关节镜辅助下小切口修复肩袖损伤

目的　探讨关节镜辅助下小切口修复肩袖损伤的方法与疗效。方法　 1999年 5月至 2 0 0 3年 10月 ,采用关节镜辅助下小切口修复肩袖损伤 3 2例。术前 3 2例行肩关节X线片和肩关节MRI检查 ,其中 15例行肩关节造影检查 ,结果均证实为肩袖损伤。关节镜下发现肩袖附着处撕脱伤 5例 ,肩袖损伤2 7例。关节镜下行肩峰成形术 3 0例 ,小切口作肩峰成形术 2例。肩袖全层损伤在关节镜辅助下小切口行肩袖缝合术 2 2例 ,肩袖不完全性损伤在关节镜下作射频清理术 10例。结果　 3 2例术后随访 6～ 3 2个月 ,平均 10个月。根据美国UCLA肩关节评分标准评估 ,优 2 2例 ,良 5例 ,可 5例 ,优良率达 84.3 7%。结论　关节镜辅助下肩峰成形和小切口修复肩袖损伤具有操作安全简便、创伤小、有利于早期功能练习和康复。     

关节镜辅助治疗肩袖损伤的临床疗效分析

目的探讨关节镜辅助治疗肩袖损伤的方法和疗效。方法 2009年11月-2011年3月,收治27例肩袖损伤患者,男17例,女10例;年龄29～66岁,平均43.6岁。病程1～36个月,平均27个月。左肩11例,右肩16例。12例有外伤史,15例无明显诱因。患者肩关节主动前屈及外展功能均有不同程度受限。摄肩关节正侧位、冈上肌出口位X线片,根据Bigliani肩峰分型标准:Ⅰ型5例,Ⅱ型13例,Ⅲ型9例。MRI检查均显示肩袖全层断裂。首先行关节镜探查,27例冈上肌均全层断裂,23例有肩峰撞击;无撞击者行肩袖清理,有撞击者行肩袖清理后再行肩峰成形和肩峰下滑囊切除;关节镜辅助定位下作3～4 cm小切口,直视下缝合修复肩袖。结果患者手术切口均Ⅰ期愈合。27例均获随访,随访时间13～27个月,平均19个月。未发生内固定物松动及肩袖再撕裂等并发症;疼痛症状明显缓解,患者对手术疗效满意。患者末次随访时肩关节活动度较术前显著改善(P<0.05);疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)由术前(8.0±1.8)分改善至术后2周(1.6±0.7)分及末次随访时(0.8±0.7)分;美国加州大学洛杉矶分校(UCLA)肩关节功能评分由术前(18.8±6.6)分提高至术后3个月(32.2±3.3)分及末次随访时(33.6±2.1)分;差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论关节镜辅助小切口治疗肩袖损伤临床疗效满意,但因随访时间有限,其远期疗效有待进一步随访观察。     

关节镜下反向肩峰减压术在肩袖撕裂治疗中的应用

目的探讨关节镜下修复肩袖同时采用反向肩峰减压术治疗肩袖撕裂的疗效。方法 2012年11月-2015年1月,收治53例肩袖撕裂患者,于关节镜下进行肩袖修复同时行反向肩峰减压术。男38例,女15例;年龄47~61岁,平均53.4岁。摔伤36例,无明显外伤史17例。患者术前均有不同程度肩部疼痛,活动受限。疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)为(6.4±0.9)分,美国加州大学洛杉矶分校(UCLA)肩关节功能评分为(16.3±1.9)分。冈上肌远端撕裂41例,冈下肌远端撕裂12例;部分撕裂9例,全层撕裂44例;累及肌腱宽度1~3 cm,平均1.9 cm。伴肱二头肌长头肌腱炎31例,Bankart损伤5例,SLAP损伤2例。伴骨质疏松2例。结果术后患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合,无感染、神经损伤等并发症发生。49例获随访,随访时间12~35个月,平均22.8个月。术后42例患者肩关节疼痛症状缓解,7例术后3个月肩峰前缘附近存在疼痛,经对症处理后缓解。末次随访时,VAS评分为(0.5±0.6)分,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(t=40.565,P=0.000)。UCLA评分为(33.8±1.7)分,较术前显著提高,比较差异有统计学意义(t=—79.799,P=0.000);其中获优42例,良6例,可1例,优良率98.0%。结论关节镜下修复肩袖同时,采用反向肩峰减压术保留了喙肩弓等重要结构,术后肩关节功能恢复满意。     

