Postoperative subcoracoid impingement syndrome in patients with rotator cuff tear

Impingement of the tendinous rotator cuff on the coracoid process (subcoracoid impingement syndrome) has rarely been reported as a cause of pain after surgery for rotator cuff tear. We evaluated clinical features, surgical results, and histopathology findings of resected coracoid processes in patients with subcoracoid impingement syndrome after anterior acromioplasty and management of rotator cuff tear. Pain at the anterior aspect of the shoulder, localized tenderness of the coracoid process, anterior shoulder pain on horizontal adduction testing, and positive subcoracoid block suggest subcoracoid impingement syndrome. Postoperative subcoracoid impingement syndrome was investigated in 11 of 216 cases with rotator cuff surgery. The average patient age at the time of surgery was 61.2 y (range, 28-78 y). Coracoplasty (partial resection of the posterolateral side of the coracoid process) was performed in 9 shoulders that had not responded to a 6-month regimen of conservative treatment. Complete pain relief was achieved in all cases. Histopathologic findings revealed hypertrophic changes of the fibrocartilage layer at the posterior aspect of the resected coracoid process. We concluded that subcoracoid impingement syndrome was an important factor in unsuccessful rotator cuff surgery and recommend that coracoplasty be performed on patients with symptoms of subcoracoid impingement syndrome after management of the rotator cuff tear.     

Sleep quality and disturbances in patients with different-sized rotator cuff tear

Introduction

The literature is unanimous in saying that shoulder pain, due to rotator cuff tear (RCT), may be mostly at night; to our knowledge, this statement is not supported by scientific evidence. Our aim was to investigate sleep quality and disturbances in patient with RCT and in a control group.

Materials and methods

A case–control design study was used. We enrolled 324 consecutive patients (Group A) (156M–168F, mean age ± SD: 64.94 ± 6.97; range 47–74) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Tear size was determined intraoperatively. The control group (Group B) included 184 subjects (80M–104F, mean age ± SD = 63.34 ± 6.26; range 44–75) with no RCT. All participants were submitted to two standardized self-reported questionnaires evaluating sleep quality and disturbances: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Data were submitted to statistics.

Results

We found no significant differences between the two groups according to both PSQI (Group A: 5.22 ± 2.59; Group B: 5.21 ± 2.39) and ESS (Group A: 2.59 ± 2.54; Group B: 5.76 ± 2.63), p > 0.05. Patients with small tears had average PSQI and ESS higher than patients with large and massive lesions (p < 0.005). Pearson’s test showed that tear severity was negatively correlated with both sleep latency (r ² = ?0.35, β = 0.069, p < 0.005) and sleep disturbances (r ² = ?0.65, β = 0.053, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

RCT is only one of the responsible causes for sleep disturbance in middle-aged and elderly subjects. Patients with small tears have a poorer sleep quality with respect to those with a more severe tear; particularly, they not only take more time to fall asleep, but also have a more disturbed sleep compared to patients with large and massive tears.

Level of evidence

III.

     

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.     

Surgical results of concomitant treatment of deltoid contracture and rotator cuff tear

Background

Contracture of the deltoid muscle is an uncommon disorder. The symptoms usually are nonspecific and the diagnosis may be missed, especially when combined with other shoulder disorders, such as rotator cuff lesions. Few reports have described the surgical treatment of combined deltoid contracture and a torn rotator cuff. The purpose of this study was to share our experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, who sustained deltoid contracture combined with rotator cuff tearing.

Materials and methods

Between April 2001 and December 2006, 18 consecutive patients underwent concomitant treatment for distal release of deltoid contracture and repair of a torn rotator cuff. The mean age at operation was 55.1 years. There were eight female and ten male patients. The acromial type, winging angle of the scapula and thickest diameter of the deltoid fibrotic band were measured using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies. The abduction-contracture angle, extension-contracture angle, horizontal-adduction angle and Constant and Murley scores were measured preoperatively and at the latest follow-up.

