Dataset Information

Arthroscopic Reduction and Fixation With a Knotless Double-Row Construct Provides Good Results for Displaced Greater Tuberosity Fractures.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to describe the functional and structural outcomes of the arthroscopic 4-strand, knotless, double-row construct with suture tapes for the surgical treatment of displaced and/or comminuted greater tuberosity fractures of the humerus.

Methods

Patients were enrolled between December 2012 and January 2018. The main inclusion criteria were a comminuted and/or displaced tuberosity fracture with a displacement of at least 5 mm in any plane fixed under arthroscopy using a 4-strand, knotless, double-row construct. The technique involves reducing the displaced fragment with 2 medially placed, transtendinous anchors and compressing the greater tuberosity using the tapes from these medial anchors in 2 laterally placed anchors. The exclusion criteria were a fracture that was more than 10 days old at the time of surgery or a history of shoulder surgery and 3- or 4-part fractures. The postoperative rehabilitation protocol was similar for all patients. Constant scores, Quick Dash, return to work and sport, and complications were reported after a minimum follow-up period of 24 months. Bone healing was systematically evaluated on standardized radiographs, including lateral scapula view and anteroposterior views.

Results

Twenty-one patients were enrolled in this study. One patient did not complete the follow-up examination period and thus was excluded, leaving 20 patients in this study. At a median (SD) follow-up of 32 (9) months, the median (SD) Constant score was 94.7 (7.3) points, the median (SD) Quick Dash was 1.7 (4) points, and median (SD) visual analog scale score was 0.5 (1.4). All patients returned to previous work and sport level. No malunions or nonunions were seen. One conversion to open surgery was required for failure of the lateral row during surgery in a 62-year-old woman with osteopenic bone. Two patients experienced complex regional pain syndrome in the postoperative period that resolved after nonoperative treatment.

Conclusions

In this series, the use of arthroscopy combined with the biomechanical properties of knotless double-row constructs contributed to postoperative satisfactory functional results and healing of greater tuberosity fracture. In addition, range of motion was early, and no hardware removal was required. However, care should be taken with osteopenic bone where anchorage can fail.

Level of evidence

Level IV, case series.

SUBMITTER: Bahman M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8129452 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:PurposeTo evaluate and compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after isolated greater tuberosity (GT) fracture fixation versus acute rotator cuff repair (RCR) at a minimum of 2 years.MethodsPatients who underwent isolated GT fracture fixation were compared in a 1-to-3 fashion with patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR for an acute rotator cuff tear by a single surgeon from January 2006 and to July 2018. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. PROs were compared pre- and postoperatively as well as between groups (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES], General Health Short Form-12 Physical Component [SF-12 PCS], Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation [SANE], Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [QuickDASH], and satisfaction). Reoperation rates were analyzed.ResultsA total of 57 patients (14 with isolated GT fracture fixation, mean age 45.7 years; and 43 who underwent ARCR for acute tears, mean age 56.6 years) were evaluated (P = .050). ASES scores significantly improved from 39.7 to 94.1 (P = .018) in the isolated GT fracture fixation group and from 51.0 to 95.2 (P < .001) in acute RCR group. At final follow-up, mean QuickDASH scores were 8.9 and 7.9 (P = .677) and SANE scores were 91.1 and 87.3 (P = .616) for the GT and acute RCR groups, respectively. The median satisfaction was 10/10 for the GT group and 10/10 for the RCR group. Additional comparison of patients who underwent double-row repair for an acute rotator cuff tear or isolated GT fracture revealed no significant difference in outcomes (P > .404).ConclusionMinimum 2-year PROs after fixation of isolated GT fractures show relatively high outcome scores whether treated by open reduction and internal fixation or arthroscopic fixation using a double-row bridging technique. The improvements in PROs are similar to those achieved with acute rotator cuff tears that were fixed arthroscopically with RCR. Further analysis of these results suggest that the functional outcomes of tendon-to-bone healing with linked, double-row rotator cuff repairs are similar to those of bone-to-bone healing as seen with GT fractures.Level of evidenceIII, retrospective comparative study.