scholarly journals Biceps Detachment Preserves Joint Function in a Chronic Massive Rotator Cuff Tear Rat Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (14) ◽  
pp. 3486-3494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengcun Chen ◽  
Snehal S. Shetye ◽  
Julianne Huegel ◽  
Corinne N. Riggin ◽  
Daniel J. Gittings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Shoulder Joint ◽  
Shoulder Function ◽  
Rotator Cuff Tears ◽  
Subscapularis Tendon ◽  
Joint Function ◽  
Massive Rotator Cuff Tears ◽  
Sham Surgery ◽  
Biceps Tenotomy

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.

Comparison of Clinical and Structural Outcomes by Subscapularis Tendon Status in Massive Rotator Cuff Tear

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 2555-2562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Hyun Lee ◽  
Dae Jin Nam ◽  
Se Jin Kim ◽  
Jeong Woo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Rotator Cuff Tear ◽  
Rotator Cuff Tears ◽  
Subscapularis Tendon ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Massive Rotator Cuff Tear ◽  
Cuff Tear ◽  
Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

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.

Returning to Overuse Activity Following a Combined Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus Tear Leads to Shoulder Joint Damage

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine E. Reuther ◽  
Stephen J. Thomas ◽  
Jennica J. Tucker ◽  
Joseph J. Sarver ◽  
Chancellor F. Gray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Articular Cartilage ◽  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Joint Damage ◽  
Shoulder Function ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Rotator Cuff Tears ◽  
Subscapularis Tendon ◽  
Supraspinatus Tear ◽  
Anterior Posterior

Rotator cuff tendon tears are common conditions which can lead to significant pain and dysfunction. Tears may progress over time from isolated supraspinatus tears to complete ruptures of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons, disrupting the anterior-posterior force balance provided by the subscapularis anteriorly and infraspinatus posteriorly (commonly referred to as a “force couple”) [1]. This disruption may lead to increased joint instability and result in altered glenohumeral translations which may cause damage to joint structures, such as articular cartilage and adjacent (intact) tendons. This is a particular concern for active individuals who are likely to continue high levels of overuse activity (e.g., laborers, athletes), despite the presence of rotator cuff tears. Previous studies have shown that returning to overuse activity following an isolated supraspinatus tear alters biceps and glenoid articular cartilage properties, but does not alter shoulder function or the adjacent intact subscapularis tendon [2]. However, the consequences associated with disrupting the anterior-posterior force balance (supraspinatus and infraspinatus tears) are not understood. Therefore, the objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the effect of returning to overuse activity following tears of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons on shoulder function and the remaining intact tendon and glenoid cartilage mechanical properties and 2) to begin to define the biologic mechanisms responsible for these changes. We hypothesized that overuse activity following two-tendon rotator cuff tears would H1) alter shoulder function and H2) lead to damage (indicated by inferior mechanical properties and increased production of degenerative factors, extracellular matrix, and cartilage markers) in the remaining intact tendons (including the biceps and upper and lower subscapularis tendons) and in the anterior-superior region of the glenoid articular cartilage as a result of the excessive joint loading due to overuse following the supraspinatus-infraspinatus tear.

Primary and Secondary Consequences of Rotator Cuff Injury on Joint Stabilizing Tissues in the Shoulder

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafizur Rahman ◽  
Eric Currier ◽  
Marshall Johnson ◽  
Rick Goding ◽  
Amy Wagoner Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Shoulder Joint ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Shoulder Function ◽  
Rotator Cuff Tears ◽  
Shoulder Injuries ◽  
Joint Stability ◽  
Shoulder Injury ◽  
Physician Visits ◽  
Variable Success Rate

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are one of the primary causes of shoulder pain and dysfunction in the upper extremity accounting over 4.5 million physician visits per year with 250,000 rotator cuff repairs being performed annually in the U.S. While the tear is often considered an injury to a specific tendon/tendons and consequently treated as such, there are secondary effects of RCTs that may have significant consequences for shoulder function. Specifically, RCTs have been shown to affect the joint cartilage, bone, the ligaments, as well as the remaining intact tendons of the shoulder joint. Injuries associated with the upper extremities account for the largest percent of workplace injuries. Unfortunately, the variable success rate related to RCTs motivates the need for a better understanding of the biomechanical consequences associated with the shoulder injuries. Understanding the timing of the injury and the secondary anatomic consequences that are likely to have occurred are also of great importance in treatment planning because the approach to the treatment algorithm is influenced by the functional and anatomic state of the rotator cuff and the shoulder complex in general. In this review, we summarized the contribution of RCTs to joint stability in terms of both primary (injured tendon) and secondary (remaining tissues) consequences including anatomic changes in the tissues surrounding the affected tendon/tendons. The mechanical basis of normal shoulder joint function depends on the balance between active muscle forces and passive stabilization from the joint surfaces, capsular ligaments, and labrum. Evaluating the role of all tissues working together as a system for maintaining joint stability during function is important to understand the effects of RCT, specifically in the working population, and may provide insight into root causes of shoulder injury.

scholarly journals Tendon Repair Leads to better Long-Term Clinical Outcome than Debridement in Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 546-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Alexander König ◽  
Volker Alexander Braunstein
Keyword(s):  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Shoulder Function ◽  
Rotator Cuff Tears ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Massive Rotator Cuff Tears ◽  
Massive Tears

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.

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