Arthroscopic treatment of massive rotator cuff tears. Clinical results and biomechanical rationale

Ten patients with painful, massive (greater than 5 cm), complete rotator cuff tears involving primarily the supraspinatus were treated with arthroscopic acromioplasty and rotator cuff debridement. All patients except one had normal active motion and strength preoperatively. All patients had roentgenographically normal acromiohumeral distance and an anterior-inferior acromial osteophyte. The goal was to obtain pain relief without loss of motion of strength. This was accomplished in all patients. This study shows that normal shoulder function is possible with a massive unrepaired tear of the rotator cuff. Normal function in the face of an unrepaired cuff tear can occur only if there is a balance of two important force couples, one in the coronal plane and the other in the transverse plane. This balance depends upon the functional integrity of the anterior cuff, the posterior cuff, and the deltoid. In patients whose cuff tears satisfy these anatomic and biomechanical criteria, the achievement of pain relief through arthroscopic debridement and decompression seems to be all that is necessary for normal pain-free function.     

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.     

巨大肩袖损伤关节镜手术治疗进展

巨大肩袖损伤的手术治疗是骨科医师面临的一个挑战,且肩袖撕裂后肌腱回缩、粘连及脂肪浸润会进一步加大手术修复难度,所以如何更好地修复巨大肩袖损伤成为了目前研究的热点与难点。近年来,随着关节镜技术不断发展,肩关节镜手术已成为治疗巨大肩袖损伤的金标准,但其不同术式的适应证、效果及联合应用仍存在争议。笔者认为对于功能要求较低的老年患者,可行肩关节清理联合肩峰成形术或肱骨大结节成形术,可短期缓解患者肩关节疼痛;对于伴有肱二头肌长头腱损伤的患者,肱二头肌长头腱切断或固定术效果显著;完全修补术依旧是巨大肩袖撕裂的一线治疗方法,而对于无法完全修补的巨大肩袖撕裂可行部分修补术;对于功能需求较高的年轻患者,补片增强技术可带来良好的效果;对于肩关节内外旋能力受限且功能要求较高的患者,建议选用肌腱转位术;对于无明显盂肱关节炎、三角肌力量较好、功能要求较高的患者,上关节囊重建术更具优势。此外,肩峰下假体植入术因其创伤小、费用低、相对安全等优点成为目前研究热点,其长期效果仍需进一步证实。     

Chronic massive rotator cuff tears: evaluation and management

Most studies of rotator cuff repairs report high success rates. However, the majority of these studies combine the results of surgical management of rotator cuff tears of various sizes; few published reports specifically evaluate the management of chronic massive tears. Chronic massive rotator cuff tears may be acute traumatic, chronic atraumatic, or acute-on-chronic. A detailed history and thorough physical examination often are sufficient to establish the diagnosis. Radiographic evaluation can reveal osseous changes suggestive of pathology. Magnetic resonance imaging can determine the size of rotator cuff tears and status of the muscles but generally is not necessary for patients who are not candidates for surgery. Chronic massive rotator cuff tears without glenohumeral arthritis can be managed nonsurgically or with sub-acromial debridement, rotator cuff repair, or rotator cuff reconstruction. However, treatment of these patients is challenging, and results are comparatively inferior to those of treating patients with smaller rotator cuff tears.     

Outcome of open rotator cuff repair. An analysis of risk factors

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term functional outcome of full thickness rotator cuff tears treated by open repair and acromioplasty and to determine various factors affecting the outcome. This is a prospective clinical study on 42 patients who underwent full thickness rotator-cuff repair by a single surgeon between 2000 and 2003. The mean follow-up was 26 months. In patients with massive rotator cuff tear (n = 15), increase in the mean postoperative Constant score was significantly less compared to patients with small and moderate tears (p < 0.01). In patients older than sixty years, the improvement in postoperative Constant score was significantly less compared to the rest of the patients (p < 0.001). However, the postoperative Constant score significantly improved from the preoperative score in all patient groups (p < 0.0001). There was a significant negative correlation with size of cuff tear, age of the patient and Constant-Murley score (p < 0.05). Body mass index, smoking, gender, and the duration of symptoms did not have a significant effect on either Constant-Murley score or visual analogue score. We conclude that older patients and those with massive rotator cuff tear could benefit from surgical intervention, although not as much as younger patients and those with small/moderate size cuff tears.     

