Management of massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears

Massive rotator cuff tears pose a distinct clinical challenge for the orthopaedist. In this review, we will discuss the classification, diagnosis, and evaluation of massive rotator cuff tears before discussing various treatment options for this problem. Nonoperative treatment has had inconsistent results and proven unsuccessful for chronic symptoms while operative treatment including débridement and partial and complete repairs have had varying degrees of success. For rotator cuff tears that are deemed irreparable, treatment options are limited. The use of tendon transfers in younger patients to reconstruct rotator cuff function and restore shoulder kinematics can be useful in salvaging this difficult problem.Level of EvidenceReview Article.     

不可修复肩袖撕裂的临床治疗选择

肩袖撕裂是临床最常见的肌肉损伤,其中对于不可修复肩袖撕裂（IRCT）的治疗仍较为困难。目前针对IRCT的治疗方法有：非手术治疗、肩关节清理、部分及完全肩袖修补术、生物补片技术、肌腱转位、肩峰下球囊占位器、反肩关节置换术。由于各项治疗措施的适应证目前尚未达成共识,本文通过检索查阅国内外相关文献,讨论IRCT的各项治疗措施的疗效及相关适应证,为临床治疗提供理论参考。     

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。     

Results of reconstruction of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears using a fascia lata allograft

Background:Despite the advances in surgical treatment options, massive rotator cuff (r-c) tears still represent a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. This study assesses the effectiveness of fascia lata allograft in reconstruction of massive and irreparable r-c tear and to evaluate the healing and functional outcomes.Results:Postoperative constant score increased from 32.5 preoperatively to 88.7 postoperatively. The most important was the pain relief from 2.4 preoperatively to 14.1 postoperatively and range of motion. The results of the MRI were not reliable, but the ultrasound was satisfactory. Finally, there was no infection or rejection of the graft in any of the patients.Conclusions:Despite advances in surgical methods, there is still not a universally accepted treatment for massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears, because the standard methods have dubious results, with excessive retear rates and poor outcomes, necessitating the need for new repair strategies. We documented significant clinical improvement using fascia lata allograft in the repair of massive irreparable r-c tear, acting as scaffold to bridge the defect, enhancing the healing at the repair site.     

Treatment options for rotator cuff tear arthropathy

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is characterized by massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears associated with shoulder arthritis. Symptoms include varying degrees of pain, loss of motion, and loss of function, or “pseudo-paralysis” alone. Nonoperative modalities are the treatment mainstay for mildly symptomatic patients, and there are viable medical and surgical treatment options for those whose symptoms are not severe enough to warrant shoulder arthroplasty. The trend toward using reverse total shoulder arthroplasty as the only treatment for this highly variable patient group does not allow a cautious approach to this disease nor recognize the high potential complication rate of the reverse prosthesis.     

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for irreparable rotator cuff tears without arthritis: A systematic review

IntroductionIndications for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) have expanded over recent years. Whilst cuff tear arthropathy is an accepted indication, the results of its use in those without arthritis is not clear. The aim of this article is to review the literature on RTSA for massive rotator cuff tears without associated arthritis.MethodsA systematic review search was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to find all studies with clinical outcomes on RTSA performed for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCT) without arthritis.ResultsOf the 160 studies produced by the search, a detailed analysis found 11 articles to be included in this review. There was variability in the implant style used and the outcome measures utilised, but all studies found improvement in the outcome following RTSA. Many studies advised judicious use following high complication rates, and caution was advised in those patients with pre-operatively preserved active forward elevation.ConclusionThe available evidence suggests that RTSA is a reliable option in older patients with persistent pain and lack of function following MIRCT even without arthritis. However, as outcomes are not significantly worse following failed rotator cuff repair, joint preserving options in the younger age group should be carefully considered in light of the relatively high complication rate associated with RTSA.Level of evidenceIV.     

Lattisimus dorsi transfer forirreparable rotator cuff insufficiency

Irreparable rotator cuff insufficiency is a difficult problem with few options. Debridement, local or distant tendontransfers have all been attempted with mixed results. Transfer of the lattissimus dorsi tendon is a reasonable option that should be considered.     

Torn human rotator cuff tendons have reduced collagen thermal properties on differential scanning calorimetry

The cause of the high failure rates often observed following rotator cuff tendon repairs, particularly massive tears, is not fully understood. Collagen structural changes have been shown to alter tendon thermal and mechanical properties. This study aimed to form a quantitative rather than qualitative assessment, of whether differences in collagen structure and integrity existed between small biopsies of normal, small, and massive rotator cuff tears using differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal properties were measured for 28 human biopsies taken intra‐operatively from normal, small, and massive rotator cuff tendon tears in this powered study. Denaturation temperatures are represented by T_onset (°C) and T_peak (°C). The T_onset is proposed to represent water‐amide hydrogen bond breakage and resulting protein backbone mobility. T_peak reportedly corresponds to the temperature at which the majority of proteins fall out of solution. Denaturation enthalpy (ΔH) should correlate with the amount of triple helical structure that is denatured. Fluorescence and confocal microscopy allowed quantitative validation. Small and massive rotator cuff tears had significantly higher T_onset, T_peak, and ΔH compared to controls. Polarized light microscopy of torn tendons confirmed greater collagen structural disruption compared to controls. These novel findings suggest greater quantifiable collagen structural disruption in rotator cuff tears, compared to controls. This study offers insight into possible mechanisms for the reduced strength of torn tendons and may explain why repaired tendons fail to heal. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1938–1943, 2011     

