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Advances in the understanding and management of glenoid bone loss in shoulder instability have led to the development of alternative bony reconstruction techniques to the Latarjet using free bone grafts, but little is known about surgeon adoption of these procedures. This study sought to characterize surgeon variation in the use of glenoid bone reconstruction procedures for shoulder instability and ascertain reasons underlying procedure choice.A 9-question survey was created and distributed to 160 shoulder surgeons members of the PacWest Shoulder and Elbow Society, of whom 65 (41%) responded. The survey asked questions regarding fellowship training, years in practice, surgical volume, preferred methods of glenoid bone reconstruction, and reasons underlying treatment choice.All surgeons completed a fellowship, with an equal number of sports medicine fellowship-trained (46%) and shoulder and elbow fellowship-trained (46%) physicians. The majority had been in practice for at least 6 years (6-10 years: 25%;10 years: 59%). Most (78%) performed ≤10 glenoid bony reconstructions per year, and 66% indicated that bony procedures represented10% of their total annual shoulder instability case volume. The open Latarjet was the preferred primary reconstruction method (69%), followed by open free bone block (FBB) (22%), arthroscopic FBB (8%), and arthroscopic Latarjet (1%). Distal tibia allograft (DTA) was the preferred graft (74%) when performing an FBB procedure, followed by iliac crest autograft (18%), and distal clavicle autograft (6%). The top 5 reasons for preferring Latarjet over FBB were the sling effect (57%), the autologous nature of the graft (37%), its robust clinical evidence (22%), low cost (17%), and availability (11%). The top 5 reasons for choosing an FBB procedure were less anatomic disruption (58%), lower complication rate (21%), restoration of articular cartilage interface (16%), graft versatility (11%), and technical ease (11%). Only 20% of surgeons indicated always performing a bony glenoid reconstruction procedure in the noncontact athlete with less than 20% glenoid bone loss. However, that percentage rose to 62% when considering a contact athlete with the same amount of bone loss.Although open Latarjet continues to be the most popular glenoid bony primary reconstruction procedure in shoulder instability, nearly 30% of shoulder surgeons in the western United States have adopted FBB techniques as their preferred treatment modality--with DTA being the most frequently used graft. High-quality comparative clinical effectiveness research is needed to reduce decisional conflict and refine current evidence-based treatment algorithms.

BackgroundPrevious case reports describe the reversal of phrenic nerve blockade from the interscalene nerve block using normal saline injectate washout. This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate whether using normal saline injectate to wash out local anesthetic from an interscalene nerve block catheter would restore phrenic nerve and diaphragm function, while preserving analgesia.MethodsInstitutional review board approval, clinical trial registration and consent were obtained for patients undergoing shoulder surgery with an interscalene nerve block catheter. 16 patients were randomized to receive three 10 mL aliquots of normal saline injectate (intervention group, n=8) or three sham injectates (control group, n=8) via their perineural catheters in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Primary outcome measures were the effects on ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, and secondary outcome measures included PACU opioid consumption, pain scores and change in brachial plexus sensory examination and motor function.ResultsThere was no significant difference in reversal of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. However, there was a greater number of patients in the intervention group who ultimately displayed partial, as opposed to full, paralysis of the hemidiaphragm (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in pain scores, PACU opioid requirement, and brachial plexus motor and sensory examinations between the two groups.ConclusionsAll patients had persistent hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after the intervention, but fewer patients in the intervention group progressed to full paralysis, suggesting that a larger bolus dose of normal saline may be needed to completely reverse hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Although normal saline injectate in 10mL increments given through the interscalene nerve block catheter had no clinically significant effect on reversing phrenic nerve blockade, it also did not lead to a reduction in analgesia and may be protective in preventing the progression to full hemidiaphragmatic paralysis.Trail registration numberNCT03677778.

