Introduction: We have devised a new technique of lesser tuberosity osteotomy with double row fixation of the subscapularis using suture anchors.

Aim: To evaluate the biomechanical properties of this novel technique against two established methods of subscapularis repair including tendon to tendon and transosseous repairs.

Method: Matched pairs of human cadaveric shoulders were allocated into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of the double row technique with incision of the subscapularis along the bicipital groove with a lesser tuberosity osteotomy. A double loaded suture anchor was placed along the medial border of the osteotomy site and sutures were passed through subscapularis medial to the bone island in a horizontal mattress manner. A second anchor was inserted along the lateral border of the osteotomy site and the two sutures were tied onto the subscapularis holding sutures. In group 2, the subscapularis was divided 1cm medial to the bicipital groove and repaired with tendon to tendon suturing. In group 3, the subscapularis was repaired to the cut humeral neck through transosseous tunnels. The cyclic elongation, load to failure, displacement and mode of failure were analysed.

Results: All specimens in Group 1 and 40% of Group 2 and 3 passed the cyclic loading test. The ultimate tensile strength in Group 1 was found to be 2.8 times that of Group 2 and 2.4 times that of Group 3 (p< 0.05). Simple suturing failed by suture cutting out of soft tissue and tranosseous repair failed by a combination of the suture cutting out through bone and soft tissue.

Conclusion: This novel technique is simple to perform and biomechanically stronger than established methods of repair. A stronger fixation may allow early mobilization without the risk of tendon rupture and is much less likely to loosen with gap formation and subsequent fibrous tissue interposition. Additional advantages include bone to bone healing without violation of the subscapularis tendon.

Introduction: We have described nine clinical features to aid the clinical diagnosis of frozen shoulder. These include symptoms of pain and pins and needles radiating down the arm to the hand, feeling of lameness in the arm, tenderness over medial border of scapula, tenderness over the rotator interval, tenderness over the brachial plexus in the supraclavicular fossa, reduction of pain with passive abduction and forward flexion of the shoulder, asymmetry of the arm position at rest with an increase in elbow to waist distance and apparent winging of the scapula.

Methods: We prospectively evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of each clinical test in a consecutive series of 110 patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. An equal number of patients with shoulder pathology other than frozen shoulder were used as controls matched to the study group for sex and age. We also discuss the probable causes and clinical relevance of these features.

Results The most sensitive test was pain over the brachial p:lexus in the supraclavicular fossa (0.98) and the most specific test was apparent winging of the scapula (0.84). The single most accurate diagnostic test was relief of symptoms with abduction and flexion (85%). The incidence of positive accessory features was positively correlated with the visual analogue pain score (p< 0.0001, Spearman rank correlation coefficient) and negatively correlated with the length of duration of symptoms (p< 0.0001, Spearman rank correlation coefficient).

Conclusion: These accessory tests are intended to supplement the original description made by Codman. They are most useful in the acute painful stage of the disease when symptoms have been present for less than 6 months. In the diagnosis of a patient with a painful stiff shoulder, if six of the tests with the highest correlation are positive, the diagnosis of frozen shoulder is likely.

Introduction: A secure repair of the subscapularis represents an integral part of any surgery involving the anterior approach to the shoulder. Dysfunction of the subscapularis leads not only to poor functional results but also to anterior joint instability which is potentially untreatable. We have devised a new technique of double row fixation of the subscapularis using two suture anchors.

Aim: To evaluate the biomechanical strength of this double row technique against the established methods of simple suturing and transosseous repair techniques.

Method: Twenty matched pairs of human cadaveric shoulders were allocated into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of 10 shoulders repaired with the double row technique. This involved incising the subscapularis along the bicipital groove and a lesser tuberosity osteotomy carried out leaving the subscapularis attached to a thin island of bone. A suture anchor (Twinfix) was then inserted just medial to the osteotomy site and the tendon repaired to bone using two horizontal mattress sutures. A second anchor was inserted laterally to supplement the repair with two simple suture knots. The remaining 10 contralateral shoulders were allocated equally between groups 2 and 3. In group 2, the subscapularis was divided longitudinally 1cm medial to the bicipital groove and repaired with simple interrupted suture knots. In group 3, the subscapularis was incised at its insertion to lesser tuberosity and the tendon repaired to the osteotomy site by multiple transosseous sutures through drill holes in the anterior humeral cortex.

The suture material used in all three groups was identical and consisted of an ultra high molecular weight poly-ethylene suture (Ultrabraid). To simulate the direction of pull of the subscapularis, the testing block was tilted 45 degrees while a vertically applied distraction force was applied. A custom made jig was used to measure the amount of displacement in response to a gradually applied load. All specimens were tested to failure. The mode of failure of each fixational construct was recorded.

Results: The load to failure was found to be significantly higher in the double row repair technique compared to simple suturing and transosseous methods. Simple suturing failed by suture cutting out of soft tissue and tranosseous repair failed by a combination of the suture cutting out through bone and soft tissue.

Conclusion: This new double row technique is simple to perform and preliminary biomechanical testing has shown this to be superior in terms of fixational strength compared to established methods. Additional advantages of this technique which have not been taken into account in this in vitro study include non violation of the subscapularis tendon with bone to bone healing.

