Traumatic Rotator Cuff Tears Research Articles

Protocol for a multi-site pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial: Surgery versus PhysiothErapist-leD exercise for traumatic tears of the rotator cuff (the SPeEDy study)

BackgroundClinically, a distinction is made between types of rotator cuff tear, traumatic and non-traumatic, and this sub-classification currently informs the treatment pathway. It is currently recommended that patients with traumatic rotator cuff tears are fast tracked for surgical opinion. However, there is uncertainty about the most clinically and cost-effective intervention for patients with traumatic rotator cuff tears and further research is required.SPeEDy will assess the feasibility of a fully powered, multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the hypothesis that, compared to surgical repair (and usual post-operative rehabilitation), a programme of physiotherapist-led exercise is not clinically inferior, but is more cost-effective for patients with traumatic rotator cuff tears.MethodsSPeEDy is a two-arm, multi-centre pilot and feasibility RCT with integrated Quintet Recruitment Intervention (QRI) and further qualitative investigation of patient experience. A total of 76 patients with traumatic rotator cuff tears will be recruited from approximately eight UK NHS hospitals and randomly allocated to either surgical repair and usual post-operative rehabilitation or a programme of physiotherapist-led exercise. The QRI is a mixed-methods approach that includes data collection and analysis of screening logs, audio recordings of recruitment consultations, interviews with patients and clinicians involved in recruitment, and review of study documentation as a basis for developing action plans to address identified difficulties whilst recruitment to the RCT is underway. A further sample of patient participants will be purposively sampled from both intervention groups and interviewed to explore reasons for initial participation, treatment acceptability, reasons for non-completion of treatment, where relevant, and any reasons for treatment crossover.DiscussionResearch to date suggests that there is uncertainty regarding the most clinically and cost-effective interventions for patients with traumatic rotator cuff tears. There is a clear need for a high-quality, fully powered, RCT to better inform clinical practice. Prior to this, we first need to undertake a pilot and feasibility RCT to address current uncertainties about recruitment, retention and number of and reasons for treatment crossover.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04027205) – Registered on 19 July 2019. Available via

Surgical repair versus conservative management in degenerative rotator cuff tears: systematic review and meta-analysis

Although surgery is generally used to treat acute traumatic rotator cuff tears (RCTs) in young patients, treating degenerative cuff tears remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons, and no gold standard has been established. This work aims to determine the efficacy of surgical repair versus conservative management in shoulder degenerative RCTs patients. A systematic search was carried out over different medical databases to identify orthopedic surgery studies, which investigated the outcome of the surgical repair versus the conservative management of RCTs patients. We conducted a meta-analysis for the constant and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores as primary outcomes, and on retear (recurrence) rate as a secondary outcome. Seven studies were identified involving 628 patients: 314 in the surgical repair group and 314 in the conservative management group. Our meta-analysis process showed a non-significant difference in mean constant score and VAS score in the surgical repair group compared to the conservative management group (p > 0.05 for each). Also, we found that the overall pooled recurrence rate was 13.2%. This study compared the efficacy and safety of surgical repair versus conservative management in degenerative RCTs. According to our results, there was no difference between both groups in their effect on mean constant score and mean VAS score, also retear after surgical repair may occur at a similar rate. This means that both approaches had a similar efficacy.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Interventions in Complete Rotator Cuff Tears.

This systematic review compares the efficacy and safety of surgical and non-surgical interventions for full- thickness rotator cuff tears. A systematic literature search was conducted in five databases. Randomized (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials of interventions (non-RCTs) for the surgical or non-surgical treatment of patients with traumatic or atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears were included. The review protocol was published in the PROSPERO registry (CRD42018100343). Ten studies (three RCTs with 332 participants; seven non-RCTs with 650 participants) met the inclusion criteria. One year after treatment, shoulder function, measured with the 100-point Constant score, had improved by 6.7 points (95% confidence interval [2.3; 11.0]) and pain, measured with the 10-cm visual analog scale, by 1.1 cm (0.5; 1.7] in the full-thickness rotator cuff tears treated surgically compared with non-surgical treatment. In one study the difference in favor of surgery persisted after 10 years' follow-up. For other outcomes, such as range of motion, muscle strength, quality of life, and adverse events, the data were sparse and the group differences were similar. The findings of the non-RCTs were comparable with those of the RCTs. With regard to functional improvement and pain reduction, surgical treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears was superior to non-surgical treatment in the short and the long term. Whether the differences between the groups are relevant for individual cases is uncertain, as the measured results were distributed below and above the threshold of clinical relevance. The conclusions may not be applicable to rotator cuff tears over 3 cm in size or to young persons.

