Longitudinal Measurement of In-Vivo Tendon Function Over 17 Weeks Following Repair: Technique and Preliminary Results in a Canine Rotator Cuff Model

Author(s):  
Michael J. Bey ◽  
Stephanie K. Brock ◽  
Andrew R. Baker ◽  
Kathleen A. Derwin

Rotator cuff tears are a common injury, affecting 30–40% of the population over age 60 and representing a tremendous source of pain and disability. Rotator cuff tears are often repaired surgically, but a significant percentage (perhaps 50% or more) of large cuff tears fail after surgery and result in long-term shoulder disability. The outcome of rotator cuff repair surgery is typically assessed by measuring muscle strength, joint range of motion, pain, and other subjective indicators of function. Although these types of measurements are used extensively, they provide only an indirect assessment of tendon function. We have recently developed new experimental techniques that allow us to use a biplane x-ray system to directly assess in-vivo tendon function. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a biplane x-ray system to quantify changes in in-vivo tendon function following tendon repair in a canine rotator cuff model. We hypothesized that tendon function will improve over the healing period (as reflected by changes in measures of repair stiffness and contracture) and approach normal tendon function by 17 weeks.

Author(s):  
Kirk C. McGilvray ◽  
Amy S. Lyons ◽  
A. Simon Turner ◽  
John D. MacGillivray ◽  
Struan H. Coleman ◽  
...  

Rotator cuff disorders are one of the most common soft tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system [1], second only to lower back pain presentations in clinical frequency [2]. Surgical repairs of chronic, massive rotator cuff tears are associated with a high rate of complications, typically by full or partial re-rupture of the repair [3,4]. The literature is replete with clinical retrospective studies or evaluation of cadaveric shoulders [5], however these studies do not address the in vivo healing characteristics of a given surgical repair. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively describe the degree of shoulder healing via biomechanical analyses using an ovine chronic infraspinatus model that was repaired with and without a polyurethane scaffold rotator cuff repair (RCR) patch.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 546-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Alexander König ◽  
Volker Alexander Braunstein

Introduction: Massive tears in the rotator cuff are debilitating pathologies normally associated with loss of function and pain. Tendon reconstruction is seen as the standard treatment in order to preserve shoulder function and to inhibit cuff associated osteoarthritis. However, the effect on longer-term shoulder function and patient satisfaction is unknown. Material and Methods: 165 consecutive patients with massive tears were included. 57 debridement (mean age 61.9±8.7 years (range 43-77)) and 108 reconstruction (mean age 57.5±8.9 years (range 45-74)) cases could be followed up 2-4 (short-term), 5-6 (mid-term) and 8-10 (long-term) years after surgery. Evaluation was performed with the Constant, a modified ASES and the DASH score. Statistical analysis was done using Sigma-Stat Version 3.5 with a p-value<0.05 indicating statistical significant differences. Results: All three scoring systems showed no significant differences in the short-term follow-up for the two groups (mean values: Constant debridement/repair: 70±11.9/66±13.6; ASES debridement/repair: 22.3±3.3/ 23.3±3.3; DASH debridement/repair: 22.3±11.0/ 24.3±10.1). In the mid-term (Constant debridement/repair: 51±2.9/68.3±5.2; ASES debridement/repair: 20.3±1.3/24.3±1.7; DASH debridement/repair: 31.0±6.5/20.3±5.4) and long-term follow-up (Constant debridement/repair: 42.3±3.8 /60.7±2.6, ASES debridement/repair: 17.3±0.5/21.7±0.5, DASH debridement/repair: 41.3±6.2/25.0±1.4), rotator cuff reconstruction revealed better objective results and better patients’ satisfaction. Conclusion: Rotator cuff tendon repair leads to better long-term clinical outcome and subjective satisfaction compared to debridement. Tendon reconstruction should be considered as a treatment for patients suffering from massive rotator cuff tears, thus preserving shoulder function and by that means delay indication for reverse arthroplasty.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Protais ◽  
Maxime Laurent-Perrot ◽  
Mickaël Artuso ◽  
M. Christian Moody ◽  
Alain Sautet ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Irreparable rotator cuff tears are common and difficult to treat. Techniques for “filling the loss of substance” require fixation to the rotator cuff stump (tendon augmentation) or to the glenoid (superior capsular reconstruction), which are complicated by the narrow working zone of the subacromial space. The main objective of this study was to determine whether a braided graft of gracilis (GR) and semitendinosus (ST) could fill a loss of tendon substance from an irreparable rupture of the supra- and infraspinatus, by fixing the graft to the greater tuberosity and the spine of the scapula. Methods This was a cadaveric study with the use of ten specimens. The GRA and ST tendons were harvested, braided and reinforced with suture. An experimental tear of the supraspinatus (SS) and upper infraspinatus (IS) retracted at the glenoid was made. The GRAST transplant was positioned over the tear. The transplant was attached to the greater tuberosity by two anchors and then attached to the medial third of the scapular spine by trans-osseous stitching. The percentage of filling obtained was then measured and passive mobility of the shoulder was assessed. We proceeded to the same technique under arthroscopy for a 73 years old patient whom we treated for a painful shoulder with irreparable cuff tear. We inserted a GRAST graft using arthroscopy. Results The Braided-GRAST allowed a 100% filling of the loss of tendon substance. Mobility was complete in all cases. Conclusion This technique simplifies the medial fixation and restores the musculo-tendinous chain where current grafting techniques only fill a tendinous defect. The transplant could have a subacromial “spacer” effect and lower the humeral head. The donor site morbidity and the fate of the transplant in-vivo are two limits to be discussed. This anatomical study paves the way for clinical experimentation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Millett ◽  
Marilee P. Horan ◽  
Katie E. Maland ◽  
Richard J. Hawkins

