Isolated Subscapularis Repair in Irreparable Posterosuperior Massive Rotator Cuff Tears Involving the Subscapularis Tendon

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1269-1275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Jae Kim ◽  
Yun-Rak Choi ◽  
Min Jung ◽  
Won-Yong Lee ◽  
Yong-Min Chun

Background: No previous study has examined whether isolated subscapularis tendon repair in irreparable posterosuperior massive rotator tears involving the subscapularis tendon in relatively young patients without arthritis can yield satisfactory outcomes. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that this procedure would produce favorable outcomes in patients who might otherwise be candidates for reverse arthroplasty. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This retrospective study included 24 patients in their 50s and 60s, without shoulder arthritis, who underwent arthroscopic isolated subscapularis repair for an irreparable massive rotator cuff tear involving the subscapularis tendon. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, subjective shoulder values (SSVs), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scores, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, subscapularis strength (modified bell-press test; maximum of 5), and shoulder active range of motion (ROM) were assessed. Postoperative magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) was performed 6 months postoperatively to assess structural integrity of the repaired subscapularis. Results: At a mean 34.8 months (range, 24-49 months) of follow-up, VAS pain scores (improved from 7.1 to 2.5), SSVs (33.3 to 75.2), ASES scores (35.9 to 76.0), UCLA shoulder scores (11.6 to 24.8), subscapularis strength, and ROM were significantly improved compared with preoperative measurements ( P < .001). Subscapularis muscle strength improved from 3.7 to 4.2 ( P < .001). For active ROM, forward flexion and internal rotation improved significantly ( P < .001); however, external rotation exhibited no significant improvement. Follow-up MRA was performed in 22 patients (92%) and showed retear of the repaired subscapularis in 6 (27% of the 22). Conclusion: Isolated repair of the subscapularis tendon in irreparable massive rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis tendon yielded satisfactory short-term outcomes and structural integrity in patients in their 50s and 60s without arthritis. If patients with irreparable massive rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis tendon are relatively young or have minimal concomitant arthritis, this repair can be worthwhile.

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 2555-2562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Hyun Lee ◽  
Dae Jin Nam ◽  
Se Jin Kim ◽  
Jeong Woo Kim

Background: The subscapularis tendon is essential in maintaining normal glenohumeral biomechanics. However, few studies have addressed the outcomes of tears extending to the subscapularis tendon in massive rotator cuff tears. Purpose: To assess the clinical and structural outcomes of arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between January 2010 and January 2014, 122 consecutive patients with massive rotator cuff tear underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Overall, 122 patients were enrolled (mean age, 66 years; mean follow-up period, 39.5 months). Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on subscapularis tendon status: intact subscapularis tendon (I group; n = 45), tear involving less than the superior one-third (P group; n = 35), and tear involving more than one-third of the subscapularis tendon (C group; n = 42). All rotator cuff tears were repaired; however, subscapularis tendon tears involving less than the superior one-third in P group were only debrided. Pain visual analog scale, Constant, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores and passive range of motion were measured preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Rotator cuff integrity, global fatty degeneration index, and occupation ratio were determined via magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Results: We identified 37 retears (31.1%) based on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. Retear rate in patients in the C group (47.6%) was higher than that in the I group (22.9%) or P group (20.0%) ( P = .011). Retear subclassification based on the involved tendons showed that subsequent subscapularis tendon retears were noted in only the C group. The improvement in clinical scores after repair was statistically significant in all groups but not different among the groups. Between-group comparison showed significant differences in preoperative external rotation ( P = .021). However, no statistically significant difference was found in any shoulder range of motion measurements after surgery. Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair of massive tears results in substantial improvements in shoulder function, despite the presence of combined subscapularis tears. However, this study showed a high failure rate of massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear repair extending more than one-third of the subscapularis tendon. When combined subscapularis tendon tear was less than the superior one-third of the subscapularis tendon, arthroscopic debridement was a reasonable treatment method where comparable clinical and anatomic outcomes could be expected.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-304
Author(s):  
Marie Caroline Merlet ◽  
Virginie Guinet ◽  
Thomas Rousseau ◽  
Floris van Rooij ◽  
Mo Saffarini ◽  
...  