Modified load sharing rip-stop technique in patients with traumatic transtendinous rotator cuff tear: Surgical technique and clinical outcomes

BackgroundTranstendinous rotator cuff tear is likely to occur due to trauma in sports activities, with a frequency of <2% of total rotator cuff tears. These tears are difficult to treat because of limited tendon tissue in the proximal stump, and standard repair techniques are sometimes ineffective. Few studies have reported on the repair technique and clinical outcomes for transtendinous rotator cuff tear, and an appropriate repair technique has, therefore, not been established. The purpose of this study was to use our modified load sharing rip-stop technique to repair transtendinous rotator cuff tear and to clarify the clinical effectiveness of this technique. MethodsThis was a retrospective case series review of eight patients who underwent the modified load sharing rip-stop technique for repairing traumatic transtendinous rotator cuff tear between January 2013 and June 2017. The eight patients were followed up for at least 2 years (range: 24–41 months). Cuff integrity was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at 12 months after surgery using the Sugaya classification. We evaluated the pre- and postoperative ranges of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant Shoulder Score, and muscle strength at 90° abduction. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher's exact tests. P < .05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. ResultsSix patients were classified as Sugaya I and two as Sugaya II. ASES score (38.5–90.2, P = .0008), Constant shoulder score (36.5–79, P = .002), flexion (85°–158.1°, P = .002), abduction (85°–157.5°, P = .001), external rotation (38.8°–55°, P = .024), and muscle strength at 90° abduction (2.95–5.39 kg, P = .028) improved significantly. Six patients were able to return to their previous sports activity. ConclusionUsing our modified load sharing rip-stop technique for repair of transtendinous rotator cuff tear, patients obtained good clinical outcomes and could return to sports activities.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Health Economic Study Using Real-World Data

PurposeTo assess the change in quality of life (QOL) and costs for patients with rotator cuff tears after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (aRCR) compared with continued nonoperative management, using real-world evidence.MethodsPatients indicated for aRCR were included in a prospective study and followed up to 2 years after surgery (postop) for all measurements. QOL (EQ-5D-5L) and shoulder function (Constant Score, Oxford Shoulder Score, subjective shoulder value) were assessed. Sixteen major insurance companies provided all-diagnoses direct medical costs in Swiss francs (CHF; 1 CHF = 1.03 USD). Baseline data at recruitment and costs sustained over 1 year before surgery (preop) served as a proxy for nonoperative management. Total direct medical costs to gain 1 extra quality-adjusted life year (QALY) were calculated as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER; mean of 2 years postop compared with 1 year preop) from a societal perspective. Subgroup analyses were separately performed for traumatic (trauma-OP) and degenerative (degen-OP) rotator cuff tear patients. Sensitivity analyses for aRCR patients included more intensive nonoperative treatment with corresponding QOL gain. The relationship between QOL and shoulder function was explored using regression analysis.ResultsFor 153 aRCR patients (mean age 57 years; 63% male), the mean EQ-5D index improved from 0.71 (preop) to 0.94 (1 year postop) and 0.96 (2 years postop). Mean total costs increased from 5,499 CHF (preop) to 17,116 CHF (1 year postop), then decreased to 4,226 CHF (2 years postop). The ICER for all aRCR patients was 24,924 CHF/QALY (95% confidence interval [CI] 16,742 to 33,106) and 17,357 CHF/QALY (95% CI 10,951 to 23,763) and 36,474 CHF/QALY (95% CI 16,301 to 56,648) for the trauma-OP and degen-OP groups, respectively. QOL and shoulder function were significantly associated (P < .001).ConclusionsFor RC patients treated at a specialized Swiss orthopaedic clinic, aRCR is a cost-effective intervention associated with clinically relevant improvement in QOL up to 2 years after repair compared with prior nonoperative management.Level of EvidenceEconomic Analyses – Developing an Economic Model, Level II

