This week in Shoulder & Elbow

Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2026 · 17 new studies, 10 reviews · Shoulder & Elbow archive · All weeks

The new Shoulder & Elbow research The Reduction sent the week of Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.

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New research

  1. Comparative Postoperative Outcomes After Rotator Cuff Repair in Tobacco and Nontobacco Nicotine Users.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · Sep 2026 · PubMed

    In a large propensity-matched database study, tobacco users had significantly worse complications after rotator cuff repair than nonusers, while nontobacco nicotine users had a milder risk profile similar to nonusers aside from slightly more adhesion lysis.

  2. Allograft Strut Fixation to Humeral Bone: A Biomechanical Comparison of Suture-Tape Cerclage, Wire Cerclage, and Screws.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Sep 04 2026 · PubMed

    Cadaveric biomechanical study found bi/tricortical lag screws and wire cerclage provide stronger, more stable fixation of humeral allograft struts than suture-tape cerclage.

  3. A Comparison of the Agreement of Four AI Models on Surgical Recommendations of MIRCTs Using the ASES Neer Circle Delphi Recommendations as a Baseline.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Sep 03 2026 · PubMed

    Comparing four AI language models against expert Delphi consensus for massive irreparable rotator cuff tear management, OpenEvidence and ChatGPT performed best but none matched expert-level decision-making.

  4. A Repair-Tension Sweet Zone Maximizes Tendon-to-Bone Healing in a Rat Rotator Cuff Model.

    Arthroscopy · Sep 01 2026 · PubMed

    In a rat rotator cuff model, a moderate repair-tension "sweet zone" (0.10-0.12 N/mm²) produced the strongest, stiffest, and best-organized tendon-to-bone healing compared to lower or higher tensions.

  5. Pectoralis major reference technique improves humeral height restoration and tuberosity healing after hemiarthroplasty for complex proximal humeral fractures: A comparative study.

    Injury · Sep 01 2026 · PubMed

    The pectoralis major reference technique improved tuberosity healing, humeral height restoration, and rotational function compared to conventional technique in hemiarthroplasty for complex proximal humeral fractures.

  6. Arthroscopic Images Predict Tendon Integrity After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Using a Deep Learning Model.

    Arthroscopy · Aug 31 2026 · PubMed

    A deep learning model analyzing intraoperative arthroscopic images after rotator cuff repair predicted early tendon healing versus retear with high accuracy, potentially helping identify patients needing delayed rehabilitation.

  7. Segmental Momentum Sequencing: Implication for Injury and Performance Between Collegiate Pitchers With Different Arm Slots.

    Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Analysis of 363 Division I pitchers found that proximodistal segmental momentum sequencing timing predicts ball velocity and shoulder/elbow loading differently across arm slots, suggesting timing-focused training could reduce throwing injury risk.

  8. Dermal Allograft Patch Augmentation With Mini-Open Triple-Row Repair for Large to Massive Rotator Cuff Tears Results in a Low Retear Rate and Favorable Clinical Outcomes Without Adverse Events.

    Arthroscopy · Aug 30 2026 · PubMed

    Dermal allograft patch augmentation with triple-row repair for large-to-massive rotator cuff tears yielded a low 12.8% retear rate and favorable clinical outcomes with no adverse events at ~32 months.

  9. Data-Driven Preoperative Hemoglobin Strata Predict Blood Transfusion and Surgical Complication Risk Following Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Aug 27 2026 · PubMed

    Data-driven preoperative hemoglobin thresholds show that progressively lower hemoglobin levels stepwise increase risk of transfusion, infection, and periprosthetic joint infection after total shoulder arthroplasty.

  10. Arthroscopic Glenoid Bone Tunnel and Half Bundle of Peroneus Longus Tendon-Based Subscapular Sling Procedure and Labral Reconstruction for Anterior Shoulder Instability.

    Arthroscopy Techniques · Aug 27 2026 · PubMed

    This technique article details an arthroscopic subscapularis sling procedure using a glenoid bone tunnel and half-bundle peroneus longus tendon graft with labral reconstruction as an alternative treatment for recurrent anterior shoulder instability.

  11. Medial and Lateral Ligament Bracing in Severe Elbow Instability After Acute Elbow Dislocation.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Aug 21 2026 · PubMed

    Combined medial/lateral ligament repair with bracing restored stability and gave good functional outcomes in severe elbow instability, though stiffness caused 15% revision rate.

  12. Telerehabilitation-Based Motor Control Exercises After Rotator Cuff Surgery: Effects on Shoulder Function and Quality of Life.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Aug 21 2026 · PubMed

    In a randomized trial, adding telerehabilitation-based motor control exercises after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair improved scapular mobility and shoulder strength more than standard telerehab alone, though functional scores were similar.

  13. Epidemiology, associated injuries, and surgical intervention of 255,081 clavicle fractures in the United States from 2015 to 2024.

    Injury · Aug 19 2026 · PubMed

    In a large US database, clavicle fracture incidence rose 68% from 2015-2024, is more common in males with a bimodal age pattern, frequently coexists with rib fractures, and surgical fixation rates increased to about 7.5%, highest in young adults.

