Faculty Bibliography

Background: Factors contributing to recurrent instability and revision stabilization procedures after isolated arthroscopic stabilization of anterior glenohumeral instability have not been examined in a Statewide cohort. Additionally, practice patterns of the management of the failed Bankart repair are unclear. We sought to identify the type, rate and risk factors associated with subsequent ipsilateral shoulder procedures in a large cohort of individuals undergoing arthroscopic stabilizations for anterior shoulder instability. Methods: The New York State Department of Health's Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative Systems (SPARCS) database was examined from 2003 to 2011 to identify all patients with a primary diagnosis of anterior shoulder instability (ICD-9-CM codes 831.01, 718.81 and 718.31) undergoing outpatient arthroscopic capsulorraphy (CPT code 29806). Patients younger than 10 or older than 60 years of age, and entries with missing data, were excluded. Patients were longitudinally followed for a minimum of three years (through 2014). Baseline demographics and all subsequent ipsilateral outpatient shoulder procedures were collected. SAS version 9.3 (Cary, NC) was used for data collection and statistical analysis. Results: We identified 5,719 unique patients who met the inclusion criteria. Mean patient age was 24.9 + /- 9.3 years, and 70.2% of the sample was male. A total of 461 (8.1%) patients underwent subsequent ipsilateral shoulder instability interventions a mean of 31.5 + /- 23.8 months after the initial stabilization procedure (2.1% had closed reduction alone; 6.0% had repeat instability surgery + /- closed reduction). Repeat arthroscopic capsulorraphy was the most common subsequent procedure (48.8%). Patients undergoing procedures for subsequent shoulder instability were younger (22.6 + /- 8.6 vs. 25.1 + /- 9.4 years of age, P < .001). Evidence of additional instability following arthroscopic Bankart was independently associated with age 19 years or younger (HR 1.82; 95% CI 1.50-2.21; P < .001), Caucasian ethnicity (HR 1.38; 95% CI 1.11-1.71; P = .003), evidence of bilateral shoulder instability (HR 1.54; 95% CI 1.06-2.23; P = .023) and a history of closed reduction(s) prior to initial arthroscopic Bankart repair (HR 2.45; 95% CI 1.90-3.15 P = < .001). Gender and surgeon volume was not associated with subsequent instability procedures. When followup was normalized to three years to allow for between year comparisons, year of surgery did not predict subsequent shoulder instability. Conclusion: Patients undergoing arthroscopic stabilization of anterior glenohumeral instability in New York State had an 8.1% chance of undergoing subsequent ipsilateral instability procedures. Younger age, Caucasian race, bilateral glenohumeral instability and closed reduction prior to initial Bankart repair were independent risk factors for additional instability procedures. The most common second surgical procedure was a repeat arthroscopic stabilization (Table 1). (Table Presented)

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro laboratory study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of dilute povidone-iodine (PVI) solutions on human osteoblast, fibroblast and myoblast cells in vitro. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Dilute PVI wound lavage has been used successfully in spine and joint arthroplasty procedures to prevent post-operative surgical site infection, but their biologic effect on host cells is largely unknown. METHODS: Human primary osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and myoblasts were expanded in cell culture and subjected to various concentrations of PVI (0%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 0.35%, 1%) for 3 minutes. To assess the effect of PVI on cell migration, a scratch assay was performed, in which a "scratch" was made by a standard pipette tip in a cell monolayer following PVI exposure, and time to closure of the scratch was evaluated. Cell survival and proliferation was measured 48 hours post-PVI exposure using a cell viability and cytotoxicity assay. RESULTS: Closure of the scratch defect in all cell monolayers was achieved in < 24 hours in untreated controls and following exposure to PVI concentrations < 0.1%. The scratch defect remained open indefinitely following exposure to PVI concentrations of >/= 0.1%. PVI concentrations < 0.1% did not have significant effect on survival rates compared with control for all cell types. Cells exposed to PVI >/= 0.1% had cell survival rates of less than 6% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically used concentration of PVI (0.35%) exerts a pronounced cytotoxic effect on osteoblasts, fibroblast, and myoblasts in vitro. Further investigation is required to systematically study the effect of PVI on tissue healing in vivo and also determine a safe and clinically potent concentration for PVI lavage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

