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Biomedical subjects

Gilles Walch

Publications and source records attributed to Gilles Walch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Non traumatic pathology of the shoulder: when to perform surgery?].

Non traumatic pathology of the shoulder was broken down in four entities: (1) articular stiffness are best treated with rehabilitation and an arthroscopic arthrolysis is rarely recommended; (2) rotator cuff pathology is represented by calcifying and non calcifying tendinitis, partial and full thickness rotator cuff tears; surgical treatment is performed nowadays under arthroscopy; after 50 years old, surgery is indicated after failure of conservative treatment; (3) glenohumeral osteoarthritis and arthritis are best treated with prosthesis; the results are now comparable to hip arthroplasty; (4) chronic acromio-clavicular pathology is usually treated conservatively.

Adult↗

Glenoid bone grafting with a reverse design prosthesis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients who underwent glenoid bone grafting and implantation of a reverse design prosthesis in 1 or 2 stages for the treatment of glenoid bone loss and rotator cuff insufficiency. Indications for the reverse prosthesis in this series included cuff tear arthropathy and revision arthroplasty. Nine patients were reviewed clinically and radiographically with a minimum 2-year follow-up (range, 24-41 months). Despite a low postoperative functional score (mean Constant score, 53 points [range, 22-79 points]), most patients were satisfied with their results primarily because of pain relief. (The mean pain score increased from 3 points preoperatively to 12.5 points postoperatively.) Radiographic evaluation did not demonstrate component loosening or evidence of graft failure. Six patients had radiographic evidence of an inferior scapular notch, which may be of concern in the future. Early results of this procedure are encouraging, but further clinical and radiologic assessment is necessary.

Aged↗

Arthroscopic debridement in the treatment of patients with isolated tears of the subscapularis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment of properly selected patients with isolated subscapularis tears by arthroscopic debridement and release of the long head of the biceps. METHODS: Eleven shoulders that had undergone arthroscopic debridement in the treatment of subscapularis tears were reviewed. In all patients, 3 months of appropriate nonoperative management had been unsuccessful. Patients were selected for arthroscopic debridement if the tear was thought to be irreparable, or if the patient was older and unwilling to participate in the rehabilitation required after repair had been completed. Mean age at surgery was 64 years. The mean time interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 11 months. Seven tears were traumatic, and 4 were degenerative. Four tears involved the superior third of the subscapularis tendon, 2 involved the superior two thirds of the subscapularis tendon, and 5 were complete tears. Nine shoulders also had dislocation or subluxation of the long head of the biceps tendon; these patients underwent concomitant biceps tenotomy. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean 34-month follow-up (range, 24 to 48 months). RESULTS: The mean Constant score increased from 49 points preoperatively to 80 points postoperatively (P < .0001). Nine patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the results. Preoperatively, 2 patients had mild glenohumeral arthritis. Postoperatively, radiographs demonstrated no progression of arthritis and no new-onset arthritis in these 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of arthroscopic debridement and biceps tenotomy in the treatment of subscapularis tears with biceps disease in selected patients yields good objective improvement and a high degree of patient satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Female↗

Proximal humerus fracture sequelae: impact of a new radiographic classification on arthroplasty.

UNLABELLED: Our goal was to analyze the results of unconstrained shoulder replacement in a large series of sequelae of proximal humeral fractures in order to validate a previously described surgical classification. In a multicenter study, we retrospectively evaluated 203 patients with sequelae of proximal humeral fractures who were treated with a nonconstrained modular and adaptable prosthesis. The mean followup was 42 months (range, 24-96 months). We identified 137 impacted fractures with humeral head collapse or necrosis (Type 1 sequelae), 25 unreducible dislocations or fracture-dislocations (Type 2), 22 nonunions of the surgical neck (Type 3), and 19 severe tuberosity malunions (Type 4). Results of nonconstrained shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 sequelae were predictably good because no greater tuberosity osteotomy was performed. The distorted anatomy was accepted, and both the prosthesis and technique were modified accordingly. Total shoulder arthroplasty yielded better results than hemiarthroplasty. Patients with Type 3 or Type 4 sequelae had poor functional results with nonconstrained arthroplasty because greater tuberosity osteotomy was needed. This study validates our fracture sequelae classification. We no longer use unconstrained prostheses in Type 3 and Type 4 fracture sequelae and propose peg bone grafting or low-profile fracture prosthesis for patients with Type 3 sequelae and reverse arthroplasty for those with Type 4 sequelae. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, level IV (case series). See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Adolescent↗