Fluoroscopic comparison of kinematic patterns in massive rotator cuff tears. A suspension bridge model.

Twelve shoulders with known massive rotator cuff tears were imaged fluoroscopically. The observed kinematic patterns were correlated with the known locations of the rotator cuff tears. Three kinematic patterns emerged: Type I, stable fulcrum kinematics associated with tears of the superior rotator cuff (supraspinatus and a portion of the infraspinatus); Type II, unstable fulcrum kinematics associated with tears that involved virtually all of the superior and posterior rotator cuff; and Type III, captured fulcrum kinematics associated with massive tears that involved the supraspinatus, a major portion of the posterior rotator cuff, and a major portion of the subscapularis. In Type III, an "awning effect" of the acromion was observed to influence active motion. Based on the recorded kinematic patterns, a biomechanical model was developed comparing the rotator cuff tear to a suspension bridge (loaded cable). A biomechanical analysis of forces acting on the rotator cuff according to this model yielded data that supported the contention that certain rotator cuff tears in older individuals may be adequately treated with debridement and decompression, without repair.     

反式全肩关节假体置换治疗巨大不可修复肩袖撕裂

目的探讨反式全肩关节置换术（reverse total shoulder arthroplasty,RTSA）治疗巨大不可修复肩袖撕裂的临床治疗效果。 方法对南京中医药大学附属医院2018年5月至2020年1月收治的采取RTSA治疗的13例巨大不可修复肩袖撕裂患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。记录术前及最后一次随访时患者的肩关节前屈、外展、外旋活动,美国肩肘外科协会评分（American shoulder and elbow surgeons score,ASES）及美国加州大学洛杉矶分校（University of California at Los Angeles,UCLA）评分评估患者肩关节功能。并记录患者发生并发症的情况及影像学检查结果。术前行MR确定肩袖脂肪浸润程度,CT评价肩胛盂骨质情况及有无缺损,术后使用X线评估假体情况。 结果13例患者均随访至少12个月以上。统计术前与术后12个月数据之间的关系,术后12个月肩关节前屈、外展、外旋活动,ASES评分和UCLA评分较术前明显提高,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.01）。随访期内13例患者中有1例患者因局部血肿在术后1周行切开血肿清除引流术,所有患者功能恢复良好。 结论RTSA治疗巨大不可修复肩袖撕裂临床效果良好。     

Treatment options in full thickness rotator cuff tears

Increasing interest in shoulder pathology during the last decades has considerably diversified the possible treatment options of full thickness rotator cuff tears. This review of the recent literature combined with information gathered during recent European shoulder meetings attempts to summarize present trends. Every full thickness cuff tear, except for the acute traumatic tear in younger patients, should always benefit first from a conservative rehabilitation program. In case of failure of the latter, reparable tears should be repaired, except perhaps in a low-demand population. This latter group of patients, presenting with a massive, irreparable tear may be satisfied with an arthroscopic debridement, but interposition techniques provide better results in activities of daily living and also give better strength. Salvage procedures such as muscle tendon transfers are technically demanding and must be reserved for the younger age group. For arthroplasty, the choice between a nonconstrained total prosthesis and a hemiprosthesis can be difficult; the early functional results of the reversed prosthesis seem to be very promising in an elderly but still active population.     

Comparison of surgical outcome between bursal and articular partial thickness rotator cuff tears

Surgical outcomes after arthroscopic subacromial decompression and debridement in bursal and articular partial thickness rotator cuff tears with a tear depth of < 50% were compared. Twenty-four articular and 13 bursal partial thickness rotator cuff tears were evaluated for pain relief and functional recovery. At 6 months postoperatively, the average pain score decreased from 6.2 to 1.7 in patients with articular tears and from 7.1 to 0.9 in patients with bursal tears. Although pain relief and functional recovery were excellent in both groups, the results were better in patients with bursal partial thickness rotator cuff tears at 6 months postoperatively.     