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (14) ◽  
pp. 3486-3494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengcun Chen ◽  
Snehal S. Shetye ◽  
Julianne Huegel ◽  
Corinne N. Riggin ◽  
Daniel J. Gittings ◽  
...  

Background: Lesions of the long head of the biceps tendon are often associated with massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs), and biceps tenotomy is frequently performed for pain relief and functional reservation. However, the efficacy and safety of biceps tenotomy regarding the effects on the surrounding tissues in chronic MRCT are unclear. Hypothesis: Biceps tenotomy would result in improved mechanical and histological properties of the intact subscapularis tendon and improved in vivo shoulder function while not compromising glenoid cartilage properties. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Right supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons were detached in 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats, followed by 4 weeks of cage activity to create a chronic MRCT condition. Animals were randomly divided into 2 groups and received either biceps tenotomy (n = 11) or sham surgery (n = 14) and were sacrificed 4 weeks thereafter. Forelimb gait and ground-reaction forces were recorded 1 day before the tendon detachment (baseline), 1 day before the surgical intervention (biceps tenotomy or sham), and 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 days after the intervention to assess in vivo shoulder joint function. The subscapularis tendon and glenoid cartilage were randomly allocated for mechanical testing or histologic assessment after the sacrifice. Results: Compared with sham surgery, biceps tenotomy partially restored the in vivo shoulder joint function, with several gait and ground-reaction force parameters returning closer to preinjury baseline values at 4 weeks. With biceps tenotomy, mechanical properties of the subscapularis tendons were improved, while mechanical properties and histological Mankin scores of the glenoid cartilage were not diminished when compared with the sham group. Conclusion: Biceps tenotomy in the presence of chronic MRCT partially preserves overall shoulder function and potentially restores subscapularis tendon health without causing detrimental effects to joint cartilage. This laboratory study adds to the growing literature regarding the protective effects of biceps tenotomy on the shoulder joint in a chronic MRCT model. Clinical Relevance: This study provides important basic science evidence supporting the use of biceps tenotomy in patients with massive rotator cuff tears.


2022 ◽  
Vol 104-B (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96
Author(s):  
Amit Modi ◽  
Aziz Haque ◽  
Vijay Deore ◽  
Harvinder Pal Singh ◽  
Radhakant Pandey

Aims Long-term outcomes following the use of human dermal allografts in the treatment of symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tears are not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate these outcomes, and to investigate whether this would be a good form of treatment in young patients in whom a reverse shoulder arthroplasty should ideally be avoided. Methods This prospective study included 47 shoulders in 45 patients who underwent an open reconstruction of the rotator cuff using an interposition GraftJacket allograft to bridge irreparable cuff tears, between January 2007 and November 2011. The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), pain score, and range of motion (ROM) were recorded preoperatively and at one year and a mean of 9.1 years (7.0 to 12.5) postoperatively. Results There was significant improvement in the mean OSS from 24.7 (SD 5.4) preoperatively to 42.0 (SD 6.3) at one year, and this improvement was maintained at 9.1 years (p < 0.001), with a score of 42.8 (SD 6.8). Similar significant improvements in the pain score were seen and maintained at the final follow-up from 6.1 (SD 1.6) to 2.1 (SD 2.3) (p < 0.001). There were also significant improvements in the ROM of the shoulder, and patient satisfaction was high. Conclusion The use of an interposition human dermal allograft in patients with an irreparable rotator cuff tear leads to good outcomes that are maintained at a mean of nine years postoperatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):91–96.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tristan Juhan ◽  
Michael Stone ◽  
Omid Jalali ◽  
Will Curtis ◽  
John Prodromo ◽  
...  

Rotator cuff disease is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, yet controversy still exists regarding treatment of “irreparable” tears. Nonoperative management, including physical therapy and steroid injections, should be reserved for those without significant pain or functional impairment. Debridement may be used for low-demand patients, and should be performed with partial cuff repair, subacromial decompression, and/or acromioplasty to maximize outcomes. Biceps tenotomy and/or tenodesis have been shown to reduce postoperative pain and improve satisfaction when performed in conjunction with rotator cuff repairs, with no difference in functional outcome comparatively. Tendon transfers have been advocated with the potential benefit to improve function and decrease pain. More recently, extracellular matrix and human-derived dermal allografts have been used off-label as patch grafts in irreparable tears. Superior capsular reconstructive techniques and subacromial balloon spacers serve a similar function by acting to depress the humeral head in a cuff-deficient shoulder, however long-term data is needed before widespread adoption of these procedures. Finally, reverse shoulder arthroplasty serves as a salvage option for low demand elderly patients.


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