关节镜辅助小切口肩袖修复术治疗肩袖撕裂

目的 探讨关节镜辅助小切口修复术治疗肩袖撕裂的临床效果. 方法 1999年3月～2004年3月应用关节镜辅助小切口修复术治疗肩袖撕裂22例.13例行关节镜检查,小切口肩峰下间隙减压及肩袖修复术;9例行关节镜下肩峰下间隙减压及小切口肩袖修复术.采用UCLA肩评分标准进行评价. 结果 22例随访12～72个月,平均47个月,UCLA评分由术前（14.8±3.8）分升至术后（32.0±4.7）分（t=15.086,P=0.000）.优7例,良13例,可1例,差1例;20例满意. 结论 关节镜辅助小切口修复术是治疗肩袖撕裂的有效方法,操作简单,创伤小.     

富血小板血浆并肱骨大结节成形在肩袖修复中的应用

[目的]探讨富血小板血浆(Platelet-rich plasma,PRP)并肱骨大结节成型在肩袖修复中的应用价值。[方法]回顾性分析2013年8月~2015年6月本科手术治疗的肩袖全层撕裂患者31例,肩袖修复术中应用PRP并行肱骨大结节成形。男19例,女12例,年龄49~65岁;左肩9例,右肩22例。其中合并Bankart损伤3例,SLAP损伤2例,合并肱二头肌肌腱长头损伤5例。通过比较手术前后术前疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)及美国加州大学肩关节功能评分(UCLA)评估手术疗效。[结果]27例患者获得随访,随访时间14~32个月,平均(23.20±6.11)个月。末次随访时,VAS评分(0.72±0.71)分,较术前(5.92±0.78)分差异具有统计学意义(t=24.374,P<0.001),UCLA评分(32.40±1.59)分,较术前(20.63±2.14)分差异具有统计学意义(t=-23.760,P<0.001),术后复查X线片显示肱骨大结节平滑,MRI显示肩袖愈合良好。[结论]PRP注射并大结节成型修复全层肩袖撕裂效果肯定,能有效缓解患者肩关节疼痛、恢复肩关节功能,是一种治疗全层肩袖撕裂的有效手段。     

关节镜下肩袖缝合术治疗肩袖全层撕裂的中期疗效观察

目的 探讨关节镜下肩袖缝合术治疗肩袖全层撕裂的手术方法和中期效果.方法 2002年12月至2007年5月对35例肩袖全层撕裂患者行关节镜下肩袖缝合术,30例获得随访,其中男性15例,女性15例;年龄31～74岁,平均55.6岁.左肩3例,右肩27例.全部病例行肩峰下滑囊切除及肩峰成形术.肩袖修复方式:19例应用缝合锚钉行肩袖止点重建,11例联合应用断端缝合及缝合锚钉技术.16例行单排缝合,14例行双排缝合.2012年6月对所有患者进行随访,分别在术前和随访时采用UCLA肩关节评分标准进行评价,评分结果行配对t检验.结果 小型撕裂3例,中型撕裂22例,大型撕裂3例,巨大撕裂2例,随访时间5 ～ 10年,平均78.5个月.UCLA评分从术前的(14.2±3.1)分增至术后(33.6±2.1)分(t=-37.154,P=0.000).其中疼痛评分平均为(2.5±0.9)分比(9.5±1.0)分(t=-24.466,P=0.000),功能评分平均为(4.5±1.5)分比(9.4±1.1)分(t=-18.500,P=0.000),主动前屈角度评分平均为(3.3±1.6)分比(4.9±0.2)分(t=-5.614,P=0.000),前屈肌力评分平均为(3.9±0.5)分比(4.7±0.4)分(t=-6.591,P=0.000),差异均有统计学意义.根据术后随访UCLA评分,优19例,良11例.单排缝合患者术前平均(13.0±3.2)分,术后平均(33.6±1.7)分.双排缝合患者术前平均(15.6±2.4)分,术后平均(33.6±2.6)分,两组患者手术前后评分差异均有统计学意义(t=-33.071和-26.455,P＜0.05).所有患者对手术效果表示满意.结论 关节镜下肩袖缝合治疗肩袖全层撕裂创伤小、恢复快,中期效果令人满意.单排缝合与双排缝合的效果均令人满意.术中应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.     

