Aims:Hamstring tendons are commonly used autografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. They represent an optimal source for in vitro testing of new approaches that may improve tendon regeneration and, likely, ligamentization after ACL reconstruction. We assessed ex vivo, in a 3D explant culture, the anabolic effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on hamstring tendons in an experimental setting as close as possible to that of common clinical applications, suggesting a potential new therapeutic strategy to improving tendon remodelling. Methods:We exposed tendon explants from nine donors to PEMF for 21 days, eight hours/day, with an intensity similar to that used in clinical practice, and evaluated specific gene expression by immunofluorescence and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses. Results:Increased expression of tendon-related markers (scleraxis, collagen types I and VI) and important players of tenogenic differentiation (c-Fos and mammalian target of rapamycin) was evidenced by immunofluorescence analysis upon PEMF exposure and confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. Conclusion:Our results demonstrate that PEMF enhances tendon differentiation, which suggests that PEMF exposure could have clinical relevance as a new non-invasive adjuvant treatment for improving the early phases of hamstring autograft remodelling after ACL reconstruction, as well as possibly for hastening the repair of injured tendons.
Background: Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is a rare but clinically relevant complication, largely attributable to the distinctive shoulder skin microbiome, predominantly composed of Cutibacterium acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), which are considered low-virulence pathogens. Standard skin disinfection protocols do not completely prevent bacterial infiltration into the surgical field; therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of intraoperative irrigation to reduce the risk of shoulder PJIs. Recently, the use of povidone–iodine (PVI) irrigation has been shown to significantly reduce both bacterial load and diversity after TSA; however, its activity against C. acnes remains suboptimal. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate improved in vitro disinfection protocols by combining PVI and hydrogen peroxide for use as intraoperative irrigation in shoulder arthroplasty, which is characterized by a distinctive microbiome. Methods: In vitro broth dilution assays and time-kill experiments were performed to test PVI and H2O2, alone or in combination, against CoNS, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli as representative aerobic bacteria, and against C. acnes as an anaerobic pathogen. Results: The results revealed that, when used alone, PVI exerted a more pronounced bactericidal effect against staphylococci, whereas H2O2 was more effective against C. acnes, even at a high bacterial inoculum, although at cytotoxic concentrations, particularly for PVI. Notably, when the disinfectants were used in combination, bacterial killing was achieved against all the tested pathogens, starting from short exposure times, mainly 3 min, and at low concentrations. Moreover, the antiseptics significantly reduced mature biofilm, although complete eradication was not achieved. Conclusions: A targeted irrigation protocol to prevent shoulder PJI can be achieved by combining PVI and H2O2 at non-toxic concentrations and for short exposure times that do not interfere with operating room costs or increase the risk of infection.
Aims:One of the primary causes of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is intraoperative contamination. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of povidone-iodine irrigation in reducing bacterial contamination of the surgical field during primary RTSA. Methods:A total of 65 patients were prospectively included (mean age 74.1 years (SD 7.9); 43 female, 22 male). Patients with fractures, osteonecrosis, tumours, or previous surgical treatment failures, as well as those who had received recent antibiotic or infiltrative therapy, were excluded. At the end of the surgery, six different samples were collected. The first set of three samples - one swab from the glenosphere, one from the humeral component, and one from the periprosthetic tissue - were obtained before irrigation (using a 0.35% povidone-iodine solution diluted with saline). The second set of three samples was taken from the same sites, but after irrigation. The six samples were processed to perform both qualitative and quantitative assessments of the microbial load. Results:Cutibacterium acnes was the only anaerobic strain recovered, found in both swabs and periprosthetic tissues, while the aerobic flora included gram-positive bacteria - mainly coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) - and few gram-negative species. Povidone-iodine irrigation significantly reduced both the positivity rates and bacterial loads of C. acnes and CoNS. C. acnes loads decreased from ~10³ to ~10² colony-forming units (CFUs)/ml, and CoNS loads decreased from ~10¹ to nearly zero CFUs/ml. The time to culture positivity for C. acnes depended on the bacterial load, ranging from three to five days (≥ 10³ CFUs/ml) to > six days (≤ 10² CFUs/ml), while the aerobes grew faster (one to four days). Higher C. acnes positivity and loads were associated with male sex and the use of cuff tear arthropathy as a surgical indication. Conclusion:Intraoperative irrigation with povidone-iodine is significantly effective in reducing bacterial contamination rates during RTSA surgery, despite C. acnes being less susceptible than CoNS.
