Our primary objective was to compare healing rates in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for degenerative tears, with and without bone channeling. Our secondary objectives were to compare disease-specific quality of life and patient reported outcomes as measured by the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Constant score between groups. Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at three sites were randomized to receive either bone channeling augmentation or standard repair. Healing rates were determined by ultrasound at 6 and 24 months post operatively. WORC, ASES, and Constant scores were compared between groups at baseline and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post operatively. One hundred sixty-eight patients were recruited and randomized between 2013 to 2018. Statistically significant improvements occurred in both groups from pre-operative to all time points in all clinical outcome scores (p < 0 .0001). Intention to treat analysis revealed no statistical differences in healing rates between the two interventions at 24 months post-operative. No differences were observed in WORC, ASES or Constant scores at any time-point. This trial did not demonstrate superiority of intra-operative bone channeling in rotator cuff repair surgery at 24 months post-operative. Healing rates and patient-reported function and quality of life measures were similar between groups

Tears of the rotator cuff tendons are a very common entity. Despite recent advances in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, the re-tear rate remains high. Thus, new methods to improve healing rates following rotator cuff repair must be sought. The purpose of this prospective randomized double-blind controlled study is to compare the functional outcomes and healing rates of an adjuvant pre-operative bone microfracture technique prior to arthroscopic cuff repair. Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomized to receive either a percutaneous bone microfracture of the supraspinatus footprint or a “soft tissue needling” technique, in which the pin was passed through the peripheral edges of the rotator cuff, five-seven days prior to index surgery, under ultrasound guidance. Follow-ups were completed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. Healing status was determined by ultrasound at 6 and 24 months. The primary objective was to compare the WORC score at 24 months. Secondary objectives included the healing status via ultrasound, the Constant, and the ASES scores. A sample size calculation determined that 90 patients provided 80% power to detect a statistical difference between groups. Baseline demographic data did not differ between groups. No statistical differences were detected in the WORC outcome at any time points (p=0.47, baseline, p=0.60, 3 months, p=0.79, 6 months, p=0.50, 12 months, p=0.54, 24 months). Healing rates did not differ between groups (P=0.34) and no differences were observed in the ASES or Constant Scores at all time-points. Statistically significant improvements occurred in both groups from baseline to all time points in all clinical outcome scores (p < 0 .0001). No statistically significant differences in primary or secondary outcomes were identified between pre-operative bone microfracture and soft tissue needling techniques prior to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. This study does not support pre-operative microfracture as a adjuvant technique prior to arthroscopic cuff repair

Controversy exists regarding the optimal technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. No previous comparative trials have reported on the long-term follow-up of single and double row fixation in arthroscopic cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term functional outcomes of single-row and double-row suture techniques for repair of the rotator cuff 10-years post-operatively. Ninety patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomized to receive either single-row or double-row repair. The primary objective was to compare the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) score 10-years post-operatively. Secondary objectives included comparison of the Constant, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores and supraspinatus strength between groups. Out of 90 patients originally randomized, 57 returned for the long-term 10-year follow-up. Baseline demographic data did not differ between groups. The WORC score was not significantly different between groups at long-term follow-up (p=0.13). No statistical differences were observed between groups for the Constant (p=0.51), ASES (p=0.48) scores, or strength scores (p=0.93). A significant improvement was observed between pre-operative and the final 10-year follow-up. There were no differences observed in all outcomes between two and 10-years post-operatively. No statistically significant differences in functional or quality of life outcomes were identified between single-row and double-row fixation techniques at long-term follow-up

The indication for rotator cuff repair in elderly patients is controversial. Methods. Consecutive patients over the age of 70 years, under the care of a single surgeon, receiving an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were reviewed. Predominantly, a single row repair was performed using one (34 cases) or two (30) 5mm Fastin, double-loaded anchors. Double-row repair was performed in four cases. Subacromial decompression and treatment of biceps pathology were performed as necessary. Data were collected from medical records, digital radiology archives and during clinic appointments. Pain, motion, strength and function were quantified with the Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome Score, administered pre operatively and at 1-year post operatively. Ultrasound scans were performed at one year to document integrity of the repair. Results. Sixty-nine arthroscopic cuff repairs were identified in 68 patients. The mean age was 77 years (70–86). The median ASA grade was 2 (79%). The dominant side was operated on in 68% of cases. A range of tear sizes were operated on (5 small, 17 moderate, 29 large and 18 massive). The tendons involved in the tear also varied (supraspinatus 12, supra and infraspinatus 53, supraspinatus and subscapularis 2, supraspinatus infraspinatus and subscapularis 2). Re-rupture occurred in 20 cases (29%). The mean Constant score increased from 23 (95% CI 19–26) to 59 (54–64) (P< 0.001). Where the repair remained sound, Constant score improved 42 points (95%CI 36–48). If the cuff re-ruptured, constant score also increased on average 12 points (95% CI 2–21). Re-rupture rate was highest for massive cuff repairs: ten out of eighteen (56%). Conclusion. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the elderly is a successful procedure. Approximately seven out of ten repairs remained intact after one year. Even where re-rupture occurs, a significant improvement in the Constant score was found

