A New “Trapdoor technique” for Fixation of Displaced Greater Tuberosity Fractures of the Shoulder

Isolated greater tuberosity fractures of the proximal humerus are frequently displaced posteriorly and superiorly by the pull of the rotator cuff. This displacement can lead to a decline in function if left untreated. Traditionally these fractures have been treated surgically using screw fixation. On occasions this metalwork can remain prominent and potentially cause impingement. We present a new surgical “trapdoor” technique for fixation of isolated greater tuberosity fractures which can avoid these problems and be utilised either open or arthroscopically. Following reduction of the isolated greater tuberosity fragment, two double loaded metal screw in anchors are placed through stab incisions in the rotator cuff at the bone-tendon interface and secured into the humeral head. A suture from each of the anchors is tied together to secure the tuberosity fragment proximally and a suture-less anchor is inserted distal to the fracture site forming an inverted triangle. The remaining sutures are placed through the suture-less anchor and tensioned independently. As the sutures are tied and snugged tight, the distal aspect of the fracture reduces, thus closing the “trapdoor.” This is a newly described versatile technique that can be used regardless of the size and comminution of the tuberosity fragment and can be performed either open or arthroscopically. It avoids the problems of metalwork prominence and irritation and the use of the suture-less anchor allows independent tensioning of the sutures to ensure adequate fracture reduction.     

Fractures of the greater tuberosity of the humerus

Isolated fractures of the greater tuberosity of the humerus can occur in anterior shoulder dislocations or as the result of an impaction injury against the acromion or superior glenoid. Greater tuberosity fractures may be associated with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and labral tears, which may be the cause of persistent pain after fracture healing. Nondisplaced and minimally displaced fractures are typically treated successfully nonsurgically. Surgical fixation is recommended for fractures with >5 mm of displacement in the general population or >3 mm of displacement in active patients involved in frequent overhead activity. Open surgical repair is performed with suture or screw fixation. Recently, arthroscopic techniques have produced promising results. Careful follow-up and supervised rehabilitation optimize results after both nonsurgical and surgical treatment.     

Rotator cuff repair: the effect of double-row fixation on three-dimensional repair site

There is a high rate of recurrent and residual tears after rotator cuff repair surgery. Recent cadaveric studies have provided surgeons with new knowledge about the anatomy of the supraspinatus tendon insertion. Traditional repair techniques fail to reproduce the area of the supraspinatus insertion, or footprint, on the greater tuberosity anatomically. Double-row suture anchor (DRSA) fixation is a new technique that has been developed to restore the supraspinatus footprint better. In this study, 3-dimensional mapping was used to determine the area of the footprint recreated with 3 different repair methods: a transosseous simple suture technique, fixation with a single row of suture anchors, and DRSA fixation. The DRSA fixation technique consistently reproduced 100% of the original supraspinatus footprint, whereas the single-row suture anchor fixation and transosseous simple suture techniques reproduced only 46% and 71% of the insertion site, respectively. Therefore, the footprint area of the DRSA fixation technique was significantly larger (P < .05) than that of the other 2 techniques. Furthermore, double-row fixation may provide a tendon-bone interface better suited for biologic healing and restoring normal anatomy.     

Part I: Footprint contact characteristics for a transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair technique compared with a double-row repair technique

Rotator cuff repair via transosseous tunnels can improve footprint contact area and pressure when compared with suture anchor techniques. A double-row technique has been used clinically to improve footprint coverage by a repaired tendon. We hypothesized that a transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair via tendon suture bridges would demonstrate improved pressurized contact between the tendon and tuberosity when compared with a double-row technique. In 6 fresh-frozen human shoulders, a transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair was performed: a suture limb from each of 2 medial anchors was bridged over the tendon and fixed laterally with an interference screw (4 suture bridges). In 6 of the contralateral specimens, two types of repair were performed randomly in each specimen: (1) a double-row repair and (2) a transosseous-equivalent repair with a single screw (2 suture bridges). For all repairs, pressure-sensitive film was placed at the tendon-footprint interface, and software was used to obtain measurements. The mean pressurized contact area between the tendon and insertion was significantly greater for the 4-suture bridge technique (124.2 +/- 16.3 mm2, 77.6% footprint) compared with both the double-row (63.3 +/- 28.5 mm2, 39.6% footprint) and 2-suture bridge (99.7 +/- 22.0 mm2, 62.3% footprint) techniques (P < .05). The mean interface pressure exerted over the footprint by the tendon was greater for the 4-suture bridge technique (0.27 +/- 0.04 MPa) than for the double-row technique (0.19 +/- 0.01 MPa) (P = .002). The transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair technique can improve pressurized contact area and mean pressure between the tendon and footprint when compared with a double-row technique. A transosseous-equivalent technique, using suture bridges, may help optimize the healing biology at a repaired rotator cuff insertion.     

