ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy for treating primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff. Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff who met the selection criteria between October 2020 and October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 3 males and 8 females, aged 39-79 years, with an average of 61.0 years. Rotator cuff injury was caused by traumatic fall in 8 cases, and the time from injury to admission was 1-4 months, with an average of 2.0 months; the remaining 3 cases had no obvious inducement. The active range of motion of the affected shoulder was limited, with an active forward flexion range of motion of (64.1±10.9)°, abduction of (78.1±6.4)°, internal rotation of (48.2±6.6)°, and external rotation of (41.8±10.5)°; 5 cases had shoulder stiffness. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.8±0.8 and the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score was 23.9±6.4. The patients were treated with “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy, and the pain and functional recovery were evaluated by VAS score, ASES score, and active range of motion of shoulder joint at last follow-up; MRI was performed after operation, and the integrity of rotator cuff was evaluated by Sugaya classification system. Results All the 11 patients were followed up 2-22 months, with an average of 13.5 months. All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as infection, rotator cuff re-tear, and anchor falling off. At last follow-up, the VAS score was 0.8±0.7 and the ASES score was 93.5±4.2, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). All 11 patients had no significant swelling in the shoulders, and the active range of motion was (165.1±8.8)° in flexion, (75.3±8.4)° in abduction, (56.6±5.5)° in internal rotation, and (51.8±4.0)° in external rotation, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Shoulder MRI showed adequate tendon thickness and good continuity in 9 cases, including 4 cases with partial high signal area; and 2 cases with inadequate tendon thickness but high continuity and partial high signal area. According to Sugaya classification system, there were 4 cases of type 1 (36.4%), 5 cases of type 2 (45.5%), and 2 cases of type 3 (18.1%).Conclusion For the patients with primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff, the “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy is simple and effective.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of tendon insertion medialized repair in treatment of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears (L/MRCT). Methods The clinical and imaging data of 46 L/MRCT patients who underwent arthroscopic insertion medialized repair between October 2015 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 20 females with an average age of 57.7 years (range, 40-75 years). There were 20 cases of large rotator cuff tears and 26 cases of massive rotator cuff tears. Preoperative imaging evaluation included fatty infiltration (Goutallier grade), tendon retraction (modified Patte grade), supraspinatus tangent sign, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), and postoperative medializaiton length and tendon integrity. The clinical outcome was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score, shoulder range of motion (including anteflexion and elevation, lateral external, and internal rotation) and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength before and after operation. The patients were divided into two groups (the intact tendon group and the re-teared group) according to the integrity of the tendon after operation. According to the medializaiton length, the patients were divided into group A (medialization length ≤10 mm) and group B (medialization length >10 mm). The clinical function and imaging indexes of the patients were compared. Results All patients were followed up 24-56 months, with an average of 31.8 months. At 1 year after operation, MRI showed that the medializaiton length of supraspinatus tendon was 5-15 mm, with an average of 10.26 mm, 33 cases in group A and 13 cases in group B. Eleven cases (23.91%) had re-teared, including 5 cases (45.45%) of Sugaya type Ⅳ and 6 cases (54.55%) of Sugaya type Ⅴ. At last follow-up, the VAS score, ASES score, shoulder anteflexion and elevation range of motion, lateral external rotation range of motion, and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in internal rotation range of motion between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). The Goutallier grade and modified Patte grade of supraspinatus muscle in the re-teared group were significantly higher than those in the intact tendon group, and the AHD was significantly lower than that in the intact tendon group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). Except that the ASES score of the intact tendon group was significantly higher than that of the re-teared group (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the other postoperative clinical functional indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of re-tear, VAS score, ASES score, range of motion of shoulder joint, and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength between group A and group B (P>0.05). ConclusionTendon insertion medialized repair may be useful in cases with L/MRCT, and shows good postoperative shoulder function. Neither tendon integrity nor medialization length shows apparent correlations with postoperative shoulder function.
