Shoulder orthoses for the prevention and reduction of hemiplegic shoulder pain and subluxation: systematic review

Objectives: To determine whether shoulder orthoses prevent or reduce gleno-humeral subluxation and hemiplegic shoulder pain. Data sources: OVID SP, MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL, PEDro and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Review methods: We included: randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials, controlled before and after studies and observational studies. Two reviewers independently screened, critically appraised papers using the PEDro tool, and extracted data. A descriptive synthesis was performed as there were insufficient data for meta-analysis. Results: Eight studies were included, totalling 186 participants: One randomised controlled trial with 41 participants, one quasi-randomised with 14 participants, one before and after controlled study with 40 participants and five observational studies with 91 participants met the inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that applying an orthosis to an already subluxed shoulder immediately reduced vertical subluxation on X-ray but improvements were not maintained when orthosis was removed. Orthoses with both proximal and distal attachments improved shoulder pain in the majority of stroke patients when worn for four weeks (starting several days or weeks post-stroke). There was no increase in adverse effects of contracture, spasticity or hand oedema when compared to no orthosis. Orthoses were generally well-tolerated and most patients rated the orthosis as comfortable to wear. Conclusion: Observational studies suggest that orthoses reduce vertical subluxation whilst in-situ. Available evidence from heterogeneous studies after stroke suggests that orthoses may reduce pain and are well-tolerated with prolonged use. No studies have tested whether subluxation and pain can be prevented by immediate post-stroke application of orthoses.

Odontoid compression of the brain stem in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

✓ Cervical spine involvement by rheumatoid arthritis is common; brain-stem compression secondary to vertical subluxation of the odontoid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is rare. Vertical subluxation results from 1) destruction of the transverse atlantal, apical, and alar ligaments of the atlas and odontoid, and 2) bone resorption in the occipital condyles, lateral masses of the atlas, and basilar processes of the skull. Neurological symptoms result from direct compression of the brain stem or from ischemia secondary to compression of vertebral arteries, anterior spinal arteries, or small perforating arteries of the brain stem and spinal cord. A case is reported in which a slowly progressive neurological deficit developed in a woman with rheumatoid arthritis following a fall from a stretcher. Neurological symptoms represented direct compression of the medulla by the dens, a mechanism confirmed at operation and autopsy. Recognition of progressive neurological deficit is often difficult in patients with rheumatoid arthritis because of their inactivity and their atrophic and immobile joints, but is essential if appropriate decompressive or stabilizing procedures are to be done. In patients with vertical subluxation of the dens, the transoral approach with removal of the odontoid is recommended. Decompression should be extensive, including the fibrous capsule around the odontoid and overlying synovial tissue as well as the odontoid itself.