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Background Frozen shoulder has not previously been shown to be associated with infection. The present study set out to confirm the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between infection and frozen shoulder using two modern scientific methods, extended culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bacterial nucleic acids. Methods A prospective cohort of 10 patients undergoing arthroscopic release for stage II idiopathic frozen shoulder had two biopsies of tissue taken from the affected shoulder joint capsule at the time of surgery, along with control biopsies of subdermal fat. The biopsies and controls were examined with extended culture and PCR for microbial nucleic acid. Results Eight of the 10 patients had positive findings on extended culture in their shoulder capsule and, in six of these, Propionibacterium acnes was present. Conclusions The findings mean that we must reject the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between infection and frozen shoulder. More studies are urgently needed to confirm or refute these findings. If they are confirmed, this could potentially lead to new and effective treatments for this common, painful and disabling condition. Could P. acnes be the Helicobacter of frozen shoulder?

Aims Despite the expansion of arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, the open deltopectoral approach is increasingly used for the fixation of fractures and arthroplasty of the shoulder. The anatomy of the terminal branches of the posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) has not been described before. We undertook an investigation to correct this omission. Patients and Methods The vascular anatomy encountered during 100 consecutive elective deltopectoral approaches was recorded, and the common variants of the terminal branches of the PCHA are described. Results In total, 92 patients (92%) had a terminal branch that crossed the space between the deltoid and the proximal humerus and which was therefore vulnerable to tearing or avulsion during the insertion of the blade of a retractor during the deltopectoral approach to the shoulder. In 75 patients (75%) there was a single vessel, in 16 (16%) a double vessel and in one a triple vessel. Conclusion The relationship of these vessels to the landmark of the tendon of the insertion of pectoralis major into the proximal humerus is described. Damage to these previously undocumented branches can cause persistent bleeding leading to prolonged surgery and post-operative haematoma and infection, as well as poor visualisation during the procedure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1395–8.

Two decades of rapid advances in basic knowledge, industrial technology and surgical skill have made shoulder replacement a predictable, safe and successful operation. This article looks to pass on some of these advances in our understanding of anatomy, pathology, surgical approaches and releases. It looks at contentious issues such as the hemi versus total shoulder debate, the stemmed, surface and stemless debate, the issues of DVT prophylaxis and prophylaxis against infection. Finally the article makes the plea that shoulders are different from hips and knees and that long term results depend more upon cuff function than prosthetic failure.

Background The present study examined the strength of fixation of a knotless anchor system that relies on trapping the suture between an interference fit screw and its bone tunnel, a method familiar to orthopaedic surgeons during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Type of study In vitro biomechanical single-pull load to failure study of fixation achieved by interference fit screws in porcine bone. A standard suture anchor with eyelet was used as a control. Methods A single-pull to failure test was carried out on a Hounsfield H20K digital tensiometer (Tinius Olsen, Hersham, PA, USA). Two suture materials were compared [braided polyester (Ethibond; Ethicon Ltd, Edinburgh, UK) and a new suture (Fibrewire; Arthrex Inc., Naples, FL, USA) that has a high molecular weight polyethylene core]. Two interference fit screws were compared: one metal and the other plastic (PEEK; Parkus Medical, Sturgeon Bay, WI, USA). Results The average values were between 262 N and 584 N. The average failure value for a standard anchor was 206 N. Clinical Relevance Interference fit fixation provides an elegant strong knotless method for securing multiple sutures to a single point.

Background Frozen shoulder is a chronic fibrosing condition affecting the capsule of the joint. The predominant cells involved are fibroblasts and myofibroblasts that lay down a dense matrix of type I and type III collagen within the capsule. This subsequently contracts leading to the typical features of pain and stiffness. The histology is very similar to Dupuytren's contracture [1] – [5] . Chromosomal abnormalities, particularly Trisomy 7 and 8, have been found in Dupuytren's disease. Methods The aim of this study was to see if there are chromosomal changes in frozen shoulder. The anterosuperior shoulder joint capsule was excised in 16 patients with resistant primary frozen shoulder according to the method of Ozaki et al. [4] . The tissue was examined for chromosomal abnormalities using standard cytogenetic methods. Results Ten of the 16 showed chromosomal abnormalities, of which 7 had clonal chromosomal abnormalities; 4 had trisomy 7, 2 had trisomy 8, and 1 both trisomy 7 and 8. Conclusion This is approximately the same percentage and numerical type of change to the same chromosomes as previously reported in Dupuytren's disease.

