Association of Preoperative Shoulder Osteoarthritis Severity Score With Change in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score at 2 Years After Rotator Cuff Repair

Background

The impact of early glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) on clinical outcomes after rotator cuff repair (RCR) remains unclear. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based Shoulder Osteoarthritis Severity (SOAS) score is a comprehensive approach to quantifying glenohumeral degeneration.

Purpose

To investigate the association between SOAS scores and changes in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores in patients who underwent RCR.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Two reviewers independently analyzed the preoperative MRI scans of 116 shoulders and assigned SOAS scores. Spearman correlation was used to calculate the association of mean SOAS scores with patient demographic characteristics and change in ASES scores over the 2-year follow-up period (ΔASES). Multivariate regression analysis was performed between the independent variables of patient age, sex, body mass index, and significant SOAS score components as determined by univariate analysis, with the dependent variable being ΔASES. Significance was defined as P < .05 for univariate analysis and P < .0125 after application of the Bonferroni correction for multivariate analysis.

Results

The mean ASES scores were 55.8 ± 18.6 preoperatively and 92.1 ± 12.1 at 2 years postoperatively. The mean preoperative SOAS score was 15.2 ± 7.1. On univariate analysis, the total SOAS score was positively correlated with patient age (r S = 0.41; P < .001), whereas ΔASES was negatively correlated with patient age (r S = -0.27; P = .0032). Increasing SOAS subscores for supraspinatus/infraspinatus tear size (r S = -0.28; P = .024), tendon retraction (r S = -0.23; P = .015), muscle atrophy (r S = -0.20; P = .034), paralabral ganglia (r S = -0.23; P = .015), and cartilage degeneration (r S = -0.21; P = .024) were negatively correlated with ΔASES. A negative correlation was found between increasing total SOAS score and ΔASES (r S = -0.22; P = .016). On multivariate analysis, increasing supraspinatus/infraspinatus tear size was significantly and negatively correlated with ΔASES (β = -3.3; P = .010).

Conclusion

Increasing the total SOAS score was predictive of less improvement in ASES scores at 2 years postoperatively. On univariate analysis, SOAS subscores with the strongest negative correlations with ΔASES scores included tear size, muscle atrophy, tendon retraction, paralabral ganglia, and cartilage wear. On multivariate analysis, only tear size was significantly associated with a lower change in the ASES score.

A perspective on the evolution of semi-quantitative MRI assessment of osteoarthritis: Past, present and future

OBJECTIVE

This perspective describes the evolution of semi-quantitative (SQ) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in characterizing structural tissue pathologies in osteoarthritis (OA) imaging research over the last 30 years.

METHODS

Authors selected representative articles from a PubMed search to illustrate key steps in SQ MRI development, validation, and application. Topics include main scoring systems, reading techniques, responsiveness, reliability, technical considerations, and potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI).

RESULTS

Based on original research published between 1993 and 2023, this article introduces available scoring systems, including but not limited to Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) as the first system for whole-organ assessment of the knee and the now commonly used MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) instrument. Specific systems for distinct OA subtypes or applications have been developed as well as MRI scoring instruments for other joints such as the hip, the fingers or thumb base. SQ assessment has proven to be valid, reliable, and responsive, aiding OA investigators in understanding the natural history of the disease and helping to detect response to treatment. AI may aid phenotypic characterization in the future. SQ MRI assessment's role is increasing in eligibility and safety evaluation in knee OA clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence supports the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of SQ MRI assessment in understanding structural aspects of disease onset and progression. SQ scoring has helped explain associations between structural tissue damage and clinical manifestations, as well as disease progression. While AI may support human readers to more efficiently perform SQ assessment in the future, its current application in clinical trials still requires validation and regulatory approval.

Rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff tears are the most common upper extremity condition seen by primary care and orthopaedic surgeons, with a spectrum ranging from tendinopathy to full-thickness tears with arthritic change. Some tears are traumatic, but most rotator cuff problems are degenerative. Not all tears are symptomatic and not all progress, and many patients in whom tears become more extensive do not experience symptom worsening. Hence, a standard algorithm for managing patients is challenging. The pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears is complex and encompasses an interplay between the tendon, bone and muscle. Rotator cuff tears begin as degenerative changes within the tendon, with matrix disorganization and inflammatory changes. Subsequently, tears progress to partial-thickness and then full-thickness tears. Muscle quality, as evidenced by the overall size of the muscle and intramuscular fatty infiltration, also influences symptoms, tear progression and the outcomes of surgery. Treatment depends primarily on symptoms, with non-operative management sufficient for most patients with rotator cuff problems. Modern arthroscopic repair techniques have improved recovery, but outcomes are still limited by a lack of understanding of how to improve tendon to bone healing in many patients.

Ankle Sprains in Athletes: Current Epidemiological, Clinical and Imaging Trends

Purpose

Ankle injuries are frequent sports injuries. Despite optimizing treatment strategies during recent years, the percentage of chronification following an ankle sprain remains high. The purpose of this review article is, to highlight current epidemiological, clinical and novel advanced cross-sectional imaging trends that may help to evaluate ankle sprain injuries.

Methods

Systematic PubMed literature research. Identification and review of studies (i) analyzing and describing ankle sprain and (ii) focusing on advanced cross-sectional imaging techniques at the ankle.

Results

The ankle is one of the most frequently injured body parts in sports. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a change in sporting behavior and sports injuries. Ankle sprains account for about 16-40% of the sports-related injuries. Novel cross-sectional imaging techniques, including Compressed Sensing MRI, 3D MRI, ankle MRI with traction or plantarflexion-supination, quantitative MRI, CT-like MRI, CT arthrography, weight-bearing cone beam CT, dual-energy CT, photon-counting CT, and projection-based metal artifact reduction CT may be introduced for detection and evaluation of specific pathologies after ankle injury. While simple ankle sprains are generally treated conservatively, unstable syndesmotic injuries may undergo stabilization using suture-button-fixation. Minced cartilage implantation is a novel cartilage repair technique for osteochondral defects at the ankle.

Conclusion

Applications and advantages of different cross-sectional imaging techniques at the ankle are highlighted. In a personalized approach, optimal imaging techniques may be chosen that best detect and delineate structural ankle injuries in athletes.

Relationship Between Preoperative Shoulder Osteoarthritis Severity Score and Postoperative PROMIS-UE Score After Rotator Cuff Repair

Background

Mild to moderate glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis is a common finding among patients who are evaluated for rotator cuff tears. However, the impact of preoperative shoulder joint degeneration on patient-reported outcomes after rotator cuff repair (RCR) is not well-established.

Purpose

To apply the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based Shoulder Osteoarthritis Severity (SOAS) score to the evaluation of patients undergoing RCR and determine the relationship between preoperative shoulder pathology present on MRI and postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Upper Extremity (PROMIS-UE) scores.

Study Design

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Seventy-one MRI scans corresponding to 71 patients were analyzed by 2 independent reviewers and scored using the SOAS criteria. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated for total SOAS score as well as for each subscore. Spearman correlations were calculated between averaged SOAS scores, patient characteristics, and PROMIS-UE scores. Linear regression analysis was performed between the independent variables of patient age, sex, body mass index, and significant SOAS score components determined by univariate analysis with the dependent variable of PROMIS-UE score. Significance was defined as P < .05 for univariate analyses and < .0125 for multivariate analyses using the Bonferroni correction.

Results

The mean PROMIS-UE score of this cohort was 51.5 ± 7.4, while the mean total SOAS score was 21.5 ± 8.4. There was a negative correlation between total SOAS score and postoperative PROMIS-UE score (r = -0.24; P = .040). Both cartilage wear (r = -0.33; P = .0045) and acromioclavicular joint degeneration (r = -0.24; P = .048) individually demonstrated negative correlations with PROMIS-UE score. When a multivariate linear regression with Bonferroni correction was applied to the significant variables identified in univariate analysis along with patient characteristics, none were independently correlated with PROMIS-UE score.