Purpose

Controversy exists regarding the optimal technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this multicentre randomized double-blind controlled study was to compare the functional outcomes and healing rates of double-row suture techniques with single row repair.

It is undetermined which factors predict return to work following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. We aimed to identify which factors predicted return to work at any level, and return to pre-injury levels of work 6 months post-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Multiple logistic regression analysis of prospectively collected demographic, pre-injury, preoperative, and intraoperative data from 1502 consecutive primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, performed by a single surgeon, was performed to identify independent predictors of return to work, and return to pre-injury levels of work respectively, 6 months post-surgery. Six months post-rotator cuff repair, 76% of patients returned to work (RTW), and 40% returned to pre-injury levels of work (Full-RTW). RTW at 6 months was likely if patients were still working after their injuries, but prior to surgery (Wald statistic [W]=55, p<0.0001), were stronger in internal rotation preoperatively (W=8, p=0.004), had full-thickness tears (W=9, p=0.002), and were female (W=5, p=0.030). Patients who achieved Full-RTW were likely to have worked less strenuously pre-injury (W=173, p<0.0001), worked more strenuously post-injury but pre-surgery (W=22, p<0.0001), had greater behind-the-back lift-off strength preoperatively (W=8, p=0.004), and had less passive external rotation range of motion preoperatively (W=5, p=0.034). Patients who were still working post-injury, but pre-surgery were 1.6-times more likely to RTW than patients who were not (p<0.0001). Patients who nominated their pre-injury level of work as “light” were 11-times more likely to achieve Full-RTW than those who nominated “strenuous” (p<0.0001). Six months post-rotator cuff repair, a higher patient-rated post-injury, but pre-surgery level of work was the strongest predictor of RTW. A lower patient-rated pre-injury level of work was the strongest predictor of Full-RTW. Greater preoperative subscapularis strength independently predicted both RTW, and Full-RTW

Despite reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) being primarily indicated for massive rotator cuff tears, it is often possible to repair portions of the infraspinatus and subscapularis of patients undergoing this procedure. However, there is disagreement regarding whether these tissues should be repaired, as their effects remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of rotator cuff repair and changes in humeral and glenosphere lateralisation (HLat & GLat) on deltoid and joint loading. Six shoulders were tested on an in-vitro muscle driven active motion simulator. Cuff tear arthropathy was simulated in each specimen, which was then implanted with a custom adjustable RTSA fitted with a six axis load sensor. We assessed the effects of 4 RTSA configurations (i.e. all combinations of 0&10mm of HLat & GLat) on deltoid force, joint load, and joint load angle during abduction with/out rotator cuff repair. Deltoid and joint loads recorded by the load cell are reported as a % of Body Weight (%BW). Repeated measures ANOVAs and pairwise comparisons were performed with p<0.05 indicating significance. Cuff repair interacted with HLat & GLat (p=0.005, Fig. 1) such that with no HLat, GLat increased deltoid force without cuff repair (8.1±2.1%BW, p=0.012) and this effect was significantly increased with cuff repair (12.8±3.2%BW, p=0.010). However, adding HLat mitigated this such that differences were not significant. HLat and GLat affected deltoid force regardless of cuff status (−2.5±0.7%BW, p=0.016 & +7.7±2.3%BW, p=0.016, respectively). Rotator cuff repair did significantly increase joint load (+11.9±2.1%BW, p=0.002), as did GLat (+13.3±1.5%BW, p<0.001). The increases in deltoid and joint load caused by rotator cuff repair confirm that it acts as an adductor following RTSA and increases deltoid work. Additionally, cuff repair's negative effects are exacerbated by GLat, which strengthens its adduction affect, while Hlat increases the deltoid's abduction effect thus mitigating the cuff's antagonistic effects. Cuff repair increases concavity compression within the joint; however, Hlat produces a similar effect by wrapping the deltoid around the greater tuberosity – which redirects its force – and does so without increasing the magnitude of muscle and joint loading. The long-term effects of increased joint loading due to rotator cuff repair are unknown, however, it can be postulated that it may increase implant wear, and the risk of deltoid fatigue. Therefore, RTSA implant designs which improve joint compression without increasing muscle and joint loading may be preferable to rotator cuff repair

