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Massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears, if left untreated, may result in cuff tear arthropathy, which causes shoulder disability and pain. The primary outcome of this systematic review was to evaluate differences in functional outcomes between the arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) and latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT) for the treatment of massive, irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears without arthritis. The secondary outcome was to compare complication and reoperation rates between the two surgical procedures.The PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central databases were searched using keywords, and 20 studies were included in this review. Data extracted for quantitative analysis included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Constant-Murley score (CMS), the subjective shoulder value (SSV), the range of motion (ROM), the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, numbers and types of complications and reoperation rate. The preoperative fatty degeneration of the muscles and the preoperative and follow-up acromio-humeral distance (AHD) and glenohumeral osteoarthritis according to the Hamada grading system were also reported.A total of 1112 patients were identified, among whom 407 and 399 underwent SCR and LDTT, respectively. The SCR group showed a higher mean age at the time of operation (64.5±7.8 vs. 62.1±8.9 years; p0.001). The SCR group showed a lower rate of previous surgical procedures on the shoulder (35 out of 407 vs. 111 out of 399; p0.001) and a shorter mean follow-up (30.4±7.5 vs. 36.3±10.3 months; p0.001). Patients who underwent SCR reported significantly better functionality and residual pain as measured by the CMS (75.5±11.2 vs. 65.6±22.8, p0.001), ASES (84.3±13 vs. 67.7±23, p0.001), SSV (79.4±13 vs. 64.4±23,p0.001), and VAS (1.4±2 vs. 2.8±3,p0.001) than patients who underwent LDTT. A greater AHD (5.8±2.5 vs. 7.6±2.7, p0.001) was found in the SCR group. The SCR group showed a significantly lower infection rate (0.2% vs. 2.8%., p=0.003), and an higher graft failure rate (12.3% vs. 6.8%, p=0.012). No differences in terms of reoperation for graft failure (1% vs. 2.3% for SCR and LDTT, respectively; p=0.172) or for conversion to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (1.7% vs. 2% for SCR and LDTT, respectively; p=0.800) were found.Patients undergoing SCR report better functional outcomes and greater AHD than LDTT. The LDTT group shows a significantly higher infection rate, while the SCR group shows a significantly higher graft failure rate, but there are no differences in terms of reoperation between the two surgical procedures.

To evaluate the efficacy of selective interleukin (IL)-1 inhibitor therapy in the reduction of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) progression following knee ligament or meniscal injury.A systematic review was conducted evaluating the disease-modifying efficacy of selective IL-1 inhibition in the setting of knee PTOA.The literature search identified 364 articles and 11 studies were included (n = 10 preclinical, n = 1 clinical). Drug delivery in preclinical studies was administered using IL-1Ra-encoded helper-dependent adenovirus particles (n = 3), synovial cells transfected with an IL-1Ra-encoded retroviral vector (n = 3), or varying chemical compositions of nonviral microcapsule gene carriers (n = 4). Intervention with selective IL-1 inhibitor therapy within 2 weeks of injury provided the greatest protective benefits in reducing the progression of PTOA regardless of drug delivery methodology in preclinical models. The majority of studies reported significantly better cartilage integrity and reduction in lesion size in animals treated with gene therapy with the greatest effects seen in those treated within 5 to 7 days of injury.Early intervention with selective IL-1 inhibitor therapy were effective in reducing proinflammatory IL-1β levels in the acute and subacute phases following traumatic knee injury in preclinical animal model studies, while significantly reducing cartilage damage, lesion size, and PTOA progression at short-term follow-up. However, it was found that the effect of these therapies diminished over time.Acute, intra-articular injection of selective IL-1 inhibitors may reduce PTOA progression, supporting the need for additional basic and clinical investigation.

Background This systematic review investigated the outcomes of revision surgery after periprosthetic ankle infection (PAI). Methods According to the PRISMA statement, 9 studies with 131 PAIs surgically treated and analyzed were included. Demographics and surgical techniques with eradication rates and complications were reported. Results Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (30.4%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) (26.5%) were the most common microorganisms. The eradication rate was 91.7% with permanent antibiotic spacers (SPC), 84.4% with 2-stage, 79.4% with arthrodesis (AA), and 58.8% with debridement and implant retention (DAIR). DAIR showed a significantly lower eradication rate than 2-stage (p = 0.016) and SPC (p = 0.043). Amputations occurred in 25% of patients after SPC, 8.8% after AA and 3.9% after DAIR. SPC showed a significantly higher amputation rate than DAIR and 2-stage (p = 0.044, and p = 0.017, respectively). Conclusions SPC and 2-stage revision show the highest eradication rates, but 2-stage has a lower risk of amputation.

Meniscus root tears are increasingly being recognized and treated because of improved awareness and diagnostics. These injuries commonly occur in combination with knee ligament injuries. Untreated posterior meniscus root teats have been demonstrated to increase contact pressure and decrease contact area, ultimately leading to unfavorable joint loading and development of early osteoarthritis. Posterior lateral meniscus root tears (PLMRTs) also have been reported to increase anterior tibial translation and pivot shift in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees. Therefore, it is crucial to repair meniscal root tears when possible to restore knee joint loading and kinematics. Several techniques for repair of the PLMRT have been described. In this Technical Note, we describe our preferred technique for repair of PLMRT using an all-suture anchor. This technique is reproducible, does not need a tunnel, mitigates bungee effect of transtibial technique, and the anchor can easily be inserted on the footprint without a need for a guide.

