Variable definitions of pseudoparalysis have been used in the literature. Recent systematic reviews and biomechanical studies call for a grading of loss of force couple balance and the use of the terms ‘pseudoparesis’ and ‘pseudoparalysis’. Pain should be excluded as the cause of loss of active function. Key players for loss of force couple balance seem to be the lower subscapularis as an anterior inferior checkrein and the teres minor as a posterior inferior fulcrum. Loss of three out of five muscle–tendon units counting upper and lower subscapularis separately is predictive of pseudoparalysis. Shoulder equator concept: loss of all three posterior, or all three superior, or all three anterior muscle–tendon units is predictive of pseudoparalysis (loss of fulcrum for deltoid force). Every effort should be made to prevent propagation of rotator cuff tears into the subscapularis and posterior rotator cuff (infraspinatus and teres minor) to maintain force couple balance (value of partial cuff repair). Clinical assessment of active forward elevation, active external rotation, and active internal rotation is important to define and grade the severity of loss of force couple balance. Additional features such as patient age, traumatic aetiology, chronicity, fatty infiltration, and stage of cuff tear arthropathy are useful for a specific diagnosis with implications for treatment.
Background: Latarjet is a term used for different techniques and modifications to expose the glenoid and to transfer and fix the coracoid. The procedure is intricate and technically demanding. Outcomes and complications are heterogeneous in the literature. A master technique, the Walch technique, has been practiced for decades, with outstanding long-term results and patient satisfaction. Indications: Documented anterior dislocations with evidence for emergency reduction, with or without hyperlaxity and confirmation of a traumatic capsuloligamentous lesion. Contraindications include voluntary dislocations and multidirectional instability without these criteria. The Instability Severity Index Score can guide decision making on whether Bankart surgery is sufficient. Large Hill-Sachs lesions may be an indication for additional remplissage. Technique Description: Three key maneuvers and 6 surgical stages need to be mastered for consistent results. Key maneuvers include: (1) arm positioning for all stages, (2) retractor placement, and (3) safe conjoint tendon releases. Six key stages include: (1) coracoid exposure and initial release; (2) osteotomy and subsequent release; (3) bone preparation; (4) subscapularis split and arthrotomy; (5) 360° scapula neck exposure; and (6) cornerstone drill hole positioning, fixation, and simple capsuloplasty. Specific arm positioning facilitates coracoid exposure, releases, subscapularis split, arthrotomy, and retractor insertion, as well as capsular repair. A 360° anterior scapula neck exposure is crucial to drill the inferior cornerstone hole (2.5 for 4.0 partially threaded cancellous screw) 7 mm medial to the articular surface with mandatory direction parallel to the articular surface. The bone block can be dialed to the exact position, preventing lateral overhang. The capsule is closed to the coracoacromial ligament stump in 45° of external rotation. Results: A series of >80 cases with minimum 1-year follow-up (range: 1-5 years) demonstrated excellent results. Outcomes were good to excellent (small saphenous vein >80% in 95% of cases; Constant score >90% and Rowe score > 90%) in keeping with the Walch results (>1000 cases). The complication rate was low: 1 early coracoid fracture (1.3%), no dislocation and neurological complications, no new arthritis or progression, and good coracoid position without lateral overhang. Conclusion: The Walch technique, although technically demanding, provides excellent, consistently reproducible results once the 3 key surgical maneuvers and 6 stages of the procedure are mastered.
Decision-making for the treatment of pseudoparalytic shoulders is complex and a high level of experience in shoulder surgery and outcome evaluation is required. Management and results depend on clinical findings, tear and tissue quality, patient and surgeon criteria. Clinical findings determine the exact definition and direction of pseudoparesis and pseudoparalysis. Tear pattern and tissue quality determine if the rotator cuff is repairable or irreparable. Age and general health are important patient factors. Non-operative treatment is the first option for patients with a higher risk profile for reconstruction or arthroplasty, but delineation of its value requires better evidence. Tendon transfers are used for irreparable loss of the horizontal force couple balance (rotation). Options include latissimus dorsi, pectoralis minor and major for loss of active internal rotation, and latissimus dorsi ± teres major and lower trapezius for loss of active external rotation (AER). Partial cuff repair with or without superior capsular reconstruction using allograft or biceps tendon is an option for loss of active forward elevation. Treatment for the combined loss of elevation and external rotation patients is still not clear. Options include lateralised reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) alone or combined RSA with a tendon transfer. RSA with loss of AER can be revised by adding a tendon transfer.
Background: Chronic rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are common and are often only partially repairable. Surgical treatment is challenging in younger patients. Surgical options include partial repair, tendon transfer, subacromial spacer, superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), and reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The use of SCR has been expanded and commercialized. The proposed techniques are complex using free avascular grafts and up to 7 anchors with associated increase in theater time and nonrefunded cost. Biceps SCR has shown promising biomechanical resistance and seems to offer a simple and cost-effective alternative. Indications: Patients with RCTs (Goutallier stage ≥3, Patte 3) without arthritis that are at least partially repairable (infraspinatus and subscapularis) are candidates. Patients with mechanically intact long head of biceps (LHB) and superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) anchor (minimal fraying of <10% and fraying of SLAP without full-thickness tears acceptable) are also candidates. Technique: Key steps include arthroscopic release/lateral opening of the bicipital grove (15-20 mm) and placement of a first footprint anchor 8 to 10 mm posterior to the anatomical sulcus. Use of a 5-mm burr to create a new rerouting groove obliquely from the first anchor to the original groove, 15 to 20 mm caudal to the summit of the tubercle. Lasso-loop translation and tenodesis of the LHB to the first anchor. Use of a second caudal biceps tenodesis anchor with lasso-loops at the caudal end of the new groove. These 2 anchors create a rerouting bipedicle tenodesis performing the function of both an SCR and biceps tenodesis. Single-row, tension-free over-the-top repair of infraspinatus and the bursal layer of supraspinatus is completed with a third anchor on the rerouted biceps which remains in continuity. Results: The pilot series (n = 10) with a mean follow-up of 12 months (9-18 months) shows satisfactory outcomes. One patient developed a postoperative frozen shoulder and one a secondary Popeye deformity. Functional scores and patient satisfaction improved in all cases. The subjective shoulder value improved from a mean of 30% (10%-40%) preoperatively to 75% (60%-80%) postoperatively and the constant score from 30 points (20-40) to 68 points (60-71). Conclusion: As long as LHB and its SLAP anchor are adequate, biceps rerouting in combination with partial rotator cuff repair is a safe alternative to time-consuming and expensive commercialized SCR techniques.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.