Arthroscopic acromioplasty: indications and technique.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D W Altchek.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Impingment is a chronic syndrome characterized by microtrauma, which causes progressive injury to the rotator cuff tendon. In recent years, arthro- scopic subacromial decompression/acromioplasty has been frequently used for the treatment of impingement syndrome and is quickly becoming the preferred surgical treatment when conservative modalities fail. Arthroscopic acromioplasty offers many benefits over open acromioplasty, including better cosmesis, lessened preoperative morbidity, a more complete intraoperative examination, and a hastened, early rehabilitation program.
To add clinical perspective to the articles of this two-issue collection, eight prominent shoulder surgeons discuss their approach to the treatment of rotator cuff disease. There is broad agreement in many areas, however, significant controversies remain.
Elbow disorders in the athletic population comprise a wide range of injuries from acute trauma to those caused by chronic overuse of the joint. Certain injuries are orthopedic emergencies that must be recognized immediately by the team physician to avoid potential complications. Other overuse injuries need to be accurately diagnosed and treated so further injury can be prevented and the athlete can return to competition as expediently as possible. Finally, the decision to refer an athlete for surgical treatment often rests with the team physician; only with an adequate understanding of the elbow disorders in the athlete can these decisions be made.
UNLABELLED: Anatomical dissection and biomechanical testing were used to study twenty-eight cadaveric elbows in order to determine the role of the medial collateral ligament under valgus loading. The medial collateral ligament was composed of anterior, posterior, and occasionally transverse bundles. The anterior bundle was, in turn, composed of anterior and posterior bands that tightened in reciprocal fashion as the elbow was flexed and extended. Sequential cutting of the ligament was performed while rotation caused by valgus torque was measured. The anterior band of the anterior bundle was the primary restraint to valgus rotation at 30, 60, and 90 degrees of flexion and was a co-primary restraint at 120 degrees of flexion. The posterior band of the anterior bundle was a co-primary restraint at 120 degrees of flexion and a secondary restraint at 30 and 90 degrees of flexion. The posterior bundle was a secondary restraint at 30 degrees only. The reciprocal anterior and posterior bands have distinct biomechanical roles and theoretically may be injured separately. The anterior band was more vulnerable to valgus overload when the elbow was extended, whereas the posterior band was more vulnerable when the elbow was flexed. The posterior bundle was not vulnerable to valgus overload unless the anterior bundle was completely disrupted. The intact elbows rotated a mean of 3.6 degrees between the neutral position and the two-newton-meter valgus torque position. Cutting of the entire anterior bundle caused an additional 3.2 degrees of rotation at 90 degrees of flexion, where the effect was greatest. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Physical findings in a patient who has an injury of the anterior bundle may be subtle, and an examination should be performed with the elbow in 90 degrees of flexion for greatest sensitivity. As the anterior bundle is the major restraint to valgus rotation, reconstructive procedures should focus on anatomical reproduction of that structure. Parallel limbs of tendon graft placed from the inferior aspect of the medial epicondyle to the area of the sublimis tubercle will simulate the reciprocal bands of the anterior bundle. Temporary immobilization with the elbow in flexion may relax the critically important anterior band of the reconstruction during healing.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A self-administered questionnaire was designed to assess the severity of symptoms related to and the functional status of the shoulder. It includes domains of global assessment, pain, daily activities, recreational and athletic activities, work, satisfaction, and areas for improvement. Each domain is graded separately and is weighted to arrive at the total score. The over-all scale and each domain were prospectively tested for validity, reliability, and responsiveness to clinical change. One hundred patients who were seen for evaluation of the shoulder were enrolled in the study. The validity of the scale was demonstrated by moderate-to-high correlation of the domains and individual questions of the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire with those of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2. Validity was supported further by significant correlation of the scores in each domain with the level of satisfaction in that domain and by significantly lower scores in domains that patients selected as areas important for improvement. The over-all scale and each domain were internally consistent (Cronbach alpha, 0.71 to 0.90). Reproducibility was evaluated by repeated administration of the questionnaire after a mean of three days to forty patients whose condition was clinically stable. Reproducibility of the over-all questionnaire and individual domains was excellent (Spearman-Brown index, 0.94 to 0.98). Individual questions were reproducible, with a weighted kappa value of more than 0.7 for each. Responsiveness was evaluated by comparison of the preoperative and postoperative scores of thirty patients who had a satisfactory result one year after an operation on the shoulder. The over-all Shoulder Rating Questionnaire and each domain were responsive to clinical change as demonstrated by favorable standardized response means (range, 1.1 to 1.9) and indices of responsiveness (range, 1.1 to 2.0). Similar analysis performed for individual diagnostic groups supported the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the questionnaire in each group. The self-administered shoulder questionnaire was found to be valid, reliable, and responsive to clinical change. These qualities should make it a useful instrument for the prospective assessment of the outcome of treatment of disorders related to the shoulder.
