Aims

Shoulder arthroplasty is effective in the management of end-stage glenohumeral joint arthritis. However, it is major surgery and patients must balance multiple factors when considering the procedure. An understanding of patients’ decision-making processes may facilitate greater support of those considering shoulder arthroplasty and inform the outcomes of future research.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for patients with a proximal humerus fracture, using time-driven activity based costing (TDABC), and to compare treatment costs with reimbursement under the Healthcare Resource Groups (HRGs).

We present a case series of patients who underwent 3 or 4 part proximal humerus fracture fixation using an intra-osseous suture technique. 18 patients are included in the study with follow up data obtained ranging from 1 to 4 years. Oxford Shoulder Scores (OSS) and range of movement measurements were taken for all patients.

The mean OSS for the group was 50/60 with a mean forward flexion of 140°, abduction of 132°, external rotation of 48° and internal rotation to the level 10^th thoracic vertebra. Three patients developed adhesive capsulitis, 2 requiring subsequent arthroscopic release. This data compares favourably to outcomes reported in the literature with hemiarthroplasty or locking plate fixation.

An activity based costing analysis estimated that the treatment costs for proximal humerus fractures was approximately £2,055 when performing a soft tissue reconstruction, £3,114 when using a locking plate and £4,679 when performing a hemiarthroplasty. This demonstrates a significant financial saving when using intra-osseous fixation compared to other fixation techniques.

We advocate the use of the intra-osseous suture fixation technique for certain 3 and 4 part fractures. It gives good functional outcomes, significant cost savings and potentially makes revision procedures easier when compared to other fixation techniques.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing surgical and non-surgical management of fractures of the proximal humerus, and to determine whether further analyses based on complexity of fracture, or the type of surgical intervention, produced disparate findings on patient outcomes.

The current standard for treatment of humeral shaft fractures is in a functional humeral brace. Aims: To further assess the union rate for this mode of treatment and to delineate and any fracture type less likely to go on to union.

Retrospective radiographic and clinical review of 199 consecutive acute adult humeral shaft fractures. 43 operated on acutely (including all open fractures). Remaining 156 fractures treated in a humeral brace. Non union was determined as delayed fracture fixation or no evidence of union at 1 year. Union rate 82.9% with 88.5% follow-up. 16 of the 24 non unions were proximal third (all but one spiral/oblique): 71.4% union rate. Middle third fractures 87.3% and distal third shaft fractures 88.9 % union rate. Union rate of fractures with 3+ parts inclusive of all regions of the shaft was 95.6%.

The union rate in this study is not as high as has previously been reported for functional brace treatment. A lower threshold for intervention in proximal third spiral/oblique humeral shaft fractures may be indicated. Fracture site comminution is a very good prognostic indicator.

Sixty eight consecutive patients underwent proximal humeral replacement with a fixed fulcrum massive endoprosthesis, for tumour, between 1997 and 2007. The mean age was 46 years, (7–87). Ten patients were lost to follow up and 16 patients died. The 42 surviving patients were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) Score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). The mean MSTS score was 72.3% and the mean TESS was 77.2%.

Four of 42 patients received a new constrained humeral liner to reduce the risk of dislocation. This sub group of 4 patients had a mean MSTS score of 77.7% and a mean TESS of 80.0%.

Endoprosthetic replacement for tumour of the proximal humerus using this prosthesis is a reliable operation yielding good functional results without the documented problems of unconstrained prostheses. The performance of this prosthesis is expected to improve further with the new constrained humeral liner.

Reverse polarity total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has gained popularity over recent years for the treatment of the painful cuff deficient shoulder. Although proposed over 20 years ago and despite good clinical outcomes the RTSA has struggled to gain popularity due to reported high levels of complications.

One such complication is post-operative instability with frequencies of up to 30% (De Wilde 2002). The Bayley-Walker RTSA was designed specifically for patients with difficult reconstruction problems in whom an unconstrained prosthesis would not offer sufficient stability. It is a reverse anatomy fixed fulcrum constrained prosthesis. The glenoid component has a long HA-coated tapered helical screw, with large pitch and depth, fixation is augmented by a grooved HA coated glenoid plate.

The purpose of this study was to review the clinical experience from The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Stanmore and to ascertain the rate of glenoid component loosening. We also carried out a radiographic review to correlate loosening with patterns of lucency on post-operative radiographs. One hundred and five B-W TSRs in 103 patients were included, 24% of which were performed as revision of previous failed arthroplasty. In total, 8/105 glenoids required revision. Of those eight patients, two were cases of septic loosening. Of all nine specified areas of glenoid, tip lucency on x-ray appeared to be most strongly associated with need for glenoid revision. 5/9 cases with tip lucency progressed to loosening of the glenoid. Where tip lucency was not seen, 93/96 glenoid components remained secure, giving tip lucency a negative predictive value of 97%. Excluding the two infected cases, the glenoid remained secure in 97/103 patients undergoing BW-TSR with follow-up up to 13 years. The BW-TSR is a satisfactory and durable solution to the cuff-deficient shoulder in variety of challenging groups including younger patients and as a salvage procedure following failed, cuff-deficient arthroplasty.

