Supporting Regional Upper Limb Arthroplasty: The Impact of Establishing an Upper Limb Orthopaedic Network.

Background And Objectives: The management of complex upper limb arthroplasty has received national guidelines supporting the use of a regional network. An upper limb network was established for both elbow and shoulder arthroplasty. This study evaluates the impact of establishing this network over a 5-year period.

Radiographic appearance of the distal clavicle in relation to the acromion after acromioclavicular joint reconstruction using a braided polyester mesh.

ACJ stabilization using a braided polyester mesh has become popular in ACJ injuries. However, concerns have been raised about excessive anterior clavicle displacement. The purpose of this study was to report radiographic position of the distal clavicle in relation to the acromion after ACJ reconstruction using this device immediately postoperative and after 6 months follow-up compared with a healthy control group.

A validation of the Nottingham Clavicle Score: a clavicle, acromioclavicular joint and sternoclavicular joint-specific patient-reported outcome measure.

Background: Patients with acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) and sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) injuries and with clavicle fractures are typically younger and more active than those with other shoulder pathologies. We developed the Nottingham Clavicle Score (NCS) specifically for this group of patients to improve sensitivity for assessing the outcomes of treatment of these conditions compared with the more commonly used Constant Score (CS) and Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS).

Materials And Methods: This was a cohort study in which the preoperative and 6-month postoperative NCS evaluations of outcome in 90 patients were compared with the CS, OSS, Imatani Score (IS), and the EQ-5D scores.

Surgery within 6 months of an acute rotator cuff tear significantly improves outcome.

Background: To determine the effect of time to repair on the outcome after an acute rotator cuff tear.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on patients presenting with acute rotator cuff tear to our shoulder clinic. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score, and symptomatic retears were diagnosed by clinical assessment plus imaging.

Risk factors and predictors of mortality for proximal humeral fractures.

Background: Risk factors for mortality after proximal humeral fracture, including socioeconomic status, are poorly defined. This retrospective review of prospectively collected data defines the epidemiology and predictors of mortality in association with proximal humeral fractures.

Methods: Patients who sustained proximal humeral fractures were identified from fragility fracture and trauma databases between May 2001 and September 2012.

Scapular Winging.

This review explores the causes of scapula winging, with overview of the relevant anatomy, proposed aetiology and treatment. Particular focus is given to lesions of the long thoracic nerve, which is reported to be the most common aetiological factor.

Hip extension strength following hamstring tendon harvest for ACL reconstruction.

Hamstring autograft harvest for ACL reconstruction may have an effect on hip extension strength and this may be important especially in sports that involve high speed running such as soccer, rugby, American football and the sprint disciplines of track and field. This aspect of hamstring tendon harvesting has not been looked at before. We have performed a non-randomised prospective case control study comparing isokinetic hip extension strength following four strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (4SHS) and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts in ACL reconstruction.