Medium-energy shock wave therapy in the treatment of rotator cuff calcifying tendinitis

To evaluate the results of the treatment with medium-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in rotator cuff calcifying tendinitis. Fifty-four non-consecutive patients, who were referred to our institute for rotator cuff calcifying tendinitis, were managed with a standardized protocol in four sessions of medium-energy (0.11 mJ/mm²) ESWT administered with an electromagnetic lithotriptor. Pain was evaluated at the end of each session, functional state of shoulder was assessed at 1 and 6 months after the end of procedure. All patients underwent radiographs and sonography imaging. No systemic or local complications. Thirty-eight patients (70%) reported satisfactory functional results. Radiographs and sonographs showed a disappearance of calcium deposit in 29 patients (54%) and in 19 patients (35%) it appeared to be reduced more than a half. A correlation was found between residual calcium deposit and the clinical outcome, but some patients showed a reduced pain without modification of calcium deposit. These results were unmodified at 6 months follow-up. Our protocol of medium-energy ESWT provides good results overall about pain modulation.     

Coexistence of calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tear: an arthrographic study

A prospective evaluation of the coexistence of calcific tendinitis and tear of the rotator cuff demonstrated by arthrography was made in patients presenting with shoulder pain. Patients were X-rayed using conventional views and impingement views. Eighty-one patients (mean age 61.2 years) with calcific tendinitis underwent arthrography. Arthrography showed 22 partial or complete tears of the rotator cuff. A small rather than a large amount of calcification was more likely to be associated with a rotator cuff tear (p = 0.005). The coexistence of calcific tendinitis with rotator cuff tear is not uncommon, especially in older age groups.     

Glenohumeral instability and rotator cuff tear

The prevalence of rotator cuff tears after traumatic dislocation increases with advancing age, a likely consequence of the age-associated deterioration of the structure and mechanical properties of the tendons of the rotator cuff. These are the effective stabilizers of the glenohumeral joint, compressing the humeral head in the 3-dimensional concavity of the glenohumeral joint. It is impossible to establish whether a lesion of the capsular-labrum complex or of the rotator cuff causes or follows a dislocation, regardless of whether it is anterior or posterior. A peripheral nerve or a brachial plexus injury can be associated with tendon lesion and instability, developing the "terrible triad" of the shoulder. Both conservative and surgical management are possible, and surgeons must choose the most appropriate management modality according to the biologic age, functional demands, and type of lesion.     

Conservative management of rotator cuff tear

Ranking among the most prevalent of shoulder disorders, lesions involving shoulder rotator cuff strike million of patients in the United States at different points in their lives. Despite the fact that rotator cuff disease is a very common cause of pain and disability of the upper arm, a high proportion of patients is asymptomatic and unaware of performing daily living activities despite of a shoulder lesion. Given these drawbacks, surgeons are trying exploring whether conservative treatment is a viable option for the management of these injuries. This study presents a rationale to consider nonoperative treatment an effective option when dealing with patients with rotator cuff tears.     

Ultrasonography for diagnosis of rotator cuff tear

 In this study the clinical usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears was assessed. One hundred twenty-two patients undergoing preoperative ultrasonography were evaluated surgically. Three different ultrasonographic machines were applied with a 7.5-MHz linear-array transducer. Surgery confirmed a sensitivity of 79% for full-thickness tears and 50% for partial thickness tears. In 73 patients with negative ultrasonographic findings, the specifity was 100% for full-thickness tears and 90% for partial-thickness tears. The diagnostic sensitivity for full-thickness tears of the Hitachi EUB-340 system was significantly lower than those of Hitachi EUB-415 and EUB-515, and thus the former cannot be recommended for detection of rotator cuff tears. The sensitivity with regard to partial-thickness tears was also significantly lower with the Hitachi EUB-340 system as compared to the Hitachi EUB-515. There were no significant differences in false-positive rate among the three machines used. In conclusion, accurate ultrasonographic diagnosis of rotator cuff tear requires a high-resolution machine, as well as considerable experience in interpretation.     