The Double-Pulley Technique for Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repair

In an effort to maximize the area of footprint coverage, we developed the “double-pulley technique” for double-row rotator cuff repairs. Two suture anchors are inserted at the articular margin of the greater tuberosity (one anterior and one posterior). All 4 suture strands from each anchor are passed through a single medial point on the torn cuff. In this way, the 4 suture strands from the anteromedial anchor pass through 1 point in the cuff and the 4 strands from the posteromedial anchor pass through a different point in the cuff. A suture strand from 1 anchor is tied extracorporeally to a suture strand of the same color from the other anchor. The other ends of those 2 strands are then pulled, thereby delivering this extracorporeal knot into the joint and over the medial footprint. These 2 free suture strands are then tied together as a static knot. The procedure is repeated with the other sutures. This technique creates a double mattress suture medially, which compresses the intervening tendon bridge against its bone bed. We call this procedure the double-pulley technique because it uses the anchor eyelets as pulleys to deliver the extracorporeal knot into the shoulder. After the lateral row repair is performed, the rotator cuff footprint will be completely reconstituted.     

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using a transhumeral approach to fixation

A new technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using arthroscopically placed transhumeral sutures is presented. After an adequate acromioplasty is performed, a modified anterior cruciate ligament tibial drill guide is used to drill two or more transhumeral holes from the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the humerus to the greater tuberosity. Sutures are then passed into these holes and through the rotator cuff using cannulated needles. The sutures are tied manually and the repair is inspected. The postoperative protocol is presented. The new technique may be superior to the current methods for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in that (1) the strength of fixation does not rely on the quality of the bone in the greater tuberosity of the humeral head (which can be quite poor) as suture anchor techniques do, (2) the sutures are easily passed through the rotator cuff without relying on complicated suture passing techniques, (3) the knots are tied without the aide of an arthroscopic knot-tying device, and (4) in cadaveric studies, the failure strength of this new repair was equal to the strength of a traditional open repair. Prospective studies are ongoing to assess the efficacy of this new technique.Arthroscopy 1998 Jan-Feb;14(1):118-22     

Medial-Row Failure After Arthroscopic Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repair

We report 4 cases of medial-row failure after double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) without arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASAD), in which there was pullout of mattress sutures of the medial row and knots were caught between the cuff and the greater tuberosity. Between October 2006 and January 2008, 49 patients underwent double-row ARCR. During this period, ASAD was not performed with ARCR. Revision arthroscopy was performed in 8 patients because of ongoing symptoms after the index operation. In 4 of 8 patients the medial rotator cuff failed; the tendon appeared to be avulsed at the medial row, and there were exposed knots on the bony surface of the rotator cuff footprint. It appeared that the knots were caught between the cuff and the greater tuberosity. Three retear cuffs were revised with the arthroscopic transtendon technique, and one was revised with a single-row technique after completing the tear. ASAD was performed in all patients. Three of the four patients showed improvement of symptoms and returned to their preinjury occupation. Impingement of pullout knots may be a source of pain after double-row rotator cuff repair.     

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 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.     

The low-profile Roman bridge technique for knotless double-row repair of the rotator cuff

With advances in arthroscopic surgery, many techniques have been developed to increase the tendon–bone contact area, reconstituting a more anatomic configuration of the rotator cuff footprint and providing a better environment for tendon healing. We present a low-profile arthroscopic rotator cuff repair technique which uses suture bridges to optimize rotator cuff tendon–footprint contact area and mean pressure. A 5.5 mm Bio-Corkscrew suture anchor (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA), double-loaded with No. 2 FiberWire sutures (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA), is placed in the anteromedial aspect of the footprint. Two suture limbs from a single suture are both passed through a single anterior point in the rotator cuff. One suture limb is retrieved from the cannula. The second suture limb is passed through a single posterior point in the rotator cuff producing two points of fixation in the tendon, with a tendon bridge between them. The same suture limb is retrieved through the lateral portal, and then inserted into the bone by means of a Pushlock (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA), placed approximately 1.5–2 cm posterior to the first anchor. This second suture is passed again in the posterior aspect of the cuff. The limbs of the first suture are pulled to compress the tendon in the medial aspect of the footprint. The two free suture limbs are used to produce suture bridges over the tendon by means of a Pushlock (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA), placed 1 cm distal to the lateral edge of the footprint relative to the medially placed suture anchors anterior to posterior. This technique allows us to perform a low-profile (single pulley–suture bridges) repair for knotless double-row repair of the rotator cuff.     