Contracted (Frozen) Shoulder is an enigmatic common, disabling and painful condition. The last two decades have seen advances made in our understanding of the pathology, natural history and associations of this condition. This understanding has allowed led to the development of new and effective methods of treating the disease. Despite these advances there is still a long way to go before we have a full understanding of this condition.

BackgroundFrozen shoulder is considered to be associated with diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, high cholesterol and Dupuytren's disease. However, these associations have been made without arthroscopic confirmation of frozen shoulder or comparison with a control group. The present study aimed to compare the incidence of co-morbidities in a group of arthroscopically proven frozen shoulder patients and an age-and sex-matched control group.MethodsOne hundred and one patients with clinical and arthroscopically proven primary frozen shoulder and no other intra-articular pathology were identified. One hundred and one patients were recruited from a fracture clinic as an age- and sex-matched control group. Each patient was sent a questionnaire to document co-morbidities and frozen shoulder in siblings.ResultsOnly diabetes ( p = 0.002) and a sibling with frozen shoulder ( p < 0.02) were found to be risk factors for frozen shoulder.DiscussionThis is the first large study to use a precise diagnosis and a well-matched control group to quantify the associations of frozen shoulder. It confirms the link of frozen shoulder with diabetes and adds to the argument for a genetic link in patients requiring an arthroscopic capsular release. It questions the association of heart disease, high cholesterol and thyroid disease with frozen shoulder.

Background High re-tear rates and the cost of anchor repair have led some arthroscopic surgeons to consider going ‘back to the future’ and using Neer type transosseous sutures arthroscopically. Methods We examined the strength of suture repair in the laboratory using a Monsanto tensiometer (Monsanto, Swindon, UK) using a single pull to failure loading programme. Results This shows that, in transosseous repair, the bone tunnels can fail at between 16 N and 115 N compared to anchors that fail at 168 N to 712 N. Discussion This cautionary tale means that going back to ‘the good old days’ might not be such a good idea.

We present a case report of a total elbow replacement that survived 31 years in a young female patient with, early onset rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Michael Devas inserted this self-designed, unlinked elbow prosthesis in 1973. The ulnar component loosened after 17 years and was revised using impaction grafting to restore bone stock. The original prosthesis demonstrated minimal wear and it was therefore reinserted. It functioned for a further 14 years, allowing the patient to continue working virtually pain free as a secretary, mother and housewife. To our knowledge, this is the longest surviving unlinked elbow replacement reported in the literature.

We reviewed 12 patients with primary glenoid dysplasia. Ten were assessed clinically and two from case notes and radiographs. We identified two groups according to the age at onset of symptoms. The first (seven patients) consisted of boys and younger men, all of whom developed symptoms before the age of 40 years. All four children were free from pain, whereas the three adults in this group had varying degrees of this. Four patients had symptoms of instability. The second group consisted of older men (five patients) all of whom had noted the onset of symptoms, in the form of pain and stiffness, after the age of 40 years. All five had radiological evidence of osteoarthritis. Although the four children in our study had minimal symptoms, all eight adults had ongoing shoulder pain and dysfunction, despite a specific rehabilitation programme. Four patients required surgery; one had posterior stabilisation for instability and three arthroplasties of the shoulder for osteoarthritis.