Out of 78 patients identified who underwent mini-open cuff repair, 64 were interviewed and returned a detailed questionnaire and 47 returned for a physical examination. Their average age was 64 years (31 to 85 years); and the average follow-up was 29.2 months (range, 12 to 65 months). The average tear size was 8 cm2. Preoperatively, all patients complained of pain and weakness. Ninety-six percent of patients displayed positive impingement signs preoperatively compared with 16% postoperatively. Active elevation increased significantly (P < .05) from 129 degrees to 166 degrees. At the time of follow-up there was no significant difference between active elevation in the operative and contralateral shoulders (P > .05). Weakness was detectable by physical examination in 83% of patients initially, and in 22% at the time of the final examination. The average pain and function scores improved significantly. Eighty-nine percent were satisfied with the results of their surgery. Three patients required further surgery on their shoulder. We found no correlation between cuff tear size and final Hospital for Special Surgery shoulder score.
Arthroscopic Bankart repair using degradable polymers is a relatively new procedure. Initial reports describing results among the first patients treated for instability of the shoulder using degradable tacks found rates of recurrent instability significantly higher than those for open repair procedures. A 21% postoperative recurrence rate was reported in the initial group of 62 patients studied. Modifications of the operative procedure and, more importantly, the indications for the procedure have led to substantially improved results. Using the following indications, a 2-year followup group of patients was found to have a 10% recurrence of instability rate: (1) traumatic instability, which primarily was anterior, unidirectional; (2) presence of a Bankart lesion; (3) presence of a robust inferior glenohumeral ligament; and (4) minimal to mild amount of bony erosions present at the glenoid. It is concluded that with more precise patient selection, arthroscopic stabilization using a degradable polymeric tack can provide high levels of patient satisfaction with low rates of recurrence.
PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the accuracy of unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the detection and localization of labral injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred three patients with clinically suspected shoulder injuries were prospectively examined with unenhanced MR imaging. A combination of gradient-echo and high-resolution fast-spin-echo axial pulse sequences were used. Surgical correlation was obtained in all patients. RESULTS: At surgery, 37 torn anterior, 36 torn superior, and 19 torn posterior labral were identified. The sensitivity for detection of these tears with MR imaging was 100%, 86%, and 74%, respectively; the specificity was 95%, 100%, and 95%, respectively. Overall, unenhanced MR imaging was 95% accurate in the detection of labral injuries. CONCLUSION: With appropriate pulse sequences, unenhanced MR imaging of the shoulder is an accurate technique for the detection and localization of labral injuries.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The past 2 decades have seen rapid advancement in the field of shoulder arthroscopy in general and of rotator cuff disorders in particular. Arthroscopy allows superior visualization of pathologic conditions with less soft-tissue trauma than open exposures. Arthroscopic surgical techniques also are being applied to the actual treatment of many forms of rotator cuff disorders with clinical results similar to more traditional, open procedures. Although these techniques and their indications continue to evolve, it remains clear that, in carefully selected patients, arthroscopy has become a highly useful and effective tool in the diagnosis, evaluation, and surgical management of common disorders of the rotator cuff.
