Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

The arthroscopic operation for repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears is successful and has the advantages of glenohumeral joint inspection, treatment of intraarticular lesions, smaller incisions, no deltoid detachment, less soft tissue dissection, less pain, and more rapid rehabilitation. However, these advantages must be balanced against the technical difficulty of the method, which limits its application to surgeons skilled in open and arthroscopic shoulder operations.     

Arthroscopic rotator cuff tear repair

Rotator cuff injuries or disease can be particularly troubling to patients by causing them pain, weakness, and dysfunction of the shoulder. Surgery of the shoulder and, in particular, of the rotator cuff, has evolved over the years from open surgery to include arthroscopic treatment for many conditions. Although technically demanding, arthroscopic repair of full- and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears has been shown to produce satisfactory results. Along with the advantages of the arthroscopic technique, smaller skin incisions, access to the glenohumeral joint for inspection and treatment of intra-articular lesions, no detachment of the deltoid, and less soft-tissue dissection, patients' results are comparable with those obtained with the open method of repair. The three phases of shoulder rehabilitation for patients who have undergone surgical treatment of rotator cuff disease are described: Phase 1, the immediate postoperative, or protective, phase; phase 2, the progressive strengthening phase; and phase 3, the advanced conditioning and return-to-sport phase. The postoperative rehabilitation programs for the arthroscopic and mini-open rotator cuff repair are essentially the same.     

Arthroscopic revision rotator cuff repair

Rotator cuff repair leads to good and excellent outcomes in most patients. However, structural failure of the repair occurs in a substantial number of cases and can lead to an unsatisfactory result. Several factors have been implicated, including patient-related factors (eg, patient age, tear size) and extrinsic factors (eg, surgeon surgical volume, biomechanical failure). Structural failure requires a detailed patient evaluation to elucidate the cause of persistent symptoms. Function can be maintained despite a recurrent tear; therefore, a recurrent tear alone is not an indication for revision repair. The major indication for revision rotator cuff repair is the persistence of clinical symptoms, despite nonsurgical management, in the absence of substantial risk factors for failure. Although the outcome is poorer than after primary repair, satisfactory results have been reported following revision repair of recurrent rotator cuff tears, particularly with arthroscopic techniques.     

肩袖损伤的关节镜下治疗

目的探讨肩关节镜手术治疗肩袖损伤的适应证选择、手术技巧和疗效。方法2002年3月至2005年5月对68例患者行关节镜下肩袖重建,其中40例获得随访,以其为研究对象。年龄30~81岁,平均年龄56岁,其中29例发生于主力侧。根据Gerber分型,其中部分肩袖损伤8例,中小型肩袖损伤27例,巨大肩袖损伤5例。手术均采用金属缝合锚(Super-Revo)进行肩袖重建。分别在术前及最终随访时采用美国肩肘医师协会评分(ASES)、Constant-Murley评分以及简易肩关节评分(SST)问卷进行功能评估。结果40例患者获得随访,随访时间12~40个月,平均20.6个月。40例患者手术前及终末随访时ASES平均分为72.6对92.3(P<0.001),其中VAS疼痛评分平均为6.2对1.8(P<0.001),肩关节平均前屈上举为74.5°对146.0°(P<0.001),平均外旋为27.8°对38.3°(P<0.01),ASES评分为优和良所占的比例为92.5%(37/40),平均Constant-Murley评分为69.6对90.4(P<0.001),Constant-Murley评分为优和良所占的比例为90.0%(36/40)。结论肩关节镜下肩袖重建手术具有损伤小、肩关节功能恢复快等特点,尤其在保护三角肌方面具有独到的优势,是治疗肩袖损伤的有效方法之一。正确的适应证选择、熟练的关节镜下操作技术以及术后严格的功能康复锻炼是手术成功的关键。     

