At a 10-Year Follow-up, Tendon Repair Is Superior to Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Small and Medium-Sized Rotator Cuff Tears

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (12) ◽  
pp. 1050-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Moosmayer ◽  
Gerty Lund ◽  
Unni S. Seljom ◽  
Benjamin Haldorsen ◽  
Ida C. Svege ◽  
...  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 546-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Alexander König ◽  
Volker Alexander Braunstein

Introduction: Massive tears in the rotator cuff are debilitating pathologies normally associated with loss of function and pain. Tendon reconstruction is seen as the standard treatment in order to preserve shoulder function and to inhibit cuff associated osteoarthritis. However, the effect on longer-term shoulder function and patient satisfaction is unknown. Material and Methods: 165 consecutive patients with massive tears were included. 57 debridement (mean age 61.9±8.7 years (range 43-77)) and 108 reconstruction (mean age 57.5±8.9 years (range 45-74)) cases could be followed up 2-4 (short-term), 5-6 (mid-term) and 8-10 (long-term) years after surgery. Evaluation was performed with the Constant, a modified ASES and the DASH score. Statistical analysis was done using Sigma-Stat Version 3.5 with a p-value<0.05 indicating statistical significant differences. Results: All three scoring systems showed no significant differences in the short-term follow-up for the two groups (mean values: Constant debridement/repair: 70±11.9/66±13.6; ASES debridement/repair: 22.3±3.3/ 23.3±3.3; DASH debridement/repair: 22.3±11.0/ 24.3±10.1). In the mid-term (Constant debridement/repair: 51±2.9/68.3±5.2; ASES debridement/repair: 20.3±1.3/24.3±1.7; DASH debridement/repair: 31.0±6.5/20.3±5.4) and long-term follow-up (Constant debridement/repair: 42.3±3.8 /60.7±2.6, ASES debridement/repair: 17.3±0.5/21.7±0.5, DASH debridement/repair: 41.3±6.2/25.0±1.4), rotator cuff reconstruction revealed better objective results and better patients’ satisfaction. Conclusion: Rotator cuff tendon repair leads to better long-term clinical outcome and subjective satisfaction compared to debridement. Tendon reconstruction should be considered as a treatment for patients suffering from massive rotator cuff tears, thus preserving shoulder function and by that means delay indication for reverse arthroplasty.


1970 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-171
Author(s):  
Jong Yun Kim ◽  
Churl Hong Chun ◽  
Jeong Woo Kim ◽  
Hong Je Kang ◽  
Seung Yeop Song ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: To analyze clinical results of arthroscopic trans-tendon repair in a partial articular-side rotator cuff tear.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 31 patients presenting with partial intra-articular rotator cuff tears between April 2006 and January 2010, we selected 24 who had received arthroscopic trans-tendon repair. The average age of patients was 55 (27~75) and the average follow-up period was 37 months (19~64). There were 10 men and 14 women and all had at least a 6 mm tear categorized as Ellman grade 3. Change in range of motion, VAS, ASES, Constant score, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated postoperatively.RESULTS: The average forward elevation range prior to surgery was 150.2 (+/-6.67) and it improved to 170 (+/-5.32) by the last follow-up (p<0.001). The average VAS score prior to surgery was 7.38 (+/-1.38) and it decreased to 3 (+/-1.38) (p<0.001). The Constant score before surgery was 49.25 (+/-5.65) and it increased to 73.81 (+/-5.64) by the last follow-up (p<0.001). The ASES score before surgery was 39.59 (+/-12.27) and it increased to 80.56 (+/-11.36) (p<0.001). At the last follow-up, 21 of the 24 patients were satisfied with the result. However, 3 patients were unhappy and had mild pain. On ultrasonography, 22 patients (91.66%) showed improvement without re-rupture, while the other 2 patients (8.34%) showed an with improved symptoms.CONCLUSION: In a partial rotator cuff tear in an articular-side lesion, the arthroscopic transtendon suture method shows excellent clinical and ultrasonographic results for at least eighteen months.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 599
Author(s):  
Jan Zabrzyński ◽  
Gazi Huri ◽  
Maciej Gagat ◽  
Łukasz Łapaj ◽  
Alper Yataganbaba ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of smoking and functional outcomes after arthroscopic treatment of complex shoulder injuries: rotator cuff tears (RCTs) with biceps tendon (LHBT) tears. This retrospective case-control study has been conducted on a cohort of patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy between 2015 and 2017 due to complex injury treatment. The outcomes were assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES), the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Score, need for non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) consumption and the visual analog scale (VAS). Complications and changes in smoking status were also noted. A cohort of 59 patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy, due to complex LHBT pathology and RCTs, and were enrolled in the final follow-up examination; with mean duration of 26.03 months. According to smoking status, 27 of patients were classified as smokers, and the remaining 32 were non-smokers. In the examined cohort, 36 patients underwent the LHBT tenotomy and 23 tenodesis. We observed a relationship between smoking status and distribution of various RCTs (p < 0.0001). The mean postoperative ASES and UCLA scores were 80.81 and 30.18 in the smoker’s group and 84.06 and 30.93 in the non-smoker’s group, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in pre/postoperative ASES and postoperative UCLA scores between smokers and non-smokers (p > 0.05). The VAS was significantly lower in the non-smokers’ group (p = 0.0021). Multi-tendon injuries of the shoulder are a serious challenge for surgeons, and to obtain an excellent functional outcome, we need to limit the negative risk factors, including smoking. Furthermore, there is a significant association between smoking and the occurrence of massive rotator cuff tears, and the pain level measured by the VAS. Simultaneous surgical treatment of RC and LHBT lesions in the smoker population allowed us to obtain the functional outcomes approximated to non-smokers in the long-term follow-up. Of course, we cannot assert that smoking is the real cause of all complications, however, we may assume that this is a very important, negative factor in shoulder arthroscopy.