Surgery and physiotherapy were both successful in the treatment of small, acute, traumatic rotator cuff tears: a prospective randomized trial

Previous randomized trials on cuff repair have included mainly degenerative tears, but studies on acute traumatic tears are lacking. We aimed to compare early surgical repair with nonoperative treatment for traumatic supraspinatus tears. We did a 2-center randomizedcontrolled trial of patients with small rotator cuff tears mainly involving supraspinatus, comparing surgical repair (n = 32) and physiotherapy (n = 26). The primary outcome was a group difference in the Constant-Murleyscore at 12-monthfollow-up. Secondary outcomes were differences in the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index, pain (Numerical Rating Scale 0-10), and Euro quality-of-life-visual analog scale. We used magnetic resonance imaging to assess retear rate, tear progression, fatty infiltration, and atrophy. The mean age was 59.7 years (range, 44-77 years), median sagittal tear size was 9.7 mm (range, 4-21 mm), and baseline characteristics were well balanced between the 2 groups. The repair group had a median Constant-Murley of 83 (25 quartile range[QR]) and the physiotherapy group 78 (QR, 22) at 12 months, with the between-group difference in medians of 4.5 (-5 to 9, 95% confidence interval; P = .68). The corresponding values for the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index were 91% (QR, 24) vs. 86% (QR, 24), with the between-group difference of 5.0 (-4 to 9, 95% confidence interval; P = .62). There was no difference in Numerical Rating Scale or in Euro quality-of-life-visual analog scale. Retear was found in 6.5% of repaired patients and tear progression >5 mm in 29.2% of unrepaired patients. We found no significant differences in clinical outcomes between cuff repair and nonoperative treatment at 12-monthfollow-up. Approximately one third of unrepaired patients had a tear enlargement of more than 5 mm.

Viewing perspective malrotation influences angular measurements on lateral radiographs of the scapula

Accurate and reliable assessment of acromial tilt (ATA) and slope (ASA) angles have been important in the clinical evaluation of degenerative and traumatic rotator cuff tears. This study analyzed the influence of radiographic viewing perspective on the ATA and ASA and developed criteria to identify true lateral (TL) view radiographs. Three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) reconstructions of 52 scapulae without rotator cuff tears or osteoarthritis were studied. Digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) were aligned to obtain a TL view. In 10 random scapulae, incremental ante- and retroversion and up- and downward rotation views were generated (10° increments, ±30°), and ATA and ASA were measured by 2 observers. Clinically applicable criteria were developed and validated to identify TL views. The mean ATA and ASA on TL views were 33°±4° (range 23°-42°) and 22°±7° (8°-43°), respectively. Mixed effect models showed that DRRs malpositioned in 20° and 30° anteversion and downward rotation decreased the ATA (P ≤ .030). DRRs malpositioned in anteversion and >10° of up- and downward rotation demonstrated a significantly decreased ASA (P ≤ .047). Intra- and interobserver reliability was excellent for TL views (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.95) but decreased with increasing viewing angle. Anatomic landmark criteria were capable of identifying TL-view radiographs with sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 82%. Both ATA and ASA were significantly affected by malposition in anteversion and downward rotation of the scapula. Reliable ASA measurement was more susceptible in up- and downward rotation than the ATA. New visual criteria can identify TL-view radiographsand should be used in future studies to ensure consistency in ATA and ASA measurement.

Return to work after early repair of acute traumatic rotator cuff tears.