  14. Minimum 5-Year Follow-up After Arthroscopic Latarjet: Outcomes and Complications.

    American Journal of Sports Medicine · Aug 18 2026 · PubMed

    At minimum 5-year follow-up, arthroscopic Latarjet showed low recurrence, high satisfaction, sustained WOSI improvement, and quality of life comparable to the general population.

  15. Arthroscopic Superior Capsule Reconstruction Using Hamstring Allograft in V-Shaped Configuration.

    Arthroscopy Techniques · Aug 14 2026 · PubMed

    This technique article describes an all-arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction using a V-shaped hamstring allograft as a reproducible, lower-cost alternative for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

  16. Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty with the Tornier Perform Posterior Augmented Glenoid versus Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Walch B2 and B3 Glenoids: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Aug 13 2026 · PubMed

    In a matched cohort with Walch B2/B3 glenoids, anatomic TSA with a posterior augmented glenoid and reverse TSA gave similarly excellent 2-year outcomes, though anatomic TSA had better rotation/flexion but more radiolucency.

  17. Osteochondral Autograft Options for Reconstruction of Intra-articular Distal Humerus and Proximal Ulna Injuries in Physiologically Young Patients.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Aug 08 2026 · PubMed

    CT-based surface mapping identified the hallux proximal phalanx, fibular head, and radial head as geometrically matched osteochondral autograft donor sites for reconstructing distal humerus and proximal ulna articular defects in young patients.

Recent reviews

  1. Management of Anterior Glenohumeral Dislocations in Elderly Patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Aug 15 2026 · PubMed

    This review outlines management strategies for anterior glenohumeral dislocations in elderly patients, emphasizing individualized decisions among conservative care, rotator cuff repair, glenoid fixation, and reverse shoulder arthroplasty based on injury pattern and function.

  2. Preoperative GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use and Postoperative Outcomes in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Scoping Review of Perioperative and Recovery Outcomes.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Jul 01 2026 · PubMed

    This scoping review of 35 studies finds preoperative GLP-1 receptor agonist use in orthopaedic surgery is generally associated with similar or lower complication, infection, and readmission rates, though spine surgery outcomes are mixed.

  3. Tendon transfer for massive rotator cuff tears: A narrative review.

    Shoulder & Elbow · Dec 29 2025 · PubMed

    This narrative review outlines indications, biomechanics, outcomes, and complications of tendon transfer options for managing irreparable rotator cuff tears.

  4. Making Sense of Topical Pain Relief Options: Comparing Topical Analgesics in Efficacy and Safety.

    Sports Health · Jul 2025 · PubMed

    This review finds topical NSAIDs, lidocaine, and nitroglycerin patches have the strongest evidence for musculoskeletal pain, rotator cuff pain, and postherpetic neuralgia respectively, guiding selection by pain type and patient factors.

  5. Shouldering the load: A scoping review of incidence, types, and risk factors of shoulder injuries in weight-lifting athletes.

    Shoulder & Elbow · Jul 2025 · PubMed

    This scoping review finds shoulder injuries—mainly anterior instability and overuse—are common in weightlifting, driven by technique errors, positioning, and overtraining regardless of age or gender.

  6. Optimizing Visualization in Shoulder Arthroscopy: An Evidence-Based Guide.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Nov 15 2024 · PubMed

    This evidence-based review examines techniques—positioning, débridement, radiofrequency ablation, epinephrine, tranexamic acid, and hypotensive anesthesia—for improving visualization during shoulder arthroscopy.

  7. International consensus statement on the management of glenohumeral arthritis in patients ≤ 50 years old.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Jul 2023 · PubMed

    An international Delphi consensus among shoulder experts identifies key factors and preferred surgical strategies (e.g., reverse TSA for cuff-deficient shoulders, hemiarthroplasty for AVN) for managing glenohumeral arthritis in patients under 50, while noting persistent controversy.

  8. Elbow arthroplasty research methods, outcome domains, and instruments used in clinical outcome studies : a scoping review.

    The Bone & Joint Journal · Oct 2022 · PubMed

    This scoping review of 362 elbow arthroplasty studies found mostly small, retrospective series with inconsistent outcome measures, highlighting the need for standardized core outcome sets in future research.

  9. Post-surgical physiotherapy in frozen shoulder: A review.

    Shoulder & Elbow · Aug 2022 · PubMed

    This narrative review examines post-surgical physiotherapy practices for frozen shoulder, suggesting varied rehabilitation responses may reflect differing underlying causal mechanisms of the condition.

  10. Anterior Shoulder Instability Part II-Latarjet, Remplissage, and Glenoid Bone-Grafting-An International Consensus Statement.

    Arthroscopy · Feb 2022 · PubMed

    This international Delphi consensus outlines expert-agreed technical and indication guidance for Latarjet, remplissage, and glenoid bone-grafting in anterior shoulder instability, though Latarjet/remplissage details lacked unanimous agreement.

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