Jennifer M Hah,1 Heather Hilmoe,2 Peter Schmidt,2 Rebecca McCue,2 Jodie Trafton,3,4 Debra Clay,2 Yasamin Sharifzadeh,2 Gabriela Ruchelli,2 Tina Hernandez Boussard,5 Stuart Goodman,6 James Huddleston,7 William J Maloney,7 Frederick M Dirbas,8 Joseph Shrager,9 John G Costouros,7 Catherine Curtin,10 Sean C Mackey,1 Ian Carroll1 1Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 2Stanford Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 3Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA; 4VA Program Evaluation and Resource Center, VHA Office of Mental Health Operations, Palo Alto, CA, USA; 5Department of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 6Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and (by Courtesy) Bioengineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 7Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 8Department of General Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 9Division of Thoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 10Division of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USACorrespondence: Jennifer M HahDivision of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, 1070 Arastradero Road, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USATel +1 650-736-9415Fax +1 650-725-9642Email jhah@stanford.eduBackground: Preoperative patient-specific risk factors may elucidate the mechanisms leading to the persistence of pain and opioid use after surgery. This study aimed to determine whether similar or discordant preoperative factors were associated with the duration of postoperative pain and opioid use.Methods: In this post hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of perioperative gabapentin vs active placebo, 410 patients aged 18– 75 years, undergoing diverse operations underwent preoperative assessments of pain, opioid use, substance use, and psychosocial variables. After surgery, a modified Brief Pain Inventory was administered over the phone daily up to 3 months, weekly up to 6 months, and monthly up to 2 years after surgery. Pain and opioid cessation were defined as the first of 5 consecutive days of 0 out of 10 pain or no opioid use, respectively.Results: Overall, 36.1%, 19.8%, and 9.5% of patients continued to report pain, and 9.5%, 2.4%, and 1.7% reported continued opioid use at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Preoperative pain at the future surgical site (every 1-point increase in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale; HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.87– 1.00; P=0.034), trait anxiety (every 10-point increase in the Trait Anxiety Inventory; HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.68– 0.92; P=0.002), and a history of delayed recovery after injury (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.40– 0.96; P=0.034) were associated with delayed pain cessation. Preoperative opioid use (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.39– 0.92; P=0.020), elevated depressive symptoms (every 5-point increase in the Beck Depression Inventory-II score; HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.80– 0.98; P=0.017), and preoperative pain outside of the surgical site (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.89– 1.00; P=0.046) were associated with delayed opioid cessation, while perioperative gabapentin promoted opioid cessation (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.06– 1.77; P=0.016).Conclusion: Separate risk factors for prolonged post-surgical pain and opioid use indicate that preoperative risk stratification for each outcome may identify patients needing personalized care to augment universal protocols for perioperative pain management and conservative opioid prescribing to improve long-term outcomes.Keywords: persistent postsurgical pain, persistent postoperative opioid use, chronic opioid use after surgery, chronic pain after surgery

Background Total shoulder arthroplasty is an accepted treatment for glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The Arthrex Eclipse shoulder prosthesis is a stemless, canal-sparing humeral prosthesis with bone ingrowth capacity on the trunnion, as well as through the fenestrated hollow screw, that provides both diaphyseal and metaphyseal load sharing and fixation. Methods Between 2013 and 2018, 16 sites in the United States enrolled 327 patients (Eclipse in 237 and Arthrex Univers II in 90). All patients had glenohumeral arthritis refractory to nonsurgical care. Strict exclusion criteria were applied to avoid confounding factors such as severe patient comorbidities, arthritis not consistent with osteoarthritis, and medical or prior surgical treatments that may have affected outcomes. Patients were randomized to the Eclipse or Univers II group via block randomization. Results In total, 149 Eclipse and 76 Univers II patients reached 2-year follow-up (139 Eclipse patients [93.3%] and 68 Univers II patients [89.5%] had complete data). The success rate using the Composite Clinical Success score was 95% in the Eclipse group vs. 89.7% in the Univers II group. No patient exhibited radiographic evidence of substantial humeral radiolucency, humeral migration, or subsidence at any point. Reoperations were performed in 7 patients (3.2%) in the Eclipse group and 3 (3.8%) in the Univers II group. Conclusion The Arthrex Eclipse shoulder prosthesis is a safe and effective humeral implant for patients with glenohumeral arthritis at 2-year follow-up, with no differences in outcomes compared with the Univers II shoulder prosthesis.

Stemless humeral components for shoulder arthroplasty represent the fourth generation of modern prosthetic shoulder implants. Because of their metaphyseal fixation, the implantation technique is rather straightforward and preserves the humeral canal from violation. Substantial benefits have been highlighted with such a design, including less perioperative morbidity, independence from the proximal humeral anatomy, preservation of bone stock, ease of potential revision surgeries, and limited risk of complex periprosthetic fractures. Initially conceived to better re-create the center of rotation of the humeral head in anatomic arthroplasties, their use has been successfully extended to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Provided that contraindications are respected (eg, poor proximal humeral bone quality, proximal humerus fractures, patients who are elderly and/or overweight), short-term and midterm functional outcomes as well as postoperative complications appear to be similar to those of traditional stemmed implants, without increased risk of loosening of the humeral component.

