Rotation osteotomy of the shaft of the humerus for recurrent dislocation of the shoulder: anterior and posterior

Check-Rein Technique for Management of Neglected Locked Posterior Shoulder Dislocations: Evaluation of Mid-term Outcome of a Novel Technique

Introduction: Neglected locked posterior shoulder dislocations, although rare, are quiet perplexing to manage. Various treatment methods have been explained for their management, but a consensus is still lacking. Besides describing a novel technique for the management of these lesions, this study aims to evaluate the mid-term outcome of this technique.

Method: This prospective study involved seven consecutive patients with locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder with humeral defect between 25% and 50%. All patients underwent open reduction of the locked posterior dislocation with the current technique. The final outcome was assessed at a mean follow up of 3.5 years (range 2-5 years) using the DASH score.

Result: The mean age of the patients was 32 years (range 21-44) and all were men. The mean time to presentation from initial injury was 2.4 years (range 2-4 years). The patient related outcome as measured by DASH score improved from a preoperative mean of 59.1 to mean value of 8.6 at the time of final follow up. There were no cases of graft pull out, nonunion at the graft site or infection.

Conclusion: This technique results in pain-free range of motion with a stable shoulder though a larger sample population with a longer follow up is required to further support our observations.

Posterior shoulder instability: approach to rehabilitation

The treatment of posterior shoulder instability can be a frustrating experience for both the patient and the clinician. Although operative versus nonoperative treatment of this problem has been debated in the literature, and various surgical approaches presented, little specific information can be found regarding the components of an effective rehabilitation program. This paper presents an overview of the dynamics of posterior shoulder subluxation and the authors ' approach to conservative management, with particular emphasis on therapeutic exercise techniques and procedures. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989;10(12);488-494.

Arthroscopic management of posterior instability

In comparison with anterior shoulder instability, posterior instability is uncommon, occurring in 2% to 10% of cases, and covering a wide clinical spectrum ranging from locked posterior dislocation to the often subclinical recurrent posterior subluxation (RPS). With increased clinical awareness, imaging advances such as magnetic resonance arthrography, and the development of specific provocative physical examination tests, the identification of RPS in the athletic population is improving. This article describes the anatomic-based arthroscopic approach to treatment of RPS, which allows for enhanced identification and repair of intra-articular pathology including posterior capsular laxity, complete or incomplete detachment of the posterior capsulolabral complex, and inferior capsular tears. While postoperative results are generally good to excellent after stabilization for RPS, there is room for improvement.

Hill-Sachs defects and repair using osteoarticular allograft transplantation: biomechanical analysis using a joint compression model

BACKGROUND

Humeral head defects have been associated with failed anterior shoulder instability repairs. Quantitative data are required to determine (1) the critical defect size for consideration of surgical repair and (2) the ability of proposed repair techniques to restore normal joint function.

HYPOTHESES

Increasing defect size will decrease stability and anterior translation before dislocation. Stability will decrease in shoulder positions where the defect is oriented in line with the anterior glenoid. Osteoarticular repair will restore joint stability to intact shoulder level.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study. Methods A robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system was used to apply joint compression (22 N) and an anterior load (40 N) to cadaveric shoulders (n = 9) with all soft tissues removed (intact) at joint orientations with 60 degrees of glenohumeral abduction and 0 degrees and 60 degrees of external rotation. Four posterolateral osteoarticular defects were created (12.5%, 25.0%, 37.5%, and 50.0% defect) followed by an osteoarticular allograft transplantation (repair). The loading protocol was repeated in each shoulder state for both joint orientations. The anterior translation and stability ratio (anterior load/compressive load) were recorded before dislocation.

