Rotator cuff tears are the most common cause of shoulder disability, affecting 10% of the population under 60 and 40% of those aged 70 and above. Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears account for 30% of all tears and their management continues to be an orthopaedic challenge. Traditional surgical techniques, that is, tendon transfers are performed to restore shoulder motion, however, they result in varying outcomes of stability and complications. Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) is a novel technique that has shown promise in restoring shoulder function, albeit in limited studies. To date, there has been no biomechanical comparison between these techniques. This study aims to compare three surgical techniques (SCR, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer and lower trapezius tendon transfer) for irreparable rotator cuff tears with respect to intact cuff control using a clinically relevant biomechanical outcome of rotational motion. Eight fresh-frozen shoulder specimens with intact rotator cuffs were tested. After dissection of subcutaneous tissue and muscles, each specimen was mounted on a custom shoulder testing apparatus and physiologic loads were applied using a pulley setup. Under 2.2 Nm torque loading maximum internal and external rotation was measured at 0 and 60 degrees of glenohumeral abduction. Repeat testing was conducted after the creation of the cuff tear and subsequent to the three repair techniques. Repeated measures analysis with paired t-test comparisons using Sidak correction was performed to compare the rotational range of motion following each repair technique with respect to each specimen's intact control. P-values of 0.05 were considered significant. At 0° abduction, internal rotation increased after the tear (intact: 39.6 ± 13.6° vs. tear: 80.5 ± 47.7°, p=0.019). Internal rotation was higher following SCR (52.7 ± 12.9°, intact - SCR 95% CI: −25.28°,-0.95°, p=0.034), trapezius transfer (74.2 ± 25.3°, intact – trapezius transfer: 95% CI: −71.1°, 1.81°, p=0.064), and latissimus transfer (83.5 ± 52.1°, intact – latissimus transfer: 95% CI: −118.3°, 30.5°, p=0.400) than in intact controls. However, internal rotation post SCR yielded the narrowest estimate range close to intact controls. At 60° abduction, internal rotation increased after the tear (intact: 38.7 ± 14.4° vs. tear: 49.5 ± 13°, p=0.005). Internal rotation post SCR did not differ significantly from intact controls (SCR: 49.3 ± 10.1°, intact – SCR: 95% CI: −28°, 6.91°, p=0.38). Trapezius transfer showed a trend toward significantly higher internal rotation (65.7 ± 21.1°, intact – trapezius transfer: 95% CI: −55.7°, 1.7°, p=0.067), while latissimus transfer yielded widely variable rotation angle (65.7 ± 38°, intact – latissimus transfer: 95% CI: −85.9°, 31.9°, p=0.68). There were no significant differences in external rotation for any technique at 0° or 60° abduction. Preliminary evaluation in this cadaveric biomechanical study provides positive evidence in support of use of SCR as a less morbid surgical option than tendon transfers. The cadaveric nature of this study limits the understanding of the motion to post-operative timepoint and the results herein are relevant for otherwise normal shoulders only. Further clinical evaluation is warranted to understand the long-term outcomes related to shoulder function and stability post SCR

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears often lead to superior migration of the humeral head, which can markedly impair glenohumeral kinematics and function. Although treatments currently exist for treating such pathology, no clear choice exists for the middle-aged patient demographic. Therefore, a metallic subacromial implant was developed for the purpose of restoring normal glenohumeral kinematics and function. The objective of this study was to determine this implant's ability in restoring normal humeral head position. It was hypothesized that (1) the implant would restore near normal humeral head position and (2) the implant shape could be optimized to improve restoration of the normal humeral head position.

A titanium implant was designed and 3D printed. It consisted of four design variables that varied in both implant thickness (5mm and 8mm) and curvature of the humeral articulating surface (high constraint and low constraint. To assess these different designs, these implants were sequentially assessed in a cadaver-based biomechanical testing protocol. Eight cadaver specimens (64 ± 13 years old) were loaded at 0, 30, and 60 degrees of glenohumeral abduction using a previously developed shoulder simulator. An 80N load was equally distributed across all three deltoid heads while a 10N load was applied to each rotator cuff muscle. Testing states included a fully intact rotator cuff state, a posterosuperior massive rotator cuff tear state (cuff deficient state), and the four implant designs. An optical tracking system (Northern Digital, Ontario, Canada) was used to record the translation of the humeral head relative to the glenoid in both superior-inferior and anterior-posterior directions.

Interstitial supraspinatus tears can cause persistent subacromial impingement symptoms despite non operative treatment. Autologous tendon cell injection (ATI) is a non-surgical treatment for tendinopathies and tear. We report a randomised controlled study of ATI compared to corticosteroid injection (CS) as treatment for interstitial supraspinatus tears and tendinopathy.