Acute postoperative pain is associated with the development of persistent postsurgical pain, but it is unclear which aspect is most estimable.To identify patient clusters based on acute pain trajectories, preoperative psychosocial characteristics associated with the high-risk cluster, and the best acute pain predictor of remote outcomes.A secondary analysis of the Stanford Accelerated Recovery Trial randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted at a single-center, tertiary, referral teaching hospital. A total of 422 participants scheduled for thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, total hip replacement, total knee replacement, mastectomy, breast lumpectomy, hand surgery, carpal tunnel surgery, knee arthroscopy, shoulder arthroplasty, or shoulder arthroscopy were enrolled between May 25, 2010, and July 25, 2014. Data analysis was performed from January 1 to August 1, 2018.Patients were randomized to receive gabapentin (1200 mg, preoperatively, and 600 mg, 3 times a day postoperatively) or active placebo (lorazepam, 0.5 mg preoperatively, inactive placebo postoperatively) for 72 hours.A modified Brief Pain Inventory prospectively captured 3 surgical site pain outcomes: average pain and worst pain intensity over the past 24 hours, and current pain intensity. Within each category, acute pain trajectories (first 10 postoperative pain scores) were compared using a k-means clustering algorithm. Fifteen descriptors of acute pain were compared as predictors of remote postoperative pain resolution, opioid cessation, and full recovery.Of the 422 patients enrolled, 371 patients (≤10% missing pain scores) were included in the analysis. Of these, 146 (39.4%) were men; mean (SD) age was 56.67 (11.70) years. Two clusters were identified within each trajectory category. The high pain cluster of the average pain trajectory significantly predicted prolonged pain (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50-0.80; P .001) and delayed opioid cessation (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.41-0.67; P .001) but was not a predictor of time to recovery in Cox proportional hazards regression (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.69-1.14; P = .89). Preoperative risk factors for categorization to the high average pain cluster included female sex (adjusted relative risk [ARR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.70; P = .008), elevated preoperative pain (ARR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.15; P .001), a history of alcohol or drug abuse treatment (ARR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.42-2.53; P .001), and receiving active placebo (ARR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03-1.56; P = .03). Worst pain reported on postoperative day 10 was the best predictor of time to pain resolution (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.78-0.87; P .001), opioid cessation (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.80-0.89; P .001), and complete surgical recovery (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.96; P .001).This study has shown a possible uniform predictor of remote postoperative pain, opioid use, and recovery that can be easily assessed. Future work is needed to replicate these findings.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01067144.

We compared the strength of screw vs suture button fixation in the Latarjet procedure for shoulder dislocation through biomechanical testing in a cadaver model. Cadavers were assigned randomly to receive screw or suture button fixation (both groups, n=5). The anteroposterior radius of the glenoid was measured, and a bony defect was created on the anteroinferior rim of the glenoid, equal to 25% of the width of the anteroposterior radius of the glenoid surface. The coracoid process was transferred into the newly created bony defect of the glenoid and fixed with two 3.5-mm partially threaded cannulated screws or 2 surgical buttons. All samples underwent tensile testing in the anteroinferior direction. Statistical analysis was performed to compare mean forces at failure between groups (alpha=.05). The mean force at failure was higher in the screw group (295 N; range, 103–534 N) than in the suture button group (133 N; range, 74–270 N) ( P =.045). We found no difference between groups in ability to withstand a force of 150 N, which is the reported mean daily force threshold borne by the shoulder ( P =.52). Screw fixation withstood a higher failure load than suture button fixation, indicating that screw fixation is a biomechanically superior option in the Latarjet procedure. The fixation methods did not differ in their ability to withstand the mean force borne by the shoulder during activities of daily living; thus, suture button fixation should be considered as an option in the Latarjet procedure. [ Orthopedics . 2022;45(6):e321–e325.]

BACKGROUND AC joint injury is a common disorder with a reported incidence of three to four cases per 100.000. A multitude of surgical techniques has been described for the treatment of the AC joint injuries with no clear consensus regarding the optimal treatment. We hypothesized that we would obtain favorable clinical outcomes using a novel minimally-invasive polymer cerclage wire system compared to other reported techniques in the literature. METHODS All adult patients treated with subacute AC separations in our department between the dates of 2014-2017 were retrospectively reviewed clinically and radiographically. Clinical outcomes scores that were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively included ASES score, constant score and the UCLA shoulder rating scale. RESULTS Five patients with Type 5 AC separations were included in this study who underwent surgical treatment by the same orthopedic surgeon (G.H.) using the same minimally-invasive technique. The mean follow-up period was 22.4 months (range 18 to 29). Mean preoperative coracoclavicular (CC) distance was 19.7 mm (range 16.4 to 24.5 mm) on the surgical side and 9.48 mm on the contralateral side. Mean early postoperative CC distance was 7.1 mm (range 4.5 to 11.2 mm). At the latest follow-up, the mean CC distance was 13.8 mm (range 7.3 to 21.2 mm). Mean preoperative Constant score was 48, the UCLA shoulder rating score was 14.8, and the ASES shoulder score was 49.26. Mean follow up Constant score was 91.6, UCLA shoulder rating score was 33.8 and ASES shoulder score was 93.75. No neurovascular complication was observed after procedure. There were no cases of clinical or radiographic failure or loss of fixation. No AC joint arthritis was observed at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSION We present a novel minimally-invasive polymer cerclage wire technique which provides comparable results as other reported arthroscopic and open techniques for Type 5 AC joint separations.