Rotator cuff repair (RCR) can be performed open or arthroscopically, with a recent dramatic increase in the latter. Despite controversy about the preferred technique, there has been an increase in the number of repairs performed arthroscopically. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to compare revision rates following open and arthroscopic RCR repair. Adult patients undergoing first-time, primary rotator cuff repair in Ontario, Canada (April 2003-March 2014) were identified using physician billing and hospital databases. Patients were followed for a minimum of two and up to 13 years for the primary outcome, revision rotator cuff repair, and secondary outcome, surgical site infection. The intervention considered was open versus arthroscopic technique. Patient factors (age, gender, residence, socioeconomic status, medical comorbidities) and provider factors (surgical volume, hospital setting, worked night before, year of surgery) were recorded. Standardized mean differences were used for covariate comparison. A Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to compare RCR survivorship between the two groups after adjustment for patient and provider factors, generating hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (HR, 95% CIs). Censoring occurred on the first of the primary outcome, death, shoulder arthroplasty or arthrodesis, or the end of the follow-up period (March 2016). A total of 37,255 patients were included. The overall revision RCR rate was 2.9% (1,096 patients) with a median time to revision of 23 months (IQR 12–52). Revision repair was more common in the arthroscopic group in comparison to the open group (3.2% vs 2.6%, NNT 166.7, p=0.004), with an adjusted HR of 0.72 (0.63–0.83 95% CI, p < 0 .0001). The surgical site infection rate was significantly higher in the open group compared with the arthroscopic group (0.5% vs 0.2%, NNT 333.3, p < 0 .001). Patient and provider covariates had no statistically significant effect on revision rates, aside from increasing age (per 10 year increase, HR 0.85, 0.81–0.90 95% CI, p < 0 .0001). Revision rotator cuff repair is approximately 30% more common in patients undergoing arthroscopic repair, in comparison to open repair, after adjustment. Surgical site infection is uncommon regardless of surgical technique, however, it is slightly more common following open repair. In the setting of an economic healthcare crisis, trends of increasing arthroscopic RCR may demand scrutiny, as the technique is associated with higher revision rates and higher costs

Studies have shown that the trees minor plays an important role after total (TSA) and reverse (RSA) shoulder arthroplasty, as well as in maintenance of function in the setting of infraspinatus wasting. In this regard, teres minor hypertrophy has been described as a compensatory change in response to this infraspinatus wasting, and has been suggested that this compensatory hypertrophy may mitigate the loss of infraspinatus function in the patient with a large rotator cuff tear. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of teres minor hypertrophy in a cohort of patients undergoing rotator cuff repair, and to determine its prognostic effect, if any, on outcomes after surgical repair. Over a 3 year period, all rotator cuff repairs performed in a single practice by 3 ASES member surgeons were collected. Inclusion criteria included both preoperative and postoperative validated outcomes measures (minimum 2 year), and preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning. 144 patients met all criteria. MRIs were evaluated for rotator cuff tear tendon involvement, tear size, and Goutallier changes of each muscle. In addition, occupational ratios were determined for the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles. Patients were divided into 2 groups, based upon whether they had teres minor hypertrophy or not, based on a previously established definition. A 2 way ANOVA was used to determine the effect of teres minor hypertrophy(tear size by hypertrophy) and Goutallier. Teres minor hypertrophy was a relatively common finding in this cohort of rotator cuff patients, with 51% of all shoulders demonstrating hypertrophy. Interestingly, in patients without an infraspinatus tear, teres minor hypertrophy was still present in 19/40 (48%) of patients. Teres minor hypertrophy had a significant, negative effect ASES scores after rotator cuff repair in patients with and without infraspinatus tearing, infraspinatus atrophy, and fatty infiltrative changes (P<0.05). In general, the presence of teres minor hypertrophy showed 10–15% less improvement (Figure 1) than when no hypertrophy was present, and this was consistent across all tear sizes, independent of Goutallier changes. Teres minor hypertrophy is a common finding in the setting of rotator cuff tearing, including in the absence of infraspinatus tearing. Contrary to previous publications, the presence of teres minor hypertrophy in patients with rotator cuff repair does not appear to be protective as a compensatory mechanism. While further study is necessary to determine the mechanism or implication of teres minor hypertrophy in setting of rotator cuff repair, our results show it is not a positive of outcomes following rotator cuff repair

