The experience with the use of a subacromial balloon in the treatment of patients with large, massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears

Abstract

Background. Large, massive irreparable rotator cuff tears lead to a significant decrease in the function of the shoulder joint together with the development of a pronounced pain syndrome. Such injuries are difficult to treat, and the number of relapses, when trying to restore them, is quite high. The installation of a subacromial balloon is the method of choice for this group of patients and allows restoring the function of the shoulder joint fairly successfully. Aim: to evaluate the results of the treatment of patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears injuries in a prospective study from 2016 to 2018. Methods. The results of the arthroscopic treatment of large, irreparable rotator cuff injuries in 25 patients (with the average age of 67 5 years) with the installation of a subacromial balloon are presented. In all the clinical cases, there was a pronounced (grades 34, according to the Goutallier classification) fatty dystrophy of the rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus or in combination with subaspinatus). All the patients underwent the subacromial space release with a thorough bursectomy and subsequent installation of a subacromial balloon. Results. The average score on the UCLA scale was 14 3 points (1117) before the operation and 312 points (2933) 12 months after the operation, the results were considered good and excellent. Conclusion. The results obtained allow us to evaluate the described technique as low-traumatic, simple and fast in its accomplishment, aimed at the reduction of the pain syndrome and restoration of the upper extremity function.