The complexity of tendon to bone healing in a rotator cuff surgical procedure has led to the investigation of biologic augmentation such as platelet-rich plasma, stem cells, and biomaterials to enhance the healing environment and to decrease the prevalence of failure.Among the many types of biologic

Background: The management of Type-II superior labral tears (SLAP) of the shoulder remains a controversial topic. Treatment ranges from non-operative management to surgical management including SLAP repair, biceps tenotomy, and biceps tenodesis. An optimal treatment algorithm has yet to reach universal acceptance. Objective: The goal of this paper was to provide a treatment algorithm for the management of Type-II SLAP tears based on current literature and expert opinion. Method: Current literature was reviewed and expert opinion was reported to develop a comprehensive treatment protocol for patients based on age, activity level, and pathology. Results: Operative management of type-II SLAP tears yields good to excellent outcomes when proper indications are followed. Biceps tenodesis may produce more reliable pain relief and functional improvement when compared to primary SLAP repair in patients over the age of 40. Conclusion: When non-operative management of Type-II SLAP tears fails, operative management yields good to excellent outcomes in most patients. Primary SLAP repair should be performed in patients under the age of 40 with no evidence of proximal biceps pathology, while biceps tenodesis can provide consistent pain relief and return to activity in patients over the age of 40 or with significant proximal biceps pathology. Tenotomy should be reserved for elderly or low demand individuals.

MJ is a 44-year-old teacher who has had right lateral shoulder pain for 5 weeks. The pain developed acutely after he played a pickup game of basketball. He initially presented to his primary care physician, who suspected an acute rotator cuff injury and prescribed naproxen, 500 mg twice daily, along with physical therapy. MJ has completed 4 weeks of appropriate therapy focusing on scapular retraction exercise, pectoralis stretching, and rotator cuff strengthening. He experienced no relief from the therapy or medication, so his primary care physician obtained a shoulder magnetic resonance (MR) arthrogram, which demonstrated thickening of the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa, suggestive of bursitis, and a type I superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesion. MJ was sent to you for further evaluation and treatment. He currently has a 7 out of 10 level of pain over the anterolateral shoulder that is worse when he performs overhead maneuvers and sleeps on his right side. Upon physical examination he has no tenderness to palpation but experiences pain during active range of motion testing, particularly with internal rotation and abduction, respectively. He also has a positive Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer sign, and O’Brien test. He has difficulty deciding whether his characteristic pain is reproduced more by the impingement maneuvers or labral maneuver. Neurovascularly, he is intact. You discuss treatment options, and given the failure of conservative treatments thus far, he wishes to pursue a corticosteroid injection in the subacromial bursa. He recently saw a commercial on TV featuring an injection that was performed with ultrasound guidance and asks if ultrasound guidance should be used to perform his injection. Dr Jonathan Finnoff will argue that ultrasound guidance should be used for the injection, and Dr John Costouros will argue that ultrasound guidance is not needed.

