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Aims Shoulder replacement is increasingly performed for end-stage arthritis. Information on the long-term survival and patient outcomes is very limited. This study aimed to quantify the survival and clinical outcome at a minimum of 20-yr follow-up. Methods A single-center, single-surgeon, consecutive cohort study was performed. Forty-four shoulder replacements in 40 patients (age at surgery 68.5 years, 82.5% female, preoperative visual analog scale [VAS] pain score 5.1/10, standard deviation [SD] 2.7) implanted between 1996 and 2000 were assessed. All-cause construct survival, radiographic glenoid and humeral stem loosening, radiographic humeral head migration, and patient-reported outcome measures were assessed. Results Survival with all-cause revision as an endpoint was 84.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 60.7, 94.1) at 20 years, glenoid loosening was seen in all patients who survived to the 20-year follow-up. Survival of rotator cuff integrity was 16.8% (95% CI 3.5, 38.5) at 20 years. VAS pain scores demonstrated improvement at 10 years (mean change –4/10) but not at 20 years (effect size –0.15, mean change 0.4/10, SD 2.7). At 20 years, 72% of patients had died with the prosthesis in situ. Conclusion Older patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty are unlikely to require revision in their lifetime. However, beyond 10 years, a large proportion of implants demonstrate glenoid loosening, humeral head migration, and declining patient outcomes. This information will be of use to patients and clinicians when discussing the potential outcomes of surgery.

Aims This systematic review asked which patterns of complications are associated with the three reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) prosthetic designs, as classified by Routman et al, in patients undergoing RTSA for the management of cuff tear arthropathy, massive cuff tear, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The three implant design philosophies investigated were medial glenoid/medial humerus (MGMH), medial glenoid/lateral humerus (MGLH), and lateral glenoid/medial humerus (LGMH). Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed via a search of MEDLINE and Embase. Two reviewers extracted data on complication occurrence and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Meta-analysis was conducted on the reported proportion of complications, weighted by sample size, and PROMs were pooled using the reported standardized mean difference (SMD). Quality of methodology was assessed using Wylde’s non-summative four-point system. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020193041). Results A total of 42 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Rates of scapular notching were found to be significantly higher in MGMH implants (52% (95% confidence interval (CI) 40 to 63)) compared with MGLH ((18% (95% CI 6 to 34)) and LGMH (12% (95% CI 3 to 26)). Higher rates of glenoid loosening were seen in MGMH implants (6% (95% CI 3 to 10)) than in MGLH implants (0% (95% CI 0 to 2)). However, strength of evidence for this finding was low. No significant differences were identified in any other complication, and there were no significant differences observed in PROMs between implant philosophies. Conclusion This systematic review has found significant improvement in PROMS and low complication rates across the implant philosophies studied. Scapular notching was the only complication found definitely to have significantly higher prevalence with the MGMH implant design. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(5):813–821.

Aims Arthroplasty is being increasingly used for the management of distal humeral fractures (DHFs) in elderly patients. Arthroplasty options include total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA); both have unique complications and there is not yet a consensus on which implant is superior. This systematic review asked: in patients aged over 65 years with unreconstructable DHFs, what differences are there in outcomes, as measured by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), range of motion (ROM), and complications, between distal humeral HA and TEA? Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed via a search of MEDLINE and Embase. Two reviewers extracted data on PROMs, ROM, and complications. PROMs and ROM results were reported descriptively and a meta-analysis of complications was conducted. Quality of methodology was assessed using Wylde’s non-summative four-point system. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021228329). Results A total of 29 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) score was 19.6 (SD 7.5) for HA and 38 (SD 11.9) for TEA and the mean abbreviated version of DASH was 17.2 (SD 13.2) for HA and 24.9 (SD 4.8) for TEA. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score was the most commonly reported PROM across included studies, with a mean of 87 (SD 5.3) in HA and 88.3 (SD 5) in TEA. High complication rates were seen in both HA (22% (95% confidence interval (CI) 5 to 44)) and TEA (21% (95% CI 13 to 30), but no statistically significant difference identified. Conclusion This systematic review has indicated PROMs and ROM mostly favouring HA, but with a similarly high complication rate in the two procedures. However, due to the small sample size and heterogeneity between studies, strength of evidence for these findings is low. We propose further research in the form of a national randomized controlled trial. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(5):559–566.

Background This review aims to establish current knowledge of the shoulder skin microbiome and how to manage the bacteria that reside within it. Methods A review was undertaken of the current literature through OvidSP. All abstracts were reviewed by three independent researchers. Results Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. With forward referencing an additional 14 were included. None commented on organisms specific to the shoulder microbiome other than Cutibacterium acnes. Therefore, this review is focussed on the current knowledge of C. acnes. Discussion C. acnes is a skin commensal within the pilo-sebaceous glands reported to be the primary pathogen in up to 86% of shoulder joint infections. Pre-operative culture of unprepared skin can be indicative of underlying joint infection in shoulder arthroplasty revision. Intra-articular biopsies may have a high false positive due to skin contamination. Correlating the number of positive samples and certain associated signs can give a greater than 90% probability of a true infection. Standard surgical skin preparation, peri-surgical intravenous antibiotics and oral pre-operative antibiotics do not reduce bacterial load within the skin. However, topical benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin have both demonstrated significantly reduced bacteria load. Phylogenetically there are six main types. Patients may have more than one phenotype present during infection.

