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Anterior shoulder instability is a common orthopedic problem. After a traumatic shoulder dislocation, patients present a plastic deformation of the capsule. The shoulder instability biology remains poorly understood. We evaluated the expression of genes that encode the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), fibronectin 1 (FN1), tenascin C (TNC) and tenascin XB (TNXB) in the glenohumeral capsule of anterior shoulder instability patients and controls. Moreover, we investigated the associations between gene expression and clinical parameters. The gene expression was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the antero-inferior (macroscopically injured region), antero-superior and posterior regions of the capsule of 29 patients with shoulder instability and 8 controls. COMP expression was reduced and FN1 and TNC expression was increased in the antero-inferior capsule region of cases compared to controls (p < 0.05). TNC expression was increased in the posterior capsule portion of shoulder instability patients (p = 0.022). COMP expression was reduced in the antero-inferior region compared to the posterior region of shoulder instability patients (p = 0.007). In the antero-inferior region, FN1 expression was increased in the capsule of patients with more than one year of symptoms (p = 0.003) and with recurrent dislocations (p = 0.004) compared with controls. FN1 and TNXB expression was correlated with the duration of symptoms in the posterior region (p < 0.05). Thus, COMP, FN1, TNC and TNXB expression was altered across the capsule of shoulder instability patients. Dislocation episodes modify FN1, TNC and TNXB expression in the injured tissue. COMP altered expression may be associated with capsule integrity after shoulder dislocation, particularly in the macroscopically injured portion.

Objective: To describe occurrences of septic glenohumeral arthritis among patients with arthropathy of the rotator cuff, and to highlight the importance of correct diagnosis and surgical procedures., Methodology: Eight surgical drains were installed in seven patients with glenohumeral pyoarthritis. All the patients presented arthropathy of the rotator cuff (four males and three females). Six patients presented pyoarthritis in the dominant shoulder. The age range was from 53 to 93 years (mean: 74 years). The mean duration of the symptoms before the surgical lavage was six weeks. Six patients underwent treatment consisting of a combination of arthroscopic irrigation and debridement, and one patient was treated by means of open arthrotomy. All the patients received systemic antibiotic therapy in accordance with their bacterial sensitivity., Results: All seven patients achieved satisfactory results, taking into consideration especially the improvement of pain and the patients' satisfaction. The functional assessment was performed using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) scale. Only one patient needed to go through another arthroscopic procedure. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from four cultures and Escherichia coli from one culture. There were two situations in which the patients used empirical antibiotic therapy and the cultures showed negative results. Among the associated procedures, tenotomy of the biceps was performed in four cases, resection of the lateral third of the clavicle due to osteomyelitis in one case and arthrotomy of the knee in one case., Conclusion: Surgical treatment was effective in the cases of arthritis associated with arthropathy of the rotator cuff. In patients with arthropathy of the rotator cuff and subclinically altered laboratory signs, the possibility of pyoarthritis should always be suspected.

Stress fractures were first described in Prussian soldiers by Breithaupt in 1855. They occur as the result of repeatedly making the same movement in a specific region, which can lead to fatigue and imbalance between osteoblast and osteoclast activity, thus favoring bone breakage. In addition, when a particular region of the body is used in the wrong way, a stress fracture can occur even without the occurrence of an excessive number of functional cycles. The objective of this study was to review the most relevant literature of recent years in order to add key information regarding this pathological condition, as an updating article on this topic.

A complete rupture of the teres major is an extremely rare injury and rarely described in the literature. We report the first case of an isolated rupture of the teres major in a professional football goalkeeper. The diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion and complementation by image examinations. Conservative treatment has a high success rate with early return to sport., (2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Objective: To evaluate tendinopathy of the pectoralis major muscle in weightlifting athletes using ultrasound and elastography., Methods: This study included 20 patients, 10 with rupture of the pectoralis major muscle and 10 control patients. We evaluated pectoralis major muscle contralateral tendon with ultrasonographic and elastography examinations. The ultrasonographic examinations were performed using a high-resolution B mode ultrasound device. The elastography evaluation was classified into three patterns: (A), if stiff (more than 50% area with blue staining); (B), if intermediate (more than 50% green); and (C), if softened (more than 50% red)., Results: Patients' mean age was 33±5.3 years. The presence of tendinous injury measured by ultrasound had a significant different (p=0.0055), because 80% of cases had tendinous injury versus 10% in the Control Group. No significant differences were seen between groups related with change in elastography (p=0.1409)., Conclusion: Long-term bodybuilders had ultrasound image with more tendinous injury than those in Control Group. There was no statistical significance regarding change in tendon elasticity compared with Control Group.

