Rotator cuff strength following open subscapularis tendon repair

The purpose of this study was to evaluate supraspinatus and subscapularis strength following repair of either isolated or anterosuperior subscapularis tears associated with a supraspinatus tear. Open subscapularis repairs were done in 24 patients, 12 isolated and 12 anterosuperior. At an average follow-up of 40 months, UCLA, ASES, and Constant scores were recorded. Subscapularis and supraspinatus strengths were tested using a spring gauge. Ultrasound scanning was performed in 20 patients. Average scores were 27 UCLA, 77 ASES and 90 relative Constant. Subscapularis strength was 92% of the non-operated shoulder. Supraspinatus strength was 90%. Statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in supraspinatus strength in the anterosuperior group. No other significant differences were noted. Ultrasound scanning showed an intact subscapularis tendon in all. Full thickness supraspinatus tears were found in 5 and partial thickness in 1. Not the subscapularis, but the supraspinatus determines the outcome of anterosuperior repairs, with more re-tears and decreased strength.     

The clinical anatomy of the insertion of the rotator cuff tendons

The rotator cuff (RC) insertions according to most anatomical texts are described as being separate from one another. However, clear fusion of the RC tendon fibres exists with prior studies showing this interdigitation forming a common, continuous insertion onto and around the lesser and greater tubercles (LT and GT) of the humerus. Current surgical repair methods (especially arthroscopic techniques) rarely mention or consider these connections during repair and suture anchor implantation. The general principles of RC surgery remain a controversial subject, due to various available techniques, surgeon experience and preference, and the contradicting success rates. This results from old-fashioned knowledge of the anatomy of the RC complex and its functional aspects. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to visualise and define the RC footprint and extension insertions with the aim of enhancing and improving knowledge of the basic anatomy in the hopes that this will be considered during orthopaedic repair. Twenty shoulders (16 cadaveric and 4 fresh) were used in the study. The fresh shoulders were received from the National Tissue Bank, and ethical clearance was obtained (239/2015). Reverse dissection was performed to better visualise the RC unit exposing the interdigitated rotator hood (extension insertions), as well as the complete RC unit (tendons + internal capsule) separated from the scapula and humerus. Once the insertions were exposed and documented, the RC muscle footprint (articular surface area) was measured and recorded, using AutoCAD 2016. No statistical significant difference between left and right (p = 0.424) was noted, but a significant difference between males and females (p = 0.000) was. Collectively, these findings indicate and strengthen evidence towards the notion that the RC muscles/tendons and the internal capsule are one complete and inseparable unit/complex. The fact that the RC unit is more complex in its structure and attachment places importance on the biomechanical stresses encountered after repair. Functions of one RC muscle are not necessarily isolated but instead can be influenced by surrounding muscles as well. In addition to providing greater understanding of the basic anatomy of the RC unit, these findings also provide clarity for surgeons with the goal of improving and enhancing surgical methods for better post-operative patient outcome.     

Arthroscopic repair of anterosuperior (supraspinatus/subscapularis) rotator cuff tears

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of anterosuperior rotator cuff tears. The null hypothesis, that there was no difference between preoperative scores and postoperative scores, was tested statistically. Type of Study: A cohort study. Methods: The preoperative and postoperative status of patients with anterosuperior rotator cuff tears was analyzed using the Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Society Index (ASES Index), a visual analog pain scale (VAS), a single question of percent function compared with the opposite unaffected extremity, and a single question reflecting satisfaction, “would you undergo the surgery and the postoperative rehabilitation to achieve the result you have today.” There were also 2 groups compared: 1 that had a “tac” used for repair of the subscapularis tendon, and the other that used a “tie” technique for subscapularis repair. All supraspinatus tendon tears were complete and were repaired using a soft-tissue fixation device. Results: There was a statistically significant difference for all outcome measures except for the objective Constant score of the tie group, P = .58. Follow-up was 2 to 4 years. There were no differences based on sex or type of fixation device used for repair of the subscapularis tendon. There were no reruptures, clinically. Conclusions: The arthroscopic repair of anterosuperior rotator cuff tears provides reliable expectation for improvement in function, decreases in pain, decreases in clinical findings of biceps subluxation and inflammation, improvement in shoulder scores, and the improvement of clinical findings of subscapularis insufficiency.     

Combined tears of the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendon: clinical outcome,rotator cuff strength and structural integrity following open repair

Background  

Anterosuperior rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendons are less common than other tears of the rotator cuff. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcome, rotator cuff strength and structural integrity of open repair of combined anterosuperior rotator cuff tears.     

The mechanical effects of suture anchor insertion angle for rotator cuff repair

Twelve matched pairs of humerii were instrumented with suture anchor at 90 degrees, 75 degrees, 45 degrees, and 30 degrees relative to the cortical border at the junction of the greater tuberosity and articular surface. Two fixtures were inserted into each specimen at different angles and loaded to failure. Suture anchors failed at an average of 171, 219, 169, and 192 N with 90 degrees, 75 degrees, 45 degrees, and 30 degrees insertion angles, respectively. No statistical difference was detected between groups (P=.08). Although previous authors have prescribed angles < or =45 degrees to improve pull-out strength, the current in vitro data does not support these recommendations.     