Inclusion criteria were patients with symptom duration > 6 months, MRI confirmed intrasubstance supraspinatus tear, and prior treatment with physiotherapy and ≥ one CS or PRP injection. Participants were randomised to receive ATI to the interstitial tear or corticosteroid injection to the subacromial bursa in a 2:1 ratio, under ultrasound guidance. Assessments of pain (VAS) and function (ASES) were performed at baseline, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post treatment.

30 participants (19 randomised to ATI) with a mean age of 50.5 years (10 females) and a mean duration of symptoms of 23.5 months. Baseline VAS pain and ASES scores were comparable between groups. While mean VAS pain scores improved in both groups at 3 months after treatment, pain scores were superior with ATI at 6 months (p=0.01). Mean ASES scores in the ATI group were superior to the CS group at 3 months (p=0.026) and 6 months (p=0.012). Seven participants in the CS group withdrew prior to 12 months due to lack of improvement. At 12 months, mean VAS pain in the ATI group was 1.6 ± 1.3. The improvements in mean ASES scores in the ATI group at 6 and 12 months were greater than the MCID (12.0 points). At 12 months, 95% of ATI participants had an ASES score > the PASS (patient acceptable symptom state).

This is the first level one study using ATI to treat interstitial supraspinatus tear. ATI results in a significant reduction in pain and improvement in shoulder function.

Patients over 70 years old have subclinical or impending rotator cuff dysfunction, raising concern about TSA in this population. The purpose of this study is to examine whether reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) should be considered for the treatment of glenohumeral osteoarthritis in the presence of an intact rotator cuff (GHOA+IRC in patients older than 70 years of age.

Twenty-five elderly (>70 years) patients at least one year status-post RTSA for GHOA+IRC were matched via age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and whether the procedure involved the dominant extremity with 25 GHOA+IRC patients who received anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Standardised outcome measures, range of motion, and treatment costs were compared between the two groups. Treatment cost was assessed using implant and physical therapy costs as well as reimbursement.

Patients who received RTSA for GHO+IRC had significantly lower pre-operative active forward elevation (AFE, 69° vs. 98°, p <0.001) and experienced a greater change in AFE (p=0.01), but had equivalent AFE at final follow-up (140° vs. 142°, p=0.71). Outcomes were otherwise equivalent between groups with no differences. In both those patients who underwent TSA and those that underwent RTSA, significant improvements between pre-operative and final follow-up were seen in all standardised outcome measures and in AFE (p<0.001 in all cases). RTSA provided these outcomes at a cost savings of $2,025 in Medicare reimbursement due to decreased physical therapy costs.

In patients over the age of 70 with GHOA+IRC, RTSA provides similar improvement in clinical outcomes to TSA at a reduced cost while avoiding issues related to the potential for subclinical or impending rotator cuff dysfunction.

The management of patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCT) has traditionally proved challenging. This prospective study was undertaken with the aim to assess the overall functional outcome following the use of human dermal allograft in the reconstruction of massive irreparable RCT.

15 patients were included in the study, having a median age of 63 years. All patients underwent open reconstruction of massive irreparable RCT. None of the selected patients had evidence of significant gleno-humeral arthritis. All patients were evaluated pre- and post- operatively by the treating surgeon, and followed up for 12 months. The same physiotherapy protocol was prescribed for all patients. Initial and follow-up assessments were done at regular intervals using the Oxford and quick-DASH scoring systems.

A very high patient satisfaction rate, with substantial improvement in pain and function was noted. There was substantial improvement in Oxford shoulder score from a mean of 23.3 to 8.7 (p<0.01), and a similar improvement in mean quick-DASH score from 50.3 to 23.0 (p<0.01)

Of the 15 patients, 11 had an improvement of >10 in Oxford score, with these reporting a score of <10 after 12 months. None of the patients had any significant complications because of the surgery, and none had a deterioration in Oxford score from their pre-operative status.

We found that Human dermal allograft is a very effective tool in the repair of massive irreparable RCT, with excellent follow-up results after one year.

Background:

Massive rotator cuff tear can cause functional disability due to instability and degenerative changes of the shoulder joint. In patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tear, tendon transfer is often used as the salvage procedure. Latissimus dorsi and pectoris major transfer are technically demanding procedures and may incur complications. The biceps tendon transfer may provide a biologically superior tissue patch that improves the biomechanics of the shoulder joint in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear. This study evaluated the functional outcomes of biceps tendon transfer for irreparable rotator cuff tear in 6 patients with two years and longer follow-up.