Lost workdays following rotator cuff repair is not well-studied in the literature. We aimed to define the time away from work following early arthroscopic repair of acute traumatic rotator cuff tears and compare it with the recommendations of the American Medical Disability Advisor (MD Guidelines) and The Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Thirty-two consecutive working patients with a median age of 58 (42-70) years suffering from acute traumatic rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic repair were prospectively studied. The studied variables were age, gender, alcohol use, smoking, number of injured tendons, dominant side involvement, work-related injury, employment status, preoperative work level, alterations of work tasks at return to work, and time away from work. 97% of the patients returned to full-duty work. The median time to return to full-duty work was 5.0 (1.1-10.5) months. Preoperative work level (p = 0.025) and dominant side (p = 0.02) significantly affected the time away from work on the univariate analysis, while GLM model showed a trend (p = 0.09) for shorter sick leave by dominant side involvement. The sick leave was longer in all three work level categories compared with the MD Guidelines and longer in the light and medium work categories compared with the recommendations by FK. According to the present study, acute traumatic rotator cuff tears cause a considerable loss of work days. However, almost all patients are expected to return to work after a median time of 5 months following arthroscopic repair. Current guidelines and recommendations regarding sick leave following repair of rotator cuff tears might have to be reviewed.

Early Arthroscopic Repair of Acute Traumatic Massive Rotator Cuff Tears Leads to Reliable Reversal of Pseudoparesis: Clinical and Radiographic Outcome

It was the aim of this study to analyze the clinical and radiographic outcome after early arthroscopic repair regardless of the age of patients. Patients with massive traumatic cuff tear and clinical pseudoparesis for forward elevation treated by subsequent early arthroscopic repair from 2011 until 2014 were included in this retrospective study. Exclusion criteria were Goutallier grade ≥3 fatty infiltration and prior shoulder problems or surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiographs, and functional assessments were performed preoperatively and at follow-up. A total of 21 patients (male/female 15/6; age range: 30-83) were included. Preoperative MRI showed complete 2 tendon tears in 7 patients, 3 tendon tears in 13 patients and all tendons ruptured in one patient. All patients had full passive range of motion and the mean active elevation was 35.7° (range: 0°-60°). Nine patients also had a pseudoparesis for external rotation (mean: 10°, range:-30° to 40°). The mean delay until surgery was 33days (range: 13-60). At follow-up (mean: 39months, range: 24-60) all patients showed reversal of pseudoparesis, mean elevation of 165.2° (range: 110°-180°) and mean external rotation of 49.3° (range:-20° to 80°). The mean Constant score was 82 points (range: 56-95), and the mean subjective shoulder value was 93% (range: 50-100). The overall retear rate was 20% (n= 4). Fatty infiltration increased at least 1 grade in patients who had a retear and in 56% of patients (n= 9) without retear. Age was not a predictor for retear. This study shows that early arthroscopic repair of traumatic massive RCT with pseudoparesis may lead to successful results regardless of patients' age. A complete restoration of the function can be expected even in patients with retear. The retear rate is low and the increase of fatty infiltration minimal. Level IV, case series.

Progressive early passive and active exercise therapy after surgical rotator cuff repair \u2013 study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (the CUT-N-MOVE trial)

BackgroundRotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder disability and results in patients predominantly complaining of pain and loss of motion and strength. Traumatic rotator cuff tears are typically managed surgically followed by ~ 20 weeks of rehabilitation. However, the timing and intensity of the postoperative rehabilitation strategy required to reach an optimal clinical outcome is unknown. Early controlled and gradually increased tendon loading has been suggested to positively influence tendon healing and recovery. The aim of this trial is therefore to examine the effect of a progressive rehabilitation strategy on pain, physical function and quality of life compared to usual care (that limits tendon loading in the early postoperative phase) in patients who have a rotator cuff repair of a traumatic tear.MethodsThe current study is a randomized, controlled, outcome-assessor blinded, multicenter, superiority trial with a two-group paralleled design. A total of 100 patients with surgically repaired traumatic rotator cuff tears will be recruited from up to three orthopedic departments in Denmark, and randomized to either a progressive early passive and active movement program or a limited early passive movement program (usual care). The primary outcome measure will be the change from pre-surgery to 12 weeks post-surgery in the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include the Disabilities Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH), range of motion, strength and tendon healing characteristics from ultrasound measurements at 12 months follow up.DiscussionWe hypothesized that patients who receive the progressive rehabilitation strategy will benefit more with respect to pain reduction, physical function and quality of life than those who receive care as usual. If this is confirmed our study can be used clinically to enhance the recovery of patients with traumatic rotator cuff tear.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02969135. Registered on 15 November 2016.