Excessive postoperative opioid prescribing is a significant contributor to the opioid crisis. Prescribing in orthopaedic surgery is often further complicated by high use of opioid-based preoperative analgesia. ‘Opioid PrEscRiptions and usage After Surgery’ (OPERAS) is an international multicentre prospective student- and trainee-led collaborative study which aims to quantify the amount of opioids prescribed at discharge after common orthopaedic surgeries against what is consumed by patients at 7-days, and assess the impact of opioids on patient-reported outcomes. Data is being collected over 6 14-day periods on consecutive adult patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty, rotator cuff repair, shoulder labral repair, anterior cruciate ligament repair, hip arthroplasty, and knee arthroplasty, with follow-up via telephone call at 7-days after discharge. The primary outcome is the proportion of oral morphine equivalents (OME) of prescribed opioids versus consumed opioids at 7-days post-discharge. This ongoing study is actively recruiting in over 20 countries. Globally, 65 centres are collecting orthopaedic, including 10 New Zealand centres and 17 Australian centres. To date, 284 orthopaedic patients have been prospectively enrolled with complete data (mean age 59.6 ± 16.7 years; 51.6% female). Overall, 77% and 89% of patients were prescribed opioids on discharge in New Zealand and Australia respectively. On average, 60% of prescribed opioids were consumed at 7-days post-discharge globally (150 OME (75-500) vs. 90 OME (15-200); p<0.01). In New Zealand and Australia, 42.1% (285 OME (150-584) vs. 120 OME (6-210); p<0.01) and 63.3% (150 OME (86-503) vs. 95 OME (28-221); p<0.01) of prescribed opioids were consumed at 7-days, respectively. OPERAS will provide the first high-quality global data on opioid prescription and consumption patterns with patient perspectives. These data can inform prescribing practice and inform guidelines. The growing interest in New Zealand and Australia in student- and trainee-led orthopaedic collaborative research, as evidenced by this study should be actively encouraged and fostered

Massive posterosuperior cuff tears (mRCT) retracted to the glenoid are surgically challenging and often associated with high retear rates. Primary repair is a less-favourable option and other salvage procedures such as SCR and tendon transfers are used. This study presents clinical and radiological outcomes of muscle advancement technique for repair of mRCT. Sixty-one patients (mean age 57±6, 77% males and 23% females) (66 shoulders) underwent all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair that included supraspinatus and infraspinatus subperiosteal dissection off scapular bony fossae, lateral advancement of tendon laminae, and tension-free double-layer Lasso Loop repair to footprint. Pre-and post-operative range of motion (ROM), cuff strength, VAS, Constant, ASES, and UCLA scores were assessed. Radiologic assessment included modified Patte and Goutallier classifications. All patients had MRI at 6 months to evaluate healing and integrity of repair was assessed using Sugaya classification with Sugaya 4 and 5 considered retears. Advanced fatty degeneration (Goutallier 3-4) was present in 44% and 20% of supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Tendon retraction was to the level of or medial to glenoid in 22%, and just lateral in 66%. 50.8% mRCT extended to teres minor. Subscapularis was partially torn (Lafosse 1-3) in 46% and completely torn (Lafosse 4-5) in 20%. At mean follow-up (52.4 weeks), a significant increase in ROM, Relative Cuff Strength (from 57% to 90% compared to contralateral side), VAS (from 4 ±2.5 to 1±1.7), Constant (50±17.8 to 74 ±13.0), ASES (52 ±17.5 to 87 ±14.9), and UCLA (16± 4.9 to 30 ±4.9) scores were noted. There were six retears (10%), one failure due to P. acnes infection. 93% returned to pre-injury work and 89% of cases returned to pre-injury sport. Satisfaction rate was 96%. Muscle advancement technique for mRCT is a viable option with low retear rates, restoration of ROM, strength, and excellent functional outcomes

