Fracture-Dedicated Prosthesis Promotes the Healing Rate of Greater Tuberosity in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is becoming popular in the treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures (PHFs). Greater tuberosity healing may influence functional outcomes and range of motion (ROM) of shoulder after RSA. In addition, the design of prosthesis may impact the healing rate of greater tuberosity. The purpose of this study is to know: (1) does the healing of greater tuberosity affect the functional outcomes and ROM of shoulder? and (2) does the design of prosthesis affect the healing rate of greater tuberosity?Materials and Methods: PubMed, Ovid/Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies comparing the clinical outcomes between the healed groups and the non-healed groups after RSA.Results: For functional outcomes, the results showed that the healed group had better Constant scores (CSs) (p < 0.0001). For ROM, the healed group showed better flexion (p < 0.0001), abduction (p = 0.02), and external rotation (p < 0.00001) of shoulder. For the design of prosthesis, the mean healing rate of greater tuberosity (82.7%) in patients with fracture-dedicated prosthesis was higher than those (63.0%) in patients with standard prosthesis. Subgroup analyses showed that the CS (p = 0.12) and abduction (p = 0.96) of patients using fracture-dedicated prostheses were not different between the healed groups and the non-healed groups. Meta-regression showed that there was no significant relationship between the design of prosthesis and CS (p = 0.312), flexion (p = 0.422), or external rotation (p = 0.776).Conclusion: Our meta-analysis showed that the healed groups could obtain better functional outcomes and ROM than the non-healed groups. In addition, fracture-dedicated prostheses promoted the healing rate of greater tuberosity.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020157276, PROSPERO: CRD42020157276.

A surge in neglected shoulder dislocations and delayed surgical management due to the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown in India

Four patients with shoulder problems that were traumatic in etiology presented to us with delays in seeking care ranging from 6 to 12 weeks due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. The care of three cases (a 3-month-old neglected anterior shoulder dislocation with a greater tuberosity fracture in a 30-year old man, a 3-month-old neglected anterior shoulder dislocation in a 17-year old boy, and a 2-month-old neglected greater tuberosity fracture in a 31-year old man) was delayed due to the lockdown and the ensuing travel restrictions, while that of one case (a 6-week-old fracture–dislocation of the proximal humerus in a 55-year-old woman) was delayed because the patient was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at the time of injury. This report intends to present the exceptional circumstances around these cases. The unique treatment challenges and their outcomes are also described to advise the surgeons of the nuances and difficulties in treating these injuries.

A new biomechanical classification system for split fractures of the humeral greater tuberosity: guidelines for surgical treatment

Background Split fractures of the humeral greater tuberosity (HGT) are common injuries. Although there are numerous surgical treatments for these fractures, no classification system combining clinical and biomechanical characteristics has been presented to guide the choice of fixation method. Methods We created a standardised fracture of the HGT in 24 formalin-fixed cadavers. Six were left as single-fragment fractures (Group A), six were further prepared to create single-fragment with medium size full-thickness rotator cuff tear (FT-RCT) fractures (Group B), six were cut to create multi-fragment fractures (Group C), and six were cut to create multi-fragment with FT-RCT fractures (Group D). Each specimen was fixed with a shortened proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) plate. The fixed fractures were subjected to load and load-to-failure tests and the differences between groups analysed. Results The mean load-to-failure values were significantly different between groups (Group A, 446.83 ± 38.98 N; Group B, 384.17 ± 36.15 N; Group C, 317.17 ± 23.32 N and Group D, 266.83 ± 37.65 N, P < 0.05). The load-to-failure values for fractures with a greater tuberosity displacement of 10 mm were significantly different between each group (Group A, 194.00 ± 29.23 N; Group B, 157.00 ± 29.97 N; Group C, 109.00 ± 17.64 N and Group D, 79.67.83 ± 15.50 N; P < 0.05). These findings indicate that fractures with a displacement of 10 mm have different characteristics and should be considered separately from other HGT fractures when deciding surgical treatment. Conclusions Biomechanical classification of split fractures of the HGT is a reliable method of categorising these fractures in order to decide surgical treatment. Our findings and proposed system will be a useful to guide the choice of surgical technique for the treatment of fractures of the HGT.

