Full-thickness Rotator Cuff Defect Research Articles

Linguistic tones in MRI reports correlate with severity of pathology for rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Written communication can convey one's emotions, personality, and sentiments. Radiology reports employ medical jargon and serve to document a patients' condition. Patients might misinterpret this medical jargon in a way that increases their anxiety and makes them feel unwell. We were interested whether linguistic tones in MRI reports vary between radiologists and correlate with the severity of pathology. (1) Is there variation in linguistic tones among different radiologists reporting MRI results for rotator cuff tendinopathy? (2) Is the retraction of the supraspinatus tendon in millimeters associated with linguistic tones? Two hundred twenty consecutive MRI reports of patients with full-thickness rotator cuff defects were collected. Supraspinatus retraction was measured on the MRI using viewer tools. Using Kruskal-Wallis H tests, we measured variation between 11 radiologists for the following tones: positive emotion, negative emotion, analytical thinking, cause, insight, tentativeness, certainty, and informal speech. We also measured the correlation of tones and the degree of tendon retraction. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models were constructed, seeking factors associated with the tone, accounting for retraction, the presence of prior imaging, and for the effects of each radiologist (nesting). There were statistically significant differences for all of the tones by radiologist. In bivariate analysis, greater retraction of the supraspinatus muscle in millimeters was associated with more negative emotion and certainty, and with less tentativeness. In multilevel mixed-effects linear regression, more negative tones were associated with greater retraction and absence of prior imaging. Greater tentativeness was associated with the absence of prior imaging, but not with retraction. Radiology reports have emotional content that is relatively negative, varies by radiologist and is affected by pathology. Strategies for more hopeful, positive, optimistic descriptions of pathology have the potential to help patients feel better without introducing inaccuracies even if unlikely. Level III, Diagnostic.

Regeneration of a full-thickness defect in rotator cuff tendon with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model.

Although rotator cuff disease is a common cause of shoulder pain, there is still no treatment method that could halt or reveres its development and progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC MSCs) on the regeneration of a full-thickness rotator cuff defect (FTD) in a rat model. We injected either UC MSCs or saline to the FTD and investigated macroscopic, histological and biomechanical results and cell trafficking. Treatment with UC MSCs improved macroscopic appearance in terms of tendon thickness at two weeks, and inflammation, defect size, swelling/redness and connection surrounding tissue and slidability at four weeks compared to the saline group. Histologically, UC MSCs induced the tendon matrix formation recovering collagen organization, nuclear aspect ratio and orientation angle of fibroblast as well as suppressing cartilage-related glycosaminoglycan compared to saline group at four weeks. The UC MSCs group also improved ultimate failure load by 25.0% and 19.0% and ultimate stress by 27.3% and 26.8% at two and four weeks compared to saline group. UC MSCs labeled with PKH26 exhibited 5.3% survival at four weeks compared to three hours after injection. This study demonstrated that UC MSCs regenerated the FTD with tendon tissue similar properties to the normal tendon in terms of macroscopic, histological and biomechanical characteristics in a rat model.

Evidence-Based Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery

Stiffness is a concern after rotator cuff surgery, but early exercises risk disrupting tendon sutures. A prospective randomized trial of 105 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic suturing of small to mediumsize full-thickness rotator cuff defects was undertaken comparing early (postoperative day 1) passive motion exercises 3 to 4 times per day with delayed passive motion following brace removal (4 wk for tears 1 cm and 5 weeks for tears of 1–3 cm). Both groups began strengthening at 9 to 12 weeks, and unrestricted activities were allowed at 6 months. There were no significant differences in demographics between groups. At 12 months, there were improvements in both groups with no significant differences in pain, range of motion (ROM) and functional outcomes (Constant Score, Simple Shoulder Test [SST], and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] scores). Ultrasound (3–6 mo) and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (12 mo) revealed healing in 49/56 patients in the early motion group and 40/49 in the delayed motion group.