肩袖滑囊侧部分撕裂的关节镜手术治疗

目的 探讨关节镜治疗肩袖滑囊侧部分撕裂的手术方法 和临床效果.方法 对2002年6月至2007年12月行关节镜手术的57例肩袖滑囊侧部分撕裂患者进行回顾性分析.男性34例,女性15例,年龄25～71岁,平均年龄49.7岁.左肩15例,右肩34例,涉及优势侧41例.根据Ellman分类标准,Ⅰ度7例,Ⅱ度6例,Ⅲ度36例.术前均拍摄肩关节正位和冈上肌出口位X线片,29例行B超检查,36例行MRI或磁共振血管造影检查.Ⅰ度及Ⅱ度患者行肩峰下间隙减压及肩袖清理术;Ⅲ度患者行肩峰下间隙减压及肩袖修复术.肩袖修复方式:3例直接行断端缝合,26例应用缝合锚钉行肩袖止点重建,7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.手术前UCLA评分平均为(16.5±2.4)分.其中疼痛评分平均为(2.9±1.0)分,功能评分平均为(5.4±1.2)分,肩关节主动前屈评分平均为(4.3±1.1)分,前屈肌力评分平均为(4.0±0.4)分.结果 49例患者均获得随访,随访时间2～7年,平均48个月.手术后平均UCLA评分为(32.1±3.8)分.其中疼痛评分平均为(8.4±1.7)分,功能评分平均为(9.1±1.4)分,肩关节主动前屈评分平均(4.9±0.2)分,前屈肌力评分平均为(4.8±0.4),与术前比较差异均具有统计学意义(均为P=0.000).优16例,良31例,差2例.47例患者对手术效果表示满意.结论 关节镜手术是治疗肩袖滑囊侧部分撕裂的有效方法 .手术创伤小、恢复快.     

关节镜下治疗65岁以上老年肩袖损伤

目的探讨关节镜下治疗65岁老年肩袖损伤的临床效果。方法对28例65岁肩袖撕裂患者行全关节镜或肩关节镜辅助小切口治疗,比较手术前后的疼痛VAS评分、UCLA肩关节评分及ASES评分,评价术后肩关节功能恢复情况。结果患者均获得随访,时间24~36(28.6±2.8)个月。术后无感染、切口不愈合、二次撕裂等并发症发生。患者的VAS评分、ASES评分、UCLA评分分别由术前的(8.1±0.2)分、(27.8±12.5)分、(17.7±0.6)分改善至末次随访时的(0.9±0.1)分、(76.4±10.3)分、(33.8±0.4)分,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论关节镜下治疗65岁老年肩袖损伤术后疼痛缓解满意,肩关节功能恢复明显。     