Sixty eight consecutive patients underwent proximal humeral replacement with a fixed fulcrum massive endoprosthesis for tumour between 1997 and 2007. The mean age was 46 years (7-87). Ten patients were lost to follow up and 16 patients died. The 42 surviving patients were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) Score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). The mean MSTS score was 72.3 % and the mean TESS was 77.2 %.

Four of 42 patients received a new constrained humeral liner to reduce the risk of dislocation. This sub group of 4 patients had a mean MSTS score of 77.7 % and a mean TESS of 80.0%.

Endoprosthetic replacement for tumour of the proximal humerus using this prosthesis is a reliable operation yielding good functional results without the documented problems of unconstrained prostheses. The performance of this prosthesis is expected to improve further with the new constrained humeral liner.

Introduction

Fifty thousand knee replacements are performed annually in the UK at an estimated cost of £150 million. However, there is uncertainty as to the best surgical approach to the knee joint for knee arthroplasty. We undertook a randomised controlled trial to compare a standard medial parapatellar arthrotomy with sub-vastus arthrotomy for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty in terms of short and long term knee function.

Arthroplasty as a salvage procedure for cuff and glenoid deficiency poses major problems due to the limitations in treatment options and debilitating symptoms. We hypothesized that computer aided deigned and manufactured (CADCAM) total shoulder arthroplasty, using a precisely fitted glenoid shell, can relieve the pain and poor function associated with irreparable rotator cuff pathology and severe glenoid deficiency in the shoulder.

Of the 127 cases so far performed, a prospective cohort study 79 consecutive subjects, with a mean 28.7 month follow-up, were evaluated by a single practitioner blinded to their group status. Outcome was assessed using a validated clinical shoulder scoring system and radiographic review.

The subjects had a mean age of 58 (41–82) and their indication (where recorded) was mainly revision total shoulder replacement (62%) with some cases for primary osteoarthritis (12%) and rheumatoid arthritis (9%) and a proportion for other reasons (19%) including 1 re-revision case for dislocation.

Clinical follow-up was limited in this population (n=58, 73%) The ‘CADCAM’ group’s mean Stanmore Percentage of Normal Shoulder Assessment scores (SPONSA) were relatively unchanged post surgery (47 to 42 p=0.3). The Oxford Shoulder scores improved significantly (15 to 33, p< 0.0001). Most significantly, and by way of explanation, post surgery subjects recorded a reduction in the Visual Analogue Scale (Pain) scores (6.6 to 2.9) p< 0.0001). Patient satisfaction was generally good.

Radiographic review of the 79 cases revealed glenoid component screw breakage (4%, n=5) which is a moderate correlate of glenoid loosening (r = 0.65, r2 = 0.42) and probably more accurate than radiographic lucent lines seen in 6% (n=7). Humeral lucency was seen in 10%, (n=8). These radiographic findings correlated well with the clinical findings.

Postoperative pain and function was significantly improved in subjects undergoing the ‘CADCAM’ technique of shoulder arthroplasty offering a consistent salvage option for situations where no alternative to glenoid reconstruction is feasible.

Orthopaedic surgeons vary in their surgical approaches to total knee arthroplasty. The aim of this investigation was to compare outcomes after two different surgical approaches. The study was a prospective single-centre longitudinal randomized controlled trial. A sub-vastus approach was compared with a medial para-patellar approach. Participating surgeons elected to randomize their patients to one of the two types of approach. Outcomes included the Knee Society (KS) Clinical Rating System, WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, SF-36, and EuroQol (measured at 1, 6, 12 and 52 weeks post-operatively compared to baseline) complications, surgeon rated ease of exposure, and proportion of patients who had a lateral release.

Two hundred and thirty one patients were randomized to the two approaches. One hundred and sixteen patients were randomized to the sub-vastus approach. At one week compared to baseline, range of motion, KS global, KS knee, and KS pain scores were significantly better in the sub-vastus group. At six weeks, the medial para-patellar group tended to have better outcomes, but not statistically significantly. At fifty-two weeks compared to baseline, the WOMAC global and pain scores, the SF36 physical function and role-physical scores, and the EuroQol utility and pain score were significantly better in the sub-vastus group. Surgeons reported the ease of exposure in the sub-vastus group was significantly worse on average.

This trial is the largest of its kind to date, and the first, so far as we are aware, to compare clinical outcomes of different surgical approaches at one year post-operatively. The sub-vastus approach to total knee arthroplasty was more effective than a medial para-patellar approach at both one week and fifty-two weeks post-operatively in patients whose surgeons considered either approach would be suitable. However, surgeons reported worse ease of exposure in the sub-vastus group.

We retrospectively studied 67 patients who underwent proximal humeral replacement with the Bayley-Walker prosthesis, for tumour of the proximal humerus between 1997 and 2007. Of the 67 patients 10 were lost to follow up. Of the 41 surviving patients, function was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) Score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) questionnaire.