The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has increased the use of personal protective equipment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a commercially available sterile surgical helmet system (SSHS) can be considered protective against COVID-19 and therefore safe for use.A double-blinded randomized controlled study was performed to investigate the efficacy of the ViVi® SSHS with a high-efficiency particulate air filter called HFD Hood (THI, Total Healthcare Innovation GmbH, Feistritz im Rosental, Austria) to protect against respiratory droplets. Forty recruited participants were divided into two different groups. The SSHS was tested using a validated qualitative test for respirator masks through saccharin or placebo solutions based on random allocation into two cohorts. Saccharin droplets are a validated surrogated marker for any elements of viral size, such as coronaviruses. A positive report of sweet taste after saccharin exposure was suggestive of ViVi® SSHS inefficacy in protection against droplets.One participant out of 21 (4.8%) reported positive for taste within the placebo cohort, while five out of 19 (26.3%) reported positive for taste within the saccharin cohort upon testing. Two out of 21 (9.5%) participants reported positive for taste within the placebo cohort, and two out of 19 (10.5%) reported positive for taste within the saccharin cohort upon retesting. There were no statistically significant differences between the saccharin and placebo groups in either the test or retest measurements (p = 0.085 and p = 1.000, respectively).This study demonstrates that the ViVi® SSHS equipped with HFD Hood protects against respiratory droplets, increasing protection against several microorganisms, including the virus that causes COVID-19, allowing surgeons to carry out procedures on COVID-positive patients in a more comfortable and safer way.

3D-printed (3DP) polycaprolactone (PCL)-based scaffolds have gained popularity in the past decade. Despite the wide utility of autografts for bone regeneration in orthopedics practice, 3DP PCL scaffolds may replace this general application. Here we present a 42-year-old patient who had glenohumeral arthritis due to rheumatoid arthritis accompanied by a Walch 3 glenoid defect, and a 19-year-old patient with neglected Galeazzi fracture–dislocation accompanied by a radius non-union. In both patients, a 3DP PCL + hyaluronic acid-based scaffold was used for bone regeneration purposes. The preliminary results showed that the 3DP PCL + hyaluronic acid scaffold provided bone regeneration and may be a promising alternative to autografting for bone regeneration in orthopedic practice.

Patellar instability is a common pathology of the knee in pediatric patients. The management of this condition can be a challenge for the orthopedic surgeon, and a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the structures around the knee is of utmost importance in formulating a treatment plan. Predisposing factors can be related to: trochlear and patellar morphological abnormalities, ligamentous stabilizers, limb geometries in the axial plane, and patellar height abnormalities. Traditionally, first-time dislocators have been treated non-operatively; however, recent evidence suggests that certain factors are related to recurrent instability, and surgical treatment may be considered even after the first dislocation. It is important to keep in mind that younger children with open physes are not suitable candidates for certain surgical techniques. In this comprehensive review, we aimed to focus on the most up-to-date information on this topic and emphasize the importance of individualizing the treatment of pediatric patients.

Background Our purpose was to identify the 100 most cited articles in the shoulder surgery literature published in past decade and to compare them with the 100 most cited “classic” shoulder surgery articles to identify trends in the topics of shoulder research. Methods Using the term “shoulder,” we searched the Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science Core Collection database for 2 periods: 2010 through 2019 (“contemporary group,” n = 12,394) and 1900 through 2009 (“classic group,” n = 8790). We used the database sort function to order articles by number of citations. Titles, abstracts, and, when necessary, full text were screened to determine relevance to orthopedic shoulder topics until the 100 most cited articles were determined for each group. We analyzed the following article characteristics: title, author(s), publication year, journal, geographic origin, article type (clinical vs basic research), study design, and level of evidence (for clinical articles). P Results The 3 journals with the most articles in the contemporary group were the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM) (28%), the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (JSES) (28%), and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American volume (JBJS Am) (23%). The top 3 journals in the classic group were JBJS Am (45%), AJSM (16%), and JSES (15%). The 3 most frequent topics in the contemporary group were rotator cuff tear (43%), instability (14%), and fractures (10%); those in the classic group were pathoanatomy (29%), rotator cuff (28%), and instability (17%). Compared with the classic group, the contemporary group had more articles on outcomes of common shoulder procedures, including rotator cuff repair (25% vs. 17%), arthroplasty (21% vs. 15%), arthroscopy (17% vs. 11%), reverse shoulder arthroplasty (13% vs. 7%), and the Latarjet procedure (7% vs. 2%). More articles reporting complications were found in the contemporary (9%) than in the classic (2%) group (P = .03). The contemporary group contained articles on topics not found in the classic group, such as platelet-rich plasma (8%), scaffolds (3%), infection (3%), Cutibacterium acnes (2%), stem cells (2%), superior capsular reconstruction (2%), bony increased offset reversed shoulder arthroplasty (2%), opioid issues (1%), and tendon transfer (1%). Conclusion The most cited studies from 1900 to 2009 and 2010 to 2019 reported on the rotator cuff and shoulder instability. The most cited articles from 2010 to 2019 reflect the development of shoulder arthroscopy, shoulder arthroplasty, treatment of surgical complications, and augmentation or biologic interventions for rotator cuff repair. Level of evidence Level IV; Review Article