Early versus late repair of rotator cuff tears in rats

In the event of a traumatic rotator cuff tear, patients are routinely advised that early surgical intervention produces an optimal repair, despite a lack of direct evidence to support this recommendation. To address this knowledge gap, massive rotator cuff tears in rats were assessed by biomechanical and bone morphometric analyses after early or late repair. Combined supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon tears of the left shoulder were created in 21 adult Wistar rats, which were divided into 2 groups. The tendons of the injured shoulder in the animals in group I were surgically repaired 8 weeks after the injury. Under the same anesthesia, the same injury was created on the right shoulder, which was immediately repaired. The rats from group I were euthanized 8 weeks after the repairs. No repair was performed in the rats from group II, which were euthanized 8 weeks after the injury. Tissues from both groups were harvested and biomechanically tested for supraspinatus tendon and bone morphometry analysis of the humeral head. All biomechanical properties were significantly increased in the early repair group compared with the late repair group. No significant differences were observed in bone morphometry of the humeral head when early and late repair groups were compared. Early surgical repair of a massive rotator cuff tear leads to improved biomechanical properties of the tissue after healing. Proximal humerus bone morphometry was unaffected by surgical repair timing.

Physical therapists as first-line diagnosticians for traumatic acute rotator cuff tears: a prospective study.

Early diagnosis of traumatic acute full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCT) is important to offer early surgical repair. Late repairs following fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff muscles have less favorable results. We think that physical therapists are valuable diagnosticians in a screening process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of physical therapists as first-line diagnosticians in detecting acute traumatic FTRCT. Between November 2010 and January 2014, 394 consecutive patients having an age between 18 and 75years who sought medical care because of acute shoulder trauma with acute onset of pain, limited abduction and negative plain radiographs were included in the study. A clinical assessment was conducted by a physical therapist 1week after the trauma. The patients were divided into three groups by the physical therapist according to the findings: FTRCT (Group I, n = 122); sprain (Group II, n = 62); or other specific diagnoses (Group III, n = 210). Group III patients were discharged and excluded from the study. Magnetic Resonance Imaging shoulder was performed for all Group I patients and for all patients with persistent symptoms in Group II. 79/184 patients had FTRCTs documented by MRI in groups I and II. The clinical assessment of the physical therapist had a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 68%, and usefulness index of 0.45 (> 0.35 considered useful) for diagnosing FTRCT. Physical therapists can be useful as first-line diagnosticians in detecting traumatic FTRCT.

Arthroscopic Correction of the Critical Shoulder Angle Through Lateral Acromioplasty: A Safe Adjunct to Rotator Cuff Repair