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with double-row fixation

BACKGROUND: The treatment of rotator cuff tears has evolved from open surgical repairs to complete arthroscopic repairs over the past two decades. In this study, we reviewed the results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs with the so-called double-row, or footprint, reconstruction technique. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2002, 264 patients underwent an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with double-row fixation. The average age at the time of the operation was fifty-nine years. Two hundred and thirty-eight patients (242 shoulders) were available for follow-up; 210 were evaluated with a full clinical examination and thirty-two, with a questionnaire only. Preoperative and postoperative examinations consisted of determination of a Constant score and a visual analogue score for pain as well as a full physical examination of the shoulder. Ultrasonography was done at a minimum of twelve months postoperatively to assess the integrity of the cuff. RESULTS: The average score for pain improved from 7.4 points (range, 3 to 10 points) preoperatively to 0.7 point (range, 0 to 3 points) postoperatively. The subjective outcome was excellent or good in 220 (90.9%) of the 242 shoulders. The average increase in the Constant score after the operation was 25.4 points (range, 0 to 57 points). Ultrasonography demonstrated an intact rotator cuff in 83% (174) of the shoulders overall, 47% (fifteen) of the thirty-two with a repair of a massive tear, 78% (thirty-two) of the forty-one with a repair of a large tear, 93% (113) of the 121 with a repair of a medium tear, and 88% (fourteen) of the sixteen with a repair of a small tear. Strength and active elevation increased significantly more in the group with an intact repair at the time of follow-up than in the group with a failed repair; however, there was no difference in the pain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with double-row fixation can achieve a high percentage of excellent subjective and objective results. Integrity of the repair can be expected in the majority of shoulders treated for a large, medium, or small tear, and the strength and range of motion provided by an intact repair are significantly better than those following a failed repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.     

关节镜下肩袖缝合术治疗肩袖撕裂

目的探讨关节镜下肩袖缝合术治疗肩袖撕裂的手术方法和临床效果。方法2002年12月至2005年10月，对27例肩袖撕裂患者行关节镜下肩袖缝合术，25例获得1年以上随访，其中男12例，女13例；年龄35～67岁，平均54．3岁；左肩6例，右肩19例，涉及优势侧19例。10例滑囊侧部分撕裂，1例滑囊侧及关节侧均有部分撕裂，14例全层撕裂。术前均拍摄肩关节正位和冈上肌出口位X线片，21例行B超检查，23例行MR或MRA检查。全部病例行肩峰下滑囊切除及前肩峰成形术。肩袖修复方式：1例直接行断端缝合，15例应用缝合锚钉行肩袖止点重建，9例联合应用断端缝合及缝合锚钉技术。分别在术前和最终随访时采用UCLA肩关节评分标准进行评价。结果随访时间1～3年，平均23个月。术后平均UCLA评分为（32．3±t2．3）分。手术前后疼痛评分平均为（2．6±t0．9）分和（8．6±1．4）分（P=0．000），功能评分平均为（5．0±1．8）分和（9．1±1．0）分（P=0．000），肩关节主动前屈评分平均为（3．6±1.5）分和（4．9±10.3）分（P=0．000），前屈肌力评分平均为（4．0±0．6）分和（4．7±0．5）分（P=0．000），差异均有统计学意义。优8例、良17例，所有患者均对手术效果表示满意。结论关节镜下肩袖缝合术是治疗肩袖撕裂的有效方法。术中应有效地控制出血，适度进行肩峰成形，正确识别撕裂的形状，充分松解粘连并采用恰当的缝合方式。手术创伤小、恢复快，其疗效可达到切开手术水平。     

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in elite rugby players

Background

Rugby is an increasingly popular collision sport. A wide spectrum of injuries can be sustained during training and match play. Rotator cuff injury is uncommon in contact sports and there is little published literature on the treatment of rotator cuff tears in rugby players.

Aims

We therefore reviewed the results and functional outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in elite rugby players.

Materials and Methods

Eleven professional rugby players underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at our hospital over a 2-year period. We collected data on these patients from the operative records. The patients were recalled for outcome scoring and ultrasound scans.