Background: Rotator cuff tears are common shoulder injuries that often cause pain and loss of function. Nonanatomic side-to-side techniques facilitate repair by minimizing tensions within tendons to improve healing and optimize the thickness of sutured tissues. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to evaluate long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopic side-to-side repair of massive rotator cuff tears (mRCTs). The hypothesis was that, at a minimum follow-up of 12 years, arthroscopic side-to-side repair maintains clinically important improvements. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The authors reviewed records of all patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of mRCTs over 2 consecutive years. A total of 30 adult patients met the eligibility criteria and underwent side-to-side repair. Patients were evaluated clinically using the Constant score (CS) and ultrasound to assess retears at 3 timepoints after surgery: 2 to 4 years, 5 to 7 years, and 12 to 14 years. Results: At first follow-up (3.2 ± 0.5 years), all 30 patients had clinical and ultrasound assessment, which revealed 13 retears (43%). At second follow-up (6.2 ± 0.5 years), all 30 patients had clinical and ultrasound assessment, which revealed 2 new retears (total 50%). At final follow-up (13.0 ± 0.7 years), only 21 patients had clinical assessment (1 died and 8 could not be reached), and only 19 patients had ultrasound assessment, which revealed 6 new retears (total 79%). Both absolute CS and age-/sex-adjusted CS improved significantly from baseline values at first follow-up (73.5 and 96.6, respectively), and remained stable at second follow-up (69.0 and 91.9, respectively), and final follow-up (64.4 and 87.0, respectively). Compared to shoulders with intact repairs, those with retears tended to have lower absolute CS at all follow-up visits, although differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Patients with mRCTs maintain satisfactory clinical scores at 12 to 14 years after arthroscopic side-to-side repair despite a high incidence of retears. Repair is a safe and effective treatment for mRCTs, providing a less invasive and less complex alternative to reverse shoulder arthroplasty and tendon transfer procedures.


2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pericles Papadopoulos ◽  
Dimitrios Karataglis ◽  
Achilleas Boutsiadis ◽  
Anastasia Fotiadou ◽  
John Christoforidis ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596712199346
Author(s):  
Enrico Gervasi ◽  
Eran Maman ◽  
Assaf Dekel ◽  
Elana Markovitz ◽  
Enrico Cautero

Background: Massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) are common and have been estimated to account for nearly 40% of all rotator cuff tears. An evolving strategy for management of MRCTs has been the implantation of a degradable subacromial spacer balloon that attempts to restore normal shoulder biomechanics. Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of fluoroscopically guided balloon spacer implantation under local anesthesia in a cohort of patients with 2 years of postoperative follow-up. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The safety and efficacy of using fluoroscopically guided subacromial spacer implantation was assessed in 46 patients. Follow-up visits were scheduled according to routine clinical practice. Shoulder function was evaluated using Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) scores. Results: Overall, 87.5% (35/40) of patients saw clinically significant improvement in the total Constant and ASES scores from 6 weeks postoperatively, with improvement maintained up to 24 months postoperatively. Conclusion: The data suggest that fluoroscopically guided subacromial spacer implantation under local anesthesia is a low-risk, clinically effective option, especially for the elderly population and those patients who have multiple comorbidities or a contraindication to general anesthesia. Patients undergoing subacromial spacer implantation for the treatment of MRCTs had satisfactory outcomes at 2-year follow-up, with a low rate of complications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Thon ◽  
Lawrence K. O’Malley ◽  
Michael John O’Brien ◽  
Felix H. Savoie

