Objective To compare the clinical outcomes following arthroscopic repair for articular-sided partial rotator cuff tear using transtendon repair versus repair after completion of the tear by meta-analysis. Methods Randomized controlled trials on arthroscopic repair for articular-sided partial rotator cuff tear using transtendon repair versus repair after completion of the tear were identified from Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and Chongqing VIP database, with a timespan from the inception of database to November 2024. Pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, postoperative adhesive capsulitis and postoperative retear were obtained as the outcomes to compare the clinical effect of the two methods. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.3 software, with mean difference (MD) and relative risk (RR) as the effect scales. Results A total of 6 randomized controlled trial studies were included in the meta-analysis. The studies enrolled 370 patients, including 188 cases in the transtendon repair group and 182 cases in the repair after completion of the tear group. Pooled analyses demonstrated that the pain score [MD=0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.09, 0.42), P=0.003] and ASES score [MD=2.02, 95%CI (0.95, 3.10), P=0.0002] were higher in the transtendon repair group than those in the repair after completion of the tear group, the Constant-Murley score was lower in the transtendon repair group than that in the repair after completion of the tear group [MD=−3.32, 95%CI (−6.17, −0.46), P=0.02], and there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative adhesive capsulitis [RR=1.12, 95%CI (0.36, 3.42), P=0.85] or the incidence of retear [RR=0.32, 95%CI (0.10, 1.03), P=0.06] between two groups. Conclusions Transtendon technique is less effective in reducing pain for articular-sided partial rotator cuff tear. There is no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative adhesive capsulitis or retear between the two gorups.
Objective?To analyze the effect of different surgery techniques on the tendon-bone healing of rotator cuff insertion.?Methods?Forty-two adult Japanese rabbits, weighing 2.0-2.5 kg and male or female, were selected. Thirty-six rabbits were given a sharply left-lateral tenotomy of the supraspinatus tendon with subsequent re-attachment of the tendon. According to the depth of re-attachment, 36 rabbits were equally randomized into the cancellous-fixation group (a cancellous bed was prepared with a dental burr) and the cortical-fixation group (the same treatment was performed except the preparation of the bone bed). Six rabbits served as the controls without treatment (control group). At 4 and 8 weeks after operation, the general observation, HE staining, and the biomechanical test were performed.?Results?At 4 weeks after operation, the supraspinatus-humerus specimens morphologically showed atrophy and vague between tendon and new bone in the cancellous-fixation group and the cortical-fixation group; at 8 weeks, no obvious difference was observed between 2 groups and the control group. The histological results of the cortical-fixation group at 4 weeks revealed the interface between tendon and new bone became smooth. The interface became transitional at 8 weeks, and the shape of bone tissue was nearly normal. The interface obtained from the cancellous-fixation group at 4 weeks became sclerotic, and collagen fibers formed in disorder. With ingrowth of new bone and re-establishment of collagen-fiber continuity at 8 weeks, thickness of interface became thin, and bone tissue was remodeling. The ultimate load were significantly higher in the cortical-fixation group than in the cancellous-fixation group at both 4 and 8 weeks, and the results gained at 8 weeks is significantly higher than that at 4 weeks in each group (P lt; 0.05). Except rupture strength at 4 weeks between 2 groups and all tensile strength (P gt; 0.05), there were significant differences in the results of others (P lt; 0.05).?Conclusion?In this model, the tendon-bone healing process and the biomechanical properties of cortical-fixation is superior to those of cancellous-fixation.
