Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder was performed on 439 patients over a 10-year period: these patients are reviewed after a minimum follow-up of one year. Diagnostic arthroscopy is known to be valuable and we have found that arthroscopic surgery also is safe and effective. It was useful in treating frozen shoulder, early osteoarthritis, isolated tears of the glenoid labrum and lesions of the biceps tendon. It was less useful in treating partial tears of the rotator cuff, tendonitis and severe osteoarthritis, and of little value in treating complete tears of the rotator cuff or in treating patients in whom previous operations on the rotator cuff had failed. It may prove to be a useful method of performing synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis and of treating instability

Superior labral tears of the shoulder involve the biceps tendon and labrum complex which may be detached, displaced inferiorly, and interposed between the glenoid and the humeral head. We have treated ten young athletes with painful shoulders due to this lesion by arthroscopic stapling. Arthroscopy at the time of staple removal, after three to six months, showed that all the lesions had been stabilised. Clinical review at over 24 months showed an excellent or good result in 80%. The two relative failures were due in one to residual subacromial bursitis, and the other to multidirectional shoulder instability. Arthroscopic stapling can restore the shoulder anatomy, and it is recommended for active adolescent athletes with this lesion

Of a consecutive series of 70 babies with obstetric traction injury to the brachial plexus we were able to review 40 who had had only conservative treatment. We found that if recovery in the upper roots had not started by three months of age then, at follow-up there was a significant residual functional deficit. In a further 22 babies who showed no recovery of the upper roots by three months, exploration and sural nerve grafting were performed; 20 of these children were reviewed at one year. Good recovery of the deltoid was seen in 80% and of the biceps in 55%, while 25% had good external rotation at the shoulder. We conclude that if there is disruption of the upper roots with no sign of recovery at three months, grafting of these roots provides the best chance of useful recovery

1. Rupture of the brachial artery or of one of its divisions in association with elbow injuries is probably more common than a survey of the literature would imply. Three cases of rupture of the brachial artery complicating compound dislocation of the elbow are reported. 2. These cases appear to have a consistent pattern of soft-tissue damage, with avulsion of the common flexor origin, and a varying degree of damage to the biceps and brachialis. The median nerve escaped injury. 3. The method of dealing with the divided vessels does not appear to be of importance in determining the outcome, simple ligation being as satisfactory as attempts at grafting or suture. 4. In no case was there any evidence of Volkmann's contracture. Provided rapid reduction of the dislocation is effected, together with ligation of the vessels, a satisfactory return of the circulation may be expected

In children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) who develop an internal rotation deformity of the shoulder, release of subscapularis improves the range of external rotation of the shoulder and the strength of supination of the forearm. We studied the strength of supination in 35 healthy adult volunteers at 45° of both internal and external rotation. The mean and maximum torques were greater in external than internal rotation by 8.7% and 7.5%, respectively. This was highly significant (p < 0.0001). The increased strength of supination in external rotation is probably because the maximum power of biceps, particularly the long head, may be exerted in this position. In children the difference may be even greater due to anatomical differences causing the dramatic increases in the strength of supination after surgery for OBPP. In adults our findings suggest that the supination exercises which are undertaken after injury or surgery to the forearm or wrist should be performed in external rotation

1. Radiographs of both shoulders were performed on 106 unselected necropsy subjects and those found to be abnormal were examined pathologically. 2. Radiological abnormalities were found in sixty-eight shoulders of thirty-eight subjects. Pathological examination showed rotator cuff tears and associated abnormalities in thirty-five of these, rheumatoid arthritis in one, a previous fracture in one, and one was not examined. 3. The criteria for radiological diagnosis of rotator cuff tears are examined and discussed. 4. The radiological changes give little indication of the severity of the tears or associated abnormalities except in the case of complete rupture of the cuff when acromio-humeral articulation occurs. 5. The lesions are all explicable on a traumatic basis. There is no correlation with the presence or absence of osteoarthritic disease of the joint. 6. The biceps tendon may become damaged or even ruptured in this condition. 7. Villous synovial proliferation was found in fourteen cases, in five of which it was pigmented with histological appearances resembling pigmented villonodular synovitis. The significance of this finding is briefly discussed

1. The distribution of the permanent paresis and paralysis in the muscles of 203 lower limbs affected by poliomyelitis is analysed and related to the destruction of motor nerve cells in the grey matter of the lumbo-sacral cord. 2. The tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior and the long muscles of the toes are more often paralysed than paretic; these muscles are innervated by short motor cell columns. Muscles such as the hip flexors and hip adductors that are more often paretic than paralysed are innervated by long cell columns. 3. Muscles innervated by the upper lumbar spinal segments are more frequently affected than those innervated by the sarcal segments. This agrees with the segmental incidence of motor cell destruction found in poliomyelitic spinal cords. 4. Each muscle or muscle group is associated in paralysis with other specific muscles. For instance, the long toe extensors with the peronei and the calf muscles (triceps surae) with the biceps femoris. Associated muscles are innervated by adjacent motor cell columns. The probability of recovery in a paralysed muscle can be determined by reference to the degree of involvement in its associated muscles. 5. The distribution of the paralysis in an individual lower limb is determined by the site and size of foci of motor cell destruction. The cell loss in certain common patterns of paralysis is described. 6. The practical application of these findings is discussed

Deep gluteal syndrome is an increasingly recognized disease entity, caused by compression of the sciatic or pudendal nerve due to non-discogenic pelvic lesions. It includes the piriformis syndrome, the gemelli-obturator internus syndrome, the ischiofemoral impingement syndrome, and the proximal hamstring syndrome. The concept of the deep gluteal syndrome extends our understanding of posterior hip pain due to nerve entrapment beyond the traditional model of the piriformis syndrome. Nevertheless, there has been terminological confusion and the deep gluteal syndrome has often been undiagnosed or mistaken for other conditions. Careful history-taking, a physical examination including provocation tests, an electrodiagnostic study, and imaging are necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

After excluding spinal lesions, MRI scans of the pelvis are helpful in diagnosing deep gluteal syndrome and identifying pathological conditions entrapping the nerves. It can be conservatively treated with multidisciplinary treatment including rest, the avoidance of provoking activities, medication, injections, and physiotherapy.

