Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures: Primary or delayed after failed treatment?

BACKGROUND

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has recently become an option for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) or as a salvage procedure after failure of another treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare primary RTSA with delayed RTSA in the treatment of displaced PHFs.

STUDY DESIGN & METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with PHFs who were treated between May 2013 and December 2021 with primary or delayed RTSA after failure of conservative treatment or osteosynthesis. Clinical data were withdrawn from our local computerized database. Complications, active range of motion, as well as the functional outcome were recorded at the end of the follow-up period. Differences between clinical outcomes were analyzed using a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 70 individuals were included in this study (41 primary RTSA and 29 delayed RTSA). The mean of follow-up time was of 112 and 60 months, respectively. There were no differences between groups regarding fracture type according Neer Classification, ASA score or the presence of complications. Q-DASH and Oxford Shoulder scores were significantly better when patients underwent a primary RTSA (49.8 vs 31.4, p = 0.006 and 37.2 vs 27.5, p = 0.004 respectively). In addition, primary RTSA achieved more degrees of flexion and abduction than delayed RTSA (96.8 vs 72.9, p < 0.001 and 94.1 vs 69.3, p < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Primary RTSA for PHFs achieved better functional outcomes and a wider range of motion when compared with delayed RTSA. However, primary and delayed RTSA have similar complication and reintervention rates.

LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE

3.

Reconstruction of proximal femoral bone loss using circumferential structural allograft during total hip arthroplasty in a young patient

Management of proximal femoral bone loss during hip arthroplasty in young patients is a complex problem due to the need to provide a joint with an increased longevity. While proximal femoral replacement (PFR) would be an easier solution, they are associated with poorer hip scores and decreased prosthesis survival rates which are not ideal while managing young patients. We present a case of proximal femoral bone loss in a young female - following multiple failed osteosynthesis surgeries aimed at addressing a pathological sub-trochanteric fracture - managed successfully with a circumferential allograft during total hip arthroplasty. While there is many literature reporting the use of circumferential allografts during revision hip surgery, this is the first case to the best of our knowledge where we are reporting its successful use in a complex primary hip arthroplasty case. Our successful outcome shows that reconstruction of proximal femoral bone loss using allografts in young patients should be considered prior to use of PFR in them.

Pathological Neck of Femur Fracture with Failed Osteosynthesis in Adolescent: A Report of Two Cases

Introduction:

Non-union of the neck of femur fractures in adolescents is a complex problem, especially if there is an underlying pathology such as fibrous dysplasia or unicameral bone cyst. Treatment is challenging and needs careful selection of a combination of strategies.

Case Report:

We present two such cases with a history of failed osteosynthesis with a sliding hip screw. Our strategy consisted of implant removal, open freshening and cancellous bone grafting of the fracture site, fibular strut grafting, subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy, and fixation with contoured 4.5 dynamic compression plates. Both fractures united uneventfully leaving the patients with good function.

Conclusion:

A combination of the above strategies is a simple and effective approach to achieve union in non-union of pathological fractures in adolescents despite failed osteosynthesis.

Salvage of failed osteosynthesis for an atypical subtrochanteric femoral fracture associated with long-term bisphosphonate treatment using a 95° angled blade plate

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a salvage procedure using a 95° angled blade plate for failed osteosynthesis of atypical subtrochanteric femoral fractures associated with the long-term use of bisphosphonates. These were compared with those for failed osteosynthesis of subtrochanteric fractures not associated with bisphosphonate treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between October 2008 and July 2016, 14 patients with failed osteosynthesis of an atypical subtrochanteric femoral fracture were treated with a blade plate (atypical group). Their mean age was 67.8 years (60 to 74); all were female. During the same period, 21 patients with failed osteosynthesis of a typical subtrochanteric fracture underwent restabilization using a blade plate (typical group). Outcome variables included the time of union, postoperative complications, Harris Hip Score, and Sanders functional rating scale.

