Arthroscopic Double-Row Suture Anchor Fixation of Minimally Displaced Greater Tuberosity Fractures

In cases of displaced greater tuberosity fractures, treatments by arthroscopic-assisted reduction and percutaneous screw fixation have been reported. However, in cases in which there is a comminuted fracture or a minimally displaced fracture combined with concomitant lesions such as rotator cuff tear or labral pathology, it is difficult to reduce the fracture and to treat other pathologies by use of a percutaneous screw. Recently, many surgeons have used the double-row repair method in rotator cuff repair, which provides a tendon-bone interface better suited for biologic healing and restoring normal anatomy. In accordance with this method, we used the arthroscopic technique of double-row suture anchor fixation for a minimally displaced greater tuberosity fracture without additional incision. Initially, debridement was performed on the fracture surface by use of a shaver, and the medial-row anchor was inserted through the anterior portal or the intact cuff. Two lateral-row anchors were inserted just anterior and posterior to the lower margin of the fractured fragment under C-arm guidance. The medial-row sutures and lateral-row sutures were then placed. Arthroscopic double-row suture anchor fixation of a displaced greater tuberosity fracture restores the original footprint of the rotator cuff and normal tendon-bone interface of the displaced greater tuberosity fracture.     

Simultaneous Bilateral Tibial Tuberosity Avulsions—Over 6-Year Follow-up

Abstract Simultaneous bilateral avulsions of the tibial tuberosity are rare injuries. The authors found only five reported cases in the orthopedic literature. We add a further case of bilateral avulsions of the tibial tuberosity with the longest reported follow-up.     

Bilateral deep infrapatellar bursitis associated with tibial tuberosity enthesopathy in a case of juvenile ankylosing spondylitis

Summary A case of bilateral deep infrapatellar bursitis is reported in a 19-year-old man suffering from juvenile ankylosing spondylitis and surgically treated for bilateral tibial tuberosity enthesopathy. In addition to erosive nonspecific bone remodelling the excised specimens showed, in the bursa, synovial layer hyperplasia with mild subintimal inflammatory cell infiltration, i.e. changes similar to those of synovitis in ankylosing spondylitis. The respective roles of the inflammatory terrain and of local shearing stress are discussed.     

Simultaneous bilateral versus unilateral tibial tubercle fractures

PurposeTibial tubercle/tuberosity fractures are rare injuries in young patients accounting for less than one percent of physeal fractures. Bilateral simultaneous fractures are even rarer, with only a few case reports in literature. The purpose of our study was to describe the largest case series of bilateral simultaneous tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures and compare it with unilateral fractures. We also wanted to compare our bilateral fractures case series with all the cases reported in the last 65 years.MethodsIRB approved retrospective study involving patients under age 18 years with tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures. Bilateral simultaneous fractures were compared to a unilateral group including demographic data, mechanism of injury, clinical exam findings, complication rates, and outcomes including return to function. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and Fisher Exact tests to compare the different groups.Results138 patients (131 males, 7 females) from a tertiary children’s hospital between 2012 and 2019 with tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures were included. 11 bilateral simultaneous fractures (BL Group) were identified and compared to age matched cohort from the 127 unilateral fracture patients (UL group). There was no significant difference found in BMI, height, weight, age, sex, mechanism of injury, return to functional range of motion, and return to sports between the groups. 7/11 (63%) of the patients in the BL group who sustained simultaneous fractures had to be home bound and could not attend school for an average of 8.3 weeks. There was a higher rate of complications in the BL group (63.3%) compared to the UL group (21.1%), which was statistically significant. The most common complications in the bilateral group were hardware removal and wound dehiscence.ConclusionThis first case series comparing unilateral versus bilateral simultaneous tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures suggests that the final outcomes of the two groups are similar, however it shows a significantly higher complication rate and hardware removal rate in the BL group. This study is also the first to highlight the significant initial morbidity in the BL fracture group with issues with regards to early mobility and loss of school-days. Keeping in mind the profound initial impact the bilateral injury poses to the patient; surgeons can possibly plan for rigid fixation for early mobilization to better prepare bilateral fracture patients for the early post-operative recovery process.     

The influence of local bone quality on fracture pattern in proximal humerus fractures

IntroductionBone mineral density and fracture morphology are widely discussed and relevant factors when considering the different treatment options for proximal humerus fractures. It was the aim of this study to investigate the influence of local bone quality on fracture patterns of the Neer classification as well as on fracture impaction angle in these injuries.Materials and methodsAll acute, isolated and non-pathological proximal humerus fractures admitted to our emergency department were included. The fractures were classified according to Neer and the humeral head impaction angle was measured. Local bone quality was assessed using the Deltoid Tuberosity Index (DTI). The distribution between DTI and fracture pattern was analysed.Results191 proximal humerus fractures were included (61 men, mean age 59 years; 130 women, mean age 69.5). 77 fractures (40%) were classified as one-part, 72 (38%) were two-part, 24 (13%) were three- and four-part and 18 (9%) were fracture dislocations. 30 fractures (16%) were varus impacted, whereas 45 fractures (24%) were classified as valgus impacted. The mean DTI was 1.48. Valgus impaction significantly correlated with good bone quality (DTI ≥ 1.4; p = 0.047) whereas no such statistical significance was found for the Neer fracture types.DiscussionWe found that valgus impaction significantly depended on good bone quality. However, neither varus impaction nor any of the Neer fracture types correlated with bone quality. We conclude that the better bone quality of valgus impacted fractures may be a reason for their historically benign amenability to ORIF. On the other hand, good local bone quality does not prevent fracture comminution.     

Efficacy of the "Salento technique", a modified two-incision approach in distal biceps brachii tendon repair. Surgical description and outcomes analysis

IntroductionThe biceps brachii lesion needs to be treated surgically. A modified two incisions technique is proposed and reviewed. Material and Methods: All patients were treated with the same technique. The outcomes were measured with the Quick-DASH Score (QDS), and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Postoperative complications and distal biceps tendon strength were registered also.ResultsAt one year from the trauma, the QDS and the MEPS were excellent in all patients. 72.97% fully recovered and returned to work after 6 months from the trauma.DiscussionThis technique, thanks to its preservation of anatomical structures, provides great outcomes.     

肱骨大结节上方的解剖分型及临床意义

目的 通过对肱骨大结节上面观的形态学分型,探讨其临床意义。 方法 将296例肩关节CT扫描图像根据大结节上面观形态进行分型,分别测量冈上肌、冈下肌和小圆肌肌腱在大结节上的止点长度,肩胛下肌肌腱在小结节上的止点长度,大结节最高点至肱骨头最高点的距离以及结节间沟的宽度和深度。 结果 肱骨大结节上面观形态可分为3型：弧形45.60%（135例）,平坦形44.26%（131例）,丘形10.14%（30例）。弧形的肱骨大结节,其冈上肌肌腱止点长度短于平坦形和丘形;丘形的肱骨大结节,其冈上肌肌腱在大结节上的止点长度、肩胛下肌肌腱在小结节上的止点长度、结节间沟的宽度和深度均短于弧形和平坦形;丘形的大结节最高点至肱骨头最高点的距离大于弧形和平坦形,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,其他解剖学形态差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 结论 不同分型的肱骨大结节上面观对临床肱骨大结节相关疾病诊治有一定的指导意义。