[Arthroscopic-assisted management of intra-articular scapular fractures in a rugby player].

Scapular fractures are a rare injury entity accounting for 0,4-1 % of all fractures and 3-5 % of fractures involving the shoulder girdle. This study focuses on a 29-year-old male patient who sustained an intraarticular scapular fracture during a "Rugby Bundesliga" match after direct impact with another player. The clinical and radiological examinations showed a dislocated multifragmentary transverse scapular fracture involving the superior border, the medial border and the glenoid (Euler and Rüedi D2b/AO 14 F1.

Risk of Engagement of Bipolar Bone Defects in Posterior Shoulder Instability.

Background: The risk of re-engagement of bipolar bone defects in posterior shoulder instability has not yet been investigated.

Hypothesis: Posterior glenoid defects can lead to the engagement of supposedly noncritical reverse Hill-Sachs lesions (RHSLs).

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Acute effects of local cold therapy in superficial burns on pain, in vivo microcirculation, edema formation and histomorphology.

Background: Local cold therapy for burns is generally recommended to relief pain and limit tissue damage, however, there is limited data of its physiological benefit. This study aimed to evaluate pathophysiological effects of cold therapy in superficial burn on microcirculation, edema formation, and histomorphology.

Methods: In 12 volunteers (8f, 4m; aged 30.

Arthroscopically assisted stabilization of chronic AC-joint instabilities in GraftRope™ technique with an additive horizontal tendon augmentation.

Purpose: A chronic symptomatic acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) instability is a possible consequence of an acute ACJ separation. Besides vertical instability a horizontal component of the instability is common in high-grade ACJ separation and clinically relevant; especially, in chronic cases. A new technique of horizontal biologic ACJ augmentation with a transacromial gracilis tendon loop as an addition to the arthroscopically assisted stabilization with the GraftRope™ device is described and first clinical and sonographical results are shown.

Biomechanical testing of a new plate system for the distal humerus compared to two well-established implants.

Purpose: A biomechanical study was performed to test the hypothesis that a new anatomically preformed, thinner, soft-tissue protecting plate system for distal humeral fractures (Tifix®-hybridplate [HP]) would show comparable results in the quasi-static and dynamic testings compared to two conventional implants: The 3.5-mm reconstruction plate (RP) providing primary stability with normal bone mineral density (BMD), and a multidirectional locking plate (Tifix(®)-plate [P]) which can be used with poor bone quality.

Methods: The Tifix(®)-HP was developed by the working group.

Has the arthroscopically assisted reduction of acute AC joint separations with the double tight-rope technique advantages over the clavicular hook plate fixation?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the results after arthroscopically assisted double TightRope(®)-(TR) reduction with results after clavicular hook plate (HP) fixation in acute high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2010, 69 consecutive patients with acute AC joint separations type Rockwood III and V were subjected to surgical reconstruction. 56 patients (81 %) were available for evaluation.

Supracondylar osteotomies of posttraumatic distal humeral deformities in young adults - technique and results.

Background: Cubitus varus deformity is the most common late complication after distal humeral fractures in children. Typical symptoms are increasing instability especially the posterolateral rotatory instability (POLRI), lateral elbow pain and cosmetic problems. Different ways of correction have been described but a gold standard has not yet been established.

All-arthroscopic intramedullary nailing of 2- and 3-part proximal humeral fractures: a new arthroscopic technique and preliminary results.

Purpose: The most criticism of antegrade humeral nailing is the potentially deleterious effect on the shoulder function, which is caused by the trauma to the M. supraspinatus (SSP) at the nail insertion site. We describe a new technique of all-arthroscopical intramedullary nailing, which preserves the rotator cuff, and compare it with the conventional open procedure.

Are polyaxially locked screws advantageous in the plate osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures in the elderly? A prospective randomized clinical observational study.

Objectives: To evaluate the results of plate osteosynthesis using either polyaxial or nonpolyaxially locked screw-plate systems in proximal humeral fractures in the elderly.

Design: Prospective, randomized.

Setting: Level I trauma center.

How does a varus deformity of the humeral head affect elevation forces and shoulder function? A biomechanical study with human shoulder specimens.

Objectives: A biomechanical study was performed to test the hypothesis that a varus deformity of the humeral head decreases supraspinatus (SSP) efficiency and increases deltoid elevation forces in human specimens.

Methods: Twenty-four fresh-frozen human shoulder specimens were prepared by preserving the rotator cuff and deltoid. A defined, medial closed-wedge osteotomy was performed and lateral locked plate applied to simulate a varus deformity of 45° in Group I (n = 8) and 20° in Group II (n = 8).

Arthroscopic supraspinatus tendon repair with suture-bridging technique: functional outcome and magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The suture-bridging technique is a new arthroscopic technique to repair rotator cuff tears. Biomechanical advantages compared with double-row fixations have been described.

Hypothesis: The authors hypothesized that arthroscopic suture-bridging repair of the supraspinatus tendon would result in a superior clinical outcome and lower retear rates compared with previously published results after double-row fixation.

Arthroscopic treatment of multidirectional glenohumeral instability in young overhead athletes.

Purpose: This prospective case series evaluates the outcome, and the return to sports of young overhead athletes with a persistent, symptomatic multidirectional instability (MDI) with hyperlaxity type Gerber B5 treated with an arthroscopic anteroposteroinferior capsular plication and rotator interval closure.

Methods: 9 young overhead athletes (10 shoulders) with the rare diagnosis of MDI (Gerber B5) and an indication for operative treatment, after a failed physiotherapy program were physically examined 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively by a physical examination, and got a final phone interview after median 39 months.

Results: At the final follow-up all patients were satisfied; Rowe Score showed 7 "excellent" and "good" results; Constant Score was "excellent" and "good" in 6, and "fair" in 1 patient.