关节镜下巨大肩袖撕裂边缘切除及肱骨结节成形术简

目的探讨无法缝合的高龄巨大肩袖撕裂在关节镜下行肩袖边缘切除及肱骨结节成形术后的疗效。方法查阅文献并整理相关巨大肩袖损伤关节镜下手术方法及疗效,特别是检索国内外针对高龄患者且无法缝合的巨大肩袖撕裂,整理发表的关节镜下行肩袖边缘切除及肱骨结节成形术后疗效方面的论文资料。同时,结合笔者几年来肩关节镜手术中遇到的几乎不能进行肩袖缝合,而行切除退缩撕裂边缘及肱骨结节成形术的32例高龄肩关节镜病例为对象,实施临床及放射线随访分析其预后及影响因素。结果平均随访29个月（13～52个月）,结果表明,具有统计学意义的疼痛缓解、增加活动范围等功能得到改善。而术前肩峰下间隙小于2mm组,其预后不良。结论关节镜下处理巨大肩袖撕裂,首先游离松解撕裂退缩的组织后尝试缝合修补,而对于无法缝合的巨大肩袖撕裂,不必勉强缝合。如果术前虽有疼痛,但上臂能上举90°以上。放射线检查肩峰下间隙大于2mm时,考虑行包括肩峰下成形、肩袖撕裂边缘切除及肱骨结节成形术,也可以获得满意的效果。     

Clinical and structural outcomes of nonoperative management of massive rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND: The natural history of massive rotator cuff tears is not well known. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and structural mid-term outcomes in a series of nonoperatively managed massive rotator cuff tears. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (twelve men and seven women; average age, sixty-four years) with a massive rotator cuff tear, documented by magnetic resonance imaging, were identified retrospectively. There were six complete tears of two rotator cuff tendons and thirteen complete tears of three rotator cuff tendons. All patients were managed exclusively with nonoperative means. Nonoperative management was chosen when a patient had low functional demands and relatively few symptoms and/or if he or she refused to have surgery. For the purpose of this study, patients were examined clinically and with standard radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: After a mean duration of follow-up of forty-eight months, the mean relative Constant score was 83% and the mean subjective shoulder value was 68%. The score for pain averaged 11.5 points on a 0 to 15-point visual analogue scale in which 15 points represented no pain. The active range of motion did not change over time. Forward flexion and abduction averaged 136 degrees; external rotation, 39 degrees; and internal rotation, 66 degrees. Glenohumeral osteoarthritis progressed (p = 0.014), the acromiohumeral distance decreased (p = 0.005), the size of the tendon tear increased (p = 0.003), and fatty infiltration increased by approximately one stage in all three muscles (p = 0.001). Patients with a three-tendon tear showed more progression of osteoarthritis (p = 0.01) than did patients with a two-tendon tear. Four of the eight rotator cuff tears that were graded as reparable at the time of the diagnosis became irreparable at the time of final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a nonoperatively managed, moderately symptomatic massive rotator cuff tear can maintain satisfactory shoulder function for at least four years despite significant progression of degenerative structural joint changes. There is a risk of a reparable tear progressing to an irreparable tear within four years.     

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...     

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy represents a spectrum of shoulder pathology characterized by rotator cuff insufficiency, diminished acromiohumeral distance with impingement syndromes, and arthritic changes of the glenohumeral joint. Additional features may include subdeltoid effusion, humeral head erosion, and acetabularization of the acromion. Although the progression of rotator cuff tears seems to play a role in the development of cuff tear arthropathy, information is lacking regarding the natural progression of rotator cuff tears to cuff tear arthropathy. Controversy remains about the role of basic calcium phosphate crystals in the development of cuff tear arthropathy. Nonsurgical management is the first line of treatment in most patients. Traditionally, surgical management of rotator cuff tear arthropathy has been disappointing because of the development of complications long-term and poor patient satisfaction with functional outcomes. Recent studies, however, report promising experience with reverse ball-and-socket arthroplasty.     