肩关节色素沉着绒毛结节性滑膜炎合并肩袖损伤手术方法浅析

目的探讨肩关节色素沉着绒毛结节性滑膜炎(PVNS)合并肩袖损伤的诊断、治疗方法以及疗效。方法回顾分析2006年7月至2014年6月青岛大学附属医院收治的5例肩关节PVNS合并肩袖损伤患者临床资料,其中男性4例,女性1例;年龄24~43岁,平均(32±8)岁。发病至就诊时间最长为62月,最短1月,中位数为2月。采用统计软件SPSS 20.0以Wilcoxon符号秩检验对肩关节功能按照美国肩肘协会评分系统(ASES评分)、疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)进行评价。患者均于关节镜下行滑膜切除术,其中2例病程超过2年的患者未行肩袖修复术,其余3例行关节镜下肩袖修复术。结果本组患者术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合,5例均获随访,随访时间12~20个月。5例患者术后肩关节功能ASES评分为(76.6±14.1)分,明显高于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(Z=-2.032,P0.05);术后VAS评分为(2.2±1.3)分,明显低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(Z=-2.260,P0.05)。结论肩关节PVNS合并肩袖损伤的诊断较为困难,易漏诊和误诊,应引起重视;治疗时应在滑膜全切的基础上行肩袖修复术,可获满意疗效。     

关节镜下缝线桥技术修复全层肩袖损伤的疗效观察

目的 探讨关节镜下采用缝线桥技术(suture bridge)修复全层肩袖损伤的临床疗效.方法 2009年1月至2010年6月,对22例全层肩袖损伤患者予以关节镜下缝线桥技术修复,并对随访结果进行统计学分析.结果 22例患者均获得随访,时间平均为25.8个月(18～35个月).肩袖撕裂平均为(3.60±0.25) cm,术后无锚钉拔出现象.患者术后患肩前屈、外展、中立位外旋主动活动度较术前均明显增加(P＜ 0.001),前屈及中立位外旋肌力亦较术前明显增加(P＜0.05);美国肩肘外科医师(ASES)评分由术前的66.5分提高到90.6分(P＜ 0.001),Constant评分由64.4分提高到93.8分(P＜0.001),患者对手术结果均表示满意.结论 肩关节镜下缝线桥技术在修复全层肩袖损伤方面是一种可靠且有效的肩袖修复技术.     

关节镜下缝合桥双排固定技术治疗肩袖全层撕裂的初步疗效

目的评价关节镜下应用缝合桥双排固定治疗肩袖全层撕裂的初步临床效果.方法 回顾性分析北京大学第三医院2010年3月至2011年2月间应用关节镜下缝合桥双排固定技术治疗的44例肩袖全层撕裂患者的术后效果（男22例,女22例,术时平均52.3岁）.关节镜下将撕裂按大小分组.分别测定患者术前术后休息和运动时的VAS评分,肩关节前屈、外展和体侧外旋角度,美国加州大学肩关节评分（UCLA）和美国肩肘外科医生评分（ASES）.结果 术后随访时间平均9.7个月,随访率100%.本组病例小撕裂14例（31.8%）,中撕裂21例（47.7%）,大撕裂5例（11.4%）和巨大撕裂4例（9.1%）.休息时VAS评分从术前（6.4±3.4）分降到随访时（0.7±1.5）分,活动时VAS评分从术前的（7.9±2.1）分降到随访时（1.8±1.8）分.手术前后的关节活动度有统计学差异（前屈、外展和体侧外旋的Z值分别为4.789,4.450和4.454,P〈0.01）.UCLA评分由术前的（15.3±4.9）分增加到随访时（30.7±4.0）分;ASES评分由术前的（30.5±17.8）分增加到随访时（84.2±12.6）分,改变均有统计学意义（Z值分别为5.759和5.760,P〈0.01）.患者对手术的满意率是93%,无术中和术后并发症.结论 关节镜下缝合桥双排固定是一种治疗肩袖全层撕裂安全有效的方法,其长期临床效果需进一步研究.     