Adequate visual clarity is paramount to performing arthroscopic shoulder surgery safely, efficiently, and effectively. The addition of epinephrine in irrigation fluid, and the intravenous or local administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) have independently been reported to decrease bleeding thereby improving the surgeon's visualization during arthroscopic shoulder procedures. No study has compared the effect of systemic administered TXA, epinephrine added in the irrigation fluid or the combination of both TXA and epinephrine on visual clarity during shoulder arthroscopy with a placebo group. The purpose of this study is to determine if intravenous TXA is a safe alternative to epinephrine delivered by a pressure-controlled pump in improving arthroscopic shoulder visualization during arthroscopic procedures and whether using both TXA and epinephrine together has an additive effect in improving visualization. The design of the study was a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial with four 1:1:1:1 parallel groups conducted at one center. Patients aged ≥18 years undergoing arthroscopic shoulder procedures including rotator cuff repair, arthroscopic biceps tenotomy/tenodesis, distal clavicle excision, subacromial decompression and labral repair by five fellowship-trained upper extremity surgeons were randomized into one of four arms: Pressure pump-controlled regular saline irrigation fluid (control), epinephrine (1ml of 1:1000) mixed in irrigation fluid (EPI), 1g intravenous TXA (TXA), and epinephrine and TXA (EPI/TXA). Visualization was rated on a 4-point Likert scale every 15 minutes with 0 indicating ‘poor’ quality and 3 indicating ‘excellent’ quality. The primary outcome measure was the unweighted mean of these ratings. Secondary outcomes included mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), surgery duration, surgery complexity, and adverse events within the first postoperative week. One hundred and twenty-eight participants with a mean age (± SD) of 56 (± 11) years were randomized. Mean visualization quality for the control, TXA, EPI, and EPI/TXA groups were 2.1 (±0.40), 2.1 (±0.52), 2.6 (±0.37), 2.6 (±0.35), respectively. In a regression model with visual quality as the dependent variable, the presence/absence of EPI was the most significant predictor of visualization quality (R=0.525; p < 0 .001). TXA presence/absence had no effect, and there was no interaction between TXA and EPI. The addition of MAP and surgery duration strengthened the model (R=0.529; p < 0 .001). Increased MAP and surgery duration were both associated with decreased visualization quality. When surgery duration was controlled, surgery complexity was not a significant predictor of visualization quality. No adverse events were recorded in any of the groups. Intravenous administration of TXA is not an effective alternative to epinephrine in the irrigation fluid to improve visualization during routine arthroscopic shoulder surgeries although its application is safe. There is no additional improvement in visualization when TXA is used in combination with epinephrine beyond the effect of epinephrine alone

Adequate visual clarity is paramount to performing arthroscopic shoulder surgery safely, efficiently, and effectively. The addition of epinephrine in irrigation fluid, and the intravenous or local administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) have independently been reported to decrease bleeding thereby improving the surgeon's visualization during arthroscopic shoulder procedures. No study has compared the effect of systemic administered TXA, epinephrine added in the irrigation fluid or the combination of both TXA and epinephrine on visual clarity during shoulder arthroscopy with a placebo group. The purpose of this study is to determine if intravenous TXA is a safe alternative to epinephrine delivered by a pressure-controlled pump in improving arthroscopic shoulder visualization during arthroscopic procedures and whether using both TXA and epinephrine together has an additive effect in improving visualization. The design of the study was a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial with four 1:1:1:1 parallel groups conducted at one center. Patients aged ≥18 years undergoing arthroscopic shoulder procedures including rotator cuff repair, arthroscopic biceps tenotomy/tenodesis, distal clavicle excision, subacromial decompression and labral repair by five fellowship-trained upper extremity surgeons were randomized into one of four arms: Pressure pump-controlled regular saline irrigation fluid (control), epinephrine (1ml of 1:1000) mixed in irrigation fluid (EPI), 1g intravenous TXA (TXA), and epinephrine and TXA (EPI/TXA). Visualization was rated on a 4-point Likert scale every 15 minutes with 0 indicating ‘poor’ quality and 3 indicating ‘excellent’ quality. The primary outcome measure was the unweighted mean of these ratings. Secondary outcomes included mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), surgery duration, surgery complexity, and adverse events within the first postoperative week. One hundred and twenty-eight participants with a mean age (± SD) of 56 (± 11) years were randomized. Mean visualization quality for the control, TXA, EPI, and EPI/TXA groups were 2.1 (±0.40), 2.1 (±0.52), 2.6 (±0.37), 2.6 (±0.35), respectively. In a regression model with visual quality as the dependent variable, the presence/absence of EPI was the most significant predictor of visualization quality (R=0.525; p < 0 .001). TXA presence/absence had no effect, and there was no interaction between TXA and EPI. The addition of MAP and surgery duration strengthened the model (R=0.529; p < 0 .001). Increased MAP and surgery duration were both associated with decreased visualization quality. When surgery duration was controlled, surgery complexity was not a significant predictor of visualization quality. No adverse events were recorded in any of the groups. Intravenous administration of TXA is not an effective alternative to epinephrine in the irrigation fluid to improve visualization during routine arthroscopic shoulder surgeries although its application is safe. There is no additional improvement in visualization when TXA is used in combination with epinephrine beyond the effect of epinephrine alone