The double-incision technique with bone-tunnel fixation provides anatomical reattachment of a distal biceps tendon rupture to the radial tuberosity(1). This technique has been described by Boyd and Anderson(2) and was later modified by Morrey et al.(3). The aim of the procedure is to achieve good return of elbow strength and motion with a low rate of neurological complications. DESCRIPTION: A longitudinal antecubital incision of 3 to 4 cm allows dissection to identify and isolate the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LABCN). Supination of the forearm protects the posterior interosseus nerve, which often cannot be visualized. The distal portion of the distal biceps should be carefully identified and exposed. A high-resistance nonresorbable suture is sewn with use of a Krackow technique to whipstitch the distal 4 cm of the tendon. Alternatively, 2 sutures (4 strands) can be utilized. A curved forceps is placed in the interosseous space to identify the location for the second 4-cm incision, on the dorsal proximal forearm over the tip of the forceps with the forearm pronated. The radial tuberosity is exposed by bluntly separating the common extensor tendons, followed by transection of the supinator fibers. Two drill holes are made 5 mm apart from one another for suture passage. The tendon is passed across a loop of wire, from the anterior to the posterior incision. With the elbow at 90° of flexion and full pronation, the tendon is docked into the trough and the sutures are tied. ALTERNATIVES: Alternatively, the surgical repair of the distal biceps tendon rupture can be performed through a single anterior approach(4). The exposure starts with a curved longitudinal antecubital incision, exploiting the interval between the brachioradialis and pronator teres with radial (lateral) retraction of the brachioradialis and medial retraction of the pronator teres. A single anterior incision allows repair through the use of various types of fixation devices, such as suture anchors, cortical buttons, and interference screws, but seems to carry an increased risk of neurological complications, especially in terms of paresthesias in the distribution of the LABCN. Nonoperative treatment might be acceptable for elderly patients with poor functional demands. RATIONALE: The double-incision technique with bone-tunnel fixation provides good fixation strength with an expected low rate of neurological complications(1). This approach offers a useful treatment option for young and active patients with physically demanding lifestyles. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: The double-incision technique is an effective and safe procedure to restore elbow functionality in patients with distal biceps tendon rupture. A meta-analysis(1,4-16) revealed no significant differences in postoperative functional scores following procedures performed via the single-incision compared with double-incision approach. Although the differences were smaller than the minimal clinically important difference(17), the single-incision technique yielded significantly greater flexion (mean ± standard deviation, 136° ± 13°) and pronation range of motion (79° ± 10°) compared with the double-incision technique (133° ± 13° and 75° ± 14°, respectively) at 2 years postoperatively. No differences in extension and supination were observed. Rates of heterotopic ossification ranged from 0.5% to 11% for the single-incision approach and from 1% to 21.4% for the double-incision approach, with significant differences favoring the single-incision technique, although in the majority of cases the heterotopic ossification was an incidental finding. Neurological complications were found in 24.5% and 13.4% cases for the single- and double-incision techniques, respectively, with a significant difference favoring the double-incision technique. When damage to specific nerves was evaluated, the double-incision technique was associated with significantly less risk of LABCN damage. IMPORTANT TIPS: One or 2 high-resistance nonresorbable sutures are sewn with use of a Krackow technique to whipstitch the distal 4 cm of the biceps tendon. A curved forceps is placed in the interosseous space to identify the location for the second incision, on the dorsal proximal forearm over the tip of the forceps. Pronation of the forearm protects the posterior interosseus nerve, which often cannot be visualized during volar dissection and bone fixation. Positioning the tendon more posteriorly on the radial tuberosity allows for optimal biomechanical function. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS: ROM = range of motion. CR = conventional radiology. MRI = magnetic resonance imaging. US = ultrasound. LABC = lateral antebrachial cutaneous. PIN = posterior interosseous nerve. HO = heterotopic ossification. CI = confidence interval. SI = single incision. DI = double incision.

