Study Design: Diagnostic study, level of evidence III. Objectives: Low back pain is a common cause of disability among elderly patients. Percutaneous discoplasty has been developed as a tool to treat degenerative disease when conservative management is not successful. Indications for this procedure include low back pain and the presence of vacuum phenomenon. The objective of this study was to describe a new classification of vacuum phenomenon based on computed tomography scan in order to improve the indications for percutaneous discoplasty. Methods: We developed a classification of vacuum phenomenon based on computed tomography scan images. We describe 3 types of vacuum based on the relationship between vacuum and the superior/inferior endplates and 2 subtypes based on the presence of significant subchondral sclerosis. A validation study was conducted selecting 10 orthopedic residents with spine surgery training to analyze 25 vacuum scenarios. Inter- and intraobserver reliabilities were assessed through the Fleiss’s and Cohen’s kappa statistics, respectively. Results: The overall Fleiss’s κ value for interobserver reliability was 0.85 (95% CI 0.82-0.86) in the first reading and 0.93 (95% CI 0.92-0.95) in the second reading. Cohen’s κ for intraobserver reliability was 0.88 (95% CI 0.77-0.99). Conclusion: The new classification has shown almost perfect inter- and intraobserver reliabilities for grading the vacuum phenomenon and could be an important tool to improve the indications for percutaneous cement discoplasty.

The congruent-arc Latarjet (CAL) allows reconstruction of a greater percentage of glenoid bone deficit because the inferior surface of the coracoid is wider than the lateral edge of the coracoid used with the traditional Latarjet (TL). Biomechanical studies have shown higher initial fixation strength between the graft and the glenoid with the TL. In the TL, the undersurface of the coracoid, which is wider than the medial edge used with the CAL, remains in contact with the anterior edge of the glenoid, increasing the contact surface between both bones and thus facilitating bone consolidation. The shorter bone distance around the screw with the CAL is potentially less tolerant of screw-positioning error compared to the TL. Moreover, the wall of the screw tunnel is potentially more likely to fracture with the CAL due to the minimal space between the screw and the graft wall. CAL may be very difficult to perform in patients with very small coracoids such as small women or skeletally immature patients. Radius of curvature of the inferior face of the coracoid graft (used with the CAL) is similar to that of the native glenoid. This may potentially decrease contact pressure across the glenohumeral joint, avoiding degenerative changes in the long term. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:280-287. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200074

The optimal management of anterior shoulder instability continues to be a challenge. The presence of an anterior glenoid rim fracture in the context of a glenohumeral dislocation, also called “bony Bankart lesion,” can alter therapeutic behavior. Reduction and fixation of the bone fragment has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of recurrence once bone consolidation is achieved. However, there is no gold standard surgical technique. Stability of fixation and the healing of the bony fragment are still a concern, and there are no clinical studies comparing the different techniques to date. The aim of this report is to describe an arthroscopic double-point fragment fixation technique in lateral decubitus for the treatment of an acute traumatic shoulder dislocation with a bony Bankart lesion.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment neuropathy of the tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel that lies beneath the retinaculum on the medial side of the ankle. It is often underdiagnosed. Talus bipartitus is a rare anatomical variant; only a few cases have been described in medical literature. We report a case of a 36-year-old female with tarsal tunnel syndrome secondary to a talus bipartitus undergoing surgical treatment with good clinical outcome. To our knowledge, talus bipartitus presenting as tarsal tunnel syndrome has no previous reports. Image studies and physical examination are crucial to reach precise diagnosis.

Background The purpose of our study was to investigate the influence of the different rugby playing positions on return to sports, functional outcomes, and recurrences after an arthroscopic Bankart repair. Methods A total of 88 rugby players were treated for anterior shoulder instability in our institution between 2010 and 2018. Functional outcomes, return to sports, recurrences, complications, and revisions rates were evaluated according to the playing position. Results Overall, 73.8% of the patients returned to rugby and 60% returned at the same level as before the injury. The tight forwards and outside backs experienced a significant decrease in their competitive level after surgery, and showed the lowest functional outcomes. The tight forwards and outside backs showed a statistically significant increase in recurrence and revision rates, and an OR for recurrence of 12.8 and 9.6, respectively. Discussion The playing position significantly influenced return to sports and recurrences after an arthroscopic Bankart repair in competitive rugby players. Specifically, the tight forwards and outside backs have returned to a lower level than they had before surgery, showed the lowest functional outcomes, and a significant increase in recurrences and revisions rates than the other groups.