Aims. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between pre- and postoperative opioid use among patients undergoing common elective orthopaedic procedures. Patients and Methods. Pre- and postoperative opioid use were studied among patients from a national insurance database undergoing seven common orthopaedic procedures using univariate log-rank tests and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses. Results. A total of 98 769 patients were included; 35 701 patients were opioid-naïve, 11 621 used opioids continuously for six months before surgery, and 4558 used opioids continuously for at least six months but did not obtain any prescriptions in the three months before surgery. Among opioid-naïve patients, between 0.76% and 4.53% used opioids chronically postoperatively. Among chronic preoperative users, between 42% and 62% ceased chronic opioids postoperatively. A three-month opioid-free period preoperatively led to a rate of cessation of chronic opioid use between 82% and 93%, as compared with between 31% and 50% with continuous preoperative use (p < 0.001 for significant changes in opioid use before and after surgery in each procedure). Between 5.6 and 20.0 preoperative chronic users ceased chronic use for every new chronic opioid user. Risk factors for chronic postoperative use included chronic preoperative opioid use (odds ratio (OR) 4.84 to 39.75; p < 0.0001) and depression (OR 1.14 to 1.55; p < 0.05 except total hip arthroplasty). With a three-month opioid-free period before surgery, chronic preoperative opioids elevated the risk of chronic opioid use only mildly, if at all (OR 0.47 to 1.75; p < 0.05 for total shoulder arthroplasty, rotator cuff repair, and carpal tunnel release). Conclusion. Chronic preoperative opioid use increases the risk of chronic postoperative use, but an opioid-free period before surgery decreases this risk compared with continuous preoperative use. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1570–1577

Proximal humerus fractures are a common fragility fracture in older adults. A variety of treatment options exist, yet longer term outcomes of newer surgical treatments have not been extensively researched. Additionally, intermediate term outcomes following both surgical and non-surgical initial treatment of these injuries have not been evaluated at a population level. The purpose of this study was to utilise administrative data from Ontario, Canada to evaluate intermediate term outcomes following initial treatment of proximal humerus fractures. We used data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information to identify all patients aged 50 and older who presented to an ambulatory care facility with a “main diagnosis” of proximal humerus fracture from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2013. Intervention codes from the Discharge Abstract Database were used to categorise patients into fixation, replacement, reduction or non-surgically treated groups. We used intervention codes to identify instances of complication-related operations following initial treatment (including fixation, replacement, hardware removal, rotator cuff repair and irrigation and debridement [I&D]) at one year post initial treatment. The majority of patients (28,369, 86.6%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 86.2–87.0%) were initially treated non-surgically, while 2835 (8.7%, 95% CI 8.4–9.0%) underwent initial fixation, 1280 (3.9%, 95% CI 3.7–4.1%) received primary joint replacement, and 276 (0.8%, 95% CI 0.8–1.0%) were initially treated with a reduction procedure. In the year following the initial treatment period, 127 (0.4%, 95%CI 0.4–0.5%) non-surgically treated patients underwent a replacement surgery, 292 (1.0%, 95%CI 0.9–1.2%) underwent fixation, and 12 (0.04%, 95% CI 0.02–0.07%) underwent a reduction procedure. Of the 2835 patients who received initial fixation, 57 (2.0%, 95% CI 1.6–2.6%) returned for a shoulder replacement, 80 received secondary fixation (2.8%, 95% CI 2.3–3.5%), 57 (2.0%, 95%CI 1.6–2.6%) underwent rotator cuff repair, 300 (10.6%, 95% CI 9.5–11.8%) had their implants removed, and 16 (0.6%, 95% CI 0.4–0.9%) returned for I&D. Of the 1280 patients who underwent initial replacement surgeries, 30 (2.3%, 95% CI 1.7–3.3%) returned for a secondary replacement, nine (0.7%, 95% CI 0.4–1.3%) underwent rotator cuff repair, and seven (0.6%, 95% CI 0.3–1.1%) had their implant removed. In the group who received initial reduction, eight (2.9%, 95% CI 1.5–5.6%) underwent a fixation procedure, six (2.2%, 95% CI 1.0–4.7%) received replacement surgeries, and five (1.8%, 95% CI 0.8–4.2%) each received rotator cuff repair and I&D in the year following initial treatment. The majority of proximal humerus fractures in patients 50 and older in Ontario, Canada are treated non-surgically. Complication-related operations in the year following initial non-operative treatment are relatively low. The most commonly observed procedure following initial fixation surgery is hardware removal

Background:. With the increase in the average age of the population, the incidence of symptomatic rotator cuff tears will also increase. Combined with more access to information via the internet etc., the patient population is more informed of the treatment modalities available and is expecting good reproducible results of their surgeries. Study:. 288 of 426 consecutive open rotator cuff repairs (2010–2012) were examined at 6 month follow up and evaluated for ranges of motion, the integrity of the deltoid and specifically the sonographic integrity of the cuff. All procedures were done in the same manner by the same surgeon (TdB). At the 6 months follow-up all had a sonar of the repaired cuff. As a second part of the study 319 of 462 consecutive cuff repair patients were phoned and evaluated by means of the ASES score insofar satisfaction with their shoulder as well as functional outcome are concerned. Results:. Pain. None – 53%. Little – 24%. Occasional – 21%. Often – 2%. Cuff integrity – perfect 72%. –. small effusion/thin but healed – 23%. –. defective – 5%. ASES score -Average 93 at average follow up 40.43 months. Conclusion:. The results show a high patient satisfaction rate, good functional outcome and especially good cuff integrity following this manner of cuff repair

Our aim was to accurately determine whether muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration are reversible following cuff repair. Patients with a repairable cuff-tear were recruited and assessed clinically and radiologically (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). At surgery, supraspinatus was biopsied. Post-operatively, patients underwent clinical evaluation at standardised intervals, with further MRI and an ultrasound guided biopsy of supraspinatus at 12 months. MRI was used to characterize cuff-tears and determine the degree of muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. Biopsy samples were fixed on-site and transported for processing. Morphometric assessments of myofibres were made and mean cross-sectional areas calculated using validated techniques. The pathologist was blinded to sample details. Statistical analysis was performed to assess differences in mean myofibre area following cuff repair and correlated with radiological findings. Eight patients were available for completed histological and radiological analysis. Six (two re-tears) demonstrated sizeable and highly statistically significant improvements in mean myofibre cross-sectional area (P=0.000–0.0253). Of the two not showing any increase in myofibre area, neither result was statistically significant (P=0.06, 0.2); one was a re-tear and one was a repair of a partial-thickness tear. Radiologically, the muscle and fatty changes had not demonstrably changed. Our finding that myofibre cross-sectional area increases following cuff repair suggests muscle atrophy is a potentially reversible process. Even with re-tears, improvements were seen. MRI features of fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy were not seen to improve however. It is likely that radiological assessment is not sensitive enough to demonstrate the reversibility of muscle atrophy seen on histological analysis at one year

We hypothesised that diet-induced obesity (DIO) would result in inferior enthesis healing in a rat model of rotator cuff (RC) repair and that dietary intervention in the peri-operative period would improve enthesis healing. A total of 78 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three weight-matched groups from weaning and fed either: control diet (CD), high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD until surgery, then CD thereafter (HF-CD). After 12 weeks, the left supraspinatus tendon was detached, followed by immediate surgical repair. At 2 and 12 weeks post-surgery, animals were culled, and RCs harvested for biomechanical and histological evaluation. Body composition and metabolic markers were assessed via DEXA and plasma analyses, respectively. DIO was established in the HFD and HF-CD groups before surgery and subsequently reversed in the HF-CD group after surgery. Histologically, the appearance of the repaired entheses was poorer in both the HFD and HF-CD groups compared with the CD group at 12 weeks after surgery, with semiquantitative scores of 6.2 (P<0.01), 4.98 (P<0.01), and 8.7 of 15, respectively. The repaired entheses in the HF-CD group had a significantly lower load to failure (P=0.03) at 12 weeks after surgery compared with the CD group, while the load to failure in the HFD group was low but not significantly different (P=0.10). Plasma leptin were negatively correlated with histology scores and load to failure at 12 weeks after surgery. DIO impaired enthesis healing in this rat RC repair model, with inferior biomechanical and histological outcomes. Restoring normal weight with dietary change after surgery did not improve healing outcomes. Circulating levels of leptin significantly correlated with poor healing outcomes. This pre-clinical rodent model demonstrates that obesity is a potentially modifiable factor that impairs RC healing and increases the risk of failure after RC surgery

