Assessment of the glenohumeral joint's active and passive axial rotational range.

Background: Assessment of the range of axial rotation of the glenohumeral joint will improve understanding of shoulder function, with applications in shoulder rehabilitation and sports medicine. However, there is currently no complete description of motion of the joint. The study aimed to develop a reliable protocol to quantify the internal and external axial rotations of the glenohumeral joint during active and passive motion at multiple humeral positions.

Elbow hemiarthroplasty using a "triceps-on" approach for the management of acute distal humeral fractures.

Background: Total elbow arthroplasty is an established option for the primary treatment of acute distal humeral fractures, but there are sparse data regarding elbow hemiarthroplasty (EHA) as an alternative. We present the outcome of EHA performed with a modular anatomic prosthesis and a "triceps-on" surgical technique.

Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients underwent EHA for an acute fracture.

Reproducibility of radiographic classification of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) wrist.

The aim of this study was to measure inter- and intra-observer agreement on the radiographic classification of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) wrist. Radiographs of 41 patients with SLAC wrist and 47 patients with SNAC wrist were graded on two separate occasions by four orthopaedic consultants specializing in hand and wrist surgery. Inter-observer agreement was evaluated using the multi-rater kappa value.

In-vivo confirmation of the use of the dart thrower's motion during activities of daily living.

The dart thrower's motion is a wrist rotation along an oblique plane from radial extension to ulnar flexion. We report an in-vivo study to confirm the use of the dart thrower's motion during activities of daily living. Global wrist motion in ten volunteers was recorded using a three-dimensional optoelectronic motion capture system, in which digital infra-red cameras track the movement of retro-reflective marker clusters.

Pyrocarbon proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty: minimum two-year follow-up.

Purpose: To report the outcome and complications from pyrocarbon proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty at a minimum of 2 years of follow-up.

Methods: A retrospective case review was performed on 72 patients with an average age of 57 years, and a total of 97 pyrocarbon PIP joint arthroplasties. Patient demographics, diagnosis, implant revisions, and other repeat surgeries were recorded.

Clinic-based nerve conduction studies reduce time to surgery and are cost effective: a comparison with formal electrophysiological testing.

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression neuropathy affecting the upper limb. Clinical diagnosis is not always clear and electrophysiological testing can be indicated when considering a patient for decompression surgery. The downside of electrophysiological testing is cost and increased time to surgery.

Critical appraisal of subjective outcome measures used in the assessment of shoulder disability.

Introduction: Objective measures can be impractical in some settings, because they are time consuming and require face-to-face contact. More recently, there is an increasing trend towards the use of subjective outcome measures. Hence, in this article, five common subjective shoulder outcome measures are critically appraised in terms of their development, validity, reliability, responsiveness and clinical application.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in chronic calcific tendonitis of the shoulder--is it effective?

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been claimed to be an effective non-invasive treatment for chronic calcific tendonitis of the supraspinatus tendon. However many trials have been criticised for not achieving necessary scientific standards. We report a prospective, single blinded, randomised control trial of 20 patients, which looked into effectiveness of the therapy.

Survivorship of the Neuflex silicone implant in MCP joint replacement.

The Neuflex silicone metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint replacement has previously been shown to provide improved movement, particularly flexion, when compared with the Swanson implant. In this study, we reviewed the outcome of 237 Neuflex implants in 66 patients with a follow-up of up to 7 years. Kaplan-Meier analysis using revision as the end stage revealed survival at 7 years to be 88%.

Tendon graft--ulna fixation in distal radio-ulnar joint stabilisation; biomechanical comparison of three graft-bone fixation methods.

A common distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) stabilisation procedure uses a tendon graft running from the lip of the radial sigmoid notch to the ulnar fovea and through a bony tunnel to the ulnar shaft, before being wrapped round the distal ulna and sutured to itself. Such graft fixation can be challenging and requires a considerable tendon length. The graft length could be reduced by fixing the graft to the ulna using a bone anchor or interference screw.

The cost of shoulder arthroscopy: a comparison with national tariff.

Introduction: 'Payment by results' was introduced with the aim of providing each trust with a transparent and fair remuneration for the work done. Hospitals are paid a tariff for each Healthcare Resource Group (HRG). The tariff is calculated at a national level, by means of a complex manipulation of historic financial data.

A new and effective tension-band braided polyester suture technique for transverse patellar fracture fixation.

Objectives: Concerning the tension-band principle of internal fixation, this study aims to establish whether any difference in interfragmentary gap exists after bone-reducing forceps are released, when a recommended suture-knot technique and a new technique are tested in vitro on a purpose built machine that features a model of a transverse fracture of the patella. In addition, a standard tension-band wiring technique has also been tested as one form of control.

Background: Satisfactory compression at a fracture site reduces the risk of failure of fixation, loss of reduction (interfragmentary gap >2mm) and subsequent risks of malunion, delayed union, and ultimately non-union from excessive movement.

Skin tension in the aetiology of Dupuytren's disease; a prospective trial.

Tension in the palmar fascia has been proposed as a factor causing Dupuytren's disease. If tension does stimulate the growth of new Dupuytren's tissue, relieving longitudinal tension should reduce the recurrence rate following surgery. Thirty patients with palmar Dupuytren's contracture of a single ray that affected only the metacarpophalangeal joint were divided into two groups.