ObjectiveTo evaluate the mid-term effectiveness of arthrolysis and hinged external fixation for the treatment of stiff elbow caused by heterotrophic ossification.MethodsBetween January 2014 and December 2017, 11 patients with stiff elbow caused by heterotrophic ossification were admitted. There were 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 32 years (range, 14-48 years), and left side in 6 cases and right side in 5 cases. The cause of stiff elbow included humerus fracture in 5 cases, ulna fracture in 2 cases, fracture of capitulum radii in 1 case, dislocation of capitulum radii in 1 case, terrible triad of the elbow in 1 case, and soft tissue injury in 1 case. The disease duration ranged from 7 to 18 months (mean, 11 months). Preoperative active range of motion of elbow was (19.6±17.5)° and Mayo score was 34.1±9.7. All patients received the treatment of arthrolysis and debridement of heterotrophic ossification lesion combining hinged external fixator, and active and passive rehabilitation with the help of hinged external fixator. The hinged external fixators were removed after 2 months.ResultsAll patients were followed up 13-36 months (mean, 19.1 months). All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication of infection or nerve lesion occurred postoperatively. At last follow-up, the results of X-ray films showed that no heterotrophic ossification recurred. The active range of motion of elbow was (116.4±16.6)° and Mayo score was 93.2±7.8, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=17.508, P=0.000; t=16.618, P=0.000).ConclusionThe application of arthrolysis and debridement of heterotrophic ossification lesion combining hinged external fixator can improve the elbow’s range of motion significantly and obtain a good mid-term effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effectiveness of arthroscopically capsular vertical mattress suturing for shoulder recurrent anterior dislocation combined with joint laxity.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 6 shoulder recurrent anterior dislocation patients combined with joint laxity treated with arthroscopically capsular vertical mattress suturing between January 2017 and December 2018. There were 5 males and 1 female with an average age of 20.8 years (range, 19-24 years). The number of shoulder dislocation was 3-18 times, with an average of 9.5 times. The disease duration ranged from 2 to 60 months, with an average of 25.3 months. The preoperative Beighton score was 4-7, with an average of 5.8; the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS) was 2-5, with an average of 3.5. There were 5 cases of simple Bankart injury and 1 case of bony Bankart injury. The range of motion of shoulder joint (including active flexion and lifting, external rotation, abduction and external rotation, and internal ratation) was recorded before operation and at last follow-up; Oxford shoulder instability score, Rowe shoulder instability score, and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score were used to evaluate shoulder joint function before operation, at 6 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and complications were recorded.ResultsAll patients were followed up 16-28 months (mean, 19.3 months). During the follow-up, all patients had satisfactory motor function, and no re-dislocation and postoperative neurovascular complications occurred. At last follow-up, the activities of active external rotation and abduction and external rotation were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); the activities of active flexion and lifting and internal rotation were not limited before and after operation, and the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The Oxford shoulder instability score, Rowe shoulder instability score, and SST score at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05).ConclusionThe treatment of shoulder recurrent anterior dislocation combined with joint laxity by arthroscopically vertical matress suturing can achieve good short-term effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo compare the mid-term effectiveness of arthroscopic shoulder capsular release combined with acromiohumeral distance (AHD) restoration in the treatment of diabetic secondary stiff shoulder and primary frozen shoulder. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 22 patients with diabetic secondary stiff shoulder (group A) and 33 patients with primary frozen shoulder (group B), who underwent arthroscopic 270° capsular release combined with AHD restoration treatment. There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, affected side, disease duration, and preoperative AHD, shoulder flexion range of motion, abduction range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Constant score (P>0.05). Only the difference in the internal rotation cone rank and external rotation range of motion between the two groups showed significant differences (P<0.05). The improvement in shoulder pain and function was evaluated by using VAS score, ASES score, and Constant score before operation and at last follow-up. Active flexion, abduction, external rotation range of motion, and internal rotation cone rank were recorded and compared. AHD was measured on X-ray films.Results All patients were followed up 24-92 months (median, 57 months). There was no significant difference in follow-up time between group A and group B (P>0.05). No fractures or glenoid labrum tears occurred during operation, all incisions healed by first intention, and no complication such as wound infection or nerve injury was observed during the follow-up. At last follow-up, there were significant improvements in active flexion, abduction, external rotation range of motion, internal rotation cone rank, AHD, VAS score, ASES score, and Constant score when compared with preoperative ones in both groups (P<0.05). Except for the difference in change in external rotation range of motion, which had significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in other indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionArthroscopic capsular release combined with AHD restoration can achieve good mid-term effectiveness in the treatment of diabetic secondary stiff shoulder and primary frozen shoulder. However, the improvement in external rotation range of motion is more significant in the patients with diabetic secondary stiff shoulder.