Frozen shoulder is a chronic fibrosing condition of the capsule of the joint. The predominant cells involved are fibroblasts and myofibroblasts which lay down a dense matrix of type-I and type-III collagen within the capsule. This subsequently contracts leading to the typical features of pain and stiffness. Cytokines and growth factors regulate the growth and function of the fibroblasts of connective tissue and remodelling of the matrix is controlled by the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors. Our aim was to determine whether there was an abnormal expression or secretion of cytokines, growth factors and MMPs in tissue samples from 14 patients with frozen shoulder using the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) technique and to compare the findings with those in tissue from four normal control shoulders and from five patients with Dupuytren’s contracture. Tissue from frozen shoulders demonstrated the presence of mRNA for a large number of cytokines and growth factors although the frequency was only slightly higher than in the control tissue. The frequency for a positive signal for the proinflammatory cytokines Il-1β and TNF-α and TNF-β, was not as great as in the Dupuytren’s tissue. The presence of mRNA for fibrogenic growth factors was, however, more similar to that obtained in the control and Dupuytren’s tissue. This correlated with the histological findings which in most specimens showed a dense fibrous tissue response with few cells other than mature fibroblasts and with very little evidence of any active inflammatory cell process. Positive expressions of the mRNA for the MMPs were also increased, together with their natural inhibitor TIMP. The notable exception compared with control and Dupuytren’s tissue was the absence of MMP-14, which is known to be a membrane-type MMP required for the activation of MMP-2 (gelatinase A). Understanding the control mechanisms which play a part in the pathogenesis of frozen shoulder may lead to the development of new regimes of treatment for this common, protracted and painful chronic fibrosing condition.

INTRODUCTION Collecting outcome scores in paper form is fraught with difficulty. We have assessed the feasibility of, and patient's attitude towards, entering scores using a touchscreen. PATIENTS AND METHODS A touchscreen was installed in the orthopaedic out-patient clinic. If relevant, patients were asked to complete either an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) using the screen. Patients were given written instructions and their hospital number by the receptionist who had no further input. Scores were completed with two identifiers. A paper questionnaire was used to assess computer experience and attitude towards the touchscreen. RESULTS A total of 1348 patients, average age 50 years, successfully completed a score in the first 12 months. One-third were over 60 years. Overall, 91% correctly entered their hospital number and date of birth, falling to 84% in patients over 70 years. All patients were identifiable. The average time to complete the scores was 4.7 min rising with age. Of 170 patients completing the paper assessment of the touchscreen, one-third had little or no experience of computers and a third were over 60 years. Of patients, 93% were willing to repeat the score using the touchscreen to monitor progress. Two-thirds found it easier to use than expected. Only 10% would prefer a paper score. These results were maintained among patients over 60 years. Only two were unable to complete the score and 80% of those potentially eligible did so. The remainder were called to clinic before the touchscreen was free. CONCLUSIONS Orthopaedic outcome scores can be collected in very large volumes using a touchscreen. Data are then in an immediately usable form. The method is acceptable to patients, independent of age and computer experience. Even in the oldest patients, the accuracy is higher than for paper versions of the score. Combined with operative data, this simple method has the potential to provide a very powerful audit tool indeed.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this prospective study was to assess the immediate and long-term effectiveness of arthroscopic capsular release in a large cohort of patients with a precise and isolated diagnosis of stage II idiopathic frozen shoulder. METHODS All patients underwent a preoperative evaluation. Patients with secondary frozen shoulder and those with concurrent pathology at arthroscopy were excluded. This left 136 patients with a stage II arthroscopically confirmed idiopathic frozen shoulder. At each postoperative attendance, a record was made of pain, function and range of motion. At 12 months, the Oxford shoulder score was calculated, and pain and range of motion were assessed. RESULTS Fifty per cent achieved good pain relief within a week and eighty per cent within six weeks of arthroscopic capsular release. The mean preoperative visual analogue scale pain score was 6.6 and the mean postoperative score was 1.0. The mean time to achieving good pain relief was 16 days following surgery. No patient could sleep through the night prior to surgery while 90% reported having a complete night’s sleep at a mean of 12 days after surgery. The mean postoperative Oxford shoulder score was 38/48 and the mean improvement was 19.2. CONCLUSIONS This large series demonstrates that arthroscopic capsular release is a safe procedure, with rapid improvement in pain and a marked improvement in range of motion.