Objective To analyze the effect of stump-preserving repair on rotator cuff healing and shoulder function for degenerative total rotator cuff tears. Methods A clinical data of 152 patients with degenerative total rotator cuff tears, who underwent arthroscopic repair between April 2019 and May 2022, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 76 males and 76 females with an average age of 55.4 years (range, 24-78 years). MRI was performed at 6 months postoperatively to evaluate the rotator cuff healing according to the Sugaya classification. Pre- and intra-operative related factors were included for univariate analysis, including age (≥60 years/<60 years), gender (male/female), passive activity disorder (yes/no), disease duration (≤3 months/>3 months), stump-preserving repair (yes/no), use of suture bridge technique (yes/no), shoulder joint abduction angle at knotting (<45°/≥45°), acromioplasty (yes/no), glucocorticoid injection (yes/no), time for patients to start postoperative passive exercise (≤2 weeks/>2 weeks), and time for patients to start postoperative active exercise (≤3 months/>3 months). The influencing factors of tendon healing were screened; further logistic regression was used to conduct multivariate analysis to screen for risk factors. Two sets of data were balanced by propensity score matching. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Constant-Murley score of shoulder joint function at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, as well as rotator cuff healing rate at 6 months postoperatively, were compared between groups based on whether or not stump-preserving repair was used. Results All patients were followed up 12-33 months (mean, 23.8 months). MRI at 25-31 weeks postoperatively showed the 121 cases of rotator cuff healing and 31 cases of non healing. Univariate analysis showed that the disease duration, stump-preserving repair, shoulder joint abduction angle at knotting, and the time for patients to start postoperative active exercise were the influencing factors of rotator cuff healing (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that non-stump-preserving repair, shoulder abduction angle more than 45° at knotting, and the time to start active exercise within 3 months postoperatively were risk factors affecting rotator cuff healing (P<0.05). A total of 51 pairs of cases were matched based on the grouping criteria of whether the disease duration exceeded 3 months, whether the shoulder abduction angle at knotting exceeded 45°, and whether the time to start postoperative active exercise exceeded 3 months. The rotator cuff healing rate, ASES score, and Constant-Murley score of the preserving repair group at 6 months postoperatively were superior to those of the non-preserving repair group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ASES score and Constant-Murley score between the two groups at 12 months postoperatively (P>0.05). Conclusion For degenerative total rotator cuff tears, the stump-preserving repair can shorten the healing time and promote the shoulder function recovery, but has no significant effect on shoulder function at 1 year postoperatively.
ObjectiveTo study the surgical treatments of scapula fracture through the muscle space of rotator cuff approach and the Judet approach, and to evaluate and compare the clinical results.MethodsBetween January 2014 and December 2015, 50 patients with scapula fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation of reconstruction plate. Twenty-four patients were treated through the muscle space of rotator cuff approach (group A), and 26 patients were treated through the Judet approach (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, type of fracture, and the interval between injury and operation (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and incision length were recorded, and the shoulder functions after fracture healing confirmed by X-ray films were evaluated according to the Hardegger’s scoring system.ResultsThe operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and incision length in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (P < 0.05). The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-13 months (mean, 11.6 months) in group A and 7-15 months (mean, 12.1 months) in group B. According to Hardegger standard, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 19 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case, with the excellent and good rate of 95.8% in group A, and as excellent in 15 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 2 cases with the excellent and good rate of 73.1% in group B. The difference in effectiveness between 2 groups was significant (χ2=4.81, P=0.03). X-ray films showed that the reduction and internal fixation were satisfied and the fractures healed in 2 groups. The fracture healing time were (29.86±8.38) weeks in group A and (30.05±7.99) weeks in group B, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (t=0.16, P=0.87). ConclusionCompared with the Judet approach, the muscle space of rotator cuff approach has advantages of clearly exposure, less muscular dissection, less intraoperative blood loss, less operation time, easier operation, and satisfied shoulder function can be obtained.