ObjectiveTo explorethe method and effectivenessofarthroscopically assisted treatmentof rotator cuff injury. MethodsBetween November 2009 and March 2011, 27 patients with rotator cuff injury were treated. There were 17 males and 10 females with a mean age of 43.6 years (range, 29-66 years). The disease duration was1 to 36 months (mean, 27months). The location was theleft shoulder in 11 cases and theright shoulder in 16 cases. Of them, 12 cases had a history of trauma and 15 caseshad no obvious predisposing causes. All patients had limitation of shoulder flexionandabduction. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films of the shoulder and the out-let X-ray films of the supraspinous muscle were taken. According to the acromion classification of Bigliani, there were 5 cases of type I, 13 cases of type II, and 9 cases of type III. MRI images showed all patients had rupture of the rotator cuff. The examination of shoulder arthroscope showed complete rupture of the supraspinatus muscle in 27 cases and acromion impingement in 23 cases. The patients without impingement underwent tear debridement, and the patients with impingement underwent acromioplasty and resection of subacromial bursa after tear debridement. The 3-4 cm incision was made with arthroscopically assisted positioning, and the metal suture anchorwas placed on the greater tubercle of humerus to repair rotator cuff. ResultsAll incisions healed primarily. All patients were followed up 13-27 months (mean, 19 months). No infection, loosening of internal fixation, and rotator cuffre-tearoccurred. Pain was relieved and the results was satisfactory after operation. The shoulder range of motion (ROM) at last follow-up was significantly improved when compared with preoperative ROM (P lt; 0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was significantly improved from 8.0 ± 1.8 at preoperation to 1.6 ± 0.7 at 2 weeks after operation and 0.8 ± 0.7 at last follow-up (Plt; 0.05); the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score of shoulder was significantly increased from 18.8 ± 6.6 at preoperation to 32.2 ± 3.3at 3months after operation and 33.6 ± 2.1 at last follow-up (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The effectivenessofarthroscopically assisted treatmentof rotator cuff injury is satisfactory. However, long-termeffectiveness needs furtherfollow-up observation.
ObjectiveTo establish a model of chronic rotator cuff injury by inducing subacromial impingement syndrome in rats, so as to lay a foundation for further study on the mechanism and treatment of chronic rotator cuff injury. MethodsThe polyether-ether-ketone implants were designed and made with three-dimensional printing technique. In 48 male Sprague Dawley rats[weighing, (277.25±22.03) g], one shoulder joint was selected randomly as the experimental group; in the experimental group, the implant was pierced into shoulder joint close tothe acromion medial side and was pierced out under acromion close to the deltoid trailing edge; the penetratingpartof implant was cut off after the implanting part was fixed with 4# braided silk suture. No any treatment was performed on the contralateral shoulder of 24 rats as control group; and the implants were immediately removed after they were pierced into the contralateral shoulder joint of the other 24 rats as sham-operation group. All the rats were exposed to 30 minutes of downhill running at 17 m/minute (-13.5°) every day at 4 days after operation and the general condition of rats was observed. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after operation, 12 rats were sacrificed to collect shoulder joint samples. The hardtissueslices was used for VanGieson staining and histological observation of the supraspinatus tendon. ResultsAll ratssurvived to the end of experiment, without infection.The rats suffered limp at 2-3 daysafter operation, and the gait of most rats returned to normal at 4 days after operation.The histological results showed that the supraspinatus tendon had smooth edge, without split layers or breakage in the control group and sham-operation group. In the experimental group, the implants were positioned accurately without dislocation; 4 kinds of typical pathological changes were observed. Partial-thickness tear on bursal side appeared at 2 weeks (5 rats) and 4 weeks (2 rats), showing no significant difference between at 2 and 4 weeks (P > 0.05); intratendinous gap formed mainly at 4 weeks (10 rats) and 6 weeks (11 rats), showing significant differences when compared with that at 2 weeks (2 rats) (P < 0.05) and 8 weeks (2 rats) (P < 0.05); partial-thickness tear on articular side mainly appeared at 6 weeks (8 rats), showing significant difference when compared with that at other time points (P < 0.05); full-thickness tear was found mainly at 8 weeks (10 rats), showing significant differences when compared with that at other time points (P < 0.05). ConclusionA model of chronic rotator cuff injury is successfully established in rats through microinvasive implantation of subacromial impingement syndrome inducing implants and the pathological changes in this model are highly similar to the clinical pathological progress.