Aim To evaluate the functional results of rotator cuff function and integrity after arthroscopic excision of calcium and decompression with a minimum follow up of two years.

Methods Between 2002 and 2004, sixty consecutive patients with calcific tendinitis underwent arthroscopic excision of calcium and subacromial decompression. Their average age was 51 years (range 28 to 78). The male to female ratio was 2:3. All patients were retrospectively reviewed by an independent observer. Functional outcome was assessed objectively by Constant scoring system and subjectively by Oxford Shoulder Questionnaire. The integrity of the rotator cuff was assessed by ultrasound scan. (Sonosite). Operative technique After arthroscopic subacromial decompression, all calcific deposits were excised with an arthroscopic rotating blade. The resultant cuff defect was left to heal and no cuff repair was performed. Other intra-articular pathology including SLAP lesions were treated at the same time. Postoperatively, early mobilization of the shoulder was encouraged.

Results The mean Constant score at follow-up was 82 (range 63 to 100). Fifty-four patients (90%) had good or excellent results and six patients (10%) had a fair score. Ultrasound assessment showed intact rotator cuff with no residual defect in forty-three patients, partial thickness tears in twelve, and small full thickness tears in three. Two patients had recurrence of calcium. Only four of the fifteen patients who had ultrasound evidence of rotator cuff tear were symptomatic.

Conclusion Arthroscopic excision of calcium and subacromial decompression is an effective method of pain relief in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. 75% of the rotator cuff appeared to have healed after two years. Of the remaining 25% patients who had a defect in their supraspinatus tendon, only 6% remain symptomatic.

Certain cases of patello-femoral maltracking can lead to articular surface wear. Though most can be treated non-operatively, where there is increasing wear surgical intervention may be necessary. Patellar tracking is difficult to assess and though several different types of maltracking or loading have been described, each case warrants precise assessment of the wear patterns. Without this knowledge a logical approach to realignment surgery is impossible.

60 consecutive cases (age range 18–50 years) presenting with anterior knee pain were arthroscoped over a 4 year period. These patients all had been selected with either patellar instability or surface wear indicated either clinically, a positive radiograph, bone scan or MRI.

All patients were arthroscoped through standard anterolateral and antero-medial portals and also a superolateral and occasionally a supero-medial approach. The areas of articular damage were mapped on diagrams and recorded photographically. Patella views were taken in flexion and extension, and on passively stretching the patella medially and laterally.

We found 6 distinct patterns of wear which appear to indicate 6 different maltracking abnormalities. The largest group, 46 patients, consisted of lateral trackers, with 21 patients demonstrating medial facet and lateral femoral condylar wear.

Assessment of the articular surface of the patello-femoral groove from inferior portals is highly misleading and superior portals are needed for proper assessment. Medial facet wear can occur in lateral instability or medial compression. Lateral maltracking at engagement or distally are the commonest patterns.

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) due to central disc prolapse produces acute neurological deficit. We investigated long-term urological disability after surgery for CES and the impact of emergency versus next day surgery.

20 CES patients (M=F), were assessed using a validated quality of life questionnaire; comparison was made with a matched group undergoing simple lumbar disc surgery. Median length of history before presentation was seven days. Nine were operated on within 4. 5 hours, the remainder all within 24 hours after neurosurgical admission. While the patients’ perception was of good general health (no different from controls), urological symptoms adversely affected their lives (P=0. 02). Only two patients had no urological symptoms. Emergency surgery (within 4. 5 hours of presentation) was not associated with reduced disability.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the functional outcome and recurrent dislocation rate in patients who have undergone arthroscopic shoulder stabilization with a bioabsorbable fixation device, Suretac (Acufex Microsurgical). The role of thermal capsular shrinkage was also investigated.

Between June 1996 and June 2000, 78 consecutive patients (80 shoulders) at our hospital underwent arthroscopic stabilization with Suretac fixator by our senior author (DM). Twenty-one performed for acute post-traumatic dislocation (defined as first time dislocation), 41 for recurrent dislocations, 14 for SLAP lesions and four atraumatic multidirectional instability. Patients were followed up by an independent observer (FL) after a mean of 35 months (range: 9–62 months). The follow up examination included the modified Rowe and Zarins score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and the Constant score. The strength of lateral elevation as advocated in the Constant score was measured by the Nottingham Mecmesin Myometer.

The overall re-dislocation rate after surgery was 14% (11 patients). This occurred after an average period of 23 months (range: 12–37 months) following the initial stabilization procedure. One patient also reported recurrent subluxation though without frank dislocation. The re-dislocation for patients with acute dislocation was 9%, 15% for recurrent dislocation, 14% for SLAP lesions and 25% for those with atraumatic multidirectional instability. 3 of the 19 patients who underwent arthroscopic stabilization and thermal capsular shrinkage also re-dislocated. Four of the 10 patients who were aged 18 or under at the time of surgery, re-dislocated after an average period of 18 months following the operation.

Our study shows that the functional outcome and recurrence rate of Suretac stabilization compare favorably to other arthroscopic repair techniques using nonabsorbable suture anchors. The results appear to be better in patients with acute post traumatic dislocation. We do not recommend its use in younger patients (18 or under) especially with multidirectional instability. There is not enough evidence in our study to support the theoretical benefits of thermal capsular shrinkage.