Rotator cuff repair in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is very little information available regarding the results of rotator cuff repair in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, we reviewed our experience to determine the results, the risk factors for an unsatisfactory outcome, and the rates of failure of this procedure. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone repair of a rotator cuff tear at our institution from 1988 to 2002. Twenty-three shoulders in twenty-one patients were identified. The median duration of follow-up for the twenty shoulders that did not require revision surgery was 9.7 years. Nine shoulders had a partial-thickness tear, and fourteen had a full-thickness tear. The shoulders were assessed with regard to pain, functional outcome, and overall patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Patients with both partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears had significant improvements in terms of overall pain (p < 0.05) and satisfaction (p < 0.05). Patients who had undergone repair of a partial-thickness tear had improved active elevation (from 155 degrees to 180 degrees; p = 0.03), whereas patients who had undergone repair of a full-thickness tear did not have improved elevation. Six of the fourteen shoulders with a full-thickness tear had an unsatisfactory result, whereas only two of the nine shoulders with a partial-thickness tear had an unsatisfactory result. CONCLUSIONS: Rotator cuff repair in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging. However, durable pain relief and patient satisfaction can be achieved. Functional gains should not be expected in patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Repair of the rotator cuff in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be undertaken when nonoperative measures for pain relief have failed.     

Arthroscopic rotator cuff debridement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

There is little information available concerning the results of rotator cuff debridement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We performed a review of 16 shoulders with underlying RA that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff tear debridement; there were 10 full-thickness tears and 6 partial-thickness tears. Of the 10 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears, 8 had unsatisfactory results, whereas none of the patients with partial-thickness tears had unsatisfactory results. Pain was improved in 5 of 6 shoulders with partial-thickness cuff tears, whereas only 5 of 10 with full-thickness tears had an improvement with regard to pain. Motion did not improve in either group. Patients with RA who require operative intervention for pain relief because of rotator cuff tearing can be treated successfully with debridement alone. However, pain relief was less predictable with large or massive tears when compared with partial-thickness tears, and functional gains were not achieved in either group.     

The use of in-office, orthopaedist-performed ultrasound of the shoulder to evaluate and manage rotator cuff disorders

This study presents the use of in-office ultrasound, performed by an attending orthopaedic surgeon, as a means of evaluating the integrity of the rotator cuff. The results of 282 shoulder sonograms in patients ultimately treated surgically were included. Findings at surgery were recorded and compared with those documented during the ultrasound examination. Ultrasound findings included 118 full-thickness and 143 partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and 6 intact cuffs confirmed at surgery. One patient with a partial supraspinatus tear on ultrasound was intact at surgery, nine with complete supraspinatus tears had partial-thickness tears at surgery, one with an intact supraspinatus had a full-thickness tear at surgery, and four with partial-thickness supraspinatus tears had full-thickness tears at surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 94.1%, 96.1%, 96.6%, and 93.2%, respectively, for partial-thickness tears; 95.9%, 94.3%, 92.9%, and 96.8%, respectively, for full-thickness tears; and 99.6%, 85.7%, 99.6%, and 85.7%, respectively, when the rotator cuff was evaluated for damage (either partial- or full-thickness tears). This series documents the ability of an orthopaedic surgeon to image the rotator cuff effectively using portable ultrasound in the clinic setting, allowing for a more efficient implementation of the management plan.     

Ultrasonography of the rotator cuff. A comparison of ultrasonographic and arthroscopic findings in one hundred consecutive cases