2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e23-e24
Author(s):  
Jae Chul Yoo ◽  
Min Soo Shon ◽  
Kyoung Hwan Koh ◽  
Tae Kang Lim ◽  
Young Eun Park ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (13) ◽  
pp. 3155-3164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasanth Seker ◽  
Lisa Hackett ◽  
Patrick H. Lam ◽  
George A.C. Murrell

Background: Massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears are difficult to manage surgically. One technique is to use a synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch to bridge the tear. However, there is little information regarding the outcomes of this procedure. Purpose: To determine the ≥2-year outcomes of patients for whom synthetic patches were used as tendon substitutes to bridge irreparable rotator cuff defects. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used prospectively collected data. Patients included those with a synthetic patch inserted as an interposition graft for large and/or irreparable rotator cuff tears with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Standardized assessment of shoulder pain, function, range of motion, and strength was performed preoperatively, at 6 and 12 weeks, and at 6 months and ≥2 years. Radiograph and ultrasound were performed preoperatively, at 6 months, and ≥2 years. Results: At a mean of 36 months, 58 of 68 eligible patients were followed up, and 53 of 58 (90%) patches remained in situ. Three patches failed at the patch-tendon interface, while 1 patient (2 shoulders/patches) went on to have reverse total shoulder replacements. Patient-ranked shoulder stiffness ( P < .001), frequency of pain with activity and sleep ( P < .0001), level of pain at rest and overhead ( P < .0001), and overall shoulder function improved from bad to very good ( P < .0001) by 6 months. Supraspinatus (mean ± SEM: 29 ± 16 N to 42 ± 13 N) and external rotation (39 ± 13 N to 59 ± 15 N) strength were the most notable increases at the ≥2-year follow-up ( P < .0001). Passive range of motion also improved by 49% to 67%; forward flexion, from 131° to 171°; abduction, from 117° to 161°; external rotation, from 38° to 55°; and internal rotation, from L3 to T10 ( P < .0001) preoperatively to ≥2 years. The most improvement in passive range of motion occurred between 12 months and ≥2 years. The mean (SD) Constant-Murley score was 90 (12), while the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 95 (8). Conclusion: At 36 months postoperatively, patients who had synthetic patches used as tendon substitutes to bridge irreparable rotator cuff defects reported less pain and greater overall shoulder function as compared with preoperative assessments. They demonstrated improved range of passive motion and improved strength. The data support the hypothesis that the technique of using a synthetic PTFE patch to bridge a large and/or irreparable tear has good construct integrity and improves patient and clinical outcomes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 93 (7) ◽  
pp. 528-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Seagger ◽  
T Bunker ◽  
P Hamer

INTRODUCTION Nearly 1 in 40 of the population seeks medical advice related to a shoulder problem every year. The majority pertain to rotator cuff pathology. Prior to intervention in such patients it is imperative to define whether the tendons are intact or torn. Ultrasonography has become an essential adjunct to clinical assessment in diagnosing rotator cuff tears. This study was designed to investigate if a surgeon using a portable ultrasonography machine in a one-stop shoulder clinic could significantly reduce the time a patient waited from initial outpatient presentation to the end of the treatment episode (be it surgery, injection or conservative management). METHODS A total of 77 patients were allocated to one of two groups: Group A, consisting of 37 patients who were assessed and had ultrasonography as outpatients, and Group B, consisting of 40 patients who were assessed and referred for departmental ultrasonography where appropriate. Three clear outcome groups were defined: those who required surgical repair, those who had irreparable tears and those who declined surgery. RESULTS For all outcomes (surgery, irreparable tears and conservative treatment), the patients in Group A all completed their clinical episodes significantly quicker than those in Group B (p<0.02). As well as the time saving benefits, there was a substantial financial saving for Group A. By performing ultrasonography in the outpatients department, those patients avoided the requirement of departmental imaging (£120) and subsequent follow-up appointments (£73) to discuss results and management, resulting in a saving of nearly £200 per patient. CONCLUSIONS The use of a portable ultrasonography machine by an orthopaedic surgeon can significantly reduce the time to treatment and the financial cost for patients with rotator cuff tears.


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