Results

There were nine complete rotator cuff tears and nine partial tears. At an average of 5 years and 3 months’ follow-up, the mean abduction-contracture angle significantly improved from 27° to 0° (p < 0.001), the mean extension-contracture angle improved from 13° to 0° (p < 0.001), and, the mean horizontal-adduction angle improved from 8° to 44° (p < 0.001). The mean Constant score also improved from 69 points to 95 points (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

If a symptomatic torn rotator cuff and deltoid contracture co-exist, simultaneous operative treatment of both conditions is highly recommended.     

Elevated plasma levels of TIMP-1 in patients with rotator cuff tear

Background and purpose

Extracellular matrix remodeling is altered in rotator cuff tears, partly due to altered expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors. It is unclear whether this altered expression can be traced as changes in plasma protein levels. We measured the plasma levels of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in patients with rotator cuff tears and related changes in the pattern of MMP and TIMP levels to the extent of the rotator cuff tear.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 17 patients, median age 61 (39–77) years, with sonographically verified rotator cuff tears (partial- or full-thickness). These were compared with 16 age- and sex-matched control individuals with sonographically intact rotator cuffs. Plasma levels of MMPs and TIMPs were measured simultaneously using Luminex technology and ELISA.

Results

The plasma levels of TIMP-1 were elevated in patients with rotator cuff tears, especially in those with full-thickness tears. The levels of TIMP-1, TIMP-3, and MMP-9 were higher in patients with full-thickness tears than in those with partial-thickness tears, but only the TIMP-1 levels were significantly different from those in the controls.

Interpretation

The observed elevation of TIMP-1 in plasma might reflect local pathological processes in or around the rotator cuff, or a genetic predisposition in these patients. That the levels of TIMP-1 and of certain MMPs were found to differ significantly between partial and full-thickness tears may reflect the extent of the lesion or different etiology and pathomechanisms.The subacromial pain syndrome includes a range of disorders from reversible inflammation to massive rotator cuff tearing (Shindle et al. 2011). The etiology appears to be multifactorial, and several anatomic structures may be involved. Repetitive damage of the supraspinatus tendon by mechanical wear from the coraco-acromial ligament and the anterior acromion was described by Neer 1972, and for a long time it was considered the major cause of cuff tearing (Neer 1983). Others have reported age-related tendon degeneration, associated with alterations in extracellular matrix remodeling as a contributing factor (Lo et al. 2004, Millar et al. 2009, Pasternak and Aspenberg 2009, Shindle et al. 2011). Histopathological changes associated with rotator cuff tendinosis have been documented, but it is unclear whether they are a result of a subacromial impingement or an endogenous process, and whether tendinosis might predispose to tendon tears (Lo et al. 2004).Regardless of whether mechanical or degenerative factors initiates tearing, there are alterations in the cellular and extracellular matrix (Gwilym et al. 2009). It has been suggested that genetic factors may influence apoptosis or regeneration (Gwilym et al. 2009, Shindle et al. 2011). Still, the molecular changes associated with rotator cuff tearing are largely unknown (Lo et al. 2004, Garofalo et al. 2011). Turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of at least 24 zinc-dependent endopeptidases. The MMPs are classified according to their main degradative activity, into for example collagenases, gelatinases, and stromelysins (Pasternak and Aspenberg 2009). Their activity is regulated by endogenous inhibitors: tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). There are 4 known TIMPs, which reversibly inhibit all MMPs by 1:1 interaction with the zinc-binding site (Lo et al. 2004, Pasternak and Aspenberg 2009). MMP production is induced by factors such as cytokines and tumor necrosis factor-α. MMPs are secreted by connective tissue and inflammatory cells and then activated in the extracellular space (Garofalo et al. 2011). The composition of the ECM is dependent on the balance between MMPs and TIMPs (Lo et al. 2004, Pasternak and Aspenberg 2009, Garofalo et al. 2011). Levels of MMP mRNA and TIMP mRNA were found to be altered in biopsies from torn rotator cuff tendon (Lo et al. 2004). It is not known, however, whether these changes are causative or whether they are secondary to tendon tearing.Studies on MMP and TIMP levels in patients with rotator cuff syndrome and cuff tears have used samples collected at surgery from the subacromial bursa, synovial fluid, or the tendons (Lo et al. 2004, Lakemeier et al. 2010, Shindle et al. 2011). To date, there have been no data on systemic levels. Alterations in MMP and TIMP levels in systemic blood samples have been identified in other musculoskeletal diseases such as Dupuytren’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and fracture non-union, suggesting that alterations associated with rotator cuff disease may also be measurable systemically (Ulrich et al. 2003, Henle et al. 2005, Pasternak and Aspenberg 2009). In osteoarthritis, circulating MMP-3 has been suggested to be a marker of disease severity and has been used as a prognostic tool (Lohmander et al. 2005).We measured plasma levels of MMPs and TIMPs in patients with rotator cuff tears and compared partial- and full-thickness tears, in order to find disease-associated changes in the expression patterns of MMP and TIMP.     