Despite the expansion of arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, the open deltopectoral approach to the shoulder is still frequently used, for example in fracture fixation and shoulder replacement. However, it is sometimes accompanied by unexpected bleeding. The cephalic vein is the landmark for the deltopectoral interval, yet its intimate relationship with the deltoid artery, and the anatomical variations in that structure, have not previously been documented. In this study the vascular anatomy encountered during 100 consecutive elective deltopectoral approaches was recorded and the common variants described. Two common variants of the deltoid artery were encountered. In type I (71%) it crosses the interval and tunnels into the deltoid muscle without encountering the cephalic vein. However, in type II (21%) it crosses the interval, reaches the cephalic vein and then runs down, medial to and behind it, giving off several small arterial branches that return back across the interval to the pectoralis major. Several minor variations were also seen (8%). These variations in the deltoid artery have not previously been described and may lead to confusion and unexpected bleeding during this standard anterior surgical approach to the shoulder. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:657–9.

Of 935 consecutive patients referred with shoulder pain, 50 fitted the criteria for primary frozen shoulder. Twelve patients who failed to improve after conservative treatment and manipulation had excision of the coracohumeral ligament and the rotator interval of the capsule. The specimens were examined histologically, using special stains for collagen. Immunocytochemistry was performed with monoclonal antibodies against leucocyte common antigen (LCA, CD45) and a macrophage/synovial antigen (PGMI, CD68) to assess the inflammatory component, and vimentin and smooth-muscle actin to evaluate fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Our histological and immunocytochemical findings show that the pathological process is active fibroblastic proliferation, accompanied by some transformation to a smooth muscle phenotype (myofibroblasts). The fibroblasts lay down collagen which appears as a thick nodular band or fleshy mass. These appearances are very similar to those in Dupuytren's disease of the hand, with no inflammation and no synovial involvement. The contracture acts as a check-rein against external rotation, causing loss of both active and passive movement.

The outcome of an anatomical shoulder replacement depends on an intact rotator cuff. In 1981 Grammont designed a novel large-head reverse shoulder replacement for patients with cuff deficiency. Such has been the success of this replacement that it has led to a rapid expansion of the indications. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the functional outcome of each indication for the reverse shoulder replacement. Secondary outcome measures of range of movement, pain scores and complication rates are also presented.

INTRODUCTION Nearly 1 in 40 of the population seeks medical advice related to a shoulder problem every year. The majority pertain to rotator cuff pathology. Prior to intervention in such patients it is imperative to define whether the tendons are intact or torn. Ultrasonography has become an essential adjunct to clinical assessment in diagnosing rotator cuff tears. This study was designed to investigate if a surgeon using a portable ultrasonography machine in a one-stop shoulder clinic could significantly reduce the time a patient waited from initial outpatient presentation to the end of the treatment episode (be it surgery, injection or conservative management). METHODS A total of 77 patients were allocated to one of two groups: Group A, consisting of 37 patients who were assessed and had ultrasonography as outpatients, and Group B, consisting of 40 patients who were assessed and referred for departmental ultrasonography where appropriate. Three clear outcome groups were defined: those who required surgical repair, those who had irreparable tears and those who declined surgery. RESULTS For all outcomes (surgery, irreparable tears and conservative treatment), the patients in Group A all completed their clinical episodes significantly quicker than those in Group B (pCONCLUSIONS The use of a portable ultrasonography machine by an orthopaedic surgeon can significantly reduce the time to treatment and the financial cost for patients with rotator cuff tears.

The combination of an irreparable tear of the rotator cuff and destructive arthritis of the shoulder joint may cause severe pain, disability and loss of independence in the aged. Standard anatomical shoulder replacements depend on a functioning rotator cuff, and hence may fail in the presence of tears in the cuff. Many designs of non-anatomical constrained or semi-constrained prostheses have been developed for cuff tear arthropathy, but have proved unsatisfactory and were abandoned. The DePuy Delta III reverse prosthesis, designed by Grammont, medialises and stabilises the centre of rotation of the shoulder joint and has shown early promise. This study evaluated the mid-term clinical and radiological results of this arthroplasty in a consecutive series of 50 shoulders in 43 patients with a painful pseudoparalysis due to an irreparable cuff tear and destructive arthritis, performed over a period of seven years by a single surgeon. A follow-up of 98% was achieved, with a mean duration of 39 months (8 to 81). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 81 years (59 to 95). The female to male ratio was 5:1. During the seven years, six patients died of natural causes. The clinical outcome was assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow score, the Oxford Shoulder Score and the Short-form 36 score. A radiological review was performed using the Sirveaux score for scapular notching. The mean American Shoulder and Elbow score was 19 (95% confidence interval (CI) 14 to 23) pre-operatively, and 65 (95% CI 48 to 82) (paired t-test, p < 0.001) at final follow-up. The mean Oxford score was 44 (95% CI 40 to 51) pre-operatively and 23 (95% CI 18 to 28) (paired t-test, p < 0.001) at final follow-up. The mean maximum elevation improved from 55° pre-operatively to 105° at final follow-up. There were seven complications during the whole series, although only four patients required further surgery.