RESULTS

All shoulders dislocated at 60 degrees of external rotation with all sizes of defects. At 0 degrees of external rotation, shoulders with the 12.5% to 37.5% defects did not dislocate, and only 2 shoulders with the 50.0% defect dislocated. At 60 degrees of external rotation, the 25.0% defect and 37.5% defect had significantly less anterior translation before dislocation, as compared with the intact (P < .05), both of which became similar to the intact after repair (P > .05). The stability ratio at 60 degrees of external rotation significantly decreased in the 25.0% and 37.5% defects, as compared with the intact (P < .05), representing a 25% and 40% decrease in stability ratio. The stability ratio became similar to intact after repair (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

The size and orientation of the defect has important contributions to glenohumeral joint function. Increasing defect size required less anterior translation before dislocation and decreased the stability ratio, thereby increasing the risk of recurrent instability.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Defects as small as 12.5% of the humeral head have biomechanical consequences that may affect joint stability. In addition, shoulders with large osteoarticular defects (37.5% or 50.0%) may benefit from osteoarticular allograft transplantation to restore shoulder stability.

Traumatic posterior glenohumeral dislocation: classification, pathoanatomy, diagnosis, and treatment

Posterior humeral dislocations often go undetected. Proposed explanations for the delay in diagnosis include failure of the evaluating physician to include the condition in the differential diagnosis, suboptimal radiographic evaluation and interpretation, and coincidental injuries such as fractures that can confound the patient's presentation. It is imperative that the orthopedic surgeon develop a complete understanding of the nature of this injury and its treatment so that patients who present with this condition can be diagnosed and treated effectively. This article provides a detailed discussion of the classification, pathoanatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic posterior glenohumeral dislocation.

Arthroscopic capsulolabral reconstruction for posterior instability of the shoulder: a prospective study of 100 shoulders

BACKGROUND

There are few reports in the literature detailing arthroscopic treatment of unidirectional posterior shoulder instability.

HYPOTHESIS

Arthroscopic capsulolabral reconstruction is effective in restoring stability and function and alleviating pain in athletes with symptomatic unidirectional posterior instability. This population has significant differences in glenoid and chondrolabral versions when compared with controls.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

METHODS

Ninety-one athletes (100 shoulders) with unidirectional recurrent posterior shoulder instability were treated with an arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral reconstruction and evaluated at a mean of 27 months postoperatively. A subset of 51 shoulders in contact athletes were compared with the entire group of 100 shoulders. Patients were evaluated prospectively with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoring system. Stability, strength, and range of motion were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with standardized subjective scales. Forty-eight shoulders had magnetic resonance arthrograms performed and were available for review. The posterior inferior chondrolabral and bony glenoid versions were measured and compared with controls.

RESULTS

At a mean of 27 months postoperatively, the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 50.36 to 85.66 (P < .001). There were significant improvements in stability, pain, and function based on standardized subjective scales (P < .001). The contact athletes did not demonstrate any significant differences when compared with the entire cohort for any outcome measure. The results in the 71 shoulders followed for at least 2 years were similar to the overall group. On magnetic resonance arthrography, the shoulders with posterior instability were found to have significantly greater chondrolabral and osseous retroversion in comparison with controls (P < .001 and P = .008, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic capsulolabral reconstruction is an effective, reliable treatment for symptomatic unidirectional recurrent posterior glenohumeral instability in an athletic population. Overall, 89% of patients were able to return to sport, with 67% of patients able to return to the same level postoperatively.

Open posterior stabilization for recurrent posterior glenohumeral instability

Open posterior capsular shift is used for posterior glenohumeral instability that has failed nonoperative treatment. Few series have fully evaluated the outcome after open posterior stabilization. The purpose of this series was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcome after open posterior stabilization of the shoulder. Preoperative and intraoperative factors were analyzed with regard to their impact on results. Forty-eight consecutive shoulders were identified that had undergone primary open shoulder stabilization by use of open posterior capsular shift. Of the shoulders, 4 were lost to follow-up, resulting in a study group of 44 shoulders in 41 patients. Shoulders were evaluated at a range of 1.8 to 22.5 years after surgery by use of the L'Insalata shoulder form, Short Form-36 (SF-36), and a subjective shoulder rating in 44 shoulders. Thirty-nine shoulders were evaluated by physical examination, and thirty-seven underwent radiographic examination. A recurrence of posterior instability occurred in 8 shoulders (19%). Of the patients, 84% were satisfied with the current status of their shoulder. The mean L'Insalata score was 81.25+/-17.8 points, the mean SF-36 physical component score was 50.81+/-7.87, and the mean mental component score was 53.82+/-7.55. Significantly poorer satisfaction and outcome scores were seen in shoulders found to have a chondral defect at the time of stabilization and in patients aged greater than 37 years at the time of surgery. No progressive radiographic signs of glenohumeral arthritis were seen up to 22 years after surgery. Open posterior shoulder stabilization is a reliable procedure for treating significant posterior instability without causing arthritic changes. Patients found to have chondral damage within the shoulder and older patients were found to have less success after stabilization.