Rotator Cuff Repair Using an Acellular Dermal Matrix Graft: An In Vivo Study in a Canine Model

Large rotator cuff tears present a challenge to orthopaedic surgeons. Because tissue may be insufficient or of inadequate quality to undergo repair, a variety of materials have been used as adjuncts. Human dermal tissue may be processed to render it acellular, and thus less immunogenic, but with the extracellular matrix left intact, creating a collagen scaffold with favorable characteristics. Because of these traits, use in rotator cuff repair was proposed. A canine model for a full-thickness infraspinatus tendon tear was used. Tendon was excised from the bony interface to the myotendinous junction, and a human acellular dermal matrix graft (experimental) or the autologous excised tendon (control) was used to bridge the defect. Animals were sacrificed, and shoulders were evaluated histologically and biomechanically. At time 0, strength of control and experimental repairs was similar. At 6 weeks, the strength of the experimental repair was half that of the control side. Strength of control specimens remained the same at 6 and 12 weeks, but by 12 weeks, the strength of the experimental repair was equal to that of the control. Histologically, cells infiltrated the control and experimental specimens by 6 weeks; chronic inflammation was consistent with surgery and repair. At 6 months, control and experimental specimens mimicked normal tendon structure grossly and histologically. Use of human acellular dermal matrix as a patch is a viable option in this model of large rotator cuff defects. Within 6 weeks, histologic evidence of native cell infiltration and neotendon development was observed. Within 12 weeks, the strength of the dermal matrix graft repair was equivalent to that of autologous tendon. At 6 months, control and graft specimens mimicked normal tendon structure grossly and histologically. This study provides in vivo animal data to support the use of this acellular dermal matrix graft for repair of full-thickness rotator cuff defects. Additional studies are indicated to determine the role of this material in the treatment of humans with rotator cuff tears.

Arthroscopic Side-to-Side Rotator Cuff Repair

To study the results of arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears using a side-to-side suture technique without fixation to bone. Case series study of the long-term results of patients who underwent purely arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with a side-to-side suturing technique. A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff defects. Patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears repaired in a side-to-side fashion without anchoring the repair to bone were selected. Patients were evaluated using a modified UCLA shoulder scoring system. The data collected were analyzed to determine the outcome in patients with a 4- to 10-year follow-up. A total of 105 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were performed in 104 patients between February 1990 and February 1996. Forty-two patients had a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff that was repaired using a purely side-to-side suturing technique. The mean UCLA score of all patients in this group was 33; 23 patients reported excellent results, 18 good results, and 1 poor result according to the UCLA scoring system. In this series, 98% of patients qualified as a good to excellent result according to the UCLA shoulder score. This study shows that patients with a full-thickness defect of the rotator cuff tendon with anatomy amenable to side-to-side closure may be effectively treated with a purely arthroscopic repair using only a side-to-side suturing technique with excellent long-term clinical results. Level IV.

Prospective Longitudinal Analysis of Postoperative Shoulder Function

Rotator cuff repair is associated with good short or mid-term results, but to date there have been no long-term functional outcome studies demonstrating durability of results over time. In most long-term studies, the results have been compared with those of historical controls or with those of other, short-term follow-up studies. The purpose of the present prospective study was to evaluate short and long-term shoulder function after surgical repair in a single population of patients in order to follow changes over time. Thirty-three patients underwent surgery, performed by one surgeon, for the treatment of a chronic, symptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff defect. Data were obtained from questionnaires and physical examinations preoperatively, at two years, and at ten years. Identical standardized pain and function questionnaires were used and clinical evaluation was performed in a consistent fashion at all time-periods. The activity level, Constant score, level of disability, shoulder function score, and patient's subjective rating of the outcome were determined at the time of the final follow-up and compared with the same parameters at the two-year follow-up examination in order to determine if early results change with time. At the ten-year follow-up examination, there was no change in the raw Constant score determined at the two-year examination. When the Constant score was normalized for expected age-related changes, the percentage of patients who had a satisfactory result at ten years was even greater than the percentage at two years. Activity level decreased significantly over the time-period (p = 0.005). At the final follow-up examination, twelve patients worked at the same occupation as they had when the two-year examination was performed, two worked at a less strenuous occupation, and the remaining patients were retired. Only two patients retired because of problems related to the shoulder. The level of disability decreased over the study period, and there was a small improvement in the patients' self-assessment shoulder function score. The patients' subjective assessment of the outcome remained unchanged. The results of open rotator cuff repair for chronic tears do not deteriorate with time (ten years). The level of disability decreases, presumably because of a concurrent decrease in the activity level and in the demand on the shoulder as the patient ages. It is important to consider age-related changes when assessing the final outcome.