Objective: To evaluate the low energy extracorporeal shock waves therapy (ESWT) associated with physical therapy in the treatment of chronic muscle injuries classified as grades 2 and 3 in the lower limbs of amateur athletes., Methods: Eight athletes presenting with lower limb muscle injury for more than three weeks were treated with physiotherapy and ESWT. We evaluated the following parameters during treatment: palpable gap, muscle strength, pain, and Tegner score, as well as ultrasound image features and the ability to return to sports practice., Results: The average time of the first evaluation of the injury was 8.75 weeks. All patients presented muscle strength grade V after eight weeks. The pain score evolved from 5.75 to 0.5 points of the visual analogue scale (VAS), at the end of the treatment. The Tegner score after treatment was six points on average. Patients returned to sports practice after 8.14 weeks., Conclusion: ESWT associated with physical therapy proved to be effective to treat long-term muscle injury, with good performance and the ability to return to sport practice for all patients. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series, Prospective Study.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most frequently injured structures during high-impact sporting activities. Gene expression analysis may be a useful tool for understanding ACL tears and healing failure. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) has emerged as an effective method for such studies. However, this technique requires the use of suitable reference genes for data normalization. Here, we evaluated the suitability of six reference genes (18S, ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, HPRT1, and TBP) by using ACL samples of 39 individuals with ACL tears (20 with isolated ACL tears and 19 with ACL tear and combined meniscal injury) and of 13 controls. The stability of the candidate reference genes was determined by using the NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper DataAssist, and RefFinder software packages and the comparative ΔCt method. ACTB was the best single reference gene and ACTB+TBP was the best gene pair. The GenEx software showed that the accumulated standard deviation is reduced when a larger number of reference genes is used for gene expression normalization. However, the use of a single reference gene may not be suitable. To identify the optimal combination of reference genes, we evaluated the expression of FN1 and PLOD1. We observed that at least 3 reference genes should be used. ACTB+HPRT1+18S is the best trio for the analyses involving isolated ACL tears and controls. Conversely, ACTB+TBP+18S is the best trio for the analyses involving (1) injured ACL tears and controls, and (2) ACL tears of patients with meniscal tears and controls. Therefore, if the gene expression study aims to compare non-injured ACL, isolated ACL tears and ACL tears from patients with meniscal tear as three independent groups ACTB+TBP+18S+HPRT1 should be used. In conclusion, 3 or more genes should be used as reference genes for analysis of ACL samples of individuals with and without ACL tears.

Muscle rupture is rarely treated surgically. Few reports of good outcomes after muscular suture have been published. Usually, muscular lesions or partial ruptures heal with few side effects or result in total recovery. We report a case of an athlete who was treated surgically to repair a total muscular rupture in the pectoralis major muscle. After 6 months, the athlete returned to competitive practice. After a 2-year follow-up, the athlete still competes in skateboard championships., (2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Scapulothoracic arthroscopy is gaining recognition among arthroscopic procedures as it is considered a relatively low morbidity procedure; also, continuing studies of this technique are making it safer. Scapulothoracic arthroscopy can be used for removal of a foreign body. This case report describes the removal of a firearm projectile using image-guided arthroscopy, highlighting the anatomical aspects and characteristics of the surgical technique. In this case, the patient recovered uneventfully, with complete remission of symptoms in 30 days, returning to his usual activities within 2 months after surgery., (2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Shoulder dislocation occurs in 1-2% of the population. Capsular deformation is a key factor in shoulder dislocation; however, little is known about capsule biology. We evaluated, for the first time in literature, the expression of COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1 and COL5A1 in the antero-inferior, antero-superior and posterior regions of the glenohumeral capsule of 31 patients with anterior shoulder instability and eight controls. The expression of collagen genes was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and the ratio of COL1A1/COL1A2 were increased in all three portions of the capsule in patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). COL1A2 expression was upregulated in the antero-superior and posterior sites of the capsule of patients (p < 0.05). The ratio of COL1A2/COL3A1 expression was reduced in capsule antero-inferior and posterior sites of patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). In the capsule antero-inferior site of patients, the ratios of COL1A1/COL5A1, CO1A2/COL5A1 and COL3A1/COL5A1 expression were increased (p < 0.05). In patients, COL1A1/COL5A1 was also increased in the posterior site (p < 0.05). We found deregulated expression of collagen genes across the capsule of shoulder instability patients. These molecular alterations may lead to modifications of collagen fibril structure and impairment of the healing process, possibly with a role in capsular deformation., (© 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

A 26-year-old Olympic wrestling athlete presented with a pectoralis major muscle injury, glenohumeral instability and acromioclavicular joint dislocation separately. The patient underwent surgical treatment to repair these injuries. The pectoralis major muscle was reconstructed with a semitendinosus tendon graft using the endobutton technique, as described by Pochini et al. Treatment of the traumatic anterior instability was performed using the technique described by Bristow-Latarjet, and the acromioclavicular joint dislocation was repaired using the modified technique of Weaver-Dunn with the aid of an anchor. The athlete exhibited a rapid recovery and could return to normal activities 6 months after surgery. At present, 18 months postoperatively, the patient is asymptomatic.

A skydiving athlete suffered bilateral scapular fracture while jumping from the plane. A camera showed the exact moment of fracture. The injury seemed to occur during hyperextension of the arms; however, the most common mechanism of fracture is during direct trauma of the shoulder. The patient was treated by immobilisation with a sling for 3 weeks and had a good outcome. Clinical and radiographic consolidation occurred 8 weeks after the injury. The athlete returned to competitive activities after 4 months.