Conclusion

In this cohort of patients undergoing RCR, increasing preoperative total SOAS score was predictive of lower postoperative PROMIS-UE scores. SOAS subscores with the strongest negative correlations with PROMIS-UE scores included cartilage wear and acromioclavicular joint degeneration. The cartilage subscore was negatively correlated with PROMIS-UE scores independent of patient factors in multivariate analysis.

Clinical and radiographic assessment of peripheral joints in controlled acromegaly

PURPOSE

Acromegalic arthropathy is a well-known phenomenon, occurring in most patients regardless of disease status. To date, solely hips, knees, hands, and spinal joints have been radiographically assessed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of joint symptoms and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of new, and established peripheral joint sites in well-controlled acromegaly.

METHODS

Fifty-one acromegaly patients (56% female, mean age 64 ± 12 years) in long-term remission for 18.3 years (median, IQR 7.2-25.4) were included. Nineteen patients currently received pharmacological treatment. Self-reported joint complaints were assessed using standardized interviews. Self-reported disability of the upper and lower limbs, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Radiographic OA [defined as Kellgren & Lawrence (KL) ≥ 2] was scored using (modified) KL methods.

RESULTS

Radiographic signs of OA were present in 46 patients (90.2%) with ≥ 2 joints affected in virtually all of these patients (N = 44; 95.7%). Radiographic MTP1 OA was as prevalent as radiographic knee OA (N = 26, 51.0%), and radiographic glenohumeral OA was similarly prevalent as hip OA [N = 21 (41.2%) vs. N = 24 (47.1%)]. Risk factors for radiographic glenohumeral OA were higher pre-treatment IGF-1 levels [OR 1.06 (1.01-1.12), P = 0.021], and current pharmacological treatment [OR 5.01 (1.03-24.54), P = 0.047], whereas no risk factors for MTP1 joint OA could be identified.

CONCLUSION

Similar to previously-assessed peripheral joints, clinical and radiographic arthropathy of the shoulder and feet were prevalent in controlled acromegaly. Further studies on adequate management strategies of acromegalic arthropathy are needed.

Osteoarthritis year in review 2019: imaging

OBJECTIVE

To provide a narrative review of original articles on osteoarthritis (OA) imaging published between April 1, 2018 and March 30, 2019.

METHODS

All original research articles on OA imaging published in English between April 1, 2018 and March 30, 2019 were identified using a PubMed database search. The search terms of "Osteoarthritis" or "OA" were combined with the search terms "Radiography", "X-Rays", "Magnetic Resonance Imaging", "MRI", "Ultrasound", "US", "Computed Tomography", "Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry", "DXA", "DEXA", "CT", "Nuclear Medicine", "Scintigraphy", "Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography", "SPECT", "Positron Emission Tomography", "PET", "PET-CT", or "PET-MRI". Articles were reviewed to determine relevance based upon the following criteria: 1) study involved human subjects with OA or risk factors for OA and 2) study involved imaging to evaluate OA disease status or OA treatment response. Relevant articles were ranked according to scientific merit, with the best publications selected for inclusion in the narrative report.

RESULTS

The PubMed search revealed a total of 1257 articles, of which 256 (20.4%) were considered relevant to OA imaging. Two-hundred twenty-six (87.1%) articles involved the knee joint, while 195 (76.2%) articles involved the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The proportion of published studies involving the use of MRI was higher than previous years. An increasing number of articles were also published on imaging of subjects with joint injury and on deep learning application in OA imaging.

CONCLUSION

MRI and other imaging modalities continue to play an important role in research studies designed to better understand the pathogenesis, progression, and treatment of OA.