Total elbow arthroplasties (TEA) have become more prevalent as indications expand. However, TEA complications remain a treatment conundrum. One such complication, periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) have been reported to occur in up to 12% of all TEA procedures. Irrigation and debridement with retention of hardware and antibiotic suppression has a high failure rate. Two stage revisions of TEA, while more morbid, is an effective approach with previous studies showing a 79% eradication rate. These cases are often associated with periprosthetic bone loss, adding to the surgical complexity. In our case report, we present the case of a 59 year old diabetic male with a primary TEA secondary to a distal humerus fracture who developed a deep infection and was successfully treated with explantation, cue ball antibiotic cement arthroplasty, and humeroradial revision. This case report will discuss the cue ball antibiotic spacer technique and humeroradial revision as a salvage procedure in TEA revisions in the setting of extensive ulnar bone loss.
Background: There is currently no established consensus on best treatment for complex proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) in the elderly. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is a viable option in this population but many times is used as a salvage procedure.
Methods: A systematic review of studies comparing RTSA as a primary treatment for PHF versus as a salvage procedure following failed open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), humeral intramedullary nailing, hemiarthroplasty (HA) or non-operative treatment was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Pooled outcomes and sub-group analyses assessing range of motion, patient reported outcomes and complications were examined using RevMan.
Results: Five articles were included in final analysis with 104 patients in the primary RTSA group and 147 in the salvage RTSA group compromising 251 total patients. Primary RTSA had a statistically significant advantage in range of motion (forward flexion and external rotation), patient reported outcomes, and complications compared to salvage RTSA.
Conclusions: Based on the best available evidence, primary RTSA may result in slightly better patient reported outcomes, range of motion and a lower rate of complication when compared to salvage RTSA. Further high-quality prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings of the current review.
Introduction: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is a useful procedure with broadening applications, but it has the best outcomes when used for rotator cuff tear arthropathy. However, this procedure is not without complications. While scapular notching and aseptic loosening are more common complications that have been extensively studied in the literature, dissociation of the glenoid component and incomplete glenosphere seating has not received much attention. Specifically, little research has explored appropriate management of incomplete seating of the glenosphere component, and no gold standard for treatment of this complication has emerged. Methods: In the case described here, an elderly patient with an incompletely seated glenosphere component post-operatively opted to pursue conservative management in order to avoid revision surgery if possible. Results: The partially engaged, superiorly directed components in this case exhibited spontaneous complete and symmetric seating of the glenosphere between six and twelve months post-operatively, indicating that conservative management of this complication in low-demand patients may be a viable option to avoid the risks associated with revision surgery. Conclusion: Further research should be pursued to explore what patient and prosthesis design factors may be suited to observation with serial radiographs when incomplete seating of the glenosphere component occurs.
Background: The most effective method and modality for measuring glenoid version for different shoulder conditions is uncertain. Computed tomography (CT) imaging exposes the patient to radiation, and standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) does not consistently image the entire scapula. This study investigates the reliability of a new method for assessing glenoid version using routine shoulder MRI.
Methods: MRI images of 20 patients undergoing arthroscopy for shoulder instability were independently assessed by 3 clinicians for osseous and chondrolabral glenoid version. To assess glenoid version, a line was drawn from medial corner of the glenoid body to midpoint of the glenoid face. A line perpendicular to this was the reference against which to measure glenoid version. Measurements were repeated after 3 months to assess intra- and interobserver reliability. Reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).
Results: Interclass correlation coefficients showed at least good reliability for most estimates of intraobserver reliability (ICC ≥ .66) and excellent reliability for most estimates of interobserver reliability (ICC ≥ .84), with the exception of some inferior glenoid measurements where ICC was poor (ICC ≤.41).
Discussion: We propose that this new method of measuring glenoid on standard axial MRI can be used as a simple, practical, and reliable method in shoulder instability patients, which will reduce the requirement for CT in this group.
Background: There are limited data on the effect of glenoid retroversion in clinical outcomes following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if surgical correction of retroversion affects outcomes following RTSA.
Methods: An institutional database was utilized to identify 177 patients (mean age: 68.2 ± 10.1 years) with minimum 2-year follow-up after primary RTSA. Glenoid version was measured on preoperative and postoperative radiographs. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores and range of motion were collected before and after RTSA. Change in retroversion was determined by comparing preoperative and postoperative glenoid retroversion on radiographs using paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Spearman's rank correlation was used to investigate relationships between ASES scores and glenoid retroversion.
Results: The mean postoperative ASES composite score (75.5 ± 22.7) was significantly higher than preoperative (36.8 ± 19.2; P < .0001). The mean preoperative glenoid retroversion was 9.1 ± 6.7° compared to 6.5 ± 5.1° postoperatively (P < .0001). There was no correlation between postoperative ASES scores and preoperative retroversion (r = .014, P = .85) or postoperative retroversion (r = -.043, P = .57). There was no statistical relationship between postoperative retroversion and range of motion, though there is a risk of inadequate power given the sample size.
Conclusions: Patient-reported outcomes and range of motion measurements following RTSA at short-term follow-up appear to be independent of either preoperative or postoperative glenoid retroversion.
Background: Patient pain and clinical function are important factors in decision-making for patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA). The correlation between radiographic severity of arthritis and demographic factors with modern patient-reported outcome measures has not yet been well defined.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 256 shoulders in 246 patients presenting with isolated GHOA. All patients obtained standard radiographs and completed the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Shoulder Activity Scale, Visual Analog Scale, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) computer adaptive tests at the time of presentation. Radiographs were graded according to the Samilson-Prieto classification. Mean pain and functional scores were compared between the radiographic grades of osteoarthritis (OA) and demographic factors.
Results: There were 6 shoulders rated as grade 1 OA, 41 shoulders as grade 2, 149 shoulders as grade 3a, and 65 shoulders as grade 3b. There was excellent interobserver reliability in grade of OA (κ = 0.77). There were no significant differences in patient-reported pain or any validated measure of clinical function between radiographic grades of OA (P > .05). Males reported higher function and lower pain scores than females (P = .001-.066), although only the values for the SST and PROMIS physical function test were clinically relevant.
Discussion: While gender correlated with pain and function, the clinical relevance is limited. Radiographic severity of GHOA does not correlate with patient-reported pain and function, and symptoms should remain the primary determinants of surgical decision-making. Further investigation is necessary to examine whether radiographic severity of OA influences improvement following operative intervention in this population.