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided anterior injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with routine physiotherapy on pain and functional improvement in patients with rotator cuff injury.MethodsThe patients with rotator cuff injury treated in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from August 2017 to June 2018 were randomly divided into control group and PRP group. The control group was treated with routine physiotherapy for 4 weeks, and the PRP group was treated with PRP injection guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound (once a week, two injections) combined with routine physiotherapy for 4 weeks. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the European Shoulder Association Constant-Murley Score (CMS) were used to evaluate the changes of pain and function before intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 24 weeks after intervention.ResultsFinally, 65 patients were included, with 33 in the control group and 32 in the PRP group. Compared with the control group, there were significant differences in the CMS and SAPDI scores between the PRP group and the control group at 12 and 24 weeks after intervention (P<0.05), except before intervention (P>0.05). Twelve and 24 weeks after intervention, the CMS scores of the two groups were higher than those before intervention, while the SPADI scores were lower than those before intervention (P<0.05). The results of repeated measures analysis of variances showed that there was no statistical significance in group effect of CMS or SAPDI scores (F=2.753, P=0.102; F=2.724, P=0.104), but the time effects of CMS and SAPDI scores were statistically significant (F=251.002, P<0.001; F= 1 846.753, P<0.001), and there was interaction between group and time (F=4.931, P=0.020; F=36.405, P<0.001).ConclusionAnterior injection of PRP guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound combined with conventional physiotherapy is more effective than conventional physiotherapy in relieving shoulder pain and improving shoulder joint function.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic intertubercular groove and open subpectoral tenodesis in treatment of long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) tendinopathy.MethodsA clinical data of 80 patients with LHBT tendinopathy who were admitted between June 2013 and May 2017 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. After cutting LHBT under arthroscopy, the arthroscopic intertubercular groove tenodesis was performed in 40 cases (group A) and open subpectoral tenodesis was performed in 40 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in the gender, age, side of the affected shoulder joint, disease duration, and preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Constant score, American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score, Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, LHBT score (LHBS) between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time and the scores of shoulder joint pain and function at 12 months after operation were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe operation time was (3.6±2.5) minutes in group A and (8.5±2.3) minutes in group B, showing a significant difference (t=18.584, P=0.000). The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as infection or thrombosis. All patients were followed up. The follow-up time was 24-30 months (mean, 26.0 months) in group A and 24-31 months (mean, 26.0 months) in group B. Both Speed test and Yergason test were negative at 3 months after operation. MRI showed that there was no obvious effusion around the LHTB and no dislocation of LHTB. At 12 months after operation, the VAS score, Constant score, ASES score, DASH score, and LHBS score of the two groups all improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the differences before and after operation between the two groups (P>0.05). No Popeye sign appeared during the follow-up.ConclusionThe arthroscopic intertubercular groove and open subpectoral tenodesis can effectively relieve shoulder pain and improve function, but the former has shorter operation time and less trauma.
Rotator cuff injuries are often associated with long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) lesions, which are more common in middle-aged and older adults. With the continuous updating of diagnosis and treatment techniques and treatment concepts in recent years, many patients can receive effective diagnosis and treatment. This article starts from the anatomy, etiology, diagnosis and treatment progress of rotator cuff and LHBT, and details the related research progress of rotator cuff injury combined with LHBT at home and abroad. This paper focuses on the significance of paying attention to LHBT lesions while dealing with rotator cuff injuries, aiming to improve clinicians’ understanding of rotator cuff injuries combined with LHBT lesions, explore accurate and effective diagnosis and treatment systems, so as to choose the best treatment method.