Primary unconstrained shoulder arthroplasty in patients with a fixed anterior glenohumeral dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Reports of shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of fixed glenohumeral dislocation are rare. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results following shoulder arthroplasty in patients with a fixed anterior shoulder dislocation. METHODS: Eleven patients were evaluated at a minimum of twenty-four months after they underwent an arthroplasty for the treatment of a fixed anterior shoulder dislocation. Four patients underwent a total shoulder arthroplasty, and the remainder were treated with a hemiarthroplasty. Four shoulders had osseous reconstruction of the anterior aspect of the glenoid. The patients were evaluated with use of the Constant score, measurement of active anterior elevation and external rotation, the patient's subjective grading of the result, and a radiographic examination. RESULTS: The mean Constant score improved from 21.1 points preoperatively to 46.0 points following the arthroplasty, and the mean active anterior elevation improved from 48.6 degrees to 90.0 degrees . The pain component of the Constant score was the most reliably improved parameter, increasing from a mean of 4.8 points preoperatively to a mean of 11.0 points postoperatively. Eight patients reported that the result was excellent or good, and the remaining three considered it to be fair. We observed seven complications in five patients, including four cases of anterior instability of the shoulder. Two of the four patients treated with a total shoulder replacement were seen to have definite loosening of the glenoid component on follow-up radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with a fixed anterior shoulder dislocation is fraught with difficulties and complications. Although arthroplasty reliably relieved shoulder pain in this population, limited functional results should be expected.

Aged↗

Repair of tears of the subscapularis. Surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis are less common than those involving the superior aspect of the rotator cuff. The purpose of the present study was to report the results of repair of isolated tears of the subscapularis. METHODS: The records on eighty-four shoulders that had undergone open repair of the subscapularis tendon were reviewed. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 53.2 years. The mean interval from the onset of symptoms to the time of surgery was 12.5 months. Fifty-seven tears were traumatic, and twenty-seven were degenerative. Twenty-three tears involved the superior one-third of the subscapularis tendon, forty-one tears involved the superior two-thirds, and twenty tears were complete. Fifty-four shoulders had a dislocation or subluxation of the long head of the biceps tendon, and ten shoulders had a rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon. Forty-eight shoulders underwent concomitant biceps tenodesis, thirteen shoulders underwent concomitant biceps tenotomy, and four shoulders underwent concomitant recentering of the biceps. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean of forty-five months (range, twenty-four to 132 months) postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean Constant score increased from 55.0 points preoperatively to 79.5 points postoperatively. Seventy-five patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the result. Preoperatively, four shoulders had mild glenohumeral arthritis. Postoperatively, twenty-five shoulders had mild glenohumeral arthritis and two shoulders had moderate glenohumeral arthritis. Tenodesis or tenotomy of the biceps tendon at the time of subscapularis repair was associated with improved subjective and objective results, independent of the preoperative condition of the biceps tendon. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of isolated subscapularis tears yields acceptable improvement in shoulder function in selected patients. Additionally, the results of the present study support routine tenodesis or tenotomy of the long head of the biceps tendon at the time of subscapularis repair.

Humans↗

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Survivorship analysis of eighty replacements followed for five to ten years.

BACKGROUND: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is currently being used to treat selected patients with disabling shoulder arthropathy. The purposes of this study were to investigate the medium-term results of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and to analyze the influence of etiology on the result. METHODS: We carried out a multicenter study with a minimum follow-up of five years and determined the survival rate of the prosthesis according to the initial etiology of the shoulder arthropathy. Eighty prostheses were implanted in seventy-seven patients between 1992 and 1998. Sixty-six shoulders had an arthropathy with a massive rotator cuff tear, and fourteen shoulders had a disorder with another etiology (rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, or revision arthropathy). At the time of review, eighteen patients had died and two were lost to follow-up. The remaining fifty-seven patients (sixty shoulders) were examined or interviewed by telephone at a mean follow-up of 69.6 months. Cumulative survival curves were generated with replacement of the prosthesis, glenoid loosening, and a functional Constant score of <30 as the end points. RESULTS: The survival rate with replacement of the prosthesis and glenoid loosening as the end points were 91% and 84%, respectively, at 120 months, with shoulders that had arthropathy with a massive rotator cuff tear demonstrating a significantly better result than those that had a disorder with another etiology (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the survival rate with an absolute Constant score of <30 as an end point was 58% at 120 months, with no significant difference with respect to etiology. Two breaks were observed in the survival curves. The first concerned survival until replacement of the prosthesis and occurred at around three years, reflecting early loosening of the prosthesis. The curve then became stable. A second break started at around six years and reflected progressive deterioration of the functional result. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the reverse total prosthesis should be reserved for the treatment of very disabling shoulder arthropathy with a massive rotator cuff rupture, and it should be used exclusively in patients over seventy years old with low functional demands.