Endoscopic or open surgical decompression is recommended in patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms after conservative treatment or in those who may have masses compressing the sciatic nerve.

Many physicians remain unfamiliar with this syndrome and there is a lack of relevant literature. This comprehensive review aims to provide the latest information about the epidemiology, aetiology, pathology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(5):556–567.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of surgical repair to conservative treatment and subacromial decompression for the treatment of chronic/degenerative tears of the rotator cuff.

Aims

The Mathys Affinis Short is the most frequently used stemless total shoulder prosthesis in the UK. The purpose of this prospective cohort study is to report the survivorship, clinical, and radiological outcomes of the first independent series of the Affinis Short prosthesis.

Aims

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and bicompartmental knee arthroplasty (BCA) have been associated with improved functional outcomes compared to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in suitable patients, although the reason is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to measure how the different arthroplasties affect knee extensor function.

Aims

Fibrinolysis plays a key transition step from haematoma formation to angiogenesis and fracture healing. Low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) is a non-invasive biophysical modality proven to enhance fibrinolytic factors. This study investigates the effect of LMHFV on fibrinolysis in a clinically relevant animal model to accelerate osteoporotic fracture healing.

1. The avascular zone in the tendon of the supraspinatus near its insertion was not seen in the other tendons comprising the rotator cuff, except for the superior portion of the insertion of the infraspinatus which, on occasions, showed a small avascular area. The biceps tendon, however, also showed an avascular zone as it coursed over the head of the humerus. It is suggested that the anatomical disposition of these tendons makes them subject to constant pressure from the head of the humerus, which tends to wring out the blood supply to these tendons when the arm is held in the resting position of adduction and neutral rotation. 2. Although this study did not produce any evidence that the relative avascularity of the tendons over a prolonged period could be indicted as the sole cause of the degenerative changes that so commonly occur, it was noted that the degenerative changes occurred first and that they were always most extensive in the areas of avascularity. It was also observed that the zones of relative avascularity preceded, and were not the result of, the degenerative changes. 3. With the onset of tendon degeneration, secondary vascular phenomena were observed. Firstly, there was a reaction that appeared to be a foreign body inflammatory response with the development of vascular tufts of granulation tissue. It was thought that these vascular changes were secondary to the breakdown in the tendons and were not the cause of the breakdown as previously suggested by Anderson and Moore. it was noted, moreover, that with the progression of degenerative changes in the supraspinatus tendon, the tendon became much attenuated and, as it did so, the zone of relative avascularity appeared to extend. This secondary shut-down of the vascular bed might well be caused by an increased tension in the tendon. In those tendons in which spontaneous rupture had occurred, it was noted that the major part of the tendon proximal to the rupture was avascular and showed evidence of much degenerative change. This study therefore suggests that in the operative repair of such lesions it is necessary to excise the degenerate avascular tendon in order to effect a sound repair. It is also suggested that detachment of the supraspinatus muscle from the supraspinous fossa in order to advance the whole muscle belly is the only technique possible to enable the surgeon to replace healthy tendon directly into bone, as suggested by Debeyre and his colleagues

1. In the first 1600 of the series of peripheral nerve injuries treated during the years 1940-45 at the Peripheral Nerve Injuries Unit, Oxford, 52 per cent. were due to penetrating wounds, and 6 per cent. of these involved the brachial plexus. 2. A specific method of grouping and grading recovery is described: Group I—lesions of the roots and trunk of C.5, 6; Group II—lesions of the posterior cord; Group III—lesions of C.8, T.1, and the medial cord. 3. The recovery of cases in Group I was good, in Group II fair, and in Group III poor. 4. The brachial plexus was explored on twenty-two occasions. Only in four instances was there interruption of continuity—which is in striking contrast with the frequency in more distal degenerative nerve lesions in open wounds. 5. There is no evidence to suggest that neurolysis influenced motor or sensory recovery, but on one occasion it relieved persistent pain in the limb. In general the correlation between operative findings and prognosis was not precise. 6. With one exception, no recovery of consequence took place in the small muscles of the hand after a lesion in continuity, although galvanic stimulation to all paralysed muscles had been given regularly. 7. There is evidence to suggest that innervation of the biceps may not always be limited to C.5 and 6 and that in a proportion of cases C.7 may make a substantial contribution. 8. In five cases (12 per cent.) Horner's syndrome was present; the causation is discussed. 9. In every case of damage to a main vessel there was a marked tendency to joint stiffness, particularly in the hand, but on one occasion only was there evidence of ischaemic changes in the muscles and nerves. 10. The good spontaneous recovery which occurred in Groups I and II; the poor recovery in Group III even in cases where there was an apparently favourable lesion in continuity; the rarity with which division of nerves was found at operation; and the discouraging results of repair in three cases; make it necessary to conclude that routine exploration of open wounds of the brachial plexus is neither profitable nor justifiable

Aims

We aimed to address the question on whether there is a place for shoulder stabilization surgery in patients who had voluntary posterior instability starting in childhood and adolescence, and later becoming involuntary and uncontrollable.