Objectives: Failures of large, massive, and revision rotator cuff repairs is a challenging problem within orthopedics. Poor tendon tissue and vascularity are known causes for failure of rotator cuff repairs. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes and healing rates when large and massive rotator cuff repairs are augmented with a bio-inductive collagen scaffold patch. Methods: Twenty-three patients undergoing repair of large (two tendon) or massive (three tendon) rotator cuff tears augmented with a bio-inductive collagen patch were followed prospectively for 2 years. Postoperative ultrasound (US) assessed tendon thickness at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. MRI was utilized to confirm healing and tendon thickness at least 6 months post-operatively. Results: 16 of 23 patients had previous failed rotator cuff repairs. Eleven patients had large rotator cuff tears while twelve patients had massive rotator cuff tears. 21 of 23 patients successfully healed their rotator cuff repairs and new tissue formation was appreciated in all 23 patients. Ultrasound rotator cuff thickness ranged from 4.5-9mm at most recent follow-up. Overall, a 91% (21/23) success rate was confirmed on US and MRI. Conclusion: Clear indications for the use of this bio-inductive collagen scaffold have yet to be established. Our results show that it may have utility in improving the healing rates of large and massive rotator cuff repairs. New tendon formation was apparent on both US and MRI with relatively high healing rates at two years. While these early results are promising, long term-follow up is needed to identify the proper indications for its use. Level of Evidence:: Level IV - Case series.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1901-1908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen G. Thon ◽  
Larry O’Malley ◽  
Michael J. O’Brien ◽  
Felix H. Savoie

Background: Failure of repair of large and massive rotator cuff tears is a challenging problem within orthopaedics. Poor tendon tissue and vascularity are known causes for failure of rotator cuff repairs. Purpose: To assess the safety, outcomes, and healing rates when large and massive rotator cuff repairs are augmented with a bioinductive collagen scaffold patch in a proof-of-principle design. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Twenty-three patients undergoing repair of full-thickness large (2-tendon) or massive (3-tendon) rotator cuff tears augmented with a bioinductive collagen patch were enrolled in a prospective single-arm proof-of-principle study. No partial repairs were performed, and a complete rotator cuff repair was successfully achieved in each case. Sixteen patients underwent revision rotator cuff repairs versus 7 primary repairs. Safety was determined by any implant-related adverse event. A single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was utilized to confirm tendon healing and thickness at a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative ultrasound (US) was used in office by the treating surgeon to assess tendon thickness at 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month intervals. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were collected at final follow-up. Results: Overall, a 96% (22 of 23) healing rate was confirmed on US and MRI. However, incidence of treatment clinical failure was 9% (2 of 23), as 1 patient’s tendon healed but eventually underwent additional surgery. There were no adverse events attributed to the implant reported. Final US rotator cuff thickness was 7.28 ± 0.85 mm (mean ± SD), and final MRI rotator cuff thickness was 5.13 ± 1.06 mm. The mean ASES score at final follow-up was 82.87 ± 16.68 (range, 53.33-100). Conclusion: No complications attributed to the implant were reported, and new tendon formation was apparent on US and MRI, with relatively high healing rates at 2-year follow-up. Arthroscopic application of this bioinductive collagen scaffold when combined with rotator cuff repair is a safe and effective treatment for healing of large and massive rotator cuff repairs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (13) ◽  
pp. 3322-3327
Author(s):  
Chul Kim ◽  
Yun-Jae Lee ◽  
Sung-Jae Kim ◽  
Tae-Hwan Yoon ◽  
Yong-Min Chun

Background: There is no research on incomplete footprint coverage with single-row repair related to bone marrow stimulation (BMS) in large to massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to compare the clinical results and structural integrity between BMS and non-BMS groups that underwent arthroscopic repair of large to massive rotator cuff tears with <50% footprint coverage. It was hypothesized that both groups would exhibit improved clinical outcomes at 2 years after surgery but the BMS group would have significantly better clinical outcomes and structural integrity. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study included 98 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair with <50% footprint coverage for large to massive RCTs with (BMS group; n = 56) or without (non-BMS group; n = 42) BMS. Functional outcomes at the 2-year follow-up were assessed using the visual analog scale for pain score, subjective shoulder value; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score; University of California, Los Angeles, shoulder score; and active range of motion. Structural integrity was evaluated using magnetic resonance arthrography or computed tomography arthrography results at 6 months postoperatively. Results: At the 2-year follow-up, all functional outcomes significantly improved in both groups compared with preoperative values ( P < .001). However, there were no significant postoperative differences between groups. On follow-up magnetic resonance arthrography or computed tomography arthrography, the overall retear rate was not significantly different between the BMS group (30.3%; 17/56) and the non-BMS group (35.7%; 15/42). Conclusion: While both groups exhibited functional improvement after single-row repair with <50% footprint coverage for large to massive RCTs, BMS did not produce better clinical outcomes or structural integrity.


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.


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