Results

There were seven rugby league players and four rugby union players, including six internationals. Their mean age was 25.7 years. All had had a traumatic episode during match play and could not return to the game after the injury. The mean time to surgery was 5 weeks. The mean width of the cuff tear was 1.8 cm. All were full- thickness cuff tears. Associated injuries included two Bankart lesions, one bony Bankart lesion, one posterior labral tear, and two 360° labral tears. The biceps was involved in three cases. Two were debrided and a tenodesis was performed in one. Repair was with suture anchors. Following surgery, all patients underwent a supervised accelerated rehabilitation programme. The final follow-up was at 18 months (range: 6–31 months) post surgery. The Constant scores improved from 44 preoperatively to 99 at the last follow-up. The mean score at 3 months was 95. The Oxford shoulder score improved from 34 to 12, with the mean third month score being 18. The mean time taken to return to full match play at the preinjury level was 4.8 months. There were no complications in any of the patients and postoperative scans in nine patients confirmed that the repairs had healed.

Conclusion

We conclude that full-thickness rotator cuff tears in the contact athlete can be addressed successfully by arthroscopic repair, with a rapid return to preinjury status.     

Arthroscopic double-pulley suture-bridge technique for rotator cuff repair

After preparation of the bone bed, two doubly loaded suture anchors with suture eyelets are inserted at the articular margin of the greater tuberosity. A retrograde suture-passing instrument penetrates the rotator cuff to retrieve the sutures through the modified Neviaser or subclavian portal. An ipsilateral pair of suture eyelets in the suture anchor is passed through the margins of the rotator cuff tear. The blue suture of the second and third pair is pulled out of the lateral cannula, and the threaded blue suture of the third pair in the needle is passed through the blue suture of the second pair. After retrieving the blue suture of the first pair through the anterior portal, it is pulled out to pass the blue suture of the third pair through the eyelet of the anteromedial anchor. The blue suture is linked between two anchors. The medial row of suture-bridge is repaired with a sliding knot, and the sutures are not cut. Once the rotator cuff repair using the suture-bridge technique has been performed, the two blue strands in the anterior portal are tied. We describe our technique that possesses the advantages of both the double-pulley and suture-bridge techniques, which improves the pressurized contact area and maximizes compression along the medial row.     

Arthroscopic bone tunnel augmentation for rotator cuff repair

Transosseous repair of the rotator cuff has been shown to recreate the anatomic rotator cuff footprint in a secure and cost-efficient manner. However, the potential for sutures cutting through bone remains a concern with this strategy. Devices have been used successfully during open transosseous rotator cuff repair to augment the bone tunnels, potentially avoiding suture cut-out through the weak bone of the greater tuberosity. Recently, arthroscopic transosseous fixation of rotator cuff tears has become an alternative to arthroscopic suture anchor and open transosseous techniques. This method is expected to have the same potential pitfalls at the bone-suture interface as the open technique. The authors describe a technique for rotator cuff repair using a secure method of arthroscopic bone tunnel augmentation.     

Arthroscopic assisted rotator cuff repair: preliminary results

Arthroscopic assisted rotator cuff repair is a method of performing an arthroscopic subacromial decompression with repair of the rotator cuff through a limited deltoid splitting approach. We evaluated 25 patients with a minimum of 1 year follow-up. Based on the UCLA shoulder rating, 80% of the patients were rated as excellent or good. There was significant improvement in pain, function, motion, and strength. Ninety-six percent of the patients were satisfied with the procedure. Of the patients with small or moderate size tears, 100% received a satisfactory rating. Arthroscopic assisted rotator cuff repair is presented as an attractive alternative in treating symptomatic patients with complete tears of the rotator cuff.     

关节镜下治疗大型肩袖撕裂

目的探讨肩关节镜下治疗大型肩袖撕裂的方法和疗效。方法对34例大型肩袖撕裂患者在关节镜下行单排或双排FastTakII锚钉止点重建术。应用美国肩肘外科医师协会评价系统（ASES）和加利福尼亚大学洛杉矶分校（UCLA）肩关节标准评分。结果34例均获随访,时间4．5～40（7．7±2．4）个月。术后患肩在主动上举、内收、后伸、外展、外旋和内旋6个方向的活动度较术前均有改善（P〈0．05）;患肩完成10项13常活动能力：术前为8．45分±O．97分,术后提高至24．60分±1．21分（P〈0．05）;ASES和UCLA评分：术前分别为24．64分±2．44分和8．06分±1．47分,术后分别提高至71．15分±1．28分和21．77分±1．16分（P〈0．05）;VAS评分：术前为7．18分±2．33分,术后为3．43分±1．75分（P〈0．05）。结论肩关节镜下肩袖重建手术微创治疗优势显著,3～5个作业通道和专业化手术器械的合理交替配合操作能满足大型肩袖撕裂止点重建需求,经镜下双排或单排锚钉重建后的大型损伤肩袖稳定性良好,肩关节功能改善明显。     