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 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.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of the greater tubercle fixation and the rotator cuff repair in humeral head replacement.MethodsThe literature about proximal humerus fracture and humeral head replacement in recent years was extensively consulted and analyzed.ResultsThe greater tubercle fixation and the attached rotator cuff repair have great influence on the function of shoulder joint after humeral head replacement. It is difficult to make an objective comparison because of lack of direct comparison between various methods, unified standards of grading, and limited number of cases.ConclusionIt is an important factor of reduction and fixation of greater tubercle to obtain better effectiveness in humeral head replacement. However, one-stage repair of rotator cuff is more important than greater tubercle fixation for functional recovery of shoulder joint.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff injury.MethodsRelevant randomized controlled trials were identified from Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, China Biology Medicine Database, Chongqing VIP Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database (from the dates of establishment to September 2020). A systematic review was performed to compare the short-term and mid-term retear rates, the scores of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Rating Scale, and the scores of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) between the two groups. Analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.2.0 software.ResultsNine studies with low heterogeneity were included in the meta-analysis involving 610 cases (305 in the PRP group and 305 in the control group). There were significant differences in the short-term retear rate [relative risk (RR)=0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.13, 0.65), P=0.003], the short-term and the mid-term UCLA scores [standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.35, 95%CI (0.14, 0.56), P=0.000 9; SMD=0.87, 95%CI (0.53, 1.21), P<0.000 01], the short-term and the mid-term VAS scores [SMD=?0.29, 95%CI (?0.51, ?0.07), P=0.009; SMD=?0.35, 95%CI (?0.66, ?0.03), P=0.03] between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the mid-term retear rate [RR=0.88, 95%CI (0.48, 1.63), P=0.69] or complication rate [RR=1.40, 95%CI (0.78, 2.54), P=0.26] between the two groups.ConclusionsPRP injection can effectively improve the clinical outcomes following arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears, thus reducing the short-term retear rate, alleviating pain, and improving patients’ shoulder function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of asymptomatic hyperuricemia on the effectiveness of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.MethodsThe clinical data of 80 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and met the selection criteria between March 2018 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the serum uric acid level, the patients were divided into hyperuric acid group (46 cases, the serum uric acid level was more than 417 μmol/L in males and was more than 357 μmol/L in females) and normal group (34 cases, serum uric acid level was lower than the above standard). There was no significant difference in gender, age, side, body mass index, blood glucose level, total cholesterol level, rotator cuff tear size, and preoperative shoulder motion, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) score, Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and other general data between the two groups (P>0.05). The range of motion of abduction, forward flexion, and external rotation at 90° abduction were recorded and compared between the two groups before operation and at last follow-up; the improvement of shoulder pain was evaluated by VAS score; the improvement of shoulder function was evaluated by UCLA score, Constant score, and ASES score; and the shoulder joint MRI grade was evaluated according to Sugaya evaluation criteria.ResultsAll patients were followed up 9-16 months, with an average of 11.9 months; there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (t=0.968, P=0.336). There were 2 cases of retear in the hyperuric acid group (including 1 case of severe tear) and 1 case of light retear in the normal group. The remaining patients in the two groups had no early-related complications. At last follow-up, the range of motion of the shoulder joints (abduction, forward flexion, external rotation at 90° abduction), VAS score, UCLA score, Constant score, and ASES score of the two groups were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); the above indicators in the normal group were significantly better than those in the hyperuric acid group (P<0.05). The MRI grade of the shoulder joint in the normal group was significantly better than that in the hyperuric acid group (Z=–2.000, P=0.045).ConclusionCompared with patients with normal serum uric acid level, asymptomatic hyperuricemia can lead to worse recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients with rotator cuff tears.
Objective To study the efficacy and safety of bone channeling in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane Library, Chongqing VIP, PubMed, Wanfang database and Embase were searched to collect all randomized controlled trials of the application of bone channeling in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The search time was from the establishment of databases to October 15, 2025. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis to explore the differences in postoperative functional score, pain, complications, reoperation and 2-year postoperative re-tear between the bone channeling group and the control group. Results Nine randomized controlled trial studies were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the postoperative Constant Function Score [mean difference (MD)=1.27], American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (MD=1.26), postoperative pain score (MD=0.27), 2-year postoperative incidence of re-tear [relative risk (RR)=1.22], reoperation rate (RR=1.19) and complication rate (RR=1.37) between the bone channeling group and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusions Existing evidence shows that the application of bone channeling in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair failed to improve the postoperative re-tear of patients, but also did not lead to pain and complications.