ObjectiveTo evaluate mid-term effectiveness of manipulation under anesthesia combined with arthroscopic capsular release and subacromial debridement for primary frozen shoulder.MethodsBetween January 2013 and December 2017, 33 patients of primary frozen shoulder were treated with manipulation under anesthesia combined with 360° arthroscopic capsular release and subacromial debridement. There were 10 males and 23 females, aged from 37 to 65 years, with a mean age of 50.9 years. The affected shoulder on left side in 17 cases and on right side in 16 cases. The disease duration was 6-13 months (mean, 8.4 months). Before and after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the shoulder joint pain, Constant score was used to evaluate the shoulder joint function, and the flexion, abduction, and external rotation of shoulder joint were recorded. The internal rotation function was assessed based on the vertebral plane that the thumb could reach after internal rotation of the affected shoulder joint (the rank of internal rotation vertebra). X-ray film was taken to measure the distance of the subacromial space.ResultsThere was no fracture or labrum tear in all patients, and all the incisions healed by first intention. All the 33 patients were followed up 20-31 months, with an average of 24.1 months. During the follow-up, there was no complication such as wound infection and nerve injury. At last follow-up, the range of motion of shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation, the rank of internal rotation vertebra, the VAS score, Constant score, and subacromial space were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05).ConclusionManipulation under anesthesia combined with arthroscopic capsular release and subacromial debridement can achieve a good mid-term effectiveness without complication for primary frozen shoulder.
Objective To observe and evaluate the short-term effectiveness of superior capsular reconstruction using autologous fascia lata graft for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears. Methods The clinical data of 9 patients with irreparable massive rotator cuff tears treated with arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction by using autologous fascia lata graft between September 2019 and April 2020 were retrospectively analysed. There were 4 males and 5 females with a median age of 66 years (range, 55-70 years). The disease duration was 6-60 months with an average of 19.1 months. According to Hamada classification, the patients were classified as grade 1 in 2 cases, grade 2 in 2 cases, grade 3 in 2 cases, and grade 4 in 3 cases. Before and after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the improvement of shoulder joint pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant score, and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder function score were used to evaluate the improvement of shoulder joint function. The active range of motion of shoulder joint was recorded, including forward flexion, abduction, lateral external rotation, and internal rotation. The changes of subacromial space were recorded by anteroposterior X-ray film of shoulder joint. Sugaya classification was used to judge the integrity of rotator cuff immediately after operation and at last follow-up. ResultsThe operation time was 210-380 minutes, with an average of 302.3 minutes. All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and there was no complication such as infection and nonunion of incisions. Two patients had numbness of the upper limbs on the surgical side after operation, and the numbness completely relieved at 6 weeks after operation; 5 cases with preoperative pseudoparalysis symptoms recovered after operation. Nine patients were followed up 12-17 months, with an average of 14.1 months. At last follow-up, the patient’s active range of motion of shoulder joint (forward flexion, abduction, lateral external rotation, and internal rotation), subacromial space distance, VAS score, ASES score, Constant score, and UCLA score significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the Sugaya classification between at last follow-up and immediately after operation (Z=−1.633, P=0.102). ConclusionSuperior capsular reconstruction using autologous fascia lata graft can restore the superior stability and achieve a good short-term effectiveness for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears.