Six highly unstable elbows with severe bone loss due to rheumatoid arthritis were replaced by a non-constrained, unlinked prosthesis. Bone defects were filled with autogenous bone grafts. The mean follow-up was 4.5 years (2 to 8). The clinical results were excellent in four elbows and good in two, with good varus-valgus stability in all. Radiological follow-up showed no appreciable signs of loosening, and the bone grafts had retained most of their original size, with minimal resorption. There were no major complications such as dislocation, skin necrosis, infection or ulnar neuropathy. The study has shown that the so-called mutilans elbow can be successfully replaced using a properly selected type of non-constrained, unlinked prosthesis with bone grafting of the major defects

The treatment of fractures of the neck of the radius in children is difficult, particularly if the angulation of the fracture exceeds 60°. Since 1994 we have used closed reduction and stabilisation with an intramedullary Kirschner wire in patients with grade-IV fractures according to the classification of Judet et al. In a retrospective analysis of a two-year period (1994 to 1996), 324 children with fractures of the elbow were treated in our department. Of these, 29 (9%) had a fracture of the neck of the radius; six were grade-IV injuries (1.9%). Five of the latter had an excellent postoperative result with normal movement of the elbow and forearm. One patient with a poor result had a concomitant dislocation of the elbow. Our results suggest that closed reduction and intramedullary pinning of grade-IV fractures allows adequate stabilisation while healing occurs

Between 1996 and 2000, we treated ten patients with severely comminuted fractures of the radial head using low-profile mini-plates. Their mean age was 42 years (24 to 71). Three fractures were Mason type III and seven were Mason-Johnston type IV. At a mean follow-up of 28.5 months (15 to 44), all fractures had united. The plates were removed in nine patients. No patient had difficulty with daily activities or symptoms of instability of the elbow. The mean range of flexion of the elbow was from 7° to 135°, with 74° of supination and 85° of pronation. According to the Broberg and Morrey functional elbow index, the mean score was 90.7 points (73 to 100), and the outcome was excellent in three patients, good in six and fair in one. These results compare favourably with those reported previously. The technique is applicable to severely comminuted fractures of the radial head which otherwise would require excision

We used 11 cadaver elbows and a three-dimensional electromagnetic tracking device to record elbow movements before and after implantation of a 'loose-hinged' elbow prosthesis (modified Coonrad). During simulated active motion there was a maximum of 2.7 degrees (+/- 1.5 degrees) varus/valgus laxity in the cadaver joints. This increased slightly after total elbow arthroplasty to 3.8 degrees (+/- 1.4 degrees). These values are lower than those recorded for the cadaver joints and for the prostheses at the limits of their varus/valgus displacements, indicating that both behave as 'semi-constrained' joints under physiological conditions. They suggest that the muscles absorb some of the forces and moments that in a constrained prosthesis would be transferred to the prosthesis-bone interface

Penetration of the dorsal screw when treating distal radius fractures with volar locking plates is an avoidable complication that causes lesions of the extensor tendon in between 2% and 6% of patients. We examined axial fluoroscopic views of the distal end of the radius to observe small amounts of dorsal screw penetration, and determined the ideal angle of inclination of the x-ray beam to the forearm when making this radiological view. Six volar locking plates were inserted at the wrists of cadavers. The actual screw length was measured under direct vision through a dorsal approach to the distal radius. Axial radiographs were performed for different angles of inclination of the forearm at the elbow. Comparing axial radiological measurements and real screw length, a statistically significant correlation could be demonstrated at an angle of inclination between 5° and 20°. The ideal angle of inclination required to minimise the risk of implanting over-long screws in a dorsal horizon radiological view is 15°. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1101–5

We present a case of post-traumatic osteonecrosis of the radial head in a 13-year-old boy which was treated with costo-osteochondral grafts. A satisfactory outcome was seen at a follow-up of two years and ten months. Although costo-osteochondral grafting has been used in the treatment of defects in articular cartilage, especially in the hand and the elbow, the extension of the technique to manage post-traumatic osteonecrosis of the radial head in a child has not previously been reported in the English language literature. Complete relief of pain was obtained and an improvement in the range of movement was observed. The long-term results remain uncertain

Aims

To report early (two-year) postoperative findings from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating disease-specific quality of life (QOL), clinical, patient-reported, and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing a total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) with a second-generation uncemented trabecular metal (TM) glenoid versus a cemented polyethylene glenoid (POLY) component.

Aims

This study aimed to answer two questions: what are the best diagnostic methods for diagnosing bacterial arthritis of a native joint?; and what are the most commonly used definitions for bacterial arthritis of a native joint?

We reviewed the results of 13 adults of secondary reconstruction of malunited and ununited intraarticular distal humeral fractures. Their average age was 39.7 years, and preoperatively all had pain, loss of motion and functional disability; the average arc of motion was only 43 degrees and the average flexion contracture was 45 degrees. Nine patients had ulnar neuropathy. Elbow reconstruction, at an average of 13.4 months after the original injury, included osteotomy for malunion or debridement for nonunion, realignment with stable fixation and autogenous bone grafts, anterior and posterior capsulectomy and ulnar neurolysis. The elbows were mobilised 24 hours postoperatively. There were no early complications and all nonunions and intra-articular osteotomies healed. After a mean follow-up of 25 months, the average arc of motion was 97 degrees with no progressive radiographic degeneration. Ulnar nerve function improved in all cases and clinical assessment using the Morrey score showed two excellent, eight good and three fair results. Reconstruction of intra-articular malunion and nonunion of the distal humerus in young active adults is technically challenging, but can improve function by restoring the intrinsic anatomy of the elbow

Between 1995 and 2000, 19 consecutive patients with fractures of the distal humerus were treated by primary total elbow replacement using the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis. No patient had inflammatory or degenerative arthritis of the elbow. The mean age at the time of injury was 73 years (61 to 95). According to the AO classification, 11 patients had suffered a C3 injury, two a B3 and two an A3. One fracture was unclassified. Two patients died from unrelated causes and one was unable to be assessed because of concurrent illness. The mean time to follow-up was three years (1 to 5.5). At follow-up 11 patients (68%) reported no pain, four (25%) had mild pain with activity and one had mild pain at rest. The mean flexion arc was 24° to 125°. The mean supination was 90° (70 to 100) and pronation 70° (50 to 110). No elbow was unstable. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 23 (0.92 to 63.3) and the mean Mayo elbow performance score was 93 (80 to 100). Of the 16 patients, 15 were satisfied with the outcome. Radiological evaluation revealed only one patient with a radiolucent line at the cement-bone interface. It was between 1 and 2 mm in length, was present on the initial postoperative radiograph and was non-progressive at the time of follow-up. Primary total elbow arthroplasty is an acceptable option for the management of comminuted fractures of the distal humerus in elderly patients when the configuration of the fracture and the quality of the bone make reconstruction difficult

Upper limb amputations, ranging from transhumeral to partial hand, can be devastating for patients, their families, and society. Modern paradigm shifts have focused on reconstructive options after upper extremity limb loss, rather than considering the amputation an ablative procedure. Surgical advancements such as targeted muscle reinnervation and regenerative peripheral nerve interface, in combination with technological development of modern prosthetics, have expanded options for patients after amputation. In the near future, advances such as osseointegration, implantable myoelectric sensors, and implantable nerve cuffs may become more widely used and may expand the options for prosthetic integration, myoelectric signal detection, and restoration of sensation. This review summarizes the current advancements in surgical techniques and prosthetics for upper limb amputees.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(3):430–439.

Failed internal fixation of a fracture of the proximal humerus produces many challenges with limited surgical options. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes after the use of a reverse shoulder arthroplasty under these circumstances. Between 2007 and 2012, 19 patients (15 women and four men, mean age 66 years; 52 to 82) with failed internal fixation after a proximal humeral fracture, underwent implant removal and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The mean follow-up was 36 months (25 to 60). The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Score improved from 27.8 to 50.1 (p = 0.019). The mean Simple Shoulder Test score improved from 0.7 to 3.2 (p = 0.020), and the mean visual analogue scale for pain improved from 6.8 to 4.3 (p = 0.012). Mean forward flexion improved from 58.7° to 101.1° (p < 0.001), mean abduction from 58.7° to 89.1° (p = 0.012), mean external rotation from 10.7° to 23.1° (p = 0.043) and mean internal rotation from buttocks to L4 (p = 0.034). A major complication was recorded in five patients (26%) (one intra-operative fracture, loosening of the humeral component in two and two peri-prosthetic fractures). A total of 15 patients (79%) rated their outcome as excellent or good, one (5%) as satisfactory, and three (16%) as unsatisfactory. . An improvement in outcomes and pain can be expected when performing a RSA as a salvage procedure after failed internal fixation of a fracture of the proximal humerus. Patients should be cautioned about the possibility for major complications following this technically demanding procedure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:967–72