Aim

To assess clinical outcome of massive rotator cuff tear repair using triceps myotendinous flap.

Prevalence of rotator cuff tears increases with advancing age (Ellman et al). In spite of proximal humeral fractures being common in the elderly, the influence of a coexistent rotator cuff tear on outcome has, to our knowledge, not been previously investigated. This study prospectively assessed whether the presence of a rotator cuff tear in association with a proximal humeral fracture influences functional prognosis.

85 patients treated conservatively for proximal humeral fractures were evaluated prospectively with Ultrasonography to determine the status of the rotator cuff. Every patient was managed by immobilisation of the arm in a sling for two weeks followed by a course of physiotherapy based on the Neer regime. Functional outcome was measured using the Constant shoulder score and the Oxford shoulder score, at 3-months and 12-months post injury.

Sixty-six of the 85 patients were female. The fractures were equally distributed for hand dominance. There were 27 patients with an undisplaced fracture, 34 patients with Neer's Type II fracture and 24 patients with Neer's Type III and IV fracture. There were 43 patients with full thickness cuff tears and 42 patients with no cuff tear or a partial thickness tear. Full thickness cuff tears were much more frequent in the over 60 year age group, which is consistent with the known increased incidence of cuff tears with increasing age.

The outcome scores at 3 and 12 months showed no statistically significant difference for either the Constant score or the Oxford score with regards to cuff integrity. Analysis of these scores showed no correlation between presence or absence of a full thickness cuff tear and shoulder function

The results of this study indicate that rotator cuff integrity is not a predictor of shoulder function at 12 months following proximal humeral fracture, as measured by outcome scores. This suggests that there is therefore no clinical indication for routine imaging of the rotator cuff in patients for whom conservative management is the preferred treatment option.

Introduction

We performed humeral head replacement (HHR) with smaller head for closing the cuff defect in patients of cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). And also, if the cuff defect could not close by decreasing the head size, we add muscle tendon transfer such as latissimus dorsi transfer for posterosuperior defect and pectoralis major transfer for anterosuperior defect.

Introduction

In recently, Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear has been worldwidely performed. Many studies on RSA reported a good improvement in flexion of the sholulder, however, no improvement in external rotation (ER)and internal rotation motion (IR). Additionally, RSA has some risks to perform especially in younger patients, because high rates of complications such as deltoid stretching and loosening, infection, neurologic injury, dislocation, acromial fracture, and breakage of the prosthesis after long-term use were reported. Favard et al noted a 72% survival with a Constant-Murley score of <30 at 10 years with a marked break occurring at 8 years. Boileau et al noted caution is required, as such patients are often younger, and informed consent must obviously cover the high complication rate in this group, as well as the unknown longer-term outcome. Its use should be limited to elderly patients, arguably those aged over 70 years, with poor function and severe pain related to cuff deficiency. We developed a novel strategy in 2001, in which we used the humeral head to close the cuff defect and move the center of rotation medially and distally to increase the lever arm of the deltoid muscle.

Trauma is often involved in the history given at presentation but the main underlying problem in patients with Rotator Cuff tearing is degenerative change. There has been a transition in techniques for repair of tendon tears from majority open repairs in the 1970–80s to minideltoid repairs in the 1980–90s. In the last 10–15 years there has been a strong drive to evolve the repair to an all arthroscopic technique. With this evolution has come new equipment, implants and steep learning curves for surgeons at significant increase in cost to the health system with no clear improvement in long term outcome. The ability to obtain repair of a degenerate tendon to bone remains the challenge and poses a difficult problem for all orthopaedic surgeons

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) was released into the United States market in 2004 for the indication of Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy. Since that time the indications have widened and now include massive rotator cuff tears that are not deemed to be surgically repairable. This diagnosis includes patients that are considered young in terms of shoulder replacement surgery. These patients do not have the radiographic changes of arthropathy, but most have undergone multiple surgical procedures in the past to attempt to repair the rotator cuff deficiency. These younger patients have a different post-op expectation than the patient with advanced arthropathy over the age of 70. The complication rate seen in this younger patient population is higher than seen in the older population undergoing RSA. The post-operative survey for satisfaction is also considerably lower in the younger population group. RSA for massive rotator cuff tears in a younger population under the age of 65 years gives a lower patient satisfaction result and a higher complication rate than age-matched patients older than 65 years. Although this is still the best procedure available for this difficult diagnosis, patients younger than 65 years should be consulted as to what their expectations are post-operatively. Pain relief is still the main reason to undergo an RSA