BACKGROUND: Revision shoulder arthroplasty is a technically challenging procedure. It is associated with increased blood loss and operative time, and it frequently necessitates revision implants, augments, and bone-grafting. Shoulder arthroplasty systems with a convertible-platform humeral stem have been developed to reduce the complexity of revision procedures by eliminating the need for humeral component explantation when converting from anatomic shoulder arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty) to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective analysis involving 102 consecutive shoulders (102 patients) that underwent revision of an anatomic shoulder arthroplasty to an rTSA was conducted. During the revision, 73 of the shoulders needed exchange of the humeral stem (the exchange group) and 29 had retention of a convertible-platform humeral component (the retention group). Patient demographics, operative time, blood management, range of motion, complications, and patient-reported outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Patients with retention had significantly shorter operative time (mean and standard deviation, 130 +/- 48 versus 195 +/- 58 minutes; p < 0.001) and lower estimated blood loss (292 +/- 118 versus 492 +/- 334 mL; p = 0.034). The rate of intraoperative complications was lower in the retention group (0% versus 15%; p = 0.027). Patients with retention had slightly better postoperative range of motion (active external rotation, 26 degrees +/- 23 degrees versus 11 degrees +/- 23 degrees [p = 0.006]; active forward elevation, 112 degrees +/- 37 degrees versus 96 degrees +/- 33 degrees [p = 0.055]). CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder arthroplasty systems that utilize a convertible-platform humeral stem offer an advantage for rTSA conversion in that a well-fixed, well-positioned humeral stem can be retained. There were significantly fewer complications as well as significantly decreased blood loss and operative time when a convertible-platform stem was utilized (p < 0.050). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

BACKGROUND: Repair of the subscapularis with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is controversial. The purpose of this study is to quantify rTSA outcomes in patients with and without subscapularis repair to determine if there is any impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Three hundred forty patients received rTSA and had the subscapularis repaired, whereas 251 patients received rTSA and did not have the subscapularis repaired. The patients were scored preoperatively and at latest follow-up using the Simple Shoulder Test; University of California, Los Angeles; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons; Constant; and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index metrics. Motion was also measured. Mean follow-up was 37 months. RESULTS: All patients showed significant improvements in pain and function after treatment with rTSA. For both cohorts, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant scores significantly improved, as did range of motion. The repaired cohort had significantly higher postoperative scores as measured by 4 of the 5 metrics and significantly more internal rotation, whereas the non-repaired cohort had significantly more active abduction and passive external rotation. The complication rate was 7.4% (0% dislocations) for the subscapularis-repaired cohort and 6.8% (1.2% dislocations) for the non-subscapularis-repaired cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Significant clinical improvements were observed for both the subscapularis-repaired and non-repaired cohorts, with some statistical differences observed using a variety of outcome measures. Repair of the subscapularis did not lead to inferior clinical outcomes as predicted by biomechanical models. No difference was noted in the complication or scapular notching rates between cohorts. These clinical results show that rTSA using a lateralized humeral prosthesis delivers reliable clinical improvements with a low risk of instability, regardless of subscapularis repair.