Abstract Purpose Anterior shoulder instability is a common injury among professional athletes. Both soft‐tissue and bone‐block procedures are widely used for surgical stabilization, but it remains unclear whether one approach offers superior outcomes in terms of return to play (RTP) and recurrence. The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to compare RTP rates, time to RTP and recurrence of instability between professional athletes treated with coracoid bone‐block procedures and those undergoing soft‐tissue stabilization. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library was conducted from database inception through August 2025 according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines. Studies including professional athletes treated surgically for anterior shoulder instability were analysed. Pooled effect estimates were calculated using random‐effects models. Subgroup analyses compared bone‐block versus soft‐tissue stabilization for RTP, time to RTP and recurrence. Results Thirteen studies were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis and of these, eight analysed soft‐tissue surgery and five coracoid bone block. The overall pooled RTP rate was 95.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.2–99.8) in the coracoid bone‐block group and 95.9% (95% CI, 91.6–98.9) in the soft‐tissue group (p = 0.781). No significant differences were found in the level of RTP between the two treatment groups (p = 0.266). A shorter time to RTP was observed in the coracoid bone‐block group (166.24 days [95% CI, 116.05–238.13]) compared with soft‐tissue stabilization (271.09 [95% CI, 195.03–376.80]; however, this finding should be interpreted with caution due to overlapping CIs, borderline statistical significance and substantial heterogeneity. The overall recurrence rate was 4.8% (95% CI, 1.5–9.3) with no difference between coracoid bone‐block procedure (2.6% [95% CI, 0.0–8.7]) and soft‐tissue (6.9% [95% CI, 2.0−13.8]) (p = 0.302). Conclusion Both coracoid bone‐block and soft‐tissue procedures allow professional athletes to achieve high RTP rates with low recurrence. No definitive differences between techniques can be established, particularly considering the low quality of evidence and the substantial heterogeneity across studies. Level of Evidence Level III, systematic review and meta‐analysis.
Background/Objectives: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), a commonly performed procedure in elderly patients with osteoarthritis, is frequently complicated by postoperative infections-primarily caused by Cutibacterium acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS)-which remain a major clinical challenge. While standard antiseptic skin protocols can reduce the bacterial load at the surgical site, they often fail to achieve complete eradication, particularly with C. acnes, a resident species of the shoulder microbiome. Recent evidence indicates that intraoperative povidone-iodine irrigation is effective in significantly decreasing microbial burden; however, a thorough characterization of the virulence factors of the isolated strains remains essential. Methods: A total of 187 clinical strains isolated immediately after RTSA were characterized with respect to their antibiotic resistance profiles and biofilm-forming capacity, and the impact of intraoperative povidone-iodine irrigation on the reduction in bacteria that express these virulence traits was evaluated. Results: Of the 120 C. acnes isolates, 97.67% were susceptible to the tested antimicrobial agents, while only 3.33% exhibited resistance, specifically to clindamycin. In contrast, 53% of CoNS isolates were classified as susceptible, whereas the remaining 47% demonstrated multidrug resistance. Biofilm production was detected in 24% (29/120) of C. acnes and 39% (25/64) of CoNS isolates, with a statistically significant reduction observed after irrigation only for C. acnes. No association was found between biofilm formation and clindamycin resistance in C. acnes, likely due to the low number of resistant isolates. Conversely, among CoNS, a correlation was observed, with the 17.2% of biofilm-producing strains also exhibiting resistance to antimicrobial agents. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the presence of these virulence factors, povidone-iodine irrigation proved effective in substantially reducing the number of bacterial isolates recovered at the surgical site without selecting for strains with enhanced pathogenicity. Notably, the majority of resistant bacteria were detected prior to intraoperative irrigation. This intraoperative procedure may be a key approach to reducing prosthetic joint infections frequently caused by more virulent pathogens, which are unlikely to be selected following this disinfection strategy.
Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are common in the elderly population, but the optimal treatment strategy remains controversial. This study evaluated the long-term functional outcomes of non-surgically treated PHFs and assessed whether retrospective treatment recommendations made by experienced shoulder surgeons were associated with differences in clinical outcomes. This retrospective cohort study included 150 PHFs in 149 patients treated nonoperatively between 2020 and 2021. Two-, three-, and four-part fractures with a minimum 12-month follow-up were analyzed. Outcome measures included QuickDASH, Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and SF-12. Demographic characteristics and radiographic fracture features were analyzed. In a second phase, five shoulder surgeons independently reviewed anonymized cases and retrospectively recommended surgical or conservative treatment while blinded to patient outcomes. At a mean follow-up of 32.1 months, younger age, absence of comorbidities, better pre-injury physical status, and dominant limb involvement were independently associated with superior outcomes, whereas the number of fracture fragments did not. Displaced fractures showed worse outcomes than non-displaced fractures. However, among displaced fractures, no significant differences in SSV, OSS, QuickDASH, or SF-12 scores were found between fractures retrospectively considered surgical candidates and those deemed suitable for conservative management. Functional recovery following conservative treatment of PHFs appears to be influenced more by patient-related factors than by fracture morphology or surgeon experience. These findings suggest that carefully selected patients with displaced PHFs can achieve satisfactory outcomes with nonoperative treatment. IV.
Background/Objectives: Bacterial contamination of the surgical field during shoulder arthroplasty may contribute to periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), yet data on intraoperative bacterial load and its clinical correlates remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate culture positivity and bacterial load in specimens collected at the end of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) and to explore their association with patient-related factors. Methods: Fifty-five patients undergoing elective RTSA were consecutively enrolled. At the end of surgery, three specimens per patient (two prosthetic swabs and one periprosthetic tissue sample) were collected for qualitative and quantitative microbiological analysis. Associations between bacterial load and clinical variables were assessed using mixed-effects linear regression models, while time to culture positivity was analysed using mixed-effects Cox regression models. Results: Among 165 specimens, Cutibacterium acnes was isolated in 42.4% and coagulase-negative staphylococci in 29.1%. C. acnes showed significantly higher bacterial loads (1.38 × 103 CFU/mL) compared with aerobic bacteria (6.54 × 101 CFU/mL). Higher C. acnes load was associated with male sex, older age, higher body mass index, smoking, and cuff tear arthropathy, whereas massive rotator cuff tear and longer time to positivity were inversely associated. Aerobic bacterial load was primarily associated with longer surgical duration. Time to positivity was shorter for aerobes than for C. acnes. Conclusions: Intraoperative bacterial contamination during RTSA is frequent and characterized by marked differences in bacterial load and growth kinetics. Quantitative assessment of bacterial burden may improve the interpretation of unexpected positive cultures.
Moraxella osloensis is an infrequently reported component of the human skin microbiota, but it has recently been recognized as a potential source of intraoperative contamination. Its pathogenic role remains poorly defined, particularly in shoulder arthroplasty. This study describes the recovery and characterization of M. osloensis from intraoperative periprosthetic tissue samples collected immediately after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in five patients. All isolates exhibited low colony counts (10–50 CFU/mL), were uniformly susceptible to the antimicrobial agents tested, and did not produce β-lactamases. Biofilm formation—an important virulence determinant in periprosthetic joint infections—was detected in two of the five isolates. Clinically, no patient developed postoperative infection within 12 months, and only one experienced a transient superficial wound-healing delay, which resolved with a short administration of oral antibiotics. These findings indicate that M. osloensis may be present in the operative field despite stringent skin preparation and aseptic protocols, likely reflecting endogenous colonization rather than environmental contamination. Although its clinical impact appears limited in this context, the bacteria’s biofilm-forming potential and underrecognized presence in the operating room underscore the importance of continued surveillance and careful interpretation when isolated from surgical specimens.