Aged↗

Radiographic comparison of two glenoid preparation techniques in total shoulder arthroplasty.

We compared the prevalence of periglenoid radiolucencies between two glenoid component preparation techniques used in total shoulder arthroplasties. Seventy-two consecutive patients with primary osteoarthritis had total shoulder arthroplasties using one prosthetic system with flat-back keeled polyethylene glenoid components. Thirty-seven shoulders had glenoid implants that were cemented after standard curettage preparation of the keel slot. Thirty-five shoulders had glenoid implants that were cemented after using bone compaction to prepare the keel slot. The immediate postoperative and 2-year postoperative radiographs were examined to evaluate the presence and progression of periglenoid radiolucencies. The curettage group had a higher rate (38%) of keel radiolucencies than the compaction group (11%) seen on the immediate postoperative radiographs. Both groups had progression of periglenoid radiolucencies with time. Progression of the radiolucent lines was worse in the curettage group 2 years after arthroplasty. Preparation of the glenoid component keel slot with the bone compaction technique seems to achieve better fixation of flat-back keeled polyethylene glenoid components in total shoulder arthroplasties.

Adult↗

The acromiohumeral and coracohumeral intervals are abnormal in rotator cuff tears with muscular fatty degeneration.

UNLABELLED: We sought to determine how various types of full-thickness rotator cuff tears, fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles, duration of symptoms, and mechanism of injury affect the sizes of the acromiohumeral and coracohumeral intervals. We studied 206 shoulders with rotator cuff tears that had surgical treatment. The acromiohumeral interval (anteroposterior radiograph) and the coracohumeral interval (computed tomogram) were measured on preoperative imaging studies. An abnormal acromiohumeral interval was associated with multiple-tendon rotator cuff tears involving the infraspinatus, fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus or infraspinatus, and duration of symptoms longer than 5 years. An abnormal coracohumeral interval was associated with a combined tear of the supraspinatus and subscapularis and fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus or subscapularis. Fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus therefore was associated with an abnormal acromiohumeral interval and an abnormal coracohumeral interval. Evaluation of a patient who has a diminished acromiohumeral or coracohumeral interval should involve examination with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the rotator cuff tendons to determine the type of tear and of the rotator cuff muscles to determine the degree of fatty degeneration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level II-1 (development of diagnostic criteria on basis of consecutive patients--with universally applied reference "gold" standard). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗

Repair of tears of the subscapularis.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis are less common than those involving the superior aspect of the rotator cuff. The purpose of the present study was to report the results of repair of isolated tears of the subscapularis. METHODS: The records on eighty-four shoulders that had undergone open repair of the subscapularis tendon were reviewed. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 53.2 years. The mean interval from the onset of symptoms to the time of surgery was 12.5 months. Fifty-seven tears were traumatic, and twenty-seven were degenerative. Twenty-three tears involved the superior one-third of the subscapularis tendon, forty-one tears involved the superior two-thirds, and twenty tears were complete. Fifty-four shoulders had a dislocation or subluxation of the long head of the biceps tendon, and ten shoulders had a rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon. Forty-eight shoulders underwent concomitant biceps tenodesis, thirteen shoulders underwent concomitant biceps tenotomy, and four shoulders underwent concomitant recentering of the biceps. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean of forty-five months (range, twenty-four to 132 months) postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean Constant score increased from 55.0 points preoperatively to 79.5 points postoperatively. Seventy-five patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the result. Preoperatively, four shoulders had mild glenohumeral arthritis. Postoperatively, twenty-five shoulders had mild glenohumeral arthritis and two shoulders had moderate glenohumeral arthritis. Tenodesis or tenotomy of the biceps tendon at the time of subscapularis repair was associated with improved subjective and objective results, independent of the preoperative condition of the biceps tendon. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of isolated subscapularis tears yields acceptable improvement in shoulder function in selected patients. Additionally, the results of the present study support routine tenodesis or tenotomy of the long head of the biceps tendon at the time of subscapularis repair.