Role of metalloproteinases in rotator cuff tear

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPS) in the pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears has not been established yet. Recent advances empathize about the role of MMPs and TIMPS in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and degradation in rotator cuff tears pathogenesis and healing after surgical repair. An increase in MMPs synthesis and the resulting MMPs mediated alterations in the ECM of tendons have been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of tendinopathy, and there is an increase in the expression of MMPs and a decrease in TIMP messenger ribonucleic acid expression in tenocytes from degenerative or ruptured tendons. Importantly, MMPs are amenable to inhibition by cheap, safe, and widely available drugs such as the tetracycline antibiotics and bisphosphonates. A better understanding of relationship and activity of these molecules could provide better strategies to optimize outcomes of rotator cuff therapy.     

Smoking and operative treatment of rotator cuff tear

This registry study was set up to evaluate the effect of smoking on the pre‐operative status, intraoperative findings, and post‐operative status after rotator cuff reconstruction. Five hundred seventy‐six consecutive shoulders with primarily arthroscopically repaired penetrating rotator cuff tear were followed up. Tobacco consumption was recorded as pack‐years. Age‐adjusted Constant score was used as an outcome measure. Five hundred sixty‐four patients were available for 1‐year follow‐up (dropout rate 2%). One hundred fourteen (20%) and 450 (80%) patients were pre‐operatively recorded to be smokers and non‐smokers, respectively. The gender distribution did not differ between the groups (P = 0.286). The mean age of all patients was 55 years in smokers (SD 9.1) and 61 years in non‐smokers (SD 9.4) (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in pre‐operative Constant score (P = 0.075) or mean size of intraoperatively measured tendon tear (P = 0.290) between the groups. At final follow‐up, there was a statistically significant difference in Constant scores between smokers [71 (SE 1.4)] and non‐smokers [75 (SE 0.7)] (P = 0.017). The pack‐years of smoking correlated with neither the Constant score (P = 0.815) nor the size of the tear (P = 0.786). We conclude that operatively treated rotator cuff tear patients who smoked were significantly younger than non‐smokers, and that smoking was associated with lower post‐operative Constant score.     

MRI对肩袖撕裂的诊断价值

目的 评价肩关节MRI对肩袖撕裂的诊断价值,并分析其影像特征及损伤机制.方法 回顾性分析76例肩袖撕裂的MRI表现及临床症状.结果 肩袖全层撕裂共25例.其中冈上肌腱撕裂23例,同时向冈下肌腱延伸5例,6例合并肩胛下肌腱部分撕裂,1例合并肱二头肌长头腱断裂,2例合并关节盂前上盂唇撕脱.肩袖部分撕裂共51例,全部发生在冈上肌腱.其中上表面侧11例,下表面侧32例,肌腱内部分撕裂8例.其中8例同时在上表面及下表面发生部分撕裂,3例同时合并下表面及肌腱内部分撕裂.结论 肩关节MRI是评价肩袖撕裂比较有效的检查方法,为临床制定正确的治疗方案提供可靠的依据.     

Calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff with cortical bone erosion

Calcifying tendinitis occurs most commonly in the rotator cuff tendons, particularly involving the supraspinatus tendon insertion, and is often asymptomatic. Cortical erosion secondary to calcifying tendinitis has been reported in multiple locations, including in the rotator cuff tendons. We present a pathologically proven case of symptomatic calcifying tendinitis involving the infraspinatus tendon with cortical erosion with correlative radiographic, CT, and MR findings. The importance of considering this diagnosis when evaluating lytic lesions of the humerus and the imaging differential diagnosis of calcifying tendinitis and cortical erosion are discussed.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Subacromial-subdeltoid lipoma arborescens associated with a rotator cuff tear

A 44-year-old man presented with lipoma arborescens of the right shoulder, associated with a rotator cuff tear. MRI revealed villous proliferations with signal intensity of fat on all pulse sequences. At surgery, this bursa was found to contain moderately yellow cloudy fluid without fat globules. Histological examination of the lesion showed subsynovial accumulation of mature fat cells. Received: 13 October 1998 Revision requested: 10 November 1998 Revision received: 22 January 1999 Accepted: 31 January 1999     

