Arthroscopic transtendinous suture bridge (Speed Bridge) for the treatment of greater tuberosity fracture of humerus

Abstract

To explore clinical effect of shoulder arthroscopic speedbridge technique in treating avulsion fracture of greater tuberosity of humerus. From March 2014 to March 2020, 39 patients with avulsion fracture of greater tuberosity of humerus were treated with speedbridge technique under shoulder arthroscopy. There were 22 males and 17 females aged from 23 to 67 years old with an average of(46.0±11.9) years old. The courses of disease ranged from 3 to 11 days with an average of (3.9±2.4) days. Preoperative and postoperative at 12 months, Constant-Murley shoulder function score and University of California, Los Angeles(UCLA) score were used to evaluate clinical effect. All patients were followed up from 8 to 21 months with an average of (11.5±3.8) months. Fracture healing time ranged from 2 to 4 months with an average of(3.3±0.9) months. No complications such as poor incision healing and joint adhesion occurred. Constant Murley score of shoulder joint was increased from(56.20±1.50) preoperativly to(94.80±2.60) at 12 months after operation(t=-55.42, P<0.01), and 38 patients got excellent result and 1 good. UCLA score was increased from(9.24±1.48) preoperativly to(32.82±1.37) at 12 months after operation(t=-65.67, P<0.01), and 37 patients got excellent result, and 2 good. Arthroscopic suture bridge technique for the treatment of greater tuberosity fracture of humerus could significantly reduce pain and improve function of shoulder.