To investigate associations between clinical and demographic parameters and Constant-Murley (CM) scores after subacromial balloon placement for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears and to evaluate implant survival, shoulder function, and patient satisfaction.We prospectively analyzed patients with rotator cuff tears deemed irreparable on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging for whom nonoperative therapy was unsuccessful and who underwent balloon placement from 2014 to 2017 with minimum 1-year follow-up. Shoulder function was assessed using the CM score and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey.The study included 51 patients (22 women and 29 men) with a mean age at surgery of 63 years (range, 50-78 years). The mean follow-up period was 36 months (range, 24-56 months). The postoperative acromiohumeral interval and total preoperative CM score predicted the postoperative CM score at final follow-up. The implant survival rates were 92% at 6 and 12 months, 90% at 2 years, and 87% at 3 and 4 years. Five patients underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, and 1 underwent latissimus dorsi tendon transfer. Postoperatively, mean CM scores (± standard deviation) improved for range of motion (from 11 ± 5.4 to 34 ± 6.8) and strength (from 13 ± 5.4 to 28 ± 12) (P.01 for both). The total CM score improved from 27 ± 7.4 preoperatively to 77 ± 15 postoperatively (P.01). The physical and mental component summary scores on the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey improved from 27 ± 5.0 to 51 ± 6.5 (P = .02) and from 44 ± 15 to 56 ± 8.0, respectively (P.01). Thirty-eight patients reported excellent satisfaction, 8 were satisfied, and 5 were dissatisfied. Of the patients, 50 (98%) exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (≥10.4) and patient acceptable symptom state (≥44).At mean 3-year follow-up, subacromial balloon spacer placement for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears was associated with a significant improvement in shoulder function, limited need for revision surgery, and high patient satisfaction. A greater postoperative acromiohumeral interval and lower preoperative CM score predicted a lower postoperative CM score at final follow-up.Level IV, retrospective cohort study and treatment study.

The aim of this prospective study was to define the perioperative trend of C-reactive protein (CRP) in non-infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA). CRP was evaluated in 42 patients the day before surgery and 4 and 30 days after surgery. Functional and radiological evaluation was scheduled for 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Preoperatively, the median CRP was 3.2 mg/L (IQR,3.2-4.2) (reference range, 0-5 mg/L); 4 and 30 days after surgery, it measured 57.6 mg/L (IQR,36.1-96.4) and 5.3 mg/L (IQR,3.0-11.8), respectively. There were significant differences between the CRP preoperatively and 4 days after surgery (p

Background: Focal cartilage lesions represent a common source of knee pain and disability, with the potential for the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Currently, microfracture (MFx) represents the most utilized first–line surgical treatment for small, focal chondral lesions. Recent investigations have examined methods of overcoming the limitations of MFx utilizing various augmentation techniques. Purpose: To perform a systematic review and meta–analysis evaluating clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing isolated MFx versus MFx augmented with orthobiologics or scaffolds for focal chondral defects of the knee. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review was performed to identify studies evaluating outcomes and adverse events in patients undergoing isolated MFx versus augmented MFx for focal chondral defects in the knee from 1945 to June 1, 2021. Data were extracted from each article that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed for all outcomes reported in a minimum of 3 studies. Results: A total of 14 studies were identified, utilizing 7 different types of injectable augmentation regimens and 5 different scaffolding regimens. Across the 14 studies, a total of 744 patients were included. The mean patient age was 46.8 years (range, 34-58 years), and 58.3% (n = 434/744) of patients were women. The mean final follow–up time was 26.7 months (range, 12-60 months). The mean chondral defect size ranged from 1.3 to 4.8 cm2. A post hoc analysis comparing mean improvement in postoperative outcomes scores compared with preoperative values found no significant differences in the improvement in the visual analog scale (VAS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), or Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores between patients undergoing isolated MFx and those undergoing MFx + augmentation. Patients undergoing MFx + augmentation reported significantly greater improvements in the Lysholm score and postoperative MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) scores compared with the isolated MFx group. Conclusion: Patients undergoing combined MFx + augmentation reported significant improvements in mean Lysholm and MOCART scores, without significant improvements in VAS, IKDC, or WOMAC scores when compared with patients undergoing isolated MFx.

BACKGROUND: With the advances of modern medicine and technology there has been an increase of indications of shoulder reconstruction techniques and shoulder arthroplasty. Consequently, the number of complications and failures have increased in parallel. Not negligible number of cases are driven to an end-stage situation where salvage procedures, such as glenohumeral arthrodesis (GHA) and shoulder resection arthroplasty (SRA), are the only remaining solution. METHODS: The current literature on glenohumeral arthrodesis and shoulder resection arthroplasty was reviewed to determine the indications, surgical technique, complications and outcomes. The electronic search was conducted using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and the strategies used were “glenohumeral arthrodesis”, “glenohumeral fusion”, “shoulder arthrodesis” and “shoulder resection arthroplasty”. RESULTS: Indications for glenohumeral arthrodesis (GHA) include brachial plexus injury, tumor resections, chronic infection, failed prosthetic arthroplasty, persistent refractory instability or pseudoparalysis of the shoulder with combined irreparable rotator cuff and deltoid injuries. GHA provides good stability, pain resolution, although function is markedly compromised and relying mostly on scapulothoracic joint. The gold standard surgical technique continues to be open shoulder arthrodesis and still has a high complication rate. Shoulder resection arthroplasty (SRA) indications have evolved through the years, being nowadays a salvage procedure for recalcitrant infection of shoulder arthroplasty the main indication. Shoulder function after SRA is often severely compromised, but has a high infection rate resolution. SRA is not technically demanding and complications are rare, being the persistence of infection the most common one. DISCUSSION: Despite GHA and SRA having negative connotations, in selected patients, these procedures can diminish pain, resolve persistent infections and provide an acceptable shoulder function. Hence, they should be retained as part of the treatment algorithm for complex shoulder pathology.

