Hyaluronic acid as an alternative treatment option for degenerative rotator cuff tears

Abstract

Rotator cuff tears have a high prevalence in older people. This research examines the clinical outcome of the non-operative treatment of symptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears with hyaluronic acid (HA) injections. 72 patients (43 females/29 males), with an average age of 66 years with symptomatic degenerative full- thickness rotator cuff tear, confirmed with arthro-CT, were treated with three intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections and followed on multiple observational moments during a 5-year follow-up using the SF- 36 (Short-Form Health Survey), DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand), CMS (Constant Murley Score), and OSS (Oxford Shoulder Scale. 54 patients completed the 5-year follow-up questionnaire. 77% of the patients did not require additional treatment for their shoulder pathology, and 89% were treated conservatively. Only 11% of the patients included in this study needed surgery. Between subjects, the analysis revealed a significant difference in response in the DASH (p=0.015) and CMS (p=0.033) when the subscapularis muscle was involved. Intra-articular infiltrations with hyaluronic acid improve pain and shoulder function, especially if the subscapularis muscle is not involved.