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This year marks the 100th anniversary of Dr Steindler's original report of a proximal transfer of the flexor pronator mass to restore elbow flexion. The authors present their updated surgical technique to perform the Steindler flexorplasty. In this procedure, the flexor-pronator mass origin on the medial epicondyle is transferred proximally to the anterior humerus to restore elbow flexion. They also report a retrospective case series of patients from 2007 to 2017 who underwent a Steindler flexorplasty at their institution to restore elbow flexion. In the series, 8 of 9 patients achieved at least 90 degrees of active antigravity (M3) or greater elbow flexion. Outcomes following the Steindler flexorplasty have been reported in the literature over the course of the past 100 years. Although alternative techniques to improve elbow flexion have been developed and performed over the last century, this time tested procedure remains a powerful reconstructive option.

Background: The induced membrane technique was originally described as a technique for the reconstruction of long bone defects. The authors performed a systematic review to determine whether the use of the induced membrane technique is effective in large bony defects in the upper extremity. Methods: A qualitative systematic review was conducted using PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar databases to record all studies reporting on complications of the induced membrane technique in the upper extremity. Studies written after 1990 in English language journals met the inclusion criteria. Exclusion criteria were non-English language publications, animal studies, failure to identify the location of the bone defect, failure to identify whether complications were associated with the procedure, and failure to define the length of bone defect. Results: A total of 1422 studies were identified in the original search. Twelve studies satisfied the criteria for inclusion. A total of 70 patients with 83 upper extremity cases were reported: 1 proximal interphalangeal joint, 22 phalanges, 8 metacarpals, 37 forearms, 14 humeri, and 1 clavicle. The mean bone defect size was 4.0 cm (SD, 1.5). The most common complication was infection. We found that complication rates were independent of the location of the bone defect. Complication rates in the upper extremity ranged from 0% to 100%, with a total weighted mean of 10%. Conclusion: The induced membrane technique is an emerging possible treatment of large bone defects in the upper extremity. More research is needed to determine the outcomes of the induced membrane technique in the upper extremity.

Hybrid fixation of total joint arthroplasty has been recognized as an accepted form of surgical approach in multiple joints. Principles of implant fixation should focus on durability and on providing secure long-term function. To date, there is no conclusive evidence that pressed-fit humeral stem fixation has an advantage over well-secured cemented humeral fixation. Although revision may require cement removal, a well-fixed bone—ingrowth implant may require slatting and osteotomy of the humerus. On the contrary, need for revision in arthroplasty due to inadequate implant fixation has almost universally revolved around the failure of cement fixation and loosening of the glenoid component. A case will be made based on 30 years of experience of a surgeon performing total shoulder arthroplasty using secure modern cement-fixation techniques of humeral components. More recently, over the past 10 years an extremely high rate of durable secure glenoid implant fixation has been achieved using press-fit tantalum porous anchorage of polyethylene glenoid components. This has resulted in no cases of loosening of glenoid fixation and only one case of glenoid component fracture with greater than 95% survivorship over a 10-year period. A combination of well-cemented humeral stem and trabecular metal anchorage of the glenoid has provided durable and long-lasting function in primary total shoulder arthroplasty.

We present a modification and revisit of the Bell Tawse technique for annular ligament reconstruction with triceps autograft for chronic radial head instability. In patients with instability stemming from an incompetent annular ligament, this technique has proved successful to restore stability to the proximal radial capitellar joint as an augment after ensuring normal boney anatomy. Through a lateral Kocher approach, an approximately 10 cm × 4 mm strip of lateral triceps tendon is harvested as a free graft for the reconstruction. Following passing of the triceps autograft around the radial neck, it is sutured to a mini-Mitek suture anchor and is placed into a decorticated portion of the proximal ulna to recreate the annular ligament. Finally, we present 2 case illustrations where this technique was successfully used for chronic radial head instability.