PURPOSE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate differences in functional outcomes between simultaneous bi-unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (Bi-UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the treatment of medial and lateral knee osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: According to the PRISMA statement, a comprehensive search was conducted to identify studies reporting comparative results of the Bi-UKA versus the TKA. Of 953 titles, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 286 patients were identified, of which 137 underwent Bi-UKA and 149 TKA. TKA reported a mean hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle of 179.4 ± 2.4 compared to that in Bi-UKA measuring 177.2 ± 2.7 (p = 0.0001, 95% CI − 3.02 to − 1.38). No difference was found in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) pain (4 ± 1.6 and 4.2 ± 1.3 for Bi-UKA and TKA, respectively; p = 0.4996, 95% CI − 0.86 to 0.43). Bi-UKA was favorable in terms of WOMAC function (7.5 ± 1.9 and 9 ± 1.9 for Bi-UKA and TKA, respectively; p = 0.001, 95% CI − 2.29 to − 0.61) and WOMAC stiffness (1.6 ± 1 and 2.4 ± 0.7 for Bi-UKA and TKA, respectively; p = 0.0001, 95% CI − 1.18 to − 0.42). Bi-UKA showed a better Knee Society Score (KSS) in comparison to TKA (79.7 ± 7.8 and 75.4 ± 10.5 for Bi-UKA and TKA, respectively; p = 0.0021, 95% CI 1.58–7.02). The differences in postoperative outcomes scores between Bi-UKA and TKA were lower than their respective minimum clinically important differences. CONCLUSIONS: When Bi-UKA and TKA are compared for the treatment of medial and lateral knee osteoarthritis, Bi-UKA are favorable in terms of WOMAC and KSS even though these values are lower than the minimum clinically important differences; moreover, similar postoperative hip-knee-ankle angle can be expected 3 years after Bi-UKA and TKA.

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the outcomes of revision surgery after periprosthetic elbow infection (PEI).Eighteen studies with 332 PEI that underwent revision surgery were included. Demographics, laboratory and microbiological data, types of implants, surgical techniques with complications and reoperations, eradication rates, and clinical and functional outcomes were reported.Staphylococcus aureus was the most common microorganism (40%). Pre-operatively, the mean white blood cell count was 8400 ± 4000 per microliter; the mean C-reactive protein level was 41.6 ± 66.9 mg/dl, and the mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 45 ± 66.9 mm/h. The Coonrad-Morrey total elbow prosthesis represented 41.2% of the infected implant, and it also represented the most common system used for the PEI revision surgery. Two-stage revision and debridement and implant retention (DAIR) were the most common procedures performed for PEI, and, on the whole, they represented 35.7 and 32.7%, respectively. The eradication rate was 76% with 2-stage, 71% with resection arthroplasty (RA), 66.7% with 1-stage, 57.7% with DAIR, and 40% with arthrodesis (EA). DAIR showed a significantly lower eradication rate than 2-stage (P = 0.003). The mean postoperative Mayo Elbow Performance Score was significantly higher in patients who underwent DAIR, and 2-stage compared with RA (P 0.001 for all). Postoperative flexion-extension ROM was significantly higher in patients who underwent DAIR compared with 1-stage, 2-stage, and RA (P 0.001 for all). Moreover, 1-stage and 2-stage showed a significantly greater postoperative flexion-extension ROM compared with RA (P 0.001 for all). Reoperations occurred in 40% of patients after EA, 33.3% after 1-stage, 26.9% after DAIR and RA, and 24.1% after 2-stage. Conversion to amputation occurred in 2.2% of patients after RA and 1% after DAIR.Two-stage revision and DAIR are the most common procedures used to manage PEI; however, the former procedure showed a significantly higher eradication rate. Resection arthroplasty showed a high eradication rate, but postoperative lower clinical and functional outcomes limit the indications for this technique. One-stage procedure showed a limited role in the current practice of PEI treatment.Level IV.

Purpose Glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) represents a challenging problem in young, physically active patients. It was the purpose of this investigation to evaluate the results of a pilot study involving glenoid resurfacing with a glenoid allograft combined with a hemiarthroplasty on the humeral side. Methods Between April 2011 to November 2013, 5 patients (3 men, 2 women, mean age 46.4, range 35-57) with advanced OA of the glenohumeral joint, were treated with a humeral head replacement combined with replacement of the glenoid surface with an osteochondral, glenoid allograft. Results Overall, clinically, there was one excellent, one satisfactory and three poor results. Mean preoperative subjective shoulder value (SSV) was 34% (range: 20-50%) and preoperative relative Constant-Murley-Score (CSr) was 43 points (range: 29-64 points). Three patients with poor results had to be revised within the first three years. Their mean pre-revision SSV and CSr were 38% (range: 15-80%) and 36 points (range: 7-59 points) respectively. One patient was revised 9 years after the primary procedure with advanced glenoid erosion and pain and one patient has an ongoing satisfactory outcome without revision. Their SSVs were 60% and 83%, their CSr were 65 points and 91 points, 9 and 10 years after the primary procedure, respectively. Mean follow-up was 7 years (2-10 years) and mean time to revision was 4 years (range: 1-9 years). Conclusion The in-vivo pilot study of a previously established in-vitro technique of osteochondral glenoid allograft combined with humeral HA led to three early failures and only one really satisfactory clinical outcome which, however, was associated with advanced glenoid erosion. Osteochondral allograft glenoid resurfacing was associated with an unacceptable early failure rate and no results superior to those widely documented for HA or TSA, so that the procedure has been abandoned. Level of evidence Level IV, Case Series, Treatment Study.

