shoulder arthroplasty is controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical performance of subscapularis peel (SP) and lesser tuberosity osteotomy (LTO) in a cadaveric model. Methods The subscapularis and proximal humerus were dissected from all soft tissues in 21 fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders and randomized to undergo SP, LTO, or standard subscapularis tenotomy (ST, control). For SP and LTO, six #5 sutures were passed through eyelets in the implant (on lateral border and through drill holes in bicipital groove [2] and under trunion [4]). Double-row repair was performed using two lateral row transosseous sutures and four medial row sutures through the tendon (SP) or osseotendinous junction (LTO). Biomechanical properties and mode of failure were tested. Results There were no significant differences in elongation amplitude, cyclic elongation, or maximum load to failure between the three groups (P > 0.05). Mean stiffness was significantly higher in LTO (P = 0.009 vs. SP and ST). In the ST group, 7/7 specimens failed at the tendon-suture interface. For SP, 4/7 failed at the tendon-suture interface, one at the suture-bone interface, one fractured around the implant stem, and one at the knots. For LTO, 3/7 failed at the tendon-suture interface, two at the suture-bone interface and two fractured around the implant stem. Conclusions In this cadaveric model, subscapularis repair via ST, SP, and LTO techniques was biomechanically equivalent. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the influence of biologic healing on healing rates and clinical outcomes. Level of evidence N/a, biomechanical laboratory study

Background Reducing intraoperative wound contamination is a critical preventive strategy for reducing the risk of prosthetic joint infection in shoulder arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential microbial colonization of subscapularis tagging sutures during shoulder arthroplasty. Methods In this prospective study, 50 consecutive patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty (anatomic or reverse) were enrolled. Patients with revision shoulder arthroplasty and proximal humeral fractures were excluded. Nonabsorbable, braided tagging sutures were placed through the subscapularis tendon prior to tenotomy. A similar nonabsorbable, braided suture (control) was placed in a sterile container on the back table, open to the operating room environment. Subscapularis tagging sutures (experimental specimens) and control sutures were collected prior to subscapularis tenotomy repair and submitted for aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Cultures were held for 21 days to account for extended growth of slow-growing bacteria. Results A total of 12 of 50 experimental and 16 of 50 control sutures had positive cultures. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes were the 2 most commonly isolated organisms. Active tobacco use (P = .038) and procedure length (P = .03) were significantly associated with positive cultures. No significant association between positive subscapularis tagging suture cultures and positive control cultures was found (P = .551). Patient age, sex, body mass index, and significant medical comorbidities were not significantly associated with positive cultures. Discussion Subscapularis tagging sutures are a potential source of microbial contaminant in shoulder arthroplasty, and we recommend exchanging the tagging suture with a suture opened immediately prior to subscapularis repair.

Hypothesis The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the safety, efficacy, and opioid-sparing effect of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) vs. nonliposomal local anesthetic agents (NLAs) for postoperative analgesia after shoulder surgery. Methods A systematic literature review of randomized controlled clinical studies comparing the efficacy of LB with NLAs in shoulder surgery was conducted. Seven level I and II studies were included in the meta-analysis, and shoulder surgical procedures included arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and shoulder arthroplasty. Bias was assessed using The Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The primary outcome measures were visual analog scale pain scores and opioid consumption 24 and 48 hours after shoulder surgery. Subgroup analysis was performed for the method of LB administration (interscalene nerve block vs. local infiltration). Results A total of 7 studies (535 patients) were included in the final meta-analysis comparing LB (n = 260) with NLAs (n = 275). No significant difference was found between the LB and NLA groups in terms of visual analog scale pain scores at 24 hours (95% confidence interval, –1.02 to 0.84; P = .86) and 48 hours (95% confidence interval, –0.53 to 0.71; P = .78). Both groups had comparable opioid consumption at both 24 hours (P = .43) and 48 hours (P = .78) postoperatively and with respect to length of stay (P = .87) and adverse events (P = .97). Subgroup analysis demonstrated comparable efficacy irrespective of the method of administration of LB. Conclusion LB is comparable to NLAs with respect to pain relief, the opioid-sparing effect, and adverse effects in the first 48 hours after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and total shoulder arthroplasty.

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preoperative bisphosphonate treatment on the intra- and postoperative outcomes of arthroplasty of the shoulder. The hypothesis was that previous bisphosphonate treatment would adversely affect both intra- and postoperative outcomes. Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients undergoing arthroplasty of the shoulder, at a single institution. Two patients with no previous bisphosphonate treatment were matched to each patient who had received this treatment preoperatively by gender, age, race, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and type of arthroplasty. Previous bisphosphonate treatment was defined as treatment occurring during the three-year period before the arthroplasty. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of intraoperative complications and those occurring at one and two years postoperatively. A total of 87 patients were included: 29 in the bisphosphonates-exposed (BP+) group and 58 in the non-exposed (BP-) group. In the BP+ group, there were 26 female and three male patients, with a mean age of 71.4 years (51 to 87). In the BP- group, there were 52 female and six male patients, with a mean age of 72.1 years (53 to 88). Results Previous treatment with bisphosphonates was positively associated with intraoperative complications (fracture; odds ratio (OR) 39.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.42 to 6305.70) and one-year postoperative complications (OR 7.83, 95% CI 1.11 to 128.82), but did not achieve statistical significance for complications two years postoperatively (OR 3.45, 95% CI 0.65 to 25.28). The power was 63% for complications at one year. Conclusion Patients who are treated with bisphosphonates during the three-year period before shoulder arthroplasty have a greater risk of intraoperative and one-year postoperative complications compared with those without this previous treatment.