Fifty-eight patients with the diagnosis of primary frozen shoulder were independently examined by 3 surgeons for evidence of Dupuytren's disease. The disease was found in 52% (30/58) of the patients reviewed. These figures were compared with previously reported figures for a population of similar age. This showed that Dupuytren's disease is 8.27 (95% CI, 6.25-11.2) times more common in patients with frozen shoulder than in the general population; the difference between the two was highly statistically significant (P < .001, chi(2) test). We discuss the literature on the association between frozen shoulder and Dupuytren's disease and the implications of such a high proportion of patients sharing these two conditions.

There are no long-term published results on the survival of a third-generation cemented total shoulder replacement. We describe a clinical and radiological study of the Aequalis total shoulder replacement for a minimum of ten years. Between September 1996 and May 1998, 39 consecutive patients underwent a primary cemented total shoulder replacement using this prosthesis. Data were collected prospectively on all patients each year, for a minimum of ten years, or until death or failure of the prosthesis. At a follow-up of at least ten years, 12 patients had died with the prosthesis intact and two had emigrated, leaving 25 available for clinical review. Of these, 13 had rheumatoid arthritis and 12 osteoarthritis. One refused radiological review leaving 24 with fresh radiographs. Survivorship at ten years was 100% for the humeral component and 92% for the glenoid component. The incidence of lucent lines was low. No humeral component was thought to be at risk and only two glenoid components. The osteoarthritic group gained a mean 65° in forward flexion and their Constant score improved by a mean 41.4 points (13 to 55). The rheumatoid group gained a mean of 24° in flexion and their Constant score improved by 29.4 points. This difference may have been due to failure of the rotator cuff in 75% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Thus a third-generation total shoulder replacement gives an excellent result in patients with osteoarthritis and an intact rotator cuff. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a 75% risk of failure of the rotator cuff at ten years.

We have examined the accuracy of 143 consecutive ultrasound scans of patients who subsequently underwent shoulder arthroscopy for rotator-cuff disease. All the scans and subsequent surgery were performed by an orthopaedic surgeon using a portable ultrasound scanner in a one-stop clinic. There were 78 full thickness tears which we confirmed by surgery or MRI. Three moderate-size tears were assessed as partial-thickness at ultrasound scan (false negative) giving a sensitivity of 96.2%. One partially torn and two intact cuffs were over-diagnosed as small full-thickness tears by ultrasound scan (false positive) giving a specificity of 95.4%. This gave a positive predictive value of 96.2% and a negative predictive value of 95.4%. Estimation of tear size was more accurate for large and massive tears at 96.5% than for moderate (88.8%) and small tears (91.6%). These results are equivalent to those obtained by several studies undertaken by experienced radiologists. We conclude that ultrasound imaging of the shoulder performed by a sufficiently-trained orthopaedic surgeon is a reliable time-saving practice to identify rotator-cuff integrity.

Following the discovery of a powerful venous pump in the foot that is activated by weight-bearing independently of muscular action, a pneumatic impulse device was developed to actuate this pump artificially. In a multicentre international trial the device was shown to reduce post-traumatic and postoperative swelling; pain also was alleviated. Evidence is also presented that dangerously high compartment pressures may be reduced to acceptable levels and fasciotomy avoided. We present an explanation of the clinical effects of activation of the venous footpump, based on recent improved understanding of the physiology of the microcirculation. The hyperaemic response that follows the liberation of endothelial-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) by sudden changes of pressure after weight-bearing or impulse compression is particularly important.