Importance Guidelines recommend using gabapentin to decrease postoperative pain and opioid use, but significant variation exists in clinical practice. Objective To determine the effect of perioperative gabapentin on remote postoperative time to pain resolution and opioid cessation. Design, Setting, and Participants A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of perioperative gabapentin was conducted at a single-center, tertiary referral teaching hospital. A total of 1805 patients aged 18 to 75 years scheduled for surgery (thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, total hip replacement, total knee replacement, mastectomy, breast lumpectomy, hand surgery, carpal tunnel surgery, knee arthroscopy, shoulder arthroplasty, and shoulder arthroscopy) were screened. Participants were enrolled from May 25, 2010, to July 25, 2014, and followed up for 2 years postoperatively. Intention-to-treat analysis was used in evaluation of the findings. Interventions Gabapentin, 1200 mg, preoperatively and 600 mg, 3 times a day postoperatively or active placebo (lorazepam, 0.5 mg) preoperatively followed by inactive placebo postoperatively for 72 hours. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome was time to pain resolution (5 consecutive reports of 0 of 10 possible levels of average pain at the surgical site on the numeric rating scale of pain). Secondary outcomes were time to opioid cessation (5 consecutive reports of no opioid use) and the proportion of participants with continued pain or opioid use at 6 months and 1 year. Results Of 1805 patients screened for enrollment, 1383 were excluded, including 926 who did not meet inclusion criteria and 273 who declined to participate. Overall, 8% of patients randomized were lost to follow-up. A total of 202 patients were randomized to active placebo and 208 patients were randomized to gabapentin in the intention-to-treat analysis (mean [SD] age, 56.7 [11.7] years; 256 (62.4%) women and 154 (37.6%) men). Baseline characteristics of the groups were similar. Perioperative gabapentin did not affect time to pain cessation (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% CI, 0.82-1.33; P = .73) in the intention-to-treat analysis. However, participants receiving gabapentin had a 24% increase in the rate of opioid cessation after surgery (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.00-1.54; P = .05). No significant differences were noted in the number of adverse events as well as the rate of medication discontinuation due to sedation or dizziness (placebo, 42 of 202 [20.8%]; gabapentin, 52 of 208 [25.0%]). Conclusions and Relevance Perioperative administration of gabapentin had no effect on postoperative pain resolution, but it had a modest effect on promoting opioid cessation after surgery. The routine use of perioperative gabapentin may be warranted to promote opioid cessation and prevent chronic opioid use. Optimal dosing and timing of perioperative gabapentin in the context of specific operations to decrease opioid use should be addressed in further research. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01067144

Background This study evaluated patients with and without a prosthetic dislocation after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) to identify risk factors for instability. Methods Dislocation and nondislocation cohorts were established for analysis in 119 patients who had undergone RTSA at our institution between 2011 and 2014. Preoperative history and parameters pertaining to RTSA design were evaluated for correlation with instability. A logistic regression model was used to analyze independent predictors. Results Eleven patients (9.2%) demonstrated instability in the early postoperative period. Dislocations occurred at an average of 8 weeks postoperatively (range, 3 days-5 months). The mean follow-up of all patients was 28 months (range, 6-106 months). Postoperative instability was associated with male gender, history of prior open shoulder surgery, and preoperative diagnoses of fracture sequelae, particularly proximal humeral or tuberosity nonunion. Absence of subscapularis repair was an independent predictor of instability. In addition, 5 of the 11 patients (45%) in the instability cohort sustained a second dislocation requiring another operation. Conclusions Redislocation after revision surgery for the initial dislocation was an unexpected and alarming finding. Treatment for the initial dislocation event by placement of a thicker polyethylene insert was inadequate in 45% of patients of our cohort and required another revision with a larger glenosphere and thicker humeral inserts. Initial instability after RTSA must be carefully managed, especially in the revision and post-traumatic setting. Exchange to a thicker polyethylene insert only carries a higher risk of recurrent instability.

Background: An intra-articular injection of local anesthetics is a common procedure for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It has been shown that these agents are toxic to articular cartilage and synovial tissue in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, and in some cases, they may lead to postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL). However, the role of apoptosis in cell death is still unclear, and the potential role of apoptosis inhibition in minimizing chondrocyte and synovial cell death has not been reported. Purpose: (1) To quantify the degree of apoptotic cell death in chondrocytes and synovial cells exposed to local anesthetics, and (2) to determine whether caspase inhibition could reduce cell death. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Human chondrocytes and synovial cells were expanded in vitro and exposed to normal saline, 0.5% bupivacaine, 0.5% ropivacaine, 1% lidocaine, or 1:1000 epinephrine for 90 minutes. Apoptosis was then detected at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after exposure using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)–mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was then inhibited using the pan-caspase inhibitor z-vad- fmk. Results were normalized to normal saline controls and analyzed by generalized regression models and pairwise confidence intervals. Results: Analysis of cumulative chondrocyte apoptosis relative to controls after anesthetic exposure demonstrated more than 60% cell death with 0.5% bupivacaine and 1:1000 epinephrine. The greatest chondroprotective effect of caspase inhibition occurred with 0.5% ropivacaine. Similarly, in synovial cells, epinephrine was also very cytotoxic; however, 1% lidocaine induced the most apoptosis. Synovial cells exposed to 0.5% ropivacaine were again most sensitive to protective caspase inhibition. Conclusion: Local anesthetics induce chondrocyte and synovial cell apoptosis in a time-dependent fashion, with peak apoptosis occurring 5 days after exposure. Both chondrocytes and synovial cells are most sensitive to caspase inhibition after exposure to 0.5% ropivacaine. Clinical Relevance: Apoptosis inhibition may be an effective strategy in minimizing chondrocyte and synovial cell death after exposure to anesthetics. Further investigation is clinically warranted.