Adult↗

Glenohumeral arthrosis in anterior instability before and after surgical treatment: incidence and contributing factors.

BACKGROUND: Few large series of arthropathy related to anterior glenohumeral instability are available in the orthopaedic literature, preventing analysis of the incidence and the risk factors of preoperative and postoperative glenohumeral arthritis. HYPOTHESIS: Anterior stabilization surgery influences the risk factors of glenohumeral arthritis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: There were 570 patients who underwent an instability procedure. Clinical and radiographic preoperative data were collected for these patients. Arthritis was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the Samilson classification. The mean age at surgery was 31.9 years. Follow-up averaged 6.5 years. RESULTS: The preoperative incidence of arthritis was 9.2%. Arthritic risk factors were older age at the initial dislocation and at surgery, increased length of time from the initial dislocation until surgery, and the presence of osseous glenoid rim lesions. Postoperative arthritis in patients without any preoperative arthritis occurred in 19.7% and was correlated with older age at the initial dislocation and at surgery, increased number of dislocations, and longer follow-up. Decreased external rotation at latest follow-up correlated with arthritis, although whether this was the cause or the effect was unclear. CONCLUSIONS: Similar factors contribute to preoperative and postoperative arthritis in patients with anterior glenohumeral instability, suggesting that surgery does not influence the risk factors of arthritis. Although decreased external rotation with the arm at side statistically correlated with arthritis in this study, the authors were unable to establish this as an effectual relationship because nearly all patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis, whether instability related or not, have decreased external rotation.

Adult↗

The role of concomitant biceps tenodesis in shoulder arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis: results of a multicentric study.

This study evaluated the effects of concomitant biceps tenodesis in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis. Six hundred eighty-eight shoulders that had undergone replacement for primary glenohumeral arthritis were reviewed at a mean 43 months postoperatively. One hundred twenty-one patients had undergone a biceps tenodesis at arthroplasty, while the remaining patients did not. Tenodesis was significantly better than no tenodesis in most outcome parameters. No difference was found between the groups in complication rate. Biceps tenodesis is a useful adjunct to shoulder arthroplasty in the treatment of primary osteoarthritis.

Adult↗

Radiographic analysis of bone defects in chronic anterior shoulder instability.

PURPOSE: To describe the incidence of bony lesions accompanying chronic anterior shoulder instability using fluoroscopically controlled radiography. TYPE OF STUDY: Case series of radiographic findings of patients with chronic anterior shoulder instability. METHODS: Radiographs of 160 shoulders in 156 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability were retrospectively evaluated; 132 shoulders had experienced recurrent dislocations, 18 shoulders had experienced recurrent subluxations, and 10 shoulders showed evidence of anterior instability at arthroscopy despite no reported history of instability. Fluoroscopically controlled radiographic views included an anteroposterior view with the humeral head in 3 rotations and a glenoid profile view with a comparison view of the contralateral shoulder. RESULTS: A humeral impaction fracture was identified on the anteroposterior radiographs in 117 of 160 shoulders (73.1%). The glenoid profile view showed an osseous lesion of the glenoid in 126 of 160 shoulders (78.8%). The anteroposterior radiograph showed an osseous lesion of the glenoid in an additional 13 shoulders (8.2%). Overall, an osseous lesion, either humeral or glenoid, was identified in 152 of 160 shoulders (95.0%). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the frequent presence of bony lesions in patients with anterior shoulder instability.

Adolescent↗

Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with a prior anterior shoulder dislocation. Results of a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Prior reports of shoulder arthroplasty performed for dislocation-induced arthropathy have included only patients who had had a prior stabilizing procedure. The purpose of this study was to report the results of shoulder arthroplasty in all patients with a prior anterior shoulder dislocation, including both those previously treated operatively and those previously treated nonoperatively. METHODS: Fifty-five shoulders undergoing arthroplasty for arthritis following a prior anterior shoulder dislocation were evaluated. Twenty-seven of the shoulders had undergone a prior anterior stabilization procedure. The measures used to evaluate the shoulders included the Constant score, adjusted Constant score, active mobility, subjective satisfaction, radiographic result, and complications. RESULTS: The shoulders were evaluated at a mean of 45.0 months. The Constant score improved from a mean of 30.8 points preoperatively to a mean of 65.8 points at the time of follow-up. The adjusted Constant score improved from a mean of 38.2% to a mean of 79.8%. Active forward flexion improved from a mean of 82.1 degrees to a mean of 138.9 degrees. Active external rotation improved from a mean of 4.0 degrees to a mean of 38.6 degrees. Fifty patients rated the result as good or excellent. Negative prognosticators included an older age at the time of the initial dislocation and a rotator cuff tear. No significant differences in demographic factors, pre-arthroplasty function, post-arthroplasty function, pre-arthroplasty radiographic findings, post-arthroplasty radiographic findings, complication rate, or reoperation rate were noted between the patients treated with a prior operation for the anterior instability and those treated nonoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation documented the good results obtainable with shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of arthritis following anterior shoulder instability. In addition, our findings suggest that capsulorrhaphy-induced arthropathy may be indistinguishable from arthritis following nonoperatively treated anterior shoulder instability.

