Among patients with a displaced fracture in the upper arm near the shoulder (proximal humeral), there was no significant difference between surgical treatment and nonsurgical treatment in patient-reported outcomes over two years following the fracture, results that do not support the trend of increased surgery for patients with this type of fracture, according to a study.
Surgical procedures for rotator cuff repair can be difficult and time consuming to perform and may be associated with a steep learning curve. According to some shoulder surgeons, the trend today is toward arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff repair and away from mini-open and open procedures.
Researchers retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 41 patients with type V acromioclavicular (AC) dislocations, defined as a greater than 100% increase in the coracoclavicular (CC) distance compared with the contralateral side, or greater than 2 cm of displacement unilaterally of the clavicle’s superior border, from January 2007 to December 2012.
When dealing with torn shoulder tendons, surgery may be the best option to lessen pain and improve function. Although doctors must consider several factors before recommending surgery, relieving shoulder stiffness can be part of the solution rather than the problem.
Conservative treatment of type V acromioclavicular dislocations demonstrated successful outcomes in many patients, and average time before return to duty did not improve with immediate vs. delayed surgery, according to a presentation made during the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.