BACKGROUND: There has been limited acceptance of shoulder ultrasonography by orthopaedic surgeons in the United States. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the diagnostic performance of high-resolution ultrasonography compared with arthroscopic examination for the detection and characterization of rotator cuff tears. METHODS: One hundred consecutive shoulders in ninety-eight patients with shoulder pain who had undergone preoperative ultrasonography and subsequent arthroscopy were identified. The arthroscopic diagnosis was a full-thickness rotator cuff tear in sixty-five shoulders, a partial-thickness tear in fifteen, rotator cuff tendinitis in twelve, frozen shoulder in four, arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint in two, and a superior labral tear and calcific bursitis in one shoulder each. All ultrasonographic reports were reviewed for the presence or absence of a rotator cuff tear and a biceps tendon rupture or dislocation. All arthroscopic examinations were performed according to a standardized operative procedure. The size and extent of the tear and the status of the biceps tendon were recorded for all shoulders. The findings on ultrasonography and arthroscopy then were compared for each parameter. RESULTS: Ultrasonography correctly identified all sixty-five full-thickness rotator cuff tears (a sensitivity of 100 percent). There were seventeen true-negative and three false-positive ultrasonograms (a specificity of 85 percent). The overall accuracy was 96 percent. The size of the tear on transverse measurement was correctly predicted in 86 percent of the shoulders with a full-thickness tear. Ultrasonography detected a tear in ten of fifteen shoulders with a partial-thickness tear that was diagnosed on arthroscopy. Five of six dislocations and seven of eleven ruptures of the biceps tendon were identified correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography was highly accurate for detecting full-thickness rotator cuff tears, characterizing their extent, and visualizing dislocations of the biceps tendon. It was less sensitive for detecting partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and ruptures of the biceps tendon.     

The derotation sign for perioperative diagnosis of significant partial-thickness rotator cuff tears

Purpose: To describe and evaluate a simple perioperative test (the derotation sign) that differentiates significant (grade 3) partial-thickness and small full-thickness rotator cuff tears from insignificant (grades 1 and 2) partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and intact rotator cuffs. Type of Study: Sensitivity and specificity study. Methods: A study was conducted of 123 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy for chronic symptomatic rotator cuff disease, each of whom was subjected to a derotation test under general anesthesia. Specifically, the glenohumeral joint was rapidly distended with fluid just before arthroscopy. One of 3 possible observations was made: (1) the arm rotated internally only, (2) the arm initially rotated internally and then externally rotated (positive derotation sign), or (3) the arm did not rotate at all. Arthroscopic findings were then correlated with the derotation test. Results: Forty-one shoulders had no arm rotation on derotation testing; all had rotator cuff tears greater than 2 cm in size. Forty-two shoulders with impingement and no rotator cuff tears, as well as 23 shoulders with grade 1 or grade 2 partial-thickness rotator cuff tears showed internal rotation only. Seventeen shoulders had a positive derotation sign; all of these had either a grade 3 partial-thickness or a small full-thickness (<1 cm) rotator cuff tear. Conclusions: The derotation test is useful in the perioperative differentiation of functionally intact rotator cuffs from those with significant tears. The derotation sign is specific for the diagnosis of grade 3 partial-thickness and/or small (<1 cm) full-thickness rotator cuff tears.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 3 (March), 2002: pp 284–286     

Detection and quantification of rotator cuff tears. Comparison of ultrasonographic, magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopic findings in seventy-one consecutive cases

BACKGROUND: Although many investigators have evaluated the accuracy of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of full and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, few have directly compared the two tests. The purpose of our study was to compare the accuracy of the two tests for detection and measurement of the size of rotator cuff tears, with arthroscopic findings used as the standard. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients with shoulder pain were prospectively studied with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Seventy-one had subsequent arthroscopy, and they formed the study group. The arthroscopic diagnosis was a full-thickness tear in forty-six patients, a partial-thickness tear in nineteen, and no tear in six. The presence or absence of a full or partial-thickness tear and the tear size as demonstrated by each imaging test and at the time of arthroscopy were recorded. The findings of the imaging tests and arthroscopy were then compared for each parameter. RESULTS: Ultrasonography correctly identified forty-five of the forty-six full-thickness tears and magnetic resonance imaging, all forty-six. Ultrasonography correctly identified thirteen of the nineteen partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and magnetic resonance imaging, twelve of the nineteen. The overall accuracy for both imaging tests was 87%. Ultrasonography correctly predicted the degree of retraction of 73% of the full-thickness tears and the length of 85% of the partial-thickness tears, and magnetic resonance imaging correctly predicted the retraction and length of 63% and 75%, respectively. Ultrasonography correctly predicted the width of 87% of the full-thickness tears and 54% of the partial-thickness tears, and magnetic resonance imaging correctly predicted the width of 80% and 75%, respectively. No significant differences between ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging were demonstrated (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging had comparable accuracy for identifying and measuring the size of full-thickness and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. When an investigator has comparable experience with both imaging tests, the decision regarding which test to perform for rotator cuff assessment does not need to be based on accuracy concerns. The choice can be based on other factors, such as the importance of ancillary clinical information (regarding lesions of the glenoid labrum, joint capsule, or surrounding muscle or bone), the presence of an implanted device, patient tolerance, and cost.     