Technological innovation is a key component of orthopedic surgery. Artificial intelligence (AI), which describes the ability of computers to process massive data and “learn” from it to produce outputs that mirror human cognition and problem solving, may become an important tool for orthopedic surgeons in the future. AI may be able to improve decision making, both clinically and surgically, via integrating additional data-driven problem solving into practice. The aim of this article will be to review the current applications of AI in the management of rotator cuff tears. The article will discuss various stages of the clinical course: predictive models and prognosis, diagnosis, intraoperative applications, and postoperative care and rehabilitation. Throughout the article, which is a review in terms of study design, we will introduce the concept of AI in rotator cuff tears and provide examples of how these tools can impact clinical practice and patient care. Though many advancements in AI have been made regarding evaluating rotator cuff tears—particularly in the realm of diagnostic imaging—further advancements are required before they become a regular facet of daily clinical practice.

To evaluate the accuracy and precision of postoperative coronal plane alignment using 3D-printed patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) in the setting of proximal tibial or distal femoral osteotomies.A systematic review evaluating the accuracy of 3D-printed PSI for coronal plane alignment correcting knee osteotomies was performed. The primary outcomes were accuracy of coronal plane limb alignment correction and number of correction outliers. Secondary variables were duration of surgery, number of intraoperative fluoroscopic images, complications, cost, and clinical outcomes (as applicable).Ninety-three studies were identified, and 14 were included in the final analysis. Overall, mean postoperative deviation from target correction ranged from 0.3° to 1° for all studies using hip-knee angle measurements and 2.3% to 4.9% for all studies using weight-bearing line measurements. The incidence of correction outliers was assessed in 8 total studies and ranged from 0 to 25% (total n = 10 knees) of patients corrected with 3D-printed PSI. Osteotomies performed with 3D-printed cutting guides or wedges demonstrated significantly shorter operative times (P.05) and fewer intraoperative fluoroscopic images (P.05) than control groups in four case control studies.Patients undergoing distal femoral osteotomy or proximal tibial osteotomy procedures with 3D-printed patient-specific cutting guides and wedges had highly accurate coronal plane alignment with a low rate of outliers. Patients treated with 3D printed PSI also demonstrated significantly shorter operative times and decreased intraoperative fluoroscopy when compared to conventional techniques.Level IV, systematic review of Level III-IV studies.

Excision of extensive scar tissue (EEST) may be required in certain cases of revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Neurovascular structures are at a higher risk of iatrogenic direct injury in these cases. We describe a technique to expose and protect the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves in a series of revision RTSA cases that required EEST. Between 2004 and 2013, 83 revision RTSA procedures were identified in our database. Of these, 18 cases (22%) who underwent concomitant nerve exploration for EEST preventing glenoid exposure, preventing reduction of the humeral component, or causing instability of the implanted RTSA, were included. All patients were observed for a minimum of two years or until reoperation. Patient-reported outcome scores (PROMs), range of motion (ROM), and complication rates were analyzed. Patients had significant pain relief and improvement in PROMs post-operatively. Two patients (11%) required another revision surgery because of infection (one patient with glenoid loosening; one patient with stem loosening). Two patients (11%) had instability successfully managed with closed reduction. Two patients (11%) had a clinically evident post-operative nerve injury. Both cases were neurapraxias (1 partial brachial plexopathy and 1 partial isolated axillary nerve injury) and experienced complete neurologic recovery at last follow-up. Complete permanent nerve injuries resulting from direct surgical trauma during revision RTSA requiring EEST can be avoided using the technique presented here. Despite proper exposition of the nerves, partial temporary neurapraxic injuries may occur. Patients who underwent this procedure experienced significant improvements in shoulder pain and function with complication rates consistent to those previously reported in revision RTSA.

When performing diagnostic and surgical arthroscopic procedures on the shoulder, the importance of patient positioning cannot be understated. The optimum patient positioning for shoulder arthroscopy should enhance intraoperative joint visualization and surgical accessibility while minimizing potential perioperative risk to the patient. Most shoulder arthroscopy procedures can be reliably performed with the patient either in the lateral decubitus (LD) or beach chair (BC) position. Although patient positioning for shoulder arthroscopy has been subject of controversy, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest superiority of one position versus another. Each position offers advantages and disadvantages and surgeon's experience and training are pivotal on selecting one position versus another. Regardless of the position, a proper positioning of the patient should provide adequate access to the joint while minimizing complications. The purpose of this review is to summarize setup and technical aspects, the advantages and disadvantages, and the possible complications of the LD and BC positions in shoulder arthroscopy.