Introduction. Rotator cuff tears remain a problem, with massive tears having a failure rate of repair reported of up to 60%, despite advances in surgical techniques. Tissue engineering techniques offers the possibility of regenerating damaged tendon tissue to a pre-injury state. We explore these techniques by implanting two novel tendon augmentation grafts with use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in sheep. Methods. A total of 24 sheep were operated on, with the infraspinatus being surgically cut from its attachment to the humeral head. Each tendon was repaired using suture anchors and an interpositional implant according to 4 groups: (1) Empty control, (2) Novel collagen fibre implant with PRP (3) A novel collagen sponge implant (4) and the collagen sponge with PRP. The sheep were killed at 12 weeks and the implant site harvested and its histology evaluated. Results. Our findings showed that these novel grafts were well integrated into the tissue, with minimal inflammatory response. However, as expected, the material had not yet completely broken down. Our initial findings suggest that the combination of PRP with the collagen sponge best enhanced the repair of the tendon. Conclusion. Tissue engineered collagen graft hold great potential for the repair of tendons

The management of shoulder instability has changed a great deal in the last five years due to a better understanding of the biomechanics of the shoulder and the use of arthroscopic surgery. It is essential to understand the anatomy of the labrum and bony structures of the shoulder joint, as well as the contribution of these structures as well as the Rotator Cuff to stability in the different positions of the arm. The history and examination still remains the most important diagnostic tool and a thorough history and examination cannot be over-emphasised. MR Arthrography is the investigation of choice in confirming the diagnosis of instability while a CT scan may be required if there is significant bony damage. The most controversial topic is that of the first time dislocator. If there is a significant labral tear then the options of an arthroscopic labral repair or external rotation brace need to be considered. In the absence of a labral tear then physiotherapy is the treatment of choice. For recurrent dislocators, the results of arthroscopic labral repairs with capsular plication techniques are approaching those of the gold standard open stabilisation. If, however, there is significant bony damage to the glenoid or humeral head then a bone block procedure may be the treatment of choice. Rotator Cuff tears need to be excluded in older patients with instability and often in such cases an arthroscopic procedure to deal with the Rotator Cuff and Labrum can be done simultaneously

INTRODUCTION. Rotator cuff tears are common injuries which often require surgical repair. Unfortunately, repairs often fail [1] and improved repair strength is essential. P2 Porous titanium (DJO Surgical, Austin TX) has been shown to promote osseointegration [2,3] and subdermal integration [4]. However, the ability of P2Porous titanium to aid in supraspinatus tendon-to-bone repair has not been evaluated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate P2 implants used to augment supraspinatus tendon-to-bone repair in a rat model [5]. We hypothesized that supraspinatus tendon-to-bone repairs with P2 implants would allow for ingrowth and increased repair strength when compared to standard repair alone. METHODS. Thirty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used (IACUC approved). Rats received bilateral supraspinatus detachment and repair with one limb receiving P2 implant. Animals were sacrificed at time 0 (n=3), 2 weeks (n=8), 4 weeks (n=9) and 12 weeks (n=14). Limbs were either dissected for histological and SEM analysis or mechanical testing as described previously [5]. Specimens for histology and SEM were embedded in PMMA for tissue-implant interface analysis. Specimens were first viewed in SEM under BSE to detect bony ingrowth, then stained with Sanderson's Rapid Bone Stain and viewed under transmitted and polarized light for tissue ingrowth. Comparisons were made using Student's t-tests with significance at p≤0.05. RESULTS. No differences in cross-sectional area were detected at any time point (Fig 1A). Percent relaxation was significantly increased in the P2 group at 2 weeks, but not at 4 and 12 weeks (Fig 1B). Maximum load was significantly increased in the P2 group at 2 weeks, but not at 4 weeks (Fig 1C – maximum load not reported due to failure at grip at 12 weeks). Modulus was significantly increased in the P2 group at 4 weeks, but not at 2 or 12 weeks (Fig 1D). No differences were detected in stiffness at any time point (data not shown). BSE analysis demonstrated bone ingrowth (Fig 2) and histological analysis showed soft tissue integration (Fig 3). DISCUSSION. Results indicate superior mechanical properties in the P2 group at 2 and 4 weeks, and tissue ingrowth at all time points. Importantly, at 2 weeks, the P2group had 76% increased maximum load compared to standard repair. As supraspinatus tendon re-tears are extremely common early [1] and occur at the tendon-to-bone interface, this finding supports the reduction of re-tear risk with the P2 implant. Although no differences were detected in maximum load at 4 weeks, the increase at 2 weeks denotes that P2 implants improved early tendon-to-bone healing. Additionally, at 4 weeks, the P2 implant group had significantly increased elastic modulus, further supporting increased mechanical properties due to the P2 implant. Clinically, improved early healing might allow faster rehabilitation and associated recovery. This study demonstrates that the P2 implant improves tendon-to-bone healing up to 4 weeks (with no detrimental effects at longer time points), suggesting that P2 porous titanium may be of benefit for use in clinical rotator cuff repairs