Background: Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has evolved over time from a salvage procedure to a successful treatment of end-stage primary and secondary arthritis. However, the aseptic loosening and the associated reduced survival rate are still concerning. Thus, TEA is typically contraindicated in young and active patients where high-demand activities would promote aseptic loosening. For this reason, postoperative weightlifting limitations are often suggested, yet there is no consensus. The aim of this survey was to collect and analyze the current practice concerning the weightlifting restrictions following elbow arthroplasties among members of the Italian Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (Società Italiana Chirurgia Spalla e Gomito, SICSeG). Methods: An online survey on the lifting restrictions after elbow arthroplasties was submitted to all members of the SICSeG. Results: In total, 36 members of the Italian society completed the survey. Only five consultants (13.8%) have experience with all the implants analyzed, of whom only three have experience with more than 10 implants per year. Concerning the comprehensive number of elbow arthroplasties performed per year, most of the respondents (45.7%) reported fewer than five surgeries per year, whereas only two surgeons claimed more than 20 procedures. Of the 36 respondents, 32 (88.9%) reported lifelong lifting limitations after linked TEA. In detail, these lifting restrictions were 10 lb in 14 responders (38.9%) and 5 lb in 15 responders (41.7%) performing linked TEA. A lifelong lifting limitation gradually decreased after unlinked TEA and hemiarthroplasty (HA) being advised by 82.8% (24/36) and 64.5% (20/36), respectively. Conclusions: To increase implant longevity, most Italian surgeons advise lifting restrictions after TEA. More than 80% of the responders agreed with suggesting lifelong limitations, but a greater variability was found in the amount of weight to which the patients are restricted. Currently, the lack of consensus on the optimal weightlifting restrictions after elbow replacements emphasizes the need for more studies focusing on elbow joint loading during different activities of daily life to improve implant survival rates.
Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical, functional, and radiographic results of patients affected by three- or four-part proximal humeral fractures treated with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, to investigate whether a prosthetic stem nonspecifically designed for fractures (i.e., the Bigliani-Flatow stem) promotes tuberosities’ healing, and to evaluate the impact of tuberosity fixation and healing on the outcomes. Methods: Patients’ data such as gender, age, side and dominancy, comorbidities, complications during or after surgery, and time lapse between trauma and surgery were prospectively collected. The type of fixation of the stem, the thickness and type of liner, and whether the tuberosities were fixed or not were also recorded. The Constant score weighted on the contralateral limb, QuickDASH, Oxford Shoulder Score, and Subjective Shoulder Value were collected. Tuberosities’ healing was assessed with X-rays (anteroposterior, Grashey, and axillary views). Results: Overall, 34 patients were included, with an average follow-up of 42 months. Tuberosities were reinserted in 24 cases and their healing rate was 83%. The mean values were the following: a Constant score of 64, Oxford Shoulder Score of 39, Subjective Shoulder Value of 71, and QuickDASH score of 27. There were no significant differences in the scores or range of motion between patients with tuberosities healed, reabsorbed, or not reattached. There was a better external rotation in the group with healed tuberosities and a longer duration of surgery to reattach tuberosities. Conclusions: The treatment of proximal humerus fractures with the Bigliani-Flatow stem is associated with good clinical and functional results. The healing rate of the tuberosities was high and comparable, if not even better, than the mean rates reported for the stems dedicated to fractures of the proximal humerus and was, therefore, also appropriate for this indication.
Purpose This study aimed to assess the validity and informational value of TikTok content about epicondylitis. The hypothesis tested herein was that TikTok video content would not provide adequate and valid information. Methods The term “epicondylitis” was used as a keyword to comprehensively search for TikTok videos, and the first 100 videos that were retrieved were subsequently included for analysis. The duration, number of likes, number of shares and number of views were recorded for each video. Furthermore, the videos were categorized on the basis of their source (medical doctor, physiotherapist, or private user), type of information (physical therapy, anatomy, clinical examination, etiopathogenesis, patient experience, treatment, or other), video content (rehabilitation, education, or patient experience/testimony), and the presence of music or voice. Assessments of video content quality and reliability were conducted using the DISCERN tool, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the Global Quality Score (GQS). Results A total of 100 videos were included in the analysis: 78 (78.0%) were published by physiotherapists, 18 were published by medical doctors (18.0%), and 4 were published by private users (4.0%). Most of the information pertained to physical therapy (75; 75.0%) and most of the content was about rehabilitation (75; 75.0%). The mean length of the videos was 42.51 ± 24.75 seconds; the mean number of views was 193,207.78 ± 1,300,853.86; and the mean number of comments, likes, and shares were 22.43 ± 62.54, 1578.52 ± 8333.11, and 149.87 ± 577.73, respectively. The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS were 18.12 ± 5.73, 0.80 ± 0.53, and 1.30 ± 0.52, respectively. Videos posted by medical doctors/private users had higher scores ( p < 0.05) than videos posted by physiotherapists. Videos that focused on education or patient experience had higher scores ( p < 0.05) than videos based on rehabilitation. Conclusions TikTok can be an unreliable source of information regarding epicondylitis treatment. It is common to find nonphysicians who share medical advice on the platform, with medical treatments demonstrating the weakest level of supporting evidence. Elbow surgeons should advise their patients that treatment recommendations from TikTok may not align with established guidelines. Level of Evidence : Level IV—Cross-sectional study.