Acute shoulder and elbow dislocations in the athlete

Dislocations of the elbow are less common than shoulder dislocations. The primary treatment is conservative, with a conscious effort toward early mobilization. Recurrence is rare, and improvement in function and motion can be expected for up to 1 year. Operative treatment should be reserved for baseball pitchers and cases of complex instability.

Posterior capsulorrhaphy for the treatment of traumatic recurrent posterior subluxations of the shoulder in athletes

Fourteen athletes who failed conservative management for traumatic unidirectional posterior instability of the shoulder and were treated surgically with a posterior capsulorrhaphy procedure were reviewed. Mean duration of follow-up was 45 months (range, 26-90 months). Postoperatively, 13 of the 14 patients achieved good or excellent results according to a modified Rowe grading system and returned to unrestricted sports without recurrence of pain or instability. On the basis of the results of this review, we feel that posterior capsulorrhaphy can provide good results in this specific population of patients--athletes--with the specific diagnosis of traumatic, unidirectional posterior subluxation.

Variations in the retroversion of the humeral head

It is generally accepted that the humeral head in adults is retroverted between 25 degrees and 35 degrees. To assess the validity of this belief, 336 dry bone specimens of humeral heads were measured. The specimens were taken from various ethnic groups: white Americans, black Americans, New Mexican Indians, northern Chinese, Alaskan Eskimos, and Negev Desert bedouins. There was significant variation in retroversion angle between specimens from different ethnic groups and even wider variation between specimens within particular groups--a finding contrary to popular belief. Retroversion angle in the specimens ranged from -8 degrees to +74 degrees. In addition, 50 fetal skeletons of white and black Americans were studied. The mean humeral head retroversion angle in the fetal skeletons was 78 degrees, much greater than that in adults. It was evident that the large retroversion angle in the very young decreases with growth and that it does so to a varying extent among different ethnic groups and individuals. It is of clinical importance to understand the variations in humeral head retroversion among individuals undergoing operation and the ways in which this parameter might be manipulated to surgical advantage.

Shift of the posteroinferior aspect of the capsule for recurrent posterior glenohumeral instability

Thirty-five shoulders in thirty-four patients were treated with a superior shift of the posteroinferior aspect of the capsule because of recurrent posterior glenohumeral subluxation and dislocation. The physical examination revealed three types of posterior instability in these patients preoperatively: unidirectional (six shoulders), bidirectional (posterior and inferior) (seven shoulders), and multidirectional (posterior and inferior dislocation with anterior subluxation) (twenty-two shoulders). Eleven shoulders had had previous operative procedures. At the time of the index operation, the most common abnormal findings in these shoulders were capsular redundancy and excessive volume of the glenohumeral joint. Complete detachment of the posterior aspect of the labrum was found in only four shoulders. There was no excessive glenoid retroversion in these patients. All thirty-four patients were available for follow-up at an average of five years (range, two to twelve and a half years) postoperatively. Over-all, the result for seventeen of the thirty-five shoulders was rated as excellent; eleven, as good; one, as fair; and six, as poor. Four shoulders became unstable again. Six of the seven unsatisfactory results were in shoulders that had had previous attempts at stabilization. A successful result was achieved in twenty-three of the twenty-four shoulders in which the superior shift of the posteroinferior aspect of the capsule was the initial repair.