We describe an apparently unreported finding during hip operations: a tear at the insertion of gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. This defect may well be known to many surgeons with experience of hip replacement and hemiarthroplasty for fractures of the neck of the femur, but a Medline search has failed to find a previous description. We made a prospective study of 50 consecutive patients with fractures of the neck of the femur to quantify the incidence of this condition: 11 (22%) had such a tear.

Posterior positional dislocation is a form of atraumatic posterior recurrent dislocation commonly presenting in late teenage years. It has been an observation of ours that patients with posterior positional dislocation may have a small skin dimple, or tether, over the posteromedial deltoid of both shoulders. Fourteen consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of recurrent posterior positional dislocation were taken from our diagnostic database and reviewed along with 14 age- and sex-matched controls. For each patient and control, a diagnostic battery of clinical signs of instability was recorded and a photograph taken of the posterior aspect of the shoulder. The posterior dimple sign was associated with posterior instability with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 92%. The clinical association of a posterior skin dimple and posterior recurrent positional dislocation has not been recognized before. This feature is discussed and the literature is reviewed.

Purpose: This study evaluated the strength of different suture configurations with the use of a recently introduced arthroscopic suture passer (ExpressSew; Surgical Solutions, Valencia, CA). Methods: The ultimate tensile strength and mode of failure of each suture configuration were repeatedly tested on a validated porcine rotator cuff tendon model, with the use of standard suture material (No. 2 FiberWire [Arthrex, Naples, FL]) passed with ExpressSew and tested on a Hounsfield digital tensiometer type H20K-W (Tinius Olsen, Hersham, PA). Results: The strongest construct was 2 mattress sutures (mean, 169 N; standard deviation, 56.1 N); this was followed in strength by a single modified Kessler suture (mean, 161 N; standard deviation, 16.9 N), 4 simple sutures (mean, 155 N; standard deviation, 27.3 N), and finally, a single Mason-Allen suture (mean, 140 N; standard deviation, 28.6 N). Conclusions: Study results show little difference in strength for varying complexities of suture configurations. In simple terms, no demonstrable difference was seen in the strength of construct, whether the surgeon used 4 simple sutures, 2 mattress sutures, or 1 grasping suture. Clinical Relevance: This study allows the surgeon to justify use of the simplest configuration of suture passage that works in his hands, for the purpose of attaining a reliable and repeatable repair of the rotator cuff through arthroscopic methods.

Twenty-five patients with primary adhesive capsulitis underwent an arthroscopic release of the capsule of the shoulder joint. They were reviewed after a mean of 14.8 months (range, 3-40 months). Night pain and awakening were a feature in all 25 patients preoperatively but were only found in 3 postoperatively. There was marked improvement in pain from a preoperative visual analog scale score of 3.1 to a postoperative visual analog scale score of 12.6 on a scale of 15. Passive movement of the joint improved significantly, with mean passive elevation changing from 73.7 degrees preoperatively to 163 degrees postoperatively, mean passive external rotation changing from 10.6 degrees preoperatively to 46.8 degrees postoperatively, and passive internal rotation improving by a mean of 9 levels. The mean preoperative Constant score of 25.3 improved to 75.5 postoperatively, and the Constant score adjusted for age and gender averaged 91%. All patients completed the Short Form-36 questionnaire at their review, revealing a norm-based physical summary score of 48.7, falling within 1 SD of a normal population sample. This arthroscopic surgical technique is derived from the open surgical release. It is founded upon an understanding of the pathology of this condition. It appears to yield rapid relief of pain and dramatic improvement in movement and function in this painful and otherwise protracted condition.

We prospectively studied 50 patients with the diagnosis of primary frozen shoulder. The serum lipid levels were measured in 43 of these patients and compared with those in 43 age-matched and sex-matched control subjects. The fasting serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in the frozen-shoulder group (cholesterol p < 0.01; triglyceride p < 0.02).

Digital technologies can offer a safe training environment for familiarisation with new surgical procedures. To enhance access to and control of these virtual environments, a Java-based interface is used. The Exeter Virtual Worlds (EVW) shoulder arthroscopy simulator is designed to teach surgical pattern recognition skills via an interactive medium, using a thin client via a distributed computer architecture. The Java-based interface has been developed to enable the EVW system to be operated remotely from within a declarative (factual) Web-based training environment. By using Java for the control interface, it was possible for the surgeon to operate the virtual environment from a remote machine using familiar windows-style controls, which a focus group confirmed to be adequate for the task. The development of networking computer architectures will assist the assimilation of multiple sources and media. The interface now offers the opportunity to collect statistically significant data from such simulation systems embedded in an educational environment.