BACKGROUND: Scapular notching is a complication unique to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), although its clinical implications are unclear and remains controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed rTSA patients of a single implant design in 476 shoulders with a minimum 2-year clinical and radiographic follow-up. Clinical measures included active range of motion and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, in addition to one or more of the Constant score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and University of California, Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale. Complications and rates of humeral radiolucencies were also recorded. RESULTS: Scapular notching was observed in 10.1% (48 of 476) of rTSAs and was associated with a longer clinical follow-up, lower body weight, lower body mass index, and when the operative side was the nondominant extremity. Patients with scapular notching had significantly lower postoperative scores on the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Constant, Simple Shoulder Test, and University of California, Los Angeles, Shoulder Rating Scale compared with patients without scapular notching. Patients with scapular notching also had significantly lower active abduction, significantly less strength, and trended toward significantly less active forward flexion (P = .0527). Finally, patients with scapular notching had a significantly higher complication rate and trended toward a significantly higher rate of humeral radiolucent lines (P = .0896) than patients without scapular notching. CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale outcome study demonstrates that patients with scapular notching have significantly poorer clinical outcomes, significantly less strength and active range of motion, and a significantly higher complication rate than patients without scapular notching. Longer-term follow-up is necessary to confirm that these statistical observations in the short-term will result in greater clinically meaningful differences over time.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative in 2011. Through BPCI, organizations enlisted into payment agreements that include both performance and financial accountability for episodes of care. To succeed, BPCI requires quality maintenance and care delivery at lower costs. This necessitates physicians and hospitals to merge interests. Orthopaedic surgeons must assume leadership roles in cost containment, surgical safety, and quality assurance to deliver cost-effective care. Because most orthopaedic surgeons practice independently and are not employed by hospitals, models of physician-hospital alignment (e.g., physician-hospital organizations) or contracted gainsharing arrangements between practices and hospitals may be necessary for successful bundled pricing. Under BPCI, hospitals, surgeons, or third parties share rewards but assume risks for the bundle.For patients, cost savings must be associated with maintenance or improvement in quality metrics. However, the definition of quality can vary, as can the rewards for processes and outcomes. Risk stratification for potential complications should be considered in bundled pricing agreements to prevent the exclusion of patients with substantial comorbidities and higher care costs (e.g., hip fractures treated with prostheses). Bundled pricing depends on economies of scale for success; smaller institutions must be cautious, as 1 costly patient could substantially impact the finances of its entire program. CMS recommends a minimum of 100 to 200 cases yearly. We also suggest that participants utilize technologies to maximize efficiency and provide the best possible environment for implementation of bundled payments. Substantial investment in infrastructure is required to develop programs to improve coordination of care, manage quality data, and distribute payments. Smaller institutions may have difficulty devoting resources to these infrastructural changes, although changes may be implemented more thoroughly once initiated. Herein, we discuss our early total joint arthroplasty BPCI experience at our tertiary-care academic medical center.

Patient care is 1 of the 6 core competencies defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The physical examination (PE) is a fundamental skill to evaluate patients and make an accurate diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate 3 different methods to teach PE skills and to assess the ability to do a complete PE in a simulated patient encounter. DESIGN: Prospective, uncontrolled, observational. SETTING: Northeastern academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 32 orthopedic surgery residents participated and were divided into 3 didactic groups: Group 1 (n = 12) live interactive lectures, demonstration on standardized patients, and textbook reading; Group 2 (n = 11) video recordings of the lectures given to Group 1 and textbook reading alone; Group 3 (n = 9): 90-minute modules taught by residents to interns in near-peer format and textbook reading. RESULTS: The overall score for objective structured clinical examinations from the combined groups was 66%. There was a trend toward more complete PEs in Group 1 taught via live lectures and demonstrations compared to Group 2 that relied on video recording. Near-peer taught residents from Group 3 significantly outperformed Group 2 residents overall (p = 0.02), and trended toward significantly outperforming Group 1 residents as well, with significantly higher scores in the ankle (p = 0.02) and shoulder (p = 0.02) PE cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that orthopedic interns taught musculoskeletal PE skills by near-peers outperformed other groups overall. An overall score of 66% for the combined didactic groups suggests a baseline deficit in first-year resident musculoskeletal PE skills. The PE should continue to be taught and objectively assessed throughout residency to confirm that budding surgeons have mastered these fundamental skills before going into practice.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic shoulder infections (PSIs) are challenging to treat and often result in significant patient morbidity. Without a standardized treatment protocol, PSIs are often managed similarly to periprosthetic hip and knee infections. Because 2-stage revision is the gold standard for treating periprosthetic hip and knee infections, we performed a case series and literature review to determine its effectiveness in PSIs. METHODS: We identified 19 patients (14 men) from our institution who were treated with a 2-stage revision after presenting with a PSI. Mean patient age was 63 +/- 9 years, and average body mass index was 30.8 +/- 5.8. The average time from the index arthroplasty to treatment was 40 months, 8 of 13 positive cultures were Propionibacterium acnes, and 9 of 19 patients had multiple shoulder operations before presenting with infection. Minimum follow-up for all patients was 2 years. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 63 months (range, 25-184 months), 15 of 19 patients in our study were successfully treated for PSI. Average postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Assessment score was 69 (range, 32-98) and average postoperative forward elevation was significantly increased from 58 degrees to 119 degrees (P < .001). The incidence of recurrent infection was 26%. The rate of noninfection complications was 16%, for a total complication rate of 42%. CONCLUSION: In patients with PSIs, especially those with intractable, chronic infections, a 2-stage revision represents a viable treatment option for eradicating infection and restoring function. However, it is important to recognize the risk of recurrent infection and postoperative complications in this challenging patient population.