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears can occur from trauma or chronic overuse, and the treatment depends on the type of sport the patient plays and the severity of symptoms. Overuse UCL injuries are most commonly due to micro-trauma in overhead athletes such as baseball players, softball players, and tennis players. Acute complete UCL tears in athletes due to trauma are less common but generally operative treatment is recommended. In gymnastics, elbow dislocations are more common than isolated UCL injuries, and there is sparse literature on the success of non-operative treatment of isolated UCL injuries in this group of athletes. In this case report, we report a high-level competitive gymnast with an UCL tear and a partial tear of the forearm flexor mass, which was confirmed by a thorough careful physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was treated non-operatively and successfully returned to gymnastics without symptoms. This case supports the suggestion that UCL tears of the elbow can be treated successfully in some gymnasts without surgery, and that treatment should be individualized in this group of athletes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the 50 most cited articles on shoulder arthroplasty (SA) and their characteristics. The Thomson ISIWeb of Science was searched with the following search terms: “shoulder arthroplasty”, “shoulder replacement”, “shoulder prosthesis” and “shoulder implant”. All papers dealing with SA, including its perioperative and postoperative management, were included in this study. Citations ranged from 797 to 52 for the 50 highest cited papers on SA. According to absolute numbers, the top 10 papers were cited at least 118 times. Overall, 78% (n = 43) were clinical and the remaining articles were basic science research (one anatomic, six biomechanical). The most prevalent level of evidence was IV (72%). The Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery published 40% of the studies. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States and eight other countries. The publication years of the most-cited articles ranged from 1991 to 2020, with the 2000s accounting for the most articles (96%) and the period from 2006 to 2010 with the absolute largest number of articles (17). This article provides a building block in the SA surgery.

The aim of this study was to update the current evidence on functional outcomes, complications, and reoperation rates between cemented and cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by evaluating comparative studies published over the past 15 years.The PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central databases were used to search keywords and a total of 18 studies were included. Random and fixed effect models were used for the meta-analysis of pooled mean differences (MDs) and odds ratios (ORs).A total of 5,222 patients were identified with a mean age of 64.4 ± 9.4 and 63 ± 8.6 years for the cemented and cementless TKA groups, respectively. The mean follow-up was 107.9 ± 30 and 104.3 ± 10 months for the cemented and cementless TKA groups, respectively. Cemented TKA showed a significantly greater postoperative Knee Society Score (MD = -0.95, 95% CI [-1.57, 0.33], P = .003) and range of motion (MD = -1.09, 95% CI [-1.88, -0.29], P = .0007), but no differences in other outcome scores were found. The incidence of periprosthetic joint infection, radiolucent lines, instability, and polyethylene wear was also comparable. Cemented TKA showed less perioperative blood loss (SMD = -438.41, 95% CI [-541.69, -35.14], P.0001) but a higher rate of manipulation under anesthesia (OR = 3.39, 95% CI [1.64, 6.99], P = .001) and aseptic loosening (OR = 1.62, 95% CI [1.09, 2.41], P = .02) than cementless TKA. No differences were found in terms of the reoperation rate.When cemented and cementless fixations are compared in primary TKA, comparable functional outcomes and reoperation rates can be achieved. Cemented TKA showed less blood loss but a higher rate of manipulation under anesthesia and aseptic loosening.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a reliable alternative to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with isolated medial knee osteoarthritis. UKA provides a lot of potential advantages over TKA and is related to less overall morbidity and mortality compared with TKA. Rare complications are limitation of knee movement and a clicking sensation associated with cement extrusion, both after UKA and TKA. In this report, we describe a patient who required arthroscopic removal of free bone cement fragments 3 years after a minimally invasive UKA.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the 50 most cited articles on rotator cuff tear and their characteristics. Methods Thomson ISI Web of Science was searched for the following search terms “rotator cuff” and “tear.” The following characteristics were determined for each article: author(s), year of publication, source journal, geographic origin, article type (and subtype), and level of evidence for clinical articles. Results The number of citations ranged from 1558 to 253. The 50 most often cited articles were published in 7 journals. The majority of the articles (n = 46) were clinical, with the remaining representing some type of basic science research. Among clinical articles, the case series (n = 23) was the most common article subtype. Nine articles were methodologic in that they proposed a new classification/scoring system or technique. The most common level of evidence was Level IV (n = 31). Conclusion This article provides clinicians, researchers, and trainees with a group of articles that should be taken into consideration as building blocks in the treatment of rotator cuff tears. Level of Evidence Level IV, literature review.

Although antidepressant drugs appear to play an active role in increasing fracture risk, their weight is still unclear. We conducted a PRISMA compliant systematic review and meta-analysis through PubMed/Scopus/Cochrane libraries and registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021254006) to investigate the relationship between antidepressant drugs categories, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and TCAs, and the risk of hip and vertebral fractures. After screening 3122 items, we finally found 26 papers for qualitative analysis and 11 for quantitative synthesis. A total of 15,209,542 adult and elderly patients were identified, with a mean follow-up of 51 months and a major prevalence of women. We identified results largely for SSRIs, with only a small amount of data for SNRIs, TCAs, and NaSSA. No data were found among the most recent categories of antidepressants, such as vortioxetine and esketamine. All included studies reported hip fractures, while three of them also included vertebral fractures. Overall, we observed a significant effect of SSRIs on fracture risk with a mean effect of 0.98 (95% CI = 0.75–1.20). This meta-analysis reveals that the use of SSRIs increases the risk of fractures. Clinicians’ awareness in antidepressant prescription should optimize their potential while reducing this risk.