To investigate whether arthroscopic lateral acromioplasty reliably decreases the critical shoulder angle (CSA) and whether it is associated with damage to the deltoid or other complications. Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) with lateral but without anterior acromioplasty for degenerative, full-thickness rotator cuff tears and a CSA of 34° or greater were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with traumatic or irreparable rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis, or previous surgery were excluded. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed at a minimum of 12months' follow-up. We reviewed 49 consecutive patients (mean age, 56years; age range, 39-76years) at a mean of 30months (range, 12-47months). There were 7 RCR failures (14%). The mean CSA was reduced from 37.5° preoperatively (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.7°-38.3°) to 33.9° postoperatively (95% CI, 33.3°-34.6°; P < .001). There were no cases of dehiscence, increases in fatty infiltration, or significant atrophy of the deltoid. Scarring at the deltoid origin was noted in 18 patients (37%). The mean absolute and relative Constant scores increased from 59 points (95% CI, 54-64 points) to 74 points (95% CI, 70-78 points) and from 66% (95% CI, 61%-71%) to 83% (95% CI, 79%-87%) respectively, and the Subjective Shoulder Value increased from 45% (95% CI, 39%-50%) to 80% (95% CI, 74%-86%) (P< .001 for all 3 improvements). The postoperative CSA was significantly larger in failed than in healed repairs (P= .026). Patients with a healed RCR and a CSA corrected to 33° or less (n= 22) had 25% more abduction strength than patients with a healed cuff and a CSA corrected to 35° or greater (n= 14, P= .04). Arthroscopic lateral acromioplasty performed in addition to arthroscopic RCR can reduce the CSA without significantly compromising the deltoid origin, deltoid muscle, or function. It is not associated with any additional complications of arthroscopic RCR. Insufficiently corrected, abnormally large CSAs are associated either with a higher retear rate or with inferior strength of abduction if the tears heal. Level IV, case series, treatment study.

Comparison of the epidemiology and outcomes of traumatic and nontraumatic rotator cuff tears

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the epidemiology and outcomes of traumatic and nontraumatic rotator cuff tears. MethodsThirty-three patients with traumatic and 46 with nontraumatic rotator cuff tears were included. ResultsThe rate of injury to the long head of the biceps was significantly higher in the traumatic group. Preoperative active forward elevation was significantly lower in the traumatic group. ConclusionThe outcomes of both groups were good. This may have been because milder preoperative muscle atrophy and a shorter duration of symptoms were observed in the traumatic group.

Functional outcomes of traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears after arthroscopic repair.

AIMTo compare the functional outcomes of traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears after arthroscopic repair.METHODSEighty-seven patients with rotator cuff tears following arthroscopic treatment were divided into traumatic and non-traumatic tear groups. Postoperative muscle strength and outcomes using the modified University of California, Los Angeles score were evaluated. Sex, age, affected limb and dominant limb were correlated between groups. Muscle strength of the repaired and unaffected shoulders was compared. Rotator cuff injury size was measured.RESULTSOf the 87 patients who underwent rotator cuff repairs, 35 had traumatic tears and 52 had non-traumatic tears. In patients with non-traumatic tears, the average age was 59 years, 74.5% were female, 96.1% were right-hand dominant and 92.3% had their dominant shoulder affected. Patients with traumatic tears were 59.5 years old on average, 51.4% were female, 91.4% were right-hand dominant and 88.5% had their dominant shoulder affected. No difference existed in the mean modified University of California, Los Angeles score between patients with traumatic tears (33.7) compared with those with non-traumatic tears (32.8). No strength differences were observed between groups: The strength difference between the non-affected and affected sides was 1.21 kg in the non-traumatic group and 1.39 kg in the traumatic group (P = 0.576), while the strength ratio between the non-affected/affected sides was 0.805 in the non-traumatic group and 0.729 in the traumatic group (P = 0.224).CONCLUSIONThe functional results of traumatic rotator cuff repairs are similar to non-traumatic tears. Both outcomes are satisfactory.

Implementation of a specialist shoulder soft tissue injury clinic results in reduced time to surgery for traumatic rotator cuff tears

Implementation of a specialist shoulder soft tissue injury clinic results in reduced time to surgery for traumatic rotator cuff tears