Background: Prior research about symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) after shoulder arthroplasty has not determined whether procedure type (hemiarthroplasty, total shoulder arthroplasty, or reverse shoulder arthroplasty) or surgical indication (traumatic or elective) represent risk factors for VTE after shoulder replacement. Questions/purposes: We therefore asked whether the risk of symptomatic VTE events and mortality within 90 days of shoulder arthroplasty was influenced by (1) procedure type, and (2) surgical indication (traumatic or elective). Methods: We performed a retrospective database review of symptomatic VTE events and mortality within 90 days of shoulder arthroplasty in a large (30-hospital) integrated healthcare system over a 5-year period, from January 2005 to December 2009. We compared the likelihood of VTE and death in patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs), total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs), and hemiarthroplasties (HAs), and we compared the likelihood of VTE and death in patients who underwent elective shoulder arthroplasties with those who underwent shoulder arthroplasty in the setting of acute trauma. Results: In the 2574 eligible shoulder arthroplasties identified during the study period, VTE developed in 1.01% of patients (deep vein thrombosis 0.51% and pulmonary embolism 0.54%). With the numbers available, no differences were observed in rates of VTE or mortality by procedure type. A trend toward increased VTE occurred more frequently in patients having surgery for traumatic indications than after elective surgery (1.71% versus 0.80%; p = 0.055). A higher likelihood of 90-day mortality was observed in trauma patients compared with elective (odds ratio = 7.4; 95% CI, 2.4–25.2). Conclusions: VTE occurred infrequently in this study sample. These data support future risk and benefit assessment of routine pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in the perioperative treatment of patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty, especially in all RSA and traumatic HA subsets, where the risk of VTE may be higher. Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

BACKGROUND: Static posterior subluxation of the humeral head (PSH) is often associated with glenohumeral arthritis. It may persist following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and lead to accelerated polyethylene wear and glenoid component loosening. The factors which lead to PSH are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that operative correction of glenoid version during shoulder arthroplasty re-centers the glenohumeral joint; therefore, glenoid replacement may be considered even in cases of osteoarthritis associated with posterior humeral head subluxation. METHODS: Thirty-three of 124 (27%) consecutive shoulders undergoing primary TSA had static preoperative PSH with a subluxation index of at least 65% determined on standardized computer tomographic scans. Twenty-three of these 33 shoulders were available for clinical and computed tomography follow-up after a minimum of 24 and average of 42 months. Mean preoperative glenoid retroversion was -18 [range, 0 degrees - (-40 degrees)], the subluxation index averaged 71% (range, 65-81%). Glenoid morphology, according to Walch et al, was type B1 in 9 patients, type B2 in 5 patients, and type C in 9 patients. A conventional total shoulder replacement was performed through a deltopectoral interval. Using corrective glenoid reaming, restoration of glenoid version to between 0 degrees and 10 degrees of retroversion was attempted in addition to standard soft tissue release. Humeral head retroversion was replicated from the diseased humeral head as closely as possible. RESULTS: PSH was reversed in 21/23 patients following TSA with an average final subluxation index of 50% (range, 40-68%; P = .001). There was no significant correlation statistically between PSH and preoperative or postoperative glenoid version, humeral torsion, glenoid morphology, or acromio-humeral distance. Mean absolute Constant scores improved from 39 to 78 points, age-adjusted Constant scores improved from 49% to 95% and subjective shoulder values improved from 40% to 89%, which were all statistically significant (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: PSH is frequently present in shoulders with osteoarthritis. It can be corrected in the majority of shoulders undergoing total shoulder replacement; however, re-centering is not correlated with glenoid version or its correction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4; Case series, treatment study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence of suprascapular neuropathy (SSN) in the setting of massive rotator cuff tears and to determine if arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, even if partial, was associated with reversal of SSN and clinical improvement in pain and function. Methods: Over a 13-month period, 26 of 216 patients with rotator cuff tears treated operatively were identified to have massive tears associated with retraction and moderate to severe fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. All patients had pain and marked weakness in abduction and external rotation which did not improve with conservative treatment. Electrodiagnostic electromyographic/nerve conduction velocity (EMG/NCV) evaluation, as well as pre- and postoperative questionnaire and physical examination, were performed. An arthroscopic repair, either partial or complete, was performed on patients identified to have a massive rotator cuff tear in association with SSN. Results: Fourteen of 26 patients with massive rotator cuff tears (54%) were identified to have a peripheral nerve injury. Seven of these 26 (38%) had isolated suprascapular nerve injury, 4 had axillary nerve injury, 2 had an associated upper trunk brachial plexus injury, and 1 had a cervical radiculopathy. All 7 patients with isolated suprascapular injury underwent arthroscopic treatment, 1 of which was not technically reparable at the time of surgery. In the 6 patients who underwent either partial or complete arthroscopic repair, follow-up EMG/NCV after 6 months demonstrated partial or full recovery of the suprascapular nerve palsy that correlated with complete pain relief and marked improvement in function. Conclusions: SSN is found in a significant proportion of patients with massive rotator cuff tears, and is associated with pain and dysfunction. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can result in reversal of SSN, which may correlate with substantial improvement in pain and function. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Cartilage repair technology is advancing at a rapid pace. However, all techniques share a common weakness—unintentional chondrocyte cell death resulting from cartilage injury that occurs during preparation of the defect site. The loss of chondrocytes at the edge of host cartilage is likely to contribute to failed integration of regenerated tissue or grafts to the surrounding cartilage. Recent studies have demonstrated that "apoptosis", or programmed cell death (PCD), may be responsible for much of the cell death caused by cartilage injury. Theoretically, inhibitors of key pathways responsible for PCD could rescue chondrocytes and improve the results of cartilage repair surgery. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that short-term, intra-articular PCD inhibitor treatment can limit chondrocyte death in vivo following simulated preparation of host cartilage for a repair procedure. A microcurette was used to create full-thickness articular cartilage injuries to the femoral condyles of adult New Zealand White rabbits. Animals received daily intra-articular injections either with a potent PCD inhibitor or with vehicle alone. Treatment with the inhibitor resulted in a significant reduction in the percentage of chondrocytes undergoing PCD compared to controls [treated=10.1±2.4%; controls=26.5±3.6%; ( p =0.0013)]. These results provide proof of concept for the use of PCD inhibitors to enhance the results of cartilage repair surgeries.

In patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT) can be effective in improving pain and function. However, the results are variable, and the factors that predict good outcomes are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the integrity of the teres minor musculotendinous unit is predictive of outcome following LDTT. Twenty-two consecutive patients who underwent LDTT for massive, irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears were retrospectively reviewed. Sixteen men and 6 women with a mean age of 58 years (range, 40-68) were analyzed at an average follow-up of 34 months (range, 24-57). Standardized MRI images of all patients were reviewed by 3 independent reviewers. Fatty infiltration of the teres minor was Goutallier stage 0 in 5 patients; stage 1 in 6; stage 2 in 4; stage 3 in 6; and stage 4 in 1. Eleven patients (50%) had partial tears and 2 (9%) had complete tears of the teres minor tendon. Following LDTT, the mean absolute constant score improved from 48 to 62 points (P = .003), age-adjusted constant score improved from 56% to 72% (P = .002), and the subjective shoulder value improved from 24% to 68% (P.001). Fatty infiltration of the teres minor less than or equal to stage 2 was associated with a better postoperative constant score (67 vs 53, P = .015); age-adjusted constant score (78% vs 59%, P = .012); active external rotation (36 degrees vs 16 degrees , P = .016); and active elevation (143 degrees vs 115 degrees , P = .012) relative to patients with fatty infiltration greater than stage 2. The presence or absence of a tear of the tendon had no significant effect on outcome. In conclusion, when performing LDTT for massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, fatty infiltration of the teres minor should be considered prior to surgery, as it is predictive of outcome.

This text provides essential information needed to serve the large population of young athletic patients with cartilage defects who are not yet candidates for joint arthroplasty. Nearly 350 illustrations facilitate the understanding of examination and operative techniques, including arthroscopic debridement, electrothermal chondroplasty, marrow stimulation, osteochondral autograft transfer (OATS/Mosaicplasty), autologous chondrocyte implantation, and osteochondral allografting. The text also addresses joint specific injuries in the shoulder, elbow, and ankle that are often neglected in other literature. Key Features: Reviews normal cartilage anatomy and cartilage response to injury to illuminate appropriate treatment techniques and healing processes. Covers non-operative techniques including analgesics, oral anti-inflammatory medications, neutraceuticals, and hyaluronic acid injections/viscosupplementation, allowing the clinician to expand treatment options. Descriptions of adjunctive procedures, such as meniscal transplant and corrective osteotomy. Provides insights on future directions in the detection and treatment of cartilage injuries.