Orthopaedic procedures can affect patients' ability to perform activities of daily living, such as driving automobiles or other vehicles that require coordinated use of the upper and lower extremities. Many variables affect the time needed before a patient can drive competently after undergoing orthopaedic surgery to the extremities. These variables include whether the patient underwent upper or lower extremity surgery, the country in which the patient resides, whether the right or left lower extremity is involved, whether the dominant arm is involved, whether the extremity is in a cast or brace, whether the patient has adequate strength to control the steering wheel, and whether the patient is taking pain medication. The type and complexity of the procedure also influence the speed of return of driving ability. Few studies provide definitive data on driving ability after upper or lower extremity surgery. Patients should be counseled not to drive until they can control the steering wheel and the pedals competently and can drive well enough to prevent further harm to themselves or to others. This review discusses the limited recommendations in the literature regarding driving motorized vehicles after upper or lower extremity orthopaedic surgery.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide basic information on the availability and current use of cadaver laboratories in the education of orthopaedic residents and trainees and to determine the interest for the implementation of this type of training. Methods All Orthopaedic residents and trainees who attended a cadaver laboratory organized by SIGASCOT (Italian Society of the Knee, Arthroscopy, Sports Traumatology, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technology) between 2013 and 2016 were asked to complete a survey on the availability and current use of cadaver laboratories in the education of Orthopaedic residents and trainees. The survey was sent via e-mail to 102 Orthopaedic residents and trainees. All data were analyzed and all responses are presented as counts, percentages, or means. Results Thirty-eight (37.2%) Orthopaedics and traumatology residents and trainees completed the survey and were included in this analysis. Eighteen trainees (18/38; 44.3%) attended a cadaver laboratory focused on lower limb surgery, whereas 20 (20/38; 52.7%) on upper limb surgery. Twenty participants (55.7%) perceived skills laboratory sessions as extremely beneficial to the understanding and becoming familiar with the normal surgical anatomy; moreover, 16 (45.7%) participants considered the cadaver laboratory extremely beneficial to the understanding of a specific surgical technique and very beneficial (44.4%) to become confident with arthroscopic or other specific surgical instruments. Over 60% of participants perceived cadaver laboratory to be very to extremely beneficial to increase confidence and speed in the operating room (OR), and more than a half of them considered skills laboratory sessions to be extremely beneficial to increase participation and decrease the occurrence of damages in the real surgical activity. Conclusion Orthopaedic residents and trainees found the addition of a cadaver laboratory for teaching surgical skills a significant benefit to both their overall education and surgical skills training. Level of Evidence Level IV, survey study.

Background:Cartilage lesions are a significant cause of morbidity and impaired knee function; however, cartilage repair procedures have failed to reproduce native cartilage to date. Thus, osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation represents a 1-step procedure to repair large chondral defects without the donor site morbidity of osteochondral autograft transplantation.Purpose:To perform a systematic review of clinical outcomes and failure rates after OCA transplantation in the knee at a minimum mean 2 years’ follow-up.Study Design:Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A systematic review of the literature regarding the existing evidence for clinical outcomes and failure rates of OCA transplantation in the knee joint was performed using the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and MEDLINE from studies published between 1980 and 2017. Inclusion criteria were as follows: clinical outcomes and failure rates of OCAs for the treatment of chondral defects in the knee joint, English language, mean follow-up of 2 years and minimum follow-up of 18 months, minimum study size of 20 patients, and human studies. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using a modified version of the Coleman methodology score.Results:The systematic search identified 19 studies with a total of 1036 patients. The mean 5-year survival rate across the studies included in this review was 86.7% (range, 64.1%-100.0%), while the mean 10-year survival rate was 78.7% (range, 39.0%-93.0%). The mean survival rate was 72.8% at 15 years (range, 55.8%-84.0%) and 67.5% at 20 years (range, 66.0%-69.0%). The weighted mean patient age was 31.5 years (range, 10-82 years), and the weighted mean follow-up was 8.7 years (range, 2-32 years). The following outcome measures showed significant improvement from preoperatively to postoperatively: d’Aubigné-Postel, International Knee Documentation Committee, Knee Society function, and Lysholm scores. The weighted mean reoperation rate was 30.2% (range, 0%-63%). The weighted mean failure rate was 18.2% (range, 0%-31%). Of note, revision cases, patellar lesions, and bipolar lesions demonstrated worse survival rates.Conclusion:Improved patient-reported outcomes can be expected after OCA transplantation, with a survival rate of 78.7% at 10 years. Revision cases, patellar lesions, and bipolar lesions were associated with worse survival rates; therefore, utilization of the most appropriate index cartilage restoration procedure and proper patient selection are key to improving results.