Traumatic full-thickness transtendinous rotator cuff tears: a case series

Our purpose was to describe an arthroscopic repair technique for and outcomes of traumatic transtendinous rotator cuff tears affecting the supraspinatus tendon. A retrospective review was performed on a series of patients between January 2009 and January 2012. Demographic data, as well as preoperative and postoperative clinical data including strength, visual analog scale pain score, Subjective Shoulder Value, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and Simple Shoulder Test score, were obtained. Seven patients were identified with magnetic resonance imaging showing full-thickness, transtendon supraspinatus tears with extension into the infraspinatus, which were consistent with physical examination and arthroscopic findings. The mechanism of injury was traumatic in all cases, usually a fall with the arm abducted. The mean remaining stump of tendon measured 1.3 cm. All patients underwent open or arthroscopic repair by a side-to-side (tendon-to-tendon) technique with additional suture anchor augmentation. At an average follow-up of 41.5 months (range, 33-50 months), all patients had postoperative improvements in strength and visual analog scale pain scores (range, 0-1), as well as Subjective Shoulder Value, Simple Shoulder Test, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores greater than 90. We have described the occurrence of a rare rotator cuff tear in the purely tendinous portion of the muscle, leaving at least 1 cm of tendon attached to an intact footprint. We also have presented an arthroscopic side-to-side repair technique and postoperative outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first article describing this uncommon rotator cuff tear.

Implementation of a Shoulder Soft Tissue Injury Triage Service in a UK NHS Teaching Hospital Improves Time to Surgery for Acute Rotator Cuff Tears.

Shoulder problems account for 2.4% of GP consultations in the United Kingdom and of those 70% are related to the rotator cuff. Many rotator cuff tears are of a degenerate...

Characteristics of Magnetic Resonance Arthrography Findings in Traumatic Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears

Background: Few studies have investigated magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of traumatic posterosuperior rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. We hypothesized that traumatic rotator cuff tears may have MR characteristics distinguishable from those of non-traumatic tears. Methods: Preoperative MR arthrography and intraoperative tear size measurements were compared in 302 patients who underwent MR arthrography and subsequent arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs for traumatic (group T, 61 patients) or non-traumatic (group NT, 241 patients) tears. The inclusion criteria for both groups were posterosuperior full-thickness rotator cuff tear and age between 40 and 60 years. For group T, traumas were limited to accidental falls or slips, or sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents; injuries were associated with acute onset of pain followed by functional shoulder impairment; and time between injury and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was 6 weeks or less. Results: In group T, 72.1% of shoulders (44 patients) had tendon tears with blunt edges while 27.9% of shoulders (17 patients) had tears with tapering edges. In contrast, 21.2% of patients in group NT (51 patients) had blunt-edge tears, while 78.8% (190 patients) of tears had tapering edges. These results were statistically significant (p Conclusions: We found no exclusive MR characteristic to define traumatic tears. However, oblique coronal MRI of traumatic tears showed a significant tendency for abrupt and rough torn tendon edges and relatively consistent tendon thicknesses (without lateral tapering) compared to non-traumatic cuff tears.

Similar results comparing early and late surgery in open repair of traumatic rotator cuff tears.

The purpose was to investigate whether surgical repair earlier or later than 3months after injury may result in similar outcomes and patient satisfaction. Seventy-three patients (75 shoulders, 58 males, mean age 59) who had undergone surgical intervention for traumatic rotator cuff tears from 1999 to 2011 were assessed by MRI, clinical examination and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) as a primary outcome measure and Oxford Shoulder score (OSS), Constant-Murley score (CS) and EQ-5D as secondary. The patients treated less than 3months after injury (n=39) were compared with patients treated more than 3months after injury (n=36). The average follow-up time was 56months (range 14-149), and the average time from injury to repair for all patients was 16weeks (range 3-104). A single senior radiologist performed a blinded evaluation of all the MRIs. Rotator cuff integrity, presence of arthritis, fatty degeneration and muscle atrophy were evaluated. No differences were found for any of the assessed outcomes (WORC, OSS, CS and EQ-5D) between the two groups. The mean WORC% was 77% for both groups. Re-tear frequency was 24%, nine in both groups. Patients with re-tear reported less satisfaction with their outcome. The surgical treatment of symptomatic traumatic rotator cuff tears repairable later than 3months after injury yields a good functional outcome, a high level of subjective patient satisfaction, and at the same level for patients receiving earlier treatment. Based on our findings, surgical repair could be encouraged whenever technically possible. Retrospective Comparative Study, Level III.