Adolescent↗

The influence of glenohumeral prosthetic mismatch on glenoid radiolucent lines: results of a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: In shoulder arthroplasty, mismatch is defined as the difference in the radius or diameter of curvature between the humeral head and glenoid components. Recommendations for mismatch have not been substantiated scientifically. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mismatch on glenoid radiolucent lines. METHODS: The results of 319 total shoulder arthroplasties performed for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis were evaluated. All of the arthroplasties were performed with a single type of prosthesis (Aequalis; Tornier, Montbonnot, France) that included a cemented, all-polyethylene glenoid component. Three sizes of glenoid components and seven humeral head diameters were utilized. Radial mismatch was categorized as < or = 4 mm, 4.5 to 5.5 mm, 6 to 7 mm, or >7 to 10 mm. Radiographs were evaluated at a mean of 53.5 months (range, twenty-four to 110 months) postoperatively. Glenoid radiolucent lines were scored with a scale ranging from 0 points for no radiolucency to 18 points for radiolucent lines exceeding 2 mm in six zones. Variance, linear contrasts polynomial, quadratic polynomial contrast statistical, and linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between radial mismatch and glenoid radiolucent lines. RESULTS: A significant linear relationship was found between mismatch and the glenoid radiolucency score (p < 0.0001), with significantly lower (better) radiolucency scores associated with radial mismatches of >5.5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of glenohumeral prosthetic mismatch ranging from 0 to 10 mm, the mismatch had a significant influence on the scores for the glenoid radiolucent lines, which were best when the radial mismatch was between 6 and 10 mm. The theoretical risk of prosthetic instability with larger mismatch values was not demonstrated within the range of mismatch values evaluated in this series.

Aged↗

The influence of rotator cuff disease on the results of shoulder arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis: results of a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff disease is uncommon in primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Consequently, the prognostic implications of rotator cuff disease in patients undergoing prosthetic replacement for the treatment of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis are uncertain. The purpose of this study was to report the effects of the condition of the supraspinatus tendon and the rotator cuff musculature on the results of shoulder arthroplasty in the treatment of primary osteoarthritis. METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-five shoulders in 514 patients who had an arthroplasty for the treatment of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis as part of a multicenter study were evaluated. Forty-one shoulders had a partial-thickness tear of the supraspinatus, and forty-two had a full-thickness tear. Ninety shoulders had moderate (stage-2) fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus, and nineteen had severe (stage-3 or 4) degeneration. Eighty-four shoulders had moderate fatty degeneration of the subscapularis, and fifteen had severe degeneration. The influence of the condition of the supraspinatus tendon and the infraspinatus and subscapularis musculature on the postoperative outcome was evaluated with respect to the scores according to the system of Constant and Murley, active mobility, subjective satisfaction, radiographic result, and rate of complications. RESULTS: The shoulders were evaluated at a mean of 43.1 months postoperatively. With the numbers available, supraspinatus tears were not found to influence the postoperative outcome with respect to the total Constant score, active mobility, subjective satisfaction, radiographic result, or rate of complications. Additionally, the treatment of these tears did not markedly influence the outcome parameters. Conversely, both shoulders with moderate fatty degeneration and those with severe degeneration of the infraspinatus were associated with poorer results than those with no degeneration with respect to the total Constant score (p < 0.0005), active external rotation (p < 0.0005), active forward flexion (p = 0.001), and subjective satisfaction (p = 0.031). Similar although less dramatic results were seen with fatty degeneration of the subscapularis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that minimally retracted or nonretracted rotator cuff tears that are limited to the supraspinatus tendon do not appreciably affect most shoulder-specific outcome parameters in shoulder arthroplasty performed for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis. Conversely, fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus and, less importantly, subscapularis musculature adversely affects many of these parameters.

Adult↗