Background. Rotator cuff tears pose a huge socioeconomic burden. Our study uses Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as it is a quick, non-manipulative and non-destructive test, which can identify a wide range of chemical targets from small intraoperatively obtained specimens. The aim of this study was (i) to characterise the chemical and structural composition of rotator cuff tendons and (ii) to identify structural differences between anatomically distinct tear sizes. Such information may help to identify specific biomarkers of rotator cuff tear pathologies, which in turn could allow early identification and monitoring of disease progression. FTIR may provide insight into the different healing rates of different tear sizes. Methods. The infrared spectra of 81 torn rotator cuff tendons were measured using a FTIR spectrometer. The rotator cuff tear sizes were classified as partial, small, medium, large and massive, and compared to 14 normal controls. All spectra were classified using standard multivariate analysis; principal component analysis, partial least square and discriminant function analysis. Results. FTIR readily differentiated between normal and torn tendons, and different tear sizes. We identified the key discriminating molecules and spectra altered in torn tendons as: (i) carbohydrates/phospholipids (1030-1200 cm. -1. ), (ii) collagen (1300-1700, 3000-3350 cm. -1. ) and (iii) lipids (2800-3000 cm. -1. ). Partial tears were chemically distinct from normal and small tears, and primarily involved a reduction in collagen type II. Conclusion. This study has demonstrated that FTIR can identify different sizes of rotator cuff tear based upon distinguishable chemical and structural features. The onset of rotator cuff tear pathology is mainly due to alterations of the collagen structural arrangements, with associated changes in lipids and carbohydrates. The approach described is rapid and has the potential to be used intraoperatively to determine the quality of the tendon and extent of disease, thus guiding surgical repairs or for monitoring of treatments

Introduction. Both anatomic (aTSA) and reverse (rTSA) total shoulder arthroplasty are the standard of care for various end-stage degenerative conditions of the glenohumeral joint. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common indication for aTSA while Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy (CTA) is the most common indication for rTSA. Worldwide, the usage of both aTSA and rTSA has increased significantly due in part, to the predictability of acceptable outcomes achieved with each prosthesis type. The aim of this study is to quantify outcomes using 5 different metrics and compare results achieved for each indication using one platform total shoulder arthroplasty system which utilizes the same humeral component and instrumentation to perform both aTSA or rTSA. Methods. 200 patients (70.9 ± 7.3 yrs) were treated by two orthopaedic surgeons using either aTSA or rTSA. 73 patients received aTSA (67.4 ± 8.0 yrs) for treatment of OA (PHF: 64 patients; YM: 9 patients) and 127 patients received a rTSA (72.9 ± 6.1 yrs) for treatment of CTA (PHF: 53 patients; YM: 74 patients). These patients were scored pre-operatively and at latest follow-up using the SST, UCLA, ASES, Constant, and SPADI metrics; active abduction, forward flexion, and external rotation were also measured. The average follow-up for all patients was 31.4 ± 9.7 months (aTSA: 32.5 ± 12.1 months; rTSA: 30.8 ± 8.0 months). A Student's two-tailed, unpaired t-test was used to identify differences in pre-operative, post-operative, and pre-to-post-operative improvements in results, where p < 0.05 denoted a significant difference. Results. All patients demonstrated significant improvements in pain and function following treatment of OA with aTSA and of CTA with rTSA. No instances of instability or glenoid loosening were reported in either cohort; one instance of infection occurred in the rTSA cohort. The average pre- and post-operative outcome scores and range of motion measurements are presented in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The average improvement in outcome scores and range of motion measurements are presented in Figure 3, respectively. Discussion and Conclusions. The results of this study demonstrate that CTA patients had significantly lower pre-operative scores as measured by 3 of the 5 metrics and significantly less active abduction and forward flexion than OA patients. While aTSA and rTSA were used to treat different indications; each treatment method provided a significant improvement in all 5 outcome score measurements and all 3 motion measurements for its respective indication at a similar mean follow-up. Interestingly, a few comparative differences were observed: aTSA was associated with significantly higher post-operative scores according to 2 of the 5 metrics, greater range of motion according to all 3 active motion measurements, and was demonstrated to be significantly more effective at improving active external rotation; whereas, rTSA was associated with significantly larger improvements in outcome scores according to 2 of the 5 metrics and was demonstrated to be significantly more effective at improving active forward flexion. Additional and longer term follow-up is required to confirm these findings