Editorial Commentary: Causes of Failure After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Causes of failure after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair include patient factors, tear factors, and surgical factors. Failure may occur at the suture–tendon interface, the bone–tendon interface, or the bone–anchor interface. Low bone mineral density (BMD) in the greater tuberosity has been reported as a prognostic factor for recurrent tears following rotator cuff repair, and although most studies suggest the tendon-to-suture interface as the “weakest link,” patients with low BMD may have lower suture anchor pull-out strength. A potential alternative cause of failure is the suture cutting through the greater tuberosity bone in patients with low BMD. Knotless suture bridge constructs or single-row constructs may be more susceptible to a suture cutting through the bone. The knotted suture bridge technique, wherein the medial mattress sutures are tied, may to some extent “shield” against complete cut-through. When bone quality appears poor, a common response is to change the type of anchor, size of anchor, or the location of the anchor. Other factors, such as bone preparation, suture type, suture tensioning, and anchor type (e.g., internal vs external locking), may all potentially affect suture cutting through weak bone.     

A New Approach to Improving the Tissue Grip of the Medial-Row Repair in the Suture-Bridge Technique: The “Modified Lasso-Loop Stitch”

The double-row rotator cuff repair has proved to be biomechanically superior to the single-row technique. However, this has not been shown clinically. At the moment, all the methods proposed for medial-row suturing in the suture-bridge technique recommend a mattress suture or a simple stitch. The lasso-loop stitch has been proposed as a technique to improve tissue grip and has been used in open rotator cuff repairs, in biceps tenodesis, and in the Bankart procedure. We propose a method in which a modified version of this stitch can be used to repair the medial row of a double-row repair. In the “modified lasso-loop stitch,” a circumferential stitch is constructed over the posteromedial and anteromedial anchor. This stitch exerts an appropriate amount of radial compression on the encased tendon as the tails of the posteromedial and anteromedial suture are fixed to the anterolateral anchor. Through this technique, the reduction force is augmented and a compression force is created, thus allowing restoration of the rotator cuff footprint. This technique provides a strong cuff-suture interface while appropriate tensioning of the modified lasso-loop stitch allows minimal strangulation of the tendon. This technique has been shown to work with and without a knot.     

肩关节镜辅助经皮空心钉或缝合锚固定治疗肱骨大结节骨折

目的 评价肩关节镜辅助经皮空心钉或缝合锚固定治疗肱骨大结节骨折的临床疗效.方法 回顾性研究2005年1月至2008年2月收治并获得随访的21例单纯撕脱型二部分肱骨大结节骨折患者资料,男7例,女14例;平均年龄(50.5±9.5)岁(34～68岁);左侧11例,右侧10例.受伤至手术时间平均为(9.6±4.4)d.21例患者均使朋肩关节镜辅助经皮空心钉或缝合锚钉固定治疗.术后3周、6周、12周、6个月、12个月以及末次随访时摄于外旋中立位肩关节正位、侧位和腋位X线片,以判断骨折愈合情况.末次随访时采用视觉模拟评分法(VAS)疼痛评分、美国肩肘外科医师(ASES)评分、Constant-Murley评分及加州大学洛杉矶分校(UCLA)评分评价肩关节功能恢复情况.结果 21例患者术后获平均38.1个月(23～60个月)随访.末次随访时患者肩关节活动度:前屈上举平均为160.5°±6.7°,外旋平均为65.7°±6.0°,内旋达T9±3水平,VAS疼痛评分平均为(0.5±1.1)分,ASES评分平均为(95.8±6.6)分,Constant-Murley评分平均为(97.2±3.0)分,UCLA评分平均为(34.6±0.7)分.术后手外旋肩关节正位、侧位和腋位X线片复查,所有患者骨折均获愈合,平均愈合时间为(7.2±2.0)周(6～12周).本组无一例出现内固定失效、骨折移位、神经血管损伤等并发症.结论 肩关节镜辅助经皮空心钉或缝合锚固定治疗肱骨大结节骨折临床疗效好,是一种安全有效的治疗方法.     