Rotator cuff repair in a district hospital setting: Outcomes and analysis of prognostic factors

In a prospective study of 58 complete rotator cuff tears, 54 patients underwent surgery by a single surgeon for chronic, symptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff defects. An independent observer performed the evaluation. Fifty-two of 58 patients reported marked relief of pain and rated themselves as having mild or no deficit in their ability to perform daily activities. The study evaluated preoperative and intraoperative factors that influenced postoperative outcome. Eighty-three percent of patients had good or excellent results according to the modified Constant scoring system and 76% with the UCLA system. There was no pain or minimal pain in 90%, and 92% reported overall improvement after the surgery. It is concluded that in a patient with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear, pain and shoulder function can be improved by acromioplasty and cuff repair, but a slight decrease in the range of motion and muscle strength will probably remain. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2001;10:236-41.)

Cyclic loading of rotator cuff repairs: A comparison of bioabsorbable tacks with metal suture anchors and transosseous sutures

Purpose: The purposes of the study were (1) to compare rotator cuff repair strengths after cyclic loading of 2 bioabsorbable nonsuture-based tack-type anchors, transosseous sutures, and a metal suture-based anchor, and (2) to correlate bone mineral density with mode of failure and cycles to failure. We hypothesized that specimens with a lower bone density would fail through bone at a lower number of cycles independent of the method of cuff fixation. Type of Study: Ex vivo biomechanical study. Methods: Standardized full-thickness rotator cuff defects were created in 30 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders that were randomized to 1 of 4 repair groups: transosseous sutures; Mitek Super suture anchors (Mitek Surgical Products, Westwood, MA); smooth bioabsorbable 8-mm Suretacs (Acufex, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Mansfield, MA); or spiked bioabsorbable 8-mm Suretacs (Acufex). All repairs were cyclically loaded from 10 to 180 N; the numbers of cycles to 50% (gap, 5 mm) and 100% (gap, 10 mm) failure were recorded. Results: In comparing the repair groups, we found only 1 significant difference: the number of cycles to 100% failure was significantly higher (P <.05) for the smooth bioabsorbable tack than for the transosseous suture group. There were no statistically significant (P ≤.05) differences in bone mineral densities with regard to each specimen’s mode of failure. Conclusions: Our results suggested that immediate postoperative fixation provided by bioabsorbable tacks was similar to that provided by Mitek anchors and more stable than that provided by transosseous sutures. Therefore, the immediate postoperative biomechanical strength of bioabsorbable tacks seems comparatively adequate for fixation of selected small rotator cuff tears. However, additional evaluation in an animal model to examine degradation characteristics and sustained strength of repair is recommended before clinical use.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 4 (April), 2001: pp 360–364

Postoperative assessment of shoulder function: a prospective study of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Forty patients underwent surgery by a single surgeon for chronic, symptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff defects. The study evaluated preoperative and intraoperative factors that influence postoperative outcome. The study also correlated objective measures of shoulder function with postoperative symptoms, patient satisfaction, and disability. Follow-up history and physical examination and strength measurements were performed at 2 years after surgery by three independent observers. There were 88% good or excellent results. Postscores correlated most closely with preoperative tear size. Postoperative Constant scores also correlated significantly with the patient's subjective rating of the end result. Preoperative cuff tear size also correlated with the presence of postoperative fatigue symptoms and objective measures of shoulder strength. Preoperative cuff tear size strongly correlated with other prognostic factors including the quality of the tendon tissue, the difficulty for tendon mobilization, and the presence of a rupture of the long head of the biceps. Together these factors adversely affect postoperative function, patient satisfaction, and overall shoulder score. Neither premorbid activity level nor the presence of a worker's compensation claim adversely affected the postoperative Constant score. The premorbid activity level significantly influenced the postoperative disability rating and the ability to return to work. All patients who were gainfully employed before surgery returned to employment after surgery, although in some patients at a lesser activity level.