RESULTS

In the atypical group, union was achieved in 12 patients (85.7%) at a mean of 8.4 months (4 to 12). The mean follow-up was 31.2 months (12 to 92) The plate broke in one patient requiring further stabilization with a longer plate and strut-allograft. Another patient with failure of fixation and varus angulation at the fracture site declined further surgery. In the typical group, union was achieved in 18 patients (85.7%) at a mean of 7.9 months (4 to 12). There was no difference in the mean Harris Hip Score between the two groups (83.1 points vs 86.8 points; p = 0.522) at the time of final follow-up. Sanders functional rating scores were good or excellent in 78.6% of the atypical group and in 81.0% of the typical group.

CONCLUSION

The 95° angled blade plate was shown to be an effective fixation modality for nonunion of atypical subtrochanteric fractures with a high rate of union and functional improvement, comparable to those after fractures not associated with bisphosphonate treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1511-17.

Failed osteosynthesis of cemented B1 periprosthetic fractures

BACKGROUND

Periprosthetic fractures about the hip are increasingly common. The literature estimates a failure rate of approximately 10% in Vancouver B1 type fractures which have undergone fixation. There is currently no guidance available on the next step of management for this patient group. This study presents a series of nine Vancouver B1 fractures with failed osteosynthesis and proposes that repeated fixation has poorer results than revision.

METHODS

A total of nine patients (five women, four men) with a mean age of 71.2 years (52-83) underwent operative treatment for failed osteosynthesis of periprosthetic fractures of Vancouver type B1. Three patients were revised to a long revision stem while six patients had repeated osteosythesis. Failure was defined as the need for further operative intervention.

RESULTS

The three patients revised to a long revision stem at first failure of osteosynthesis required no further surgical intervention. All six patients who had repeat osteoynthesis failed again. Five patients were subsequently successfully treated with revision of the primary stem, three were revised to a long revision stem while two patients required proximal femoral replacement. One patient died prior to revision. The mean follow up following initial B1 fracture was 49.3 months and following definitive operative intervention was 37.7 months. Six patients had died at 1st July 2017.

CONCLUSION

Failed osteosynthesis of B1 fractures may necessitate revision rather than repeat fixation, regardless of how well fixed the stem appears. Revision to a long stem provided good results in this cohort.

Can reverse shoulder arthroplasty in post-traumatic revision surgery restore the ability to perform activities of daily living?

BACKGROUND

Failed shoulder arthroplasty and failed internal fixation in fractures of the proximal humerus can benefit from implantation of a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). While there is some evidence that RSA can improve function regarding range of motion (ROM), pain, satisfaction, and strength, there is sparse data how this translates into activities of daily living (ADLs). A marker-based 3D video motion analysis system has recently been designed that can measure changes of ROM in dynamic movements in every plane. The hypothesis was that a gain of maximum ROM also translates into the ability to perform ADLs and into a significant increase of ROM in ADLs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six consecutive patients (5 women, 1 man; 2× failed arthroplasty, 4× failed open reduction and internal fixation) who received RSA were examined the day before and 1 year after shoulder replacement. A 3D motion analysis system using a novel upper extremity model measured active maximum values and ROM in four ADLs.

RESULTS

Comparing the pre- to the 1-year postoperative status, RSA resulted in a significant increase in mean maximum values for active flexion (humerus to thorax) of 37° (S.D. ±23°), from 50 to 87° [P=0.005], and for active abduction averaging of 17° (S.D. ±13°), from 52 to 69° [P=0.027]. The extension decreased significantly by about 8° (S.D. ±16°), from a mean of 39 to 31° [P=0.009]. For active adduction and internal and external rotation, there were trends for improvements, but no significant changes. Only three additional tasks of the ADL (out of 13/24 preoperatively) could be performed after revision surgery. Comparing the preoperative to the postoperative ROM in the ADLs in flexion/extension, ROM improved significantly in one ("tying an apron") of four ADLs. There were no significant changes in the abduction/adduction and internal/external rotation in any ADLs.

CONCLUSION

RSA in revision cases significantly improved maximum active flexion and abduction, but decreased extension in this series. However, the patients were only able to use this greater ROM to their benefit in one of four ADLs.