The shape and size of the radial head is highly variable but correlates to the contralateral side. The radial head is a secondary stabilizer to valgus stress and provides lateral stability. The modified Mason–Hotchkiss classification is the most commonly used and describes three types, depending on the number of fragments and their displacement. Type 1 fractures are typically treated conservatively. Surgical reduction and fixation are recommended for type 2 fractures, if there is a mechanical block to motion. This can be done arthroscopically or open. Controversy exists for two-part fractures with >2 mm and <5 mm displacement, without a mechanical bloc as good results have been published with conservative treatment. Type 3 fractures are often treated with radial head replacement. Although radial head resection is also an option as long-term results have been shown to be favourable. Radial head arthroplasty is recommended in type 3 fractures with ligamentous injury or proximal ulna fractures. Failure of primary radial head replacement may be due to several factors. Identification of the cause of failure is essential. Failed radial head arthroplasty can be treated by implant removal alone, interposition arthroplasty, revision radial head replacement either as a single stage or two-stage procedure.

Purpose of ReviewTreatment of osteoporotic and neuropathic ankle fractures in the elderly is challenging. The purpose of this paper is to review recent publications on this topic and to identify the optimal treatment for these fractures.Recent FindingsTreatment consists of a variety of conservative or operative options all with advantages and disadvantages as described in this review. Little research has been published that specifically focuses on elderly patients with ankle fractures. Operative treatment has a high complication rate. Multiple comorbidities are predictors for complications.SummaryAn optimal treatment could not be distilled but based on the available literature, a general treatment algorithm is proposed. Since the elderly typically are accompanied by multiple comorbidities as well as impaired mobility, the physician should focus not only on treating the fractured ankle but also on the patient as a whole. Further research on this specific topic is needed.

Background: This retrospective cohort study evaluated functional outcome and structural integrity after arthroscopicor mini-open repair of small-to medium-size rotator cuff tears assessed at long-term follow-up. Methods: All patients operated between 2001 and 2004 were invited to participate. Functional outcome was measured by Constant-Murley Score, Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand and Oxford Shoulder Score. Quality of life was assessed with EuroQol Health 5 Dimension. Patient satisfaction was assessed in terms of pain and overall result. Structural integrity of the rotator cuff repair was determined using ultrasound. Results: Of the eligible 62 patients, 44 patients were available for follow-up. After a mean of 11.3 years, 76% of the patients had good to excellent functional outcome on the Constant-Murley Score (median 82, range 29-95). The majority of patients reported good results on both Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand and Oxford Shoulder Score (median Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand 5.0, range 1.0-54; median Oxford Shoulder Score 19, range 13-39). The quality of life was also good (mean EuroQol Health 5 Dimension utility score 0.88, standard deviation 0.12). Eighty per cent was satisfied with the overall result. Ultrasound examination revealed structural integrity in 76% of all cases. Conclusion: This study shows that functional outcome is good and structural integrity is high for the majority of patients 11.3 years after repair of small-to medium-size rotator cuff lesions.

Background Bony lesions after shoulder dislocation reduce the joint contact area and increase the risk of recurrent instability. It is unknown whether the innate relative sizes of the humeral head and glenoid may predispose patients to shoulder instability. This study evaluated whether anterior shoulder instability is associated with a larger innate humeral head/glenoid ratio (IHGR). Methods We evaluated CT scans of 40 shoulders with anterior shoulder instability and 48 controls. We measured axial humeral head diameter and glenoid diameter following native contours, discarding any bony lesions, and calculated IHGR by dividing both diameters. Multivariate logistic regression determined whether the IHGR, corrected for age and gender as potential confounders, was associated with anterior shoulder instability. Results Mean IHGR was 1.48 ± 0.23 in the group with anterior shoulder instability and 1.42 ± 0.20 in the group without anterior shoulder instability. Measurements for axial humeral head and axial glenoid diameters demonstrated excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC range: 0.94–0.95). IHGR was not significantly associated with anterior shoulder instability (OR = 1.105, 95%CI = 0.118–10.339, p = 0.930). Discussion The innate ratio of humeral head and glenoid diameters was not significantly associated with anterior shoulder instability in this retrospective sample of 88 shoulder CT scans.

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