Background: The purpose of this study is to describe anterolateral rotatory instability (ALRI) as a possible etiology of primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the elbow.Methods: We examined 76 fresh frozen cadaveric elbows (male:female, 56:20; mean age, 81 years) for patterns of cartilage erosion that could be due to ALRI. These included erosions on the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) lesion, crescent rim of the radial head (RC) lesion or the ventral capitellum (VC) lesion. The extent and location of the lesions were mapped by image processing of photographs of the humeral and radial articular surfaces, and the degeneration of the articular surface was graded.Results: Ten of 76 specimens (13%) had one or more lesions consistent with ALRI. LTR lesions were most common and were seen in 10 of 10 specimens (100%), typically involving the distal 30% of the LTR. RC lesions were seen in 9 of 10 and were located on anteromedial crescent of the radial head ranging from 6 to 10 o’clock. VC lesions were seen in 8 of 10 specimens directed anteroinferiorly about 60° to the long axis of the humerus.Conclusions: ALRI is a possible mechanism initiating primary OA of the elbow. It has a characteristic pattern of triple lesions involving the LTR, the RC, and the VC.Level of evidence: IV.
Abstract Purpose This study aimed to assess the validity and informational value of the material provided on TikTok regarding frozen shoulders. The hypothesis was that the video content on this platform would not provide adequate and valid information. Methods The current study focused on frozen shoulder videos on the TikTok social media platform. The terms “frozen shoulder” and/or “adhesive capsulitis” were used as keywords for an extensive online search of video content on TikTok, and the first 100 videos were included. Out-of-topic, non-English, and duplicated videos were excluded from the analysis. The duration and numbers of likes, shares, and views were recorded for each video. Further, videos were categorized based on the source (physiotherapist/osteopath, medical doctor, or private user), type of information (physical therapy, etiopathogenesis, anatomy, clinical examination, patient experience, or symptoms), video content (rehabilitation, education, or patient experience/testimony), and the presence of music or a voice. The assessment of the video content’s quality and reliability was performed by two experienced shoulder surgeons using the DISCERN instrument, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the Global Quality Score (GQS). Results A total of 100 videos were included in the analysis, of which 86 (86.0%) were published by physiotherapists/osteopaths. Most of the information and video content focused on physical therapy and rehabilitation (83.0% and 84.0%, respectively). Eighty-four (84.0%) videos included voice comments, while the remaining featured music. The mean number of views was 2,142,215.32 ± 6,148,794.63, while the mean numbers of likes, comments, and shares were 58,438.67 ± 201,863.54, 550.81 ± 1712.22, and 3327.43 ± 7320.81, respectively. The mean video duration was 110.20 ± 116.43 s. The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS were 16.17 ± 2.36, 0.61 ± 0.51, and 1.18 ± 0.41, respectively. Videos posted by medical doctors or private users received higher scores than those posted by physiotherapists/osteopaths (p < 0.05). Conclusions The educational value of videos published on TikTok was poor; videos posted by medical doctors exhibited better quality and educational value than those of physiotherapists or osteopaths. It is the responsibility of orthopedic surgeons to investigate the potential benefits, consequences, and implications of TikTok video content for the health of frozen shoulder patients and to propose necessary adjustments. Given the rapid growth of TikTok, further research is needed. Level of evidence Level IV—cross-sectional study.
Periprosthetic femoral fracture is the third most frequent complication after total hip replacement (THR). It is mainly caused by low-energy trauma in the elderly. Open periprosthetic fractures are significantly rarer and are caused by high-energy trauma. Here we present a case of a 73-year-old man who sustained an open (Gustilo II) left periprosthetic femoral fracture with an unstable femoral component (Vancouver B2). After an early stabilization with a temporary external fixator, a single-stage revision using a tapered long femoral stem was performed. At the last follow-up (3.2 years), the patient was satisfied and walked without pain and aids, and the Harris Hip Score was 83.5. No signs of infection or osteolysis were present in the last radiographs.