Arthroscopic repair of posterior shoulder instability is becoming an accepted method of treatment. Most surgeons perform this procedure with the patient in a lateral decubitus position to facilitate access to the posterior glenoid. We have developed an accessory portal placed through the midportion of the rotator cuff that allows easy and complete viewing of the posterior glenohumeral joint when the patient is in a beach chair position and does not require the use of traction. This portal provides a superior-to-inferior view of the posterior glenoid rim and capsule and allows use of anterior and posterior routine portals for posterior Bankart repair. In this study, the technique of posterior labral repair in the beach chair position with use of the trans-cuff portal is described, and preliminary results in 5 patients at an average follow-up of 24 months are presented. Through this approach, we were able to place 3 anchors, with the lowest at the 7 o'clock position (for a right shoulder), in all patients. Mean American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score improved from 53 +/- 15 preoperatively to 87 +/- 8 postoperatively (P < .01). All patients had an excellent result with complete resolution of pain and instability.

Diplopodia, or duplicated foot, is a rare congenital anomaly. It differs from polydactyly in that supernumerary metatarsal and tarsal bones are present as well as extra digits. Only a few cases of this anomaly have been reported in the literature to date. We present a newborn male without intrauterine teratogen exposure who was born with a duplicate foot of the left lower extremity and imperforate anus.

The objective of the present study was to directly compare levels of chondrocyte apoptosis produced by osteochondral injury in vivo and in vitro. Adult New Zealand White rabbits underwent 2 mm osteochondral drilling of the medial and lateral femoral condyles of a single hind limb. Animals were euthanized, and specimens were harvested at 0, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days following injury. At the time of euthanasia, identical injuries were created in the femoral condyles of the contralateral hind limb. These condyles were maintained in vitro under standard tissue culture conditions until harvesting at time points corresponding to the in vivo specimens (i.e. after 0, 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days in culture). The extent of apoptosis in the in vivo and in vitro specimens was quantified by TUNEL analysis. The amount and distribution of TUNEL positive cells followed similar patterns in both in vivo and in vitro specimens with a maximal percentage of apoptotic chondrocytes observed on post-injury day 4. On post-injury day 4, in vivo specimens displayed a statistically significant increased overall level of apoptosis compared to in vitro specimens [in vivo=32.5+/-8.6%; in vitro=22.2+/-4.8%; (p=0.03)]. These experiments suggest that the majority of programmed cell death observed after osteochondral injury can be attributed to processes intrinsic to the cartilage itself; however, additional factors present within the acutely traumatized joint also appear to potentiate chondrocyte apoptosis following injury.

Summary: Patients with displaced bucket-handle (DBH) meniscal tears in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees are prone to flexion contracture following meniscal repair and simultaneous ACL reconstruction. It has been suggested that ACL reconstruction be delayed until full range of motion has returned after the meniscal repair. A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the return of extension in patients undergoing simultaneous ACL reconstruction and repair of DBH tears (group A) versus a control group of patients with non-DBH tears (group B). Age, sex, body mass index, duration of time from injury to surgery, and preoperative extension were also compared between groups and evaluated for their significance as risk factors. Patients in group A achieved recovery to −5° and 0° of extension 22% and 35% more slowly, respectively, when compared with group B. These differences were not statistically significant. Female patients tended to heal more rapidly in both groups. We conclude that a one-stage procedure is sufficient in allowing patients with DBH tears in ACL-deficient knees to regain a functional knee to within 5° of full extension. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 15, No 2 (March), 1999: pp 192–196

In spite of advances and refinements in surgical technique, the development of post-traumatic arthritis following osteochondral injury remains one of the major unsolved problems faced by orthopedic surgeons. Of particular interest is the possibility that chondrocyte programmed cell death (PCD), or ‘apoptosis’, contributes to the subsequent development of post-traumatic arthritis 1–5 . Recent studies have shown that inhibitors of caspases, key enzymes in the apoptosis pathway, can block chondrocyte PCD in vitro 4–7 . The goal of the presented study was to test the hypothesis that short-term, intra-articular caspase inhibitor treatment can limit chondrocyte PCD in vivo following acute osteochondral injury. Adult New Zealand white rabbits underwent experimental osteochondral injury. One group of rabbits received daily intra-articular injections of the broadspectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk. A control group of rabbits received daily intra-articular injections of vehicle alone. After four days of treatment, the articular cartilage was analyzed for chondrocyte PCD. Treatment with Z-VADfmk resulted in a marked reduction in the percentage of chondrocytes undergoing PCD compared to controls [treated=7.4±1.8%; controls=32.5±8.6% (P