MRI对肩腱袖撕裂的诊断及分级价值

目的探讨MRI检查对肩腱袖撕裂的诊断及分级价值。方法回顾性分析36例肩腱袖撕裂MRI表现与文献及骨科手术对照。结果 36例肩腱袖撕裂,完全性撕裂11例,表现为肌腱连续性中断,肩腱袖肌腱回缩;部分性肩腱袖撕裂25例,表现为边界清晰不累及关节面或滑膜囊面的线样高信号,肩腱袖的滑膜面或关节囊面撕裂区可见积液。结论 MRI能准确判断肩腱袖撕裂范围及程度,是肩腱袖撕裂的最佳检查方法。     

Calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff as a cause of drooping shoulder

We describe a case of inferior glenohumeral subluxation or drooping shoulder secondary to acute calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff. The various etiologies of drooping shoulder and the specific causes determining glenohumeral widening in our report are discussed. The importance in recognizing this uncommon complication of a common abnormal finding and correction by aspiration is stressed.     

Radiological and clinical predictors of long-term outcome in rotator cuff calcific tendinitis

Objectives

Knowledge on the epidemiology and long-term course of rotator cuff calcific tendinitis (RCCT) is scarce. We assessed demographics, radiological characteristics, and their association with long-term outcomes in a large patient group.

Methods

Baseline demographics, radiological characteristics and treatment were recorded in 342 patients. Interobserver agreement of radiological measures was analyzed. Long-term outcome was evaluated with questionnaires (WORC, DASH). The association of baseline characteristics with outcome was assessed.

Results

Mean age was 49.0 (SD?=?10.0), and 59.5 % were female. The dominant arm was affected in 66.0 %, and 21.3 % had bilateral disease. Calcifications were on average 18.7 mm (SD?=?10.1, ICC?=?0.84 (p?<?0.001)) and located 10.1 mm (SD?=?11.8) medially to the acromion (ICC?=?0.77 (p?<?0.001)). Gärtner type I calcifications were found in 32.1 % (Kappa?=?0.47 (p?<?0.001)). After 14 years (SD?=?7.1) of follow-up, median WORC was 72.5 (range, 3.0-100.0; WORC?<?60 in 42 %) and median DASH 17.0 (range, 0.0-82.0). Female gender, dominant arm involvement, bilateral disease, longer duration of symptoms, and multiple calcifications were associated with inferior WORC. DASH results were similar.

Conclusions

Many subjects have persisting shoulder complaints years after diagnosis, regardless of treatment. Female gender, dominant arm involvement, bilateral disease, longer duration of symptoms, and multiple calcifications were associated with inferior outcome. Radiological measures had moderate-to-good reliability and no prognostic value.

Key Points

? Most RCCT studies report on short-term outcome and/or small patients groups. ? In this large, long-term observational study, RCCT appeared to not be self-limiting in many subjects. ? Negative prognostic factors included female gender, more calcifications, dominant arm affected, and longer duration of symptoms. ? Interobserver agreement of general radiological RCCT measures is moderate to good. ? More rigorous diagnostics and treatment might be needed in specific RCCT cases.

     

Arthroscopic footprint reconstruction of a bone cyst-associated rotator cuff tear

Arthroscopic treatment of a symptomatic rotator cuff tear is problematic when the tear is associated with a large bone cyst. We describe procedure of arthroscopic bone grafting in the bone cyst and footprint reconstruction of the rotator cuff tear using a suture–bridge technique.     

Rim-rent tear of the rotator cuff: a common and easily overlooked partial tear

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of rim-rent rotator cuff tears in a population of patients referred for shoulder MRI and to determine the sensitivity of MRI for the detection of these tears. CONCLUSION: Rim-rent tears are a common type of partial-thickness rotator cuff tear, much more commonly present than has been previously reported. In particular, infraspinatus rim-rent tears are more common than previously believed. Rim-rent tears of the infraspinatus tendon and those involving the anterior-most fibers of the supraspinatus tendon are commonly overlooked on MRI, possibly because of failure to appreciate the high incidence of these types of tears and failure to inspect the anterior-most fibers of the rotator cuff.