We reviewed 12 patients with primary glenoid dysplasia. Ten were assessed clinically and two from case notes and radiographs. We identified two groups according to the age at onset of symptoms. The first (seven patients) consisted of boys and younger men, all of whom developed symptoms before the age of 40 years. All four children were free from pain, whereas the three adults in this group had varying degrees of this. Four patients had symptoms of instability. The second group consisted of older men (five patients) all of whom had noted the onset of symptoms, in the form of pain and stiffness, after the age of 40 years. All five had radiological evidence of osteoarthritis. Although the four children in our study had minimal symptoms, all eight adults had ongoing shoulder pain and dysfunction, despite a specific rehabilitation programme. Four patients required surgery; one had posterior stabilisation for instability and three arthroplasties of the shoulder for osteoarthritis.

Over a 5-year period, 75 shoulders that met Codman's criteria for primary frozen shoulder were treated. Nine patients improved with nonoperative treatment, and the remaining 66 patients underwent manipulation under anesthesia. The shoulders in 41 patients successfully released with manipulation. Those in 25 failed to release with manipulation, and therefore, these patients underwent open surgical release of the contracted shoulder. We reviewed the cases of all of the surgically treated patients at 19.52 months' average follow-up, using the history and clinical examination technique recommended by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. The surgical findings in this group of 25 patients showed a consistent alteration in the rotator interval and coracohumeral ligament. The rotator interval was obliterated, and the coracohumeral ligament was transformed into a tough contracted band. The histology of this contracture was examined in 12 patients and consisted of a dense matrix of type III collagen populated with fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. The contracted coracohumeral ligament was excised with immediate release of the external rotation deficit. Pain scores on visual analogue scale improved from 8.28 to 2.0. The average score for function, with a maximum score of 30, improved from 6.08 to 18.9. Twenty patients had excellent or good results, and 3 had fair results. The shoulders of 2 patients failed to improve: 1 was an insulin-dependent patient with diabetes, and 1 had severe bilateral Dupuytren's contractures. The results in the patients without diabetes were very satisfactory, with visual analogue scale scores of pain decreasing from 8.4 to 1.1, function increasing from 6.4 to 20.1, flexion increasing from an average of 96° to an average of 131°, and external rotation increasing from an average of 10.0° to an average of 46.7°. Surgical release of frozen shoulder is a useful option in those few patients with severe disease whose shoulders fail to release with manipulation under anesthesia. Caution should be used in insulin-dependent patients with diabetes. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2001;10:353-7.)

Frozen shoulder is a chronic fibrosing condition of the capsule of the joint. The predominant cells involved are fibroblasts and myofibroblasts which lay down a dense matrix of type-I and type-III collagen within the capsule. This subsequently contracts leading to the typical features of pain and stiffness. Cytokines and growth factors regulate the growth and function of the fibroblasts of connective tissue and remodelling of the matrix is controlled by the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors. Our aim was to determine whether there was an abnormal expression or secretion of cytokines, growth factors and MMPs in tissue samples from 14 patients with frozen shoulder using the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) technique and to compare the findings with those in tissue from four normal control shoulders and from five patients with Dupuytren's contracture. Tissue from frozen shoulders demonstrated the presence of mRNA for a large number of cytokines and growth factors although the frequency was only slightly higher than in the control tissue. The frequency for a positive signal for the proinflammatory cytokines Il-beta and TNF-alpha and TNF-beta, was not as great as in the Dupuytren's tissue. The presence of mRNA for fibrogenic growth factors was, however, more similar to that obtained in the control and Dupuytren's tissue. This correlated with the histological findings which in most specimens showed a dense fibrous tissue response with few cells other than mature fibroblasts and with very little evidence of any active inflammatory cell process. Positive expressions of the mRNA for the MMPs were also increased, together with their natural inhibitor TIMP. The notable exception compared with control and Dupuytren's tissue was the absence of MMP-14, which is known to be a membrane-type MMP required for the activation of MMP-2 (gelatinase A). Understanding the control mechanisms which play a part in the pathogenesis of frozen shoulder may lead to the development of new regimes of treatment for this common, protracted and painful chronic fibrosing condition.