Elevated plasma levels of TIMP-1 in patients with rotator cuff tear

Background and purpose Extracellular matrix remodeling is altered in rotator cuff tears, partly due to altered expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors. It is unclear whether this altered expression can be traced as changes in plasma protein levels. We measured the plasma levels of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in patients with rotator cuff tears and related changes in the pattern of MMP and TIMP levels to the extent of the rotator cuff tear.

Methods Blood samples were collected from 17 patients, median age 61 (39–77) years, with sonographically verified rotator cuff tears (partial- or full-thickness). These were compared with 16 age- and sex-matched control individuals with sonographically intact rotator cuffs. Plasma levels of MMPs and TIMPs were measured simultaneously using Luminex technology and ELISA.

Results The plasma levels of TIMP-1 were elevated in patients with rotator cuff tears, especially in those with full-thickness tears. The levels of TIMP-1, TIMP-3, and MMP-9 were higher in patients with full-thickness tears than in those with partial-thickness tears, but only the TIMP-1 levels were significantly different from those in the controls.

Interpretation The observed elevation of TIMP-1 in plasma might reflect local pathological processes in or around the rotator cuff, or a genetic predisposition in these patients. That the levels of TIMP-1 and of certain MMPs were found to differ significantly between partial and full-thickness tears may reflect the extent of the lesion or different etiology and pathomechanisms.     

老年肱骨近端骨折合并肩袖损伤的手术治疗

目的:探讨老年肱骨近端骨折合并肩袖损伤的手术疗效。方法:自2010年3月至2014年8月,对54例老年肱骨近端骨折患者进行手术治疗,其中男30例,女24例;年龄68～83岁,平均71.5岁。自行跌倒伤30例,车祸伤24例。根据Neer分型,一部分骨折3例,二部分骨折11例,三部分骨折21例,四部分骨折19例。所有患者行常规切复钢板内固定术,其中探查有46例肩袖损伤,行肩袖修复术;8例肩袖未损伤。术后采用Neer肩关节功能评分进行疗效评价。结果:合并肩袖损伤的46例患者获得随访,时间8～21个月,平均11个月。全部骨折获得骨性愈合。术后均未出现切口感染、腋神经损伤、螺钉松动、钢板断裂、肩关节脱位以及肱骨头坏死等并发症。参照Neer肩关节功能评分,总分88.60±5.12,其中优30例,良7例,可7例,差2例。结论:对于老年骨质疏松性肱骨近端骨折合并肩袖损伤的患者,采用钢板结合铆钉Ⅰ期修补肩袖是一种有效的固定方法,为肩关节早期功能锻炼提供了有利条件,可获得良好的临床疗效。     