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。     

Current concepts on management of cuff tear

Among pathologies of the shoulder, rotator cuff tear is the most common. Diagnosis of cuff tear around mid twenties is unusual, but the prevalence increases significantly after the age of forty. The prevalence after the age of 60 is around 20–30%. A well recognised feature of cuff tear is being asymptomatic but, tear progression in asymptomatic is a known consequence. The spectrum of cuff tear ranges from partial, full thickness cuff tear with or without retraction. The mainstay of treatment for partial thickness cuff tear is systematic rehabilitation and for the full thickness cuff tear an initial rehabilitation is an accepted management. Failed rehabilitation for 3 months, acute traumatic tear, younger age, intractable pain, good quality muscle would be the indications for repair of a full thickness cuff tear. Though there are defined indications for surgical intervention in the full thickness rotator cuff tear, differentiating an asymptomatic tear that would not progress or identifying a tear that would become better with rehabilitation is an undeniable challenge for even the most experienced surgeon.Rehabilitation in cuff tear consists of strengthening the core stabilizers along with rotator cuff and deltoid muscles. In a symptomatic cuff tear that merits surgical intervention the objective is to do an anatomical foot print repair. In scenarios where the cuff is retracted, one has to settle for a medialised repair. As, a repair done in tension is more likely to fail than a tensionless medialised repair. The success rate of all these non anatomical procedures varies from series to series but it approximates around 60–80%.Augmenting cuff repair to enhance biological healing is a recent advance in rotator cuff repair surgery. The augmentation factors can be growth factors like PRP, scaffolds both auto and allografts. The outcome of these procedures from literature has been variable. As there are no major harmful effects, it can be viewed as another future step in bringing better outcomes to patients having rotator cuff tear surgery.Despite being the commonest shoulder pathology, the rotator cuff tear still remains as a condition with varied presenting features and a wide variety of management options. The goal of the treatment is to achieve pain free shoulders with good function. Correcting altered scapular kinematics by systematic rehabilitation of the shoulder would be the first choice in all partial thickness cuff tear and also as an initial management of full thickness cuff tears. Failure of rehabilitation would be the step forward for a surgical intervention. While embarking on a surgical procedure, correct patient selection, sound surgical technique, appropriate counselling about expected outcome are the most essential in patient satisfaction.     

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in determining the presence and size of recurrent rotator cuff tears

We attempted to assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the size of recurrent cuff tears in correlation with size measured at surgery. Thirty-seven shoulders in 33 patients who had reoperation for a presumed failed rotator cuff repair were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had preoperative MRI, the results of which were read by a musculoskeletal radiologist to determine the presence of a tear and to estimate its size. All tears were measured intraoperatively in sagittal and coronal planes. Thirty-three shoulders had recurrent tears of the rotator cuff, and MRI correctly identified the presence of 30 of them. MRI correctly identified only 1 of the 4 patients without a recurrent tear of the cuff. The correlation coefficient for MRI accurately defining the size of cuff tears was 0.46. The sensitivity of MRI for the diagnosis of retear was 91%, and the specificity was 25%. MRI is accurate in diagnosing a recurrent full-thickness cuff tear in postsurgical shoulders. However, it is relatively inaccurate in correctly defining the size of the tear. MRI also has a tendency to overdiagnose cuff tears in postsurgical patients with continued pain and symptoms.     

Arthroscopic repair of partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff

Management of partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff should include consideration of tear size, tear depth, patient age and activity level, and tear etiology. We present an arthroscopic technique for repair of articular surface partial-thickness tears that may promote healing by closing the tendon side-to-side, placing the debrided tendon end in contact with an abraded humeral surface. By repairing selected partial-thickness tears, progression of the tear and the need for subsequent repair may be prevented. Our preliminary results in 28 patients are encouraging and suggest that this technique is a useful adjunct to tendon debridement for articular surface partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 2 (February), 2001: pp 219–223     

Arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff disease

The goal of this article is to summarize the current concepts on rotator cuff disease with an emphasis on arthroscopic treatment. Most rotator cuff tears are the result of an ongoing attritional process. Once present, a tear is likely to gradually increase in size. Partial-thickness and subscapularis tears can both be successfully treated arthroscopically if conservative management fails. Partial tears involving greater than 50% of tendon thickness should be repaired. Articular-sided partial tears involving less than 50% of the rotator cuff can reliably be treated with debridement. A more aggressive approach should be considered for low-grade tears (<50%) if they occur on the bursal side. Biomechanical and anatomic studies have shown clear superiority with dual-row fixation compared with single-row techniques. However, current studies have yet to show clear clinical advantage with dual-row over single-row repairs. Biceps tenotomy or tenodesis can reliably provide symptomatic improvement in patients with irreparable massive tears. True pseudoparalysis of the shoulder is a contraindication to this procedure alone and other alternatives should be considered.