Arthroscopic repair of partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff

Management of partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff should include consideration of tear size, tear depth, patient age and activity level, and tear etiology. We present an arthroscopic technique for repair of articular surface partial-thickness tears that may promote healing by closing the tendon side-to-side, placing the debrided tendon end in contact with an abraded humeral surface. By repairing selected partial-thickness tears, progression of the tear and the need for subsequent repair may be prevented. Our preliminary results in 28 patients are encouraging and suggest that this technique is a useful adjunct to tendon debridement for articular surface partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 2 (February), 2001: pp 219–223     

Arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair: the eight-shape technique

All-arthroscopic anchorless transosseous suture techniques combine the advantages of the open transosseous repair with the benefits of arthroscopic technique. However, all the techniques described until now are very complex, difficult to reproduce and associated with an increased surgical time. The authors developed a novel all-arthroscopic anchorless transosseous suture technique easy to perform and to reproduce. This procedure maximizes the tendon-footprint contact area obtaining both medial and lateral fixation without using any device, employing only 1 suture tape so to avoiding the risk of suture twist. The preparation of two transosseous tunnels is very easily and safely performed thanks to a dedicated instrument. The procedure is described in details. Moreover, the preliminary favorable results after a minimum follow-up of 12 months are reported.     

Arthroscopic transhumeral rotator cuff repair: Giant needle technique

An arthroscopic transhumeral rotator cuff repair technique is presented with which the same type of cuff repair can be performed as with an open standard procedure. After adequate arthroscopic subacromial decompression, a bone trough is made on the greater tuberosity and a hole is punctured with a sharp hook. A special bone-cutting needle with a suture (giant needle) is then passed through the skin and deltoid muscle in front of the acromion, through the torn tendon, the hole in the trough, and out through the lateral cortical surface through the deltoid and skin. The suture limbs are pulled out through the instrumentation portal and a sliding knot is made to close the defect. No hardware implants are used and the procedure is not technically complicated. During surgery only two thirds of the steps used for open repair were required. With experience, a large tear was repaired as well as with an open repair. The advantages of this technique are that the strength of cuff fixation does not rely on the quality of the bone in the greater tuberosity, there is no need for complicated suture passing techniques through the rotator cuff, and it offers the same fixation technique as the traditional open repair.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 2 (February), 2002: pp 218–223     

Arthroscopic versus mini-open rotator cuff repair: A meta-analysis

BackgroundAn all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ASR) may result in less postoperative pain and better functional outcomes than the mini-open (MOR) approach. This meta-analysis provides an updated assessment of the current literature which compares the clinical outcomes of mini-open versus all arthroscopic rotator cuff repair techniques.Material and methodsThe main online databases were accessed in October 2021. All the trials directly comparing primary ASR versus MOR for rotator cuff rupture were accessed. Studies concerning revision settings were not eligible, nor where those combining the surgical procedures with other adjuvants.ResultsA total of 21 articles were retrieved. Data from 1644 procedures (ASR = 995, MOR = 649) were collected. The mean follow-up was 26.7 (6.0–56.4) months. Comparability was found between ASR and MOR groups at baseline with regards to age (P = 0.3), gender (P = 0.7) and mean duration of the follow-up (P = 0.7). No difference was found between ASR and MOR with regard to surgical duration (P = 0.05), Constant score (P = 0.2), University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder (P = 0.3), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder (P = 0.5), VAS (P = 0.2), forward flexion (P = 0.3), abduction (P = 0.3), external rotation (P = 0.2), internal rotation (P = 0.7), re-tear (P = 0.9), adhesive capsulitis (P = 0.5).ConclusionArthroscopic and mini-open rotator cuff repair result in similar clinical outcomes. Male gender and older age lead to greater rates of rotator cuff re-tears, while longer surgical duration was associated with a greater rate of adhesive capsulitis.