Latissimus dorsi tendon transfers for rotator cuff deficiency

Purpose:

Latissimus dorsi tendon transfers are increasingly being used around the shoulder. We aim to assess any improvement in pain and function following a latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for massive, irreparable postero-superior cuff deficiency.

Materials and Methods:

At our institution, between 1996 and 2009, 38 latissimus dorsi tendon transfer procedures were performed. Sixteen of these were for massive irreparable rotator cuff deficiency associated with pain and impaired function. All patients were evaluated by means of interview or postal questionnaire and case note review. Pain and function were assessed using the Stanmore percentage of normal shoulder assessment (SPONSA) score, visual analogue scale and Oxford Shoulder Score. Forward elevation was also assessed and a significant improvement was thought to correlate with the success of the procedure at stabilizing the humeral head upon elevation.

Results:

Mean follow-up time was 70 months. There was a significant reduction in pain on the visual analogue scale from 6.4 to 3.4 (P < 0.05), an improved SPONSA score from 32.5 to 57.5 (P < 0.05), and an improved Oxford Shoulder Score from 40.75 to 29.6 (P < 0.05). Forward elevation improved from 40° preoperatively to 75° postoperatively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our results add to the body of evidence that latissimus dorsi tendon transfers for irreparable postero-superior cuff deficiency in selected patients reduce pain and improve shoulder function in the medium term.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.     

Pulmonary embolism following rotator cuff repair

Background:

Previous studies have provided data on the incidence of pulmonary embolism following shoulder arthroplasty and repair of fractures of the proximal humerus. However, there is no information on the risk of pulmonary embolism following the surgical management of rotator cuff tears.

Methods:

We performed a review of 1176 patients who underwent operative procedures for rotator cuff tears between January 1^st, 2001 and December 31^st, 2005 to identify all patients who developed a symptomatic pulmonary embolism postoperatively.

Results:

Three patients developed pulmonary embolisms that were diagnosed with computed tomography angiography. The overall incidence was calculated to be 0.26%. None of the patients died as a result of the pulmonary embolism.

Conclusions:

The data from this review indicates that the risk of pulmonary embolism following surgery for rotator cuff repair is low, but not nonexistent. The most common presenting symptoms of pulmonary embolism were chest pain, shortness of breath, and hypoxia. This study should raise surgeons'' awareness about this possible complication following rotator cuff repair surgery.     

关节镜下治疗大型肩袖撕裂

目的探讨肩关节镜下治疗大型肩袖撕裂的方法和疗效。方法对34例大型肩袖撕裂患者在关节镜下行单排或双排FastTakII锚钉止点重建术。应用美国肩肘外科医师协会评价系统（ASES）和加利福尼亚大学洛杉矶分校（UCLA）肩关节标准评分。结果34例均获随访,时间4．5～40（7．7±2．4）个月。术后患肩在主动上举、内收、后伸、外展、外旋和内旋6个方向的活动度较术前均有改善（P〈0．05）;患肩完成10项13常活动能力：术前为8．45分±O．97分,术后提高至24．60分±1．21分（P〈0．05）;ASES和UCLA评分：术前分别为24．64分±2．44分和8．06分±1．47分,术后分别提高至71．15分±1．28分和21．77分±1．16分（P〈0．05）;VAS评分：术前为7．18分±2．33分,术后为3．43分±1．75分（P〈0．05）。结论肩关节镜下肩袖重建手术微创治疗优势显著,3～5个作业通道和专业化手术器械的合理交替配合操作能满足大型肩袖撕裂止点重建需求,经镜下双排或单排锚钉重建后的大型损伤肩袖稳定性良好,肩关节功能改善明显。     

Role of community diagnostic ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of full-thickness rotator cuff tears

Background: Diagnostic ultrasound examination has become the most commonly used investigation in Australia for diagnosing rotator cuff tears. The authors felt that the results of such investigations were often inaccurate in their clinical practices. Methods: The diagnostic ultrasound findings in 336 cases were compared to arthrography, and in 225 cases findings at surgery. Results: A very poor accuracy rate of 0.38 was found for diagnostic ultrasound examination. The sensitivity was 0.24 and specificity was 0.61. Conclusions: Extreme caution is recommended in the use of diagnostic ultrasound, as currently practised in a general community setting, in diagnosing full‐thickness rotator cuff tears.