老年肩袖撕裂关节镜下修复方式再探讨

目的：探讨关节镜下锚钉改良植入,单排缝合修复老年肩袖撕裂方法及疗效。方法：回顾性分析2016年3月至2020年2月96例符合纳入标准的老年肩袖撕裂患者,其中男29例,女67例,年龄65~85（68.8±3.9）岁。采用关节镜下锚钉改良植入,单排缝合修复撕裂肩袖。手术前后采用美国加州大学洛杉矾分校（University of California Los Angeles,UCLA）评分,美国肩肘外科协会（American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons,ASES）评分评估肩关节功能,采用视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scale,VAS）评估疼痛情况。其中32例术后1年患肩接受MRI检查。结果：所有病例完成关节镜下手术,随访时间11~42（21.4±7.5）个月,UCLA评分由术前的12.22±3.30提高至末次随访时的31.30±2.49（t=45.21,P<0.01）;ASES评分由术前的8.60±1.88提高至末次随访时的12.60±0.84（t=19.05,P<0.01）;VAS中位数由术前的5.00（2.00~8.00）分改善至末次随访的1.00（0.00~3.00）分（Z=-12.22,P<0.05）。术后1年32例接受MRI检查的患者中,1例显示修复肩袖再撕裂,但不影响正常生活,未再手术。未发现植入锚钉拔出病例。结论：关节镜下锚钉改良植入,单排缝合修复老年肩袖撕裂可取得较满意的疗效,能有效降低锚钉拔出并发症。     

Subacromial space volume in patients with rotator cuff tear: The effect of surgical repair

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rotator cuff tear repair on subacromial space volume.

Morphological changes of roof of subacromial bursa in patients with rotator cuff tear

Objective: To investigate the morphological changes of the roof of the subacromial bursa (SAB) and its involvement extent after rotator cuff tear. Methods: In the experimental group, the roof of SAB was obtained from 30 cases of rotator cuff tear both at the tear site and a site 2.5-3.0 cm distal to the tear site during rotator cuff repair. In the control group, the roof of SAB was obtained from the exposed site of recurrently dislocated shoulder or fractured humeral shaft of 8 cases. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and observed under a transmission electron microscope. The cell number was quantitated through counting the bluestained nucleus in SAB with a computer image analysis system.Results:The mumber of calls increased significantly in the roof of SAB in the experimental group compared with that of the control group. However, no difference of the bursal reaction was found among the type of rotator cuff tear, the bursa thickness and the presence of fluid in the bursa. The great majority of cells were type B cells observed under the transmission electron microscope. Conclusions: The increase in cell number in the roof of SAB in the experimental group is a reactive increase rather than an inflammatory process and the involvement of SAB is not limited in extent. The change of the roof of SAB is a secondary reaction to the rotator cuff tear.     

Pathogenesis of partial tear of the rotator cuff: a clinical and pathologic study

This prospective study investigated the clinical and pathologic results in 66 patients with partial tears of the rotator cuff from January 1996 to December 1998. The pathologic change in the rotator cuff was graded from the magnetic resonance images by using the criteria described by Zlatkin and Iannotti. A modified grading system from Ozaki and Panni was used for pathologic grading of the anterior acromion. The functional score of Constant and Murley was used for clinical assessment. The pathologic change in the rotator cuff revealed by the magnetic resonance imaging study was more severe in patients with articular side tears compared with patients who had bursal side tears. On the contrary, the pathologic changes in the acromion were significantly milder in patients with articular side tears compared with bursal side tears. These observations indicate that articular side tears of the rotator cuff are mainly associated with intrinsic pathologic changes of the rotator cuff, whereas bursal side tears are associated with subacromial impingement on an underlying milder pathologic change of the rotator cuff.     

Functional outcomes of traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears after arthroscopic repair

AIM To compare the functional outcomes of traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears after arthroscopic repair. METHODS Eighty-seven patients with rotator cuff tears following arthroscopic treatment were divided into traumatic and non-traumatic tear groups. Postoperative muscle strength and outcomes using the modified University of California, Los Angeles score were evaluated. Sex, age, affected limb and dominant limb were correlated between groups. Muscle strength of the repaired and unaffected shoulders was compared. Rotator cuff injury size was measured. RESULTS Of the 87 patients who underwent rotator cuff repairs, 35 had traumatic tears and 52 had non-traumatic tears. In patients with non-traumatic tears, the average age was 59 years, 74.5% were female, 96.1% were righthand dominant and 92.3% had their dominant shoulder affected. Patients with traumatic tears were 59.5 yearsold on average, 51.4% were female, 91.4% were righthand dominant and 88.5% had their dominant shoulder affected. No difference existed in the mean modified University of California, Los Angeles score between patients with traumatic tears(33.7) compared with those with non-traumatic tears(32.8). No strength differences were observed between groups: The strength difference between the non-affected and affected sides was 1.21 kg in the non-traumatic group and 1.39 kg in the traumatic group(P = 0.576), while the strength ratio between the non-affected/affected sides was 0.805 in the nontraumatic group and 0.729 in the traumatic group(P = 0.224). CONCLUSION The functional results of traumatic rotator cuff repairs are similar to non-traumatic tears. Both outcomes are satisfactory.     