Background Total elbow arthroplasty is a low volume procedure. We aimed to evaluate complication rates and cumulative percentages associated with the most frequently used contemporary implants and for the commonest indications. Methods A systematic literature search of all studies reporting complications following total elbow arthroplasty with 12-month minimum follow-up was undertaken. Quality of studies was assessed with the Methodological-Index-for-Non-Randomised-studies criteria. British NJR data identified the most common UK prostheses and indications. The complication rates for all undesirable events contributing to patient outcome were extracted and cumulative percentages were calculated. Results One hundred seventeen studies were screened, 12 studies included, totalling 815 procedures. Mean follow-up was 3.8 years. The overall complication cumulative percentage was 60.7%, significantly higher than that seen in other joint arthroplasty, including a 6.5% deep infection rate. Nerve injury was comparable between implants at around 4.1%. Radiographic loosening had a cumulative rate of 17.2%. Revision for symptomatic aseptic loosening was 6.3%. Conclusions This is the largest systematic review of the complications of total elbow arthroplasty. Surgeons should be aware of differing complications related to their implant of choice, each having its own specific complication. Trauma as an indication appears to have an increased complication rates compared to inflammatory arthropathy. There is a lack of literature regarding the independent results of osteoarthritis as a specific indication for total elbow arthroplasty.

Background Assessment of a painful or stiff shoulder arthroplasty can be challenging. The cause of pain can sometimes be easily identified. However, some patients have normal levels of inflammatory markers, normal plain films, and no clinical signs to indicate a diagnosis. Indolent organisms may not raise blood marker levels or result in obvious radiologic findings such as loosening. We report the utility of performing arthroscopy in these patients for a diagnostic advantage. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the health records of all patients who underwent diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy over a 3-year period. Patients were included if they were aged 18 years or older, had undergone previous arthroplasty surgery, and had symptoms of shoulder pain or stiffness. Patients were excluded if they had any traditional symptoms of infection or had a raised serum white cell count or C-reactive protein level prior to diagnostic arthroscopy. Results Fourteen patients met the initial inclusion criteria. The mean interval between index surgery and arthroscopic evaluation was 65.4 months (standard deviation, 58 months; range, 17-192 months). Arthroscopic biopsy specimens returned positive culture results in 3 patients (21%). Rotator cuff tears were noted in 8 patients (57%). Capsular contraction requiring release was noted in 2 patients (10%). In all patients, the diagnostic arthroscopy directed the next stage of management. Conclusions Diagnostic arthroscopy allows a full assessment of implants, the rotator cuff, the native articular surfaces, and scar tissue, as well as biopsy specimens to be obtained for indolent infection, in patients considering revision arthroplasty surgery. This allows a more informative consent process for patients, directs surgical management, and on occasion, allows for therapeutic intervention in a painful or stiff shoulder arthroplasty.

Has the introduction of a nurse practitioner led to reduced training opportunities for junior surgeons?

Background Following foot and ankle surgery, patients may be required to mobilise non-weight bearing, requiring a walking aid such as crutches, walking frame or a Stride-on rehabilitation scooter, which aims to reduce the amount of work required. The energy consumption of mobilising using a Stride-on scooter has not previously been investigated, and we aim to establish this. Methods Ten healthy volunteers (5 males:5 females) aged 20–40 years mobilised independently, then with each mobility device for 3min at 1km/h on a treadmill, with rest periods, whilst undergoing Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET). Oxygen consumption (VO 2 ), carbon dioxide excretion (VCO 2 ), minute ventilation (MV), respiratory rate (RR) and pulse (HR) were measured at baseline, and after 3min of walking, without and with all 3 devices. Wilcoxon signed rank test was carried out to calculate significance with non-parametric values with Bonferroni correction. Results Three-point crutch mobilisation demonstrated significant increases in VO 2 (0.7L), VCO 2 (0.7L), MV (16.7L/min), pulse (24.8bpm) and RR (11.4breaths/min) compared to walking ( p p 2 (0.7L), VCO 2 (0.7L), MV (18.3L/min), pulse (35.9bpm), and RR (11.7breaths/min). Tests using the Stride-on demonstrated no significant increase compared to walking with regards to VO 2 (0.1L; p =0.959), VCO 2 (0.2L; p =0.332), pulse (10.1bpm; p =0.575), and RR (4.7breaths/min; p =0.633). The MV was significantly higher compared to walking (4.3L/min; p Discussion Energy required for unit distance ambulation with a Stride-on device is similar to walking, and significantly lower than with a walking frame in single legged stance and three-point crutch mobilisation. This justifies its use as part of routine practice aiding early mobilisation of patients requiring restricted weight bearing or single legged weight bearing, especially in those with reduced cardio-pulmonary reserve as it is less physiologically demanding and does not rely on upper body strength.