The Accessory Posteromedial Portal Revisited: Utility for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a technically challenging procedure. Accessory arthroscopic portals have been described that allow for optimal suture anchor placement, suture management, and knot tying. We describe here the usefulness of an accessory posteromedial portal that facilitates direct suture retrieval through the posterior aspect of a rotator cuff tear. This portal is created approximately 4 to 5 cm medial to the posterolateral corner of the acromion and 2 cm inferior to the scapular spine. The accessory posteromedial portal is especially useful when a retracted tear of the infraspinatus or teres minor is encountered. Because these tendons retract in a posterior and medial direction, the accessory posteromedial portal places the tendon-penetrating device in an ideal position for suture passage through the posterior portion of the rotator cuff tear. This portal also allows placement of margin convergence sutures for large U-shaped or L-shaped tears by permitting a direct “hand-off” of the suture to or from a second penetrating device that is placed through a standard anterior portal. If multiple suture anchors are required (as in the case of large or massive cuff tears, or when double-row fixation is employed), sutures can be pulled out through the accessory posteromedial portal to facilitate suture management.     

Bone grafting of humeral head cystic defects during rotator cuff repair

Cystic bony defects of the humeral head greater tuberosity are often encountered during rotator cuff repair. These defects may be idiopathic, related to a patient's rotator cuff disease, or secondary to suture anchor placement from previous repairs. Some cysts are visible on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, but most are discovered on footprint exploration or implant removal during revision surgery. These osseous defects reduce biological healing capacity and may decrease repair fixation strength. Bone grafting techniques are needed to address these defects. In this article, we present an arthroscopic allograft compaction technique with concomitant suture anchor rotator cuff repair.     

关节镜下肩袖损伤缝合技术研究进展

关节镜下肩袖修补术已非常普遍.许多单排锚钉、双排锚钉和经骨隧道修复技术应用于临床,但肩袖修复的最佳方法仍不清楚.生物力学研究证明相比于单排,双排锚钉修复的力度更强,而单排锚钉中的巨大肩袖缝合技术和改良Mason-Allen缝合技术力学性能最佳.临床研究显示双排锚钉修复能改善肩袖愈合率,但各种缝合技术的预后功能评分无明显...     

肩关节脱位合并肩袖与Bankart损伤的诊治

目的 探讨关节镜下修复肩关节前脱位合并肩袖与Bankart损伤的疗效.方法 1999年9月至2007年7月收治16例肩关节脱位合并肩袖与Bankart损伤患者,男14例,女2例;左肩6例,右肩10例.交通伤8例,运动伤4例,牵拉伤4例.受伤至手术时间平均4.5个月(1.5～11.0个月).肩关节x线片显示肩盂撕脱骨折3例.16例患者肩关节核磁共振造影显示肩袖与Bankart损伤.关节镜探查发现肩袖于肱骨大结节处撕脱伴肩袖挛缩12例.采用关节镜下松解、缝合锚钉和骨锚钉同定缝合9例;因肩袖挛缩明显,进行关节镜与小切口辅助下肩袖缝合固定术3例;肩衲组织因牵拉松弛抬肩无力,采用等离子刀皱缩和肩袖缝合紧缩术4例.Bankart损伤采用关节镜下可吸收Bankart钉固定3例,钛合金缝合锚钉固定3例,关节镜下直接缝合修补盂唇3例,骨锚钉加会属锚钉固定7例.结果 16例患者术后获平均16.5个月(7～34个月)随访.肩关节稳定,肩外展和上举功能恢复正常12例,术后肩关节外展、抬举活动轻度受限2例,前伸活动疼痛2例.金属锚钉拔出再手术2例.采用美国加州洛杉矶大学UCLA肩关节功能评分:术前平均(21.5±5.5)分;术后平均(32.4±5.6)分,优12例,良4例.结论 肩关节脱位合并肩袖与Bankart损伤核磁共振造影有助于诊断;肩袖挛缩者应进行充分松解,无张力缝合固定有利于肩袖愈合;异体骨锚钉修复肩袖与Bankart损伤,生物固定、费用低廉,具有重要的价值.     