We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 33 consecutive patients who had undergone an extra-articular, total or partial scapulectomy for a malignant tumour of the shoulder girdle between 1 July 2001 and 30 September 2013. Of these, 26 had tumours which originated in the scapula or the adjacent soft tissue and underwent a classic Tikhoff–Linberg procedure, while seven with tumours arising from the proximal humerus were treated with a modified Tikhoff-Linberg operation. We used a Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System for soft-tissue reconstruction in nine patients, but not in the other 24. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score (MSTS) was 17.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 15.9 to 19.4); 17.6 (95% CI 15.5 to 19.6) after the classic Tikhoff–Linberg procedure and 18.1 (95% CI 13.8 to 22.3) after the modified Tikhoff–Linberg procedure. Patients who had undergone a LARS soft-tissue reconstruction had a mean score of 18.6 (95% (CI) 13.9 to 22.4) compared with 17.2 (95% CI 15.5 to 19.0) for those who did not. The Tikhoff–Linberg procedure is a useful method for wide resection of a malignant tumour of the shoulder girdle which helps to preserve hand and elbow function. The method of soft-tissue reconstruction has no effect on functional outcome. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:684–90

Only a few randomised, controlled studies have compared different non-operative methods of treatment of mid-shaft fractures of the clavicle. . In this prospective, randomised controlled study of 60 participants (mean age 31.6 years; 15 to 75) we compared the broad arm sling with the figure of eight bandage for the treatment of mid-shaft clavicle fractures. Our outcome measures were pain, Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores and radiological union. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score on the first day after treatment was significantly higher (VAS 1 6.8; 4 to 9) in the figure of eight bandage group than the broad arm sling group (VAS 1 5.6; 3 to 8, p = 0.034). A mean shortening of 9 mm (3 to 17) was measured in the figure of eight bandage group, versus 7.5 mm (0 to 24) in the broad arm sling group (p = 0.30). The application of the figure of eight bandage is more difficult than of the broad arm sling, and patients experience more pain during the first day when treated with this option. We suggest the broad arm sling is preferable because of the reduction of early pain and ease of application. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1562–5

The outcome of surgery in patients with medial epicondylitis of the elbow is less favourable in those with co-existent symptoms from the ulnar nerve. We wanted to know whether we could successfully treat such patients by using musculofascial lengthening of the flexor-pronator origin with simultaneous deep transposition of the ulnar nerve. We retrospectively reviewed 19 patients who were treated in this way. Seven had grade I and 12 had grade IIa ulnar neuropathy. At a mean follow-up of 38 months (24 to 48), the mean visual analogue scale pain scores improved from 3.7 to 0.3 at rest, from 6.6 to 2.1 with activities of daily living, and from 7.9 to 2.3 at work or sports, and the mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand scores improved from 42.2 to 23.5. These results suggest that this technique can be effective in treating patients with medial epicondylitis and coexistent ulnar nerve symptoms

Mason type III fractures of the radial head are treated by open reduction and internal fixation, resection or prosthetic joint replacement. When internal fixation is performed, fixation of the radial head to the shaft is difficult and implant-related complications are common. Furthermore, problems of devascularisation of the radial head can result from fixation of the plate to the radial neck. In a small retrospective study, the treatment of Mason type III fractures with fixation of the radial neck in 13 cases (group 2) was compared with 12 cases where no fixation was performed (group 1). The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was four years (1 to 9). The Broberg-Morrey index showed excellent results in both groups. Degenerative radiological changes were seen more frequently in group 2, and removal of the implant was necessary in seven of 13 cases. Post-operative evaluation of these two different techniques revealed similar ranges of movement and functional scores. We propose that anatomical reconstruction of the radial head without metalwork fixation to the neck is preferable, and the outcome is the same as that achieved with the conventional technique. In addition degenerative changes of the elbow joint may develop less frequently, and implant removal is not necessary

Aims

The main objective of this study was to examine whether the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) demonstrated floor or ceiling effects when used to measure outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty in a large national cohort. Secondary objectives were to assess its pain and function subscales, and to identify independent predictors for patients achieving a postoperative ceiling score following shoulder arthroplasty.