We present two cases of primary glenoid dysplasia occurring in a father and son. The father presented at age 18 years and the son 7 years later at the age of 3 years. Both presented with recurrent shoulder pain and radiographs showed primary glenoid dysplasia. Our cases would strongly suggest autosomal dominant inheritance in this condition. Very few cases of familial occurrence of the disease have been reported. Since shoulder surgeons are the most likely physicians to encounter this condition knowledge of the pattern of inheritance may allow effective counselling.

We describe an apparently unreported finding during hip operations: a tear at the insertion of gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. This defect may well be known to many surgeons with experience of hip replacement and hemiarthroplasty for fractures of the neck of the femur, but a Medline search has failed to find a previous description. We made a prospective study of 50 consecutive patients with fractures of the neck of the femur to quantify the incidence of this condition: 11 (22%) had such a tear.

Of 935 consecutive patients referred with shoulder pain, 50 fitted the criteria for primary frozen shoulder. Twelve patients who failed to improve after conservative treatment and manipulation had excision of the coracohumeral ligament and the rotator interval of the capsule. The specimens were examined histologically, using special stains for collagen. Immunocytochemistry was performed with monoclonal antibodies against leucocyte common antigen (LCA, CD45) and a macrophage/synovial antigen (PGMI, CD68) to assess the inflammatory component, and vimentin and smooth-muscle actin to evaluate fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Our histological and immunocytochemical findings show that the pathological process is active fibroblastic proliferation, accompanied by some transformation to a smooth muscle phenotype (myofibroblasts). The fibroblasts lay down collagen which appears as a thick nodular band or fleshy mass. These appearances are very similar to those in Dupuytren's disease of the hand, with no inflammation and no synovial involvement. The contracture acts as a check-rein against external rotation, causing loss of both active and passive movement.

A series of 100 roller skating injuries is presented. Roller skating injuries have been occurring at a higher rate than the previously reported skateboarding epidemic of 1977. The severity of injury has been lower, 32% fractures and dislocations occurring whilst roller skating, compared to 60% whilst skateboarding. In particular a striking reduction is seen in ankle fractures. Fifty questionnaires detailing method of injury were analysed.

Rupture of a semimembranosus bursa is a rare complication of arthroscopy. The presentation and natural history of this complication are described and the literature is reviewed.

A prospective study was performed of 20 consecutive patients with 35 flexor tendon lacerations, in whom post-operative mobilisation was carried out using the Toronto Mobilimb Continuous Passive Motion machine for the first 4 1 2 weeks. Overall the results assessed by Buck Gramcko criteria were 17 (85%) excellent or good, 3 (15%) fair and no poor results. Taking the 17 fingers with zone 11 lacerations, 14 (82%) were excellent or good, 3 (18%) fair and no poor results.

This study set out to quantify the information which is given to surgical patients. It also set out to discover what information patients felt was important. The group studied were all patients who had recently undergone transurethral resection of the prostate. Eighty two per cent would have liked to have been given the information leaflet to read before their operation. The piece of information most patients wanted was the estimated length of stay in hospital (83%). Patients under seventy years old wanted to discuss the effect of the operation on their sex lives (79%). It is concluded that information leaflets are appreciated by patients and should be more widely used.

Op-Site sutureless skin closures were compared with continuous nylon sutures in a controlled trial involving 55 major orthopaedic procedures. Three major problems were identified in the sutureless skin closure group--safety, accuracy of skin edge apposition, and ease of use. Op-Site sutureless skin closures were found to have a better cosmetic result, were more comfortable and had a lower rate of wound inflammation. Op-Site skin closures are a useful adjunct to sutures but will not replace them.

Une observation: hemorragies abondantes au cours d'une operation (prothese de genou) malgre un garrot pneumatique a forte pression, chez un malade presentant une calcification extreme des arteres du membre inferieur a la suite d'un traitement prolonge par corticosteroides