The number of shoulder arthroplasties has increased tremendously over the last twenty years, creating a proportional increase in complications rates and revision. Shoulder arthroplasty surgeon should have a clear understanding of the reasons for failure based on the specific index procedure that was performed. The main challenge includes the need for component removal and managing glenoid and humeral bone defects. This manuscript aims to outline the most common indications for revision surgery and treatment options based on a careful and detailed review of the available literature. This paper should help the surgeon in patient evaluation and selection of the optimal procedure for an individual patient.
Coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus are rare, frequently comminuted, and are without consensus for treatment. The aim of this paper is to review the current concepts on the diagnosis, classification, treatment options, surgical approaches, and complications of capitellar and trochlear fractures. Computed Tomography (CT) scans, along with the Dubberley classification, are extremely helpful in the decision-making process. Most of the fractures necessitate open reduction and internal fixation, although elbow arthroplasty is an option for comminuted fractures in the elderly low-demand patient. Stiffness is the most common complication after fixation, although reoperation is infrequent.
Proper management of coronoid fractures is mandatory because missed diagnosis or poor treatment may lead to elbow dysfunction. The main portions of the coronoid are the tip, the base, the anteromedial facet, the sublime tubercle, and the lesser sigmoid notch. Coronoid fractures are typically after elbow dislocation or subluxation. Consequently, collateral ligament tears are often associated, ranging from small to high grade tears. There are two possible mechanisms of injury: posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) and posteromedial rotatory instability (PMRI). Nowadays, the most widely used classifications - as the one published by Raegan and Money - can be misleading and insufficient since it does not give any information about the possible mechanism of injury. The O'Driscoll classification is threedimensional and CT scan-based and helps distinguish between PLRI and PMRI mechanism of injury. It classifies coronoid fractures as tip, anteromedial, or basal fractures. Treatment can be based on the degrees Driscoll classification and on the analysis of other factors. such as the number and size of fracture fragments and associated lesions. Occasionally, nonsurgical management is a treatment option. but must be selected with caution. Surgical management often consists of fracture fixation (with several options, such as cannulated screws, Kirschner wires, sutures, and dedicated plate and screws) and ligament repair. Arthroscopy may be a treatment option, in particular when there is only one coronoid fragment.
Background:Acetabular aseptic loosening due to bone defect in total hip arthroplasty revisions is a great challenge and several solutions have been proposed, but a broadly accepted consensus in the literature has not been reached yet. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and radiographic results of acetabular bone defects treatment with biological-only graft or with a mixture of bone graft substitute and biological graft.Methods:33 patients had revision hip arthroplasty using impaction grafting with biological-only graft (21 patients, Group A) or a 1/3 mixture of allograft and tricalcium phosphate bone graft substitute (12 patients, Group B). Patients were reassessed at a minimum of one year after surgery with new x-rays and the Harris Hip Score (HHS).Results:Survivorship of bone graft was 86% in Group A and 100% in Group B at a mean follow-up of 35 months. No statistical difference between the two groups was found in terms of implants survivorship (P=0.28), clinical (P=0.08) or radiographic (P=0.27) outcomes.Conclusion:In our experience the use of tricalcium phosphate bone graft substitutes in combination with allo and autograft provides good outcomes, low risk of failure and great clinical and radiographic results. Further investigations on larger samples are needed to impact clinical practice.
Background Revision surgery after the Latarjet procedure is a rare and challenging surgical problem, and various bony or capsular procedures have been proposed. This systematic review examines clinical and radiographic outcomes of different procedures for treating persistent pain or recurrent instability after a Latarjet procedure. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed using the Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Ovid databases with the combined keywords “failed”, “failure”, “revision”, “Latarjet”, “shoulder stabilization” and “shoulder instability” to identify articles published in English that deal with failed Latarjet procedures. Results A total of 11 studies (five retrospective and six case series investigations), all published between 2008 and 2020, fulfilled our inclusion criteria. For the study, 253 patients (254 shoulders, 79.8% male) with a mean age of 29.6 years (range: 16–54 years) were reviewed at an average follow-up of 51.5 months (range: 24–208 months). Conclusions Eden–Hybinette and arthroscopic capsuloplasty are the most popular and safe procedures to treat recurrent instability after a failed Latarjet procedure, and yield reasonable clinical outcomes. A bone graft procedure and capsuloplasty were proposed but there was no clear consensus on their efficacy and indication. Level of evidence Level IV Trial registration PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020185090— www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/