Strategies to mitigate complications in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

The rotator cuff, a vital group of tendons and muscles in the shoulder, is essential for stabilizing the joint and enabling a wide range of arm movements. Rotator cuff tears, common across all age groups, often cause significant pain and functional limitations. Rotator cuff repair surgery aims to alleviate pain, restore function, and improve quality of life.

Incidence and risk factors for shoulder stiffness after open and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of stiffness during the first 6 months after rotator cuff repair and to evaluate postoperative stiffness with respect to its risk factors and its influence on the outcome at 6 months postoperatively.

Methods: In a prospective cohort of 117 patients (69 women, 48 men; average age 59) from our institutional rotator cuff registry, who underwent either arthroscopic (n = 77) or open (n = 40) rotator cuff repair, we measured shoulder range of motion (ROM) at 3 and 6 months post-surgery. We evaluated the incidence of stiffness and analyzed functional outcomes, comparing various preoperative and intraoperative factors in patients with stiffness to those without at the 6-month mark.

A proposed modification to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification for knee osteoarthritis using a compartment-specific approach.

Purpose: Since Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) originally classified knee osteoarthritis, several authors have reported varying levels of reliability and a lack of uniformity in the use of this classification system. We propose several modifications to the KL classification including the use of a compartment-specific approach that we hypothesize will lead to a better understanding of knee OA while maintaining an adequate interobserver and intraobserver reliability.

Methods: We propose the addition of the lateral and skyline-view radiographs to the standard anteroposterior (AP) and lateral projections in the evaluation.

Prosthetic resurfacing of engaging posterior capitellar defects in recurrent posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow.

Background: Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) is a common mechanism of recurrent elbow instability. While the essential lesion is a deficiency in the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL), there are often associated concomitant bony lesions, such as an Osborne-Cotterill lesions (posterior capitellar fractures) and marginal radial head fractures, that compromise stability. Currently, there is no standard treatment for posterior capitellar deficiency associated with recurrent PLRI.

The role of the lateral collateral ligament-capsule complex of the elbow under gravity varus.

Background: The lateral collateral ligament complex along with the capsule is likely to be at risk during arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis release for lateral epicondylitis. We hypothesized that disruption of the lateral collateral ligament-capsule complex (LCL-cc) would increase the mean contact pressure on the coronoid under gravity varus.

Materials And Methods: Eight cadaveric elbows were tested via gravity varus and weighted varus (2 Nm) stress tests using a custom-made machine designed to simulate muscle loads while allowing passive flexion of the elbow.