The optimal approach to arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff is controversial, and both single row and double row fixation methods are commonly used. Which construct yields the highest efficacy is not clear. Given the current era of increasing costs in which health care delivery models are aiming for improved efficiencies and optimal outcomes, a cost-effectiveness study was performed to inform the decision making process of the utilisation of single versus double row repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of single row versus double row constructs in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. A cost-utility analysis was performed. Health resource use and outcome data were obtained from a previous prospective randomised controlled trial in which 90 patients were randomised to two treatment arms, single row rotator cuff repair (n=48) and double row (n=42). The patients were followed over a two-year span from the time of initial surgery. Unit cost data were captured using case costs collected from the hospital database and the Ontario Schedule of Benefits. Utility values were derived from published literature. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER), defined as the difference in cost between the two types of rotator cuff fixation divided by the difference in quality adjusted life years (QALY), was determined. Double row fixation was more costly ($2,279.94 versus $1,587.37) but was more effective than the single row method (QALY of 4.073 versus 4.055). An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated to be $38,504.92 per QALY for double row fixation relative to single row. This is well below the commonly used willingness to pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients with larger rotator cuff tears (>3cm) had a lower ICER, suggesting that double-row fixation may be more cost-effective in more severe tears. Double row rotator cuff fixation is a cost-effective option compared to single row rotator cuff repair with an ICER of $38,504.92/QALY, well within the accepted willingness to pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. Furthermore, the ICER between single and double row fixation improved with larger rotator cuff tears (>3cm), suggesting an additional benefit of a double row construct in those cases

Chronic massive irreparable rotator cuff tears represent a treatment challenge and the optimal surgical technique remains controversial. Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) has been proposed as a means to provide superior stability to the glenohumeral joint, thus facilitating restoration of shoulder function. However, despite the growing use of SCR there is a paucity of data evaluating the outcomes when performed using a dermal allograft. The purpose of this study was to (1) report the overall survival rate (reoperation and clinical failure) of SCR (2) evaluate for pre-operative factors predicting reoperation and clinical failure. From January 1, 2015 to November 31, 2017, 65 patients were diagnosed with irreparable rotator cuff tears and consented for a superior capsular reconstruction. These surgeries were performed by 6 surgeons, all fellowship trained in either sports or shoulder and elbow fellowships. Outcomes were graded as excellent, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory using the modified Neer scale. An unsatisfactory result was defined as a clinical “failure”. The Kaplan-Meier survival models were created to analyze reoperation-free and failure-free survival for the entire group. The reconstruction was performed using a dermal allograft. There were 31 patients excluded due to insufficient follow-up (< 6 months), leaving 34 included in this study. The mean follow-up was 12 months (range, 6–23). The average number of prior surgeries was 0.91 (range, 0–5), with 52.9% of patients receiving a prior rotator cuff repair and 38.2% of patients with a prior non-rotator cuff arthroscopy procedure. The one and two-year survival-free of surgery was 64% and 44% and the one and two-year survival free of failure was 34% and 16% following SCR, respectively. For the patients that underwent a reoperation, 62.5% (n= 5/8) underwent reverse shoulder replacements, 25% (n= 2/8) latissimus dorsi tendon transfers, and 12.5% (n= 1/8) a diagnostic arthroscopy. The average period between the primary and revision surgery was 10.2 months (range, 2.1–18.5). All but two patients (75%, n= 6/8) had at least one surgery prior to the SCR. There were 14/34 (41.2%) patients who experienced pain, weakness, and restricted range of motion. These patients were defined as clinical failures with an unsatisfactory grading on Neer's criteria. Previous surgery predicted reoperation (80% vs 43%, p = 0.03). Female gender predicted clinical failure (100% vs 43%, p < 0 .01). Superior Capsule Reconstruction performed for large to massive rotator cuff tears has a high rate of persistent pain and limited function leading to clinical failure in 65% (n= 22/34) of patients. The rate of failure is increased in revision cases, female gender and increased Goutallier fatty infiltration of the infraspinatus. Narrowed indications are recommended given the surgical complexity and high rate of early failure