During a posterior approach to the elbow, the triceps muscle body and tendon insertion must be addressed during exposure. Several methods exist including performing an olecranon osteotomy. The triceps fascial tongue exposure, originally described by Van Gorder in 1940, provides an excellent view of the joint while causing minimal trauma to the extensor mechanism facilitating tendon healing, and easy intraoperative conversion from fracture fixation to a total elbow arthroplasty if a fracture is not able to be reconstructed. Using a standard posterior approach to the elbow, a triceps tongue is created. A distally based flap of the triceps tendon approximately 10 cm long and 2 to 3 cm wide is created and a remnant of the tendon is kept on all sides to secure a meticulous repair with nonabsorbable figure-of-eight sutures at the conclusion of the case. In our case series, 29 patients underwent 30 total elbow arthroplasties. There were no triceps-related failures. This surgical technique is a useful alternative surgical exposure to the posterior elbow for fractures and arthroplasty.

Rupture of the distal triceps brachii muscle is a relatively rare, but potentially troublesome injury. Recent literature has increased awareness of the injury and highlighted the importance of accurate diagnosis and prompt appropriate treatment of these injuries. The history, physical examination findings, and imaging studies are key to determine complete versus partial rupture of the distal triceps. We propose a treatment algorithm based on the chronicity of the injury and associated tendon quality. Such a guide can help surgeons navigate the most appropriate treatment and be equipped with the surgical tools to provide the best surgical result.

Trabecular metal anchored glenoids (TMAGs) were developed to counter the pervasive problem of component loosening at the bone-cement interface in total shoulder arthroplasty. Increased failure rates associated with the glenoid component have been previously reported due to increased rates of glenoid failures. Our hypothesis was that in our patients, the failure rate of TMAG implants is similar to or less than reported failure rates of traditional all polyethylene glenoid components. A medical chart review of 66 consecutive patients treated with a TMAG total shoulder replacement was conducted including clinical and radiographic follow-up. Paired t test analyses were used to compare the patients' preoperative and postoperative shoulder range of motion. Patients on average had 50.2 months of clinical follow-up available. Although the radiographs of several patients demonstrated focal areas of lucency, none of the patients demonstrated evidence of glenoid loosening. Glenoid component failure was a rare occurrence, happening only once in the 66 patients (1.5%). The patient with a glenoid fracture sustained that complication 6 years after her index total shoulder replacement. She was the only patient in the series who required revision surgery. Most patients experienced significant improvements in their shoulder range of motion, improving forward flexion from 73.7 to 144.2 degrees (P

Background and hypothesis Deltoid disruption has traditionally been an absolute contraindication to performing a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), and options available to patients have been limited. We present a series of patients with deltoid tears that underwent concomitant RTSA with deltoid reconstruction. We hypothesize that this combined procedure provides an acceptable, functional alternative for this complex patient population. Materials and methods We retrospectively identified all patients who were treated by a single surgeon with a concomitant RTSA and deltoid reconstruction from 2004 to 2012 with minimum 24-month follow-up. Six shoulders in 5 patients met these criteria. The mean age was 69 years (range, 61-79 years), and the mean follow-up period was 76.8 months (range, 24-133 months). We compared preoperative and postoperative range of motion and Penn Shoulder Scores, including subscores, using paired t tests. Results Mean forward elevation and external rotation increased from 48° and 12°, respectively, to 120° and 22°, respectively. Penn scores increased from 45.2 to 77.8 postoperatively ( P = .03). The Penn satisfaction subscore, in particular, improved from 1.1 (of 10) to 9.0 ( P = .005). There was a low rate of recurrent deltoid failure (1 of 6 shoulders), and there were no infections or revisions. Discussion Deltoid reconstruction at the same time as RTSA is a viable treatment option as a salvage procedure for patients with deltoid deficiency who otherwise need RTSA for treatment of massive rotator cuff deficiency. In this small series, simultaneous RTSA and deltoid reconstruction resulted in a functional shoulder with a high level of satisfaction and good motion. Level of evidence Level IV; Case Series; Treatment Study