Mattress suture-bridge technique for bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears

The standard procedure used to repair partial-thickness tears involves initial progression of the lesion to a full-thickness tear prior to tendon repair. However, the option for a bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tear includes the preservation of as much of the remaining intact fibers as possible. Instead of inserting suture anchors in the medial row, as in the conventional suture-bridge technique, two mattress sutures are inserted into the rotator cuff. Full-thickness access is achieved using a percutaneous spinal needle and medial mattress sutures to preserve the articular bone attachment of the remnant fibers and to compress the repaired tendon on the footprint. Our method can help preserve the remnant rotator cuff tendon without tissue damage and can restore the normal rotator cuff footprint.     

Accuracy of office-based ultrasonography of the shoulder for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND: This prospective multi-institutional study was designed to define the accuracy of ultrasonography, when performed in an orthopaedic surgeon's office, for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. METHODS: An anatomic diagnosis and a treatment plan were made on the basis of office-based shoulder ultrasonography, physical examination, and radiographs for ninety-eight patients (ninety-nine shoulders) with a clinical diagnosis of a rotator-cuff-related problem. The results of the ultrasonographic studies were then compared with the results of magnetic resonance imaging and the operative findings. RESULTS: Office-based ultrasonography led to the correct diagnosis for thirty-seven (88%) of forty-two shoulders with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear or both full and partial-thickness tears, twenty-six (70%) of thirty-seven shoulders with a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear only, and sixteen (80%) of twenty shoulders with normal tendons. In no case was the surgical approach (open or arthroscopic) that had been planned on the basis of the ultrasonography altered by the operative findings, but the operative finding of a full-thickness tear resulted in an arthroscopic cuff repair in four shoulders. Magnetic resonance imaging led to the correct diagnosis for forty (95%) of forty-two shoulders with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear or both full and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, twenty-seven (73%) of thirty-seven shoulders with only a partial-thickness tear, and fifteen (75%) of twenty shoulders with normal tendons. There were no significant differences between magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography with regard to the correct identification of a full-thickness tear or its size. The sensitivity of ultrasonography for detecting tear size in the anterior-posterior dimension was 86% (95% confidence interval, 71% to 95%), and that of magnetic resonance imaging was 93% (95% confidence interval, 81% to 99%) (p = 0.26). The sensitivity of ultrasonography for detecting tear size in the medial-lateral dimension was 83% (95% confidence interval, 69% to 93%), and that of magnetic resonance imaging was 88% (95% confidence interval, 74% to 96%) (p = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS: A well-trained office staff and an experienced orthopaedic surgeon can effectively utilize ultrasonography, in conjunction with clinical examination and a review of shoulder radiographs, to accurately diagnose the extent of rotator cuff tears in patients suspected of having such tears. Errors in diagnosis made on the basis of ultrasonography most often consist of an inability to distinguish between partial and full-thickness tears that are approximately 1 cm in size. In this study, such errors did not significantly affect the planned surgical approach.