Inter- and intraobserver reliability of morphological Mutch classification for greater tuberosity fractures of the proximal humerus: A comparison of x-ray, two-, and three-dimensional CT imaging

Background The objective of this study was to investigate inter- and intraobserver reliability of the morphological Mutch classification for greater tuberosity (GT) fragments in consecutive proximal humerus fractures (PHF) regardless of the number of parts according to the Codman classification system for three different imaging modalities (plain radiographs, two-dimensional [2-D] computed tomography [CT], and reformatted, three-dimensional [3-D] CT reconstruction). Materials and methods One hundred thirty-eight consecutive PHF with GT involvement were identified between January 2018 and December 2018 in a supraregional Level 1 trauma center. GT morphology was classified by three blinded observers according to the morphological Mutch classification using the picture archiving and communication software Visage 7.1 (Visage Imaging Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). Fleiss’ and Cohens’ kappa were assessed for inter- and intraobserver reliability. Strength of agreement for kappa (k) values was interpreted according to the Landis and Koch benchmark scale. Results In cases of isolated GT fractures (n = 24), the morphological Mutch classification achieved consistently substantial values for interobserver reliability (radiograph: k = 0.63; 2-D CT: k = 0.75; 3-D CT: k = 0.77). Moreover, use of advanced imaging (2-D and 3-D CT) tends to increase reliability. Consistently substantial mean values were found for intraobserver agreement (radiograph: Ø k = 0.72; 2-D CT: Ø k = 0.8; 3-D CT: Ø k = 0.76). In cases of multi-part PHF with GT involvement (n = 114), interobserver agreement was only slight to fair regardless of imaging modality (radiograph: k = 0.3; 2-D CT: k = 0.17; 3-D CT: k = 0.05). Intraobserver agreement achieved fair to moderate mean values (radiograph: Ø k = 0.56; 2-D CT: Ø k = 0.61; 3-D CT: Ø k = 0.33). Conclusion The morphological Mutch classification remains a reliable classification for isolated GT fractures, even with 2-D or 3-D CT imaging. Usage of these advanced imaging modalities tends to increase interobserver reliability. However, its reliability for multi-part fractures with GT involvement is limited. A simple and reliable classification is missing for this fracture entity.

Coracoid Osteotomy, Greater Tuberosity Take Down and Latarjet Procedure for Missed Bilateral Locked Anterior Shoulder Fracture-Dislocations in a Young Man

Introduction:It is rare to see chronic bilateral anterior fracture-dislocations as a result of seizure, and we present a case of this type and review of the literature. Despite the signs and symptoms of shoulder dislocation being well documented, and X-ray imaging being good at identifying such pathology, there are a few cases in the literature of missed or chronic shoulder dislocation (a shoulder that has been dislocated for more than 3 weeks) but these are extremely rare. Our case represents the first example of chronic bilateral locked anterior fracture-dislocations requiring open reduction and coracoid osteotomy with GT takedown to gain adequate exposure and allow soft tissue release to facilitate joint reduction. No other case has used anchors to achieve GT fixation, and our patient is the youngest published case with such pathology. Case Report: A 16-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with reduced range of movements in both shoulders. Six weeks prior he had suffered an epileptic seizure. X-rays confirmed bilateral anterior shoulder dislocations with displaced greater tuberosity (GT) fractures. Staged open reduction was performed in the right and then left shoulder. Coracoid osteotomy with takedown of the malunited GT fracture was needed to assist with gradual soft tissue contracture release and a successful relocation. Latarjet procedure was then performed and the GTs were fixed using rotator cuff anchors. At 6 months post-operation, on the right side, he achieved forward flexion to 150o and abduction to 120o. On the left side, forward flexion was 110o and abduction was 90o. X rays showed satisfactory maintenance of the reduction without signs of avascular necrosis of the humeral head. Conclusions: Surgical management of this injury in this way is effective and achieves good results in the first 6 months of follow up. A high index of suspicion should be employed for this injury in post-ictal patients with shoulder pain. Early mobilization and

Study of Bone Quality and Fracture Line Morphology of the Posterior Medial Humeral Calcar in Proximal Humeral Fractures

Objective: To investigate the relationship between fracture line morphology, bone quality and fracture morphology of the posterior medial humeral calcar in proximal humeral fractures METHODS: CT data of patients with proximal humeral fractures diagnosed in our hospital from 06/2019 to 06/2021 were retrospectively analyzed to describe the map and coordinate analysis of the posterior medial humeral calcar fracture based on three-dimensional reconstruction, to create varus, valgus and normal groups according to the inclination angle of the humeral head, and to measure the bone mass of the posterior medial humeral calcar and perform statistical analysis.RESULTS: Sixty-two patients met the inclusion criteria, aged 15 to 72 years, there were 21 varus, 24 valgus and 17 normal types. Epiphyseal extension occurred most frequently posteriorly and medially, with the fracture line ending mostly posterior to the greater tuberosity. The thickness of the varus was (2.33 ± 0.47), valgus was (2.59 ± 0.33) and normal type was (2.69 ± 0.53). The T-test showed that the thickness of the bone in the varus was less than the other two types, and bone density and pinch angle were no statistically significant.CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between the trend of the posterior medial fracture line of the humeral calcar, bone density and internal, external rotation of the humeral head. The medial bone thickness after varus is less than that of valgus and normal fractures. The fracture line endpoint is mostly located posterior to the greater tuberosity.