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。     

Mini-open rotator cuff repair

Open shoulder procedures require a deltoid release for proper exposure. Arthroscopic techniques have progressed so that minimally invasive techniques give similar outcomes as more formal open procedures with less risk of morbidity. Arthroscopically assisted open rotator cuff repair offers advantages over open procedures with some diagnostic and decompression performed with the arthroscope. The mini-open technique has more aspects of a cuff repair performed through the arthroscope leaving a few steps to be done open. The modern use of arthroscopic techniques for minimally invasive rotator cuff surgery coupled with advances in rehabilitation is discussed.     

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is being performed by an increasing number of orthopaedic surgeons. The principles, techniques, and instrumentation have evolved to the extent that all patterns and sizes of rotator cuff tear, including massive tears, can now be repaired arthroscopically. Achieving a biomechanically stable construct is critical to biologic healing. The ideal repair construct must optimize suture-to-bone fixation, suture-to-tendon fixation, abrasion resistance of suture, suture strength, knot security, loop security, and restoration of the anatomic rotator cuff footprint (the surface area of bone to which the cuff tendons attach). By achieving optimized repair constructs, experienced arthroscopic surgeons are reporting results equal to those of open rotator cuff repair. As surgeons' arthroscopic skill levels increase through attendance at surgical skills courses and greater experience gained in the operating room, there will be an increasing trend toward arthroscopic repair of most rotator cuff pathology.     

Technique for repair of the subscapularis tendon

Patients with sudden loss of active motion after an external rotation or hyperextension injury should be viewed with a high index of suspicion for a subscapularis tear. Exaggerated external rotation and the presence of a positive lift off or belly press test on physical examination combined with appropriate imaging studies will lead to an early diagnosis. Careful surgical repair combined with a thoughtful rehabilitation program will lessen both the length and degree of disability from this clinical entity.     

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.     

Massive rotator cuff tears: the result of partial rotator cuff repair

Massive rotator cuff tears often defy traditional repair techniques and have led to a variety of treatment recommendations. We reviewed retrospectively the results of partial repair of massive rotator cuff tears in 24 patients. Overall results were excellent in 11 patients (46%), good in 5 (21%), fair in 7 (29%), and poor in 1 (4%). Ninety-two percent of patients were satisfied with the result of surgery. Satisfactory pain relief was achieved in 83% (P<.001). Active elevation improved from 114 degrees to 154 degrees , and no patient lost strength after surgery. The ability to raise the arm to at least 135 degrees improved from 13 patients preoperatively to 21 patients postoperatively. This series serves as a basis of comparison to debridement, tendon transfers, and tendon augmentation procedures for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.     

Pathology of the torn rotator cuff tendon. Reduction in potential for repair as tear size increases

We have studied cellular and vascular changes in different stages of full thickness tears of the rotator cuff. We examined biopsies from the supraspinatus tendon in 40 patients with chronic rotator cuff tears who were undergoing surgery and compared them with biopsies from four uninjured subscapularis tendons. Morphological and immunocytochemical methods using monoclonal antibodies directed against leucocytes, macrophages, mast cells, proliferative and vascular markers were used. Histological changes indicative of repair and inflammation were most evident in small sized rotator cuff tears with increased fibroblast cellularity and intimal hyperplasia, together with increased expression of leucocyte and vascular markers. These reparative and inflammatory changes diminished as the size of the rotator cuff tear increased. Marked oedema and degeneration was seen in large and massive tears, which more often showed chondroid metaplasia and amyloid deposition. There was no association between the age of the patient and the duration of symptoms. In contrast, large and massive tears showed no increase in the number of inflammatory cells and blood vessels. Small sized rotator cuff tears retained the greatest potential to heal, showing increased fibroblast cellularity, blood vessel proliferation and the presence of a significant inflammatory component. Tissue from large and massive tears is of such a degenerative nature that it may be a significant cause of re-rupture after surgical repair and could make healing improbable in this group.     

Double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: re-establishing the footprint of the rotator cuff

Recently, there has been an increased interest in the normal anatomy of the rotator cuff footprint and the re-establishment of the footprint during rotator cuff repair. Single-row suture anchor techniques have been criticized because of their inability to restore the normal medial-to-lateral width of the rotator cuff footprint. In this report, the authors describe a double-row technique for rotator cuff repair that re-establishes the normal rotator cuff footprint, increases the contact area for healing, and may potentially improve clinical results.     

Donor site morbidity after quadriceps tendon harvest for rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: The central quadriceps tendon provides a useful free tendon graft, although the morbidity of harvesting it is unknown in elderly patients. METHODS: The donor site morbidities of 10 patients after central quadriceps tendon (CQT) graft harvest were reviewed for rotator cuff repair. Patients were reviewed by questionnaire and clinical examination at a minimum of 5 months after surgery. RESULTS: A majority of patients reported significant donor site pain and reduction in knee reliability and function. Six of 10 patients had reduced quadriceps power attributable to the graft harvest. CONCLUSION: The harvesting of the CQT graft is associated with significant morbidity, especially in an elderly population with limited functional reserve.