Similar clinical outcomes found with, without acromioplasty after rotator cuff repair
Source: Healio
After rotator cuff repair, study results showed no difference in clinical outcomes with or without acromioplasty at 2 years postoperatively.
Researchers randomly assigned 114 patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears into acromioplasty or non-acromioplasty groups. Along with physical examination, which included range of motion and dynamometer strength testing, the researchers collected the Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Constant, University of California — Los Angeles and SF-12 health assessment scores and recorded intraoperative data, including tear size, repair configuration and concomitant procedures.
The researchers reviewed preoperative imaging to classify the acromial morphologic type, acromial angle and lateral acromial angulation.
Overall, 95 patients were available for a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Study results showed no significant differences in baseline characteristics, including number of tendons torn, repair configuration, concomitant procedures and acromion type and angles. All functional outcome scores improved significantly from preoperatively to all follow-up time points in both groups.
Additionally, there were no significant differences in functional outcomes between the two groups or between patients with different acromial features at any time point, according to the researchers.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
Early alteration after distal radius fracture casting not associated with loss of alignment
Source: Healio
Although cast alteration after casting for distal radius fractures is common, early cast alteration was safe and not associated with loss of alignment, according to study results.
Researchers retrospectively reviewed patient records for 296 adult patients who presented with distal radius fracture and were treated with a below-elbow circumferential plaster cast at a tertiary care hospital from 2006 to 2009. Outcome measures included patient demographics, polytrauma at the time of injury, subspecialty of the physician performing the reduction and type of cast alteration.
The researchers used radiographs to assess initial fracture characteristics and secondary displacement of reduction over time, and an analysis was performed to identify predictive variables for the early cast alteration and determine the alterations’ effects on fracture alignment.
Study results showed 22.2% of patients underwent cast alteration during the early treatment, with splitting as the most common alteration performed, followed by application of new cast and cast trimming.
Upon stratifying by fracture classification, the researchers found patients with type A fractures had an alteration frequency of 23% compared with 22% in patients with type B fractures and 21% in patients with type C fractures.
Among patients treated by orthopedic residents, 22% had their cast altered compared with 21% of patients treated by emergency room physicians.
According to study results, 36% of patients with multiple injuries had their cast altered, whereas 21% of patients with isolated distal radius fractures had their cast altered.
No type of cast alteration was found to be significantly predictive of loss of fracture alignment at 2 or 6 weeks, according to the researchers.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
Cayenne Medical launches new all-suture anchor system
Source: Healio
Cayenne Medical recently announced the launch of the SureLock All-Suture Anchor System.
Indicated for use in shoulder and extremity procedures, the SureLock system is designed to provide a predictable fixation method while eliminating manual tension that can lead to pull-out or displacement of the anchor as well as partial anchor deployment.
The system minimizes bone loss and anchor footprint by requiring a smaller pilot hole compared with traditional anchors. It is also deployed through an inserter-controlled method, ensuring a greater level of control over placement, according to a company press release.
“Cayenne Medical has seen great clinical success with the SureLock All-Suture Anchor System since its limited market release earlier this year, and we are excited to announce a full market launch that allows us to open up domestic and international markets,” Dave Springer, president and CEO of Cayenne Medical, said in the press release.
Autografts may improve ACL reconstructions
Source: Medical News Today
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstructions occur more than 200,000 times a year, but the type of material used to create a new ligament may determine how long you stay in the game, say researchers who presented their work at the Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine (AOSSM).
Identifying risk factors for ACL re-injury
Source: Medical News Today
Re-tearing a repaired knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) happens all too frequently, however a recent study being presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Annual Meeting suggests that identification and patient education regarding modifiable risk factors may minimize the chance of a future ACL tear.
Exercise intensity often overestimated
Source: Medical News Today
Do you work out for health benefits and feel you are exercising more than enough? You might be among the many Canadians who overrate how hard they work out or underestimate what moderate intensity exercise means, according to a recent study out of York University’s Faculty of Health.
Risk factors identified for little league shoulder
Source: Medical News Today
As cases of Little League Shoulder (LLS) occur more frequently, the need for additional information about the causes and outcomes of the condition has become clear. Researchers presenting at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Annual Meeting shared new data identifying associated risk factors, common treatment options and return to play.
NFL players return to the game after stabilizing shoulder surgery
Source: Medical News Today
Shoulder instability is a common injury in football players but the rate of return to play has not been regularly determined following surgery. A new study, discussed at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Annual Meeting, details that return rates for NFL players is approximately 90 percent no matter what the stabilization procedure (open vs. arthroscopic).
Anatomic features not tied to pain in rotator cuff tears
Source: Medical Xpress
Anatomic features associated with the severity of atraumatic rotator cuff tears are not associated with pain level, according to a study published in the May 21 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Extended capsular release unnecessary for shoulder stiffness in arthroscopic surgery
Source: Healio
Although arthroscopic capsular release is a known treatment for shoulder stiffness, posterior extended capsular release might not be necessary in arthroscopic surgery, according to study results.
Researchers enrolled 75 patients who underwent arthroscopic capsular release for shoulder stiffness. The patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: those in whom capsular release, including release of the rotator interval and anterior and inferior capsule, was performed (n = 37), and those in whom capsular release was extended to the posterior capsule (n = 38).
The researchers used American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, Simple Shoulder Test, VAS pain scores and range of motion (ROM) for evaluation before surgery, at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Mean follow-up was 18.4 months.
ROM increased significantly among both groups at the last follow-up compared with preoperative scores (P < .05). However, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, Simple Shoulder Test and VAS pain scores at the last follow-up (P > .05), according to the researchers.
