Conservative treatment of acute traumatic posterior shoulder dislocations (Type A) is a viable option especially in patients with centred joint, low gamma angle, and middle or old age

Functional Recovery After 18 Sessions of Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyor Tissue Optimization Reparative Protocol for Hill-Sachs Lesion in a Post-traumatic Shoulder Dislocation

This case report describes the clinical progress of a 22-year-old male patient diagnosed with a consolidating Hill-Sachs lesion, treated with 18 sessions of Tissue Optimization Reparative (TO-Rpr) protocol, specific to Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyor (REAC) technology. At baseline, the patient reported persistent pain with a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of 7 out of 10 and significant functional limitations of the shoulder (flexion 90°, abduction 70°, external rotation 20°), accompanied by bone marrow edema, tendinous alterations, and significant inflammation. The therapeutic protocol aimed to modulate tissue bioelectric activity to promote reparative processes and reduce inflammation. Follow-up MRI, performed four months after treatment, revealed complete resolution of bone marrow edema, normalization of tendinous structures, and reduced cortical irregularities. Clinically, flexion improved to 160°, abduction to 150°, and external rotation to 70°, with muscle strength restored to 5/5 and pain reduced to 0/10 on the NRS. This case highlights the role of REAC TO-Rpr treatment in managing complex joint lesions, showcasing its potential to significantly improve clinical and radiological parameters within a short timeframe.

Arthroscopic Modified McLaughlin Procedure and Posterior Labral Repair in the Lateral Decubitus Position

Traumatic posterior shoulder dislocations are commonly associated with a posterior labral tear and an impaction fracture involving the anterior humeral head referred to as a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion (RHSL). This humeral defect can engage on the posterior glenoid rim during shoulder cross-body adduction combined with shoulder elevation and may require surgical intervention. Depending on the size of the RHSL relative to the articular arc of the humeral head, traditional open surgical options including transfer of the subscapularis tendon alone, subscapularis transfer with the attached lesser tuberosity into the humeral impaction injury, or reconstruction using allograft for more severe defects have been described. We present an all-arthroscopic technique performed in the lateral decubitus position involving concomitant repair of the posterior labral tear and transfer of the subscapularis tendon (reverse remplissage or arthroscopic modified McLaughlin procedure) into a moderately sized RHSL.

Arthroscopic selective approach to dynamic posterior shoulder instability: long-term follow-up insights

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic capsulolabral repair in patients with structural dynamic posterior instability (Moroder classification B2), analyzing factors associated with inferior clinical outcomes or recurrence. The primary hypothesis is that this surgical approach in patients without static structural changes such as excessive glenoid retroversion or dysplastic glenoids will result in satisfactory clinical outcomes and low failure rates.

METHODS

We conducted observational retrospective analysis in patients diagnosed with posterior structural dynamic instability who underwent arthroscopic capsulolabral repair. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic characteristics were registered, as well as patient-reported outcomes, satisfaction, complications, and failure, with a minimum 2-year follow-up. The association between these outcomes and preoperative factors was investigated.

RESULTS

21 patients were included, with an average age of 38.1 years (range: 27-51 years) and a mean follow-up of 68.7 months (range: 24-127 months). At the final follow-up, the degree of instability was 0 in 19 (90.5%) patients. The overall outcome assessment demonstrated a mean Subjective Shoulder Value score of 82.3 (±15.2), a mean Western Ontario Shoulder Instability score of 460.1 (±471), and a mean Rowe score of 91.5 (±13). Furthermore, a significant portion of patients returned to sport: 71.4% at any level and 57.1% at the previous level, and 71.4% reported satisfaction with treatment, whereas 5 (23.8%) patients had criteria for failure.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic capsulolabral repair in selected patients with type B2 posterior shoulder instability without static posterior findings yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes and low failure rates.

Arthroscopic retrograde disimpaction of reverse Hill-Sachs lesions in acute posterior shoulder dislocation type A2 leads to good clinical outcome and close to anatomic reconstruction of the articular surface of the humeral head

BACKGROUND

Posterior shoulder dislocation frequently results in a centrally located impression fracture of the anterior humeral head, known as reverse Hill-Sachs lesion (RHSL). Depending on its size and location, the RHSL can lead to engagement with the posterior glenoid rim and subsequently redislocation of the shoulder joint. The objective of this study was to present the clinical and radiologic outcomes of anatomic reconstruction of the humeral articular surface using arthroscopically assisted disimpaction in patients with acute posterior shoulder dislocation and an engaging RHSL.

METHODS

As part of a retrospective analysis, 9 shoulders in 9 patients (1 female, 8 males) with engaging RHSL following acute posterior shoulder dislocation (type A2 according to the ABC classification) who underwent arthroscopically assisted disimpaction of the RHSL between 2016 and 2023 were identified. Eight patients were included, because 1 patient refused to participate. In all patients, a radiologic analysis of the RHSL was accomplished on preoperative and postoperative cross-sectional imaging including the alpha, beta, and gamma angle as well as depth measurements. The clinical examination included an assessment of the active range of motion, instability tests, and patient-reported outcome measures, such as the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) Index, the Constant Score, and the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV).

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period for all 8 patients was 34.4 ± 38 months (range: 6-102 months). The mechanisms of injury included falls (n = 6), traffic accident (n = 1), and convulsive episode (n = 1). The average time from injury to surgery was 6.8 ± 4.7 days (range: 2-16). Patient-reported outcomes at the final follow-up indicated an average WOSI Index of 77.8% ± 17%, a mean Constant Score of 88.3 ± 11 points, and a mean SSV of 87% ± 16%. None of the patients experienced recurrent dislocations during the follow-up period. Post-traumatically, the mean absolute defect depth was 8.4 ± 2.2 mm and the mean gamma angle was 115.8° ± 13°. In the radiologic follow-up, the RHSL depth measurements showed a significant reduction in the mean defect depth from 8.4 ± 2 mm to 1.2 ± 1 mm resulting in an average reduction of the RHSL by 7.1 mm (P < .001). In 3 of the 8 patients (37.5%), the RHSL was not identifiable any more at follow-up and in 5 patients barely identifiable.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopically assisted disimpaction of acute RHSLs leads to close to anatomic reduction of RHSL, achieving a stable shoulder and good clinical outcomes.

SECEC Didier Patte Prize 2023: the ABC classification of posterior shoulder instability

BACKGROUND

The ABC classification has recently been proposed as a comprehensive classification system for posterior shoulder instability (PSI). The purpose of this study was to analyze the comprehensiveness as well as inter-rater and intrarater reliability of the ABC classification.

METHODS

All consecutive patients presenting with unidirectional PSI from June 2019 to June 2021 were included in a prospective study. No patients were excluded, leaving a consecutive series of 100 cases of PSI in 91 patients. All recorded clinical and imaging data were used to create anonymized clinical case vignettes, which were evaluated twice according to the ABC classification at the end of the recruitment period in random sequential order by 4 independent raters (2 experienced shoulder surgeons and 2 orthopedic residents) to analyze the comprehensiveness as well as inter-rater and intrarater reliability of the ABC classification for PSI and to describe differences in characteristics among subtypes. Group A was defined as a first-time singular PSI event <3 months in the past regardless of etiology and is further subdivided into type 1 and type 2 depending on the occurrence of a subluxation (A1) or dislocation (A2). Group B comprises recurrent dynamic PSI regardless of time since onset and is further subdivided by the cause of instability into functional (B1) and structural (B2) dynamic PSI. Group C includes chronic static PSI with posterior humeral decentering that can be either constitutional (C1) or acquired (C2).

RESULTS

None of the cases was deemed unsuitable to be classified based on the proposed system by the observers. After consensus agreement between the 2 expert raters, 16 cases were attributed to group A (8 type A1 and 8 type A2); 64, to group B (33 type B1 and 31 type B2); and 20, to group C (11 type C1 and 9 type C2). The expert raters agreed on the classification subtypes in 99% and 96% of the cases during the first rating and second rating, respectively (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs], 0.998 and 0.99, respectively). The intraobserver reliability was excellent for both raters. The beginners reached the same conclusion as the consensus agreement in 94% of the cases (ICC, 0.99) and 89% of the cases (ICC, 0.97) during the first round and 94% each (ICC, 0.97) during the second round. The intraobserver reliability was excellent for both beginners. Overall, discrepancies between raters were found between groups B1 and B2 (n = 14), groups B2 and C2 (n = 4), groups B1 and C1 (n = 1), and groups A1 and B2 (n = 1). In general, each subtype showed distinctive clinical and imaging characteristics that facilitated the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The presented ABC classification for PSI is a comprehensive classification with a high reliability and reproducibility. However, a gradual transition and potential progression between the subtypes of PSI must be considered. The reliable distinction between different subtypes of PSI based on etiology and pathomechanism provides a standardized basis for future investigations on treatment recommendations.

Diagnosis and treatment of posterior shoulder instability based on the ABC classification

Posterior shoulder instability (PSI) is less common than anterior shoulder instability, accounting for 2-12% of total shoulder instability cases. However, a much higher frequency of PSI has been recently indicated, suggesting that PSI accounts for up to 24% of all young and active patients who are surgically treated for shoulder instability. This differentiation might be explained due to the frequent misinterpretation of vague symptoms, as PSI does not necessarily present as a recurrent posterior instability event, but often also as mere shoulder pain during exertion, limited range of motion, or even as yet asymptomatic concomitant finding. In order to optimize current treatment, it is crucial to identify the various clinical presentations and often unspecific symptoms of PSI, ascertain the causal instability mechanism, and accurately diagnose the subgroup of PSI. This review should guide the reader to correctly identify PSI, providing diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies.

Assessing the use of the frequency, etiology, direction, and severity classification system for shoulder instability in physical therapy research - A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to review the implementation of the Frequency, Etiology, Direction, and Severity (FEDS) classification for shoulder instability by the physical therapy scientific community since its publication in 2011.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted on January 10, 2024 in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and SciELO databases, as well as Google Scholar. Studies investigating physical therapy interventions in people with shoulder instability, and reporting selection criteria for shoulder instability were considered eligible. A narrative synthesis was conducted.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were included. None reported using the FEDS classification as eligibility criteria for shoulder instability. Only 42% of the studies provided data of all four criteria of the FEDS classification. The most reported criterion was direction (92%), followed by etiology (85%), severity (65%), and frequency (58%). The most common reported descriptor for profiling shoulder instability was "dislocation" (83.3%), followed by "first-time" (66.7%), "anterior" (62.5%), and "traumatic" (59.1%). Regarding other instability classifications, only one study (4%) used the Thomas & Matsen classification, and two (8%) the Stanmore classification.

CONCLUSIONS

The FEDS classification system has not been embraced enough by the physical therapy scientific community since its publication in 2011.

Retrospective analysis of decision-making in post-traumatic posterior shoulder instability

PURPOSE

This study aims to assess the clinical outcomes in the management of post-traumatic posterior shoulder instability (PSI) with a focus on the decision-making process for operative and conservative treatments.

INTRODUCTION

PSI can result from traumatic events, impacting a patient's quality of life. This study delves to better indicate decision-making for operative indication of post-traumatic PSI patients.

METHODS

Patients who sustained posterior shoulder dislocations were selected from a single surgeon's database within a five-year period. Cases of degenerative or genetically caused PSI were excluded, resulting in a cohort of 28. Patients were initially managed conservatively but indicated for surgery if they were unable to actively stabilize the shoulder or exhibited bony or cartilage defects confirmed through imaging. If conservative treatment did not yield significant improvements, it was classified as a failure, and operative intervention was recommended. The WOSI Score, ROM, and X-ray were employed to evaluate the success of treatment.

RESULTS

Out of the 28 patients, 11 received conservative, seven immediate surgeries, and ten transitioned from conservative to operative treatment. The overall success rate showed 25 good to excellent results. In the persistent conservative treatment group, the initial WOSI score was significantly lower compared to the operative group.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that post-traumatic PSI can be successfully managed conservatively with initial low clinical symptoms (low WOSI score) and in the absence of absolute indications for operative treatment. When surgery is necessary, arthroscopic procedures proved effective in achieving good to excellent results in 16 out of 17 cases.

Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Characteristics of Posterior Glenohumeral Instability

Posterior shoulder instability (PSI) is a shoulder pathology that is challenging to diagnose, leading to treatment delay and exacerbation of symptoms. Etiology can be both traumatic and atraumatic, and a comprehensive clinical history plays a significant role in achieving diagnosis. Imaging in the setting of PSI can reveal a reverse-Bankart lesion, a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion, posterior labral cysts, and potentially glenoid or lesser tuberosity fractures. Both conservative and surgical options exist for patients with PSI, and management often depends on case severity, extent of bone loss, and patient goals and expectations. Holistic patient education regarding the etiologies, mechanisms and possible treatment options available is pivotal for achieving high levels of patient satisfaction and optimal outcomes.

Does glenoid bone loss accompany posterior shoulder instability with only labral tear? A magnetic resonance imaging-based study

BACKGROUND

The primary aim of this study was to investigate bone loss in the glenoid with magnetic resonance imaging in posterior shoulder instability with only a labral tear.

METHODS

A total of 76 patients operated on because of posterior and anteroposterior shoulder instability only with a labral tear between 2006 and 2019 (n = 40 and n = 36, respectively) were included in this study. The instability type, a presence of an additional superior labrum anteroposterior (SLAP) lesion, the number of dislocations, and the magnetic resonance imaging-based measurements (the glenoid diameter and the bone defect size in the glenoid, the Hill-Sachs lesion [HSL] and the reverse HSL [rHSL] length, the angle and the arc length of HSL and rHSL, and the humerus head diameter and its area) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The size of the anterior glenoid defect, the rHSL measurements (length, angle, and arc length), and the ratio of the anterior glenoid defect size to the glenoid diameter were significantly higher for anteroposterior instability (P < .01) cases. There was no significant difference (P = .49, .64, and .82, respectively) for the presence of an additional SLAP pathology, the glenoid diameter, the posterior glenoid defect, and the ratio of the posterior glenoid defect size to the glenoid diameter in posterior and anteroposterior instability groups. The increased number of dislocations was associated with increased rHSL length and total arc length (P = .04 and .03, respectively). An additional SLAP lesion in posterior shoulder instabilities was not associated with the bone defect size (P = .29).

CONCLUSION

Although the posterior shoulder instability with only a labral tear is likely to cause a bone defect, we have shown that the instability is not expected to be caused by the bone defect. Therefore, this study points out that only soft tissue repair without considering the bone defect could be promising in this patient group.