To date, all the authors who have recommended external rotation osteotomy (ERO) in the late treatment of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP), have neglected upper limb length discrepancy, which is an another sequelae of OBPP. In this paper, a new technique is reported for the late treatment of OBPP patients with upper limb length discrepancy, in which both humeral external rotation osteotomy (ERO) and lengthening are applied with an intramedullary elongation nail. With this technique, upper limb function is improved through re-orientation of the shoulder arc to a more functional range, and further improvements will be seen in the appearance of the upper limb with the elimination of length discrepancy. It is also advocated that there is a potentiating effect of the humeral lengthening on shoulder movements gained by ERO when the osteotomy is applied above the deltoid insertion, as this allows more lateralized placement of the deltoid insertion.
Purpose The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the elbow flexion and supination strengths and the functional outcomes of patients following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair combined with simultaneous biceps tenodesis. Methods 19 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and biceps tenodesis with at least 24 months of follow-up were included. Patients were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) for bicipital groove pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and constant scores (CS), biceps apex distance (BAD), elbow flexion, and supination strengths. Results The VAS for biceps groove measurement averages in the postoperative 6th, 12th, and 24th months was lower in comparison to preoperative data and was considered to be statistically significant ( p < .05). The constant score, an average of all postoperative measurements and scores, was found to be higher than preoperative values and was considered to be statistically significant ( p < .01). There was a significant difference in the operated and non-operated forearm supination and elbow flexion muscle strength measurements at the postoperative 3- and 6-month follow-ups ( p < .01). Conclusion Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis into the anchors of the lateral row in combination with rotator cuff repair provides an increase in the strength of elbow flexion and forearm supination, while decreasing pain. Level of Evidence Level IV
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