4 of the 41 patients received the new Bayley-Walker ‘captured’ proximal humeral replacement. The mean age was 46 years (7–87). The mean MSTS score at follow-up was 72.0 % and the mean TESS score was 77.2 %. The sub-group of 4 pts who received the new captured prosthesis had a mean MSTS score of 77.7 %. There was no mechanical failure of any prostheses in the follow up period.

Endoprosthetic replacement for tumour of the proximal humerus with the Bayley-Walker prosthesis, is a reliable operation yielding reasonable functional results and good long-term prosthesis survivorship. The performance of this prosthesis is expected to improve further with the new ‘captured’ prosthesis.

Statement of Purpose: We tested the null hypothesis of no significant difference in arthroscopy rates for patients on a waiting list for arthroscopy in patients in which surgeons had a knee magnetic resonance imaging scan report prior to surgery, compared to those who did not have a report.

Methods and Results: This is a single-centre randomised controlled trial. 252 eligible patients consented and randomised. The two groups were similar with respect to a range of baseline factors. Very few arthroscopies were not performed–4.8% in the intervention arm and 5.5% in the control arm (χ2=0.06, df=1, p> 0.05). A longitudinal analysis of the secondary outcomes showed that there were no significant differences between the intervention and the control arms of the study.

Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging, prior to knee arthroscopy, does not lead to a reduction in the number of arthroscopies undertaken in the intervention group nor improve patient outcome in a range of secondary measures.

Introduction: Fifty thousand knee replacements are performed annually in the UK at an estimated cost of £150 million. However, there is uncertainty as to the best surgical approach to the knee joint for knee arthroplasty. We undertook a randomised controlled trial to compare a standard medial parapatellar arthrotomy with sub-vastus arthrotomy for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty in terms of short and long term knee function.

Methods: Two-hundred and thirty-one patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty during 2001–2003 were recruited into the study. Patients were randomised into subvastus (116) or medial parapatellar (115) approaches to knee arthroplasty. The primary outcome measures were the American Knee Society and WOMAC Scores. The secondary outcome measures were patient based measures of EuroQol and SF-36. All outcomes were measured pre-operatively, 1, 6, 12 and 52 weeks post-operatively. We also looked at a pain diary, analgesia diary, ease of surgical exposure, and complications.

Results: Pain as measured by WOMAC was significantly less in the subvastus group but only at 52 weeks. The Knee Society Score showed some early benefit at one week to the subvastus group. There was no difference between the two groups in relation to the knee function score, EuroQol, SF-36, pain diary, analgesia usage and length of hospital stay.

Conclusion: There is some benefit to patients receiving sub-vastus arthrotomy relative to medial para-patellar. Although the results show some statistical significance in using the sub-vastus approach the clinical importance of these findings and the costs of the various procedures involved remain to be ascertained.

Introduction: Fifty thousand knee replacements are performed annually in the UK at an estimated cost of £150 million. However, there is uncertainty as to the best surgical approach to the knee joint for knee arthroplasty. We undertook a randomised controlled trial to compare a standard medial parapatellar arthrotomy with sub-vastus arthrotomy for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty in terms of short and long term knee function.

Methods: Two-hundred and thirty-one patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty during 2001–2003 were recruited into the study. Patients were randomised into subvastus (116) or medial parapatellar (115) approaches to knee arthroplasty. The primary outcome measures were the American Knee Society and WOMAC Scores. The secondary outcome measures were patient based measures of EuroQol and SF-36. All outcomes were measured pre-operatively, 1, 6, 12 and 52 weeks post-operatively. We also looked at a pain diary, analgesia diary, ease of surgical exposure, and complications.

Results: Pain as measured by WOMAC was significantly less in the subvastus group but only at 52 weeks. The Knee Society Score showed some early benefit at one week to the subvastus group. There was no difference between the two groups in relation to the knee function score, EuroQol, SF-36, pain diary, analgesia usage and length of hospital stay

Conclusion: There is some benefit to patients receiving sub-vastus arthrotomy relative to medial para-patellar. Although the results show some statistical significance in using the sub-vastus approach the clinical importance of these findings and the costs of the various procedures involved remain to be ascertained.

Statement of Purpose: We tested the null hypothesis of no significant difference in arthroscopy rates for patients on a waiting list for arthroscopy in patients in which surgeons had a knee magnetic resonance imaging scan report prior to surgery, compared to those who did not have a report.

Methods and Results: This is a single-centre randomised controlled trial. 252 eligible patients consented and randomised. The two groups were similar with respect to a range of baseline factors. Very few arthroscopies were not performed −4.8% in the intervention arm and 5.5% in the control arm (χ²=0.06, df=1, p> 0.05). A longitudinal analysis of the secondary outcomes showed that there were no significant differences between the intervention and the control arms of the study.

Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging, prior to knee arthroscopy, does not lead to a reduction in the number of arthroscopies undertaken in the intervention group nor improve patient outcome in a range of secondary measures.