An in-vitro study of rotator cuff tear and repair kinematics using single- and double-row suture anchor fixation

Purpose:

Double-row suture anchor fixation of the rotator cuff was developed to reduce repair failure rates. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of simulated rotator cuff tears and subsequent repairs using single- and double-row suture anchor fixation on three-dimensional shoulder kinematics. It was hypothesized that both single- and double-row repairs would be effective in restoring active intact kinematics of the shoulder.

Materials and Methods:

Sixteen fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulder specimens (eight matched pairs) were tested using a custom loading apparatus designed to simulate unconstrained motion of the shoulder. In each specimen, the rotator cuff was sectioned to create a medium-sized (2 cm) tear. Within each pair, one specimen was randomized to a single-row suture anchor repair, while the contralateral side underwent a double-row suture anchor repair. Joint kinematics were recorded for intact, torn, and repaired scenarios using an electromagnetic tracking device.

Results:

Active kinematics confirmed that a medium-sized rotator cuff tear affected glenohumeral kinematics when compared to the intact state. Single- and double-row suture anchor repairs restored the kinematics of the intact specimen.

Conclusions:

This study illustrates the effects of medium-sized rotator cuff tears and their repairs on active glenohumeral kinematics. No significant difference (P ≥ 0.10) was found between the kinematics of single- and double-row techniques in medium-sized rotator cuff repairs.

Clinical Relevance:

Determining the relative effects of single- and double-row suture anchor repairs of the rotator cuff will allow physicians to be better equipped to treat patients with rotator cuff disease.     

Arthroscopic Fixation for Displaced Greater Tuberosity Fracture Using the Suture-Bridge Technique

With the described technique, two bioabsorbable suture anchors are inserted to create a medial row through the intact cuff for fixation of the fragment of the greater tuberosity. The medial row is repaired with a sliding knot. After confirmation of the fracture site, pilot holes for a PushLock anchor (Arthrex, Naples, FL) are prepared directly in line with the medial anchors and approximately 5 to 10 mm distal to the lateral edge of the fragment of the greater tuberosity. A suture strand from each anchor in the medial row is retrieved. Both suture strands are threaded through the PushLock eyelet on the distal end of the driver. The anchor is advanced completely into the pilot hole. These steps are repeated for a second anchor. If a dog-ear deformity is observed at the margin after complete reduction of the greater tuberosity, a stitch is made by use of a suture hook and one strand of the uncut suture from the lateral row of the joint via the modified suture-bridge technique. Arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of displaced greater tuberosity fractures with the suture-bridge technique described by us provide adequate fixation with improvement of the pressurized contact area of the fracture and can be used as an additional modality of arthroscopic treatment.     

关节镜下双排锚钉缝线桥技术治疗肱骨大结节骨折

目的探讨关节镜下双排锚钉缝线桥固定技术治疗肱骨大结节撕脱性骨折的疗效。 方法随访2013年3月至2017年3月在南通大学附属建湖医院骨科接受治疗的骨折移位大于5 mm、骨折块面积小于3 × 3 cm,无其他损伤(如：肩袖损伤、SLAP损伤、Bankart损伤)的单纯肱骨大结节撕脱性骨折的且接受关节镜下双排锚钉缝线桥固定技术治疗的患者23例。收集患者末次随访的关节活动度、疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、美国肩肘外科医师(ASES)评分等数据资料。采用配对样本t检验对术前术后关节活动度、VAS评分、ASES评分进行比较。 结果所有患者均在3个月内实现骨性愈合。肩关节前屈活动度由术前(92.4±15.3)°提高至术后(148.7±15.3)°(t＝9.956,P<0.01),外展活动度由术前(85.0±12.6)°提高至术后(147.3±14.4)°(t＝15.502,P<0.01);外旋活动度由术前(21.5±10.2)°提高至术后(30.7±11.8)°(t＝12.058,P<0.01); VAS评分比术前降低(Z＝4.107,P<0.01); ASES评分由术前(29.7±6.1)分提高至术后(91.8±4.1)分(t＝41.879,P<0.01)。 结论关节镜下双排锚钉缝线桥技术治疗单纯性肱骨大结节撕脱性骨折效果确切,手术创伤小、恢复快、术后肩关节功能恢复良好。