OBJECTIVE: To provide data for the analysis of arthroscopy as a method of surgical treatment for shoulder and discuss its actual indications and preliminary results. METHODS: We evaluated 15 patients submitted to reverse Bankart arthroscopic surgery. We used the UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) score to measure the results before surgery and 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: The average UCLA score changed from 26.67±0.25 (SD 0.97) before surgery to 34.20±0.53 (SD 2.04) after surgery. The effectiveness of surgery was 93%. In five cases loose bodies were found. A patient undergoing remplissage was evaluated separately. The data did not change after 24 months post-surgery. CONCLUSION: The arthroscopic treatment of posterior shoulder instability and posterior dislocation of the shoulder has been proved feasible and results in our series followed the same trends as in the literature. Level of Evidence III, Transversal Retrospective Study.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o resultado funcional de pacientes com lesão do bíceps distal, operados pela técnica da minidupla via de Mayo, com seguimento mínimo de seis meses pós-cirurgia através de dinamometria digital isocinética, goniometria e escores subjetivos a fim de estabelecer padrões objetivos e subjetivos de melhora e discutir a efetividade do procedimento. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados nove pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para tratamento de lesão do bíceps distal através de dinamometria digital com Cybex® utilizando velocidade angular de 30°/s, cinco repetições e 120°/s, 15 repetições, comparando com o lado não lesado. Foram utilizados também DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand), MayoElbow Score e goniometria convencional. RESULTADOS: A dinamometria digital mostrou que à velocidade angular de 30°/s com cinco repetições a flexão apresentou déficit médio de 9,6% e a supinação déficit médio de -28,97%. Com velocidade angular de 120°/s com 15 repetições, a flexão teve déficit médio de 4,43%; a supinação de -24,1%. CONCLUSÕES: A Perda de flexão segue o padrão já demonstrado na literatura; entretanto, em nossa série houve ganho de força para supinação, possivelmente devido ao protocolo rígido de reabilitação. A técnica empregada neste estudo mostrou-se segura, de baixo custo e com poucas complicações, apresentando bons resultados funcionais.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcome among patients with distal biceps injuries who were operated using the Mayo mini-double route technique, with a minimum follow-up of six months after surgery, through digital isokinetic dynamometry, goniometry and subjective scores in order to establish objective and subjective improvement patterns and discuss the effectiveness of the procedure. METHODS: Nine patients who underwent surgery to treat distal biceps injury were evaluated by means of Cybex digital dynamometry using an angular velocity of 30°/s with five repetitions and 120°/s with 15 repetitions, in comparison with the uninjured side. DASH (Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand), Mayo elbow score and conventional goniometry were also used. RESULTS: Digital dynamometer showed that using the angular velocity of 30°/s with five repetitions, there was an average flexion deficit of 9.6% and an average supination deficit of -28.97%. Using an angular velocity of 120°/s with fifteen repetitions, the average flexion deficit was 4.43% and the average supination deficit was -24.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The loss of flexion followed the pattern already shown in the literature. However, in our series, there were supination strength gains, possibly due to the strict rehabilitation protocol. The technique used in this study was safe and low-cost, with few complications and good functional results.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar pacientes submetidos à artroscopia para liberação do cotovelo rígido, discutindo a técnica, possíveis dificuldades e riscos. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas 24 artroscopias de cotovelos. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados usando goniometria pré e seis meses pós-cirurgia e pontuados com o escore de cotovelo Mayo. RESULTADOS: Operados 15 homens e nove mulheres, 14 cotovelos direitos e 10 esquerdos, média de idade de 34,58 anos e de tempo de seguimento de 38,41 meses. A média do ganho do arco de movimento foi de 43,3º e MES de 85,4. CONCLUSÃO: A liberação artroscópica pode viabilizar melhor visualização e aumento das opções de mudança de estratégia durante a cirurgia, diminuição do trauma cirúrgico e possibilidade de reabilitação precoce, podendo atingir resultados similares ou melhores que os da cirurgia aberta. Contra a artroscopia há a grande curva de aprendizado e o maior custo do procedimento. Ambas as técnicas relatam complicações neurovasculares. Para evitar tais problemas, o protocolo para realização dos portais deve ser rigorosamente seguido. A liberação artroscópica mostrou ser opção segura e eficaz no ganho da ADM no cotovelo rígido pós-traumático.

To evaluate patients undergoing arthroscopic release of a stiff elbow, with discussion of the technique, possible difficulties and risks. METHODS: Twenty-four elbow arthroscopy procedures were performed. All the patients were evaluated using goniometry before the operation and six months after wards and were rated using the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). RESULTS: Fifteen men and nine women underwent surgery (14 right elbows and ten left elbows). Their mean age was 34.58 years and length of follow-up, 38.41 months. Their mean gain of range of motion was 43.3º and of MEPS, 85.4. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic liberation might enable better intrarticular visualization and enhance options to change strategy during surgery, reduction of surgical trauma and possibility of early rehabilitation, and this technique can reach similar or better results than open surgery. Disadvantages of arthroscopy are lack of ability of surgeons and higher cost of procedure. Both techniques report neurovascular complications, to avoid such problems the arthroscopic portals protocols must be rigorously followed. Arthroscopic release of the stiff elbow can enable range of motion gain, and also promotes high level of satisfaction by the decrease of pain and good cosmetic appearance. Some cases might demand adjuvant treatments. When correctly indicated, arthroscopy may be a safe surgical option with satisfactory outcomes.

OBJETIVO: Descrever uma técnica cirúrgica própria de descompressão artroscópica do nervo supraescapular (NSE) e avaliar seus resultados preliminares. MÉTODOS: 10 ombros de nove pacientes foram operados com uma técnica que utiliza portais diferentes das técnicas conhecidas, não usa tração e faz uso de materiais disponíveis na rede pública de saúde. RESULTADOS: 10 ombros de nove pacientes, sendo oito à direita e dois à esquerda, com média de idade de 69,5 anos, apresentaram mudança no escore UCLA de 11,7 para 26,1 no seguimento de 16,6 meses de pós-operatório. O questionário SF-36 teve pontuação de 122,9 e a escala bruta de dor de 88%. CONCLUSÃO: A descompressão artroscópica do NSE, segundo a técnica descrita, é reprodutível e menos traumática que as técnicas abertas. Os pacientes obtiveram melhora em vários parâmetros avaliados, principalmente no que se refere à dor. A descompressão artroscópica do NSE pode ser uma opção terapêutica para a patologia compressiva do NSE.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a specific surgical technique for arthroscopic decompression of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) and evaluate its preliminary results. METHODS: Ten shoulders of nine patients were operated using a technique with portals differing from the already-known techniques, which did not use traction and made use of materials available within the public healthcare system. RESULTS: Among the ten shoulders of nine patients, eight were right shoulders and two were left shoulders. The mean age was 69.5 years. The UCLA score increased from 11.7 to 26.1 points over the postoperative follow-up of 16.6 months. The SF-36 questionnaire score was 122.9 and the raw pain scale value was 88%. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic decompression of the SSN in accordance with the described technique is reproducible and less traumatic than the open techniques. The patients achieved improvements in many of the parameters evaluated, particularly with regard to pain. Arthroscopic decompression of the SSN may be a therapeutic option for pathological compression of the SSN.