Objective To investigate the effect of canine decellularized tendon slices (DTSs) on tendon-bone healing in repairing rotator cuff injury of rabbit. Methods Canine DTSs were prepared by repetitive freeze/thaw 5 times combined with nuclease processing for 12 hours from the adult Beagles Achilles tendons. Histological observation and cytocompatibility evaluation for the canine DTSs were performed in vitro. Twenty-four mature male New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg, were randomly selected. U-shaped defect of more than 50% of normal tendon in width and 8 mm in length was made in infraspinatus tendons of unilateral limb as the experimental group; the canine DTSs were used to repair defect, and the insertion of infraspinatus tendon on greater tuberosity of humerus was reconstructed in the experimental group. No treatment was done on the contralateral limb as the control group. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation, the specimens were harvested for histological observation and biomechanical test. Results Histological examination showed that collagen fibers of canine DTSs were well preserved, without residual cells. The cytocompatibility examination showed that fibroblasts attached well to canine DTSs. Biomechanical test showed that the maximum load and stiffness increased significantly with time, and the maximum load and stiffness at 12 weeks were significantly higher than those at 4 and 8 weeks (P lt; 0.05). The maximum load and stiffness of the experimental group at 4 and 8 weeks were significantly lower than those of the control group (P lt; 0.05). The stiffness of the experimental group at 12 weeks was significantly lower than that of the control group (t= — 5.679, P=0.000), but no significant difference was found in the maximum load at 12 weeks between 2 groups (t=0.969, P=0.361). Histological observation showed that the control group displayed a 4-layer structure of the tendon-bone insertion. In the experimental group at 4 weeks, the tendon-bone interface was filled with granulation tissue, and a small amount of Sharpey’s fibers-like connected the tendon to bone; granulation tissue disappeared, and fibroblasts, Sharpey’s fiber, new cartilage, and chondrocytes significantly increased with time; tendon-bone interface became mature, but the tide line was not observed between the unmineralized fibrocartilage and mineralized fibrocartilage. Conclusion Canine DTSs prepared by repetitive freeze/thaw 5 times combined with nuclease processing for 12 hours, can enhance the healing of host tendon-bone and improve the biomechanical characteristics of the rabbit infraspinatus tendon.
Objective To investigate the synergistic interaction between the deltoid muscle and the rotator cuff muscle group in patients with rotator cuff tears (RCT), as well as the impact of the critical shoulder angle (CSA) on deltoid muscle strength. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 42 RCT patients who met the selection criteria and were treated between March 2022 and March 2023. There were 13 males and 29 females, with an age range of 42-77 years (mean, 60.5 years). Preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.0±1.6. CSA measurements were obtained from standard anteroposterior X-ray films before operation, and patients were divided into two groups based on CSA measurements: CSA>35° group (group A) and CSA≤35° group (group B). Handheld dynamometry was used to measure the muscle strength of various muscle group in the shoulder (including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and anterior, middle, and posterior bundles of the deltoid). The muscle strength of the unaffected side was compared to the affected side, and muscle imbalance indices were calculated. Muscle imbalance indices between male and female patients, dominant and non-dominant sides, and groups A and B were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between muscle imbalance indices and CSA as well as VAS scores. Results Muscle strength in all muscle groups on the affected side was significantly lower than on the unaffected side (P<0.05). The muscle imbalance indices for the supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and anterior, middle, and posterior bundles of the deltoid were 14.8%±24.4%, 5.9%±9.7%, 7.2% (0, 9.1%), 17.2% (5.9%, 26.9%), 8.3%±21.3%, and 10.2% (2.8%, 15.4%), respectively. The muscle imbalance indices of the anterior bundle of the deltoid, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus were significantly lower in male patients compared to female patients (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in muscle imbalance indices among other muscle groups between male and female patients or between the dominant and non-dominant sides (P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between the muscle imbalance indices of infraspinatus and VAS score (P<0.05), and a positive correlation between CSA and the muscle imbalance indices of middle bundle of deltoid (P<0.05). There was no correlation between the muscle imbalance indices of other muscle groups and VAS score or CSA (P>0.05). Preoperative CSA ranged from 17.6° to 39.4°, with a mean of 31.1°. There were 9 cases in group A and 33 cases in group B. The muscle imbalance indices of the anterior bundle of the deltoid was significantly lower in group A compared to group B (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in muscle imbalance indices among other muscle groups between group A and group B (P>0.05). ConclusionPatients with RCT have a phenomenon of deltoid muscle strength reduction, which is more pronounced in the population with a larger CSA.