Twenty-two patients were treated for symptomatic lesions of the superior glenoid labrum in association with instability of the tendinous insertion of the long head of the biceps brachii. A biodegradable implant was used to fix the labrum to the bony glenoid using an arthroscopic technique. At 2-year average follow-up, satisfactory results were obtained in 86% of the patients. Two patients, both of whom had undergone concomitant subacromial decompression, continued to complain of pain after the procedure; 3 patients had restricted motion postoperatively, and 1 required manipulation under anesthesia. Twelve of 13 overhead athletes were able to return to full premorbid function. Arthroscopic fixation of unstable lesions of the superior labrum led to a resolution of symptoms in the majority of patients. There were no complications related to the use of the biodegradable implant.
Arthroscopy of the shoulder has developed during the last decade to play a major role in diagnoses and treatment of a variety of shoulder disorders. In most incidences, arthroscopy is required at the time of shoulder surgery to refine the final diagnosis. In over 75% of the cases are arthroscopic methods used for surgical repair of the shoulder pathology. This article describes the indications for surgery as well as the techniques to treat rotator cuff disease label injuries, etc. with the arthroscope. The arthroscopic techniques dealing with subacromial decompression and instability is described.
PURPOSE: To determine the value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the clinical management of chronic refractory lateral epicondylitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coronal three-dimensional Fourier transform, multiplanar gradient-recalled-echo, and fat-suppressed sagittal images were obtained in 33 patients. Twenty of these patients underwent surgical débridement and/or primary tendon repair and were included in the correlative study. Surgical and pathologic reports were reviewed to determine the location and gross characteristics of the tissue. RESULTS: Findings at MR imaging correlated with the surgical findings of primary degeneration of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (n = 20). Histopathologic examination demonstrated neovascularization, disruption of collagen, and mucoid degeneration without inflammation. CONCLUSION: The use of MR imaging in patients with recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis assists in surgical planning. The definition of tendon degeneration and degree of tear, as depicted on MR images, correlate well with surgical and histologic findings.
Lesions of the superior portion of the glenoid labrum were created in seven cadaveric shoulders. The shoulders were mounted on a special apparatus attached to a servocontrolled hydraulic materials-testing device. Sequential fifty-newton anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior forces and a twenty-two-newton joint compressive load were applied to the shoulders. In addition, a fifty-five-newton force was applied to the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii. The shoulders were tested in seven positions of glenohumeral elevation and rotation. An isolated lesion of the anterosuperior portion of the labrum, which did not involve the supraglenoid insertion of the biceps brachii, had no significant effect on anteroposterior or superoinferior glenohumeral translation, either with or without application of the fifty-five-newton force to the biceps brachii tendon. In contrast, a complete lesion of the superior portion of the labrum that destabilized the insertion of the biceps resulted in significant increases in anteroposterior and superoinferior glenohumeral translations. At 45 degrees of glenohumeral elevation, the complete lesion led to a 6.0-millimeter increase in anterior translation when the arm was in neutral rotation and to a 6.3-millimeter increase when the arm was in internal rotation; inferior translation also increased, by 1.9 to 2.5 millimeters. The increases in translation persisted despite application of a fifty-five-newton force to the long head of the biceps.
Injuries about the elbow are common in racquet sports. Lateral epicondylitis is seen most often, but symptoms can arise from other sources including the medial elbow and the articular surfaces themselves. Medial elbow symptoms can result from medial epicondylitis, medial collateral ligament injury, ulnar nerve trauma, or any combination of these injuries. Careful evaluation of medial elbow pain is required to define the causes. Proper technique, conditioning, and equipment are also important in reducing the risk of injury to the elbow.