Correlation between rotator cuff tear and glenohumeral degeneration

We studied the occurrence and correlation between a rotator cuff tear and glenohumeral degeneration. 44 cadaveric shoulders (22 right) were obtained from 32 subjects (18 females), mean age 73 (62-86) years and without a history of systemic diseases. Rotator cuffs were exposed and tear size (14 shoulders) was measured after removal of soft tissue and deltoid. Articular cartilage damage of the glenoid and humeral head was recorded by photography. A grading system of 1 (intact), 2 (mild) and 3 (severe) was used to determine the severity of cartilage damage. The area of articular cartilage damage was calculated using the Sonic Digitizer Analyzing System. The area of articular cartilage damage to the glenoid and the humeral head in the rotator cuff tear group was 32% and 36%, respectively. It was greater than that in the groups without a tear, which was 6% in the glenoid and 7% in the humeral head. However, it was not correlated with the size of the tear. Most of the articular cartilage damage in massive and large rotator cuff tears was located in the anterior-inferior portion of the glenoid and in the posterior portion of the humeral head. The articular cartilage damage area of the glenoid was correlated with that of the humeral head. In conclusion, the area of glenohumeral degeneration was greater in the rotator cuff tear group and was located in a specific site.     

Massive rotator cuff tear associated with acute traumatic posterior shoulder dislocation: report of two cases and literature review

A massive rotator cuff tear in association with acute traumatic posterior glenohumeral dislocation is rare. To our knowledge, only four documented cases have been reported in the literature. We present two additional cases of such injury secondary to the traffic accident. The first patient had an unsuccessful closed reduction due to the posterior instability while the second developed the profound shoulder weakness following the reduction. From the findings of our cases together with the previous reports, every patient had a unique injury mechanism of high-energy directed axial loading on an outstretched, adducted, and internally rotated arm. The glenohumeral capsule and rotator cuff were uniformly avulsed from the humeral attachment, and the supraspinatus and infraspinatus were always involved. However, the clinical presentations were variable based on the severity of the associated rotator cuff tear. The outcomes of operative treatment in this type of injury with the open repair were favorable.     

Shoulder muscle activation and coordination in patients with a massive rotator cuff tear: an electromyographic study

Adaptive muscle activation strategies following a massive rotator cuff tear (MRCT) are inadequately understood, and the relationship among muscles during everyday activities has not been considered. Thirteen healthy subjects comprised the control group, and 11 subjects with a MRCT the patient group. Upper limb function was assessed using the Functional Impairment test‐hand, neck, shoulder, and arm (FIT‐HaNSA). Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from 13 shoulder muscles, comprising five muscle groups, during a shelf‐lifting task. Mean FIT‐HaNSA scores were significantly lower in MRCT patients (p ≤ 0.001), reflecting a severe functional deficit. In MRCT patients, EMG signal amplitude was significantly higher for the biceps brachii‐brachioradialis (p < 0.001), upper trapezius‐serratus anterior (p = 0.025), muscle groups and for the latissimus dorsi (p = 0.010), and teres major (p = 0.007) muscles. No significant differences in the correlation among muscle groups were identified, pointing to an unchanged neuromuscular strategy following a tear. In MRCT patients, a reorganization of muscle activation strategy along the upper limb kinetic chain is aimed at reducing demand on the glenohumeral joint. Increased activation of the latissimus dorsi and teres major muscles is an attempt to compensate for the deficient rotator cuff. Re‐education towards an alternate neuromuscular control strategy appears necessary to restore function. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1140–1146, 2012